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.

2. Two similar bills would protect the religious liberty of business owners (Senate & House bills), and put the burden on the government to prove discrimination, rather than on the business owner to prove they were not discriminating.
*House bill stalled; senate bill is not moving. Dead for this session.

3. Federal Abortion Mandate Opt-out Act (SB 98). Prevents taxpayer subsidies for abortion through Obamacare, and prevents taxpayer subsidies for abortion coverage through state employee health plans.
*Passed Senate, passed House Committee; must go to House Rules Committee and then get a vote in the House.

4. Senate Bill 167 would establish an advisory council to review the Common Core Standards and propose changes that are “in the best interest of students, their parents, teachers, and taxpayers.”
*Passed Senate, FAILED in House.

5. House Bill 702 allows for privately funded monuments containing the Ten Commandments, a portion of the Declaration of Independence, and a portion of the Georgia Constitution to be placed on the grounds of the State Capitol.
*Passed House, Passed Senate, Governor must sign.

6. House Bill 810 changes HOPE requirement for home school students from 85th percentile to 80 percentile on standardized college admission test, such as the SAT or ACT.
*Passed House, and Senate Committee; must go to Senate Rules Committee and then get a vote in the Senate.

7. GA Virtual School update is part of larger bill (HB 897). Sets funds aside for private school and home school students.
*Passed House, Senate Committee made significant changes. However, Virtual school funding is intact. Still must be voted on in the full Senate.

8. Legalizing medical cannabis for pediatric treatment of seizures (HB 885). It only allows very restive use, and cannot be obtained merely with a doctor’s prescription, but a more stringent process.
*Passed House, and Senate Committee; must go to Senate Rules Committee and then get a vote in the Senate.

9. House Bill 875 allows churches decide whether to allow firearms on church property, including concealed carry permit holders to bring a firearm into church.
*Passed House, FAILED in Senate Committee. May be re-introduced as an amendment to another bill.

10. The Children’s Hope for Family Act amends Georgia’s divorce law when minor children are in the home.
*Only had a hearing. It will not move this session.