It’s 5PM under the Gold Dome, but there is no sign of legislative action slowing. Today marks Legislative Day 28, known as Crossover Day and the last day a bill can emerge from the House or Senate and still be considered in...more
Although the General Assembly was not in session, the State Capitol still buzzed with activity today. Beginning early this morning, House committees began meeting to give bills and resolutions one last chance to make it to...more
3/7/2019
/ Georgia ,
Health Care Providers ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Mental Health ,
New Legislation ,
Public Health ,
Public Schools ,
State and Local Government ,
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State Funding ,
State Taxes
While West Georgia is in recovery mode due to the brutal storms on Sunday, lawmakers returned to a blustery Atlanta to work through several bills on Rules Calendars in the House and Senate....more
With all under the Gold Dome ready to wrap up a busy week and get started on the weekend, legislators moved with particular speed and efficiency through committee meetings and floor action for Legislative Day 25 today. ...more
Another rainy day in Georgia did not stop members of the General Assembly from an early start. Early morning committee hearings in both chambers led into action on the floor where the Senate considered a number of measures. ...more
3/1/2019
/ Education Budget ,
Georgia ,
Health Care Providers ,
Legislative Agendas ,
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Physicians ,
Public Schools ,
School Districts ,
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State Budgets ,
State Funding ,
State Taxes ,
Teachers
Wednesday marked Legislative Day 23 under the Gold Dome and presented another buffet of policy debate and action for legislators and lobbyists alike. After a substantial first course consisting of the House’s version of the...more
2/28/2019
/ Education Budget ,
Georgia ,
Health Care Providers ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Mental Health ,
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Public Health ,
Public Schools ,
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State Budgets ,
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State Taxes ,
Teachers ,
Wage and Hour
Quietly but significantly, the General Assembly marked the halfway point of its 2019 Legislative Session today by giving final approval to the Amended FY 2019 Budget....more
With no legislation on the House or Senate floors today, Legislative Day 13 felt much more like a committee work day under the Gold Dome, and legislative committees in both chambers took advantage of the opportunity to hear...more
As legislators convened for Legislative Day 12 today, the General Assembly shifted into low gear, digging into a five-day week of legislation grinding through committee. Indeed, after relatively quiet mornings on the House...more
With Super Bowl LIII in the rearview mirror, legislators returned to the State Capitol today ready to get to work. Activity in the halls was appreciably more brisk as the pomp and circumstance of January began its February...more
As many settled into a day filled with college football and other diversions, the General Assembly convened on Saturday to complete its work for the Special Legislative Session. During the rare weekend convening, members of...more
The Special Legislative Session of the Georgia General Assembly neared its end today as the State Senate began its consideration of the Governor’s three legislative initiatives in earnest. ...more
With a full legislative day to spare, House and Senate leaders came to agreement on a FY 2019 budget this morning after a long weekend of quiet negotiations. But the reveal was anything but quiet as House Appropriations...more
3/28/2018
/ Charter Schools ,
Georgia ,
Governor Deal ,
Health Care Providers ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Mental Health ,
New Legislation ,
Pending Legislation ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Public Schools ,
Sales & Use Tax ,
State and Local Government ,
State Taxes
With two legislative days remaining, legislative leaders embarked today on the final phase of budget negotiations for the FY 2019 budget. After the Senate adopted its proposal for HB 684 by a 52-0 vote, three ranking officers...more
3/23/2018
/ Georgia ,
Governor Deal ,
Health Insurance ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Mental Health ,
New Legislation ,
Pending Legislation ,
Property Tax ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Public Schools ,
Sales & Use Tax ,
State and Local Government ,
State Taxes
Although the House and Senate floors were quiet today, legislators were at work throughout the Capitol with late efforts to get legislation through committees. Desperation is becoming palpable—with only four legislative days...more
3/21/2018
/ Georgia ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Mental Health ,
New Legislation ,
Pending Legislation ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Public Health ,
Public Schools ,
Sales & Use Tax ,
State and Local Government ,
State Taxes
Legislators rounded third and headed for home today under the Gold Dome, completing Legislative Day 36 of 40. But even as the legislative session enters the home stretch, there remains much work to be done. After full...more
3/20/2018
/ Georgia ,
Governor Deal ,
Health Care Providers ,
Health Insurance ,
Insurance Industry ,
Legislative Agendas ,
New Legislation ,
Pending Legislation ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Public Schools ,
Sales & Use Tax ,
State and Local Government ,
State Taxes
The gutting of bills continued under the Gold Dome today with legislators turning their focus to Georgia’s Certificate of Need statutes. The House Health and Human Services Committee took up two substitute bills impacting...more
3/15/2018
/ Department of Children and Families (DCF) ,
Georgia ,
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Health Care Providers ,
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Public Schools ,
Sales & Use Tax ,
State and Local Government ,
State Taxes
Just after Governor Deal signed the Amended FY 2018 Budget in Cedartown this morning, the House set to work adopting its proposal for the FY 2019 Budget. Notably included in the over $50 billion spending package ($26 billion...more
3/12/2018
/ Georgia ,
Governor Deal ,
Health Care Providers ,
Legislative Agendas ,
New Legislation ,
Pending Legislation ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Public Health ,
Public Schools ,
State and Local Government ,
State Taxes
After a late night at the State Capitol, the House and Senate convened today with short calendars but weighty issues. The Senate approved HB 918, Governor Deal’s tax reform measure this morning. ...more
When the Senate adjourned at last night at 9PM after considering over 40 propositions, the House was just getting started. When the gavel fell on Crossover Day just after 1AM this morning, the House had voted on over 60...more
2/28/2018
/ Georgia ,
Governor Deal ,
Health Care Providers ,
Insurance Industry ,
Legislative Agendas ,
New Legislation ,
Pending Legislation ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Public Health ,
Public Schools ,
Sales & Use Tax ,
State and Local Government ,
State Taxes
Completing their last convening before Crossover Day on Wednesday, the House and Senate dispensed with long calendars today. Although the House considered 24 measures and the Senate considered 29, the mood under the Gold Dome...more
2/27/2018
/ Background Checks ,
Georgia ,
Governor Deal ,
Health Care Providers ,
Insurance Industry ,
Legislative Agendas ,
New Legislation ,
Pending Legislation ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Public Health ,
Public Schools ,
Sales & Use Tax ,
State and Local Government ,
State Taxes
The House and Senate capped off a busy pre-Crossover week with several weighty propositions on their respective floors. In the Senate, members considered the “Keep Faith and Freedom in Adoption and Foster Care Act”, a...more
2/26/2018
/ Charter Schools ,
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ,
Georgia ,
Health Care Providers ,
Insurance Industry ,
Legislative Agendas ,
New Legislation ,
Pending Legislation ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Public Schools ,
Sales & Use Tax ,
State and Local Government ,
State Taxes
The House worked a full day today, taking up 14 measures on the floor before handling a full slate of committee meetings. Among the bills adopted by the House were provisions allowing QBE funding to follow students being...more
2/23/2018
/ Charter Schools ,
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ,
Georgia ,
Governor Deal ,
Health Care Providers ,
Legislative Agendas ,
New Legislation ,
Pending Legislation ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Public Schools ,
State and Local Government ,
State Taxes
After breaking for Washington’s Birthday, the General Assembly began its all-out sprint to Crossover Day today with both chambers finishing their work before lunch only to reconvene in a flurry of committee meetings. ...more
Sixteen more days! But, who is counting? Sine Die is quickly approaching, marking an end to Georgia’s 2018 legislative session. Thus, committees in the House and Senate are now meeting in earnest as lawmakers introduce their...more
2/21/2018
/ Charter Schools ,
Georgia ,
Governor Deal ,
Health Care Providers ,
Insurance Industry ,
Legislative Agendas ,
New Legislation ,
Pending Legislation ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Public Health ,
Public Schools ,
Sales & Use Tax ,
State and Local Government ,
State Taxes