As doorkeepers threw open the doors to the House and Senate at midnight, Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan and Speaker of the House David Ralston’s gavels fell on the 2019 Legislative Session last night, adjourning Sine Die. ...more
With midnight and adjournment Sine Die quickly approaching, legislators and lobbyists continue to work this evening to get propositions across the finish line. ...more
4/3/2019
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Today marked the 39th day of the 2019 Legislative Session, moving lawmakers one step away from the adjournment Sine Die. Some of the major news of the day was the agreement by the House and Senate on a compromise reform of...more
The House and Senate had an extremely busy day today as each chamber dispensed with their constitutional requirement for the legislative session, passing a balanced budget for the new fiscal year commencing on July 1, 2020. ...more
A relatively quiet Committee Work Day erupted with activity late this afternoon as the Conference Committee on the FY 2020 Budget announced a compromise spending proposal. Details are still limited at our deadline, but it...more
It felt as if the eye of the storm centered over the State Capitol today as committee action slowed and legislators and lobbyists prepared for the flurry of action that will lead to adjournment Sine Die next week. ...more
Thanks to Supplemental Rules Calendars in both chambers today, the House and Senate took up a number of weighty issues on their respective floors. In the Senate, legislators considered their version of HB 31, the State’s FY...more
Legislative Day 35 dawned with a cavalcade of state troopers ringing the State Capitol in advance of the Senate’s debate of HB 481, Rep. Ed Setzler’s (R-Acworth) “Living Infants Fairness and Equality (LIFE) Act.” ...more
Although adjournment Sine Die remains two weeks away, the end felt nearer under the Gold Dome today. As legislators and lobbyists shook out the cobwebs from St. Patrick’s Day weekend, end-of-session strategizing filled the...more
3/19/2019
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Senate Finance Committee
Legislators wrapped up work today and headed home in advance of St. Patrick’s Day, but lawmakers have seen green all week. From recognitions of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee from Savannah on Monday to leprechauns...more
Lawmakers returned for Legislative Day 31 today, although only one bill was heard between the chambers. Legislators made it count, though, with the Senate considering HB 316, Rep. Barry Fleming’s (R-Harlem) proposition to...more
The General Assembly was not in session, but there was plenty of business being conducted under the Gold Dome today. House and Senate committees used the “day off” to continue to digest bills and resolutions passed by the...more
Action under the Gold Dome was light today as members of the General Assembly (and lobbyists) adjusted to Daylight Savings Time. While the House convened at their normal start time, the absence of a Rules Calendar expedited...more
The final hours of Legislative Day 28 were filled with substantial legislative action as Crossover Day concluded with tense discussions on the House floor....more
Although the General Assembly was not in session, the State Capitol still buzzed with activity today. Beginning early this morning, House committees began meeting to give bills and resolutions one last chance to make it to...more
3/7/2019
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While West Georgia is in recovery mode due to the brutal storms on Sunday, lawmakers returned to a blustery Atlanta to work through several bills on Rules Calendars in the House and Senate....more
With all under the Gold Dome ready to wrap up a busy week and get started on the weekend, legislators moved with particular speed and efficiency through committee meetings and floor action for Legislative Day 25 today. ...more
Another rainy day in Georgia did not stop members of the General Assembly from an early start. Early morning committee hearings in both chambers led into action on the floor where the Senate considered a number of measures. ...more
3/1/2019
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Teachers
Wednesday marked Legislative Day 23 under the Gold Dome and presented another buffet of policy debate and action for legislators and lobbyists alike. After a substantial first course consisting of the House’s version of the...more
2/28/2019
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Georgia ,
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Wage and Hour
Quietly but significantly, the General Assembly marked the halfway point of its 2019 Legislative Session today by giving final approval to the Amended FY 2019 Budget....more
As the legislative session nears its halfway point, Legislative Days continue to fill with committee meetings and floor action in the House and Senate. Indeed, the House took up its longest Rules Calendar so far this year and...more
2/22/2019
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Legislators took advantage of a cold and rainy day in Atlanta to stay indoors and warm themselves with vigorous debate of bills and resolutions on the House and Senate floors and in a myriad of committee meetings. Indeed, the...more
Happy Valentine’s Day! The Gold Dome was awash today with lots of hearts and flowers, but lawmakers were focused on the people’s business with much of the day spent on the State’s budget. One of the bigger initiatives this...more
As legislators convened for Legislative Day 12 today, the General Assembly shifted into low gear, digging into a five-day week of legislation grinding through committee. Indeed, after relatively quiet mornings on the House...more
As the legislative session approached the end of its first quarter today, the House took its first floor actions, adopting HR 1 to name the state’s new appellate court complex the Nathan Deal Judicial Center....more