Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Thursday, March 27, 2025:

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a special weather statement today, warning residents of Northwest Georgia about high fire danger conditions prevailing this afternoon and evening. Low relative humidity and dry fuels are contributing to the elevated risk. According to the NWS, relative humidity is expected to drop to 25 percent or less for at least four hours today, Thursday.

Southeast winds will be blowing at 5 to 10 mph, exacerbating the dry conditions. Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged. “With dry fuels, high fire danger conditions can be expected,” the statement warned. The high fire danger is expected to persist through at least Friday. However, relief is in sight. Forecasters predict a shift in the weather pattern, bringing rain and thunderstorms to the region from Saturday night through Monday. While the moisture will alleviate the fire risk, it could introduce the possibility of severe weather on Sunday and Monday.

On Saturday, southern winds will increase humidity, reducing the fire risk to below 10%. However, strong gusts over 25 mph could still pose a fire danger in western Georgia. The expected thunderstorms are driven by two approaching shortwave troughs. The first trough will arrive Saturday night into Sunday, bringing rain. The second, stronger trough is expected to arrive Sunday night into Monday, potentially leading to severe weather. While the potential for strong to severe storms exists, the NWS emphasizes that confidence in significant severe weather is currently moderate. Decent conditions for updrafts and potential damaging winds are possible.

Residents are urged to stay informed as the forecast evolves. The NWS will provide updates as new data becomes available. The forecast will become clearer as we approach Friday and receive updated guidance.

Forecast:

Today will be sunny with a high near 75 and calm winds from the southeast around 5 mph. Tonight will be mostly clear with a low around 49 and calm winds.

On Friday, it will be mostly sunny with a high near 81 and calm winds becoming south in the afternoon that could gust up to 15 mph. Friday night will be mostly cloudy with a low around 58.

Saturday has a 20 percent chance of showers after 2 PM, mostly cloudy with a high near 79 and south winds. Saturday night will likely have showers after 2 AM with a low around 59.

Sunday will have likely showers and possible thunderstorms after 2 PM, mostly cloudy with a high near 78. Sunday night will have a chance of showers and thunderstorms, then likely showers after 2 AM with a low around 62.

Monday has likely showers and possibly thunderstorms before 2 PM, turning partly sunny with a high near 76. Monday night has a 30 percent chance of showers before 8 PM with a low around 46. Tuesday will be mostly sunny with a high near 75.

Chattooga County Department of Family and Children Services will be having the annual Pinwheel Planting at Dowdy Park today at 10 AM followed by the Chatooga Family Connection Meeting at 11 AM where there will be refreshments and more about Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month which begins in April.

The Chattooga County FFA is excited to announce its annual Spring Plant Sale, starting today and again tomorrow from 8 AM until 5 PM each day. The sale will continue in April from Tuesday, April 8th, through Friday, April 11th, also from 8 AM to 5 PM. A variety of affordable plants for spring gardens and patios will be available. Featured plants include: Geraniums ($4/cup), Potted Plants (4′ and 6′) ($3), Ferns (HB Boston $12, HB Macho $15), and Ground Covers. Additionally, there are Lantana, Vegetables and Herbs ($1 each for tomatoes, $3 each for herbs), Specialty Plants ($5 each for succulents), Hanging Baskets ($10-$15), and Unique Varieties. Flats will be sold for $20 (Mixed Flat $24) and $4-6-packs will be offered. The plant sale will be held at the greenhouse located behind Chattooga High School. To support the Chattooga County FFA and enhance your garden this spring, visit the sale.

The Trion Fire Department released its February 2025 call report, showing a busy month with 55 emergency responses. Most calls were for residential and commercial fire alarms, with 11 and 9 incidents respectively. Firefighters dealt with 7 illegal burn/woods fires, highlighting the need for awareness on safe burning practices. There were also 2 vehicle fires, 4 motor vehicle accidents, and 16 medical assist calls. The team handled 3 incidents with downed power lines or trees, 2 gas leaks, and one search and rescue. The Trion Fire Department urges residents to prioritize fire safety, follow burning regulations, and drive safely around hazardous conditions.

Photo Credit: WRGA Radio

Floyd County Police are investigating a wildfire that ravaged approximately 200 acres in the Rosedale area on Sunday as an act of arson, with charges pending, authorities confirmed. The blaze, which jumped Highway 156 in two locations, posed a significant threat to the Southern Woods subdivision, prompting evacuations. “We were able to get it contained,” said Rome-Floyd County Fire Chief Troy Brock, emphasizing the collaborative effort. “It wasn’t just due to us; it was probably one of the greatest collaborative efforts from many agencies and the Rosedale community that I have witnessed during my career with the Rome-Floyd County Fire Department.”

The scale of the Rosedale fire stretched the resources of the Rome-Floyd County Fire Department thin, leaving only two units to cover the vast 514-square-mile county, according to Deputy Chief Brad Roberson. Thankfully, reserve units were quickly activated, and assistance poured in from multiple agencies, including: Summerville Fire Department, Gore Fire Department, Polk County Fire Department, Gordon County Fire Department, Cedartown Fire Department, Chattoogaville Fire Department, Atrium EMS, AdventHealth EMS, Georgia Department of Public Health, Floyd County Sheriff’s Office, Floyd County Police, Floyd County Emergency Management, Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia Emergency Management, Floyd Springs Baptist Church, and Armuchee Baptist Church.

“We want to send out a special thank you to the people of our community, especially the Armuchee community,” Roberson said, expressing gratitude for the community’s support. “They were working hard to protect their property, but also stepping up to protect their neighbor’s property, and assist us when they could. They were pulling hose and had our backs the whole way. So, we want to show our appreciation.”

While Sunday’s wildfire is believed to be arson, officials urge residents to exercise extreme caution when burning vegetation and debris, as even controlled burns can quickly become dangerous. “There are days this time of year when you want to burn,” Brock said. “This time of year, burning is needed, but you want to first look at the weather forecast. There are good days to burn and not good days to burn, mainly due to high winds.

A 41-year-old Summerville man was arrested last week on multiple charges after a incident in which he was accused of assaulting a woman. Gregory Lopaz Hayes was arrested following a domestic dispute at 691 Northwest Congress, according to the Summerville Police Department.

Officers were initially dispatched to the residence in response to a report of a physical altercation in progress. While en route, police learned that the alleged aggressor, identified as Gregory Lopaz Hayes, was leaving the scene in a silver four-door sedan. The vehicle was observed pulling into the parking lot of Bill’s Heating and Cooling before heading outbound on Northwest Congress. Police located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop after it passed the victim’s residence, driven by a woman identified as Jenny Hayes, seated in the passenger seat, Hayes was observed to have blood on his left hand.

The victim reported that Hayes, allegedly intoxicated, accused her of stealing his wallet and physically assaulted her. According to the police report, when officers spoke with the victim, she stated that Hayes “grabbed me, choked me, punched me in the back of the head, I don’t know how many times, and kicked me 3 or 4 times.” Officers observed a cut on the bridge of the victim’s nose, fresh red marks on her neck, and a large knot on the back of her head. She was provided with information for the Family Crisis Center and assessed by EMS on the scene. The victim stated she wished to press charges fully.

Hayes was subsequently arrested for simple battery FVA (Family Violence Act). According to the report, Hayes resisted arrest, refusing to exit the vehicle and place his hands behind his back. He allegedly continued to resist officers, refusing to walk to the police car and ultimately having to be physically placed inside the vehicle with the assistance of a Chattooga County Deputy. This led to an additional charge of obstructing officers.

The police report states that Hayes refused to cooperate until a supervisor arrived on the scene, and threatened to be pepper sprayed by authorities if he did not put his knees inside the vehicle. Hayes was transported to the Chattooga County Jail without further incident after being placed in the patrol vehicle. .

NGEMC has partnered with Arbor Day Foundation to offer members a chance to plant a tree that can reduce radiant heat from the sun and save energy this summer.

NGEMC is giving away up to 200 trees to members as a part of the Energy Saving Tree Program on Wednesday, April 30, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Members must register to reserve one tree through Arborday.org. Reservations are available now and will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.

One of NGEMC’s long-standing goals has been to help members plant the right tree in the right place. While it is never a good idea to plant under lines or around electric equipment, the Arbor Day Foundation’s Energy Saving Tree program helps show home and business owners how strategically placed trees can help reduce their annual energy bills.

With their online tool, homeowners can use satellite imaging to plot the outline of their home and the best spot to plant in order to save money.

Members who register will be able to select a Post Oak, October Glory Maple, Ohio Buckeye, Witch-hazel, or Highbush Blueberry. All trees will come in a three-gallon pot or root bundle and should be able to fit in most standard vehicles.

This Energy Saving Tree giveaway is limited to NGEMC members. Members will be asked to show their energy bill or verify their identity when picking up the trees.

At the time of reservation, members will select a pick-up location from NGEMC’s Calhoun, Dalton, or Fort Oglethorpe offices. Members who miss the pick-up window on April 30 will forfeit the reserved trees. Trees are offered at no cost to the member.

For more questions about energy saving trees, please visit Arborday.org.

A multi-agency investigation led to the arrest of Nicholas Antiono Cheaton, 41, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, on Friday, March 21, 2025, in connection with the murder of William Oliver Jones, 39, of Chickamauga, Georgia. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Investigative Office in Calhoun, along with the Walker County Sheriff’s Office, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the United States Federal Probation Office, and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, collaborated to bring Cheaton into custody. He is charged with Murder in relation to Jones’ death. Jones was discovered deceased on Friday, March 14, 2025, at his residence located in the 8000 block of West Highway 136 in Chickamauga, GA. Cheaton is currently being held at the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center in Chattanooga, awaiting extradition to Georgia. An autopsy was performed on Jones’ body by the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office; however, the results are still pending. The investigation remains active and ongoing. Authorities are urging anyone with information related to this case to contact the Walker County Sheriff’s Office at 706-638-1909. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or through the See Something, Send Something mobile app. Upon completion of the investigation, the case will be handed over to the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review and potential prosecution.

The City of Summerville is now accepting sealed proposals for its 2025 contract for mowing and grounds keeping services at the Summerville Cemetery. The request for bid (RFB-2025-103-CEMETERY) covers the period from May 1, 2025, through October 31, 2025. Sealed bids must be submitted to the City of Summerville at 120 Georgia Ave., Summerville, Georgia 30747 no later than 2:00 p.m. on April 10, 2025. To ensure proper identification, bidders must clearly mark the outside of the envelope with “RFB-2025-103-CEMETERY.” A complete bid packet, including detailed specifications and requirements, is available for download at summervillega.org. Interested parties are encouraged to visit the website for more information.

AdventHealth Redmond is hosting the AngioScreen bus on Monday, March 31 from 8 am to 3 pm, located in front of the main entrance. AngioScreen is a noninvasive, 10-minute vascular screening that checks your risk for heart disease and stroke. This painless assessment provides immediate results and includes carotid artery screening, heart rhythm EKG, ankle brachial indices, and abdominal aortic aneurysm screening. If you are 55 or older or have risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or a family history of cardiovascular issues, you should consider scheduling an appointment. The screening costs $85 per person and is HSA eligible. To register for this screening, click HERE

High pressure will move into the Southeast today and significantly influence the weather on Thursday. The air will be dry, with surface dewpoints in the 30s, and some areas in northeast Georgia may have dewpoints in the 20s. This dry air, combined with mixed air layers and afternoon temperatures in the 70s (4 to 8 degrees above normal), will create very low humidity levels today and Thursday. Northwest winds may gust between 20 and 30 mph today, leading to a Fire Danger Statement for Northwest Georgia due to low humidity and gusts up to 24 mph. A similar warning is expected for Thursday but with lighter winds. No other weather threats are anticipated in north and central Georgia through Thursday as the area will remain dry. Temperatures will generally be in the 70s.  Lows tonight will be in the upper 40’s.  Looking ahead, fire danger will likely continue through Friday with warm, dry conditions, but rain chances will increase from the weekend into early next week, raising the potential for severe weather. Showers and thunderstorms are possible, especially Sunday into Monday, with certain areas under a 15% risk for severe weather.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Wednesday, March 26, 2025:

A routine traffic stop in Summerville led to the arrest of Belinda McGill of Trion, after police discovered marijuana and THC-infused gummies in her vehicle. According to the Summerville Police Department report, the incident occurred at approximately 10:21 PM on March 18th at the intersection of Rome Boulevard and Highway 114.

An officer observed a black vehicle traveling south, failing to stop at a red light. The officer initiated a traffic stop at the intersection of Rome Boulevard and Espy Street, identifying the driver as Belinda McGill. Upon approaching the vehicle, the officer detected the strong odor of fresh marijuana. After confirming with McGill that she was stopped for the red light violation, the officer asked her to step out of the vehicle. When questioned about the presence of contraband, McGill admitted to having marijuana in the center console. A search of the vehicle, conducted with McGill’s consent, yielded two clear plastic baggies containing a green leafy substance identified as marijuana. Further search of the center console revealed five unopened packages of THC gummies. Three packages were labeled “Rock It” containing 1000mg of THC per serving, while the remaining two were “Flying Horse” brand, flavored as Cotton Candy and Birthday Cake, each containing 1200mg of THC.

McGill was subsequently arrested and transported to the Chattooga County Jail without incident. Her vehicle was released to a friend. McGill faces charges of Possession of a Schedule 1 controlled substance (THC Gummies), Possession of marijuana less than 1 ounce, and Failure to Stop at a Red Light.

The Town of Trion will have a regular Workshop / Council Meeting in the Town Hall Conference Room, Thursday, March 27, 2025. The Workshop will begin at 6:00p.m. and the Regular Meeting will follow shortly after.  Trion Mayor Lanny Thomas says, “If you have any questions or comments, please contact me or the Town Hall Office and we will try to get the information you request”.

Major General Dwayne Wilson, Adjutant General of the Georgia Department of Defense

All Vietnam Veterans and their families are invited to a special luncheon on Friday, March 28, 2025, at 12 Noon at the Chattooga County Memorial Home, located at 818 Memorial Drive, Summerville. The event, sponsored by VFW Post 6688, its auxiliary, and local volunteers, aims to honor the service and sacrifice of veterans who served during the Vietnam era (November 1, 1955, to April 30, 1975).

The program will feature the presentation of Quilts of Valor to U.S. Army veterans Jim Parker and Delbert Patty. These quilts, symbols of comfort and gratitude, will be awarded in recognition of their service and dedication. Distinguished speakers will include Major General Dwayne Wilson, Adjutant General of the Georgia Department of Defense, and Patricia Ross, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Veterans Service. They will share valuable information about the resources and services available through their respective state departments. District 1 VFW Commander Dwayne Kilboure will also be in attendance to offer greetings and provide updates on VFW activities.

This annual event provides an opportunity for Vietnam veterans and their families to gather, share stories, and enjoy food and fellowship. No reservations are required. All are welcome. The luncheon takes place on the eve of National Vietnam War Veterans Day, observed annually on March 29th across the United States. This day commemorates the withdrawal of the last combat troops from Vietnam in 1973 and honors all those who served during the conflict.

For more information, call Odell Anderson at 706-397-2394 or Barbara Reece at 706-862-2657.

Get ready to garden! The highly anticipated annual Spring Plant Sale at Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) in Rome is scheduled for April 7-11, 2025. This beloved tradition offers the community a chance to purchase beautiful, student-grown plants while supporting GNTC’s Horticulture program.

The sale kicks off on Monday, April 7th, at 8:00 AM and continues daily through Friday, April 11th, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. However, Nick Barton, Director of Horticulture at GNTC, advises early birds to arrive promptly as the plants frequently sell out before the sale’s official end. “We have a huge selection of flowering annuals and perennials,” Barton said, promising a vibrant array of options to brighten any garden. This year’s sale boasts a diverse selection including annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, hanging baskets, blooming plants, and geraniums. Gardeners can find popular vegetable starts like tomato, pepper (including the fiery ghost pepper!), squash, cucumber, zucchini, cantaloupe, and watermelon. Flowering plants will include favorites such as impatiens, dianthuses, petunias, marigolds, SunPatiens, lantana, and million bells. A four-pack of flowers, herbs, or vegetables costs $5, while a flat containing four packs is priced at $35. Mixed flats of flowers and vegetables are also available for $35. Hanging baskets will be sold for $13 each, 6-inch pots for $6 each, and 4-inch pots for $4. Hibiscus plants will be priced at $10. **Important Note:** Purchases can be made with cash or check only. Credit cards are not accepted.

The Spring Plant Sale is more than just a fundraiser; it’s an integral part of the GNTC Horticulture program. It provides students with invaluable real-world experience and a platform to showcase their hard work and skills. All proceeds from the sale will directly benefit the Horticulture program at GNTC. The sale will be held at the greenhouses located across from GNTC’s Floyd County Campus in Rome, next to the Woodlee Building.

State Rep. Eddie Lumsden has released his report for Week Ten of the 2025 Georgia General Assembly. On March 18, 2025, legislators returned to the Gold Dome for Legislative Day 32, working to finalize significant bills before the session ends on April 4th. Senate Bill 68 passed, revising several civil laws, including limits on attorney’s fees and changes in medical damage calculations. The House also passed the Dignity and Pay Act, ensuring individuals with disabilities receive at least minimum wage, effective July 2027. Senate Bill 109 protected active-duty service members in life insurance policies, while Senate Bill 58 allowed emergency vehicles to transport organs. Other Senate bills addressed drug analysis and court judges.  Rep. Lumsden encourages community involvement with legislation and shares contact information for questions.  You can read his complete report below:

On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, my legislative colleagues and I returned to the Gold Dome for Legislative Day 32, ready to resume our work on behalf of the people we serve. With only a few legislative days remaining in this year’s session, we are fully focused on advancing meaningful legislation that will deliver real results for our communities and our state, and every moment counts as we work diligently until the last second. With just two weeks remaining until Sine Die on Friday, April 4^th, I want to highlight some important measures we addressed during the 10^th week of the 2025 legislative session.

This week, the House passed Senate Bill 68, a measure that would revise several areas of civil law, including motor vehicle and tort laws. Under SB 68, the recovery of attorney’s fees would be restricted, and the admissibility of seatbelt evidence would be updated. The bill would create a new framework for claims related to negligent security, limiting property owners’ liability in certain situations. SB 68 would also change how medical expense damages are calculated and allow for bifurcated trials. First, SB 68 would limit arguments on noneconomic damages—such as non-monetary losses resulting from an accident or harm—by prohibiting attorneys from discussing these damages in the closing argument unless they were already addressed in the opening argument. Additionally, attorneys would not be permitted to discuss a different value for noneconomic damages in the closing argument than what was presented in the opening argument. However, the bill would not prevent attorneys from asking potential jurors during voir dire— the process of questioning jurors to determine their suitability for a case—whether they could return a verdict that either does not award damages or awards an amount greater than a specified limit, as long as these questions would be supported by evidence. SB 68 would also require courts to rule on a motion to dismiss within 90 days after the conclusion of the briefings on that motion. If the court does not issue a ruling within this 90-day period, a party would be able to file a motion to terminate or modify the case. However, this remedy would not prevent the use of other available options to address the court’s inability to rule in a timely manner, including, but not limited to, filing a writ of mandamus—a court order which directs a lower court or government official to perform a certain public duty or legal obligation.

Further, SB 68 would amend current state law to allow a party to file a written notice of dismissal at any time before the 60^th day after the opposing party serves an answer. SB 68 would also specify that a property owner or occupier could be held liable for poor security if the plaintiff proves, by clear and convincing evidence, that prior incidents of similar wrongful conduct by a third person led to an injury. This liability would only apply if the property owner or occupier knew, or had reason to know, that the third person was or would be on the premises and if the owner or occupier had actual knowledge of the prior wrongful conduct. Also, SB 68 would include provisions for cases where the plaintiff has been injured by an alleged sexual offense. These provisions would allow a court to reject a decision made by any party to divide the plaintiff’s case into two phases for liability and damages, also known as a bifurcated proceeding, if the plaintiff is likely to experience psychological or emotional distress from testifying twice in a bifurcated proceeding. The provisions would also apply if the amount in controversy is less than $150,000. On Friday, the Senate accepted the House’s changes to SB 68, and the bill now heads to the governor’s desk for signature.

On Tuesday, the House passed the Dignity and Pay Act, bipartisan legislation which would prohibit the Georgia Department of Labor from offering exemptions to minimum wage laws for individuals with disabilities. Senate Bill 55 would further prohibit employers from utilizing certificates issued by the U.S. Department of Labor that allow companies to pay individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities below the minimum wage. Under current federal law, there are eight organizations in the state that have a federal waiver that allows them to pay workers below the federal minimum wage. If a Georgia company currently utilizes a federal certificate, SB 55 would require the company to pay individuals with disabilities at least half of the minimum wage between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027. Starting on July 1, 2027, employers would not be able to utilize these certificates to pay individuals with disabilities subminimum wages. The goal of this would be to phase out less than minimum wage payment to these employees. As we promote workforce development and job creation in Georgia, it is important that we also ensure equal opportunity and compensation to employees with disabilities – individuals who contribute in meaningful and vital ways to our state’s industries. With the bill’s final passage, it now awaits the governor’s signature to be enacted into law.

Senate Bill 109 also passed the House this week with bipartisan support. This bill, which mirrors House Bill 182 that we passed in the House earlier this session, would provide much needed protections for Georgia’s active-duty service members and their families. Specifically, SB 109 would prevent group life insurance policies in our state from excluding or limiting liability for the death of an insured active-duty service member, unless the death is directly or indirectly caused by war or a related act or hazard. Currently, many life insurance policies include exclusions that specify that certain causes of death are not covered under the policy, often using the term “act of war” to describe these exclusions. However, in group life insurance policies, the term “active duty” is typically used. SB 109 would clarify that being on active duty alone would not be a reason to deny a claim. For example, if an active-duty service member is injured in a car accident while at home, on leave or stationed within the United States, their life insurance claim should not be denied simply because they are on active duty but not in active combat. SB 109 would guarantee that Georgia’s dedicated service members and their families are protected, no matter where the injury or death occurs, ensuring they receive the support and benefits they deserve for the sacrifices they make in service to our state and nation. The House’s unanimous vote on SB 109 gave the bill final passage where it now goes to the governor’s desk for approval.

Later this week, the House gave final passage to Senate Bill 58, the Georgia Transporting Life-Saving Organs and Personnel Act, which would allow for the licensing and operation of emergency organ transport vehicles as ambulance services to transport necessary personnel, organs, tissue or medical supplies to a time-critical organ transplant procedure. For example, if a donor is deceased, the organ may need to be transported from another region of the state, across state lines or by air transport, necessitating the need for specialized personnel and specialized emergency transport. These specialized vehicles have been used for years to transport organs, but they are not explicitly designated as emergency vehicles in state law. SB 58 would eliminate any potential concern about their status as a critical emergency vehicle by codifying it in Georgia law. Under this legislation, these vehicles would be eligible to apply for licenses designating them as emergency organ transplant vehicles and would also be required to have insurance coverage, as other vehicles do under state law. The Department of Public Safety would be authorized to designate each vehicle by issuing a permit to operate flashing or revolving emergency lights. By allowing emergency organ transport vehicles to operate under ambulance service regulations, SB 58 – now headed to the governor’s desk – would help ensure that organs, medical personnel and critical supplies reach their destinations faster, with the goal of saving more lives. In a similar effort to promote organ donation, the House also passed Senate Bill 84, which would create a special license plate recognizing the importance of organ donation. The license plate would read ‘Organ Donors Save Lives,’ and the funds raised by the sale of the license plate would be deposited into the state’s general fund. These two initiatives underscore the House’s dedication to supporting both organ donors and recipients, reinforcing the importance of saving lives and improving healthcare outcomes across our state.

We also passed the following Senate bills during the 10^th week of session:

• Senate Bill 6, which would allow for drug analysis equipment to be used to determine whether a controlled substance or its packaging have been altered;

• Senate Bill 13, which would allow the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority to provide loans for the supply, distribution and storage of natural gas. The bill would provide for the transition from electrical lines aboveground to underground;

• Senate Bill 35, which would extend the required notice period for the nonrenewal of certain property insurance policies from 30 days to 60 days;

• Senate Bill 88, which would increase the number of superior court judges in the Douglas Judicial Circuit from three to four. The fourth judge would be appointed for a term beginning January 1, 2026, continuing through December 31, 2028. Their successor would be elected at the nonpartisan judicial election in 2028;

• Senate Bill 96, which would make modifications with respect to particular boards, advisory councils, commissions and other similar bodies. Certain bodies would be abolished, with liabilities and obligations of those bodies assumed by the state. The composition, appointment procedures, member terms and requirements of particular bodies would be revised;

• Senate Bill 98, which would change various references in state law to reflect “county conservators” rather than “county guardians” and add references to “county conservators” to other sections of state law. After July 1, 2025, when an individual designated as a county guardian is serving as a county conservator, that individual would be titled ‘county conservator;’

• Senate Bill 145, which would increase the number of superior court judges in the Augusta Judicial Circuit from five to six. The sixth judge would be appointed for a term beginning January 1, 2026, continuing through December 31, 2028. Their successor would be elected at the nonpartisan judicial election in 2028;

• Senate Bill 153, which is the annual Code revision bill that would revise, modernize and correct errors or omissions to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. The bill reflects the work of the Code Revision Commission that would repeal portions of the Code that are obsolete, declared unconstitutional or preempted or superseded by subsequent laws. Lastly, the bill would provide for other matters relating to revision, reenactment and publication of the Code;

• Senate Bill 154, which would amend state law by adding the words “or its successor” across Georgia Code after references to the U.S. Department of Education. The bill would update dated language by replacing a reference to student aid reports with Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in state law;

• Senate Bill 252, which would allow municipalities with a population 300,000 or higher to lease out, grant easements over or convey property to an independent school system within its boundaries. Property conveyed would be replaced with other property(s) that the governing authority deems to be of equivalent or greater value;

• Senate Bill 276, which would introduce new obligations for third-party health insurance payers regarding medical assistance claims. The bill would prohibit third-party payers from withholding payment for healthcare services that have already been rendered, preventing them from denying payment solely due to a lack of prior authorization. The bill would also require insurers to respond to inquiries from the state regarding the status of claims within 60 days;

My House colleagues and I will return to the State Capitol on Tuesday, March 25^th for the 11^th week of the 2025 legislative session. We are in the final stages of advancing legislation that could soon become law. I encourage you to stay engaged and keep track of the legislation that affects our community and your family. You can access committee schedules, livestreams and the status of bills on the Georgia General Assembly’s website at www.house.ga.gov . You can reach my Capitol office at 404-656-7850 and via email at eddie.lumsden@house.ga.gov.

As always, thank you for allowing me to serve as your representative.

Eddie Lumsden