The Georgia General Assembly convened on January 11, 2021. Bills will be introduced daily, but below is those we are monitoring.

House Bill 358 — The Faith Protection Act. (Senate Bill 200 is similar.) Allows religious institutions to continue to resume operations during certain states of emergency. Status: House Bill in Judiciary. Senate Bill is in Government Oversight Committee.

House Bill 86 — Georgia Lottery Mobile Sports Wagering Integrity Act Companion bill is Senate is SB 142. If this becomes law it will skirt the Georgia Constitution and allow betting on sports in our state under the Georgia Lottery Corporation. This bill will only require a simple majority vote to pass, rather than the 2/3 majority that is required to change the Georgia Constitution. Our friend, Mike Griffin, has written an excellent article debunking the false reasons for legalizing sports gambling Status: House bill passed out of the Economic Development & Tourism on Tuesday, February 2. Senate version had a Hearing only (no vote) on Thursday, February 18 in the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities. HOUSE BILL STALLED, as there does not appear to be enough votes. However, see next paragraph on HR 30.

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: Passed out of Subcommittee on March 3, and now must still pass out of the Regulated Industries Committee before going to the full House, but needs to 2/3 vote in full House and same in Senate.

House Bill 276 and Senate Bill 266 — Two companion bills intended to protect girls’ sports. Would make it unlawful 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. Click here for PDF of Senate bill. Status: House bill in Education Committee. Senate Bill passed out of Education and Youth on March 3. Now goes to full Senate for vote.

Senate Bill 226 — would prohibit the distribution of explicit materials to minors in schools. Status: Passed Senate Judiciary on March 3. Now goes to full Senate for vote.

Senate Bill 47 — Expands Georgia’s Special needs Scholarship. Status: Passed Senate on March 3. Now goes to House.

Senate Bill 30 — “Rural Georgia Jobs and Growth Act” — Will establish Georgia Horse Racing Commission to allow betting on horse racing. Status: Hearing only (no vote) Tuesday, February 16 in the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities.

House Bill 60 — Georgia Educational Scholarship Act This legislation would provide for qualified education expenses; i.e., state education money follows student. Status: Is in the House Education Committee. No date when Committee might vote on it.

House Bill 1 — FORUM Act. Prevents the creation of “free speech zones” at public institutions of higher education, because they limit free speech. Status: In the House Higher Education Committee. No date when Committee might vote on it.