News from Under the Gold Dome

On Monday, January 13, 2025, the Georgia House of Representatives convened for the first day of the 2025 legislative session, marking the start of a new biennium for the 158th Georgia General Assembly. To begin the session, all 180 House members took the Oath of Office, which was administered by Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Boggs. Following the swearing-in, our next order of business was the election of the Speaker of the House and Speaker Pro Tempore. Speaker Jon Burns was re-elected as the 75th Speaker of the House, and Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones was also re-elected to her respective position.

After the election of the Speaker and Speaker Pro Tempore, members of the Georgia House of Representatives observed a moment of silence to honor the life and legacy of Former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away in Plains, Georgia, on December 29, 2024. As the 39th President of the United States and Georgia’s 76th Governor—the only Georgian to ever be elected president—Carter’s impact on both the state and the nation was immense. This moment of reflection symbolized the House’s collective gratitude for his life and contributions to our great state and our nation.

Also on Monday, the House voted to adopt an Adjournment Resolution, establishing the legislative calendar for the 2025 legislative session. In accordance with the State Constitution, the Georgia General Assembly is required to be in session for 40 non-consecutive legislative days. This year, Senate Resolution 6, outlines the legislative calendar, with the final day of session, or “Sine Die,” scheduled for Friday, April 4, 2025. With the calendar set, the House is ready to move forward and get to work to address the important issues facing Georgians this legislative session.

On Thursday, members of both the House and Senate gathered for a joint session in the House Chamber to hear Governor Brian Kemp deliver his annual State of the State Address. This address gave the governor the opportunity to present his assessment of the state’s current condition and outline his legislative priorities for the year ahead, which include increased funding for school safety and security, the need for tort reform legislation, expanding access to healthcare in rural areas and increased support for Georgia’s Department of Corrections.

Governor Kemp began his State of the State address by reflecting on the impact and destruction left in the wake of Hurricane Helene last September. Georgia Power reported that Hurricane Helene was the worst storm in Georgia’s history, resulting in 34 Georgians who lost their lives during the storm. The governor went on to share some of the heroic stories of first responders and neighbors alike who risked their lives to help those in need. In response to this devastation, the state prioritized funding for hard-hit areas and repurposed $100 million to the Georgia Development Authority to support the farming and timber industries. Although Georgians are still grieving and rebuilding from Helene, the legislature remains focused on prioritizing support for the hardest hit regions and communities of our resilient state.

In his address, Gov. Kemp also emphasized that while communities directly affected by Hurricane Helene still need substantial disaster relief, all Georgians, regardless of location, also need long-term solutions to offset rising costs and inflation.

Also, last week, the House Committee on Assignments completed its work and announced committee assignments for each representative. I am excited to announce that I have been appointed to serve on the following House committees for the next two years:

• Rules – Chairman

• Special Committee on Healthcare – Chairman

• Appropriations

• Banks & Banking

• Economic Development & Tourism

• Health

• Human Relations & Aging

• Public and Community Health

You can learn more about these committees on the House’s public website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/committees/house.

This week, my legislative colleagues and I will return to the Capitol to begin the state budget process where we will hear directly from Gov. Kemp and state agency leaders as they present their budget requests to the Joint House and Senate Appropriations Committee, in an event often referred to as “budget week.” The Appropriations committees will continue meeting throughout the week, and I look forward to providing updates on the budget process as it gets underway.

I remain dedicated to serving your interests as your state representative, and I hope that you will contact me with any questions or concerns you may have regarding the legislative session or with any proposals or recommendations for future legislation.

You can also stay in touch by visiting our website at www.house.ga.gov to watch a live stream of the House in action, as well as archived committee meetings, and review legislation that we are considering.

Follow me on Facebook for updates throughout the year.

Thank you for allowing me to be your representative.

Sincerely,

Representative Butch Parrish

MY COMMITTEES

• Rules – Chairman

• Special Committee on Healthcare – Chairman

• Appropriations

• Banks & Banking

• Economic Development & Tourism

• Health

• Human Relations & Aging

• Public and Community Health

Capitol Address

HM-1 State Capitol

Atlanta, GA 30334

404.656 .5141 Office

Pamela Lewis – Administrative Assistant

District Address

132 Victory Drive

Swainsboro, GA 30401

478.237.3838 – Office