2025 Policy Priorities & Bill Tracking

The 2025 Policy Priorities

The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute’s mission is to advance lasting solutions that expand economic opportunity and well-being for all Georgians. We envision a fair and inclusive Georgia where all people prosper. We track and advocate for an equitable budget across the areas of education, health, economic security, and criminal legal systems, helping to ensure a level of funding for state and federal policies that brings us closer to achieving our mission. Together, these areas of focus comprise about 80 cents of every state and federal dollar allocated in Georgia. 

Click the links that follow to explore what we are pushing for this legislative session. Track related bills on these individual topics or track all bills below. 

If you’re eager to get your hands on a copy and dive into expert analysis and valuable insights about the state’s budget and key policy areas, we’ve got you covered–simply request your physical copy below by the deadline Tuesday, June 20. Don’t miss out on this invaluable resource—secure your copy and stay informed about Georgia’s budget landscape.

Our Priorities

money

Fund State Government Transparently, Equitably and Responsibly

backpack

Ensure the State Educates All Georgians

medical cross

Build Healthy Communities

covered

Support Georgians' Economic Security

Welcome Immigrant Communites

Bill Tracking

This page was updated on April 4th, 2025. April 4th was Sine Die, and any bill that did not make it out of Georgia Legislature by this day can not become law this year. 

Fund State Government Transparently, Equitably and Responsibly

House Bill 83

Lifts the excise tax on each pack of cigarettes from $0.37 to $0.57

House Bill 84

Lifts the excise tax on vaping products from $0.05 per milliliter to 15% of wholesale cost

House Bill 95 & Senate Bill 67

Creates a refundable state EITC, valued at 20% of the federal level

House Bill 96

Lifts the tobacco tax to the national average

House Bill 98

Enacts a refundable child tax credit, valued at 10% of the federal level

House Bill 99

Increases the state’s existing Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit to 100% of the federal level and makes it fully refundable
Oppose

House Bill 111

Lowers the state’s flat income tax rate from 5.39% to 5.19% at an estimated cost of $748 million per year, with about 67% of overall tax savings going to those with incomes in the top 20% of Georgia earners.

House Bill 67

The Amended 2025 budget that appropriates $41.6 billion for the current fiscal year that continues through June 30.

Senate Bill 89 / House Bill 136

Creates a non-refundable Child Tax Credit, valued at $250 per child, and increases the state's existing non-refundable Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit from 30% to 50% of the federal level

House Bill 68

State Budget for Fiscal Year 2026

House Resolution 304

Creates a study committee to evaluate the costs and effects of smoking, recognizing that Georgia’s cigarette tax currently ranks 49th lowest out of 50 nationally

Ensure the State Educates All Georgians ​

House Bill 27

Provides an additional 25% in the public school Quality Basic Education funding formula for each student living in poverty to create an opportunity weight.

House Bill 38

Expands the eligibility criteria for a completion grant so that students who finish at least 70% of a four-year degree program or 45% of a two-year degree program can qualify to receive need-based financial aid.

House Bill 92

Changes the existing one-time opt out period to allow localities to opt out of the statewide homestead exemption created under HB 581 (2024) through March 31, 2029
Oppose

House Bill 328

Increases the annual tax credit contribution limit for student scholarship organizations/school vouchers from $120 million to $140 million. While this bill did not pass, it was raised in the budget bill

SB 128

Proposes grants awarded by the State Board of Education to local school systems to provide supplementary services to students living in poverty equal to 25% of the base amount per pupil funding

House Bill 245

Provides the department of education with additional funding for students in poverty. Increases funding weight in the Quality Basic Education formula for students who qualify.
Oppose

House Bill 602

Seeks to remove student state funded scholarships the HOPE Scholarship or the HOPE Grant for the subsequent semester if students engage in non-peaceful protests that result in criminal offense conviction
Oppose

Senate Bill 120 / House Bill 127

Prohibits the promotion or support of any activities or programs that advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion in all public post-secondary institutions in USG and TCSG. HB 127 would also explicitly define bathrooms and changing areas in an education agency or postsecondary institution as areas for individuals of the same sex

House Bill 686 and House Resolution 450

Amends Georgia’s constitution to legalize sports betting. The package was the subject of a late bipartisan amendment to increase the tax rate that would be assessed to 24%. Funding would go to support Georgia’s pre-k program, with up to 15% of the first $150 million also going toward addiction programs and services

House Bill 716

Provides need-based meal plan grants for college students students who have low-incomes

Senate Resolution 474

Creates Senate Higher Education study committee on college affordability to advance financial aid equity for students who are low-income. This resolution has passed the Senate, and does not need approval from the other chamber or the Governor. This resolution is now law.

Build Healthy Communities

Senate Bill 50

Authorizes Department of Community Health to submit an 1115 demonstration waiver for federal approval that would expand access to health care for low-income adults by using Medicaid funds to purchase qualified health plans on the state-based marketplace

House Bill 97

Authorizes Department of Community Health to submit an 1115 demonstration waiver for federal approval that would expand access to health care for low-income adults by using Medicaid funds to purchase qualified health plans on the state-based marketplace

House Bill 178

Authorizes Department of Community Health to submit for federal approval an 1115 demonstration waiver that would expand Medicaid to low-income adults living with HIV

House Bill 258

Authorizes Department of Community Health to submit an 1115 demonstration waiver for federal approval that would expand access to health care for low-income adults by both offering Medicaid coverage to adults earning below the federal poverty level and by using Medicaid funds to purchase qualified health plans on the state-based marketplace for adults earning at or slightly above the federal poverty level

Senate Resolution 201

Urges Governor Kemp to add family caregiving of a sick, elderly, and/or disabled adult as a qualifying activity under the Pathways to Coverage program, which provides Medicaid coverage to low-income adults who are able to meet the qualifying hours and activities requirement

House Bill 689

Creates a flexible local grant program within the Department of Community Affairs' State Housing Trust Fund for the Homeless to provide short-term emergency rental and utility assistance, legal representation in eviction, mediation, and other homelessness prevention supports

House Resolution 847

Creates the House Study Committee on Evaluating Funding for Public Health

Support Georgians’ Economic Security ​

House Bill 140

Caps use of local court fine and fee revenue to no more than 10 percent of a locality's budget, transferring any additional revenue to the state's general fund.

House Bill 16

Enhances labor standards and protections for warehouse distribution center workers, regarding workplace surveillance, paid break time for rest and collection and use of work speed data.

Senate Bill 55

Phases out the payment of subminimum wages to persons with disabilities.

Senate Bill 191

Provides for digital notice on UI benefit claim decisions and appeals. It also revises the claimant's appeal window for digital notices so the window begins on the date of issuing a digital notice instead of the date that a determination is mailed

House Bill 284 & House Resolution 99

Creates a state Baby Bonds savings and investment account program with universal eligibility for Georgia children and greater support for children enrolled in Medicaid, SNAP, and TANF. At age 18, funds can be withdrawn for educational expenses, to support home ownership, or entrepreneurial investments.
Oppose

Senate Bill 75

Expands the use of automated traffic enforcement cameras in school zones, placing authority and a portion of citation revenue to local law enforcement

House Bill 343

Increases the state minimum wage to $20 per hour and provides a market-rate wage to incarcerated workers

House Bill 225

Eliminates the use of speeding cameras in school zones

House Bill 312

Allows unemployment insurance benefit applicants to obtain their personnel files when their claims are contested by their employers, and expand labor protections around a person's employment separation status. GBPI supports

House Bill 500

Increases benefit levels and expands eligibility for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families' cash assistance program

House Bill 394

Increases the state minimum wage for eligible private sector and full-time state government workers to $15 per hour

House Bill 395

increases the state minimum wage for eligible private and public sector workers to $15 per hour, increases the subminimum wage for eligible tipped workers to $7.50 per hour and expands tipped worker eligibility rules for the subminimum wage.
Oppose

House Bill 651

lays groundwork to expand automated traffic enforcement in GA

Senate Bill 273

Increases the state minimum wage to $22 per hour and allow it to adjust upward annually to reflect an increased cost of living. It will increase the subminimum wage to $7.50 per hour, expand tipped worker eligibility rules for the subminimum wage, but exclude high school and college students, and some care workers.

Senate Bill 207

Provides Georgians with an arrest or conviction record a fair chance at pursuing careers in licensed industries. 

House Bill 321

Increases he state minimum wage for all eligible workers to $15 per hour

Senate Bill 148

Increases the number of accumulated sick leave from 3 to 5 days that school personnel can use for personal or professional leave. It would also create an outdoor learning spaces pilot program and remove the requirement of having a licensed physician in automated external defibrillator programs

Welcome Immigrant Communities

Oppose

Senate Bill 21

Opens local governments who adopt or enforce a “sanctuary” policy to lawsuits. Strips local governments and law enforcement of discretion by forcing compliance with Immigration Detainer Requests: Sheriffs, jailers, and deputies must honor Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer requests. 

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Critical SNAP Updates

The Georgia Department of Human Services has clarified that SNAP recipients can use their EBT card with any unspent SNAP benefits in November.  

DHS states: “Households may continue to redeem benefits issued to their electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card prior to Nov. 1, 2025, at any SNAP authorized retailer.” 

However, as DHS reported before, the November SNAP benefits will be suspended until federal funds are available. 

If you are in need of food, you can find a local food bank here.  

Submit your comment on the Georgia Pathways to Coverage Program

Submit public comment on Georgia’s Pathways to Coverage program extension by February 20th – just complete this easily fillable form:

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