2021 Legislative Session: Week 12

Legislative Days 39- 40 – Sine Die!

GPhA Priority legislation makes its way to the Governor’s desk.

SB46

The final two legislative days were a whirlwind for GPhA with two big bills still in play. As SB 46 (pharmacist vaccine expansion) was set for a floor vote, misinformation and misunderstanding about the bill made its way across the internet like wildfire. Thankfully, Georgia’s pharmacists answered the call and reached out to legislators to set the record straight about what this bill does and why this bill is critical for Georgians. Ultimately, the legislation passed the House via substitute on day 40, Sine Die, by a vote of 109 to 56. It then made is way to the Senate where it was agreed to at 11:55 p.m. It now goes to the Governor’s desk for his consideration.   

A huge thank you to Georgia’s pharmacists who stepped up like never before to fight for this bill, GPhA’s Board of Directors, GPhA CEO Bob Coleman who never wavered and rallied the troops, the GPhA communications team of Michelle Turkington and Andrew Kantor, and GPhA’s lobbyist, Cindy Shepherd.  Also, a big thank you to Dorothy-Leonne Glasser with the Rx in Reach Coalition.  

There are too many legislators to thank who helped get this bill across the finish line but set forth below are a few legislators and leaders who deserve a special thank you.

HB653

More good news, HB 653 (Pharmacists conducting COVID testing for 12 months after the end of the federal emergency) also passed the Senate on day forty. This one was a bit less controversial receiving a vote of 48-0.  A huge thank you to Representative Rick Jasperse and Senators Ben Watson and Chuck Hofstetler for bringing this bill to the finish line.  It now goes to Governor Kemp for his consideration.  

Set forth below are other bills GPhA monitored and where they ended up. Finally, it was worth mentioning that several other significant bills ended up failing to pass this year including HB 369 (expand PA & NP prescribing authority) and HB 290 (allowing hospital and nursing home visitation by patient designated family member or friend during public health emergency).

Passed and Await Governor Kemp’s Consideration

Did Not Pass