Rep. Hagan: Week 6 Session Update

The Georgia Ho u s e kicked off the sixth week of the legi s lat ive session on Tuesday foll owi n g Presidents’ Day. We’re now past the halfway mark, with Crossover Day fast approaching. Last week, there were 25 bills passed by the House, moving them forward to the Senate. I want to highlight a few key bills, including two I sponsored, that will have a direct impact on Georgians.

Strengthening Georgia’s Second Chance Law

A meaningful bill that passed the House this week was House Bill 162, which I am proud to sponsor. This legislation strengthens Georgia’s First Offender Act, ensuring that individuals who make a single mistake aren’t haunted by it forever. Originally established in the 1960s, this law gives nonviolent offenders a second chance to avoid a permanent criminal record. They must successfully complete their sentence to qualify.

HB 162 takes this a step further by making record-sealing automatic for eligible individuals. Starting July 1, 2025, the court records of anyone sentenced under the First Offender Act would be automatically sealed upon sentencing. This is important because, with everything accessible online now, sealing these documents after the sentence is completed is virtually ineffective. If a person’s First Offender status is revoked, however, their records will be unsealed. The judge hearing the case retains full discretion on whether to accept a first offender plea or not.

This bill will help Georgians move forward, secure jobs, and fully reintegrate into society without unnecessary barriers. Everyone deserves a second chance, and I’m proud to lead this effort. An isolated mistake shouldn’t define someone’s entire future, and this legislation helps ensure that hardworking Georgians can move on from past missteps without carrying a lifelong burden.

Expanding Hunters’ Options Another bill I sponsored, House Bill 167, is good news for Georgia’s hunters. It allows fluorescent pink as an approved safety color for hunting deer, bears, and feral hogs. Currently, hunters are required to wear at least 500 square inches of fluorescent orange in certain hunting situations. This bill provides an alternative color option. Research shows that fluorescent pink is more visible to people with certain types of color blindness while remaining unnoticeable to animals. The choice will help ensure safety while giving hunters more flexibility.

As someone who understands the importance of outdoor traditions, I was happy to be the sponsor of this bill. Hunting is a longstanding part of Georgia’s culture, and ensuring safety without unnecessary restrictions makes good sense. By expanding these options, we’re supporting the thousands of men and women who enjoy hunting responsibly each season. Easing Burdens on Local Pharmacies House Bill 196 is another major win, particularly for our local pharmacies. This bill ensures that pharmacies are fairly reimbursed for prescriptions covered under the State Health Benefit Plan. Currently, some pharmacies are underpaid due to unfair reimbursement methods that favor large chain drug stores. This puts independent pharmacies — especially in rural areas — at risk of closure. HB 196 fixes this by requiring SHBP insurers to reimburse pharmacies based on the national average drug acquisition cost. It also mandates a set professional dispensing fee, ensuring that pharmacies are compensated more fairly.

For many Georgians, independent pharmacies are their only option for prescriptions. This bill will help keep these businesses open and thriving, ensuring access to medication for families across the state. The importance of these local pharmacies cannot be overstated — they serve as vital healthcare hubs, offering not just medication but also guidance and care to countless residents. Many of them are supporters of community activities and go out of their way to care for their patients in ways that chain drug stores do not. Other Key Bills Passed This Week In addition to these, the House approved several other bills including: HB 223 – Provides tax relief for timber producers recovering from Hurricane Helene by exempting disaster relief payments from taxable income and offering tax credits for reforestation. This bill excludes federal disaster relief payments and related assistance from taxable income for the years 2024 through 2029.

HB 283 – Gives drivers the option to refuse to sign a traffic citation without immediate arrest. The goal of this change is to reduce misunderstandings — many believe signing a citation is an admission of guilt — and decrease negative encounters between citizens and law enforcement. By clarifying this process, we hope to promote public safety and trust.

HB 181 – Makes it easier for families who adopt internationally to obtain a Georgia Certificate of Foreign Birth without costly and redundant legal steps. Currently, these families must undergo a redundant “re-adoption” process to obtain a Georgia Certificate of Foreign Birth. HB 181 streamlines this by allowing children who have become U.S. citizens through verified foreign adoptions to bypass this extra step.

HB 177 – Expands protective orders in domestic violence cases to include household pets, preventing abusers from using pets as leverage against victims.

House Bill 117: Requires commercial food service establishments serving imported shrimp to clearly label menu items as “FOREIGN IMPORTED” or “FOREIGN IMPORTED SHRIMP.” Imported shrimp does not go through the same inspection process as domestic shrimp with only about .7% of foreign shrimp being inspected by the FDA. This bill makes sure consumers know what they are eating.

Each of these bills represents a step forward for Georgia, addressing issues that directly impact all of us. Whether it’s making food safer, helping businesses recover, or promoting public safety, we’re working to build a better Georgia for everyone. These bill all move over to the Senate for consideration.

Visitors to the Capitol Last Week The Montgomery County Middle and High School FFA groups visited the Capitol for Georgia FFA Day. Their leaders are dedicated to their students and provide numerous opportunities for these young people to explore a future in agriculture.

Sara Brown and other area Realtors visited for Georgia Association of Realtors Day at the Dome.

Blake Brown advocated for tort reform at the Capitol last week. Ben Hill Commissioner Hope Harmon brought a group of sweet kids from Fitzgerald’s Future Community Leaders Academy.

Lance Helms, Executive Director for Economic Development & Continuing Education at Southeastern Technical College, came to the Capitol last Thursday for TCSG’s Senior Leadership Academy.

What’s Next?

We’re gearing up for Crossover Day on March 6, the deadline for bills to pass the House to be considered by the Senate. That means the coming weeks will be very busy as we push through final votes on important legislation. Expect long days, full debates, and plenty of discussions as we work to ensure the best possible outcomes for Georgia.

I encourage you to stay engaged and reach out with any questions about the bills being considered. Your input is invaluable in shaping policies that impact our communities. If there’s a specific issue you’re passionate about, now is the time to speak up—your voice matters in this process.

To learn more about my work in the legislature and see updates on these bills, visit LeesaHagan.com often. As always, thank you for the privilege of serving you in the 156th House District. It’s an honor to work on your behalf, and I look forward to keeping you updated as the session continues.

Rep. Leesa Hagan, Lance Helms, Shannon McConico, and DeAnnia Clements, President of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College

By Leesa Hagan R-Vidalia (District 156, Georgia House of Representatives)