Advocacy Update 2025 - Legislative Days 26-28

The Chaos of Crossover

Thursday, March 6 was the critical Crossover Day milestone.  It was the final day for Senate Bills to pass the Senate and House Bills to pass the House. Both chambers worked late into the evening to consider a substantial volume of legislation; the House took up a record-setting 75 measures over more than 12 hours.

While only bills that survived the chaos of Crossover remain active, entire contents of lost measures will be added to unrelated active legislation. Legislators now shift their focus back to committees, which must vet measures from the opposite chamber. With only twelve legislative days remaining, the pace of activity will continue to increase after a brief post-Crossover respite.

CBA is pleased to report good news from Crossover Day for community banks.  CBA’s top three advocacy priorities for the session are:
•    Tort reform,
•    Intangible tax relief, and 
•    Interchange fees.

The legislature has taken up all three issues.  The Senate has passed tort reform and the House is currently debated the bill.  The House adopted intangible tax relief late on Crossover; it increases the term of the long-term notes to a negotiated 62 months.  The House Banks and Banking Committee did not consider the interchange bill but did advance vendor compensation reform.  After passage in the House, merchants are one step closer to receiving increased compensation for collecting sales tax without these funds coming from our community banks.

Bill Highlight: Debanking or Fair Access to Financial Services

Sen. Blake Tillery (R), Vidalia presented SB 57 on the Senate floor on March 6.   The bill prohibits discrimination in the provision of essential services, which is defined as financial services or utility services.  “Financial institution” means a bank or credit union that has more than $1 billion in assets and any affiliate or subsidiary of such bank or credit union.  

While in the Senate Judiciary Committee, CBA and the other financial trade groups testified in opposition to the bill and specifically discussed increasing the asset threshold to exempt local community banks and the devastating lawsuits that could result from a new private right of action.  Even after advancing from committee, the financial trade groups continued to lobby Senators in preparation for a floor vote.

During floor debate on March 6, Senators offered at least five floor amendments.  One stripped the private right of action from the bill.  The others adjusted the asset threshold anywhere from $2 billion up to $100 billion in an effort to exempt community banks.  Remarks by Senator Bill Cowsert were especially compelling as he reminded his colleagues that the General Assembly protected industries at the heart of this measure by passing the Firearms Industry Nondiscrimination Act in 2024.

After a prolonged debate, the bill failed by a vote of 13-43.  Click here to see the vote counts.

This vote is a direct result of a team of people from the financial institution trade groups along with grassroots efforts by each of our members.  CBA’s mission statement reads “Communities are our Passion, Banking is our Purpose, Advocacy is our Power.”  Community bankers showed how important the power of our voice is on this measure.  Thanks to all the members who contacted your Senators requesting a no vote on SB 57.

Active Measures: Banking

These measures remain active after Crossover Day.

Vendor Compensation (HB 439)

Rep. Bill Yearta, R—Sylvester

Bill passed by the House with a vote of 170-1 on Mar-6.

HB 439 revises vendor compensation rates to offset the administrative costs of collecting and reporting sales tax.  The bill increases the base deduction from 3% of the first $3,000 collected to 3% of the first $10,000 collected.

Intangible Recording Tax (HB 586)

Rep. Bruce Williamson, R—Monroe

Bill passed by the House with a vote of 170-1 on Mar-6.

HB 586 revises the notes for which such tax is imposed.  As introduced , it changes the term of a long-term note secured by real estate from three to seven years from the date of the note.  To alleviate concerns raised by local government, Rep. Williamson revised the term to 62 months from the date of the note.

Georgia Housing and Finance Authority (HB 159)

Rep. Clint Crowe, R—Jackson

Bill passed by the House with a vote of 162-10 on Mar-6

HB 159 increases the outstanding bond limit from $3 billion to $6 billion for the Georgie Housing and Finance Authority.  No state funds are at risk through this program.

Hemp and Medical Cannabis

The Senate took significant action on hemp and medical cannabis on Crossover Day.

• SB 254 amends the Hemp Farming Act to impose milligram limits on delta-9-THC in consumable hemp products.  An amendment gutted the bill and effectively prohibits the sale of consumable hemp products and THC-infused beverages.
• SB 33 also amends the Hemp Farming Act by providing limits on the total THC concentration of consumable hemp products.  It also revises provisions concerning the certificate of analysis applicable to consumable hemp products.

SB 220 expands access to medical cannabis.  The bill was approved by a vote of 39-17 and increases the allowable THC concentration in medical cannabis products from 5% to 50%.  It also broadens the list of qualifying conditions and permits alternative consumption methods, such as vaping.

Active Measures: General Business

Property

Possessory Interest in Certain Land by Foreign Persons (HB 358)

Rep.  Vance Smith, R—Pine Mountain

Bill passed by the House with a vote of 120-50 on Mar-3.  Assigned to the Senate Judiciary Cmte on Mar-4.

HB 358 prohibits certain foreign persons and entities from the acquisition of possessory interest in certain land defined as a military installation.  This has been presented as a clean-up requested by legislative counsel.

Tenant Communications (HB 399)

Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver, D—Decatur

Bill passed by the House with a vote of 163-4 on Mar-3.  Assigned to the Senate Economic Development and Tourism Cmte on Mar-4.

HB 399 requires certain residential landlords to have in-state staff to manage tenant communications related to such properties.

Manufactured or Mobile Homes (SB 119)

Sen. Russ Goodman, R—Cogdell

Bill was passed by the Senate with a vote of 53-0 on Mar-6.

Under current law, a manufactured home becomes real property if it is permanently affixed to land owned by the homeowner, and a Certificate of Permanent Location is filed with the county’s real estate records.  SB 119 allows certain manufactured homes to remain classified as personal property even when permanently affixed to owned land.  The change aims to preserve the rights and remedies of prior lienholders or security interest holders in these homes.

Judicial

Electronic Filing of Pleadings in Probate Court (HB 530)

Rep. Rob Leverett, R—Elberton

Bill passed by the House with a vote of 174-0 on Mar-6.

HB 530 provides for authorization for the electronic filing of pleadings in probate court.

File Notices of Uncontested Motions in Superior Court (SB 173)

Sen. Josh McLaurin, D –Atlanta

Bill passed by the Senate with a vote of 49-5 on Mar-6.

SB 173 authorizes movants to file notices of uncontested motions in superior courts and state courts.

Taxation

Catastrophic Savings Accounts (HB 511)

Rep. Eddie Lumsden, R—Armuchee

Bill passed by the House with a vote of 177-0 on Mar-6.

HB 511 provides deductions from taxable income for contributions by taxpayers to catastrophic savings accounts and interest earned on such accounts.  This tax incentive is designed to encourage residential property owners to save funds designated for expenses related to natural disasters.  The House Ways and Means Committee added language to clarify how the account is handled upon the death of the account owner.

General Business

Automatic Service Renewals (HB 529)

Rep. Carter Barrett, R—Cumming

Bill passed by the House with a vote of 169-2 on Mar-6. 

HB 529 requires businesses to give consumers the option to cancel after their contract period and clearly disclose renewal terms.  See also SB 127. 

Issuance of Temporary Operating Permits (HB 551)

Rep. Jason Ridley, R—Chatsworth

Bill passed by the House with a vote of 168-2 on Mar-4.  Assigned to the Senate Transportation Cmte on Mar-6.

HB 551 establishes conditions for issuing temporary operating permits.  It modifies licensing requirements for used motor vehicle dealers and used motor vehicle parts dealers. 

Georgia Consumer Privacy Protection Act (SB 111)

Sen. John Albers, R—Roswell

Bill passed by the Senate with a vote of 53-2 on Mar-3.  Assigned to the House Technology and Infrastructure Innovation Cmte on Mar-4.

SB 111 seeks to protect the privacy of consumer personal data. The bill defines consumers’ rights, the responsibilities of data controllers and processors and requirements for data protection assessments.  The bill contains a requested exemption from last year’s bill (SB 473) for financial institutions and affiliates of financial institutions, data or personal information subject to Title V of the federal Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.

Georgia Uniform Securities Act (SB 284)

Sen. Larry Walker, R—Perry

Bill passed by the Senate with a vote of 54-1 on Mar-6.

SB 284 authorizes the issuance of orders by the Commissioner of Securities directing persons who have violated certain securities provisions to return to investors, customers, or clients sums paid in connection with securities purchases.

New Legislation of Interest

While these bills cannot become law this session because they did not crossover, your Advocacy Team will be monitoring them as they can remain active until the next legislative session.

Banking Related

• Limit Credit Card Surcharges (HB 700), Rep. Solomon Adesanya, D—Marietta and (HB 726), Rep. Terry Cummings, D—Mableton
• Fair and Future Ready Housing Act (HB 715), Rep. Bryce Berry, D—Atlanta

Property

• Property Owners’ Association (SB 315), Sen. Jason Esteves, D—Atlanta

Bills That Did NOT Crossover This Session

Bills that are lost are listed here will be removed in the next report.

Legislation that fails to meet the Crossover Day deadline is lost as a standalone measure this year.  Those appear here in abbreviated form and will be removed from future reports.  Rest assured your Advocacy Team will continue to monitor these, as lost legislation can be revived at a moment’s notice.

• HOA Accountability and Community Empowerment Act (HB 62), Rep. Sandra Scott, D—Rex
• Pawnbrokers (HB 110), Rep. Josh Bonner, R—Fayetteville
• Squatters Bill (HB 183), Rep. Devan Seabaugh, R—Marietta
• Consumer Protection Towing Act (HB 184), Rep. Eddie Lumsden, R—Rome
• Notarial Acts (HB 189), Rep. Marvin Lim, D—Norcross
• Prohibit HOA Retaliation (HB 190), Rep. Marvin Lim, D—Norcross
• Payment to Senior Lienholders (HB 220), Rep. Martin Momtahan, R—Dallas
• Increase Amount of Statewide Homestead Exemption (HB 260), Rep. Matt Reeves, R—Duluth
• Consumable Hemp Products (HB 265), Rep. Steven Sainz, R—St. Marys
• Georgia Baby Bond Savings Plan (HB 284), Rep. Kim Schofield, D—Atlanta
• Seed-Capital Fund (HB 286), Rep. Yasmin Neal, D—Morrow
• Remote Online Notaries (HB 289), Rep. Joseph Gullett, R—Dallas
• Claim for Compensation for Loss of Property Value (HB 295), Rep. Houston Gaines, R—Athens
• Title Pawn (HB 300), Rep. Matt Dubnik, R—Gainesville
• The Time Served Act of 2025 (HB 301), Rep. Carl Gilliard, D—Garden City
• Prohibit Large Corporate Home Ownership (HB 305), Rep. Phil Olaleye, D—Atlanta
• Age Discrimination in Employment (HB 311), Rep. Kim Schofield, D—Atlanta
• Workforce and Residential Infrastructure District (HB 317), Rep. Ron Stephens, R—Savannah
• Repeal Advertising Restrictions on Medical Cannabis Licenses (HB 342), Rep. Mitchell Horner, R—Ringgold
• Georgia Living Wage Act (HB 343), Rep. Gabriel Sanchez, D—Smyrna
• Tax Credits for Contributions to Mortgage Loan Originators (HB 357), Rep. Lehman Franklin, R—Statesboro
• Solar Energy Devices (HB 389), Rep. Eric Bell, D—Jonesboro
• Increase the Minimum Wage (HB 395), Rep. Dewey McClain, D—Lawrenceville
• Judicial Foreclosure (HB 403), Rep. Eric Bell, D—Jonesboro
• Georgia Hemp Industry Growth and Business Partnership Tax Credit Act (HB 407), Rep. Carl Gilliard, D—Garden City
• Homeowners Protection Act (HB 415), Rep. Todd Jones, R—Cumming
• Notice to Property Owner When Deed is Filed (HB 427), Rep. Teddy Reese, D—Columbus
• Interchange Fees (HB 431), Rep. Todd Jones, R—Cumming
• Qualified Beneficiary (HB 450), Rep. Ron Stephens, R—Savannah
• Georgia Homegrown Solar Act (HB 507), Rep. Beth Camp, R—Concord
• Property Owners’ Association Liens (HB 512), Rep. Regina Lewis-Ward, D—McDonough
• Bona Fide Conservation Use Property (HB 547), Rep. Chas Cannon, R—Moultrie
• Peer to Peer Payments (HB 576), Rep. Al Williams, D—Midway
• Property Owners’ Association (HB 664), Rep. Deborah Silcox, R—Sandy Springs
• Financial Literacy (HB 674), Rep. Miriam Paris, D—Macon
• Mechanic and Materialmen Lien (HB 676), Rep. Rob Clifton, R—Evans
• Levy and Sale of Property (SB 87), Sen. Ed Setzler, R—Acworth
• Electronic Notary (SB 90), Sen Blake Tillery, R—Vidalia
• Allow Rent Control (SB 106), Sen. Donzella James, D—Atlanta
• Homeowner Community Associations (SB 107), Sen. Donzella James, D—Atlanta
• Property Owners’ Association Liens (SB 108), Sen. Donzella James, D—Atlanta
• Credit Union Deductions (SB 118), Sen. David Lucas, D—Macon
• Contract Automatic Renewal Provision (SB 127), Sen. Tim Bearden, R—Carrollton
• Prohibit Surveillance Based Price Discrimination (SB 164), Sen. Mikki Merritt, D—Grayson
• AI Discrimination (SB 167), Sen. Nikki Merritt, D—Grayson
• State Treasurer to Invest in Bitcoin (SB 178), Sen. Greg Dolezal, R—Alpharetta
• Unlawful Squatting (SB 184), Sen. John Albers, R—Roswell
• Publicly Accessible Databases for Legal Notices (SB 189), Sen. Rick Williams, R—Milledgeville
• Georgia Homegrown Solar Act (SB 203), Sen. Jason Anavitarte, R—Dallas
• Premises Liability Actions (SB 223), Sen. Harold Jones, D—Augusta
• State Treasurer to Invest in Bitcoin (SB 228), Sen. Jason Esteves, D—Atlanta
• Consumable Hemp Products (SB 229), Sen. Jason Anavitarte, R—Dallas
• Georgia Higher Education Savings Plan (SB 266), Sen. Jason Esteves, D—Atlanta
• Earned Wage Access Services (SB 282), Sen. Russ Goodman, R—Homerville
• Forum Shopping (SB 292), Sen. Emanuel Jones, D—Decatur
• Consumable Hemp Products (SB 294), Sen. Carden Summers, R—Cordele
• Remote Online Notary (SB 299), Sen. Larry Walker, R—Perry
• Bona Fide Conservation Use Property (SB 306), Sen. Randy Robertson, R—Cataula