Jaha Howard, a Democrat, was elected to the Georgia Senate in December 2025 and represents District 35, which includes parts of Cobb and Fulton counties.[1][2]
Howard is a board-certified pediatric dentist who owns A+ Pediatric Dentistry of Atlanta, and served four years on the Cobb County Board of Education.[1]Howard earned a B.S. in Chemistry and a Doctor of Dental Surgery from Howard University and a master's in oral sciences from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2009, and lives in Smyrna.[1]
Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Democrats voted. How topics are assigned
›Jobs & cost of living100 with · 6 against106 votes
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 13 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to excise tax on rooms, lodgings, and accommodations, so as to provide that certain military museums qualify as destination marketing organizations and private sector nonprofit organizations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 48-5-7.4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to preferential assessment for bona fide conservation use property and bona fide residential transitional property, so as to require notices of impending expiration to be sent via certified mail; to provide for the reinstatement of certain covenants and preferential assessments in certain limited circumstances; to provide for appeals and refunds; to prohibit additional fees or interest; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to imposition, rate, computation, exemptions, and credits relative to income taxes, so as to disqualify business enterprises that hire illegal aliens for large-scale projects from claiming certain tax credits associated with such projects; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to justification and excuse in defenses to criminal prosecutions, so as to provide for an additional justification for use of force in defense of self or others; to amend Code Section 51-11-9 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to no duty to retreat and immunity in certain instances of threat or use of force, so as to extend immunity from civil liability in justified use of force cases to legal representatives and heirs of the person against whom force…
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to property, so as to prohibit the placement of wheel restraints on trespassing motor vehicles; to provide for conforming changes; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the O.C.G.A., relating to elections and primaries generally, so as to require that the list of eligible voters is posted and made public prior to each primary or election; to provide for civil fines in the event that registrars fail to remove a person from the list of registered voters following a successful challenge; to provide conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 20-2-157 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to uniform reporting system for certain purposes, dual credit courses, and academic eligibility requirements to receive HOPE scholarship, so as to provide for the inclusion of advanced placement and international baccalaureate fine arts courses in the calculation of grade point averages for determining student eligibility for the HOPE scholarships and other scholarships; to provide for applicability; to provide for a definition; to provide for related matters; to provide an…
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 31B of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the O.C.G.A., relating to charter school capital finance, so as to establish the Georgia Charter School Facilities Authority for the purpose of enabling charter schools to obtain revolving loan funds and other public financing assistance for purposes of constructing, renovating, and rehabilitating educational facilities for such schools;to amend Article 2 of Chapter 17 of Title 50 of the O.C.G.A., the "Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission Act," so as to provide for the issuance of general obligation…
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, so as to authorize public schools and postsecondary educational institutions to consider antisemitism in the same manner as discrimination based on religion; to require the Department of Education to establish a state-wide K-12 Title VI Coordinator; to authorize withholding of funds for noncompliance; to provide for notice and appeal procedures; to provide for definitions; to provide for an effective date; to provide for annual reporting; to provide for related matters; to repeal…
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 4 of Title 26 of the O.C.G.A., relating to practice of pharmacy, so as to authorize pharmacists in certain circumstances to dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives or administer injectable hormonal contraceptives; to amend Article 1 of Chapter 24 of Title 33 of the O.C.G.A., relating to general provisions regarding insurance generally, so as to provide minimum amounts of certain contraceptives that shall be provided by insurers; to amend Article 1 of Chapter 34 of Title 43 of the O.C.G.A., relating to the Georgia Composite…
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 23 of Title 2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the "Georgia Hemp Farming Act," so as to provide limits on the total THC concentration of consumable hemp products; to revise provisions concerning the certificate of analysis applicable to consumable hemp products; to revise and provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Titles 16, 19, 31, 48, and 49 of the O.C.G.A., relating to crimes and offenses, domestic relations, health, revenue and taxation, and social services, respectively, so as to modernize and update provisions relative to duties or functions of the Department of Public Health; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to property, so as to prohibit the placement of wheel restraints on trespassing motor vehicles; to provide for conforming changes; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 8 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to equipment of motor vehicles, so as to provide for vehicle equipment standards for motor vehicles used for the sale of food or beverages that primarily conduct such sales upon roadways; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 40-1-1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to definitions relative to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to revise the definition of "multipurpose off-highway vehicle"; to amend Article 10 of Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to ad valorem taxation of motor vehicles and motor homes, so as to define "multipurpose off-highway vehicle" and subclassify such vehicles for ad valorem taxation purposes; to provide that such vehicles shall not be returned or taxed for ad valorem taxation purposes;…
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to ad valorem taxation of property, so as to make the state-wide base year homestead exemption mandatory for all political subdivisions; to repeal a related tax bill requirement; to make conforming changes; to amend Article 2B of Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to special district option sales and use tax, so as to remove a condition precedent to the call for a referendum for such tax; to provide for effective dates and applicability; to…
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 3 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to condominiums, so as to remove the limitation on the maximum amount of insurance deductibles payable by unit owners; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 60 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions applicable to counties and municipal corporations, so as to provide procedures for real property owners to make claims for compensation from local governments for loss of property value or expenses incurred due to the local government's failure to comply with or nonenforcement of certain laws, ordinances, and resolutions or due to the local government maintaining a public nuisance; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 48-5-7.4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to preferential assessment for bona fide conservation use property and bona fide residential transitional property, so as to require notices of impending expiration to be sent via certified mail; to provide for the reinstatement of certain covenants and preferential assessments in certain limited circumstances; to provide for appeals and refunds; to prohibit additional fees or interest; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 1 of Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to tax exemptions, so as to provide for level 1 freeport exemptions for certain goods in inventory for electric utilities; to provide for application for such exemptions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to income taxes, so as to provide for a tax credit for certain expenses incurred by taxpayers for certain geothermal machinery installations at residential dwellings; to provide for definitions; to provide for terms and conditions; to provide for a sunset date; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to state sales and use taxes, so as to repeal the data center equipment sales and use tax exemption; to allow for the continued use of certificates of exemption issued prior to the date of repeal; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 4 of Chapter 5 of Title 46 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to telecommunications and competition development, so as to authorize certain Tier 2 local exchange companies to elect to become subject to rate of return regulation; to repeal a limitation on the period of time certain distributions can be made from the Universal Access Fund; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 11 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 and Article 10 of Chapter 3 of Title 38 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to public school property and facilities and state-wide first responder building mapping information system, respectively, so as to enact "Ricky and Alyssa's Law"; to require local school systems to implement a mobile panic alert system capable of connecting disparate emergency services technologies to ensure real-time coordination between multiple state and local first responder agencies in the event of a school security; to…
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, so as to require semiannual reports from institutions of the University System of Georgia, units of the Technical College System of Georgia, and local school systems and other public schools regarding funding received from foreign sources; to provide requirements for such reports; to provide for such reports to be made publicly available; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to provide for effective dates; to repeal conflicting…
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 48-5-48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to homestead exemption by qualified disabled veteran, filing requirements, periodic substantiation of eligibility, persons eligible without application, and retroactive award, so as to extend a homestead exemption for unremarried surviving spouses or minor children of a disabled veteran to include any future homestead; to clarify language; to provide for related matters; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements; to provide for a referendum, effective dates, and…
Voted against most of their party on 5 of 154 party-divided votes on file.
Most often on: Transportation (3), Jobs & cost of living (2), Rights & public safety (2)
Ad valorem tax; define multipurpose off-highway vehicle; provisions
A yes vote agreed to the House amendment adding a MARTA sales tax extension through June 30, 2067 to the Senate substitute for HB 297, which also abolishes the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority. (AI-written)
What it does: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 40-1-1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to definitions relative to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to revise the definition of "multipurpose off-…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 8–13, Republicans 30–1
Motor vehicles; issuance of separate license plates for hearses and ambulances; provide
What it does: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 40-2-151 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to annual license fees for operation of vehicles, fee for permanent licensing of certain trailers, and fe…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 5–16, Republicans 27–2
Drivers' Licenses; revocation and expiration of commercial drivers' licenses for noncitizens; provide
What it does: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to drivers' licenses, so as to provide for revocation and expiration of commercial drivers' licenses for…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 9–14, Republicans 32–0
Offenses Against Public Order; the disruption of a religious service; prohibit
What it does: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to offenses against public order, so as to prohibit the disruption of a religious service;…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 9–13, Republicans 30–0
Ad Valorem Taxation; make the state-wide base year homestead exemption mandatory for all political subdivisions
What it does: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to ad valorem taxation of property, so as to make the state-wide base year homestead exemption mandatory…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 1–19, Republicans 30–0
Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.
HB 1161 · GA SENATE
Motor vehicles; proper operation upon approach by an authorized emergency vehicle or by a law enforcement vehicle for purposes of a traffic stop; provide
NoVOTED
Motion: AGREE TO HOUSE AMENDMENT TO SENATE SUBSTITUTE
A yes vote agreed to the House amendment to the Senate substitute for HB 1161, which ties fleeing-from-police sentences to distance traveled, changes the window-tint limit from 32% to 28% light transmission, and revises automated traffic device rules. (AI-written)
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to provide for proper operation of a motor vehicle upon approach by an authorized emergency vehicle or by a law enforcement vehicle for purposes of a traffic stop; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Motion: AGREE TO HOUSE AMENDMENT TO SENATE SUBSTITUTE
A yes vote agreed to the House amendment to the Senate substitute for HB 1247, which adds a provision making portions of certain General Assembly records subject to public disclosure, with court enforcement and attorney's fees. (AI-written)
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions, so as to prohibit courts and administrative officers from deferring to agency interpretations of laws and regulations; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Ad valorem tax; define multipurpose off-highway vehicle; provisions
YesVOTED
Motion: MOTION TO PRINT
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 40-1-1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to definitions relative to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to revise the definition of "multipurpose off-highway vehicle"; to amend Article 10 of Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to ad valorem taxation of motor vehicles and motor homes, so as to define "multipurpose off-highway vehicle" and subclassify such vehicles for ad valorem taxation purposes; to provide that such vehicles shall not be returned or taxed for ad valorem taxation purposes;…
Ad valorem tax; define multipurpose off-highway vehicle; provisions
YesVOTED
Motion: AGREE TO HOUSE AMENDMENT TO SENATE SUBSTITUTE
A yes vote agreed to the House amendment adding a MARTA sales tax extension through June 30, 2067 to the Senate substitute for HB 297, which also abolishes the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority. (AI-written)
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 40-1-1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to definitions relative to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to revise the definition of "multipurpose off-highway vehicle"; to amend Article 10 of Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to ad valorem taxation of motor vehicles and motor homes, so as to define "multipurpose off-highway vehicle" and subclassify such vehicles for ad valorem taxation purposes; to provide that such vehicles shall not be returned or taxed for ad valorem taxation purposes;…
Local government; procedures for real property owners to make claims for compensation for loss of property value or expenses incurred; provisions
NoVOTED
Motion: AGREE TO HOUSE AMENDMENT TO SENATE AMENDMENT
A yes vote agreed to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to HB 295, which replaces the Senate's waiver of immunity with a right to petition superior court for mandamus relief over violations of sanctuary-policy and immigration-detainer rules. (AI-written)
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 60 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions applicable to counties and municipal corporations, so as to provide procedures for real property owners to make claims for compensation from local governments for loss of property value or expenses incurred due to the local government's failure to comply with or nonenforcement of certain laws, ordinances, and resolutions or due to the local government maintaining a public nuisance; and for other purposes.
Control of Soil Erosion and Sedimentation; denial or nonacceptance of permits; revise provisions
NoVOTED
Motion: AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE
A yes vote accepted the House substitute for SB 447, which requires local authorities to give rejected soil erosion permit applicants written reasons within set time frames and revises private professional inspection provisions. (AI-written)
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 7 of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to control of soil erosion and sedimentation, so as to revise provisions regarding denial or nonacceptance of permits; to amend Chapter 60 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to provisions applicable to counties and municipal corporations, so as to provide general provisions for counties and municipalities regarding the acceptance, denial, or nonacceptance of certain permits; to require local issuing authorities to provide rejected permit applicants with…
Henry County; Board of Commissioners; code of ethics; revise and restate provisions
YesVOTED
Motion: AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE
A yes vote accepted the House substitute for SB 359, which revises and restates the Henry County Board of Commissioners' code of ethics and provisions on the chairperson and county manager. (AI-written)
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act to provide for a new Board of Commissioners of Henry County, approved March 28, 1974 (Ga. L. 1974, p. 3680), as amended, so as to revise and restate provisions regarding the code of ethics; to revise provisions related to the chairperson of the board of commissioners and county manager; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Conservation and natural resources; increase project cost threshold for public roads or airports requiring environmental evaluations
YesVOTED
Motion: PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 16 of Title 12 and Title 32 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to environmental policy and highways, bridges, and ferries, respectively, so as to increase the project cost threshold for public roads or airports requiring environmental evaluations; to provide for conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Motion: ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT #1 BY THE SENATOR FROM THE 1ST
A yes vote adopted Amendment 1, which removed the corn masa folic acid requirements from the committee substitute, leaving the pharmacist contraceptive-dispensing and coverage provisions. (AI-written)
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 4 of Title 26 of the O.C.G.A., relating to practice of pharmacy, so as to authorize pharmacists in certain circumstances to dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives or administer injectable hormonal contraceptives; to amend Article 1 of Chapter 24 of Title 33 of the O.C.G.A., relating to general provisions regarding insurance generally, so as to provide minimum amounts of certain contraceptives that shall be provided by insurers; to amend Article 1 of Chapter 34 of Title 43 of the O.C.G.A., relating to the Georgia Composite…
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 4 of Title 26 of the O.C.G.A., relating to practice of pharmacy, so as to authorize pharmacists in certain circumstances to dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives or administer injectable hormonal contraceptives; to amend Article 1 of Chapter 24 of Title 33 of the O.C.G.A., relating to general provisions regarding insurance generally, so as to provide minimum amounts of certain contraceptives that shall be provided by insurers; to amend Article 1 of Chapter 34 of Title 43 of the O.C.G.A., relating to the Georgia Composite…