As the fast-paced final day of the 2025 legislative session – known as Sine Die – came to a close, lawmakers from across North Georgia reflected on a range of policy priorities they’ve tackled since January, from the state budget to key House and Senate bills.
Legislative accomplishments
Rep. Victor Anderson (R-Cornelia) pointed to multiple achievements, including tort reform, school safety measures, election integrity and Senate Bill 1, which prohibits transgender females from participating in women’s sports.
Anderson also said there’s work he’s eager tackle next session.
“I also introduced a resolution this morning in our Rules Committee to create a study committee on election procedures statewide,” Anderson added. “I’ll be chairing that committee as we review the entire process…a lot of what we’re doing is kind of looking at the underlying structure of our State Elections Board and responsibilities of the Secretary of State – both of those and how they relate to elections.”
Sen. Bo Hatchett (R-Cornelia) echoed the sentiment, saying he and his Republican colleagues have many accomplishments to be proud of as the session wraps.
“There were so many good pieces of legislation this session that passed,” Hatchett said. “From (SB 1) to banning transgender surgery for prisoners. We passed the Survivor Justice Act (House Bill 582). From human trafficking to saving girls sports, this was a very productive and efficient session.”
For next session, Hatchett said he’s eying “a couple of pieces of legislation” that seek to hold insurance companies accountable for misrepresentations he says they pose to customers.
Reflections from the floor
Throughout the day, lawmakers offered final thoughts on the session as a whole.
Sen. Drew Echols (R-Gainesville), who began serving last year, shared his thoughts after exiting the Senate Chamber.
“I feel like I got some things done,” Echols said. “I got three or four bills through the Senate, over to the House, and back to the governor’s desk. I feel good about that.”
District 32 Rep. Chris Erwin, R-Homer, said that while the session would likely end by midnight Friday, he felt ready for the days ahead.
“I’ve still got a lot of energy – because we’ve got to finish strong,” Erwin said. “…I’m also very excited to get back to God’s country in Northeast Georgia. I’ve still got the energy, but I’ve still got the desire to be back there where home is.”
Anderson expressed similar thoughts, stating, “I can’t wait to get this one over with – not because I don’t love what we do here – it just gets so intense at this level. It’s time for us to take a little break, but the break won’t be long. We have a study committee coming up, as well as other duties and responsibilities for constituents back home. (After today), I’ll be as busy a month from now as I am right now.”
Now Habersham will continue to bring new details from the final day of the session in the coming days.
