I included a blog post below to help clarify the differences in the current version of the Pastor Protection Act/First Amendment Defense Act and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

This post is a summary after Crossover Day (Day 30 of 40), which is when bills must cross over to the other legislative body (House or Senate) to stay “alive” for the remaining days of the session.… Read the rest

There are a number of religious freedom bills now in the Georgia General Assembly. The Religious Freedom Restoration (RFRA) has been introduced in three separate bills, all of which are fine, but can lead to some confusion. To help clarify, here is the status of four:

SB 129 Georgia Religious Freedom Restoration Act introduced by Sen.… Read the rest

There are a number of religious freedom bills now in the Georgia General Assembly. The Religious Freedom Restoration (RFRA) has been introduced in three separate bills, all of which are fine, but can lead to some confusion. To help clarify, here is the status of four:

SB 129 Georgia Religious Freedom Restoration Act introduced by Sen.… Read the rest

The Georgia General Assembly 2015 term ended on April 2. They will not convene again until January 2016 for the second term of the two-year legislative cycle.

The Religious Freedom Restoration Act (SB 129) passed the Senate, and got as far as the House Judiciary Committee before being tabled because of the addition of an “anti-discrimination” amendment.… Read the rest

The following is an update on bills tracked in the Georgia General Assembly.

1. Reducing the “title tax” on church-owned vehicles from 7% to 1%. It was added as an amendment to HB 729 to apply to vehicles donated to churches.… Read the rest

The following is an update on bills being tracked in the Georgia General Assembly.

1. Reducing the “title tax” on church-owned vehicles from 7% to 1%. It was added as an amendment to HB 729 to apply to vehicles donated to churches.… Read the rest

The following is an update on bills being tracked in the Georgia General Assembly.

1. House Bill 919 reduces the “title tax” on church-owned vehicles.
*Added as an amendment to House Bill 729. Passed House, and Senate Committee; must go to Senate Rules Committee and then get a vote in the Senate.… Read the rest

The following is an update on bills being tracked in the Georgia General Assembly.

1. House Bill 919 reduces the “title tax” on church-owned vehicles.
*We are working on better language so it can pass this year. It will be written as an amendment and attached to a bill which passed the House by crossover day.… Read the rest

Prepared by Paul Smith, Executive Director, Citizen Impact
Updated March 29

FINAL ISSUES

Georgia’s Tax Credit Scholarship Program/Student Scholarship Organizations (SSOs)
House Bill 283 included changes to this program as an amendment to a large education bill. The final version included a modest increase to the annual cap of $58 million, and removed the automatic escalator (which automatically raised the cap each year based on an inflation index).… Read the rest

Prepared by Paul Smith, Executive Director, Citizen Impact

Updated March 15

Race to the Top/Common Core

A meeting took place on March 14 with Gov. Deal and numerous groups regarding the Common Core standards. It gave me the opportunity to express concerns for Christian schools and home schools.… Read the rest