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HR 712

House Study Committee on Protecting Working Families; create

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Park Cannon and 5 co-sponsors

Establishes a temporary Georgia House committee to study federal Medicaid/SNAP cuts and propose state protections and funding options to shield families, small businesses, and prov

House Second Readers
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Bill Summary · HR 712

Summary — H.R. 712 (House Resolution 712): House Study Committee on Protecting Working Families

Status: House Second Readers (introduced 2025-01-23). Classification: Resolution.
Introduced: January 23, 2025. Sponsors/primaries: Sam Park, Park Cannon, Carolyn Hugley, Tanya Miller, Al Williams, Spencer Frye, Jefferson Van Drew (primary) and cosponsors including Chris Pappas, Mike Thompson, Josh Harder, Suzan DelBene, Julia Brownley, Debbie Dingell.

Purpose and intent

H.R. 712 establishes a temporary House Study Committee on Protecting Working Families to examine the potential consequences of federal budget cuts—particularly reductions to Medicaid and SNAP (food assistance)—and to evaluate state-level protections and policy responses that could mitigate harm to working families, vulnerable populations, small businesses, rural communities, veterans, and first responders in Georgia.

The resolution cites state data and concerns: Georgia receives roughly $19 billion in federal funds; about 2.5 million Georgians rely on Medicaid; over 1.4 million rely on SNAP; reported food insecurity is ~13.1% overall and ~18.4% for children; Georgia’s uninsured rate ~13.4%; significant maternal mortality and “maternity care deserts” (150,000+ affected women).

Key provisions

  • Creates the House Study Committee on Protecting Working Families composed of 11 members of the Georgia House, appointed by the Speaker. The Speaker will designate the chair.
  • Charge: study the conditions, needs, and problems related to potential federal Medicaid and SNAP funding reductions and recommend actions or legislation the committee deems appropriate.
  • Committee operations: chair calls meetings; meetings may be held as needed at times/places the committee decides.
  • Allowances/funding: legislative members receive allowances per O.C.G.A. §28-1-8 (with a 5-day limit unless additional days are authorized). Committee expenses come from funds appropriated to the House.
  • Reporting: if the committee adopts findings or recommendations (including proposed legislation), the chair must file a report before the committee’s abolishment date (reporting provisions specified in the resolution; full text truncated in available version).

Specific state protections the study will evaluate

The resolution lists (for study and potential recommendation) several state options, including:
1. State emergency Medicaid fund to cover those who lose federal Medicaid.
2. State food security fund to replace lost SNAP benefits for eligible people (e.g., first responders, veterans).
3. Small business tax credits for employers making healthcare contributions to respond to Medicaid cuts.
4. An affordable, subsidized insurance pool for small businesses/employees.
5. State-funded food purchases (local produce, dairy, meat) for food banks, schools, senior meals, and families with incarcerated or recently released parents.
6. State-sponsored Medicaid buy-in program at subsidized rates.
7. State-funded maternity care grants/direct assistance to pregnant low-income women affected by Medicaid/CHIP loss or abortion access restrictions.
8. Dollar-for-dollar matching grants to church-run and nonprofit food assistance organizations.

Who would be affected

  • Working families, children, seniors, people with disabilities, uninsured Georgians
  • Rural hospitals and healthcare providers (potentially increased uncompensated care)
  • Small businesses and their employees
  • Veterans, first responders
  • Food assistance organizations, schools, senior meal programs, families with incarcerated parents

Legislative timeline / actions (selected)

  • 2025-01-23: Introduced; referred to House Committee on Education and Workforce.
  • 2025-03-27–03-28: House First/Second Readers.
  • 2025-04-01 to 04-17: Placed on calendars, laid before House, adopted (record vote), reported enrolled (per legislative actions log).

Potential impact

If federal Medicaid or SNAP funding is reduced, the committee’s work could form the basis for state programs to preserve healthcare and nutrition access, lessen economic fallout (reduced consumer spending, strain on small businesses), and reduce pressures on rural hospitals. The committee’s recommendations could lead to budgetary commitments (new state funds, tax credits, subsidy programs) and legislative proposals to create or expand safety-net programs.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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