STATE BUDGET

Georgia’s budget is set for a fiscal year. The governor submits a proposed budget in January and the legislature adopts a budget in March or April. The fiscal year begins on July 1 and continues through the next June 30.

STATE LEGISLATURE

The Georgia Senate has 56 members, and the Georgia House of Representatives has 180 members, all of whom serve for two years.  The Legislature must convene by the second Monday in January and sessions last 40 legislative days.  The Georgia Legislature runs in 2-year cycles – bills that don’t pass or aren’t voted on during odd years carry over to the next even year.

KEY RESOURCES

• Georgia State General Assembly
• Georgia Office of the Attorney General
• Georgia Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget
• Information on Healthcare Policy in Georgia

2025 LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY

The state enacted SB 5, which requires insurers to draft programs reducing prior authorization burdens based on provider performance. It also requires all insurers to provide coverage for care related to Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections and Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome without special limitations.
HB197 was also enacted and requires insurers to become more accessible to third party review entities through providing more methods for direct contact. The new law also requires insurers to develop and maintain a program to selectively reduce prior authorization requirements determined by a provider’s performance and adherence to evidence-based medicine, and submit annual reports on program efficacy.