Week 4 of the legislative session is in the books. The Pace continues to pick up, and committee hearings are in full swing, budget conversations are intensifying, and important policy discussions are taking shape.

As always, I want to keep you informed about what's going on under the Gold Dome.

Spending time with some damn good Dawgs!

One of the highlights of Week 4 was welcoming students and faculty from the University of Georgia’s College of Family and Consumer Sciences to the Capitol.

I was especially proud that my legislative intern Sierra — who is a student in this very college — helped give the visiting group a tour of the Capitol. And it was a treat to see Dr. Christopher Collins – an alumni of this college and an alumni intern of my legislative office – who was at the event. Watching young leaders step confidently into civic spaces reminds me why this work matters. We need more people-focused policymakers, and this college is producing impressive individuals who meet that standard!

College Affordability Day

This week, I joined my colleagues for a press conference recognizing College Affordability Day at the Capitol.

As a first-generation college student, this issue is deeply personal to me. Access to higher education should not depend on your ZIP code or your parents’ income. I know firsthand how transformative a college education can be — and how difficult it can be to navigate without generational guidance.

Georgia's students deserve opportunity without overwhelming financial barriers.

Bills that Passed the House this Week

Session is in full swing, so we had several bills that were up for consideration this week. Let's dive in.

HR 251 - Probate Judges and Nonpartisan Elections

HR 251 would require that all Probate Judges running for election in Georgia do so in nonpartisan elections. Quite frankly, this is common sense. Our judicial system should remain impartial, and judges should not be placed in partisan political environments. If this resolution passes the Senate (and the Governor signs it), the question of whether probate judge elections should be nonpartisan will be on the ballot for your consideration in this year's elections.

I voted for this resolution and spoke on the House floor in support of this resolution because I believe voters deserve a judiciary that is independent and focused on fairness — not party labels.

👇 Listen to my speech on the floor about this resolution

HB 657 - Certified Peer Specialists & Recovery Community Organizations

HB 657 would formally define certified peer specialists in state law as individuals with lived experience who are trained to provide ongoing support to individuals and families receiving mental health or substance use recovery services. The bill would require certification through the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) to ensure consistency and quality statewide.

Georgia has the second-largest number of Recovery Community Organizations (RCOs) in the nation. This legislation would establish clear standards for RCOs, require nonprofit governance with a majority of members in recovery, and mandate support for all pathways to recovery — including medication-assisted treatment and harm reduction strategies. This is an important step toward strengthening community-based recovery systems. I voted yes.

HB 1015 - Georgia Self-Insurers Guaranty Trust Fund

HB 1015 would revise funded levels of the Georgia Self-Insurers Guaranty Trust Fund. Under the bill, annual assessments against participants who have paid at least three prior assessments would cease when the fund reaches $25 million net of liabilities.

If the fund falls below $10 million, the board of trustees would be authorized to levy a special assessment to restore stability. This bill aims to balance fiscal responsibility with fairness to participants. I voted yes.

HB 907 - Completion Special Schools

HB 907 would update procedures under the Completion Special Schools Act. These public, non-traditional schools serve students in grades 9–12 who have dropped out or are at risk of dropping out and offer flexible, supportive learning environments.

The bill would require improved communication between completion special schools and local school systems, allow parents or guardians to directly enroll students in certain programs, and create pathways to reconnect at-risk students with educational opportunities. As these schools expand across Georgia, continuity and transparency are essential. I voted yes.

HB 948 - Foreclosure Surplus Notices

HB 948 would require foreclosure notices to include clear information about a homeowner’s right to claim surplus funds following a foreclosure sale.

The notice would also explain how to file a claim and clarify that unclaimed surplus funds may be considered abandoned property and returned to the state after five years. This bill ensures greater transparency and protects property owners from unknowingly losing funds. I voted yes.

SB 195 - Expanding Access to HIV Medication

SB 195 would modernize Georgia law to allow trained pharmacists to dispense preexposure (PrEP) and postexposure (PEP) HIV prevention medications under specific conditions. Currently, pharmacists cannot independently provide these medications.

This bill would allow pharmacists to dispense a 30-day supply — and up to 90 days after completing required training — while maintaining physician oversight and patient safeguards. Georgia continues to face high HIV rates, particularly in underserved communities. Expanding access to prevention tools is both urgent and necessary. I voted yes.

HR 999 - America's 250th Anniversary

HR 999 would urge Georgia citizens, cities, and counties to honor the sacredness of America’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026.

As we approach this milestone, it is important to reflect on our nation’s founding principles while recommitting ourselves to expanding liberty and justice for all. I voted yes.

Committee Work

The real work of crafting language is done in committee. That reality was on display this week in the House Judiciary Committee. The Committee was considering HB 1187, which would prohibit nondisclosure agreements from being used to conceal acts of childhood sexual abuse. Over the years the House has worked for laws that are more just to victims of childhood sexual abuse and this bill is in keeping with that work. Too often predators settle claims to keep the public in the dark about the childhood sexual abuse that goes on in certain organizations and churches.

The bill is a great step in the right direction to stop allowing predators to hide in the dark. But I thought it could and should go further.

My amendment would provide that the prohibition against nondisclosure agreements applies going forward, and also that nondisclosure agreements entered in the past cannot be used against survivors. Certain conditions are needed when regulating nondisclosure agreements already in place to ensure we don’t run afoul of the State and Federal Constitutions, but it can be done. My amendment would help more survivors be able to tell their stories by ensuring an abuser could not use a nondisclosure agreement against a survivor unless a court says it is enforceable. Neither the bill nor the amendment prevent legitimate efforts to keep settlement amounts confidential but just ensures that the agreements don’t silence victims from sharing their stories, which is therapeutic for them and saves future children from further abuse at the hands of known predators.

I am proud that this amendment received bipartisan, unanimous support. Protecting children and empowering survivors should never be partisan issues.

👇 Watch part of the Committee discussion below

Meeting Constituents

I was also grateful to spend time with District 57 constituents who were at the Capitol to make their voices heard. I was thrilled to talk with constituents who were advocating for policies ranging from vocational rehabilitation services, refugee assistance, the right to use Georgia’s rivers without undue interference, and funding for the Shepherd Center to keep doing the amazing work they do to help so many walk again, among the other amazing work they do day in and day out.

A quick note about the Shepherd Center: The Shepherd Center is a nationally recognized leader in spinal cord and brain injury rehabilitation, and their employees see firsthand the importance of strong vocational rehabilitation programs. We discussed the impact of state funding decisions on individuals with disabilities who are working to return to employment, build independence, and fully participate in their communities.

Highlighting our Legislative Page

It is always fun to welcome pages to the Capitol. This week I got to meet McLean Welch.

Watching students experience the workings of state government firsthand is a powerful reminder that civic engagement starts early. I am always proud to welcome young leaders from our community and help them see that there is a place for them in public service.

McLean was so excited to ensure the People's work was done. McLean lives in Ansley Park and is in the 8th grade at Ron Clark academy. Naturally, his favorite subject is social studies! Thanks for spending the day with us McLean!

Georgia’s Page Program gives young people the opportunity to serve on the House floor for a day, assist legislators, and observe the legislative process up close. If your child is between 12-18 and would like to page at the Capitol, please let me know by filling out the form online and sending it to my office.

Find out more here: Georgia General Assembly - House Page Program.

Reminder and last call for nominations for our District’s Yellow Rose Award Recipient

The Georgia Women’s Caucus is still accepting nominations for the Yellow Rose Award, which honors outstanding women who are making a difference in their communities through leadership, service, and advocacy.

If you know a woman in House District 57 who deserves recognition, whether she’s a nonprofit leader, educator, advocate, small business owner, or community organizer, I encourage you to submit a nomination. Georgia is stronger because of women who lead with courage and compassion, and this is a wonderful opportunity to lift them up.

To nominate a deserving woman, send your name and contact information along with a brief description of the woman you are nominating (along with her name and contact information). Please send to Elijah Johnson via email at elijah@staceyevans.com.

Upcoming Legislative Town Halls

Make sure your calendars are marked for my upcoming joint townhalls with State Senator Sonya Halpern. We will be discussing what has been going on in both the Senate and the House. Check out the dates and times below! RSVP is not necessary but encouraged so we can anticipate crowd size. RSVP to Elijah Johnson at elijah@staceyevans.com.

Post Crossover Day

March 11, 2026
7-8:30pm
1411 N Morningside Dr NE

Post Sine Die

April 14,2026
7-8:30pm
1411 N Morningside Dr NE

What’s next?

Next week is Legislative Week 5. We'll be maintaining the faster pace of this week, so make sure you stay up to date using the links below!

📸 Watch the House Floor Chamber at 10am - Tuesday

👩‍⚖️ Tune into the Rules Committee Meeting at 9am - Tuesday

📜 A link to the Georgia General Assembly Website

In service,

Stacey Evans

Evans Examiner: Week 4