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.
*As an amendment to House Bill 729 it passed a Senate Committee, but was striped from the bill when voted on in the full Senate. The House will likely “disagree” to the Senate version, and a Conference Committee (of Senators and House members) must work on language that both can agree to accept.

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, Governor must sign.

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, Governor must sign.

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 looks like this bill will now focus on a study committee and decriminalizing possession of cannabis oil for parents whose children suffer from extreme seizures.
*Passed House, and Senate will pass stripped down version, so likely will go to Conference Committee.

9. House Bill 875 is now part of HB 60, which among other things, allows churches decide whether to allow firearms on church property, including concealed carry permit holders to bring a firearm into church. The bill also allows school boards to designate staff members other than police officers to carry guns in K-12 schools.
*Passed House, passed Senate, and will go to Conference Committee.

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.