Legislative Update 1/12/2026

 

Welcome to our new and returning members of GPhA! 

 

GPhA is pleased to continue our legislative newsletter in 2026, keeping our members in the know about policy and politics under the Gold Dome. It is with your support and action that we are known as THE pharmacy experts in Georgia. Elected officials look to us for the best practices for our profession and for patients across the state.  

 

The Legislative Committee worked over the summer to expand our legislative priorities following the successful passage of HB 196 in 2025. Our priorities include bills with active legislation and emerging issues we must work on now by educating our elected officials.  

 

This newsletter will hit your inboxes weekly, and it's a project of many hands; our staff, lobby team and members all play a role in this publication. You will get to know some of these names and faces as we continue along this journey.  

 

Beyond this newsletter be on the lookout for action alerts as we move through the legislative session. It’s an election year, and many members of the General Assembly will be running for higher office, and those wanting to stay will be up for re-election. This year’s session is expected to be full of fireworks, twists, turns and, as always, a few surprises. We will do our best to bring you the facts, the gossip, and the policy discussions driving the action. 

 

I would be remiss if I did not remind you to renew your membership. Memberships expired at the end of 2025 and if you have not renewed, you are currently in a grace period. This publication is a member benefit, and if you don’t renew your membership, you will stop receiving this email.  

 

And while you are on the new GPhA website, consider supporting PharmPAC to help expand our year-around advocacy program.  

 

Advocating for our profession, 

 

 

Monday, January 12 – Opening Day of the Georgia General Assembly. 

 

Monday, January 12 at 2pm – House Health Committee Meeting – GPhA Member Kevin Woody and VP of AIP Jonathan Marquess will discuss local independent pharmacies. 

 

Thursday January 14 at 10am (anticipated) – Traditional day for the State of the State address during a joint session of the General Assembly. Also notable that this will be Governor Kemp’s last State of the State Address.  

 

Tuesday, January 20 – Thursday, January 22 – Joint Meeting of the House and Senate Appropriation committees, dubbed as Budget Week. Commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Development Disabilities, Commissioner of the Department of Community Health, Commissioner of the Department of Public Health and the Commissioner of Insurance and Fire Safety are all scheduled to appear on Wednesday.

 

 

 

It’s no secret that politics can be as dramatic as the Real Housewives of Atlanta. Faithful readers may remember the surprise early adjournment of the Senate last year by Lt. Gov. Burt Jones (R- Jackson) that left a lot of business unfinished and ruffled feathers between the chambers. We will find out soon enough what impact this will have for 2026.  

 

Like the first day of school or a new season, everyone comes back from the break with fresh haircuts, new shoes, and policy priorities. During the summer break, the House had sixteen Study committees looking at everything from Elections, Child Legitimation, and Gambling.  The House Study Committee on Medical Marijuana and Hemp Policy met several times over the summer as there are at least six existing bills on this topic.  

 

On the Senate side, there were eighteen Study Committees approved by the chamber but only seven had members appointed and held meetings during the break. Two other Special Study committees were active during the fall – the Special Committee on Investigations and the Special Committee on Eliminating Georgia’s Income Tax. The Senate Special Committee on Eliminating the Income Tax held their final meeting last week and passed recommendations, signaling their intentions going into this session.

 

The Senate may have an uphill battle as Speaker Jon Burns (R - Newington) has been a vocal supporter of reducing property taxes and for the past few years, the House has been the driver behind the gradual decrease of incoming taxes from 5.39% to a final goal of 4.99%. Neither chamber has identified long term replacement for this funding with a different source to balance the state budget.

 

 

 

This is the second year of the two-year biennium. Legislators are elected for two-year terms and the legislative session will span 2025-2026. The Georgia General Assembly has a very easy-to-navigate website.  You can find your representative at My Voter Page and then go to the Legislative Website to find out more about your representative. Georgia has 180 House members and 56 Senators. 

 

The Georgia Legislature runs 40 Legislative days. Legislative Days are when both the House and Senate convene for Floor Sessions. Committees will meet on both legislative days and non-legislative days. Session typically concludes on Sine Die (the official last day of the session) around the end of March or early April.  Our (slightly cracked) crystal ball says they will be out the week before Easter.   

 

For a bill to become law, it can be introduced in either chamber. The bill will then be assigned to a committee.  And that is where a lot of bills stop. If a bill does make it through the committee of subject matter (i.e. House Health Committee), it would then go on to the Rules Committee to be scheduled for a vote by the full body. If it passes one chamber, it then goes through the committee of subject matter and then the Rules Committee in the opposite chamber before a vote by the full body in the second chamber.  Of course, bills will change as they move through the process and go back to the other chamber for agree / disagree, and we will cover that when we get there.   

 

There are 932 House Bills, 994 House Resolutions, 378 Senate Bills, and 556 Senate Resolutions with more on their way as soon as the session is open. You can view the whole list here.

 

 

 

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 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 265 Georgia Hemp Farming Act; provide limits on the total concentration of THC and other intoxicating cannabinoids in consumable hemp products 

Sponsor Steven Sainz (R–St. Mary’s)  

Status: In House Agricultural and Consumer Affairs  

This bill sets limits on the amount of THC and other intoxicating cannabinoids allowed in consumable hemp products in Georgia, including a cap on THC per serving in gummies. It also strengthens labeling, testing, and compliance requirements while introducing penalties for violations. 

 

HB 291 Health; certification of community health workers; provide  

Sponsor Darlene Taylor (R-Thomasville)  

Status: Passed House 168-4; 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 326 State Health Benefit Plan Nonopioid Coverage Parity Act; enact  

Sponsor Michelle Au (D – Johns Creek)  

Status: In House Health 

This bipartisan bill would require Georgia’s State Health Benefit Plan to cover non-opioid pain management drugs at the same level as opioid pain medications. It also prevents the plan from imposing extra restrictions, such as prior authorization or step therapy, on non-opioid alternatives unless similar restrictions exist for opioids. 

 

HB 690 Pharmacy benefits managers; duty of care to insureds, health plans, and providers; provide 

Sponsor Mark Newton (R - Augusta)  

Status: House Insurance  

Bipartisan bill that would establish that a Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) cannot operate or own a pharmacy. The Commissioner of Insurance will be responsible for enforcement of 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. Mirror bill to SB 60.  

 

HB 419 Education; require possession of opioid antagonists by institutions within University System of Georgia 

Sponsor Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville)  

Status: In House Higher Education  

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 students 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 810 Insurance; require that final reimbursements to pharmacies for prescription drugs are based on certain formulas 

Sponsor Rick Jasperse (R-Jasper)  

Status: In 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. 

 

HR 948 House Study Committee on Pharmacy Benefits Managers and Consumer Access to Prescription Medications; create 

Sponsor Ron Stephens (R-Savannah) 

Status: In House Health 

Creates a House Study Committee on PBMs. Committee members would include Chairman of the House Appropriations committee, Chairman of the House Health Committee and three other members appointed by the Speaker of the House.  

 

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 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 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 

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 had similar bills introduced last year and there is much concern about mail order requirements in a state employee benefit program. *The bill sponsor has resigned to run for higher office. Other sponsors may take up this bill.  

 

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. 

 

 

 

PharmPAC is the Georgia Pharmacy Association’s political action committee, established to advocate on behalf of all of pharmacy practice in the state to protect the rights of pharmacy employees, protect the practice of pharmacy in the state, elect candidates who champion pharmacy and pharmacists, and bring important policy issues to the attention of elected officials in Georgia.

 

PharmPAC works at the local and state levels, leading the way in influencing pharmacy-related legislation. An investment in PharmPAC is an investment in the future of pharmacy across the entire state, protecting the long-term health of the practice of pharmacy for independent pharmacy owners, employee pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians so that the vital work of these health care professionals can continue in the best interests of the people of Georgia – your patients. 

 

PharmPAC relies on donations from members and friends of GPhA -- support our advocacy efforts by making a donation today. Click here to make a one-time donation, or consider making a recurring donation here. 

 

 

 

These updates and alerts are a benefit of GPhA membership to keep our members in the know. GPhA believes it is valuable 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.