With a new Governor and Lt. Governor, along with increased numbers of Democrats, Georgia’s 2019 Legislative Session began on a ominous note when the Republican majority introduced new Senate Rules changes that would have curtailed reporting of sexual harassment complaints against sitting senators and senate candidates, along with harsh suppression of free speech.
Equity
The swift and furious protest of the Democrats led to a promise from the Lt.… Read more
Early in the 2018 session, all eyes were on a bill to update the adoption code in Georgia. After failing to pass in 2017, when last minute discriminatory language was added, the adoption bill became a priority legislative issue for Democrats and Republicans alike going into 2018. Ultimately, a clean version of the adoption bill (HB 159) was passed and signed by Gov.… Read more
The Georgia General Assembly adjourned its 2017 session on March 30. There were 296 Senate bills introduced this year and 640 introduced in the House. Forty-seven percent of bills introduced were passed.
Going into the 2017 legislative session, which began January 9, legislation that would have made casino gambling legal in Georgia dominated the news. However, casino legislation fizzled early on.
The Georgia General Assembly adjourned its 2015-2016 session on March 24, 2016. Legislation passed will have an effect, both for the good and for the bad, on all of Georgia’s families, schools, and businesses.
“Religious Freedom”
This year’s session was largely dominated by the debate over numerous pieces of legislation advertised as protecting religious liberty. These proposals included the innocuous Pastor Protection Act, which mostly sought to codify rights already protected by the First Amendment.… Read more
