Since the Georgia General Assembly convened on January 12, floor votes and committee work are picking up pace as lawmakers move both new proposals and carryover bills from 2025 on a tight timeline.
HCA Healthcare is providing this mid-session update to keep colleagues informed on key legislative developments that may affect care and access in the communities we serve.
Budget
Lawmakers are advancing two major budget bills: HB 973, the Amended Fiscal Year (AFY) 2026 budget, which adjusts current-year spending, and HB 974, the State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2027 general budget, which sets the spending plan for the next fiscal year. The Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget continues to emphasize conservative budgeting, even as overall state spending has grown over time. Healthcare and education account for the majority of the FY 2027 state budget.
The AFY 2026 budget (HB 973) has cleared both chambers and the bill was sent to the Governor on February 25.
Patient Billing
HB 961, the Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act, would make updates to treat certain out-of-network emergency ground ambulance transports as a covered service when requested by a first responder or treating practitioner. The bill would also set a minimum reimbursement floor for out-of-network ambulance providers and limit patient cost-sharing to in-network levels, prohibiting balance billing beyond that.
On February 24, the bill received a favorably committee report from the House Insurance Committee. It now awaits scheduling for House floor action.
Workforce Access
SB 427 would create a limited provisional license allowing certain internationally trained physicians to practice under supervision in specified settings, including rural county practices, licensed hospitals, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and accredited medical schools. The bill outlines criteria for training, credential evaluation, background checks, and English proficiency; requires supervision/medical director oversight; mandates reporting; and includes a funding contingency tied to appropriations.
The bill passed the Senate and as of February 25, it received its second reading in the House.
Insurance Affordability
Following summer work by the House Blue-Ribbon Study Committee on Insurance Rates and the Insurance Commissioner, lawmakers introduced a package intended to stabilize the market and ease premium pressure.
- HB 1344, the Georgia Insurance Affordability and Claims Integrity Act, would increase penalties in Georgia’s insurance code, strengthen uninsured motorist enforcement, target fraud, and establish the Fortified Homes Program to reduce storm-related losses
- HB 1262 would increase fine authority for violations tied to surprise billing, mental health parity, and other enforcement areas.
These measures are designed to reduce fraud and abusive practices that can drive costs for consumers and employers.
HB 1344 and HB 1262 both received a favorable committee reports in the House on February 19 and are awaiting House floor scheduling.
Property Taxes
SB 382 would make Georgia’s statewide homestead property tax exemption mandatory, building on the broader property tax reform framework established under HB 581. The bill removes the ability of local governments to opt out of the exemption and also streamlines the process for calling a Floating Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST) referendum as a revenue offset.
Because local governments rely heavily on property tax revenue to fund core services, including public health infrastructure and emergency response systems, changes to this structure could affect municipal and county budget flexibility across Georgia communities.
The Senate passed SB 382 on February 3, and is now pending in the House after completing first and second readings.
