Here is your recap of the fourth week of the 2023 legislative session in Georgia.
– As lawmakers begin to settle in and move past introductions and committee assignments, the Capitol was busy this week with numerous committee hearings, votes on the floor, and bills entering the hopper.
– On Thursday, the House adopted a $32.6 billion mid-year budget, one of the big, early items for the legislature. This includes a $1 billion property tax rebate worth $500 to the average homeowner.
– The Senate passed its first bill of the session earlier this week. Senate Bill 11, sponsored by Sen. John Albers, R-Roswell, is known as the “Georgia Fights Terrorism Act.” It would allow the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to independently investigate allegations of terrorism.
– With lawmakers looking to increase public safety and tackle gang activity, new legislation would increase sentences for gang recruitment. Under the proposal, judges would have to follow mandatory minimums in most cases. Senate Bill 44, sponsored by Sen. Bo Hatchett, R-Cornelia, along with 22 co-sponsors, has the backing of Gov. Brian Kemp and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones.
– Legislation to authorize sports betting in Georgia, which many people are looking at, has been introduced. Senate Bill 57 is sponsored by Sen. Billy Hickman, R-Statesboro.
– A bill to regulate third-party delivery apps like DoorDash or Uber Eats has been introduced in the Senate. Senate Bill 34 is sponsored by Sen. Elena Parent, D-Atlanta.
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.