GA Legislative Watch | March 5, 2022
Presented by OHIO RIVER SOUTH
GA Legislative Watch
By Arteen Afshar • Mar 5, 2022
Smart Brevity™ count: 2 mins…546 words
Divisions at the Capitol going away. (Just kidding!) — For the first time in nearly two years, the Senate rolled back a COVID-19 policy and took down black curtains that divided the hallway in front of the Senate chamber and the third floor.
The legislature was in session every day except for Wednesday, which was a committee work day. There are 16 legislative days remaining.
1 Big Thing: Big Thing: 2022 Elections Qualifying
Qualifying starts March 7 — Candidates must file paperwork in March to qualify to run in the 2022 elections in Georgia:
- Primaries are May 24 and the general election is Nov. 8.
Our thought bubble: Next week should be interesting! Recent surprises include:
- Labor Commissioner Butler announced he wouldn’t seek a fourth term.
- Former Gwinnett School Board Chairman Blair decided against a run for State School Superintendent.
2. Notable Bills Passed or Introduced
Lowering the state’s income tax rate and raising the standard deduction was proposed by House leaders who estimate the move would save taxpayers about $1B a year.
The Mental Health Parity Act — HB 1013 passed out of House Health and Human Services after multiple hearings and is scheduled for the House floor on Tuesday.
A series of gun bills were passed in the Senate:
- SB 259 which revises laws about firearms and the carrying and possession of firearms and other weapons.
- SB 319, the Georgia Constitutional Carry Act of 2021.
- SB 479 that specifies each firearm in the possession or attempted possession of certain offenders must be charged as a separate offense.
Two pari-mutuel horse race betting bills — SR 131 and SB 212 passed out of Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities.
3. Big Political News
No investments in Russia — Gov. Brian Kemp’s administration announced the state will “fully divest” from Russian firms, setting the stage for Georgia to join other U.S. states that have taken similar steps.
Speaking of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the political fallout is being felt across the Georgia’s Republican party. U.S. Senate candidate Herschel Walker pulled out of an event organized by U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene after she spoke at a white nationalist rally.
- The bottom line: This issue has become a hard line that most Republicans won’t cross.
A bipartisan resolution sponsored by Rep. Wes Cantrell, (R-Woodstock), who isn’t seeking reelection this year, would amend the constitution so that state legislators don’t have to vote on their own pay increases — something seen as politically toxic.
- Why it matters: They have complained for years about the low pay — $17,342 a year — and long hours they work in what is supposed to be a part-time job.
5. What’s Next
Atlanta City Council returns to in-person meetings on Monday, March 7 for the first time since the pandemic began.
Legislative Day 25 for the General Assembly is on Tuesday, March 8 at 10 am. Visit the House and Senate Rules Calendars for Tuesday.