Legislative Update – March 24, 2021
The Georgia General Assembly convened on January 11, 2021 and is scheduled to finish session on March 31, 2021. Bills will be introduced daily, but below is those we are monitoring.
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SB 142 — Georgia Lottery Mobile Sports Wagering Integrity Act Companion bill in the House is HB 86. This legislative requires a constitution amendment to change Georgia’s Constitution to allow for this type of gambling. Our friend, Mike Griffin, has written an excellent article debunking the false reasons for legalizing sports gambling. Status: The House Bill stalled, as there does not appear to be enough votes. However, Senate Bill 142 passed the full Senate by the 2/3 majority vote needed, and passed out of the House Economic Development & Tourism Committee on March 23 — WITH NO TESTIMONY PERMITTED. It is listed on the House calendar, so could get a vote in the full House any day.
House Bill 128 — Gracie’s Law would prohibit discriminating against organ transplant recipients based on their physical or mental disability (such as Down’s Syndrome). Status: passed House, and passed out of the Senate Health & Human Committee on March 24. It is scheduled for a vote in the full Senate on March 29.
Senate Bill 200 — The Faith Protection Act. Allows religious institutions to continue to resume operations during certain states of emergency. Status: Senate Bill passed the full Senate on 03/05/2021, and is scheduled for a vote in the House on March 25.
Senate Bill 226 — Would prohibit the distribution of explicit materials to minors in schools. Status: Passed Senate on Crossover Day (3/8). Passed out of the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee, and needs to be voted on by Wednesday, March 31.
House Bill 517 — Expands the tax-credit scholarship by raising the limits on donation amounts given to a Student Scholarship Organization (SSO); adds “interest earned” to the amount that an SSO must allocate to student scholarships. Status: Passed the House on Crossover Day and passed Senate Committee on March 23, and is now in the Senate Rules Committee waiting to be placed on the calendar for a vote in the full Senate.
Senate Bill 47 — Expands Georgia’s Special Needs Scholarship. Status: Passed out of Committee on March 22, and is on the calendar to be voted on in the full House on March 25.
House Bill 276 and Senate Bill 266 — Two companion bills intended to protect girls’ sports. Would make it unlawful for a public school, or a private school whose students or teams compete against a public school, to permit a person whose gender is male to participate in an athletic program or activity that is designated for females. Status: Neither the House nor Senate bill got a vote by the end of Crossover Day.
House Resolution 30 — Allows Georgia citizens to vote on a Constitutional Amendment that would…provide by law for casino resorts, gambling on horse racing, and sports betting via phone app. Status: Did not get a vote by Crossover Day, so is “technically” dead, but can always be added as an amendment to a bill that did cross over in time.
Senate Bill 30 — “Rural Georgia Jobs and Growth Act” — Will establish Georgia Horse Racing Commission to allow betting on horse racing. Status: Did not pass by the end of Crossover Day. However, could still be added as an amendment to a bill that did cross over.
House Bill 60 — Georgia Educational Scholarship Act This legislation would provide for qualified education expenses; i.e., state education money follows student. Status: Did not pass by the end of Crossover Day. However, could still be added as an amendment to a bill that did cross over.
House Bill 1 — FORUM Act. Prevents the creation of “free speech zones” at public institutions of higher education, because they limit free speech. Status: Did not pass by the end of Crossover Day. However, could still be added as an amendment to a bill that did cross over.