Committee unanimously approves interstate compact for physician assistants, sets implementation steps

Representative Cooper presented House Bill 1295, describing it as "another compact" similar to prior nursing and physician compacts that eases licensing across member states for practitioners in good standing. She told the committee the compact would speed licensure for out-of-state practitioners and align Georgia with other states that have adopted multistate agreements.

A staff witness reported that 22 states have joined the compact so far and that a data system procurement is underway to support implementation; the staff timeline mentioned a target for implementing the compact in 2027 and the bill’s language included an effective-date provision consistent with that schedule.

Senator Albers moved the bill, the motion was seconded, and the committee voted unanimously to pass the measure. The chair asked the sponsor to provide the name of a senate sponsor to carry the bill into the other chamber.

Outcome: House Bill 1295 passed committee unanimously. The committee recorded the substitute/document reference LC461472S and noted stakeholders support its goal of improving licensure portability.