The third day of the 2025 Legislative Session was relatively uneventful. Both chambers are in the process of assigning members to committees and other administrative tasks. It is unlikely that major legislative action will begin before joint appropriations hearings conclude next week.
Senate Education & Youth Committee Members Named
As previously reported by PAGE, Sen. Billy Hickman (R-Statesboro) was named as the new chair of the Senate Education & Youth Committee. The remaining committee membership has now been officially set:
Chuck Payne (R-Dalton) - Vice Chairman
Freddie Powell Sims (D-Dawson) - Secretary
Timothy Bearden (R-Carrollton)
Sonya Halpern (D-Atlanta)
Donzella James (D-Atlanta)
RaShaun Kemp (D-Atlanta)
Elena Parent (D-Atlanta)
Ed Setzler (R-Acworth)
Shawn Still (R-Norcross)
Clint Dixon (R-Gwinnett) - Ex-Officio
Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming) - Ex-Officio
Bo Hatchett (R-Cornelia) - Ex-Officio
Membership of the 2025 House Education Committee has not yet been released.
State of the State Tomorrow
At 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, Gov. Brian Kemp will deliver the 2025 State of the State Address. Kemp will outline his budget and policy goals for the legislative session.
Watch the State of the State address via the House floor session video or on a Georgia Public Broadcasting stream HERE.
Budget Hearings Next Week, Register for PAGE's Jan. 29 State Budget Webinar to Learn More
The House and Senate are scheduling joint appropriation hearings to review the governor's proposed budgets. Prior statements by the governor and other state leaders regarding the AFY2025 and FY2026 budgets suggest that education items will feature prominently. This is especially true for school safety items.
To learn more about this topic, the PAGE Legislative Team invites you to a webinar on proposed education budgets, Wednesday, Jan. 29, at 5 p.m.
Upcoming Schedule
Thursday, January 16 – Legislative Day 4
11 a.m. Gov. Brian Kemp's State of the State Address
Friday, January 17 – Legislative Day 5
Tuesday, Jan. 14-17 - Legislature in Recess for Joint Appropriations Hearings