Georgia Senate Bill SB153 Latest Draft

                            25 LC 39 4674S
Senate Bill 153
By: Senators Hatchett of the 50th, Kennedy of the 18th, Jones II of the 22nd, Cowsert of the
46th, Parent of the 44th and others 
AS PASSED
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, so as to revise, modernize, correct errors
1
or omissions in, and reenact the statutory portion of said Code, as amended, in furtherance2
of the work of the Code Revision Commission; to repeal portions of said Code, or Acts in3
amendment thereof, which have become obsolete, have been declared to be unconstitutional,4
or have been preempted or superseded by subsequent laws; to codify principles of law5
derived from decisions of the state Supreme Court; to provide for other matters relating to6
revision, reenactment, and publication of said Code; to provide for effect in event of7
conflicts; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.8
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:9
SECTION 1.10
Reserved.11
SECTION 2.12
Title 2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to agriculture, is amended in:13
S. B. 153
- 1 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(1)  Code Section 2-10-57, relating to authority of Commissioner to provide for safety and
14
security at farmers' markets and police powers, in the introductory language of15
subparagraph (b)(1)(F), by replacing the semicolon with a colon.16
SECTION 3.17
Reserved.18
SECTION 4.19
Title 4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to animals, is amended in:20
(1)  Code Section 4-11-3, relating to licenses for pet dealers and kennel, stable, or animal21
shelter operators, requirement, issuance, and application, in paragraph (c.1)(4), by deleting22
"and reserved".23
SECTION 5.24
Reserved.25
SECTION 6.26
Reserved.27
SECTION 7.28
Title 7 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to banking and finance, is29
amended in:30
(1)  Code Section 7-1-612, which is reserved, by designating said Code section as repealed.31
(2) Code Section 7-1-689, relating to record keeping, investigation and examination32
requirements and powers, and limitations on civil liability, in paragraph (l)(1), by replacing33
"and telephone, facsimile," with "telephone number, facsimile number,".34
S. B. 153
- 2 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(3) Code Section 7-1-706, relating to record keeping, investigation and examination
35
requirements and powers, and limitation on civil liability, in paragraph (l)(1), by replacing36
"and telephone, facsimile," with "telephone number, facsimile number,".37
(4)  Code Section 7-1-1009, relating to record keeping, investigations and examinations, and38
exemptions from civil liability, in paragraph (g)(1), by replacing "and telephone," with39
"telephone number,".40
(5)  Code Section 7-1-1011, relating to annual fees, in subsection (a), by replacing "mortgage41
broker," with "a mortgage broker,".42
(6)  Code Section 7-1-1017, relating to suspension or revocation of licenses or mortgage43
broker education approval, notice, judicial review, and effect on preexisting contract, in44
subsection (b), by replacing "For purposes of" with "As used in" and by replacing "their"45
with "his or her".46
(7)  Code Section 7-3-18, which is reserved, by designating said Code section as repealed.47
(8)  Code Section 7-9-8, relating to the issuance of certificate of incorporation or certificate48
of organization, at the end of paragraph (3), by inserting a comma and in the undesignated49
text at the end of the Code section, by replacing "name of" with "the name of".50
(9)  Code Section 7-9-11.8, relating to rights and remedies of shareholders, in subsection  (a),51
by replacing "known as the 'Georgia Business Corporation Code' or" with "the 'Georgia52
Business Corporation Code,' or" and in paragraph (b)(1), by replacing "resulting acquirer"53
with "resulting merchant acquirer".54
SECTION 8.55
Title 8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to buildings and housing, is56
amended in:57
(1)  Code Section 8-3-311, relating to creation of stable housing accountability programs,58
application process, minimum standards, approval criteria, and funding, in the introductory59
language of subsection (d), by replacing "At minimum," with "At a minimum,", in60
S. B. 153
- 3 - 25 LC 39 4674S
subparagraph (d)(6)(A), by replacing "U.S." with "United States", in subparagraph (d)(6)(E),
61
by replacing "heath" with "health", and in paragraph (e)(2), by replacing "their" with "his or62
her".63
(2)  Code Section 8-3-312, relating to disbursements for operating expenses, by replacing64
"provided the commission" with "provided to the commission".65
SECTION 9.66
Reserved.67
SECTION 10.68
Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to commerce and trade, is69
amended in:70
(1) Code Section 10-1-427, relating to false advertising of legal services, good faith71
exemptions, investigation and enforcement by Attorney General, and penalties for violation72
of cease and desist order, in paragraph (a)(3), by replacing "Internet search engine ad," with73
"internet search engine advertisement,".74
(2)  Code Section 10-1-782, relating to definitions regarding the "Georgia Lemon Law," in75
paragraph (23), by inserting "by" preceding "90,000".76
(3)  Code Section 10-4-111, relating to meetings of advisory board, duties, fixing opening77
date of marketing season, and revocation of license for early sale, by repealing and reserving78
said Code section.79
(4)  Article 7 of Chapter 6, which is reserved, by repealing said article.80
SECTION 11.81
Reserved.82
S. B. 153
- 4 - 25 LC 39 4674S
SECTION 12.
83
Reserved.84
SECTION 13.85
Reserved.86
SECTION 14.87
Reserved.88
SECTION 15.89
Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to courts, is amended in:90
(1)  Code Section 15-5B-12, as effective on July 1, 2026, relating to proceedings, filing91
procedures, service, and scheduling, in subsection (f), by replacing "address of the of the"92
with "address of the".93
(2)  Code Section 15-10-101, relating to eligibility of constables, in paragraph (a)(4), by94
replacing "accredited high school diploma or general educational development (GED)" with95
"approved high school equivalency (HSE)".96
(3)  Code Section 15-11-71, relating to juvenile treatment court divisions, in the introductory97
language of paragraph (a)(3), by replacing "increase likelihood" with "increase the98
likelihood" and in subsection (f), by replacing "may have the authority" with "shall be99
authorized".100
(4) Code Section 15-12-40.1, relating to state-wide master jury list, driver's license101
information, list of registered voters, and random list of persons to comprise venire, in102
subsection (b), by replacing "or personal identification card" with "or identification card"103
each time the phrase appears and by replacing "or a personal identification card" with "or an104
identification card".105
S. B. 153
- 5 - 25 LC 39 4674S
SECTION 16.
106
Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to crimes and offenses, is107
amended in:108
(1)  Code Section 16-5-3.1, relating to aggravated involuntary manslaughter for fentanyl109
overdose death, in paragraph (a)(3), by replacing "shall mean" with "means", in110
paragraph (a)(4), by replacing "shall include" with "includes", and in subsection (c), by111
replacing "10 years" with "ten years".112
(2)  Code Section 16-5-20, relating to simple assault, in subsections (c) and (f), by replacing113
"For purposes of this Code section," with "As used in this Code section, the term", in the114
undesignated text at the end of subsection (h), by replacing "For the purposes of" with "As115
used in" and by replacing "homo sapiens" with "Homo sapiens", and in subsection (i), by116
replacing "their" with "his or her".117
(3)  Code Section 16-5-21, relating to aggravated assault, in subsection (m), by replacing118
"their" with "his or her".119
(4)  Code Section 16-5-23, relating to simple battery, in subsection (d), by replacing "For120
purposes of this Code section," with "As used in this Code section, the term", in121
subsection (i), by replacing "For purposes of this Code section, 'school property' shall122
include" with "As used in this Code section, the term 'school property' includes", and in123
subsection (j), by replacing "their" with "his or her".124
(5)  Code Section 16-5-23.1, relating to battery, in subsection (g), by replacing "For purposes125
of this Code section," with "As used in this Code section, the term", in subsection (i), by126
replacing "For purposes of this Code section, 'school property' shall include" with "As used127
in this Code section, the term 'school property' includes", and in subsection (l), by replacing128
"their" with "his or her".129
(6)  Code Section 16-5-24, relating to aggravated battery, in subsection (i), by replacing130
"their" with "his or her".131
S. B. 153
- 6 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(7)  Code Section 16-7-21.1, relating to unlawful squatting, by revising said Code section as
132
follows:133
"16-7-21.1.134
(a)(1)  A person commits the offense of unlawful squatting when he or she enters upon135
the land or premises of another and resides on such land or premises for any period of136
time knowingly acting without the knowledge or consent of the owner, the
 rightful137
occupant, or an authorized representative of the owner.  As used in For purposes of this138
Code section, the term 'resides' means to inhabit or live on or within any land or premises.139
(2)  Any person who commits or is accused of committing the offense of unlawful140
squatting as provided for in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall receive a citation141
advising that they must he or she shall present to the head of the issuing law enforcement142
agency or their designee its designee, within three business days of receiving the citation143
for such alleged offense, properly executed documentation that authorizes the person's144
entry on such land or premises.  Such documentation may include a properly executed145
lease or rental agreement or proof of rental payments.146
(3)  If such person is unable to provide the documentation required by paragraph (2) of147
this subsection, such person shall be subject to arrest for unlawful squatting and, upon148
conviction thereof, shall be subject to the penalty provided in subsection (b) of this Code149
section.150
(4)  If such person does provide provides documentation that authorizes such person's151
entry on the land or premises, a hearing shall be set within seven days of the submission152
of such documentation, and, if the court of appropriate jurisdiction finds that the153
submitted documentation was not properly executed or is not meritorious, such person154
shall be subject to demand for possession and removal as provided in Code155
Section 44-11-32, be subject to arrest and upon conviction penalties as provided for in156
Code Sections 16-9-1 and 16-9-2, and shall be assessed an additional fine based on the157
fair market monthly rental rate of the land or premises.158
S. B. 153
- 7 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(b)  Any person who violates subsection (a) of this Code section shall be guilty of a
159
misdemeanor which upon conviction shall be punishable
 punished as provided in Code160
Section 17-10-3."161
(8)  Code Section 16-7-23, relating to criminal damage to property in the second degree, in162
paragraph (a)(2), by inserting a comma following "fireworks".163
(9)  Code Section 16-11-171, relating to definitions regarding Brady Law regulations, in164
paragraph (4), by inserting "of Chapter 7" following "Article 6".165
(10)  Code Section 16-13-71, relating to dangerous drugs, by revising numerous paragraphs166
in subsection (b), subparagraph (b)(59)(BB.5), and paragraph (c)(16.92) as follows:167
"(57.5)  Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed vaccine adsorbed, Adjuvanted;"168
"(BB.5)  House Dust Mite Allergen Extract dust mite allergen extract;"169
"(160.5)  Chikungunya Vaccine vaccine, Live;"170
"(206.7)  Coagulation Factor X, (human) Human;"171
"(247.4)  Dengue Tetravalent Vaccine tetravalent vaccine, Live;"172
"(317.3)  Dornase Alpha alpha;"173
"(328.3)  Ebola Zaire Vaccine vaccine, Live;"174
"(361.5)  Reserved;"175
"(383.15)  Ferric Hexacyanoferrate hexacyanoferrate;"176
"(386.3)  Reserved;"177
"(425)  Gomenol Solution solution;"178
"(433.5)  Halobetasol Propionate propionate;"179
"(446.2)  Human Papillomavirus papillomavirus 9-valent Vaccine vaccine, Recombinant;"180
"(509.7)  Reserved;"181
"(512.691)  Reserved;"182
"(529.93)  Reserved;"183
"(703.43)  Reserved;"184
"(731.1)  Reserved;"185
S. B. 153
- 8 - 25 LC 39 4674S
"(732.9)  Reserved;"186
"(836.1)  Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine syncytial virus vaccine;"187
"(851.02)  Reserved;"188
"(855.5)  Sermorelin Acetate acetate;"189
"(945.5)  Reserved;"190
"(1025.8)  Varicella Virus Vaccine Live virus vaccine, Live;"191
"(1037.23)  Von von Willebrand factor;"192
"(1042.8)  Zoledronic Acid acid;"193
"(1042.95)  Zoster Vaccine Recombinant vaccine recombinant, Adjuvanted;"194
"(16.92)  Any opioid antagonist, as defined in Code Section 26-4-116.2, shall also be195
exempt from subsections (a) and (b) of this Code section when used for drug overdose196
prevention and when supplied by a dispenser or an authorized wholesale distributor.;".197
(11) Code Section 16-13-122, relating to content of kratom and required labeling, in198
paragraph (b)(1), by deleting "of".199
SECTION 17.200
Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to criminal procedure, is201
amended in:202
(1)  Code Section 17-6-12, relating to unsecured judicial release, requirement, effect of203
failure of person charged to appear for trial, and consideration of criminal record, in204
subparagraph (a)(1)(GG), by replacing "Code Section 16-10-29;" with "Code205
Section 16-10-24;".206
(2)  Code Section 17-10-7, relating to punishment of repeat offenders and punishment and207
eligibility for parole of persons convicted of fourth felony offense, in subsection (e), by208
replacing "recidivous" with "recidivist".209
S. B. 153
- 9 - 25 LC 39 4674S
SECTION 18.
210
Reserved.211
SECTION 19.212
Title 19 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to domestic relations, is213
amended in:214
(1)  Code Section 19-6-9, relating to voluntary separation, abandonment, or driving off of215
spouse and equity may compel support, by deleting "and as may be".216
(2)  Code Section 19-6-32, relating to entering income withholding order or medical support217
notice for award of child support, when order or notice effective, and hearing on order, in218
paragraph (a)(2), by replacing "means judge" with "means a judge" and in paragraph (a)(5),219
by replacing "42 U.S.C. Section 666(b)(A)(I) and (ii)" with "42 U.S.C.220
Section 666(b)(6)(A)(i) and (ii)".221
(3)  Code Section 19-6-33, relating to notice and service of income withholding order,222
hearing on enforcement of order, discharge of obligor, and penalties, in paragraph (a)(2), by223
replacing "means judge" with "means a judge".224
(4)  Code Section 19-6-33.1, relating to family support registry, in subparagraph (e)(2)(A),225
by replacing "arrears or" with "arrears, or".226
SECTION 20.227
Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, is amended in:228
(1)  Code Section 20-2-37, which is reserved, by designating said Code section as repealed.229
(2)  Code Section 20-2-38, which is reserved, by designating said Code section as repealed.230
(3)  Code Section 20-2-167.1, relating to public meetings on proposed annual operating231
budget, notice, electronic copies, and exception for certain nonprofits, in paragraph (a)(2),232
by replacing "system and," with "system,".233
S. B. 153
- 10 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(4)  Code Section 20-2-751.4, as effective on July 1, 2025, relating to policies prohibiting
234
bullying and cyberbullying required, enforcement of policies including assignment to235
alternative school, notice, antibullying training programs and materials, limitation of liability,236
and noncompliance, by revising the introductory language of subparagraph (1)(A) as follows:237
"(1)(A)  'Bullying'
 Bullying' ' means an act that is:"238
(5)  Code Section 20-2-775, relating to automated external defibrillator required in high239
schools, requirements, and funding, in subparagraph (c)(7)(D), by deleting the comma240
following "leads".241
(6)  Code Section 20-2-776.5, relating to opioid antagonists, possession, administration,242
obligations, and immunity from civil liability, at the end of subsection (g), by inserting a243
period following "known".244
(7)  Article 1 of Chapter 3, relating to postsecondary education generally, by designating245
Code Section 20-3-1, relating to definitions, as Part 1.246
(8)  Code Section 20-3-38, relating to agricultural extension work, in subsection (a), by247
replacing "U.S.C.A." with "U.S.C.".248
(9)  Code Section 20-3-41.2, relating to surrender of materials to division for preservation,249
preparation of certified copies, ownership, operation, and management of electronic archival250
records, exemption for certain records under certain conditions, and "constitutional officer"251
defined, in subsections (a) through (c), by inserting "of the University System of Georgia"252
following "Division of Archives and History" each time the term appears.253
(10)  Code Section 20-3-41.3, relating to study of historical documents and public displays254
of the Foundations of American Law and Government, in paragraph (a)(1), by inserting "of255
the University System of Georgia" following "Division of Archives and History".256
(11)  Code Section 20-3-45, relating to Georgia Historical Records Advisory Council created,257
purpose, members, expenses, coordinator, officers, meetings, administrative assignment, and258
staff, in subsections (c) and (h), by replacing "the Division of Archives and History" with259
"the division".260
S. B. 153
- 11 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(12)  Code Section 20-3-45.1, relating to powers and duties of the Georgia Historical Records
261
Advisory Council, in paragraph (2), by replacing "the Division of Archives and History" with262
"the division".263
(13)  Code Section 20-3-48, relating to short title, public forums designated, "free speech264
zones" prohibited, allowed restrictions, protected expressive activity, construction, required265
materials, and annual reporting, in paragraph (b)(5), by replacing "This term" with "Such266
term".267
(14)  Code Section 20-3-60, relating to when properties of university system may be sold,268
leased, or otherwise disposed of, effect of restrictions on use, and works of art, in269
subsection (a) and in the undesignated text at the end of paragraph (c)(2), by replacing270
"however, that" with "however, that," and in paragraph (c)(1), by replacing "The term 'work271
of art'" with "Such term" each time the phrase appears.272
(15)  Code Section 20-3-66, relating to determination of in-state resident status of students273
for tuition or fees, in the undesignated text at the end of paragraph (a)(4), by replacing "the274
term 'student from a homeless situation'" with "such term".275
(16)  Code Section 20-3-67, relating to powers of regents over system and institutions over276
students not limited by lowering age of majority, by replacing "the system" with "the277
university system".278
(17)  Code Section 20-3-92, relating to definitions regarding postsecondary education, in279
paragraph (5), by replacing "The term" with "Such term" and by replacing "is recognized as280
a student organization" with "are recognized as student organizations".281
(18)  Code Section 20-3-130, relating to short title regarding junior colleges and name of282
junior college system, by replacing "shall be known as" with "shall be known and may be283
cited as" each time the phrase appears.284
(19) Code Section 20-3-131, relating to definitions regarding junior colleges, in285
paragraph (2), by replacing "county school system, independent school system," with "local286
school system,".287
S. B. 153
- 12 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(20)  Code Section 20-3-132, relating to authority to establish and maintain junior colleges,
288
by replacing "county school system, independent school system," with "local school system,"289
each time the phrase appears.290
(21)  Code Section 20-3-150, relating to short title regarding Georgia Education Authority291
(University), by replacing "may be cited" with "shall be known and may be cited".292
(22) Code Section 20-3-200, relating to short title regarding Private Colleges and293
Universities Authority, by replacing "may be cited as" with "shall be known and may be cited294
as".295
(23) Code Section 20-3-201, relating to definitions regarding Private Colleges and296
Universities Authority, in paragraph (4), by replacing "'Construction project' also means"297
with "Such term also means" and by replacing "The term 'construction project' also means"298
with "Such term also means", in paragraph (5), by replacing "the term 'cost,' as applied" with299
"such term, as applied", and in paragraph (6) and divisions (7)(A)(i), (7)(A)(ii), and300
(7)(A)(iv), by replacing "U.S.C.A." with "U.S.C.".301
(24)  Code Section 20-3-231, relating to legislative findings and purpose of Georgia Student302
Finance Commission, in subsections (a) and (b), by deleting the internal catchlines.303
(25) Code Section 20-3-234, relating to functions and composition of board of304
commissioners, appointment, qualifications, and terms of commissioners, board officers,305
meetings, committees, compensation, and advisory councils, in subsections (a) through (h),306
by deleting the internal catchlines.307
(26)  Code Section 20-3-235, relating to commission officers, employees, and support308
services, bonds, and legal services, in paragraphs (1) through (5), by deleting the internal309
catchlines.310
(27) Code Section 20-3-236, relating to powers and duties of commission, board of311
commissioners, and officers, confidentiality, and repayments and refunds, in312
paragraph (a)(1), by replacing "they" with "it" and by replacing "them" with "the board of313
commissioners" and in paragraph (b)(2), by replacing "e-mail" with "email".314
S. B. 153
- 13 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(28)  Code Section 20-3-242, relating to web based counseling and resources for students,
315
in paragraph (1), by replacing "web based" with "internet based" and in paragraph (2), by316
replacing "a web based" with "an internet based".317
(29)  Code Section 20-3-250.2, relating to definitions regarding nonpublic postsecondary318
educational institutions, in paragraph (11.1), by replacing "however, that" with "however,319
that,".320
(30)  Code Section 20-3-250.3, relating to educational institutions exempted from application321
of part, in the undesignated text at the end of subparagraph (a)(13)(B), by replacing "however322
that" with "however, that" and in paragraph (a)(14), by replacing "associate" with323
"associate's".324
(31)  Code Section 20-3-250.6, relating to minimum standards for educational institutions,325
in paragraph (a)(4), by replacing "catalog" with "catalogue".326
(32)  Code Section 20-3-250.8, relating to application to operate or conduct postsecondary327
activities, in subsection (a), by replacing "catalog" with "catalogue" and by replacing328
"however, that" with "however, that," and in subsection (b), by replacing "catalogs," with329
"catalogues,".330
(33)  Code Section 20-3-311, relating to legislative findings and purposes of authority, in331
subsection (a), by deleting the internal catchline.332
(34)  Code Section 20-3-313, relating to authority created as successor to Georgia Higher333
Education Assistance Authority and abolishment of Georgia Higher Education Assistance334
Corporation, in the introductory language of subsection (c), by replacing "however:" with335
"however, that:", in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2), by replacing "That educational" with336
"Educational", and in paragraph (c)(3), by replacing "That all" with "All".337
(35)  Code Section 20-3-314, relating to functions, composition, organization, and conduct338
of affairs of board of directors, in subsection (a), by deleting the internal catchline, in the339
introductory language of subsection (b), by deleting the internal catchline and by replacing340
"however:" with "however, that:", in paragraph (b)(1), by replacing "That nothing" with341
S. B. 153
- 14 - 25 LC 39 4674S
"Nothing", in paragraph (b)(2), by replacing "That no" with "No", and in paragraph (b)(3),
342
by replacing "That the" with "The".343
(36) Code Section 20-3-316, relating to powers and duties of authority, employees'344
functions, servicing of educational loans, registration with Selective Service System, and345
confidentiality, in paragraph (b)(2), by replacing "e-mail" with "email".346
(37)  Code Section 20-3-329, relating to employees of commission transferred to authority,347
status of authority employees hired after July 1, 1996, status of transferred employees, and348
benefits of transferred employees not impaired, in subsection (c), by replacing "however,349
that" with "however, that,".350
(38)  Code Section 20-3-373, relating to general loan fund, in the undesignated text at the end351
of subsection (a), by replacing "fund to make" with "fund provided for in subsection (a) of352
this Code section to make" and by redesignating such undesignated text as new353
subsection (b) and by redesignating current subsection (b) as new subsection (c).354
(39)  Code Section 20-3-374, relating to service cancelable loan fund and authorized types355
of service cancelable educational loans, in paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(4), by deleting the356
internal catchlines.357
(40)  Code Section 20-3-386, relating to distribution of education loan repayment assistance358
and conditions, in subsection (d), by replacing "U.S.C.A." with "U.S.C.".359
(41)  Code Section 20-3-395, relating to definitions regarding direct loans to students on360
basis of need and merit, in subparagraphs (3)(A), (3)(B), and (3)(C), by replacing "associate"361
with "associate's" and in paragraph (6), by replacing "U.S.C.A." with "U.S.C.".362
(42)  Code Section 20-3-400.1, relating to definitions regarding graduate on time student363
loans, in paragraph (1) and subparagraphs (4)(A) and (4)(B), by replacing "associate" with364
"associate's".365
(43)  Code Section 20-3-405.1, relating to definitions regarding Education for Public Service366
Student Loan, in subparagraphs (4)(A) and (4)(B), by replacing "associate degrees" with367
"associate's degrees".368
S. B. 153
- 15 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(44)  Code Section 20-3-405.2, relating to eligibility, repayment period, maximum amount,
369
application, and statement of requirements, in subsection (c), by replacing "associate degree,"370
with "associate's degree,".371
(45)  Code Section 20-3-431, relating to "eligible student" defined, in the introductory372
language, by replacing "For purposes of" with "As used in".373
(46)  Code Section 20-3-441, relating to "eligible student" defined, in the introductory374
language, by replacing "For purposes of" with "As used in".375
(47) Code Section 20-3-499, relating to selection of REACH scholars, in376
division (a)(1)(B)(i), by replacing "SNAP (Food Stamp)" with "Supplemental Nutrition377
Assistance Program (SNAP)" and in division (a)(1)(B)(ii), by replacing "TANF" with378
"Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)".379
(48)  Code Section 20-3-519, relating to definitions regarding HOPE scholarships and grants,380
in the undesignated text at the end of subparagraph (6)(A), by replacing "however, that" with381
"however, that," and in paragraph (25), by replacing "U.S.C.A." with "U.S.C.".382
(49)  Code Section 20-3-519.2, relating to eligibility requirements for a HOPE scholarship383
and award amount, in the introductory language of subsection (a) and in the introductory384
language of subsection (b), by replacing "associate" with "associate's" and in385
paragraph (d)(3), by replacing "however, that" with "however, that," each time the phrase386
appears.387
(50)  Code Section 20-3-519.5, relating to eligibility requirements for a HOPE grant and388
award amount, in the introductory language of subsection (a.1) and the undesignated text at389
the end of subsection (a.1), by replacing "associate degree" with "associate's degree".390
(51)  Code Section 20-3-564, relating to authorization to dispose of property, by replacing391
"however, that" with "however, that,".392
(52)  Code Section 20-3-633, relating to creation, board of directors, and assignment to393
Department of Administrative Services, in paragraph (a)(1), by replacing "Chancellor" with394
"chancellor".395
S. B. 153
- 16 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(53)  Code Section 20-3-642, relating to records not open to public inspection and duration,
396
in paragraph (a)(2), by replacing "clearing house" with "clearing-house".397
(54) Article 13 of Chapter 3, relating to compensation of intercollegiate athletes, by398
repealing said article.399
(55) Code Section 20-4-1, relating to acceptance of federal act regarding vocational400
education, by replacing "(20 U.S.C.A. Section 11, et seq.; c. 114, Section 1, 39 Stat. 929),"401
with "(20 U.S.C. Section 11, et seq.; 39 Stat. 929),".402
(56)  Code Section 20-4-4, relating to employing teachers under federal act, by replacing "(20403
U.S.C.A. Section 11, et seq.; c. 114, Section 1, 39 Stat. 929)," with "(20 U.S.C. Section 11,404
et seq.; 39 Stat. 929),".405
(57)  Code Section 20-4-10, relating to the State Board of the Technical College System of406
Georgia established, members, and officers, in subsection (a), by replacing "however, in"407
with "provided, however, that, in".408
(58)  Code Section 20-4-11, relating to powers of the State Board of the Technical College409
System of Georgia, at the end of division (3)(C)(ii), by replacing the period with a semicolon.410
(59)  Code Section 20-4-11.1, relating to public forums designated, "free speech zones"411
prohibited, allowed restrictions, protected expressive activity, construction, required412
materials, and annual reporting, in paragraph (a)(5), by replacing "This term" with "Such413
term".414
(60)  Code Section 20-4-15, relating to establishment of adult literacy programs, eligibility,415
and office of adult literacy, in the introductory language of subsection (d), by replacing416
"who:" with "who are:", in paragraph (d)(1), by replacing "Are high" with "High", and in417
paragraph (d)(2), by replacing "Are at" with "At".418
(61)  Code Section 20-4-17, relating to agencies to receive federal funds and transfer of419
personnel to Department of Technical and Adult Education, now known as Technical420
College System of Georgia, in subsection (a), by replacing "further," with "further, that".421
S. B. 153
- 17 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(62)  Code Section 20-4-41, relating to extent and nature of training to be offered, by
422
replacing "however, no" with "however, that no".423
(63)  Article 5 of Chapter 4, relating to the Georgia Joint Defense Commission, by replacing424
"commissioner of the Department of Economic Development" with "commissioner of425
economic development" each time the phrase appears in:426
(A)  Code Section 20-4-120, relating to the creation of commission and membership;427
(B)  Code Section 20-4-131, relating to administration of grant program and purpose;428
(C)  Code Section 20-4-132, relating to awarding of grants;429
(D)  Code Section 20-4-133, relating to grant application requirements; and430
(E)  Code Section 20-4-134, relating to rules and regulations.431
(64)  Code Section 20-4-141, relating to establishment of pilot program, awarding of high432
school diploma to successful participants, skills and knowledge, eligibility for participation,433
and regulation, in paragraph (a)(1) and subparagraph (f)(3)(A), by replacing "associate434
degree" with "associate's degree" and in divisions (e)(4)(A)(iii) and (e)(4)(B)(ii), by replacing435
"U.S.C.A." with "U.S.C." each time the term appears.436
(65) Code Section 20-4-151, relating to purpose, employer partnerships, required437
information, contracts, awards, and limitations, in paragraph (d)(1), by replacing438
"$10,000.00" with "Ten thousand dollars", in paragraph (d)(2), by replacing "$5,000.00" with439
"Five thousand dollars", and in paragraph (e)(2), by deleting "the" preceding "Fiscal Year440
2025".441
(66)  Code Section 20-5-2, relating to powers and duties of the board of regents and director442
of University of Georgia Libraries, abolition of State Library Commission and transfer of443
functions, reports of state publications, and electronic submission, in subsection (e), by444
replacing "For purposes of this article, 'public documents' shall mean" with "As used in this445
Code section, the term 'public documents' means" and in subsection (k), by replacing446
"Division of Archives and History," with "Division of Archives and History of the University447
System of Georgia,".448
S. B. 153
- 18 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(67) Code Section 20-5-5, relating to internet safety policies in public libraries, in
449
paragraphs (a)(1) and (h)(1), by replacing "Internet" with "internet".450
(68) Code Section 20-8-1, relating to definitions regarding campus policemen, in451
paragraph (1), by replacing "The term 'campus'" with "Such term".452
(69)  Code Section 20-12-1, relating to definitions regarding marine resources extension453
centers and institute for oceanographic studies, in paragraph (3), by deleting "as defined in454
paragraph (2) of this Code section".455
(70)  Code Section 20-14-96, relating to accrediting agencies, standards, applicability, and456
construction, in paragraph (e)(2), by replacing "however, that" with "however, that,".457
(71)  Code Section 20-17-2, relating to provisions of The Interstate Compact on Educational458
Opportunity for Military Children, in Section A of Article II and in Section A(1) of Article459
III, by replacing "10 U.S.C. Sections 1209 and 1211" with "10 U.S.C. Chapters 1209 and460
1211".461
SECTION 21.462
Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elections, is amended in:463
(1) Code Section 21-2-217, relating to rules for determining residence, by revising464
subparagraph (a)(2)(B) and subsection (b) as follows:465
"(B) If a person returns to his or her original or new residence after voting or466
registering to vote in a different or separate jurisdiction, such person shall update their
467
his or her voter registration with their his or her current residency jurisdiction in order468
to be deemed a valid registered elector and resident of such jurisdiction for voting469
purposes; and"470
"(b)  In determining a voter's qualification to register and vote, the registrars to whom such471
application is made shall consider, in addition to the applicant's expressed intent, any472
relevant circumstances determining the applicant's residence.  The registrars taking such473
registration may consider the applicant's financial independence,; business pursuits,;474
S. B. 153
- 19 - 25 LC 39 4674S
employment,; income sources,; residence for income tax purposes,; age,; marital status,;475
residence of parents, spouse, and children, if any,; leaseholds,; sites of personal and real476
property owned by the applicant,; motor vehicle and other personal property registration,;477
National Change of Address program information sponsored by the United States Postal478
Service,; and other such factors that the registrars may reasonably deem necessary to479
determine the qualification of an applicant to vote in a primary or election.  The decision480
of the registrars to whom such application is made shall be presumptive evidence of a481
person's residence for voting purposes."482
SECTION 22.483
Reserved.484
SECTION 23.485
Reserved.486
SECTION 24.487
Reserved.488
SECTION 25.489
Reserved.490
SECTION 26.491
Title 26 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to food, drugs, and cosmetics,492
is amended in:493
(1)  Code Section 26-4-116.1, relating to licensed health practitioners authorized to prescribe494
auto-injectable epinephrine for schools and pharmacists authorized to fill prescriptions, in495
subsection (b), by replacing "Code Section 31-1-14" with "Code Section 31-1-15".496
S. B. 153
- 20 - 25 LC 39 4674S
SECTION 27.
497
Reserved.498
SECTION 28.499
Reserved.500
SECTION 29.501
Title 29 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to guardian and ward, is502
amended in:503
(1)  Code Section 29-5-3, relating to order of preference in selecting conservator, nomination504
of individual to serve as conservator, and requirements of nomination, in paragraph (b)(4),505
by replacing "(c)" with "(d)".506
SECTION 30.507
Reserved.508
SECTION 31.509
Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health, is amended in:510
(1)  Code Section 31-1-6, relating to reuse of heart pacemakers, in subsection (b), by deleting511
", as defined in subsection (a) of this Code section,".512
(2)  Code Section 31-1-8, relating to notice of proposed special facility, in the introductory513
language of subsection (a), by replacing "For the purposes of" with "As used in", in514
paragraph (a)(1), by replacing "drug users as defined in paragraph (11) of" with "drug515
abusers as defined in", and in paragraph (a)(2), by replacing "provided such" with "provided516
that such".517
(3)  Code Section 31-1-9, relating to breast-feeding of baby, by replacing "breast-feeding"518
with "breastfeeding" and by replacing "breast-feed" with "breastfeed".519
S. B. 153
- 21 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(4)  Code Section 31-1-19, relating to prohibition on expenditure or use of state resources to
520
advocate for or intend to influence citizens in support of Medicaid expansion under the521
federal Affordable Care Act, in subsection (a), by replacing "Public Law" with "P.L.".522
(5)  Code Section 31-1-24, relating to organ transplant protections for individuals with523
disabilities and civil relief for violations, in division (a)(2)(C)(ii), by inserting a comma524
following "Section 1320d" and by replacing "such Act" with "such act".525
(6) Code Section 31-2-4, relating to department's powers, duties, functions, and526
responsibilities, divisions, directors, and contracts for health benefits, in527
subparagraph (a)(1)(A), by replacing "State of Georgia, et al. v. Philip Morris, Inc., et al.,"528
with "State of Georgia, et al. v. Philip Morris, Inc., et al.," and in the introductory language529
of subparagraph (d)(10)(B) and in subparagraph (d)(11)(B), by replacing "For purposes of"530
with "As used in".531
(7)  Code Section 31-2-8, relating to actions against certain applicants or licensees, in532
subsection (a), by replacing "For purposes of" with "As used in", by replacing "shall be used533
to refer to" with "means", and by replacing "provisions of the law" with "provisions of law"534
and in subparagraph (c)(6)(B), by replacing "For purposes of" with "As used in".535
(8)  Code Section 31-2-17, which is repealed, by designating said Code section as reserved.536
(9) Code Section 31-2-18, relating to website reporting on state health plans, in537
paragraph (a)(1), by replacing "Medical" with "The medical", in paragraph (a)(2), by538
replacing "PeachCare" with "The PeachCare", in the introductory language of subsection (b),539
by replacing "department website" with "department's website", and in paragraph (b)(3), by540
replacing "non-emergent" with "nonemergent".541
(10)  Code Section 31-2A-12, relating to the Georgia Commission on Maternal and Infant542
Health and composition, membership, duties, and responsibilities, in subsection (c), by543
replacing "council" with "commission", in paragraph (e)(5), by inserting a comma following544
"chapter", and in subsection (h), by inserting "and reserved" following "repealed".545
S. B. 153
- 22 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(11)  Code Section 31-2A-16, relating to Maternal Mortality Review Committee established,
546
in paragraph (d)(1), by replacing "Chapter 7 of Title 31," with "Chapter 7 of this title,".547
(12)  Code Section 31-5-3, relating to appeals, in paragraph (a)(2), by replacing "however,"548
with "however, that,".549
(13)  Code Section 31-6-21.1, relating to procedures for rule making by Department of550
Community Health, in subsection (h), by replacing "For purposes of this Code section, 'rules'551
shall mean" with "As used in this Code section, the term 'rules' means".552
(14)  Code Section 31-6-40, relating to certificate of need required for new institutional553
health services and exemption, in subsection (d), by replacing "however, all" with "however,554
that all".555
(15)  Code Section 31-6-42, relating to qualifications for issuance of certificate, in the556
undesignated text at the end of subsection (c), by replacing "For purposes of" with "As used557
in".558
(16)  Code Section 31-6-43, relating to acceptance or rejection of application for certificate,559
in subsection (k), by replacing "For purposes of" with "As used in".560
(17)  Code Section 31-6-44.1, relating to judicial review, in subsection (c), by replacing561
"however," with "however, that".562
(18)  Code Section 31-6-45.2, relating to participation as Medicaid provider requirement,563
termination by health care facility of participation as provider of medical assistance, and564
monetary penalty, in the introductory language of paragraph (b)(3), by replacing "For565
purposes of this Code section, 'good cause' shall mean:" with "As used in this Code section,566
the term 'good cause' means:".567
(19)  Code Section 31-6-70, relating to reports to the department by certain health care568
facilities and all ambulatory surgical centers and imaging centers and public availability, in569
the introductory language of paragraph (b)(8), by replacing "person" with "persons" and in570
subsection (g), by replacing "department website" with "department's website".571
S. B. 153
- 23 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(20)  Code Section 31-7-1, relating to definitions regarding regulation and construction of
572
hospitals other health care facilities, in the undesignated text at the end of paragraph (4), by573
replacing "The term 'institution'" with "Such term" and in subparagraph (8)(B), by inserting574
"that" following "provided".575
(21) Code Section 31-7-2.2, relating to determination that patients or residents in an576
institution, community living arrangement, or treatment program are in danger, relocation577
of patients or residents, and suspension of admissions, in the introductory language of578
paragraph (c)(1), by replacing "or program" with "or a program".579
(22)  Code Section 31-7-7, relating to refusal or revocation by public hospital of staff580
privileges, in subsection (a), by replacing "however," with "however, that,".581
(23)  Code Section 31-7-12, relating to personal care homes, licensure and registration,582
inspection by local boards, fees, investigations, waiver, variance, or exemption, staffing,583
training, and financial stability requirements, and certified medication aides, in584
paragraph (a)(2), by replacing "This term" with "Such term" and by deleting "of585
subsection (b)".586
(24) Code Section 31-7-12.2, relating to regulation and licensing of assisted living587
communities, legislative intent, definitions, procedures, and requirements for medication588
aides, in subsection (e), by replacing "Office" with "office".589
(25)  Code Section 31-7-12.8, relating to certification as nurse aide, employer sponsored590
training and competency examination programs, and provisional practice by military medical591
personnel, in subsection (d), by replacing "For purposes of" with "As used in".592
(26)  Code Section 31-7-55, relating to administration of state funds, by inserting "federal"593
preceding "Public Health Service Act".594
(27)  Code Section 31-7-56, relating to adherence to federal law and regulations, by inserting595
"federal" preceding "Public Health Service Act".596
(28)  Code Section 31-7-92, relating to filing of audits, by deleting the comma following597
"municipality".598
S. B. 153
- 24 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(29)  Code Section 31-7-133, relating to confidentiality of review organization's records, in
599
subsection (a) and paragraph (b)(2), by replacing "however, such" with "however, that such".600
(30)  Code Section 31-7-407.1, relating to report of findings, by replacing "the time for601
issuing said" with "that the time for issuing such".602
(31)  Code Section 31-8-3, relating to disbursement of state funds to counties, by replacing603
"however, the" with "however, that the".604
(32)  Code Section 31-8-9.1, relating to eligibility to receive tax credits, obligations of rural605
hospitals after receipt of funds, and posting information on website, in606
subparagraph (a)(3)(H), by replacing "For purposes of" with "As used in".607
(33)  Code Section 31-8-82, relating to persons required to report abuse or exploitation, time608
for making report, contents of report, records, and privileged communications, in609
paragraph (a)(9), by replacing "Title 31" with "this title".610
(34)  Code Section 31-8-171, relating to definitions regarding quality assessment fees on care611
management organizations, in paragraph (1), by deleting "of the Official Code of Georgia612
Annotated" and by replacing "Sec." with "Section".613
(35)  Code Section 31-8-307, relating to referrals to the drug repository program, in the614
introductory language of subsection (a), by inserting a comma following "Corrections" and615
in paragraph (a)(3), by inserting a comma following "limited to".616
(36)  Code Section 31-9-2, relating to persons authorized to consent to surgical or medical617
treatment, in paragraph (a)(7), by replacing "For purposes of this paragraph," with "As used618
in this paragraph, the term" and in subsection (c), by replacing "For purposes of" with "As619
used in".620
(37) Code Section 31-9-6.1, relating to disclosure of certain information to persons621
undergoing certain surgical or diagnostic procedures, failure to comply, exceptions, and622
regulations establishing standards for implementation, in paragraph (e)(4), by inserting a623
comma following "however, that".624
S. B. 153
- 25 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(38)  Code Section 31-9A-2, relating to definitions regarding woman's right to know, in
625
paragraph (1), by replacing "The term 'abortion'" with "Such term" each time the phrase626
appears, in paragraph (6), by replacing "Internet" with "internet", and in paragraph (7), by627
replacing "homo sapiens" with "Homo sapiens".628
(39)  Code Section 31-9A-3, relating to voluntary and informed consent to abortion and629
availability of ultrasound, in subparagraph (2)(D), by replacing "they shall" with "such630
materials shall".631
(40)  Code Section 31-9B-2, relating to requirement to determine presence of detectable632
human heartbeat of unborn child, in subsection (b), by inserting a comma following "Code633
Section 43-34-8".634
(41)  Code Section 31-10-14, relating to issuance of new certificate of birth following635
adoption and legitimation or paternity determination, in subsection (b), by replacing636
"step-parent" with "stepparent".637
(42)  Code Section 31-11-52, relating to certification and recertification of, and training for,638
paramedics and cardiac technicians, qualifications by felons, and provisional practice by639
military medical personnel, in subsection (e), by replacing "For purposes of" with "As used640
in".641
(43) Code Section 31-11-53, relating to services which may be rendered by certified642
emergency medical technicians and trainees and provisional practice by military medical643
personnel, in subsection (d), by replacing "For purposes of" with "As used in".644
(44)  Code Section 31-11-82, relating to evaluation of person with emergency condition,645
initiation of intervention without prospective authorization, and insurer may not deny646
payment after prospective authorization given, in subsection (a), by replacing "For purposes647
of" with "As used in".648
(45)  Code Section 31-12-2, relating to reporting certain diseases and neonatal abstinence649
syndrome, confidentiality, reporting required of pharmacists, immunity from liability as to650
information supplied, and notification of potential bioterrorism, in subsection (a), by651
S. B. 153
- 26 - 25 LC 39 4674S
replacing "however," with "however, that" and in paragraph (a.1)(2), by replacing
652
"diagnosis" with "diagnoses".653
(46)  Code Section 31-12-3.1, relating to vaccination registry and reporting requirements,654
maintenance, and use of information, in the undesignated text at the end of subsection (b),655
by replacing "United States" with "federal".656
(47)  Code Section 31-12-4.1, relating to smallpox vaccination and treatment program, in657
paragraph (b)(2), by replacing "workers," with "worker," and by replacing "said hospital"658
with "such hospital," and in the undesignated text at the end of subsection (b), by replacing659
"said" with "such".660
(48)  Code Section 31-12-13, relating to definitions concerning bloodborne pathogens,661
standards, and funds for research and development, in the introductory language of662
subsection (a), by replacing "For purposes of" with "As used in".663
(49)  Code Section 31-13-6, relating to bonding licensees, in subsection (a), by replacing664
"bond not less" with "bond of not less".665
(50)  Code Section 31-14-14, relating to immunity from liability, by replacing "Title 31,"666
with "this title,".667
(51) Code Section 31-17-4.2, relating to HIV and syphilis pregnancy screening, in668
paragraph (b)(2), by replacing "28–32" with "28 to 32".669
(52)  Code Section 31-20-2, relating to performance of sterilization procedure upon request,670
by replacing "that prior to or at the time of such request" with "that, prior to or at the time of671
such request,".672
(53)  Code Section 31-21-3, relating to death of person with infectious or communicable673
disease, required reporting procedures, confidentiality, disclosure, and penalties, in the674
introductory language of subsection (a), by replacing "For the purposes of" with "As used675
in" and in paragraph (a)(3), by replacing "or" with "and".676
S. B. 153
- 27 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(54) Code Section 31-21-6, relating to notification of law enforcement agency upon
677
disturbance, destruction, or debasement of human remains, in the introductory language of678
subsection (b), by replacing "ancestors of or" with "ancestors of".679
(55) Code Section 31-21-7, relating to preneed contracts and revisions, affidavit on680
disposition of remains, role of probate court, warrant as to truthfulness, and liability of681
funeral home, in paragraph (c)(4), by replacing "For purposes of" with "As used in".682
(56)  Code Section 31-21-20, relating to Board for the Distribution of Cadavers, by replacing683
"For the purposes of" with "As used in".684
(57)  Code Section 31-21-21, relating to delivery to board of certain unclaimed bodies, in685
subsection (a), by deleting "for distribution".686
(58)  Code Section 31-21-23, relating to distribution of bodies by board, by deleting "for687
distribution" and by deleting "above-specified".688
(59) Code Section 31-21-24, relating to transportation of bodies, by deleting "for689
distribution" and by deleting "above".690
(60)  Code Section 31-21-26, relating to payment of expenses, by deleting "for distribution".691
(61)  Code Section 31-33-2, relating to furnishing copy of records to patient, provider, or692
other authorized person, in paragraph (b)(1), by replacing "42 U.S.C. Section 1320d-2, et693
seq.," with "P.L. 104-191,".694
(62)  Code Section 31-33-7, relating to furnishing copies of psychological or psychiatric695
evaluation to law enforcement officer upon request, in subsection (c), by inserting a comma696
following "information".697
(63)  Code Section 31-33-8, relating to electronic records and application to psychiatric,698
psychological, or other mental health records, in subsection (g), by inserting a comma699
following "(d)".700
(64) Code Section 31-34-4, relating to loan applicant qualifications and rules and701
regulations, in paragraph (a)(1), by replacing "Education or the American Osteopathic702
Association" with "Education, the American Osteopathic Association,", in paragraph (c)(1),703
S. B. 153
- 28 - 25 LC 39 4674S
by replacing "consider among other criteria for granting loans under the provisions of this
704
article" with "consider, among other criteria for granting loans under the provisions of this705
article,", and in paragraph (c)(2), by replacing "consider among other criteria for granting706
loans under the provisions of this article" with "consider, among other criteria for granting707
loans under the provisions of this article," and by replacing "future census state" with "future708
such census".709
(65)  Code Section 31-34-5, relating to service cancelable loan, amount, repayment, and710
determination of underserved rural areas, in paragraph (a)(1), by replacing "that for711
applicants that" with "that, for applicants who".712
(66)  Code Section 31-34-6, relating to contract between applicant and state agreeing to terms713
and conditions of loan, breach of contract, and service cancelable contracts, in714
paragraph (b)(2), by replacing "article who breaches" with "article that breaches".715
(67)  Code Section 31-35-1, relating to legislative findings, by replacing "the United States716
Centers" with "the federal Centers".717
(68)  Code Section 31-36B-5, relating to healthcare decision making by lay caregiver, no718
delay in care, and responsibilities, in subsection (e), by replacing "Center for Medicare" with719
"federal Centers for Medicare".720
(69)  Code Section 31-41-12, relating to definitions regarding childhood lead exposure721
control, in paragraph (2), by replacing "age including" with "age, including" and in722
paragraph (7), by replacing "14 U.S.C. Code Section 185(b)(15)" with "P.L. 102-550,".723
(70)  Code Section 31-52-3, relating to definitions regarding the "Georgia Right to Try Act,"724
in subparagraph (5)(A), by replacing "Title 31" with "this title".725
(71)  Code Section 31-53-3, relating to establishment of Office of Health Strategy and726
Coordination and powers and duties, in paragraph (b)(16), by inserting "and" preceding727
"practice" and by replacing "outcome" with "outcomes" and in paragraph (b)(23), by728
replacing "Centralizing" with "Centralize".729
S. B. 153
- 29 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(72)  Code Section 31-53-47, relating to submission of claims and personal identification
730
data not public record, in subsection (b), by deleting the comma following "paid" and by731
replacing "Data Submission Guide" with "data submission guide" and in subsection (d), by732
replacing "claim" with "claims".733
(73)  Code Section 31-53-50, relating to penalties for noncompliance, in subsection (b), by734
deleting the comma following "31-53-51".735
(74)  Code Section 31-54-2, relating to law enforcement powers, required training, and736
carrying of weapon, in subsection (a), by inserting a comma following "however, that" and737
"further, that" and in subsection (b), by replacing "must" with "shall".738
(75)  The following Code sections, by inserting "federal" preceding "Centers for Disease739
Control and Prevention" each time the term appears:740
(A)  Code Section 31-7-18, relating to vaccinations for influenza and pneumococcal disease741
for certain discharged patients, vaccinations or other measures for health care workers and742
other employees in hospitals, immunity from liability, and standing orders;743
(B) Code Section 31-7-19, relating to nursing homes to annually offer influenza744
vaccinations to health care workers and other employees and immunity from liability;745
(C)  Code Section 31-7-21, relating to provision of influenza education information to746
assisted living community residents;747
(D) Code Section 31-12-3.2, relating to meningococcal disease, vaccinations, and748
disclosures;749
(E) Code Section 31-22-9.2, relating to HIV tests and report of positive results,750
notification, counseling, violations, exception for insurance coverage, and exposure of751
health care provider;752
(F)  Code Section 31-45A-3, relating to development of model aquatic safety plan; and753
(G)  Code Section 31-49-3, relating to duties and responsibilities of the Georgia Council754
on Lupus Education and Awareness.755
S. B. 153
- 30 - 25 LC 39 4674S
SECTION 32.
756
Reserved.757
SECTION 33.758
Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance, is amended in:759
(1)  Code Section 33-64-7, relating to the Commissioner of Insurance's authority over rules760
and regulations, in subsection (c), by replacing "deidentified" with "de-identified".761
(2)  Code Section 33-66-6, relating to data analysis and initial report, in subsection (b), by762
replacing "this Code Section" with "this Code section" and in subsection (c), by replacing763
"Governor's Office," with "Governor's office,".764
SECTION 34.765
Title 34 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to labor and industrial relations,766
is amended in:767
(1)  Code Section 34-8-167, relating to collection of delinquent contribution payments768
generally, in subsection (b), by replacing "Code Sections 48-2-55 and 48-3-1" with "Code769
Section 48-2-55".770
SECTION 35.771
Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to law enforcement officers and772
agencies, is amended in:773
(1)  Code Section 35-1-8, relating to acquisition, collection, classification, and preservation774
of information assisting in identifying deceased persons and locating missing persons, in775
paragraph (b)(1), by replacing "For purposes of this subsection," with "As used in this776
subsection, the term".777
S. B. 153
- 31 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(2)  Code Section 35-1-19, relating to disclosure of arrest booking photographs prohibited,
778
in subsection (b), by replacing "State Sexual Offender Registry," with "state sexual offender779
registry,".780
(3)  Code Section 35-2-15, relating to off-duty use of motor vehicles and other equipment by781
certain law enforcement officers, conditions for use, and rules and regulations, in782
paragraph (a)(3), by replacing "Board of Public Safety." with "board.".783
(4) Code Section 35-2-49, relating to provision of uniforms and equipment to sworn784
members of the Department of Public Safety and radio operators and retention of weapons785
and badges upon retirement, by replacing "Department of Public Safety" with "department"786
each time the term appears and by replacing "however, that" with "however, that,".787
(5)  Code Section 35-2-51, relating to storeroom for excess clothing, equipment, and other788
articles and disposition of old and worn equipment, in subsection (b), by replacing "must"789
with "shall" and by replacing "Department of Public Safety" with "department".790
(6)  Code Section 35-2-52, relating to clothing allowance for members of Uniform Division791
assigned permanently to personal security or special duty assignments, by replacing "Board792
of Public Safety," with "board,".793
(7)  Code Section 35-2-57, relating to use of retired unmarked pursuit cars for training, by794
replacing "Georgia State Patrol" with "Uniform Division" and by deleting "of public safety"795
following "commissioner".796
(8)  Code Section 35-2-81, relating to definitions regarding Department of Public Safety797
nomenclature, in paragraph (1), by replacing "Department of Public Safety," with798
"department,", and by deleting paragraphs (2) and (3) and by redesignating paragraphs (4)799
through (6) as paragraphs (2) through (4), respectively.800
(9)  Code Section 35-2-84, relating to procedure for seeking permission to use department801
nomenclature or symbols, by replacing "Board of Public Safety." with "board.".802
(10)  Code Section 35-2-120, relating to definitions regarding the Capitol Police Division,803
by deleting paragraphs (2) and (3) and by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (2).804
S. B. 153
- 32 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(11)  Code Section 35-3-5, relating to director and creation, appointment and removal, and
805
powers and duties, in subsection (b), by replacing "Board of Public Safety" with "board".806
(12)  Code Section 35-3-7, relating to agreements by director and commissioner for provision807
of services and material, by deleting "of public safety" following "commissioner" and by808
replacing "Board of Public Safety," with "board,".809
(13) Code Section 35-3-31, relating to establishment of center, staff and equipment810
generally, and State Personnel Board status of personnel, in subsection (a), by replacing811
"Georgia Bureau of Investigation," with "bureau," and in subsection (c), by replacing812
"Department of Public Safety," with "department,".813
(14)  Code Section 35-3-63, relating to creation of task force and purposes, by replacing814
"Georgia Bureau of Investigation" with "bureau" each time the term appears and by replacing815
"This Antiterrorism Task Force" with "The task force".816
(15)  Code Section 35-3-104, relating to procedures for seeking permission to use bureau817
nomenclature or symbols, by replacing "Board of Public Safety." with "board.".818
(16)  Code Section 35-3-150, relating to definitions regarding the Division of Forensic819
Sciences, by revising said Code section as follows:820
"35-3-150.821
As used in this article, the term:822
(1)  'Board' means the Board of Public Safety.
823
(2)(1) 'Crime lab' or 'state crime lab' means the Division of Forensic Sciences of the824
Georgia Bureau of Investigation bureau.825
(3)  'Director' means the director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.826
(4)(2) 'Division' means the Division of Forensic Sciences of the Georgia Bureau of827
Investigation bureau.828
(5)(3) 'Division director' means the director of the Division of Forensic Sciences of the829
Georgia Bureau of Investigation bureau.830
S. B. 153
- 33 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(6)(4) 'Independent test' means a forensic analysis of evidence in the custody and831
possession of the state or any political subdivision or authority thereof conducted at the832
request of or on behalf of any person other than a prosecuting attorney, law enforcement833
officer, or other authorized agent of the state or which are ordered conducted by a court834
at the request of an accused.835
(7)(5) 'Regional medical examiner' shall have the same meaning as defined in836
paragraph (13) of set forth in Code Section 45-16-21.837
(8)(6) 'Rule' or 'rules' means a rule or regulation adopted pursuant to Chapter 13 of838
Title 50, the 'Georgia Administrative Procedure Act.'"839
(17)  Code Section 35-3-204, relating to membership in Georgia Information Sharing and840
Analysis Center and availability of analysts, in subsection (a), by deleting "of public safety"841
following "commissioner".842
(18)  Code Section 35-5-2, relating to board authorized to establish, operate, and maintain843
center and powers of board as to selection and compensation of administrator, in the844
introductory language of subsection (a), by replacing "Board of Public Safety" with "board"845
and in subsections (b) and (c), by replacing "center" with "Georgia Public Safety Training846
Center".847
(19) Code Section 35-5-3, relating to assignment to Department of Public Safety for848
administrative purposes and authorization to solicit and accept gifts, grants, donations,849
property, and services, in subsection (a), by replacing "center" with "Georgia Public Safety850
Training Center" and by replacing "Department of Public Safety" with "department".851
(20)  Code Section 35-5-4, relating to powers and duties of administrator of Georgia Public852
Safety Training Center, by replacing "center" with "Georgia Public Safety Training Center"853
each time the term appears.854
(21)  Code Section 35-5-5, relating to center available for use by certain personnel, fees,855
enrollment, authorization for expenditure of funds, and powers and duties, in subsections (a),856
S. B. 153
- 34 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(b), and (c), by replacing "center" with "Georgia Public Safety Training Center" each time
857
the term appears.858
(22)  Code Section 35-5-7, relating to law enforcement unit, in subsection (a), by replacing859
"center," with "Georgia Public Safety Training Center,".860
(23)  Code Section 35-6A-3, relating to membership, vacancies, and membership not bar to861
holding public office, in paragraph (a)(1), by replacing "Board of Public Safety," with862
"board," and by replacing "the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental863
Disabilities," with "behavioral health and developmental disabilities,".864
(24) Code Section 35-6A-4, relating to election of chairperson and vice chairperson,865
meetings, minutes and records, and rules, in paragraph (2), by replacing "chairman" with866
"chairperson" and in paragraph (3), by inserting "and" at the end.867
(25) Code Section 35-6A-10, relating to incentives for using federal Department of868
Homeland Security's Secure Communities initiative and obligations of council, in869
paragraphs (b)(3) and (b)(4), by replacing "Internet website;" with "internet website;".870
(26)  Code Section 35-6A-11, relating to juvenile justice advisory board and membership,871
in paragraph (a)(8), by deleting "and" at the end and in subsection (d), by replacing "must"872
with "shall".873
(27) Code Section 35-6A-13, which is repealed, by designating said Code section as874
reserved.875
(28) Code Section 35-6A-14, which is repealed, by designating said Code section as876
reserved.877
(29)  Code Section 35-6A-15, relating to grant program for transportation costs to emergency878
treatment facilities, by replacing "the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council" with "the879
council".880
(30)  Code Section 35-6A-17, relating to the Georgia Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention881
Advisory Board, membership, and termination, in paragraph (a)(4), by replacing "Office of882
the Attorney General;" with "office of the Attorney General;".883
S. B. 153
- 35 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(31)  Code Section 35-8-3, relating to the establishment of Georgia Peace Officer Standards
884
and Training Council, membership, organization, and administrative assignment to885
Department of Public Safety, in paragraph (b)(1), by deleting "of public safety" following886
"commissioner" and in subsection (e), by replacing "the Department of Public Safety" with887
"the department".888
(32)  Code Section 35-8-7.4, relating to bias motivated intimidation of first responders and889
prosecution and penalty, in subsection (a), by replacing the comma with a semicolon890
following "fire department" and by replacing the comma with a semicolon following "Code891
Section 35-8-2".892
(33)  Code Section 35-8-8, relating to requirements for appointment or certification of893
persons as peace officers and preemployment attendance at basic training course and894
"employment related information" defined, in paragraph (c)(1), by replacing "For purposes895
of this subsection," with "As used in this subsection,".896
(34)  Code Section 35-8-10, relating to applicability and effect of certification requirements897
generally and requirements as to exempt persons, in subsection (b), by replacing "Department898
of Public Safety," with "department," and by replacing "must" with "shall".899
(35)  Code Section 35-8-13.1, relating to training and certification of municipal probation900
officers, in subsection (e), by replacing "The term 'municipal probation officer' as used in this901
Code section means" with "As used in this Code section, the term 'municipal probation902
officer' means", by replacing "the term 'municipal probation officer'" with "such term", and903
by replacing "the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council" with "the council"904
and in subsection (f), by replacing "the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training905
Council" with "the council".906
(36)  Code Section 35-8-20, relating to training requirements for police chiefs, department907
heads, and wardens, effect of failure to fulfill training requirement, and waiver of908
requirements, in subsections (b) and (e), by replacing "the Georgia Peace Officer Standards909
and Training Council" with "the council".910
S. B. 153
- 36 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(37)  Code Section 35-8-20.1, relating to training for police chiefs and department heads
911
appointed after June 30, 1999, and waivers, in subsections (b) and (h), by replacing "the912
Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council" with "the council".913
(38)  Code Section 35-8-21, relating to training requirements for peace officers, waiver,914
exemption for retired peace officers, and confirmation of training, in subsection (a), by915
replacing "the Department of Public Safety" with "the department" and by deleting "of public916
safety" following "commissioner" and in subsections (b) and (e), by replacing "the Georgia917
Peace Officer Standards and Training Council" with "the council".918
(39)  Code Section 35-8-23, relating to basic training course for communications officers,919
certification requirements, duties of council, and rules and regulations, in subsection (d), by920
replacing "(TDD's)" with "(TDDs)".921
(40)  Code Section 35-8-24, relating to training requirements for jail officers and juvenile922
correctional officers, in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) and subsection (c), by replacing "the923
Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council" with "the council".924
(41)  Code Section 35-8-26, relating to TASER and electronic control weapons, requirements925
for use, establishment of policies, and training, in subsection (c), by replacing "the Georgia926
Peace Officer Standards and Training Council" with "the council".927
(42) The following Code sections, by replacing "Department of Public Safety" with928
"department" each time the term appears:929
(A)  Code Section 35-1-22, relating to prohibition on law enforcement retaining license930
plate data obtained from automated license plate recognition systems, limited use of data,931
and public disclosure prohibited;932
(B)  Code Section 35-2-1, relating to creation of Board of Public Safety, composition, and933
appointment and terms of office of members;934
(C)  Code Section 35-2-31, relating to composition;935
(D)  Code Section 35-2-36.1, relating to Auxiliary Service of the Uniform Division,936
appointment of members, salary, authority and powers, equipment, and eligibility;937
S. B. 153
- 37 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(E)  Code Section 35-2-41.1, relating to donation or conveyance of property, equipment,
938
or services to the department and procedure;939
(F) Code Section 35-2-44, relating to enlistment, examination, preliminary training,940
subsequent instruction, and rules and regulations for discipline and conduct of recruits and941
troopers of Uniform Division;942
(G)  Code Section 35-2-45, relating to promotions of personnel in Uniform Division;943
(H)  Code Section 35-2-49.1, relating to retention of badge and weapon by disabled law944
enforcement officer;945
(I)  Code Section 35-2-50, relating to purchasing of uniforms, supplies, and equipment;946
(J)  Code Section 35-2-53, relating to members of Uniform Division to receive no costs or947
emoluments, exception for rewards, and payment and distribution of fines and costs;948
(K)  Code Section 35-2-74, relating to Governor to prescribe coverage by State Personnel949
Board;950
(L)  Code Section 35-2-102, relating to weight inspector positions, training, powers and951
responsibilities, and presence of certified peace officer;952
(M)  Code Section 35-2-140, relating to transfer of certain personnel, aircraft, and other953
assets from the Georgia Aviation Authority to the department;954
(N)  Code Section 35-2-160, relating to definitions regarding Office of Public Safety955
Support;956
(O)  Code Section 35-2-161, relating to Office of Public Safety Support established;957
(P)  Code Section 35-2-163, relating to peer counseling and critical incident support958
services, certification, and employment of necessary staff;959
(Q)  Code Section 35-3-4, relating to powers and duties of bureau generally;960
(R)  Code Section 35-4-3, relating to academy assigned to department for administrative961
purposes; and962
(S)  Code Section 35-8-2, relating to definitions regarding employment and training of963
peace officers.964
S. B. 153
- 38 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(43)  The following Code sections, by replacing "Georgia Bureau of Investigation" with
965
"bureau" each time the term appears:966
(A)  Code Section 35-3-3, relating to divisions of bureau;967
(B)  Code Section 35-3-33, relating to powers and duties of the Georgia Crime Information968
Center generally;969
(C)  Code Section 35-3-34, relating to disclosure and dissemination of criminal records to970
private persons and businesses, resulting responsibility and liability of issuing center, and971
provision of certain information to the FBI in conjunction with the National Instant972
Criminal Background Check System;973
(D) Code Section 35-3-80, relating to definitions regarding the Missing Children974
Information Center;975
(E)  Code Section 35-3-81, relating to establishment, development, maintenance, and976
operation of center and staff;977
(F)  Code Section 35-3-84, relating to sending information to center;978
(G) Code Section 35-3-151, relating to responsibilities of the Division of Forensic979
Sciences of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation;980
(H)  Code Section 35-3-152, relating to appointment, powers, and responsibilities of981
division director;982
(I)  Code Section 35-3-160, relating to DNA analysis in felony convictions and certain983
felony charges and performance of tests; and984
(J)  Code Section 35-3-201, relating to the Georgia Information Sharing and Analysis985
Center established and purpose.986
SECTION 36.987
Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to local government, is amended988
in:989
S. B. 153
- 39 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(1) Code Section 36-1-20, relating to ordinances for governing and policing of
990
unincorporated areas of county, in subsection (b), by inserting a comma following "however,991
that" and by inserting a comma following "Clean Water Act".992
(2)  Code Section 36-5-28, relating to members of county governing authority to receive993
compensation increase when classified service employees receive increase, calculation, and994
effective date, by replacing "however, that" with "however, that,".995
(3)  Code Section 36-9-3, relating to sale or disposition of county real property generally,996
right of certain counties to make private sale, and right of county to negotiate and997
consummate private sales of recreational set-asides, in division (a)(2)(B)(iv), by replacing998
"posts:" with "posts", in subparagraph (a)(3)(D), by replacing "however, that" with "however,999
that,", and in subparagraph (g)(3)(B), by replacing "however," with "however, that".1000
(4)  Code Section 36-17-21, relating to allocation of funds, grant of tax credit to homesteads1001
as prerequisite to receipt of funds, and use of surplus funds, in subsection (a), by replacing1002
"For purposes of" with "As used in".1003
(5) Code Section 36-32-2, relating to appointment of judges, in paragraph (a)(2), by1004
replacing "provided such" with "provided that such".1005
(6)  Code Section 36-32-2.1, relating to removal of judges, in the introductory language of1006
paragraph (b)(3), by replacing "alleged" with "alleges" and in subparagraph (b)(3)(D), by1007
deleting "of subsection (c)".1008
(7)  Code Section 36-32-13, relating to municipal court clerks and role of Municipal Courts1009
Training Council, in the introductory language of subsection (a), by replacing "For purposes1010
of" with "As used in".1011
(8)  Code Section 36-34-5, relating to acquisition and construction of water and sewage1012
systems, in subsection (b), by replacing "subsection (c)" with "subsection (d)".1013
(9)  Code Section 36-36-4, relating to creation of unincorporated islands prohibited and1014
authorization to provide services or functions, in subsection (b), by replacing "For purposes1015
of this subsection, 'unincorporated island' shall have the same meaning as contained in1016
S. B. 153
- 40 - 25 LC 39 4674S
paragraph (3) of Code Section 36-36-90." with "As used in this subsection, the term
1017
'unincorporated island' shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code Section 36-36-90.".1018
(10)  Code Section 36-36-11, relating to effect of objection to land use following rezoning1019
and minimum procedures for addressing issues, in subsection (a), by replacing "however,1020
that" with "however, that,".1021
(11)  Code Section 36-36-16, relating to procedures for annexation and referendum, in1022
subsection (b), by replacing "however, that" with "however, that,".1023
(12)  Code Section 36-36-112, relating to prohibition on a change in zoning or land use, by1024
replacing "however, that" with "however, that,".1025
(13)  Code Section 36-36-115, relating to meetings of arbitration panel, duties, findings and1026
recommendations, and compensation, in paragraph (a)(4), by replacing "however, that" with1027
"however, that,".1028
(14)  Code Section 36-37-6, relating to disposition of municipal property generally, in1029
division (a)(2)(B)(iv), by replacing "posts:" with "posts" and in subsection (c), by replacing1030
"however, that" with "however, that,".1031
(15) Code Section 36-41-3, relating to definitions regarding urban residential finance1032
authorities for large municipalities, in paragraph (14), by replacing "The term 'real property'"1033
with "Such term", in paragraph (16), by replacing "however, that" with "however, that," and1034
by replacing "The term 'residential housing'" with "Such term", and in paragraph (17), by1035
replacing "The term 'security interest'" with "Such term".1036
(16)  Code Section 36-45-20, relating to training course regarding clerk of the governing1037
authority of a municipality, in subsection (a), by replacing "For purposes of" with "As used1038
in".1039
(17)  Code Section 36-60-6, relating to utilization of federal work authorization program,1040
"employee" defined, issuance of license, evidence of state licensure, annual reporting,1041
standardized form affidavit, violation, and investigations, in subsection (b), by replacing "For1042
purposes of" with "As used in".1043
S. B. 153
- 41 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(18)  Code Section 36-60-15.1, relating to operation and maintenance of water treatment
1044
systems by private entities, by replacing "For purposes of this Code section, 'applicant'1045
means" with "As used in this Code section, the term 'applicant' means".1046
(19)  Code Section 36-60-17, relating to water supplier's cut off of water to property because1047
of indebtedness of prior owner, occupant, or lessee prohibited, records required, statement1048
of past due amounts, and limited liens for unpaid charges for water, gas, sewerage service,1049
or electricity, in subparagraph (c)(1)(D), by replacing "e-mail" with "email".1050
(20) Code Section 36-60-19, relating to dispatch centers, required training for1051
communications officers, exceptions, and penalty for noncompliance, in subsection (a), by1052
replacing "(TDD's)" with "(TDDs)" each time the term appears.1053
(21)  Code Section 36-60-21, relating to contracts with private companies to construct and1054
operate private toll roads and bridges to facilitate public transportation without additional tax1055
revenues, in subsection (d), by replacing "however, that" with "however, that,".1056
(22)  Code Section 36-60-24, relating to sale or use or ignition of consumer fireworks1057
products, in subsection (f), by replacing "For purposes of this subsection," with "As used in1058
this Code section," and by replacing "provided" with "set forth".1059
(23)  Code Section 36-63-2, relating to purpose of chapter regarding resource recovery1060
development authorities, in subsection (b), by replacing "however," with "however, that".1061
(24)  Code Section 36-63-4, relating to definitions regarding resource recovery development1062
authorities, in paragraph (10), by replacing "For purposes of" with "As used in".1063
(25)  Code Section 36-63-8, relating to powers of authority generally, in paragraph (a)(6),1064
by replacing "however," with "however, that".1065
(26) Code Section 36-66-3, relating to definitions regarding zoning procedures, in1066
paragraph (1.1), by replacing "powers including" with "powers, including" and in1067
paragraph (5), by replacing "The term" with "Such term".1068
(27)  Code Section 36-66-4, relating to hearings on proposed zoning decisions, notice of1069
hearing, nongovernmental initiated actions, reconsideration of defeated actions, and1070
S. B. 153
- 42 - 25 LC 39 4674S
procedure on zoning, in subsection (a), by replacing "this Code Section." with "this Code
1071
section.".1072
(28)  Code Section 36-66C-7, relating to requirements of authority following receipt of1073
application, notification of time lapse, consolidated application, limitation on installation1074
locations and permits, reconditioning work, time restrictions, imminent risk to public safety,1075
repair of damage, and delivery of notice or decision, in paragraph (j)(8), by replacing1076
"Title 36" with "this title" and in paragraph (m)(4), by replacing "120 days written notice"1077
with "120 days' written notice".1078
(29)  Code Section 36-70-2, relating to definitions regarding coordinated and comprehensive1079
planning and service delivery by counties and municipalities, in paragraph (4), by deleting1080
"of the State of Georgia created pursuant to Article 1 of Chapter 8 of Title 50" and in1081
paragraph (5.2), by replacing "The term" with "Such term".1082
(30)  Code Section 36-70-21, as effective on January 1, 2026, relating to implementation1083
agreements, in paragraph (a)(1), by replacing "December 31st" with "December 31".1084
(31)  Code Section 36-70-22, as effective on January 1, 2026, relating to date for process1085
initiation and notice to municipalities and counties impacted, in paragraph (a)(1), by1086
replacing "April 1st" with "April 1" and by replacing "July 1st" with "July 1".1087
(32) Code Section 36-70-22.1, as effective on January 1, 2026, relating to response1088
proposals, in subsection (a), by deleting ", and" following "Code Section 36-70-23" and by1089
replacing "all such factual" with "all factual".1090
(33)  Code Section 36-70-25.2, as effective on January 1, 2026, relating to nonbinding1091
arbitration process, in paragraph (b)(1), by replacing "the 180th day" with "180 days".1092
(34)  Code Section 36-70-25.3, as effective on January 1, 2026, relating to judicial resolution1093
of certain disputes, in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) and subsection (b), by replacing1094
"non-binding" with "nonbinding".1095
(35)  Code Section 36-72-2, relating to definitions regarding abandoned cemeteries and1096
burial grounds, in paragraph (3), by replacing "The term" with "Such term".1097
S. B. 153
- 43 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(36)  Code Section 36-76-2, relating to definitions regarding expedited franchising of cable
1098
and video services, in subparagraph (8)(A), by replacing "however, that" with "however,1099
that,", in subparagraph (8)(E), by replacing "Internet" with "internet" each time the term1100
appears, and in paragraph (17), by replacing "This term" with "Such term".1101
(37)  Code Section 36-76-4, relating to application process for the issuance of a state1102
franchise and fees, in paragraph (c)(2), by replacing "geographical area" with "geographic1103
area" and in paragraph (g)(8), by replacing "however, that" with "however, that,".1104
(38)  Code Section 36-80-16.1, relating to the PILOT Restriction Act, payments in lieu of1105
taxes defined, and financing capital projects, in the undesignated text at the end of1106
subsection (b), by replacing "The term 'payments in lieu of taxes'" with "Such term".1107
(39)  Code Section 36-80-17, relating to authorization to contract for utility services and1108
conditions and limitations, in subsection (a), by replacing "the term 'local authority' does"1109
with "such term does".1110
(40)  Code Section 36-80-19, relating to general codification of ordinances and resolutions,1111
publication and availability of code, and official state repository for general codifications,1112
in paragraph (d)(1), by replacing "Internet" with "internet".1113
(41)  Code Section 36-80-25, relating to financing of public projects by local entities, in1114
subsection (a), by replacing "health care" with "healthcare".1115
(42)  Code Section 36-80-26, relating to multi-county community improvement districts for1116
transit projects, in the introductory language of subsection (a), by replacing "For purposes1117
of" with "As used in" and in subsection (b), by replacing "multi-county" with "multicounty".1118
(43)  Code Section 36-81-2, relating to definitions regarding local government budgets and1119
audits, in paragraph (7), by replacing "For purposes of" with "As used in" and in1120
paragraph (16), by replacing "For purposes of this paragraph, 'county' includes" with "As1121
used in this paragraph, the term 'county' includes".1122
S. B. 153
- 44 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(44)  Code Section 36-82-1, relating to election for bonded debt, right to sell bonds at
1123
discount, advertisements as binding statements of intention, use of surpluses, meetings open1124
to public, and refunding, in subsection (f), by replacing "however," with "however, that".1125
(45)  Code Section 36-82-60, relating to short title regarding revenue bonds, by inserting1126
"shall be known and" preceding "may be cited".1127
(46)  Code Section 36-82-75, relating to duty of district attorney or Attorney General to file1128
petition, order to show cause, service of petition and order, and answer, by replacing1129
"however," with "however, that".1130
(47)  Code Section 36-82-182, relating to definitions regarding the "Georgia Allocation1131
System," in paragraph (3), by replacing "For purposes of this article, the term 'bonds'" with1132
"Such term" and in paragraph (5), by replacing "The term 'business day'" with "Such term".1133
(48)  Code Section 36-82-240, relating to definitions regarding commercial paper notes from1134
government, in paragraph (2), by replacing "The term 'governmental entity' does not include1135
'state authorities' as defined in paragraph (9) of Code Section 50-17-21." with "Such term1136
does not include state authorities as defined in Code Section 50-17-21.".1137
(49)  Code Section 36-85-2, relating to formation, functions, counties and municipalities as1138
separate classes, agreements creating agencies, and files of administrator are sole property1139
of agency, in subsection (b), by replacing "however," with "however, that,".1140
(50)  Code Section 36-91-20, relating to written contract required, advertising, competitive1141
sealed bidding, timing of addendums, and prequalification, in paragraph (b)(3), by replacing1142
"Internet" with "internet" each time the term appears.1143
(51) Code Section 36-91-21, relating to competitive award requirements, in1144
paragraph (b)(4), by replacing "however, that" with "however, that,".1145
(52)  Code Section 36-91-50, relating to projects requiring bid bonds, revocation of bids, and1146
surety, in subsection (c), by replacing "however, that" with "however, that,".1147
S. B. 153
- 45 - 25 LC 39 4674S
SECTION 37.
1148
Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to mental health, is amended in:1149
(1)  Code Section 37-2-6.5, relating to cessation of operations by community service board,1150
notification, and continuation of operations by successor board, county board of health, or1151
outside manager, in paragraph (b)(2), by deleting "paragraph (1) of".1152
(2)  Code Section 37-2-11, relating to allocation of available funds for services, recipients1153
to meet minimum standards, accounting for fees generated by providers, and discrimination1154
in providing services prohibited, in subsection (b), by replacing "Code Section 37-3-6.1,"1155
with "Code Section 37-2-6.1,".1156
(3)  Code Section 37-7-167, relating to right of patient to examine his records and to request1157
correction of inaccuracies, promulgation of rules and regulations, and judicial supervision1158
of files and records relating to proceedings under this chapter, in subsection (d), by inserting1159
"of subsection (a)" following "paragraphs (7) and (8)".1160
SECTION 38.1161
Reserved.1162
SECTION 39.1163
Reserved.1164
SECTION 40.1165
Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and traffic, is1166
amended in:1167
(1) Code Section 40-1-221, relating to assumption of liability and insurance, in1168
paragraph (c)(4), by replacing "car sharing" with "car-sharing" and in subsection (f), by1169
replacing "car-sharing"with "peer-to-peer car-sharing".1170
S. B. 153
- 46 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(2)  Code Section 40-2-20, relating to registration and license requirements, certificate of
1171
registration and temporary operating permit, and two-year registration option for new motor1172
vehicles, in subsection (d), by inserting a comma following "taxes".1173
(3) Code Section 40-5-100, relating to application, contents of card, prohibition on1174
possession of more than one card, and optional contributions to and participation in voluntary1175
programs, in paragraph (f)(2), by replacing "a identification card" with "an identification1176
card".1177
(4)  Code Section 40-14-18, relating to enforcement of speed limit in school zones with1178
recorded images, civil monetary penalty, and consequences for failure to pay penalty, in the1179
introductory language of subsection (h), by inserting "of this Code section" following1180
"subsection (g)".1181
(5)  Code Section 40-16-8, which is reserved, by designating said Code section as repealed.1182
SECTION 41.1183
Reserved.1184
SECTION 42.1185
Title 42 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to penal institutions, is amended1186
in:1187
(1) Code Section 42-1-12, relating to the State Sexual Offender Registry, in1188
paragraph (a)(6.1), by replacing "paragraph (2)" with "paragraph (3)".1189
(2)  Code Section 42-5-64, relating to educational programming and information provided1190
to released prisoners, in subsection (f), by replacing "a personal identification card" with "an1191
identification card".1192
S. B. 153
- 47 - 25 LC 39 4674S
SECTION 43.
1193
Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to professions and businesses,1194
is amended in:1195
(1)  Code Section 43-1-34, relating to licenses for transitioning members of the armed forces,1196
in the introductory language of paragraph (d)(1), by replacing "described herein," with "set1197
forth in this Code section,".1198
(2)  Code Section 43-1-35, relating to expedited license by endorsement for spouses of active1199
or transitioning members of the armed forces and license by endorsement for certain1200
professions, in the introductory language of subsection (c), by replacing "or a law" with "or1201
law" and by replacing "individual has:" with "individual:".1202
(3)  Code Section 43-6-11, relating to qualifications of applicants for auctioneer's license, in1203
subsection (d), by inserting "diploma" following "(HSE)".1204
(4)  Code Section 43-11-2.1, relating to board authority, appointment, powers, and duties of1205
executive director and meetings, in subsection (b), by replacing "Chapter 1 of Title 43" with1206
"Chapter 1 of this title".1207
(5)  Code Section 43-15-2, relating to definitions regarding professional engineers and land1208
surveyors, in paragraph (5.1), by replacing "'Executive Director'" with "'Executive director'".1209
(6) Code Section 43-24A-19, relating to exceptions regarding the "Georgia Massage1210
Therapy Practice Act," in paragraph (a)(1), by replacing "Title 43" with "this title".1211
(7) Code Section 43-26-10, relating to practicing without a license prohibited, in1212
paragraph (4), by replacing "so to practice" with "to practice".1213
(8) Code Section 43-27-2, relating to State Board of Long-Term Care Facility1214
Administrators and members, in the introductory language of subsection (a), by replacing1215
"eleven" with "11".1216
(9)  Code Section 43-28-21, relating to text of the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact,1217
in Section 2A, by replacing "10 U.S.C. Chapter 1209 and Section 1211" with "10 U.S.C.1218
Chapters 1209 and 1211".1219
S. B. 153
- 48 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(10)  Code Section 43-33-18, relating to refusal to grant or restore licenses, discipline of
1220
licensees, suspension, revocation, or restriction of licenses, and immunity for violation1221
reporters, in the introductory language of subparagraph (a)(2)(A), division (a)(2)(A)(i), and1222
subparagraph (a)(2)(E), by replacing "Title 43" with "this title" each time the term appears.1223
(11) Code Section 43-33-31, relating to ratification and text of the Physical Therapy1224
Licensure Compact, in Section 2(1), by replacing "10 U.S.C. Section 1209 and 1211" with1225
"10 U.S.C. Chapters 1209 and 1211".1226
(12)  Code Section 43-34-25, relating to delegation of certain medical acts to advanced1227
practice registered nurse, construction and limitations of such delegation, conditions of nurse1228
protocol, and issuance of prescription drug orders, in paragraph (g)(10), by replacing "and1229
who" with "who", in paragraph (g.1)(2), by deleting the comma following "body", and in1230
subparagraph (m)(2)(C), by deleting "that".1231
(13)  Code Section 43-34-103, relating to application for licensure as a physician assistant,1232
authorized delegated authority, and prohibited acts, in paragraph (c)(4), by deleting "that".1233
(14) Code Section 43-34-290, relating to confidentiality of records regarding pain1234
management clinics, by replacing "Chapter 34 of Title 43" with "this chapter".1235
(15) Code Section 43-41-8, relating to eligibility for licensure without examination,1236
reciprocity, and burden upon applicant, in paragraph (a)(2), by replacing "their" with "his or1237
her".1238
(16)  Code Section 43-41-18, relating to certain military specialties or certifications entitle1239
persons to obtain certain professional licenses, in subsections (b) and (c), by replacing1240
"residential light-commercial" with "residential-light commercial" each time the phrase1241
appears.1242
(17)  Chapters 42 and 48, which are repealed, by designating said chapters as reserved.1243
(18) Code Section 43-44-31, relating to text of the Audiology and Speech-Language1244
Pathology Interstate Compact, in Section 2(1), by replacing "10 U.S.C. Section 1209 and1245
1211" with "10 U.S.C. Chapters 1209 and 1211".1246
S. B. 153
- 49 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(19)  Code Section 43-50-44, relating to exemptions from article regarding licensing of
1247
veterinarians and veterinary technicians, in paragraph (19), by replacing "laws;" with "laws;1248
or".1249
SECTION 44.1250
Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to property, is amended in:1251
(1)  Code Section 44-2-39, relating to adoption of rules and regulations and standardization,1252
in paragraph (b)(1), by replacing "personal identification card" with "identification card".1253
(2) Code Section 44-3-106, relating to powers and responsibilities of condominium1254
associations and tort actions, in paragraph (a)(4), by replacing "complied with or" with1255
"complied with; or".1256
(3)  Code Section 44-3-230, relating to frequency of meetings and notice regarding property1257
owners' associations, in subsection (b), by replacing "may called" with "may be called".1258
(4)  Code Section 44-3-231, relating to powers and duties of property owners' associations1259
and legal actions against agent or employee of association, in paragraph (a)(4), by replacing1260
"compiled with or" with "complied with; or".1261
(5)  Code Section 44-5-60, relating to effect of zoning laws, covenants and scenic easements1262
for use of public, renewal of certain covenants, and costs, in subsection (b), by replacing1263
"provided, however, that" with "provided, however, that," and in paragraph (d)(6), by1264
replacing "15 individuals plots" with "15 individual plots".1265
(6)  Code Section 44-7-55, relating to judgment, writ of possession, landlord's liability for1266
wrongful conduct, distribution of funds paid into court, and personal property, by revising1267
subsection (e) as follows:1268
"(e)  Nothing in this Code section shall require a sheriff, constable, or marshal to execute1269
a writ of possession within 30 days from the issuance of any order granting a writ of1270
possession, or the issuance, application, or request for the execution of the writ of1271
possession; provided, however, that,
 in the event the sheriff, sheriff deputy sheriff,1272
S. B. 153
- 50 - 25 LC 39 4674S
constable, or marshal is unable to execute the writ within 14 days from the landlord's
1273
application or request for such execution, the landlord shall be entitled to utilize the1274
services of an off-duty sheriff, sheriff
 deputy sheriff, constable, marshal, or other individual1275
certified by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council having authority1276
within the jurisdiction wherein the premises lie to execute such writ at the landlord's sole1277
cost and expense.  The sheriff, sheriff deputy sheriff, constable, or marshal shall maintain1278
a list of authorized off-duty sheriffs, sheriff deputies deputy sheriffs, constables, marshals,1279
and other individuals certified by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training1280
Council and make the same available upon request by the landlord.  The sheriff, sheriff1281
deputy sheriff, constable, or marshal shall maintain administrative authority over any1282
persons executing writs under this subsection.  The landlord shall provide written notice1283
to the sheriff, sheriff deputy sheriff, constable, or marshal of the date and time of the1284
execution of the writ by such off-duty sheriff, sheriff deputy sheriff, constable, marshal,1285
or other individuals individual certified by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and1286
Training Council at least five calendar days in advance of such execution in order to permit1287
the sheriff, sheriff deputy sheriff, constable, or marshal to note the same within their his or1288
her own records."1289
(7)  Code Section 44-11-30, relating to manner of ejecting intruders, affidavit, ejection by1290
sheriff and other peace officers, and counteraffidavit, by replacing "sheriff deputy," with1291
"deputy sheriff," each time the term appears.1292
(8) Code Section 43-11-31, relating to sheriff and other peace officers competent to1293
administer oath to person in possession, by replacing "sheriff deputy," with "deputy sheriff,".1294
(9)  Code Section 44-11-32, relating to procedure on submission of counteraffidavit, trial,1295
nonmeritorious submission, and appeal, by deleting the subsection (a) designation and in1296
paragraphs (1) and (2), by replacing "sheriff deputy," with "deputy sheriff," each time the1297
term appears.1298
S. B. 153
- 51 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(10)  Code Section 44-11-33, relating to issuance of writ of possession, fi. fa. for costs, and
1299
presentation to law enforcement, by replacing "44-11-32, finds" with "44-11-32 finds".1300
(11)  Code Section 44-12-231, relating to enforcement of article regarding disposition of1301
unclaimed property and properties not paid over on a timely basis, in subsection (b), by1302
replacing "48-3-1" with "48-3-3".1303
SECTION 45.1304
Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to public officers and employees,1305
is amended in:1306
(1)  Code Section 45-9-81, relating to definitions regarding the Georgia State Indemnification1307
Fund, in paragraph (1), by repealing and reserving said paragraph.1308
(2)  Code Section 45-17-8, relating to powers and duties generally of notaries public, in1309
subsection (e), by replacing "personal identification card" with "identification card".1310
(3)  Code Section 45-19-44, relating to unlawful practices punishable by civil fine, at the end1311
of the introductory language of paragraph (a)(5), by replacing the semicolon with a colon.1312
SECTION 46.1313
Title 46 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to public utilities and public1314
transportation, is amended in:1315
(1)  Code Section 46-2-8, relating to payment of salaries and expenses by commission,1316
appropriations for salaries and expenses, and designation of Public Service Commission1317
Fund, by replacing "for Commissioners," with "for the Commissioners,".1318
(2)  Code Section 46-2-23.1, relating to "alternative form of regulation" defined, filing,1319
notice, approval, and release of interstate pipeline capacity, in subparagraph (i)(1)(C), by1320
replacing "that if" with "that, if".1321
(3)  Code Section 46-2-26.3, relating to recovery of costs of conversion from oil-burning to1322
S. B. 153
- 52 - 25 LC 39 4674S
coal-burning generating facility, filing of request, public hearing, determination of rate, and
1323
adjustments, in subsection (a), by replacing "Public Service Commission" with "commission"1324
and by revising subsection (b) as follows:1325
"(b)  As used in this Code section, the term
 For the purposes of this Code section, the1326
following words or terms shall have the following meanings:1327
(1)  'Coal' shall mean means coal used as a primary energy source.1328
(2)  'Commission' shall mean the Georgia Public Service Commission.1329
(3)(2)(A) 'Cost of conversion' shall mean means costs as determined by the1330
commission to be reasonable and necessary for the conversion of an oil-burning electric1331
generating facility to the burning of coal.  Such costs shall include, but not be limited1332
to, engineering, administrative, and legal costs,; the cost of environmental studies and1333
control equipment, coal-handling and storage equipment, including rail facilities,1334
equipment and facilities necessary to permit the combustion of coal,; the cost of1335
retrofitting or refurbishing boilers to permit the combustion of coal,; the cost of on-site1336
and off-site facilities for handling, storing, and disposing of wastes resulting from the1337
combustion of coal,; and the cost of all other facilities reasonable and necessary to1338
allow the conversion of an oil-burning electric generating facility to burn coal.  Such1339
costs shall also include the reasonable cost of capital for such conversion and for1340
carrying the cost of such conversion until such costs are recovered as provided in this1341
Code section.  In no case shall cost of conversion such term include any costs incurred1342
pursuant to an expansion of an electric generating facility's generating capacity above1343
the generating capacity of said facility that existed prior to the conversion from oil to1344
coal.1345
(B) Such term 'Cost of conversion' shall not include the amount financed by the1346
company through tax-exempt pollution control bonds, if any, of any portion of the1347
project certified by the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural1348
Resources, or other agency vested with similar authority, to be a pollution control1349
S. B. 153
- 53 - 25 LC 39 4674S
facility and therefore eligible for financing under Section 103 of the Internal Revenue
1350
Code and the regulations thereunder or other similar law or regulation now or hereafter1351
adopted.1352
(4)
(3) 'Fuel cost savings' shall mean means the amount of fuel savings to be obtained by1353
operating the facility converted from oil to coal-fired operation during the facility's first1354
full 12 months of operation using coal as its primary fuel as compared to the operation1355
of such facility on oil, had it been so operated, during the same 12 month period.1356
(5)(4) 'Utility' shall mean means any retail supplier of electricity subject to the1357
rate-making jurisdiction of the commission."1358
(4)  Code Section 46-2-26.5, relating to gas supply plans and adjustment factors, filings and1359
hearing procedures, and recovery of purchase gas cost, by deleting paragraph (a)(2) and1360
redesignating paragraphs (a)(3) through (a)(8) as paragraphs (a)(2) through (a)(7),1361
respectively.1362
(5)  Code Section 46-2-28, relating to procedure for issuance of stocks, bonds, notes, or other1363
debt by companies under commission's jurisdiction and exemptions, in the introductory1364
language of subsection (g), by deleting "paragraph (10) of".1365
(6)  Code Section 46-3-1, relating to the short title regarding allocation of territorial rights1366
to electric suppliers, by inserting "and may be cited" following "known".1367
(7)  Code Section 46-3-3, relating to definitions regarding allocation of territorial rights to1368
electric suppliers, in paragraph (2), by replacing "has the meaning provided by paragraph (3)1369
of" with "shall have the same meaning as set forth in".1370
(8)  Code Section 46-3-4, relating to assignment or declaration as unassigned areas-B of1371
geographic areas outside municipal limits as of March 29, 1973, in paragraph (3), by1372
replacing "provided that if" with "provided that, if" and by replacing "however, that" with1373
"however, that,".1374
S. B. 153
- 54 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(9)  Code Section 46-3-7, relating to assignment and unassignment of geographic areas
1375
annexed to municipalities after March 29, 1973, in subparagraphs (2)(A) and (2)(D), by1376
replacing "provided that" with "provided that,".1377
(10) Code Section 46-3-32, relating to definitions regarding high-voltage safety, in1378
paragraph (3), by replacing "this term" with "such term".1379
(11)  Code Section 46-3-33, relating to required conditions for commencing work within ten1380
feet of high-voltage line, in the introductory language, by deleting "as defined in1381
paragraph (6) of Code Section 46-3-32".1382
(12)  Code Section 46-3-52, relating to jurisdiction of commission over cogeneration facility1383
the energy from which is used solely by operator, by deleting paragraph (3) and1384
redesignating paragraphs (4) through (12) as paragraphs (3) through (11), respectively.1385
(13) Code Section 46-3-62, relating to definitions regarding solar power free-market1386
financing, in paragraph (5), by replacing "has the same meaning as provided in paragraph (3)1387
of" with "shall have the same meaning as set forth in" and in paragraph (9), by replacing "has1388
the same meaning as provided in paragraph (6) of" with "shall have the same meaning as set1389
forth in".1390
(14)  Code Section 46-3-66, relating to construction and applicability, in subsections (d) and1391
(e), by replacing "the effective date of this part" with "July 1, 2015,".1392
(15)  Code Section 46-3-115, relating terms of authority members generally and time of1393
meeting of election committee prior to annual meeting of authority, by replacing "provided1394
that" with "provided that,".1395
(16)  Code Section 46-3-120, relating to quorum of authority, action by majority vote, and1396
adjournment of meetings at which less than a majority is present, by replacing "provided1397
that" with "provided that,".1398
(17)  Code Section 46-3-170, relating to short title regarding general provisions relative to1399
electric membership corporations and foreign electric cooperatives, by replacing "article1400
may" with "article shall be known and may".1401
S. B. 153
- 55 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(18)  Code Section 46-3-263, relating to notice of members' meetings, in subsection (a), by
1402
replacing "however, that" with "however, that,".1403
(19) Code Section 46-3-322, relating to filing articles of incorporation, issuance of1404
certificate of incorporation, forwarding of copy of certificate to clerk of superior court,1405
rejection of articles of incorporation, publication of notice, and commencement of corporate1406
existence, in paragraph (e)(1), by inserting quotation marks at the beginning and end of the1407
form, and by revising paragraph (c)(4) as follows:1408
"(4)  A letter addressed to the publisher of a newspaper which is the official organ of the1409
county where the initial registered office of the electric membership corporation is to be1410
located or which is a newspaper of general circulation published within that county1411
whose most recently published annual statement of ownership and circulation reflects a1412
minimum of 60 percent paid circulation.  This letter shall contain a notice to be published1413
four times in the newspaper and shall be in substantially the following form: 1414
'_______________________________________
1415
_______________________________________1416
_______________________________________1417
(name and address of the newspaper designated1418
by the incorporator or incorporators or1419
his or their representative thereof)1420
Dear Sirs:1421
You are requested to publish, four times, a notice in the following form:1422
'"_____________________ (name of electric membership corporation) has been duly1423
incorporated on _____________________ (month, day, and year to be inserted by the1424
Secretary of State), by the issuance of a certificate of incorporation by the Secretary1425
of State in accordance with the applicable provisions of Article 4 of Chapter 3 of Title1426
46, the "'Georgia Electric Membership Corporation Act."' The initial registered office1427
S. B. 153
- 56 - 25 LC 39 4674S
of the electric membership corporation is located at _____________________
1428
(address of registered office) and its initial registered agent at such address is1429
______________________
 (name of agent).'"1430
Enclosed is a (check, draft, or money order) in the amount of $60.00 in payment of the1431
costs of publishing this notice.1432
Very truly yours, 1433
____________________________________ 1434
____________________________________ 1435
____________________________________ 1436
(Name and address of incorporator or 1437
incorporators or his or their representative thereof)'"1438
(20)  Code Section 46-3-363, relating to obtaining of certificate from Secretary of State upon1439
amendment of name of electric membership corporation, filing articles of amendment,1440
issuance of certificate of amendment, forwarding of copy of certificate to superior court,1441
rejection of articles of amendment, and publication of notice, by revising paragraph (c)(4)1442
as follows:1443
"(4)  A letter addressed to the publisher of a newspaper which is the official organ of the1444
county where the registered office of the electric membership corporation is located or1445
which is a newspaper of general circulation published within that county whose most1446
recently published annual statement of ownership and circulation reflects a minimum of1447
60 percent paid circulation.  This letter shall contain a notice to be published four times1448
in the newspaper and shall be in substantially the following form:1449
'_______________________________1450
_______________________________1451
_______________________________1452
S. B. 153
- 57 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(Name and address of the newspaper   
1453
designated by the electric 1454
membership corporation)1455
Dear Sirs:1456
You are requested to publish, four times, a notice in the following form:1457
'
"The Articles of Incorporation of ______________________ (name of electric1458
membership corporation) have been duly amended on ______________, ____1459
(month, day, and year to be inserted by the Secretary of State), by the issuance of a1460
certificate of amendment by the Secretary of State, in accordance with the applicable1461
provisions of Article 4 of Chapter 3 of Title 46, the "'Georgia Electric Membership1462
Corporation Act."'"1463
Enclosed is a (check, draft, or money order) in the amount of $60.00 in payment of the1464
cost of publishing this notice.1465
Very truly yours,1466
___________________________ 1467
___________________________ 1468
___________________________ 1469
(Name and address of the electric 1470
membership corporation        1471
or its representative)'"        1472
(21) Code Section 46-3-383, relating to contents of articles of merger or articles of1473
consolidation, obtaining of certificate from Secretary of State upon use of new name, and1474
procedures involving filing, issuance, rejection, and publication of articles of merger or1475
articles of consolidation, by revising paragraph (d)(4) as follows:1476
S. B. 153
- 58 - 25 LC 39 4674S
"(4)  A letter addressed to the publisher of a newspaper which is the official organ of the
1477
county where the registered office of the surviving or new electric membership1478
corporation is to be located or which is a newspaper of general circulation published1479
within that county whose most recently published annual statement of ownership and1480
circulation reflects a minimum of 60 percent paid circulation.  This letter shall contain1481
a notice to be published four times in the newspaper and shall be in substantially the1482
following form:1483
'_______________________________________
1484
_______________________________________1485
_______________________________________1486
(name and address of the newspaper designated1487
by the merging or consolidating1488
electric membership corporations)1489
Dear Sirs:1490
You are requested to publish, four times, a notice in the following form:1491
'"A (merger) (consolidation) (has been) (will be) effected by and between1492
_______________________ (name and state of incorporation of each of the1493
constituent electric membership corporations) on _______________________1494
(month, day, and year to be inserted by the Secretary of State) by the issuance of a1495
certificate of (merger) (consolidation) by the Secretary of State, in accordance with1496
the applicable provisions of Article 4 of Chapter 3 of Title 46, the "'Georgia Electric1497
Membership Corporation Act."' The name of the (surviving electric membership1498
corporation in the merger) (new electric membership corporation resulting from the1499
consolidation) (is) (will be) _______________________ (set forth the name and state1500
of incorporation of the surviving electric membership corporation or new electric1501
S. B. 153
- 59 - 25 LC 39 4674S
membership corporation, as the case may be), the registered office of which (is) (will
1502
be) located at _______________________ (address of registered office).'
"1503
Enclosed is a (check, draft, or money order) in the amount of $60.00 in payment of the1504
cost of publishing this notice.1505
Very truly yours,1506
____________________________ 1507
____________________________ 1508
____________________________ 1509
(Name and address of merging    1510
or consolidating electric        1511
membership corporations      1512
or their representative)'"     1513
(22)  Code Section 46-3-423, relating to procedure after filing statement of intent to dissolve,1514
by revising subsection (a) as follows:1515
"(a)  The electric membership corporation shall immediately cause notice of its intent to1516
dissolve to be published in a newspaper which is the official organ of the county where the1517
registered office of the electric membership corporation is located or which is a newspaper1518
of general circulation published within that county whose most recently published annual1519
statement of ownership and circulation reflects a minimum of 60 percent paid circulation. 1520
This notice shall be published four times in the newspaper and shall be in substantially the1521
following form:1522
'A Statement of Intent to Dissolve _____________________ (name of electric1523
membership corporation), a Georgia electric membership corporation with registered1524
office at _____________________ (address of registered office), has been delivered to1525
the Secretary of State by said electric membership corporation and filed by him on1526
______________, ____ (month, day, and year), in accordance with the applicable1527
S. B. 153
- 60 - 25 LC 39 4674S
provisions of Article 4 of Chapter 3 of Title 46, the '"Georgia Electric Membership1528
Corporation Act."'"1529
(23)  Code Section 46-3-468, relating to application for reinstatement of certificate of1530
authority, by revising subsection (c) as follows:1531
"(c)  The application for reinstatement shall be in substantially the following form: 1532
'Application for Reinstatement of1533
Certificate of Authority1534
To: The Secretary of State1535
Atlanta, Georgia1536
Pursuant to the provisions of Code Section 46-3-468, the undersigned foreign electric1537
cooperative hereby applies for a certificate of reinstatement of a foreign electric1538
cooperative and, for that purpose, submits the following:1539
First:  The name of the foreign electric cooperative at the date of the certificate of1540
revocation was _______________________.1541
Second:  The new name by which the foreign electric cooperative will hereafter be1542
known is _______________________.1543
Third:  The certificate of authority to transact business in the State of Georgia was1544
revoked on ______________ for failure to follow the requirements stated in Code1545
Section 46-3-466.1546
Fourth:  The address, including street and number, of its registered office in Georgia is1547
_______________________; and the name of its registered agent in Georgia at that1548
address is _______________________.1549
Fifth:  The application is accompanied by all delinquent reports together with the filing1550
fees and penalties required by Article 4 of Chapter 3 of Title 46, the '"Georgia Electric1551
Membership Corporation Act.'"1552
S. B. 153
- 61 - 25 LC 39 4674S
Date ______________, ____.
1553
__________________________ 1554
(President or vice-president)     1555
__________________________ 1556
(Secretary or assistant secretary)'
"1557
(24) Code Section 46-3-480, relating to requirement of annual reports by electric1558
membership corporation and foreign electric cooperative, in subsection (b), by replacing1559
"however," with "provided, however, that".1560
(25)  Code Section 46-3A-1, relating to definitions regarding integrated resource planning,1561
in the introductory language, by replacing "chapter:" with "chapter, the term:" and by1562
deleting paragraph (2) and redesignating paragraphs (3) through (9) as paragraphs (2)1563
through (8), respectively.1564
(26)  Code Section 46-3A-3, relating to actions prohibited without a certificate of public1565
convenience and necessity, in the undesignated text at the end of subsection (b), by replacing1566
"however," with "however, that".1567
(27)  Code Section 46-3A-10, relating to effect on rates of changed revenues and risks and1568
basis and effect of commission decision, by replacing "however," with "however, that".1569
(28)  Code Section 46-4-85, relating to authority members and terms of office, by replacing1570
"provided that" with "provided that,".1571
(29)  Code Section 46-4-90, relating to quorum and majority vote, by replacing "provided1572
that" with "provided that,".1573
(30)  Code Section 46-4-152, relating to definitions regarding natural gas competition and1574
deregulation, in paragraph (5), by replacing "The term control" with "Such term" and in1575
paragraph (10.1), by replacing "defined" with "described".1576
(31)  Code Section 46-4-154, relating to notice of election, unbundling, rates, application1577
requirements, and surcharge on interruptibles, in subsection (e), by replacing "medicare" with1578
"Medicare" and by replacing "writeoffs" with "write-offs".1579
S. B. 153
- 62 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(32)  Code Section 46-4-158.2, relating to rules governing marketer's terms of service, in
1580
paragraph (8), by replacing "however, that" with "however, that,".1581
(33)  Code Section 46-4-159, relating to standards of conduct for electing distribution1582
companies and response to complaints, in paragraph (a)(1), by replacing "The term control"1583
with "Such term", in subparagraph (a)(3)(B), by replacing "the term marketer" with "such1584
term", and in paragraph (b)(9), by replacing "however," with "provided, however, that".1585
(34)  Code Section 46-4-160, relating to commission's authority over certificated marketers,1586
access to records, investigations and hearings, price summary, billing, violations, and1587
slamming, in subsection (j), by replacing "phrase" with "term".1588
(35)  Code Section 46-5-1, relating to exercise of power of eminent domain by telephone1589
companies, placement of posts and other fixtures, regulation of construction of fixtures,1590
posts, and wires near railroad tracks, liability of telephone companies for damages, required1591
information, and due compensation, in subparagraph (b)(1)(B) and paragraph (b)(7), by1592
replacing "Georgia Public Service Commission" with "commission", in the introductory1593
language of paragraph (b)(9), by replacing "Code section," with "Code section, the term", in1594
paragraph (b)(12), by replacing "As used in this Code section," with "As used in this Code1595
section, the term" and by replacing "however, that if" with "however, that, if", in1596
paragraph (b)(13), by replacing "ten percent" with "10 percent", and in1597
subparagraph (b)(19)(A), by replacing "however, that" with "however, that,".1598
(36)  Code Section 46-5-2, relating to avoiding or attempting to avoid charges for use of1599
telecommunication service, penalties, and computation of damages, in paragraph (b)(1), by1600
replacing "however, that" with "however, that,".1601
(37)  Code Section 46-5-3, relating to making, possessing, selling, allowing use of, or1602
publishing assembly plans for devices, equipment, or apparatus for committing theft of1603
telecommunications service, or for concealing origin or destination of any1604
telecommunication and compensatory damages, in paragraph (a)(3), by replacing "The term"1605
with "Such term" and in paragraph (c)(1), by replacing "however, that" with "however, that,".1606
S. B. 153
- 63 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(38)  Code Section 46-5-5, relating to inclusion of local exchanges 495 and 567 in area
1607
code 404, by replacing "however, that" with "however, that,".1608
(39)  Code Section 46-5-26, relating to access to live telephone operator, in subsection (a),1609
by replacing "For the purpose of this Code section," with "As used in this Code section, the1610
term" and by replacing "dials '0'." with "dials '0.'"1611
(40)  Code Section 46-5-27, relating to telephone solicitation calls and do not call database,1612
in subparagraph (b)(3)(B), by deleting "or" at the end and in subsection (n), by replacing1613
"voice over internet protocol" with "Voice over Internet Protocol".1614
(41)  Code Section 46-5-28, relating to consent required for inclusion of subscribers' names1615
or dialing numbers in a wireless telephone data base or a traditional telephone directory,1616
exceptions, disclosure of wireless numbers to telemarketers prohibited, violations, and1617
immunity of service suppliers for authorized disclosures, in paragraph (a)(3), by replacing1618
"The term" with "Such term".1619
(42)  Code Section 46-5-30, relating to establishment, administration, and operation of1620
state-wide dual party relay service and audible universal information access service, in1621
subsection (c), by replacing "basis; however," with "basis; provided, however, that".1622
(43)  Code Section 46-5-60, relating to short title regarding rural telephone cooperatives, by1623
replacing "part may" with "part shall be known and may".1624
(44)  Code Section 46-5-62, relating to definitions regarding rural telephone cooperatives,1625
in paragraph (5), by replacing "This term" with "Such term".1626
(45)  Code Section 46-5-63, relating to powers of cooperatives generally, in paragraph (4.1),1627
by replacing "however, that" with "however, that,".1628
(46)  Code Section 46-5-75, relating to certificate of Secretary of State, by inserting quotation1629
marks at the beginning and end of the form.1630
(47)  Code Section 46-5-93, relating to pledging or encumbering of property, assets, rights,1631
and privileges of cooperative by board of directors to secure indebtedness to federal1632
government, tax exemption for mortgages and deeds of trust, and sale, pledge, or1633
S. B. 153
- 64 - 25 LC 39 4674S
encumbrance of property, in subsection (b), by replacing "provided that" with "provided
1634
that,".1635
(48)  Code Section 46-5-122, relating to definitions regarding emergency telephone number1636
9-1-1 system, in paragraph (5), by replacing "The term 'emergency 9-1-1 system'" with "Such1637
term", in paragraph (7), by replacing "Georgia Public Service Commission" with1638
"commission" and by replacing "The term 'exchange access facility'" with "Such term", in1639
the undesignated text at the end of paragraph (12.1), by replacing "Internet" with "internet",1640
in paragraph (17.1), by replacing "over the Internet" with "over the internet" and by replacing1641
"Internet protocol" with "Internet Protocol", and in paragraph (19), by replacing "The term"1642
with "Such term" each time the phrase appears.1643
(49) Code Section 46-5-134.2, relating to prepaid wireless 9-1-1 charge, definitions,1644
imposition of fee by localities, collection and remission of charges, and distribution of funds,1645
in paragraph (g)(3), by replacing "For purposes of" with "As used in".1646
(50)  Code Section 46-5-162, relating to definitions regarding telecommunications and1647
competition development, in the introductory language of paragraph (10), by replacing "For1648
purposes of this article, there" with "There" and in paragraph (18), by replacing "For1649
purposes of illustration, the term 'telecommunications services'" with "Such term".1650
(51)  Code Section 46-5-163, relating to certificates of authority, in subsection (f), by1651
replacing "however, that" with "however, that,".1652
(52)  Code Section 46-5-165, relating to alternative regulation of rates, terms, and conditions,1653
in subsection (a), by replacing "however, that" with "however, that,".1654
(53)  Code Section 46-5-167, relating to Universal Access Fund, in paragraph (d)(1), by1655
replacing "For purposes of" with "As used in" and in subsection (g), by replacing "Public1656
Service Commission" with "commission".1657
(54)  Code Section 46-5-181, relating to definitions regarding the "Telecommunications1658
Marketing Act of 1998," by revising said Code section as follows:1659
"46-5-181.1660
S. B. 153
- 65 - 25 LC 39 4674S
As used in this article, the terms 'local exchange company,' 'telecommunications company,'1661
and 'telecommunications services' shall have the same meaning as provided in Code1662
Section 46-5-162; the term 'local exchange carrier' shall have the same meaning as 'local1663
exchange company'; and the term 'long distance service' shall include interexchange1664
inter-LATA telecommunications service and interexchange intra-LATA1665
telecommunications service term:1666
(1)  'Local exchange carrier' shall have the same meaning as the term 'local exchange1667
company.'1668
(2) 'Local exchange company' shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code1669
Section 46-5-162.1670
(3)  'Long distance service' includes interexchange inter-LATA telecommunications1671
service and interexchange intra-LATA telecommunications service.1672
(4)  'Telecommunications company' shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code1673
Section 46-5-162.1674
(5)  'Telecommunications services' shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code1675
Section 46-5-162."1676
(55) Code Section 46-5-221, relating to definitions regarding competitive emerging1677
communications technologies, in subparagraph (1)(A), by replacing "Internet;" with1678
"internet;", in the undesignated text at the end of paragraph (1), by replacing "For the1679
purposes of this article, broadband service" with "Such term", and in paragraph (2), by1680
replacing "Internet protocol" with "internet protocol".1681
(56)  Code Section 46-8-20, relating to exclusive power of commission to determine just and1682
reasonable rates and charges, establishing rates and tariffs generally, and locating of depots1683
and construction of freight and passenger buildings, in paragraph (b)(4), by replacing1684
"provided that" with "provided that,".1685
S. B. 153
- 66 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(57)  Code Section 46-8-42, relating to certificate of incorporation, duration of corporate
1686
existence, and fee for issuance of certificate, in subsection (a), by inserting quotation marks1687
at the beginning and end of the form.1688
(58) Code Section 46-8-100, relating to general powers regarding powers of railroad1689
companies generally, in paragraph (3), by replacing "however, that" with "however, that,".1690
(59)  Code Section 46-8-291, relating to consent and contributory negligence as defenses and1691
comparative negligence as affecting amount of recovery, by replacing "provided that" with1692
"provided that,".1693
(60)  Code Section 46-8-312, relating to service of process on lessor railroad company,1694
generally, by replacing "however, that" with "however, that,".1695
(61)  Code Section 46-8-339, relating to authority of street, suburban, and interurban railroad1696
companies to furnish steam for heating and power purposes and to lay and maintain1697
steampipes, by replacing "provided that" with "provided that,".1698
(62)  Code Section 46-9-42, relating to effect of strike by carrier's employees on carrier's1699
duty to transport goods, by replacing "provided that" with "provided that,".1700
(63)  Code Section 46-9-48, relating to adjustment and payment by common carriers of1701
claims for loss of property or overcharge for freight and effect of failure by common carrier1702
to adjust and pay claim, by replacing "provided that" with "provided that,".1703
(64)  Code Section 46-9-50, relating to weighing of railroad cars by certified public weighers1704
and manner of weighing cars, in subsection (b), by replacing "provided that when" with1705
"provided that, when".1706
(65)  Code Section 46-9-138, relating to granting of annual passes by common carriers to1707
sheriffs and their deputies, by replacing "provided that the term 'sheriffs and their lawful1708
deputies,' as used in this Code section, means" with "provided that, as used in this Code1709
section, the term 'sheriffs and their lawful deputies' means".1710
S. B. 153
- 67 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(66)  Code Section 46-9-212, relating to switching off and delivering to connecting roads all
1711
cars consigned to points over or beyond the connecting roads, in subsection (b), by replacing1712
"provided that" with "provided that,".1713
(67)  Code Section 46-9-230, relating to manner of incorporation of express companies, by1714
inserting quotation marks at the beginning and end of the certificate form.1715
(68)  Code Section 46-9-290, relating to Designated Georgia Rail Passenger Corridors, in1716
paragraph (b)(2), by replacing "For the purposes of this subsection, 'high speed rail' is1717
defined as involving" with "As used in this subsection, the term 'high speed rail' means".1718
(69)  Chapters 10 and 11, which are reserved, by designating said chapters as repealed.1719
(70)  The following Code sections, by replacing "Public Service Commission" and "Georgia1720
Public Service Commission" with "commission" each time the term appears:1721
(A)  Code Section 46-1-2, relating to measure of damages for wrongs and injuries by1722
railroad companies generally and venue for actions against railroad companies and electric1723
companies generally;1724
(B)  Code Section 46-2-10, relating to payment of special fee by corporations and utilities1725
subject to jurisdiction of commission, notice of amount due, and procedure on default;1726
(C) Code Section 46-2-25.2, relating to sixteen-mile toll-free telephone calling,1727
modification of rate schedules, recovery of expenses or lost revenues by telephone1728
companies, and rate-making power of Public Service Commission not affected;1729
(D)  Code Section 46-2-25.3, relating to toll-free calls within 22 miles of exchange,1730
hearings, and "net gain" defined;1731
(E)  Code Section 46-3-152, relating to jurisdiction of commission over rates, services, and1732
practices of authority;1733
(F)  Code Section 46-4-53, relating to application to commission by gas utility for order1734
approving utilization or operation of underground reservoir, hearing on application1735
generally, and giving notice of hearing;1736
S. B. 153
- 68 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(G)  Code Section 46-4-54, relating to investigation by state geologist of site of proposed
1737
storage project, procedures involving state geologist, investigation of proposed storage1738
project by director of Environmental Protection Division, procedures involving director,1739
and investigation of proposed storage project by commission;1740
(H)  Code Section 46-4-60, relating to adoption by Board of Natural Resources of rules and1741
regulations governing construction, installation, utilization, and operation of underground1742
reservoirs and stations, wells, fixtures, and other facilities, enforcement of rules and1743
regulations, and inspection and examination;1744
(I)  Code Section 46-4-122, relating to exemption from regulation by Public Service1745
Commission;1746
(J)  Code Section 46-4A-12, relating to construction of chapter regarding provision of1747
energy conservation assistance to residential customers by electric and gas utilities;1748
(K)  Code Section 46-5-6, relating to exclusive power and authority of the Public Service1749
Commission to prescribe rules and regulations regarding public pay telephones;1750
(L)  Code Section 46-5-41, relating to obtaining of certificate of public convenience and1751
necessity for construction, operation, acquisition, or extension of telephone lines, plants,1752
or systems;1753
(M) Code Section 46-5-124, relating to guidelines for implementing a state-wide1754
emergency 9-1-1 system and training and equipment standards;1755
(N)  Code Section 46-5-126, relating to cooperation by commission and telephone industry;1756
(O)  Code Section 46-5-137, relating to powers of Public Service Commission not affected;1757
(P)  Code Section 46-5-182, relating to certification of telecommunications companies1758
which bill for or solicit intrastate telecommunications services;1759
(Q) Code Section 46-5-211, relating to consent of end user required for release of1760
telephone records and law enforcement exception;1761
(R)  Code Section 46-5-213, relating to circumstances to which this article not applicable1762
regarding disclosure of certain customer information;1763
S. B. 153
- 69 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(S)  Code Section 46-5-222, relating to commission has no authority over setting of rates
1764
or terms and conditions for the offering of broadband service, voice over Internet protocol,1765
or wireless service and limitations;1766
(T)  Code Section 46-8-73, relating to contents of petition for dissolution, certification1767
resolution recommending dissolution, attachment of resolution to petition, verification of1768
petition, and fee for filing petition;1769
(U)  Code Section 46-8-75, relating to transfer of copy of petition from Secretary of State1770
to commission;1771
(V)  Code Section 46-8-78, relating to order of Secretary of State accepting surrender of1772
charter and franchises and dissolving corporation and recording of petition, certificate of1773
approval, certificate of publication, and order by Secretary of State;1774
(W)  Code Section 46-8-196, relating to use of standard signs for highway crossings and1775
for advertising or other purposes, mutilation, destruction, and defacement of standard signs,1776
and removal of unauthorized signs by county authorities; and1777
(X)  Code Section 46-8A-2, relating to line or system permit required regarding rapid rail1778
passenger service.1779
SECTION 47.1780
Reserved.1781
SECTION 48.1782
Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to revenue and taxation, is1783
amended in:1784
(1)  Code Section 48-5-7.6, relating to preferential assessment for brownfield property, in1785
division (h)(1)(B)(iii), by redesignating the second subdivision (II) as subdivision (III).1786
S. B. 153
- 70 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(2)  Code Section 48-5-28, relating to priority of taxes over other claims and superiority of
1787
security deed, in subsection (a), by replacing "Code Section 53-7-91," with "Code1788
Section 53-7-40,".1789
(3)  Code Section 48-5-164, relating to duties of successor tax collector or tax commissioner1790
as to performing uncompleted duties of outgoing collector or commissioner, distribution of1791
commissions, and liability, by revising subsection (b) as follows:1792
"(b)(1)
  Each tax collector or tax commissioner to whom a list is furnished as provided in1793
subsection (a) of this Code section shall pay to the outgoing tax collector or tax1794
commissioner, as the taxes are collected, one-half of the commissions and retain for his or1795
her services one-half, the commissions to be calculated as if the amounts had been1796
collected by the outgoing tax collector or tax commissioner.1797
(2)  Reserved."1798
(4)  Code Section 48-7-27, relating to computation of taxable net income, at the end of1799
subparagraph (a)(3)(A), by replacing the period with a semicolon, in paragraph (a)(3), by1800
deleting the subparagraph (A) designation and by redesignating subparagraph (B) as1801
paragraph (a)(3.1), and in division (a)(5)(D)(i), by deleting "or" at the end.1802
(5)  Code Section 48-7-29.20, relating to tax credits for contributions to rural hospital1803
organizations, in subparagraph (e)(2)(E), by replacing "section including" with "section,1804
including" and in subparagraph (e)(4)(B), by replacing "their approval" with "such approval".1805
(6)  Code Section 48-7-40.22, relating to tax credits for business enterprises that purchase or1806
lease a motor vehicle to provide transportation for employees, in the table in subsection (b),1807
under Tier 2, Credit amount per vehicle, by replacing "2000.00" with "2,000.00".1808
(7)  Code Section 48-7-40.26, relating to tax credits for film, gaming, video, or digital1809
production, in the undesignated text at the end of subparagraph (c)(2)(B), by replacing1810
"paragraph" with "subparagraph".1811
(8)  Code Section 48-7-40.30, relating to tax credits for certain qualified investments for1812
limited period of time, in paragraph (f)(5), by replacing "transferrable" with "transferable".1813
S. B. 153
- 71 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(9)  Code Section 48-8-2, relating to definitions regarding state sales and use tax, in the
1814
introductory language of paragraph (39), by replacing "voice over internet protocol" with1815
"Voice over Internet Protocol".1816
(10)  Code Section 48-8-15, relating to ratification of Executive Order on temporary and1817
partial exemption for liquid propane gas commodity sold and delivered for residential1818
heating, in subsection (e), by replacing "Chapter 10" with "Chapter 1".1819
(11)  Code Section 48-13-133, relating to promulgation of rules and regulations regarding1820
taxation of consumer fireworks, by replacing "this Code section" with "this article".1821
SECTION 49.1822
Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to social services, is amended1823
in:1824
(1)  Code Section 49-3-6, relating to functions of county department of family and children1825
services, in paragraph (a)(4), by replacing "Council of Accountability Courts" with "Council1826
of Accountability Court Judges" and in subsection (b), by replacing "Board of Human1827
Services," with "board,".1828
(2)  Code Section 49-4-159.2, relating to remote maternal health clinical services, reporting,1829
and termination, in subparagraph (a)(1)(A), by replacing "transmitting" with "transmit" and1830
in subsection (c), by replacing "repealed" with "repealed and reserved".1831
(3)  Code Section 49-5-8, relating to powers and duties of the Department of Human1832
Services, in subparagraph (a)(11)(A), by replacing "with, a photograph of himself or herself,1833
provided however, that if" with "with a photograph of himself or herself; provided, however,1834
that, if" and in subparagraph (a)(11)(B), by replacing "a personal identification card" with1835
"an identification card" each time the phrase appears.1836
S. B. 153
- 72 - 25 LC 39 4674S
SECTION 50.
1837
Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state government, is amended1838
in:1839
(1) Article 2 of Chapter 8, relating to regional commissions, by deleting the Part 11840
designation.1841
(2) Code Section 50-18-160, relating to individuals or nonprofit organizations, in1842
paragraph (a)(1), by replacing "Code, has" with "Code or has" and in paragraph (b)(2), by1843
replacing "in possession" with "in the possession".1844
(3)  Code Section 50-36-4, relating to submission of annual immigration compliance report,1845
creation of reporting system, contents of reports, and annual review, in paragraph (d)(7), by1846
replacing "42-4-11.4, 42-4-11.5," with "42-1-11.4, 42-1-11.5,".1847
SECTION 51.1848
Title 51 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to torts, is amended in:1849
(1)  Code Section 51-1-22.1, relating to liability of an operator of a vessel under certain1850
conditions, in paragraph (c)(1), by replacing "$1,000,000.00" with "$1 million".1851
SECTION 52.1852
Reserved.1853
SECTION 53.1854
Reserved.1855
SECTION 54.1856
(a)  In accordance with subsection (c) of Code Section 28-9-5, the following portions1857
included in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated published under authority of the state by1858
LEXIS Publishing, including all 2024 supplements and revised volumes thereof, are hereby1859
S. B. 153
- 73 - 25 LC 39 4674S
reenacted, and such reenactment shall have the effect of adopting and giving force and effect
1860
of law to the following portions as contained in such supplements and volumes:1861
(1)  Statutory text; and1862
(2)  Arrangement and numbering system, including, but not limited to, title, chapter, article,1863
part, subpart, Code section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, division, and subdivision1864
numbers and designations.1865
(b)  The following portions included in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated published1866
under authority of the state by LEXIS Publishing, including all 2024 supplements and revised1867
volumes thereof, are specifically not enacted or reenacted, have no binding authority, bear1868
no weight or effect, and shall not be construed to have the imprimatur of the General1869
Assembly or the State of Georgia:1870
(1)  Case annotations;1871
(2)  Research references, including, but not limited to:1872
(A)  Law reviews;1873
(B)  Collateral references to secondary sources;1874
(C)  Opinions of the Georgia Attorney General;1875
(D)  Advisory opinions of the State Bar; and1876
(E)  Cross-references;1877
(3)  Captions;1878
(4)  Catchlines;1879
(5)  Headings;1880
(6)  Title and chapter analyses;1881
(7)  History lines;1882
(8)  Repeal lines;1883
(9)  Editorial notes;1884
(10)  Amendment notes;1885
(11)  Code Commission notes;1886
S. B. 153
- 74 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(12)  Effective date notes;
1887
(13)  Tables;1888
(14)  User's Guide;1889
(15)  General Index;1890
(16)  Volume indices;1891
(17)  Indices related to local and special laws;1892
(18)  Conversion tables;1893
(19)  The United States Constitution;1894
(20)  The Georgia Constitution;1895
(21)  Rules and regulations of state agencies, departments, boards, commissions, or other1896
entities;1897
(22)  Material in brackets or parentheses and editorial, delayed effective date, effect of1898
amendment, or other similar notes within the text of a Code section which have been added1899
by the publisher in order to explain or to prevent a misapprehension concerning the1900
contents of the Code section; and1901
(23)  Any other matter published in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated which is not1902
included in subsection (a) of this section.1903
(c)  The reenactment of the portions of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated by1904
subsection (a) of this section shall not affect, supersede, or repeal any Act of the General1905
Assembly, or portion thereof, which is not contained in the Official Code of Georgia1906
Annotated and which was not repealed by Code Section 1-1-10, specifically including those1907
Acts which have not yet been included in the text of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated1908
because of effective dates which extend beyond the effective date of the Code or the1909
publication date of the Code or its supplements.  This subsection shall not apply to any Act1910
or portion thereof which was superseded due to conflict as provided by subsection (b) of1911
Code Section 28-9-5.1912
S. B. 153
- 75 - 25 LC 39 4674S
(d)  The provisions contained in Sections 1 through 53 of this Act and in the other Acts
1913
enacted at the 2024 regular session of the General Assembly of Georgia shall supersede the1914
provisions of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated ratified and reenacted by subsection (a)1915
of this section.1916
(e)  In the event of a conflict between a provision in Sections 1 through 53 of this Act and1917
a provision of another Act enacted at the 2025 regular session of the General Assembly, the1918
provision of such other Act shall control over the conflicting provision in Sections 11919
through 53 of this Act to the extent of such conflict.1920
SECTION 55.1921
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.1922
S. B. 153
- 76 -