Here is your recap of the fifth week of the 2023 legislative session in Georgia.
– Lawmakers completed their 16th day of the legislative session on Thursday. For those keeping score, the session is only 40 days, so we are nearing the halfway point. And we are less than a month from Crossover Day on March 6.
– The General Assembly recognized the Atlanta Braves’ Michael Harris, the 2022 N.L. Rookie of the Year and a Stockbridge High alum, on Tuesday.
– Senate Bill 99, sponsored by Sen. Greg Dolezal, R-Cumming, would exempt new hospitals being built in any of Georgia’s 120 rural counties from the state’s certificate of need requirement. The bill received a hearing in the Senate Regulated Industries Committee on Thursday, but no vote was taken.
– Senate BIll 102, sponsored by Sen. Larry Walker, R-Perry, would allow certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA) to work pursuant to an order from a physician, rather than under direct supervision of a physician. Under current law, surgeons are often fulfilling the requirement and providing onsite supervision despite a lack of training in anesthesiology.
– The Senate on Tuesday approved a permanent prohibition on state agencies and local governments from requiring proof of COVID vaccination for government services. Such requirements are already banned, but only through June 30. Senate Bill 1, sponsored by Dolezal now goes to the House for consideration.
– Bills to lessen the burden of occupational licensing have been introduced. House Bill 212, sponsored by Rep. David Jenkins, R-Grantville, would allow individuals who only provide the services of blow-dry styling, braiding, threading or makeup application to do so without being licensed by the state. House Bill 155, sponsored by Rep. Chuck Martin, R-Alpharetta, would allow the spouses of firefighters, law enforcement officers and healthcare professionals who move to Georgia to immediately secure an occupational license if they hold a license in good standing in their previous state of residence. Read the Foundation’s recent commentary about occupational regulations in Georgia more broadly.
– A handful of bills concerning public safety have been introduced. You can read about them here.
– A bill to incorporate Buckhead City was introduced by Sen. Randy Robertson, R-Cataula.
The Babylon Bee’s Seth Dillon will be the keynote speaker for our upcoming Georgia Freedom Dinner on April 25. You don’t want to miss this! Get your tickets now.
