We are now in Week 5 of the legislative session, and things are moving quickly under the Gold Dome at the Georgia State Capitol. Committee meetings are running long, and bills are advancing to the House floor at a rapid pace as we approach key legislative deadlines.

This is the time in the session when the work accelerates — and every vote, every amendment, and every conversation matters. I want to take a moment to share an update on what we’ve been working on and what it means for District 57.

Remembrance of Jessie Jackson

This week, we pause to reflect on the legacy of Rev. Jesse Jackson—a tireless advocate for civil rights, economic justice, and equality.

Rev. Jackson devoted his life to civil rights, economic justice, and expanding access to opportunity. His work reminded us that public service is not about power — it is about purpose. Recognizing his contributions on the House floor was both a personal and professional honor. Keep hope alive!

Spotlight: Pups & Pumps

I want to highlight the incredible work of Pups & Pumps, an organization that provides rescue dogs to survivors of domestic violence. I had the pleasure of meeting some of its leaders this week and I immediately went online to donate to this cause. I hope you will check them out and support them if you can. Pups & Pumps Charity

The bond between a survivor and a rescue dog can be transformative — offering companionship, safety, and emotional healing. Their mission combines compassion with action, and I am grateful for the work they do to support some of our most vulnerable neighbors.

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.

HB 419 - Opioid Antagonists

HB 419 would require colleges and technical schools in Georgia to keep opioid overdose reversal drugs (like naloxone) on campus, as long as funding is available from community sources. It allows students, visitors, and employees to carry these drugs and permits trained staff to use them in emergencies. The bill places the drugs near defibrillators when possible and protects staff and schools from legal liability if they act in good faith. It also updates state law to align these rules with existing policies for other government buildings. I voted yes.

HB 541 - Georgia Nurses

HB 541 would propose an amendment to existing law to expand the definition of an "approved school" regarding tuition equalization grants at private postsecondary institutions. Specifically, it allows certain proprietary nursing programs to qualify for state funding if they maintain high licensure exam passage rates and specific national accreditations. By broadening these eligibility criteria, the state aims to assist more students in pursuing nursing degrees at qualified private colleges. However, these newly eligible programs remain excluded from other state financial aid initiatives like HOPE scholarships or dual enrollment funding. I voted yes.

HB 943 - Autism Spectrum Services Pilot Program

HB 943 would require the Division of Family and Children Services to develop and implement a five-year pilot program to provide screenings, clinical evaluations, training, services, and resources for autism spectrum disorder for children in foster care. The program would start in three regional service areas and expand each year. When possible, the program would prioritize children who have already been diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or are taking psychotropic medication. By July 1, 2031, the division will submit a detailed written report on the implementation and effectiveness of the pilot program. I voted yes.

HB 256 - Foster Placements Bill of Rights

HB 256 would update the foster parents’ bill of rights by clearly including relative caregivers and fictive kin, explaining foster parent rights more clearly, and improving the grievance and mediation process. The bill grants these foster placements the right to be treated with dignity and respect, participate in case planning and decision-making, and access nonidentifying information from a child’s records within 14 days of a request. Additionally, the legislation allows caregivers to enlist certified volunteer advocates to assist them during investigations and meetings with the department. I voted yes.

HB 1063 - Electricity Utilities & Data Centers

HB 1063 would require new data centers entering into a contract with the electric utilities (most often Georgia Power) listing the additional costs associated with serving the data center, protections for retail customers in the event of contract default, and what will happen if the data center no longer needs power. The scope of these costs, protections, and protocols are not included in this bill. While the bill does not go far enough. I voted yes as a start. I expressed some of my concerns through questions to the bill sponsor.

👇 Watch my questioning below!

HB 987 - Independent Contractors and Benefits

Companies that hire independent contractors usually cannot help pay for their benefits without risking being treated like the contractor’s employer. HB 987 changes this by letting companies give money to benefit accounts owned by contractors without changing the contractor’s legal status. These accounts can be used for things like health insurance, other insurance, and retirement. The goal is to give contractors more access to benefits while still keeping them classified as independent workers. While making it easier to provide benefits sounds good on the surface, the bill allows companies to continue to skirt employee protection laws. Companies often misclassify workers as independent contractors to avoid paying benefits and providing other protections. This bill would allow companies to keep paying less than they should and continue to offer less protections—like labor protections and overtime pay—for workers who should receive the full benefits of employee status. We need to tackle the real issues to make sure all Georgia workers are protected and correctly categorized. I voted no.

HB 1161 - Traffic Stop Safety

HB 1161 would make it illegal to park in the middle of the road when being pulled over by law enforcement. This bill mandates that drivers yield the right of way by moving to the right-hand edge of the roadway, clear of any intersection, and remaining stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed or a law enforcement officer directs otherwise. Notably, the legislation includes a safety provision allowing a driver being signaled for a traffic stop to continue to a "reasonably safe location" if stopping immediately would be hazardous, provided the motorist signals their intent with flashing lights or a turn signal and maintains the posted speed limit. I voted yes.

HB 1061 - Raising the age for juvenile prosecution Mandi Ballinger Act

HB 1061 would raise the age of Juvenile Court jurisdiction to include most 17-year-olds, while still allowing adult prosecution for serious violent felonies. The bill creates an implementation committee to plan costs and logistics, updates court jurisdiction and sentencing rules, and makes broad changes across state law to reflect the new age threshold. This is a great bill to make sure the law is treating more kids like the kids they are! We named this bill for Mandi Ballinger, former chair of the House Juvenile Justice Committee who has long championed this legislation and who passed away from a long battle with cancer this past year. I voted yes.

HB 1086 - Protecting firefighter

HB 1086 would define “light-frame truss-type construction.” It would require owners of certain buildings like commercial, industrial, or apartment buildings with three or more units that use light-frame truss construction to post a special warning sign. The sign alerts firefighters and emergency responders to the building’s construction type. The state will create rules for the sign’s size, color, placement, and deadline. Owners who fail to comply may be fined. This is a safety issue. I voted yes.

HB 1199 - Revising Georgia Tax Policy

HB 1199 would conform our state tax policy with certain, but not all, federal tax policy changes in the last year. Critically it leaves out the tax exemption on overtime and tips. At a time when we are considering rolling back income tax to high wage owners and property taxes for property owners, I think we owe it working people to exempt overtime and tips from state taxes. I voted no.

Meeting Constituents

I was also grateful to spend time with District 57 constituents who were at the Capitol to make their voices heard. The work I do is powered by your voices, your opinions, and your experiences. Please come down to The People's House!

Hanging out with Fulton Superior Court Clerk — Che Alexander

It was a true pleasure to welcome my friend, Fulton County Clerk of Superior and Magistrate Court Che Alexander, to the Capitol this week. Representing a large portion of Fulton County, I work closely with many of the officials who help keep our local government functioning smoothly, and Clerk Alexander is an outstanding example of dedicated public service.

We had a thoughtful conversation about the vital role the Clerk’s office plays in ensuring our courts operate efficiently and transparently for the people of Fulton County. I am grateful for her leadership, professionalism, and commitment to serving our community. Strong collaboration between state and local officials helps ensure that our justice system remains accessible and responsive to the needs of our residents.

I also can't forget to add, Happy Belated Birthday Madame Clerk!

On GPB Lawmakers: Protecting Women

This week, I joined Lawmakers on Georgia Public Broadcasting to talk about several important proposals focused on protecting women’s rights and safety. During the conversation, we discussed legislation designed to strengthen protections for survivors of domestic violence, including efforts to create a registry for repeat domestic violence offenders — a tool that could help hold repeat offenders accountable and provide greater transparency for law enforcement and advocacy groups.

We also addressed the need for stronger privacy protections around menstruation data that is shared on digital apps more and more regularly. These discussions reflect the ongoing need to make Georgia’s laws more responsive to the needs of women and families across our state, particularly in areas where the justice system and public policy intersect.

👇 Watch part of the Broadcast below

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