On May 14, 2025, House Speaker Jon Burns, R-Newington, announced the formation of 16 official study committees to review and evaluate major policy areas during the Georgia General Assembly’s 2025 interim. These committees, composed of House members and in some cases agency or subject matter experts, will hold public meetings, gather input and prepare findings and recommendations ahead of the 2026 legislative session.
The issues under review include election oversight, health care infrastructure, insurance rate regulation, school absenteeism and the structure of Georgia’s investment markets. These committees reflect areas of growing concern or legislative interest following the 2025 session and are tasked with identifying actionable reforms or proposals for the General Assembly’s consideration.
Blue-Ribbon Study Committee on Election Procedures
This committee, authorized under House Resolution (HR) 885, is charged with evaluating Georgia’s election laws, administrative procedures and governance structures at both state and local levels.
- Rep. Tim Fleming (R-Covington) – Chairman
- Rep. Victor Anderson (R-Cornelia) – Vice Chairman
- Rep. Martin Momtahan (R-Dallas)
- Rep. Trey Kelley (R-Cedartown)
- Rep. Rob Leverett (R-Elberton)
- Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones (R-Milton)
- Rep. Saira Draper (D-Atlanta)
Blue-Ribbon Study Committee on Insurance Rates
This committee will examine how insurance companies set rates as well as manage their profit margins, claims operations and regulatory compliance.
- Rep. Matt Reeves (R-Duluth) – Chairman
- Rep. Eddie Lumsden (R-Armuchee) – Vice Chairman
- Rep. Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire)
- Rep. James Burchett (R-Waycross)
- Rep. Noel Williams, Jr. (R-Cordele)
- Rep. Todd Jones (R-South Forsyth)
- Rep. Emory Dunahoo (R-Gillsville)
- Rep. Michelle Au (D-Johns Creek)
- Rep. Bruce Williamson (R-Monroe)
- Rep. Trey Kelley (R-Cedartown)
- Rep. Carolyn Hugley (D-Columbus)
- Rep. Jaclyn Ford (R-Tifton)
- Rep. Karen Mathiak (R-Griffin)
- Rep. Chuck Efstration (R-Mulberry)
- Rep. Joseph Gullett (R-Dallas)
Blue-Ribbon Study Committee on Georgia’s Medical Marijuana Policies
This committee will review Georgia’s medical cannabis program and hemp product regulations, including access, safety and regulatory clarity.
- Rep. Mark Newton (R-Augusta) – Chairman
- Rep. Jordan Ridley (R-Woodstock)
- Rep. Robert Dickey (R-Musella)
- Rep. David Clark (R-Buford)
- Rep. Alan Powell (R-Hartwell)
- Rep. Spencer Frye (D-Athens)
- Rep. Al Williams (D-Midway)
- Rep. Michael Smith (D-Marietta)
- Rep. Brent Cox (R-Dawsonville)
- Non-Legislative Members: Robyn Fowler, Wesley Dunn
House Study Committee on Reinsurance for Essential Industries
This committee, authorized under HR 40, will analyze Georgia’s commercial reinsurance market and the feasibility of public-private partnerships for risk stabilization.
- Rep. Darlene Taylor (R-Thomasville) – Co-Chair
- Rep. Noel Williams, Jr. (R-Cordele) – Co-Chair
- Rep. Demetrius Douglas (D-Stockbridge)
- Rep. Carolyn Hugley (D-Columbus)
- Rep. Matthew Gambill (R-Cartersville)
House Study Committee on Cancer Care Access
This committee, authorized under HR 72, will assess disparities in cancer treatment across Georgia and recommend steps to improve access to timely, quality care.
- Rep. Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville) – Chairman
- Rep. Gerald Greene (R-Cuthbert)
- Rep. Karen Mathiak (R-Griffin)
- Rep. Deborah Silcox (R-Sandy Springs)
- Rep. Jasmine Clark (D-Lilburn)
- Non-Legislative Members: Dr. Jorge Cortes, Dr. Suresh Ramalingam, Dr. Chris Kiker, Kristin Higgins, Jennie Wren Denmark
House Study Committee on the Costs & Effects of Smoking
This committee, authorized under HR 304, will study the public health and fiscal impact of tobacco use, including its effects on government funded health care programs.
- Rep. Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta) – Chair
- Rep. Michelle Au (D-Johns Creek) – Vice Chair
- Rep. Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville)
- Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Savannah)
- Rep. Debbie Buckner (D-Junction City)
House Study Committee on Funding for Next Generation 9-1-1
This committee, authorized under HR 429, will review the state’s 911 funding laws and the needs of local systems transitioning to digital emergency communication platforms.
- Rep. Chuck Martin (R-Alpharetta) – Chairman
- Rep. Beth Camp (R-Concord)
- Rep. Lauren McDonald III (R-Cumming)
- Rep. Clint Crowe (R-Jackson)
- Rep. Bruce Williamson (R-Monroe)
House Study Committee on Georgia’s Investment Funds
This committee, authorized under HR 557, will consider policy changes to encourage private investment and grow capital access across Georgia.
- Rep. Todd Jones (R-South Forsyth) – Chairman
- Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick (D-Lithonia) – Vice Chair
- Rep. Lehman Franklin (R-Statesboro)
- Rep. Stacey Evans (D-Atlanta)
- Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Savannah)
House Study Committee on Used Motor Vehicle Regulation
This committee, authorized under HR 558, will evaluate whether regulation of the used motor vehicle and parts dealer industry should be transferred to the agency issuing license plates.
- Rep. John Corbett (R-Lake Park) – Chairman
- Rep. Alan Powell (R-Hartwell)
- Rep. Jason Ridley (R-Chatsworth)
- Rep. Danny Mathis (R-Cochran)
- Non-Legislative Members: Secretary of State or designee, Department of Revenue or designee, Derrick Corbett
House Study Committee on Abandoned Child Placement Following Hospital Discharge
This committee, authorized under HR 611, will assess support systems for children released from psychiatric or emergency care without stable placements.
- Rep. Katie Dempsey (R-Rome) – Chair
- Rep. Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta)
- Rep. Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville)
- Rep. Omari Crawford (D-Decatur)
- Rep. Mike Cameron (R-Rossville)
House Study Committee on Student Attendance in PreK-12 Education
This committee, authorized under HR 711, will explore the root causes of absenteeism and identify strategies to improve attendance and student engagement.
- Rep. Chris Erwin (R-Homer) – Chairman
- Rep. Matt Dubnik (R-Gainesville)
- Rep. Rick Townsend (R-Brunswick)
- Rep. Sandy Donatucci (R-Buford)
- Rep. Will Wade (R-Dawsonville)
- Rep. Lydia Glaize (D-Fairburn)
House Study Committee on Improving Access to Internal Medicine in Underserved Areas
This committee, authorized under HR 753, will examine how to address primary care shortages in rural Georgia, with emphasis on internal medicine access and provider pipelines.
- Rep. Sandy Donatucci (R-Buford) – Chair
- Rep. Angie O’Steen (R-Ambrose)
- Rep. Leesa Hagan (R-Vidalia)
- Rep. Carmen Rice (R-Columbus)
- Rep. Gary Richardson (R-Evans)
- Non-Legislative Members: Dr. Jean Sumner (Mercer), Dr. John Odum (MCG), Dr. Angela Gerguis (GSU)
House Study Committee on Legitimation Process Reform
This committee, authorized under HR 428, will study the state’s process for recognizing a child’s legal relationship to their father and whether changes are needed to improve access for biological fathers.
- Rep. Carter Barrett (R-Cumming) – Chairman
- Rep. Teddy Reese (D-Columbus) – Vice Chairman
- Rep. Lynn Heffner (D-Augusta)
- Rep. Rob Clifton (R-Evans)
- Rep. Vance Smith (R-Pine Mountain)
House Study Committee on Gaming in Georgia
This committee, authorized under HR 655, will examine the legal, economic and social implications of legalizing gaming, including jobs, tax revenue and regulatory models.
- Rep. Marcus Wiedower (R-Watkinsville) – Chairman
- Rep. Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire)
- Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Savannah)
- Rep. Alan Powell (R-Hartwell)
- Rep. Matt Hatchett (R-Dublin)
- Rep. Yasmin Neal (D-Jonesboro)
- Rep. Chuck Martin (R-Alpharetta)
House Study Committee on Evaluating Funding for Public Health
This study committee, authorized under HR 847, will examine how Georgia’s public health system is structured and funded as well as evaluating what services the system currently provides to determine whether action by the state is necessary.
- Darlene Taylor (R-Thomasville) – Chair
- Matt Hatchett (R-Dublin)
- Butch Parrish (R-Swainsboro)
- Dexter Sharper (D-Valdosta)
- Angie O’Steen (R-Ambrose)
House Study Committee on Reducing Mandates for Public School Administration
This committee, authorized under HR 887, will review administrative requirements placed on schools and identify areas where mandates can be eliminated or consolidated.
- Rep. Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire) – Chairman
- Rep. Mitchell Horner (R-Ringgold)
- Rep. Chris Erwin (R-Homer)
- Rep. Holt Persinger (R-Winder)
- Rep. Bethany Ballard (R-Warner Robins)
- Rep. Robert Dawson (D-Atlanta)
Study committees are expected to begin meeting in summer 2025, with findings and recommendations to be released prior to the 2026 legislative session. For questions about a specific committee or how to engage, contact the Georgia office of McGuireWoods Consulting at mshelnutt@mwcllc.com.