LEGISLATIVE REPORT
March 29, 2024
In Today’s Edition:
- Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
- FY 2025 Budget Receives Final Passage
- Georgia State University Recognized
- Legislation Tracker
- GSU Intern Secures Full-Time Position
- Intern Spotlight: Q&A with Ann Philip
- Alumni Spotlight: Q&A with Christy Tarallo
Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Georgia General Assembly adjourned sine die shortly after midnight on Friday, March 29, after a session that saw many twists and turns on key legislation. In these 40 legislative days, lawmakers approved budgets for the remainder of FY 2024 and FY 2025, as well as legislation that addressed education, tax relief, healthcare and human trafficking 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.
FY 2025 Budget Receives Final Passage
On Thursday, the House and Senate adopted the Conference Committee Report for the FY 2025 budget (HB 916). The state’s operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year is almost $36 billion and begins July 1, 2024. Some items of interest to Georgia State University and the University System of Georgia (USG) include $66 million in the USG Teaching program to restore original FY 2024 formula funds, a 4% cost of living adjustment for eligible state employees (not to exceed $3,000), and additional funds to support the Dual Enrollment program. After receiving final passage by the General Assembly, the budget then heads to the Governor for review and signature. In Georgia’s constitution, the executive branch has the right to strike out portions of the bill with a line-item veto. We will continue to monitor the budget (and all other passed legislation) during the executive bill review process.
Georgia State University Recognized
Senator Billy Hickman (R-Statesboro) who serves as Chairman of the Senate Higher Education Committee introduced SR 780, which recognizes the achievements of Georgia State University. Other cosponsors of the resolution include: Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega), President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy (R – Macon), Senator Jason Anavitarte (R-Dallas), and Senator Mike Hodges (R-Brunswick).
The resolution celebrates Georgia State University’s prominence as the largest public research university in the state and the $2.9 billion economic impact GSU has on metro Atlanta. SR 780 also highlights Georgia State’s work to promote student success and address critical quality of life issues by investing more than $1.2 billion in research expenditures over the past six years. Go Panthers!
Legislation Tracker
College Completion Grant
SB 237, sponsored by Sen. Bo Hatchett
(R-Clarksville), provides College Completion Grant eligibility to students who have completed seventy percent of a four-year program or 45 percent of a two-year program. The bill passed the House by a vote of 169-1, but failed to get an agreement in the Senate.
Transferable Course Credits
SB 399, sponsored by Sen. Shelly Echols
(R-Gainesville), would encourage and state expectations for the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia to enter into and amend existing agreements with the Technical College System of Georgia for awarding postsecondary course credits that are transferrable between the university system and the technical college system. The Senate agreed with the changes of the House and the bill now goes to Governor Brian Kemp for his signature and final approval.
Research and Economic Development Act
HB 1026, sponsored by Rep. Leesa Hagan (R-Lyons), would enact the “Richard H. Smith Georgia CHIPS Advancement in Research and Economic Development Act”; to provide for grant and loan programs to incentivize and attract semiconductor companies to locate or relocate to Georgia and for research and development and advanced packaging incentives to support these relocations. The House agreed with the changes of the Senate and the bill now goes to Governor Brian Kemp for his signature and final approval.
Georgia Higher Education Savings Plan
SB 469, sponsored by Sen. Jason Esteves
(D-Atlanta), the “College Success 529 Expansion Act” would increase the maximum amount of contributions allowed per beneficiary of savings trust accounts for higher education expenses. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 50-1, but the House disagreed with the changes made by the Senate .
Tuition Grants
HB 56, sponsored by Rep. Jesse Petrea
(R-Savannah), would provide for undergraduate full tuition grants to children and spouses of law enforcement officers, firefighters, and prison guards who were killed in the line of duty who attend institutions of the University System of Georgia and who meet certain eligibility requirements. The bill failed to be brought up for a vote by the Senate.
Workforce EXCELeration Act
SB 112, sponsored by Sen. Jason Anavitarte (R-Dallas), would create a private-public partnership to develop a pilot program to allow students 21 years of age or older who have aged out of public high schools to attain a high school diploma instead of a GED. The program would be administered in partnership with the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). The Senate agreed with the changes of the House and the bill now goes to Governor Brian Kemp for his signature and final approval.
High-Demand Apprenticeship Program
SB 497, sponsored by Sen. Billy Hickman
(R-Statesboro), would redesignate the High-demand Career Initiatives Program as the High-Demand Apprenticeship Program. The House agreed with the changes of the Senate and the bill now goes to Governor Brian Kemp for his signature and final approval.
Accelerated Career Diploma Program
SB 440, sponsored by Sen. Matt Brass
(R-Newnan), would provide for the Accelerated Career Diploma Program and establish and provide for the ACE Grants pilot program. The Senate agreed with the changes of the House and the bill now goes to Governor Brian Kemp for his signature and final approval.
Combating Threats from China Act
HB 185, sponsored by Rep. Houston Gaines (R-Athens), would require the university system to report certain funding received from a foreign adversary, a foreign entity of concern, or a foreign individual of concern. The bill passed the Senate by 50-0, but failed to get an agreement in the House.
HBCU Planning Districts
SB 235, sponsored by Sen. Sonya Halpern
(D-Atlanta), would create the HBCU Innovation and Economic Prosperity Planning Districts Commission and provide for advisory committees for specified planning districts. The bill was tabled by the House Higher Education Committee.
Assessing Semester and Quarter System
HR 1384, sponsored by Rep. Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire), a resolution
creating the House Study Committee on Assessing the Semester and Quarter Systems at USG and TCSG Institutions. The resolution passed the House by a vote of 171-0 and has been adopted.
Higher Education In Prison
SR 770, sponsored by Sally Harrell
(D-Atlanta), a resolution creating the Senate Higher Education in Prison Study Committee. The bill failed to be brought up for a vote by the Senate.
Career Readiness Education
HB 282, sponsored by Rep. Mesha Mainor
(R-Atlanta), would provide for a minimum course of study in career readiness education for students in grades six through twelve to include instruction and training experiences focused on employability and career readiness skills. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 33-22, but failed to get an agreement in the House.
Increase School Safety
SB 32, sponsored by Sen. Jason Anavitarte
(R-Dallas), would require local education agencies 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 emergency. The bill failed to make it to the House floor for a vote.
Student Technology Protection Act
HB 338, sponsored by Rep. Chris Erwin
(R-Homer), would require the State Board of Education’s comprehensive character education program address methods of promoting safe and appropriate use of technology and digital citizenship. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 50-1, but failed to get an agreement in the House.
Student Athlete Mental Health Risk
HB 1104, sponsored by Rep. Omari Crawford (D-Decatur), would address mental health risks for student athletes, notify parents when their child obtained school library materials, and authorize state charter schools to hire employees for education service providers. Further, it would prohibit a person whose sex is male, but whose gender is female, from participating in athletics designated for females. It also requires revocable written consent from parents or guardians of students before any sex education is provided and prohibits sex education for public school students in Georgia before sixth grade. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 33-21, but failed to get an agreement in the House.
Tax Relief
HB 1019, sponsored by Rep. Matt Reeves (R-Duluth), would double the homestead exemption from $2,000 to $4,000. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 54-0 and now goes to Governor Brian Kemp for his signature and final approval.
HB 1021, sponsored by Rep. Lauren Daniel (R-Locust Grove), would increase the child tax deduction from $3,000 to $4,000. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 50-0 and now goes to Governor Brian Kemp for his signature and final approval.
Sports Betting
SR 579, sponsored by Sen. Bill Cowsert
(R-Athens) proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Georgia so as to authorize and require that the Georgia General Assembly provide by law for sports betting in this state. The resolution failed to make it to the House floor for a vote.
SB 386, sponsored by Sen. Clint Dixon
(R-Buford), would authorize and provide for the regulation and taxation of sports betting to be regulated by the Georgia Lottery Corporation. The bill failed to make it to the House floor for a vote.
Protecting Children on Social Media Act
SB 351, sponsored by Sen. Jason Anavitarte (R-Dallas), would require local boards of education to adopt, implement, and enforce social media policies. The Senate agreed with the changes of the House and the bill now goes to Governor Brian Kemp for his signature and final approval.
Paid Parental Leave
HB 1010, sponsored by Speaker Pro Team Jan Jones (R-Milton), would increase the number of hours permitted for paid parental leave. The Senate agreed with the changes of the House and the bill now goes to Governor Brian Kemp for his signature and final approval.
Film Tax Credit
HB 1180, sponsored by Rep. Kasey Carpenter (R-Dalton), amends the film tax credit by limiting transferable credits and increasing criteria required to receive an additional 10% credit. The bill failed to be brought up for a vote by the Senate.
American Library Association
SB 390, sponsored by Sen. Larry Walker III (R-Perry), would prohibit the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, and city, county, and regional public library trustees from using any public or privately donated funds on any materials, services, or operations offered by the American Library Association or any of its affiliates. The bill failed to receive a vote in the House Higher Education Committee.
Occupational Therapist
HB 809, sponsored by Rep. Alan Powell
(R-Hartwell), would authorize occupational therapists to perform dry needling as a physical agent modality if certain training and education requirements are met. The bill failed to be brought up for a vote by the Senate.
Impaired Healthcare Professionals
HB 1264, sponsored by Rep. Ron Stephens
(R-Savannah), would authorize the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists, as well as the Georgia Board of Nursing, to establish professional health programs. These programs would be responsible for monitoring and rehabilitating impaired healthcare professionals, ensuring their fitness to continue practicing while maintaining public safety. The bill failed to be brought up for a vote by the Senate.
Marriage and Family Therapist
SB 373, sponsored by Sen. Larry Walker III (R-Perry), would streamline the licensure process for marriage and family therapists by introducing an expedited license by endorsement for qualified individuals from other states who are in good standing and do not have a disqualifying criminal record. The Senate agreed with the changes of the House and the bill now goes to Governor Brian Kemp for his signature and final approval.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
HB 1046, sponsored by Rep. David Clark (R-Buford), would authorize advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants to order home healthcare services. The bill also specifies limits on the number of APRNs or PAs a delegating physician can authorize or supervise at any given time, with certain exceptions for specific healthcare settings such as hospitals, educational institutions, public health departments, community health clinics, and emergency medical services systems. The limit is raised from 4 to a maximum of eight combined physician assistants or advanced practice registered nurses at a time. The House agreed with the changes of the Senate and the bill now goes to Governor Brian Kemp for his signature and final approval.
Georgia Defense Commission
SB 398, sponsored by Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick
(R-Marietta), would move the Georgia Defense Commission under the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Includes the Chancellor of the University System of Georgia or his or her designee. The Senate agreed with the changes of the House and the bill now goes to Governor Brian Kemp for his signature and final approval.
Veterans
SB 449, sponsored by Sen. Larry Walker III
(R-Perry), would streamline the certification and licensing process for military medical personnel transitioning into civilian roles within the healthcare sector in Georgia. Military medical personnel who have served as medics, medical technicians, or corpsmen within 24 months of seeking certification may be exempt from certain examination requirements to become certified nursing aides. The Senate agreed with the changes of the House and the bill now goes to Governor Brian Kemp for his signature and final approval.
Nicotine Vapor Products
HB 1260, sponsored by Rep. Houston Gaines (R-Athens), would require the Commissioner of Agriculture to establish and maintain a directory of nicotine vapor products authorized for sale in this state. The bill failed to make it to the Senate floor for a vote.
Artificial Intelligence
HB 988, sponsored by Rep. Brad Thomas (R-Holly Springs), would provide for an annual inventory of artificial intelligence usage by state agencies. The bill failed to be brought up for a vote by the Senate.
SR 476, sponsored by Sen. John Albers
(R-Roswell), would create the Senate Study Committee on Artificial Intelligence. The resolution passed the Senate by a vote of 52-1 and is adopted.
Trust Fund for Homeless Act
HB 1410, sponsored by Rep. Chuck Efstration (R-Dacula), known as the State Housing Trust Fund for the Homeless Act would establish a stable housing accountability program. The House agreed with the changes of the Senate and the bill now goes to Governor Brian Kemp for his signature and final approval.
GSU Intern Secures Full-Time Position
Congratulations to GSU student Blanca Flor Gomez, who was recently offered a permanent position with the Georgia General Assembly! Blanca has been participating in the Georgia Legislative Internship Program (GLIP) and was assigned to the House Media Services Office. She credits her internship experience with giving her valuable insight into the collaborative efforts of the legislative process and igniting her passion to pursue law school. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Blanca and wish her all the success in her new role.
Intern Spotlight: Q&A with Ann Philip
Q: Where is your hometown?
A: I grew up in Suwanee, Georgia, and have ties to both Gwinnett and Fulton County.
Q: What is your major?
A: I will be graduating from the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies in May with my BS in Public Policy and a concentration in Public Management and Governance.
Q: Which office/committee were you assigned to?
A: In January 2024, I started an internship in U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock’s Washington, D.C. office.
Q: What are some of your duties as a Congressional legislative intern?
A: As a spring 2024 congressional intern, my day-to-day encompasses several responsibilities. Each day, I manage a wide variety of constituent correspondence via phone, email, and letter. I also provide tours of the United States Capitol and facilitate arrivals of constituent groups between the House and the Senate buildings. As interns, we also have the privilege of assisting with legislative work. The issue areas that I have been assigned to include education, immigration, transportation, infrastructure, and banking. I assist our policy staffers with conducting grant research, attending committee hearings, and drafting legislative memos.
Q: What do you hope to learn or come away with from this experience?
A: Prior to my internship in D.C., I received various forms of exposure to municipal, county, and state government offices. I also had the opportunity to advocate for Georgia State students and faculty at every level through my role as the 2023 legislative assistant. Working on Capitol Hill has equipped me with the chance to explore the federal network. Throughout my time in D.C., I have learned what it takes to craft versatile and substantive policy for Georgians.
Q: How will this experience help you in your future career plans?
A: My Washington, D.C. internship has allowed me to connect with a number of mentors who have helped guide my post-graduate career. I hope to complete a master’s program in D.C. and become a well-versed policy staffer. In years to come, I hope to return to Georgia with skills to cultivate bipartisan policies for all constituents and serve the state’s most disadvantaged communities.
Alumni Spotlight: Q&A with Christy Tarallo
Q: What was your graduation year and degree?
A: I graduated in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a double minor in History & Public Policy.
Q: What has your career path looked like since you graduated from Georgia State University?
A: I got an internship with a contract lobbying firm during the 2017 legislative session right after graduating. I planned on getting my master’s degree abroad but I also wanted to expand my work experience through another internship during the interim; given that I’d have a full semester and a summer before I planned to begin pursuing a master’s. Julie Kerlin with GSU introduced me to the firm, formerly known as Massey, Watson, & Hembree, who was looking for an intern for the 2017 session—and I have her to thank for getting me into my current career. During the 2017 legislative session, the firm asked if I’d like to stay on board after session, which I enthusiastically said yes to and tore up my grad school applications. I stayed with them for four years and through a merger where they became Impact Public Affairs. After my tenure with Impact, I worked at a cannabis company where I engaged in multi-state lobbying for a year before joining my current organization, ACEC Georgia, as the Director of Government Affairs. This session is my third with ACEC Georgia and my eighth total.
Q: What advice do you have for current or prospective Georgia State students?
A: Do the internship(s)! I completed five internships throughout my time at GSU to help me determine what I might be interested in pursing as a career and expanded my network exponentially doing so. There’s nothing too small and you’ll be surprised where a little work ethic and passion might take you!
