Georgia House passes telecom fund extension and expands pharmacy role in HIV prevention; several other bills adopted
February 12, 2026 | 2026 Legislature Georgia, Georgia
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
The Georgia House on Feb. 13, 2026 approved a package of bills and resolutions, finishing a rules calendar that included measures on telecommunications, forestry practices, foreclosure paperwork and pharmacy access to HIV prevention drugs.
Representative Rob Leverett, who sponsored House Bill 998, told the chamber the measure would "continue them till 2040" for the Universal Access Grant and Fund overseen by the Public Service Commission and add guardrails including annual distribution limits, statutorily required audits and restrictions on which companies may opt in. The House passed HB 998 on a recorded vote, yeas 161, nays 2.
"This program is essential to the provision of accessible and affordable basic telephone service in a lot of our rural communities," Leverett said, urging support to preserve landline and 911 access where cell coverage remains limited.
The House also approved House Bill 983, presented by Representative Hagen, which clarifies state definitions for prescribed burning and exempts certain silviculture burns from specified notice and permit requirements, language the speaker said the Georgia Forestry Commission requested to reduce confusion for property owners and first responders. HB 983 passed unanimously, yeas 162, nays 0.
Chair Beth Camp presented House Bill 948, which adds disclosure requirements to foreclosure paperwork so people losing residences are informed about any excess funds and the process to recover them. The House adopted the committee substitute and passed the bill, yeas 161, nays 0.
On public health policy, the House approved Senate Bill 195 after proponents described access gaps in HIV prevention. Chairman Mark Newton said Georgia ranks "fiftieth when it comes to new HIV diagnoses a year in Georgia" and argued pharmacies could close timing gaps by providing pre‑exposure and post‑exposure prophylaxis under physician protocols after pharmacist training. Supporters noted preventive medication costs "as little as $26 a month" compared with much higher lifetime costs for treating HIV. SB 195 passed, yeas 155, nays 7.
The chamber also adopted House Resolution 999 urging cities and counties to observe the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026; the resolution passed by recorded vote, yeas 162, nays 0. The House cleared a local calendar of uncontested local bills by recorded vote (yeas 158, nays 0).
What happened next: the House adjourned and will reconvene Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Several measures now head to the other chamber or to administrative steps specified in each bill.
Quotes in this story are taken from floor remarks by the legislators who spoke during the recorded proceedings.
Representative Rob Leverett, who sponsored House Bill 998, told the chamber the measure would "continue them till 2040" for the Universal Access Grant and Fund overseen by the Public Service Commission and add guardrails including annual distribution limits, statutorily required audits and restrictions on which companies may opt in. The House passed HB 998 on a recorded vote, yeas 161, nays 2.
"This program is essential to the provision of accessible and affordable basic telephone service in a lot of our rural communities," Leverett said, urging support to preserve landline and 911 access where cell coverage remains limited.
The House also approved House Bill 983, presented by Representative Hagen, which clarifies state definitions for prescribed burning and exempts certain silviculture burns from specified notice and permit requirements, language the speaker said the Georgia Forestry Commission requested to reduce confusion for property owners and first responders. HB 983 passed unanimously, yeas 162, nays 0.
Chair Beth Camp presented House Bill 948, which adds disclosure requirements to foreclosure paperwork so people losing residences are informed about any excess funds and the process to recover them. The House adopted the committee substitute and passed the bill, yeas 161, nays 0.
On public health policy, the House approved Senate Bill 195 after proponents described access gaps in HIV prevention. Chairman Mark Newton said Georgia ranks "fiftieth when it comes to new HIV diagnoses a year in Georgia" and argued pharmacies could close timing gaps by providing pre‑exposure and post‑exposure prophylaxis under physician protocols after pharmacist training. Supporters noted preventive medication costs "as little as $26 a month" compared with much higher lifetime costs for treating HIV. SB 195 passed, yeas 155, nays 7.
The chamber also adopted House Resolution 999 urging cities and counties to observe the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026; the resolution passed by recorded vote, yeas 162, nays 0. The House cleared a local calendar of uncontested local bills by recorded vote (yeas 158, nays 0).
What happened next: the House adjourned and will reconvene Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Several measures now head to the other chamber or to administrative steps specified in each bill.
Quotes in this story are taken from floor remarks by the legislators who spoke during the recorded proceedings.
View the Full Meeting & All Its Details
This article offers just a summary. Unlock complete video, transcripts, and insights as a Founder Member.
✓
Watch full, unedited meeting videos
✓
Search every word spoken in unlimited transcripts
✓
AI summaries & real-time alerts (all government levels)
✓
Permanent access to expanding government content
30-day money-back guarantee
