GA Legislative Watch | March 26, 2022

March 28, 2022
GLW, In the News

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GA Legislative Watch

By Rebecca Wallace • Mar 26, 2022
Smart Brevity™ count: 2.5 mins…679 words

It’s the final countdown — Legislative Day 36 on Monday marks the last full week of the 2022 Legislative Session.

1 Big Thing: SCOTUS’ New Member

Holding her own through many highs and lows over four days of the U.S. Senate confirmation hearings, it appears Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson will be the first Black woman appointed to the U. S. Supreme Court.

“After meeting with Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, considering her record, and closely monitoring her testimony and questioning before the Senate Judiciary Committee this week, I have determined I intend to vote for her nomination to serve on the Supreme Court,” tweeted Senator Joe Manchin.

Why it matters: The Democrat from West Virginia has been quite the wild card since President Biden took office, often snubbing the President and others in their party.

Even if no Republican senators vote in favor of Jackson, the Dems can still confirm her with a party-line vote and Vice President Harris breaking the tie as soon as early next month.

2. Notable Bills Passed or….Not

Random drug tests for certain firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, paramedics, and cardiac technicians will be required with HB 275, which passed out of the Senate unanimously.

Regulating employee work hours, scheduling, and output by local government entities is prohibited with SB 331 passing out of the House by a vote of 99-67.

Funds of interlocal risk management agencies may be audited with the passage of HB 1195

The most experienced retired teachers could return to Georgia classrooms where they are most needed while collecting their pensions under HB 385, fulfilling a goal set by Gov. Kemp last year to expand the teacher workforce.

It’s easier to ban“obscene” books thanks to SB 226 which passed the House.

So long, Rivian. SB 398, a bill to allow companies like Rivian to sell electric vehicles directly to consumers never had a committee hearing nor made it to Crossover Day.

Instead, SR 773, a resolution to create “the Senate Direct Sales of Electric Vehicles Study Committee” was introduced.
Our thought bubble: Senate President Pro Tem Butch Miller, one of the highest ranking members of the Legislature, is a car dealer.

3. Big Political News

Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan released his GOP 2.0 ad laying out his view of what the Republican party’s message should be.

What it shouldn’t be? Conspiracy theory and election fraud.
He’s not running for the state’s second highest office again, but has not canceled out a run for something higher.

Dean of the House Rep. Calvin Smyre reflected on his nearly 50 year career for GPB and also celebrated with fellow lawmakers and friends at the College Football Hall of Fame before preparing for his new role as U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic.

Former Atlanta political consultant Mitzi Bickers was found guilty in federal court on nine of 12 counts in a pay-to-play case, one of several corruption scandals from Mayor Kasim Reed’s time in office.

Goldman Sachs is contributing an additional $100 million toward building affordable housing near MARTA heavy rail, streetcar and future bus rapid transit stops. Go Deeper.

4. Budget News

The 2023 Georgia State Budget unanimously passed out of the Senate. HB 911 would fund the state government starting July 1, 2022.

What’s next: It’s likely headed to a House-Senate conference committee.

5. What’s Next

A substitute to HB 1013 – the Mental Health Parity Act – is expected to be presented next week.

Sen Ben Watson, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, says that lawmakers will work on the bill over the next few days and present a substitute early next week.
Why it matters: The initial, seemingly bipartisan package was introduced by the Speaker — an unusual occurrence for a bill.

Committee hearings are set to begin as early as 7 a.m. next week. View the full schedule here.

Only a couple more issues the GA Legislative Watch remain. Want to hear more from Ohio River South? Look out for the ORS Quarterly, another publication of Friendly Amendment, coming out next month. Thank you!