2026 Legislative Summary

Legislative Session Highlights 

A note from the GHA Team: 

Thank you to each and every member for your active engagement throughout the duration of this legislative session. The success of this session is a result of collaboration, relationships, and the work that you do with lawmakers outside the 40-day Session, and promoting better hospital care for all of Georgia’s patients is most effective when leaders like you work to make our collective voice heard. Your readiness to intentionally engage with lawmakers and travel long distances also underscores the importance of in-person advocacy. We look forward to keeping the unified voice strong as we move into this election season.  

After Sine Die, the Governor has 40 calendar days to sign or veto legislation that made it to his desk, and legislation that is not signed will automatically become law after the veto period ends. GHA will provide an update with the legal and operational impact of each bill after the signing period ends on May 12, 2026.

During the 2026 legislative session, the GHA government relations team and policy staff worked hard to serve you. During the legislative session, GHA...

  • Tracked 483 bills total.  
  • Added 22 bills to the "GHA Hot List."
  • Attended daily committee meetings across 21 committees and provided testimony and expert policy perspective on issues impacting hospitals. 
  • Actively engaged on more than 25 individual bills and issues with legislators and stakeholders, including providing in-depth policy analyses, legislative language, and individual hospital perspectives.
  • Participated in multiple media interviews on legislative issues. 
  • Testified in committee 7 times. 
  • Created 11 Capitol Check-Up videos to share weekly updates.
  • Sent 40 Capitol Health Hotline communications. 
  • Sent 2 Calls to Action for member engagement via text and email.
  • Additionally, multiple hospital members testified in Committee.

Major Highlights and Hot List Legislation

House Bills

❌HB 139, introduced by Rep. Todd Jones (R-South Forsyth), would prohibit drug manufacturers and wholesalers from restricting licensed pharmacies from acquiring and dispensing drugs purchased through federal 340B drug discount program arrangements, and prevents manufacturers from requiring additional reporting requirements beyond what is already required by regulation. GHA worked with Chairman Jones on this legislation and is grateful for his support of the 340B program. 

This bill did not gain final passage and is therefore dead. 

 

❌HB 291, introduced by Rep. Darlene Taylor (R-Thomasville), would establish a certification system for community health workers. This bill would create the Georgia Community Health Worker Certification Committee, set standards for training programs and certification requirements, establish tiered levels of practice, and provide for complaint resolution and disciplinary actions. It also mandates that all community health workers and training programs be certified and regulated by the committee with oversight from the Department of Health. GHA worked with the author to have this language added to another bill for final passage, but the bill was ultimately not called up for consideration.

This bill did not gain final passage and is therefore dead.

 

❌HB 298, introduced by Rep. Trey Kelley (R-Cedartown), focuses on enhancing nurse staffing standards in hospitals, ensuring adequate patient care, and establishing mechanisms for reporting and monitoring staffing conditions. In this bill, hospitals are required to establish nurse staffing committees composed of representatives from various nursing services to develop written nurse staffing plan recommendations to hospital leadership for consideration, but these plans are not required to be implemented. Many of the requirements of this legislation are already required via licensure standards or Joint Commission standards. Importantly, this bill does NOT contain mandatory staffing ratios for hospitals, nor does it require hospitals to implement prescribed staffing ratios within their facility. GHA has worked with the author and other stakeholders prior to and after the introduction of this bill to ensure hospitals are able to comply without overburdensome regulation, and that the bill does not mandate staffing ratios or require leadership to implement committee recommendations.

This bill did not gain final passage and is therefore dead.

 

✅HB 350, introduced by Rep. Mike Cameron (R-Rossville), introduces new safe surrender options for newborns in Georgia. This bill allows ambulance services, ambulatory surgery centers and urgent care facilities to accept surrendered newborns and authorizes the installation of newborn safety devices. These safety devices, if installed, must be located in conspicuous areas and visible to employees, agents, or staff. These devices must also include a dual alarm system that would notify medical facilities, fire stations, police stations or ambulances associated. HB 350 passed off the Senate floor by a vote of 49-1. The House agreed to the Senate substitute for HB 350 by a vote of 164-4.

This bill now moves to the desk of the Governor for final consideration.

 

❌HB 471, introduced by Rep. Mike Cheokas (R-Americus), mandates that licensed general hospitals and birthing centers in Georgia make available a water safety education video to parents or guardians before discharge from a hospital or birthing center that will be provided by the Department of Public Health.

This bill did not gain final passage and is therefore dead.

 

✅HB 506, introduced by Rep. Scott Hilton (R-Peachtree Corners), a Medicaid coverage for tobacco cessation bill, was stripped, and the language from SB 462 was added. SB 462, introduced by Sen. Shawn Still (R-Suwanee), amends the Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act to require insurance coverage for certain out-of-network ambulance transportation services, establish reimbursement standards, and limit patient cost-sharing. The House agreed to the Senate substitute for HB 506 by a vote of 168-2.

This bill now moves to the desk of the Governor for final consideration.

 

❌HB 662, introduced by Rep. Angie O’Steen (R-Ambrose), would revise the definition of "rural hospital organization" for Rural Hospital Tax Credit eligibility. Specifically, the bill is written to allow federally designated “rural emergency hospitals” to participate in the tax credit program. This bill also includes the addition of facilities that are licensed by the Department of Community Health to provide maternal and newborn services, removes the standard deviation language relating to eligibility, and reduces the 10% indigent and charity care threshold requirement down to 5%. GHA worked with the bill’s author to get this language added to multiple other bills to ensure its final passage.

This bill did not gain final passage, but the language from this bill passed on SB 111.

 

✅HB 717, introduced by Rep. Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta), proposes regulations for psychedelic-assisted treatment and therapy. The bill also requires patient monitoring through the state's prescription drug database and prohibits unlicensed administration. HB 717 passed off the House floor by a vote of 153-3.

This bill now moves to the desk of the Governor for final consideration.

 

❌HB 810, introduced by Rep. Rick Jasperse (R-Jasper), would regulate how pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) reimburse pharmacies for prescription drugs. The bill would require that the final reimbursement paid to a pharmacy must be calculated using specific formulas designed to ensure fair compensation. At a minimum, the reimbursement must equal the national average drug acquisition cost for a covered drug plus a professional dispensing fee.

This bill did not gain final passage and is therefore dead.

 

✅HB 1138, introduced by Rep. Beth Camp (R-Concord), authorizes pharmacists to dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives or administer injectable contraceptives, and provides liability and disciplinary protections when acting in compliance. HB 1138 passed off the Senate floor by a vote of 49-1 and was transmitted back to the House, which passed HB 1138 by a vote of 158-11. 

This bill now moves to the desk of the Governor for final consideration.

 

❌HB 1238, introduced by Rep. Katie Dempsey (R-Rome), would allow the state to request federal approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) so that certain caregivers of displaced patients with behavioral health issues who are under the age of 21 could qualify to receive Medicaid reimbursement for those services. The House agreed to the Senate substitute as amended for HB 1238 by a vote of 165-3.

This bill did not gain final passage and is therefore dead.

 

❌HB 1263, introduced by Rep. Eddie Lumsden (R-Armuchee), an insurance premiums bill, picked up the language from SB 367. SB 367, introduced by Sen. Bill Cowsert (R-Athens), is a Certificate of Need bill that would exempt healthcare facilities, services, and equipment dedicated primarily to cancer treatment from these CON requirements. It outlines various types of facilities and services that qualify for the exemption, including hospitals, clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, outpatient services, hospice care, clinical trial facilities, and advanced oncological treatment technologies. This exemption would not apply to any facility within 35 miles of an existing nonprofit hospital designated as a sole community hospital that offers chemotherapy or radiation therapy. This version also includes indigent and charity care requirements that weren’t included in the Senate version of this bill. HB 1263 passed off the Senate floor by a vote of 44-7. The House did not take up this amended version for consideration.

This bill did not gain final passage and is therefore dead.

 

✅HB 1275, introduced by Rep. Mark Newton (R-Augusta), would regulate stem cell therapies by requiring that treatments be conducted ethically and without the use of stem cells derived from aborted fetuses. The House agreed to the Senate substitute for HB 1275 by a vote of 166-1.

This bill now moves to the desk of the Governor for final consideration.

 

❌HB 1295, introduced by Rep. Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta), would allow Georgia to adopt the “PA Licensure Compact,” allowing physician assistants to obtain multistate practice privileges through an interstate agreement. HB 1295 passed off the House floor by a vote of 157-3.

The bill did not gain final passage and is therefore dead.

 

✅HB 1344, introduced by Rep. Matt Reeves (R-Duluth), an insurance affordability bill, also now includes the original language from HB 1263 and HB 1274, an assortment of various insurance bills unrelated to healthcare, as well as HB 1262. HB 1262, introduced by Rep. Eddie Lumsden (R-Armuchee), increases the amount of monetary penalties the Georgia Insurance Commissioner can impose for violations related to mental health parity, general enforcement authority, surprise billing, and prepaid legal service plans. The House agreed to the Senate substitute for HB 1344 by a vote of 164-3.

This bill now moves to the desk of the Governor for final consideration.

 

❌HB 1393, introduced by Rep. Bill Werkheiser (R-Glennville), would amend the state’s hospital authority laws to allow rural hospitals to collaborate more closely with one another for negotiating with third-party payors (like insurance companies), while remaining independent institutions. A substitute was introduced in committee that would include a full Certificate of Need repeal with the exception of skilled nursing facilities.

This bill did not gain final passage and is therefore dead.

 

Senate Bills

✅SB 111, introduced by Sen. John Albers (R-Roswell), a consumer protection bill, was stripped out and the language from HB 662 was added. HB 662, introduced by Rep. Angie O’Steen (R-Ambrose), would revise the definition of "rural hospital organization" for Rural Hospital Tax Credit eligibility. Specifically, the bill is written to allow federally designated “rural emergency hospitals” to participate in the tax credit program. HB 662 includes facilities that are licensed by the Department of Community Health to provide maternal and newborn services, removes the standard deviation language relating to eligibility, and moves the 10% indigent and charity care threshold requirement down to 5%. SB 111 passed off the Senate floor by a vote of 48-0. GHA worked closely with the bill’s author to have this language added as a House Rules Committee substitute in the final days of Session to ensure its passage.

This bill now moves to the desk of the Governor for final consideration.

 

✅SB 170, introduced by Sen. Kim Jackson (D-Stone Mountain), which previously created the Georgia Interagency Council for the Homeless, was stripped and replaced with the language from HB 262. HB 262, introduced by Rep. Angie O’Steen (R-Ambrose), establishes a grant program under the Georgia Department of Community Health to provide funding for small rural hospitals with under 100 beds, in a rural county (50,000 residents or less), and on the list of counties included by the Governor in the State of Emergency for Hurricane Helene. The department will work with the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency to set grant criteria and determine award amounts. In order to be eligible, hospitals must not have a backup generator as of the effective date.

This bill now moves to the desk of the Governor for final consideration.

 

❌SB 367, introduced by Sen. Bill Cowsert (R-Athens), is a Certificate of Need bill that would exempt healthcare facilities, services, and equipment dedicated primarily to cancer treatment from these CON requirements. It outlines various types of facilities and services that qualify for the exemption, including hospitals, clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, outpatient services, hospice care, clinical trial facilities, and advanced oncological treatment technologies. An amendment was adopted on the Senate floor that this exemption will not apply to any facility within 35 miles of an existing nonprofit hospital designated as a sole community hospital which offers chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Per the direction of the GHA Board of Trustees, GHA has expressed to elected officials our desire to remain active partners throughout the duration of the legislative process, as we have members on both sides of the legislation. GHA did not take a formal position on this bill, but encouraged elected officials to reach out to their individual hospitals for guidance.

This bill did not gain final passage and is therefore dead.

 

❌SB 411, introduced by Sen. Shawn Still (R-Johns Creek), a dry needling bill, was stripped out and replaced with the language from HB 662 and HB 291. HB 662, introduced by Rep. Angie O’Steen (R-Ambrose), would revise the definition of "rural hospital organization" for rural hospital tax credit eligibility. HB 291, introduced by Rep. Darlene Taylor (R-Thomasville), would establish a certification system for community health workers. This bill would create the Georgia Community Health Worker Certification Committee, set standards for training programs and certification requirements, establish tiered levels of practice, and provide for complaint resolution and disciplinary actions. SB 411 passed off the House floor by a vote of 166-5. GHA worked with the bill’s author to have both bills added to SB 411 in the final days of the legislative session.

This bill did not gain final passage and is therefore dead.

 

❌SB 440, introduced by Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (R-Marietta), originally a Department of Public Health clean-up bill, also includes HB 1089. HB 1089, introduced by Rep. Karen Mathiak (R-Griffin), would change how the drug ivermectin is classified, making it available over the counter, and no longer treated as a controlled or “dangerous drug” that requires a prescription. SB 440 was amended on the House floor to add multiple health related bills to the underlying bill, including the language from HB 612. HB 612, introduced by Rep. Katie Dempsey (R-Rome), creates a new Mental Health Parity Compliance Review Panel and requiring healthcare providers to report suspected mental health parity violations by insurers. The amended bill also requires the development of a standardized credentialing application for Medicaid care management organizations. SB 440 passed off the House floor by a vote of 98-76.

This bill did not gain final passage and is therefore dead.

 

✅SB 427, introduced by Sen. Ben Watson (R-Savannah), would create a pathway for internationally trained physicians to practice by allowing eligible doctors who completed medical training outside the U.S. to receive a provisional license, enabling them to work under supervision while gaining required experience. SB 427 passed off the Senate floor by a vote of 46-4.

This bill now moves to the desk of the Governor for final consideration.

 

✅SB 428, introduced by Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (R-Marietta), would require the Department of Community Health to request a federal waiver from CMS that would allow certain home- and community-based services to be eligible for Medicaid reimbursement for patients aged 21 and older. SB 428 passed off the House floor by a vote of 166-2.

This bill now moves to the desk of the Governor for final consideration.

 

✅SB 444, introduced by Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (R-Marietta), states that prior authorization decisions for healthcare services cannot be based solely on artificial intelligence systems or other artificial intelligence software, and that in no event should an AI system supersede any opinion of a medical professional. The Senate agreed to the House substitute of SB 444 by a vote of 47-0.

This bill now moves to the desk of the Governor for final consideration.

 

✅SB 500, introduced by Sen. Mike Hodges (R-Brunswick), amends Georgia law to expand the existing Behavioral Health Care Workforce Database to include data from licensed healthcare professionals statewide and renames it the Health Care Workforce Database. A substitute was introduced in committee that would expand the number of provider licensing boards in the database from 5 to 15. SB 500 passed off the Senate floor by a vote of 45-2.

This bill now moves to the desk of the Governor for final consideration.

 

Budget 

The Joint House and Senate Appropriations Conference Committee met at 7 p.m. on Sine Die to sign their recommendations for the FY 2027 budget, HB 974. The House agreed to the conference committee report by a vote of 163-5. The Senate agreed to the conference committee report by a vote of 53-0.

Health highlights include the following:

  • $4,000,000 to develop and implement a solvency evaluation process for rural hospitals.

  • $1,000,000 for one-time grants for emergency preparedness in rural Georgia.

  • $2,400,000 for behavioral and mental health services stabilization by supporting inpatient psychiatric services for any Level 1 trauma center that is the only general acute care hospital providing inpatient psychiatric services in its county, and where no other general acute care hospital in an adjacent county provides inpatient psychiatric care.

  • $2,843,558 for 124 new residency slots.

  • $1,920,000 for 13 new fellowship slots.

  • $500,000 in one-time funds for GME program faculty expenses.

  • $500,000 for start-up funding for a family medicine residency program.

  • $3,000,000 to pilot a pediatric residency with a rural training track through the Mercer School of Medicine Grant.

  • $3,000,000 to the Phoebe Health-Morehouse Consortium for the creation of a regional campus and graduate medical education program.

  • $700,000 to support critical personnel to stabilize services and maintain essential infusion and emergency care.

  • $247,587 and recognize $1,752,413 in base funds for the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia.

  • $500,000 to the Office of Cardiac Care for grants to hospitals. $750,000 to sustain core clinical staff who operate the Trauma Recovery Center.

  • $360,095 for the Coverdell Stroke Registry.

  • $140,000 to the Georgia Poison Center.

  • $3,715,800 to expand the maternal home visiting program to an additional 33 counties to increase access to maternal fetal medicine in rural communities. $11,592,520 to increase funds and recognize additional waiver enrollment due to attrition for the New Options Waiver (NOW) and the Comprehensive Supports Waiver Program (COMP) to support 900 new slots for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

  • $221,087,192 in Medicaid formula growth.

  • $21,353,696 for Medicaid rate increases.