***Urgent Information***

Although House Bill 380 did not get a vote by the end of Crossover Day, on March 16 a Senate committee basically added the language of the Georgia Lottery Game of Sports Betting Act to House Bill 237 which *did* pass out of the House. HB 237 had nothing to do with gambling, and the language of the original bill was stripped out. This 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: On March 23 HB 237 was put on the Senate Rules Calendar, so it *could* now get a vote on one of the last two days of the session (Monday or Wednesday, March 27 or 29). Please contact your state senator and ask for a “NO” vote on HB 237. See resources** below for talking points and information to talk to your senator.

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**Please use these resources to help fight against the expansion of state-sponsored 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: 3/2/23 – FAILED in the full Senate by vote of 19-37.
• 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: 3/6/23 – FAILED in the full Senate by vote of 30-26 (needed 38 votes for 2/3 majority).
• Senate Bill 172 — Georgia Sports Betting Integrity Act — this bill is similar to the other sports betting bills and is considered the “enabling legislation” that would go into effect if the constitutional amendment (see SR 140) is approved by the voters. Status: Tabled in the Senate on 3/6/23 since SR 140 failed.
• 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 on 02/15/23 and is assigned to the House Regulated Industries Committee; this bill was introduced by the minority party and will likely not see any movement.

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

• 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 “medical 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 or be starting kindergarten or first grade). We are working to make sure the bill’s language includes strong religious freedom protections. Status: Introduced on 02/09/23; passed/approved by the Senate Education and Youth Committee on 02/28/23; 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; passed the House Education Committee and hopefully will be heard on the House floor by Wednesday, March 29 (Sine Die).

• 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; now headed to the Senate.
• 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 141 — Prohibits health care providers from performing surgeries on minors relating to sex-reassignment, such as castration and sterilization. Status: Introduced on 02/09/23 and is assigned to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. This bill did not get a vote by the end of Crossover Day (March 6); however, a much weaker version of this bill (SB 140) did get passed by the Senate on 3/6/23.

• 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