03 Nov 2025

Legislative Update Week 13:
Sine Die

From Ben Ross, PharmD
President, GPhA Board of Directors

Welcome to our thirteenth, and final, weekly Legislative Update Newsletter of the 2025 Georgia General Assembly Legislative Session.

A note from Ben:

Thank you, members, for taking the time to advocate for the profession of pharmacy. Organizations are only as strong as their members, and with members like you we have a strong association and advocacy power. I hope each one of you has learned something in the process to help you be a better citizen, pharmacist, pharmacy technician and pharmacy owner.

Thank you to our lobbying team – Cindy Shepherd, Former Sen. Jeff Mullis, and Greg Mullis (whom you all met in week three of this newsletter). They were our eyes and ears down at the gold dome day in and day out. This newsletter would not be possible without the work of Kelli Persons, Chief of Staff; Holly Hanchey, VP of Communications and Marketing; and Dawn Randolph, CEO. As we are gathering for spring meetings and the Convention in June, please thank the staff for this valuable publication.

Speaking of the Convention, please consider joining us June 12-15 for the 2025 Georgia Pharmacy Convention on Amelia Island. This year GPhA is celebrating its 150th Anniversary, with special events honoring the long history of pharmacy in Georgia. We will have over 20 hours of CPE courses and the important Annual Member Meeting. We are also working on putting together the biggest and best Expo Hall yet. The highlight of the Convention is still The President’s Bash — celebrating our last night of Convention with fun, food, and fellowship alongside hundreds of convention attendees. This year it is even more special with semi-formal attire and our highest level of achievement awards presented. I want to see all of you there!

Upon Sine Die, the Governor has 40 calendar days to sign, not sign, or veto a piece of legislation. If signed, the bill would become law; if not signed, the bill would still become law. If vetoed by the Governor, it will not become law. Most legislation will become effective on July 1, 2025, unless specifically marked in the piece of legislation as being effective on a different day, such as HB 196 being effective January 1, 2026. Expect some fanfare in the next 40 days inside and outside of the Capitol. So far, Governor Kemp has signed six bills, and you can view the list here.

HB 196 is one such bill waiting on the Governor’s desk. As you all know by now, HB 196 would require a reimbursement rate NADAC plus $11.50 dispensing fee for Independent Pharmacies and NADAC plus $10.50 for chain pharmacies for the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) and the University System of Georgia (USG). Paired with HB 196 is $2,911,921 for the SHBP and $2,130,296 for USG in the state budget, HB 68, to implement this change in January 2026. (Reminder independent pharmacies will still receive the $3 dispensing fee until December 31, 2025). The House originally proposed $1.2 million to cover this additional fee; the Senate countered with $5 million; and the Conference Committee appropriated to each state agency the $5 million.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who has called, emailed, and texted in support of this bill. We will keep watching the calendar for May 14, 2025.

We previously reported on the gutting and replacing of the original Cornbread bill, HB 14, and now are pleased to note that cornbread hitched a ride (side?) with the Brunswick Stew bill and received final passage on Sine Die as HB 233. HB 233, if signed or unsigned by the Governor, would declare:

The fourth Friday in November as National Sugarcane Syrup Day
Brunswick, Georgia as the official birthplace of Brunswick Stew, and Brunswick Stew as the official state stew.
Cornbread as the official state bread.
And prohibit State agencies from buying supplies – mainly office equipment – from “foreign countries of concern.”

If the Georgia General Assembly was a soap opera – and frankly sometimes it is inside the dome – Sine Die is the season finale with plot twists, character reveals and (not really) surprise guests. This year’s finale ended unexpectedly early at around 9:12pm, when the Senate adjourned without coordinating with the House. Not only did this upset decades of tradition, with both chambers adjourning at the same time around midnight, it also left several bills dead, caught in the back and forth.

For example, Chairman Alan Powell (R–Hartwell) was in the well of the House explaining a new compromise bill on traffic school cameras, HB 651, when the Senate adjourned. Since his bill had to go back to the Senate to agree to the compromise bill, you can understand Chairman Powell’s dismay and irritation at the Senate.

Two bills on our radar, HB 291 and SB 131, were caught up in this drama. HB 291, creating a certification program for Community Health Workers through the Department of Public Health, made it all the way through the process to the Senate Rules calendar. HB 291 was tabled on Day 39, which is a preservation move to bring it up on Day 40; however, that never happened.

Over on the other side, House Rules Committee swapped out the original SB 131, which would have created a statewide database of healthcare professionals, for a bill adjusting the appointment to the Behavioral Health Coordinating Council. The latest version of SB 131 was passed by the House but never agreed upon by the Senate.

As reported in last week’s edition, SB 5, which originally would require health insurers to implement and maintain a program that allows for the selective application of reductions in prior authorization requirements, became an 11-page Christmas tree bill with additional bills hanging on like decorations. SB 5 was sent back to committee again for a little trimming and came back out as a 6-page bill, keeping the underlying bill and the provisions to require the SHBP to cover treatment for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infection (PANDAS) and pediatric acute onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS). Left off the new bill was expanded screening for prostate cancers along with the creation of new Medicare insurance protections for those with ALS and chronic kidney disease.

During this same week, HB 197 was amended with the same provision on the original SB 5, the reduction in the prior authorization program, and SB 91, a PBM reform bill, was gutted and replaced with the provision expanding screenings for prostate cancer and Medicare insurance protection for people with end-stage renal disease. The new SB 91 passed out of the House Health committee but did not advance to the House floor. Both HB 197 and SB 5 received final agreement on Sine Die and await action from the Governor.

And now the List – extra-long Sine Die Edition!

Please note this was the first year of a two-year session. Bills that did not receive final passage will be eligible for action again in 2026. The House has moved all bills that did not pass its chamber back to committees. The Senate did not make such a motion before they adjourned, which means the bill will be right where they were left when they convene in January.

HB 89 Public Health, Department of; require healthcare providers, facilities, and pharmacies to provide the Maternal Mortality Review Committee with psychiatric or other clinical records
Sponsor Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta)
Status: Passed House 168-7; Passed Senate 50-1; On the Governor’s Desk
The Georgia Department of Public Health collects information and records to provide information to the Maternal Mortality Review Committee. The records and information are collected from all healthcare providers, including pharmacists, to obtain information around a maternal death. This bill will add psychiatric records to the requirements and create a Regional Perinatal Center Advisory Committee.

HB 100 Prescription Drug Consumer Financial Protection Act; enact
Sponsor Demetrius Douglas (D-Stockbridge)
Status: In House Insurance
This bill would require health insurance plan providers to pass on to the patient drug rebates of at least 80% at the point of sale with an explanation of the calculation. There are civil penalties and revocation of an insurers license for noncompliance. A patient’s co-pay and deductible would still apply.  

HB 101 State employees; annual public report on the amount of prescription drug rebates and other price concessions applied to premium reductions; provide
Sponsor Demetrius Douglas (D-Stockbridge)
Status: In House Insurance
This would require an annual report on the impact prescription drug rebate programs have on the SHBP. 

HB 139 Pharmacies; prohibit drug manufacturer and wholesalers from preventing a licensed pharmacy from acquiring drugs from entities that participate in a particular federal drug discount program
Sponsor Todd Jones (R–Forsyth)
Status: In House Health
Would maintain the status quo of the current 340B arrangement with hospitals and contracted pharmacies. This bill would allow legal remedies if a pharmaceutical manufacturer or wholesaler tries to deny, restrict, prohibit, or prevent a licensed pharmacy from fulfilling their contractual arrangement. 

HB 196 State employees' health insurance plan; drugs dispensed for self-administration; provisions 
Sponsor Trey Kelley (R-Cedartown) 
Status: Passed House 168-0; Passed Senate 55-0; On the Governor’s Desk
This updated version of the bill would require pharmacies be reimbursed at NADAC plus $10.50 for chain pharmacies and $11.50 for independent pharmacies in the Georgia’s SHBP and University System health plans. The funding is also in the budget HB 68 on pg 66 line 100.4 for the SHBP ($2,911,921) and pg 192 line 301.7 for the USG ($2,130,296) for a total of $5,042,217.

HB 227 Putting Georgia's Patients First Act; enact
Sponsor Robert Dickey (R-Musella)
Status: Passed House 164-1; In Senate Health and Human Services
This bill would replace “Low THC Oil” with “Medical cannabis” throughout various code sections and renaming the “Low THC Oil Patient Registry” the “Medical Cannabis Patient Registry.”  

HB 291 Health; certification of community health workers; provide
Sponsor Darlene Taylor (R-Thomasville)
Status: Passed House 168-4; Tabled in the Senate
This bill would create a Community Health Worker Certification Committee tasked with creating rules and standards for a Community Health Worker certification. This committee would also be tasked with establishing a process for handling complaints and revocation of such certificates.

HB 419 Education; require possession of opioid antagonists by institutions within University System of Georgia 
Sponsor Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville)
Status: House Higher Education favorable reported it out
All colleges in the University System of Georgia will be required to have opioid antagonist and defibrillators on campus. Allows for possession of opioid antagonists by student and faculty. Provides some protection from civil liability when acting in good faith in decisions to apply or not apply an opioid antagonist. Allows for community groups and grants to fund access to antagonists.

HB 473 Controlled substances; Schedule I; provide certain provisions
Sponsor Ron Stephens (R–Savannah)
Status: Passed House 170-0; Passed Senate 53-0; On the Governor’s Desk
It’s the annual update to the list of Schedule 1 drugs. From Acoramidis to Zolbetuximab-clzb there are 61 new dangerous drugs.

HB 810 Insurance; require that final reimbursements to pharmacies for prescription drugs are based on certain formulas
Sponsor Rick Jasperse (R-Jasper)
Status: House Health
Require PBMs reimburse Pharmacies at NADAC plus $10.64 dispensing fee. The dispensing fee would be adjusted every year by the Commissioner of Insurance based on the Consumer Price Index. Prohibits PBMs from paying different rates to affiliated and nonaffiliated pharmacies. Since this was introduced well after crossover day the bill will sit in committee until the 2026 session.

HR 896 Georgia Pharmacy Association; 150th anniversary; recognize
Sponsor Butch Parrish (R-Swainsboro)
Status: Adopted
House Resolution recognizing GPhA’s 150th Anniversary!

SB 5 Private Review Agents; health insurers to implement and maintain a program that allows for the selective application of reductions in prior authorization requirements; provide for annual filing; and to appeal conflicting laws.
Sponsor Kay Kirkpatrick (R-Marietta)
Status: Senate Passed 51-1; Passed House 169-2; On the Governor’s Desk
This bill would require health insurers to implement and maintain a program that allows for the selective application of reductions in prior authorization requirements under certain circumstances. The Commissioner of Insurance will be tasked with implementation. Additions to the bill include requiring the SHBP to cover treatment for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infection (PANDAS) and pediatric acute onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS).

SB 6 Controlled Substances; determine whether a controlled substance has been adulterated; authorize the use of testing equipment
Sponsor Kay Kirkpatrick (R-Marietta)
Status: Passed Senate 55-0; Passed House 170-4; On the Governor’s Desk
Current law shields the user of drug testing equipment in the detection of synthetic opioids in a controlled substance from getting a drug possession misdemeanor charge. This bill would just say all drug testing equipment would be shielded, not restricted to opioid testing strips.

SB 33 "Georgia Hemp Farming Act"; total THC concentration of consumable hemp products; provide limits
Sponsor Kay Kirkpatrick (R-Marietta) 
Status: Passed Senate 50-6; In House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs
This bill would limit the total THC concentration on all consumable products to .3%. Specifically includes delta-8, delta-9, delta-10, and delta-11. It closes a loophole created by leaving off the various THC isomers. 

SB 60 Pharmacy Benefits Managers; managers have a duty of care to insureds, health plans, and providers; provide
Sponsor Chuck Huffstetler (R-Rome)
Status: In Senate Insurance and Labor
This bill establishes that a Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) cannot operate or own a pharmacy. The Commissioner of Insurance will be responsible for existing and new laws by creating regulations around utilization, steering, reimbursement, formulary, spread pricing and transparency in claims and pricing. While the bill will apply to relationships with all pharmacies, it is primarily focused on corporate pharmacies with shareholders or chain pharmacies.

SB 79 "Fentanyl Eradication and Removal Act"; enact
Sponsor Russ Goodman (R-Cogdell)
Status: Passed Senate 50-3; Passed House 99-62; On the Governor’s Desk
Changes threshold amount of fentanyl for charges of possession and trafficking. Increase mandatory minimums and fines for possession and trafficking of fentanyl. Rep. Scott Holcomb (D-Atlanta) speaking from the Well (podium in front of the House) referenced a study on pharmacists providing test strips. Stay tuned as GPhA works with UGA to deploy education and naloxone, while not part of the bill we will work to provide more solutions.

SB 131 Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce; Georgia Health Care Professionals Data System; establishment 
Sponsor Mike Hodges (R-Brunswick)
Status: Passed Senate 49-1; Substituted in House Rules; Passed House 166-3; Back to Senate for agreement
Original bill would require the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce to create and maintain a statewide database of health care workers including Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technicians. This bill was replaced in House Rules Committee with a bill adjusting the appointment to the Behavioral Health Coordinating Council. Because of this change the Senate had to agree, however the Senate adjourned before the bill could make it back across the Capitol.

SB 140 Optometrists; Doctor of Optometry to dispense and sell pharmaceutical agents to patients under certain conditions; provide
Sponsor Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming)
Status: Passed Senate 54-1; Passed House 166-0; On the Governor’s Desk
Scope of Practice bill to allow Optometrists to use, dispense and sell pharmaceutical drugs to treat eye conditions and diseases.

SB 195 Pharmacies; pharmacists are authorized to dispense preexposure prophylaxis and postexposure prophylaxis under certain conditions; provide
Sponsor Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome)
Status: Passed Senate 55-0; Passed House Health; Back in House Health
Bi-partisan bill allowing pharmacist to dispense PrEP and PEP treatment. Before dispensing or administering PrEP or PEP medication to a patient, a pharmacist will need to complete a training program accredited by ACPE and approved by the Georgia Board of Pharmacy. The Board of Pharmacy will need to approve the training program by January 1, 2026. The patient may present a negative HIV test taken within the previous seven days or the pharmacist may order and administer a CLIA-waived HIV test.

SB 220 Putting Georgia's Patients First Act; enact
Sponsor Matt Brass (R-Newnan)
Status: Passed Senate 38-17; Passed House Regulated Industries; Back in House Regulated Industries
This bill would replace “Low THC Oil” with “Medical cannabis” throughout various code sections and renaming the “Low THC Oil Patient Registry” the “Medical Cannabis Patient Registry.” Similar language to HB 227. This bill passed the Senate 38-17 with one amendment.

SB 314 "Wholesale Prescription Drug Importation Act"; enact 
Sponsor Jason Esteves (D-Atlanta) 
Status: In Senate Health and Human Services
Would require the Department of Community Health and the State Board of Pharmacy to create a program to import drugs from Canadian wholesalers following the federal regulations in 21 U.S.C. Section 384. DCH would report annually to the General Assembly about the program. Since this bill was introduced close to Crossover Day it did not receive committee consideration. Many other states have seen similar bills introduced this year and there is much concern about mail order requirements in a state employee benefit program. 

SB 366 Controlled Substances and Pharmacists and Pharmacies; ivermectin as an over-the-counter medication in this state; provide
Sponsor Colton Moore (R-Trenton)
Status: Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee
This bill would allow Ivermectin to be sold over the counter.

SR 478 Georgia Pharmacy Association; congratulate
Sponsor Kay Kirkpatrick (R-Marietta)
Status: Adopted
Senate Resolution recognizing GPhA’s 150th Anniversary!

About this newsletter:

These updates and alerts are a benefit of GPhA membership to keep our members in the know. There is a lot to read here, and we believe it is important information to help you be a better Pharmacist, Pharmacy Technician and Pharmacy Owner.

You can find your representative at My Voter Page. Visit Legislative Website to find out more about your representative & senator. Check out the Committee meeting schedule here, and find a list of the Committees and their members here.

Join us at the PharmPAC Reception at the 2025 Georgia Pharmacy Convention! Invitations are extended to all GPhA members who have contributed $250 or more since July 1, 2024.

Your contributions to PharmPAC are critical. This Legislative Session might be ending soon, but the work continues all year. Please consider a donation to PharmPAC today so we can elevate the Voice of Pharmacy in Georgia.

Legislative Update 04/09/25

Legislative Update Week 13:Sine Die

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Legislative Update Week 13:
Sine Die