The 2022 Georgia General Assembly ended on April 4. Here is a final analysis of the bills Citizen Impact tracked:

• House Bill 1 — FORUM Act — Prevents the creation of “free speech zones” at public institutions of higher education, because they limit free speech. Status: Passed the House on March 4, passed Senate Judiciary Committee on March 25, passed the full Senate April 4, and now goes to the Governor’s desk to be signed.

• House Bill 60 and House Bill 999 — Georgia Educational Scholarship Act — These two pieces of legislation would provide for qualified education expenses; i.e., state education money follows student. Status: SB 601 is essentially the same as HB 999. SB 601 was voted on in the Senate and failed on March 15. HB 999 & HB 60 did not receive a vote in the House.
  

• House Bill 517 — Increases the cap on Georgia’s Education Tax Credit to $120 million, beginning in 2023. It also includes enhanced student scholarship organization (“SSO”) reporting recommendations from the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts. Status: Passed House & Senate on April 4, and now goes to the Governor’s desk to be signed.
  

• House Bill 1013 — Mental Health Parity Act — This bill is the highest priority of the members of the general assembly, meaning it is going to pass in some form. The version that the House passed raised serious concerns which we communicated on the Senate side. Significant improvements were made in the Senate committee. We communicated our concerns to the senator who carried it in that chamber, so that the final version of the bill contains strong protections for churches and faith-based ministries. Status: Passed the House on March 8, passed the Senate March 30 (amended) and the House agreed to the Amendment. The Governor signed it into law on April 4.

• House Bill 1220 — Quality Basic Education Act — Provides a prescribed course of study in sex education and HIV prevention instruction. Status: Stalled in House Education Committee.

• House Bill 1378 (did not receive a vote in the House on March 15), but Senate Bill 259 is the same — Removes places of worship from unauthorized locations a weapon or long gun may be carried. Status: Passed the House and Senate on April 4, and now goes to the Governor’s desk to be signed.

• Senate Bill 116 — The Maternity Supportive Housing Act (Betsy’s Law) — Creates opportunities for “nonprofit organizations” to provide maternity supportive housing for expecting and new mothers. Cuts back on regulatory “red tape”. Practical way for the church to be the “hands and feet of Jesus”. Status: Passed Senate in 2021, was amended and passed the House Health and Human Services Committee, and passed in the House on April 1. Senate agreed on April 4, and now goes to the Governor’s desk to be signed.

• Senate Bill 142 — Georgia Lottery Mobile Sports Wagering Integrity Act — Redefines “sports wagering” as a “lottery” game allowing the bill to be passed by a simple majority instead of the ⅔ approval needed by a constitutional amendment (which then has to be approved by voters). Being sold as “Lottery for Education” (more money for the HOPE Scholarship, etc.) Sports betting is done online making for a highly addictive and easily accessible form of gambling. Massive marketing campaigns and special offers entice minors to start playing/betting at a young age and thereby increase chances of addiction. Status: Passed Senate in 2021, passed House Economic Development & Tourism Committee on March 28. The General Assembly ended on April 4 with NO VOTE on gambling!

• Senate Bill 200 — The Faith Protection Act — Allows religious institutions to continue to resume operations during certain states of emergency. Status: Passed Senate in 2021, passed the House Judiciary Committee, but did not receive a vote in the House.

• Senate Bill 212 — Harry Geisinger Rural Georgia Jobs and Growth Act — Will establish Georgia Horse Racing Commission to allow betting on horse racing. Status: Passed Senate Regulated Industries Committee on March 4. Did not receive a vote in the Senate.

• Senate Bill 226 — Obscene Materials in Public School Libraries — Would prohibit the distribution of explicit materials to minors in schools. Status: Passed Senate in 2021, passed in House Health and Human Services Committee on Feb. 10, and passed the House on March 25, and the Senate agreed to the House amendment. It now goes to the Governor’s desk to be signed.

• Senate Bill 435 — Save Girl’s Sports Act — 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: Passed Senate on Feb. 24. On April 4 it was combined with HB 1084 (a ban on divisive concepts, like CRT), and watered down somewhat. This version passed, and we expect the governor to sign it.

• Senate Bill 456 — Women’s Health and Safety Act — Restricts abortion-inducing drugs from being sent by courier, delivery, or mail service. Restricts abortion-inducing drugs from being prescribed through telemedicine. Requires physician prescribing an abortion-inducing drug to obtain a signed informed consent, examine the woman in-person, perform an ultrasound, and “independently verify that a pregnancy exists” along with other requirements. Status: Passed in the Senate on March 1, passed House Health and Human Services Committee, but did not receive a vote in the House.

• Senate Resolution 131 — Adds an amendment to the State Constitution to provide for pari-mutuel betting on horse racing. Status: Passed the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee. Received a vote in the Senate, but failed on March 15. You can view how your Senator voted here: Senate Vote #626

• Senate Resolution 135 — Adds an amendment to the State Constitution to provide for sports betting, pari-mutuel betting on horse racing, casinos, and all other types of gambling. Update: The bill was first amended to only legalize sports betting, but then stripped completely of any reference to sports betting, and now it is a forest tree bill. Status: Passed the Senate in 2021, passed the House Economic Development & Tourism Committee on March 28, passed the House on April 4, and now goes to the Governor’s desk to be signed.

• Senate Resolution 165 and Senate Bill 263 — Georgia Retail Marijuana Code — Provides for the sale of retail marijuana. Status: Stalled in committee.