***NO VOTE ON EXPANDING STATE-SPONSORED GAMBLING***

The Georgia General Assembly ended their 2023 session without expanding any form of gambling in Georgia. This is wonderful news and a huge praise! However, because 2023 is the first year of a two-year session, gambling bills are still alive for the 2024 session, which begins next January.

• Senate Bill 140 is well-intentioned legislation, designed to prohibit life-changing, permanent body-altering surgery on minors who are suffering from gender dysphoria. Although we support the bill’s intention, it may not be adequate because it includes an exception if the surgery is “medically necessary” — which is far too broad. We would have preferred that the large loophole be closed. Status: On March 23 it was signed by Governor Kemp.
• Senate Bill 233 — The Georgia Promise Scholarship Act — Creates an “Educational Savings Account” for parents to access up to $6,500.00 for their child’s “qualified education expenses” (e.g., private school tuition, tutoring services, curriculum). Current private school and home-school students would not be eligible (must transfer from a public school). We submitted stronger religious freedom protections, and the important wording WAS ADDED to the bill. Status: Passed the full Senate on 3/6/23 with an amendment stating that only students in failing school districts (lowest 25% of public schools) are eligible to participate; FAILED 85-89 when voted on in the House floor on Wednesday, March 29 (Sine Die). However, the sponsor asked it to be reconsidered and that was approved; so, it is alive for the 2024 legislation session.

Other bills we are tracking, including the religious liberty bill:

• House Bill 54 (now House Bill 101) — Qualified Education Tax Credit — The original bill (HB 54) would have increased the annual aggregate limit (cap) on available tax credits from $100 million to $200 million. Status: Introduced on 01/23/23 and heard in the House Ways & Means Committee where it was added to another bill (HB 101) along with a “sunset provision.” However, even though the “sunset provision” was eventually removed, the limit was only slightly increased ($120 million in 2023 and then $130 million for 2024 and after) before it was passed by the House on 3/6/23; never received a vote in a Senate committee.
• Senate Bill 36 — Increases penalties for pimping and pandering to help fight the problem of human trafficking. Status: Approved by the Senate and House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee; did not get a vote in the full House before Sine Die, but it is eligible for next year.
• Senate Bill 88 — Parents and Children Protection Act of 2023 — Prohibits an adult who is acting “in place of parents” (e.g., teachers, counselors, social workers) from discussing “information of a sensitive nature” (e.g., sex education, a child’s sexual orientation or gender identity) with a minor without the permission of parents. Although it is well-intentioned and seeks to protect parents and students, we are opposing this bill because it would apply to private schools. The government should not have a say in what our private schools teach. Status: 3/1/23 — TABLED in the Senate Education and Youth Committee.
• The Women’s Health & Safety Act — This pro-life legislation is in response to the FDA allowing abortion-inducing drugs through mail without a physical examination by a doctor. We anticipate several beneficial provisions in this bill, once it is introduced. Click here for more detailed information on this legislation from our friends at Georgia Life Alliance. Status: introduced in 2021-22 session, but did not get a final vote. Has not yet been introduced in 2023-24 session.

• Senate Bill 180 — Georgia Religious Freedom Restoration Act — this bill mirrors the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). Put simply, this law would give Georgians their “day in court” to challenge the government if their local or state government infringed on their religious beliefs. Status: Introduced on 02/14/23 and assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee.