This week, lawmakers met for legislative days 6 – 10. Session is a quarter way through, and legislators have until Crossover Day (February 29) to get bills passed from one chamber to the other to still be considered. State Rep. Pedro Marin (HD 96) announced on Thursday that he will not be seeking re-election. Representative Marin has served in the Georgia House of Representatives for 22 years and is considered the Dean of the Gwinnett Legislative Delegation.
Notable bills
HB 30 by State Representatives John Carson (HD 46) and Esther Panitch (HD 51) was introduced last session and passed the House but failed to be considered for a vote in the Senate. This bill would provide a legal definition of ‘antisemitism’ in Georgia and be included in Georgia’s hate crimes law. The bill passed 44-6 in the Senate and 129-5 in the House.
HB 1015 by State Rep. Lauren McDonald (HD 26) would reduce the state income tax from 5.57% to 5.39%, saving Georgia taxpayers roughly $1 billion.
HB 1019 by State Rep. Matt Reeves (HD 99) would increase the Georgia homestead exemption from $2,000 to $4,000.
SR 477 was read and adopted on Thursday. State Senator Nabilah Islam Parkes (SD 7) will recognize the Gwinnett Chamber from the well during our Day at the Capitol visit.
HB 926 by State Rep. Matt Reeves would allow an individual with a felony record to request a “certificate of good standing” from the Board of Corrections or the Board of Community Supervision for employers to consider in the hiring process. This bill, known as the Second Chance Workforce Act, would not hide criminal records but provide further context to an individual’s circumstances.
State Senator Clint Dixon (SD 45) introduced new sports betting legislation in SB 386. The bill would put sports betting under the Georgia Lottery, avoiding the need to pass on a two thirds majority and constitutional amendment. It is notable that Senate Minority Leader Gloria Butler (SD 55) is a co-sponsor.
State Senator Chuck Hufstetler (SD 52) introduced SB 366 “Tax Expenditures Transparency Act of 2024.” This bill would create the Joint Committee on Taxation and Economic Development to review the economic impact of tax credits and exemptions subject to analysis the prior year.
Next week, legislators will convene for legislative days 11-14.