Legislature adjourns Sine Die
The Georgia General Assembly adjourned sine die just before midnight on Tuesday, April 2 after a session that saw many twists and turns on key legislation. In these 40 days, lawmakers approved budgets for the remainder of FY 2019 and FY 2020, as well as legislation that addressed abortion, elections, broadband expansion, health care, public safety and education, among other issues.
Governor Kemp now has 40 days to sign or veto legislation or to allow such measures to become law without his signature. Any legislation that did not pass this session will still be alive for consideration next session.
Dual Enrollment Stalls in the Senate
HB 444, would have renamed the “Move on When Ready Act” the “Dual Enrollment Act.” and permitted an eligible high school student in 11th or 12th grade the ability to take a maximum of 32 hours of covered dual credit courses (delivered on-site) and 9th through 12th grade (on-line) at a University System of Georgia Institution. Lottery funds will no longer be available for use after the 32 hours. The bill will be available to re-visit next session.
HOPE Scholarship
SB 161, would allow for weighted scores for AP, Dual Enrollment, and International Baccalaureate courses adjusting the GPA for HOPE Scholarship and Zell Miller Scholarship eligibility. The bill was never called for a vote by the House. It will be available to re-visit next session.
Military Affairs & Veterans Legislation
HB 59, would allow children of active duty military personnel to register in a local school district based on the parent’s official military orders rather than requiring the family to establish residency. The House has agreed with the Senate changes and is now headed to Governor Brian Kemp for his consideration.
HB 25, would provide military service members civil relief concerning certain contractual obligations due to circumstances of active duty. The House has agreed with the Senate changes and is now headed to Governor Brian Kemp for his consideration.
SB 103, provides that airports owned, controlled, or operated by a county, municipality, or other political subdivision of this state may designate and provide priority parking spaces for veterans.
Georgia Major Airport Authority Act
SB 131, passed by the Senate would create the Georgia Major Airport Authority Act intended to control the operations of the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. The House amended the legislation to create an airport oversight committee as an alternative to a proposed state takeover. The House version also includes a tax break on jet fuel for air carriers. The House and Senate failed to reach a compromise on the legislation. It will be available to re-visit next session.
Georgia’s Hope Act
HB 324, would create the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission to oversee the sale of low-THC cannabis oil to Georgians who are registered patients suffering from specific diagnoses. The University System of Georgia would get the right of first refusal on a cannabis cultivation, manufacturing and distribution license. Two universities, the University of Georgia and Fort Valley State University, could cultivate cannabis, and use it to make this liquid and to do medical research. The conference committee report was adopted by both the House and Senate and is now headed to Governor Brian Kemp for his consideration.
K-12, School Safety & Security Legislation
SB 15, the “Keeping Georgia’s Schools Safe Act” would address offenses for minors in possession of a firearm, as well as school safety plans including performing threat assessments, drills and coaching on prevention, reporting and appropriate action to take when a threat or suspicious behavior arise. The bill passed the House by a vote of 110-56. The Senate agreed with the House changes and is now headed to Governor Brian Kemp for his consideration.
SB 83, expands curriculum provisions to allow high schools to provide elective courses on the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. The Senate has agreed with the House changes and is now headed to Governor Brian Kemp for his consideration.
Broadband Expansion
SB 17, would authorize rural telephone cooperatives to furnish broadband services either directly or indirectly through an agreement or through a broadband affiliate. The Senate has agreed with the House changes and is now headed to Governor Brian Kemp for his consideration.
SB 2, would permit electric membership corporations (EMCs) and their affiliates to deliver broadband services throughout Georgia. The Senate has agreed with the House changes and is now headed to Governor Brian Kemp for his consideration.
Physical Therapy Licensure Compact Act
HB 39, the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact Act. This will allow eligible physical therapists to practice across state lines. The House has agreed with the Senate changes and is now headed to Governor Brian Kemp for his consideration.
Study Committees Adopted
SR 464, Senate Higher Education Outcomes Study Committee.
SR 479, Senate Evaluating E-Scooters and Other Innovative Mobility Options for Georgians Study Committee.
SR 367, Senate Gaming and Pari-mutuel Wagering on Horse Racing and Growing Georgia’s Equine Industry Study Committee.
SR 304, Senate Athletic Association Study Committee.
HR 585, House Study Committee on Gang and Youth Violence Prevention.
HR 590, House Study Committee on Georgia’s Barriers to Access to Adequate Health Care.
HR 591, House Study Committee on Workforce Housing.
Georgia Legislative Intern Program
Come join us at the Capitol for the 2020 Georgia Legislative session! The Georgia Legislative Internship Program is open to currently enrolled juniors and seniors at any Georgia college or university. GLIP interns work full-time at the Georgia General Assembly for the entire session and receive both course credit and a weekly stipend.
We will be hosting an information session at the Capitol in mid-August; more details will be forthcoming in the coming months.
Questions and requests for information can be sent to Dr. Amy Steigerwalt at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) . Information is also available at http://www.legis.ga.gov/intern/en-US/default.aspx
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Helpful Links
Information on legislative activities including bills and resolutions as well as a webcast of daily sessions in both Chambers and committee meetings are available via the General Assembly website at ** www.legis.ga.gov (http://www.legis.ga.gov)
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS TEAM
Tom Lewis, Senior Advisor to the President
Julie Kerlin, Senior Director of Government & Community Affairs
Michael Parkerson, Director of Government & Community Affairs
Jason Thomas, Assistant Director for State Relations
Clelia Keen, Assistant Director for Community Affairs
Debbie Jones, Associate to the Director
Georgia State University
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Atlanta, Georgia 30302
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Visit Georgia State University’s Office of Government and Community Affairs:
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