Today is the final day of the 2021 Georgia General Assembly, otherwise known as "Sine Die." After 40 days of debate, lawmakers must move swiftly on the state's budget, and pending bills before they are moved to next year's gathering. While some legislation is still pending, the state government has already passed and failed several bills.
According to WSAV News, some of the central bills that have already passed include:
- Senate Bill 202: A restriction on voting rights in the form of imposing voter ID requirements, placing a limit on ballot drop boxes and a complete overhaul of local elections that would allow state intervention.
- House Bill 534: Increased punishments for illegal drag racing.
- House Bill 146: Three weeks paid parental leave for state employees.
A few bills will not make it to Governor Kemp's desk:
- House Bill 272: Raising the age of a person who can be charged with an adult crime from 17 to 18.
- House Bill 247: Drivers avoiding punishments from distracted driving with hands-free devices.
And several bills that are still pending:
- House Bill 44 and Senate Bill 100: Making either daylight time or standard time permanent.
- Senate Bill 85: A measure against hazing.
- House Bill 286: Limiting the percentage for which the police budget can defunded each year.
For information on more legislation that has passed, failed or still pending please visit the Georgia General Assembly's website here: https://www.legis.ga.gov/