Monday, January 8, 2024 was the first day of the second half of the two-year legislative session, and the General Assembly is off to a fast start!

Senate Bill 172, the “Georgia Sports Betting Integrity Act,” (which did not make it out of the Senate committee last year) was just approved by their Regulated Industries committee on Tuesday, January 9. This bill is considered the “enabling legislation” that would go into effect if a corresponding constitutional amendment (see SR 140 below) is passed by both houses and approved by the voters.

Please contact your state senator and ask for a “NO” vote on sports betting (specifically SB 172 but also on all other gambling legislation). The following information is also good to share with your legislators.

**Please use these resources to help fight against the expansion of state-sponsored gambling:

• Fact Sheet – bad bet on expanding sports gambling
• Gambling – You Pay Whether or Not You Play
• Costs of Gambling
• The ABCs of Gambling
• Helpful article on how gambling targets our children – “Online betting comes for kids“

Other gambling bills:

• Senate Bill 57 — Georgia Sports Betting Integrity Act — This bill would permit sports betting using online apps. The biggest difference from prior legislation is this is not a Constitutional Amendment, so it only requires a simple majority to pass and would not go on a ballot for Georgia voters to decide. Status: FAILED when voted on by the full Senate in 2023. A similar bill is likely to be introduced soon.
• Senate Resolution 140 — Constitutional Amendment for Sports Betting — This resolution would permit online sports betting via a constitutional amendment which would go on the ballot for Georgia voters to decide. Status: FAILED when voted on by the full Senate in 2023. A similar resolution is likely to be introduced soon.
• House Bill 380 added the language of the Georgia Lottery Game of Sports Betting Act to House Bill 237 which passed out of the House in 2023. This bill would permit sports betting using online apps. This is not a Constitutional Amendment so it only requires a simple majority to pass, and it would not go on a ballot for Georgia voters to decide. Status: FAILED to get a vote by the full Senate in 2023. This bill is already moving along this first week of the 2024 session.
• House Resolution 210 — Constitutional Amendment for Sports Betting — This resolution would permit online sports betting, pari-mutuel betting (like on horse racing), and casino gambling. Status: Introduced in 2023 but did not make it out of the House Regulated Industries Committee; this bill was introduced by the minority party and will likely not see any movement.

Bills we are tracking, including the religious liberty bill (listed at the bottom to include resources):

• 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 are not eligible. Eligible students would be those in a “failing” public school (meaning the lowest-performing 25% in the state). We were able to strengthen the bill’s religious freedom language in 2023. Status: Passed the Senate but failed in the House in 2023. However, the this legislation is still viable in 2024.
• House Bill 101 — Qualified Education Tax Credit — The bill would increased the annual aggregate cap on available tax credits by ten million dollars (from $120 million to $130 million). Status: Passed the House in 2023 but did not make it out of the Senate committee.
• 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: Did not make it out of committee in 2023. We are watching to see if a similar bill is introduced this year.
• 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.

Please use these resources to help protect religious liberty:

• RFRA Fact Sheet