GA Legislative Watch | Feb. 18, 2022
Presented by OHIO RIVER SOUTH
GA Legislative Watch
By Brandeis Parkman • Feb 18, 2022
Smart Brevity™ count: 3 mins…822 words
The legislature was in session Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday this week. Wednesday served as a Committee Work Day.
With the day off on Monday for Presidents Day, Tuesday will be Legislative Day 19, after which 21 legislative days will remain.
We are almost halfway through the 2022 Legislative Session.
1 Big Thing: Sonny Perdue Poised to Become Chancellor
Former Governor Sonny Perdue is expected to become the next University
System of Georgia Board of Regents Chancellor, with a final vote pending in two weeks.
Why it matters: This appointment to one of the most powerful positions in state government did not come without scrutiny, with questions raised around the transparency of the process and Perdue’s qualifications.
How it happened: Gov. Kemp, a staunch ally of Perdue, replaced four members of the 19-member board, including the former chair, with political allies who are presumed to be supportive. The two have a long history, since then-Gov. Perdue appointed Kemp to be Secretary of State in 2010.
What people are saying: Despite criticism from students and education groups since his consideration was first announced, accrediting bodies across the state do not plan on reviewing the selection process.
2. Notable Bills Passed or Introduced
HB 1302 – the Governor’s highly anticipated $1.6B in tax refunds – lays out the plan for a one-time tax credit for those who filed returns for 2020 and 2021.
Filed Thursday evening, HB 1392 would give the GBI original jurisdiction to investigate election issues.
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Why it matters: It means the GBI could start an investigation without being called by another agency.
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State Representative Stan Gunter filed on behalf of House Speaker David Ralston.
HB 1318 would allow the election superintendent of counties to permit voters to vote at any precinct in a primary, election, or runoff under certain conditions
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County funds are at stake as counties would have to provide for additional poll workers, additional ballots at each precinct, and implement additional guidelines.
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Another bill impacting county funds is HB 1329, which classifies coroners as full-time county employees and sets salaries for coroners and deputy coroners.
HB 1400 revises the number of Class 1 and Class 2 production licenses that can be issued by the commission, and
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Revises dates for the retrospective study of minority participation;
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Provides that the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission is subject to open records laws; and
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Provides for third-party consultants.
On its way to the Governor’s desk, SB 369, which would make Gwinnett County school board elections nonpartisan, could move this year’s election to May.
3. Big Political News
Creating friction in Kemp’s bid for a second term, locals are pushing back on the Rivian project citing the potential for destructive impacts on the rural community 45 miles east of Atlanta.
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The dissent provided a unique opportunity for Trump primary candidates to leverage the deal against Kemp, sending ripples within the GOP.
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Vernon Jones posted on Facebook: “What Brian Kemp and others did to keep this a big secret has turned into a big lie! The public trust has been violated with this Rivian deal.”
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“These are just everyday, ordinary people, ordinary citizens who are standing up for their rights, standing up for their freedoms,” said Mike Collins, the GOP frontrunner for the 10th Congressional District, after signing a petition opposing what he called a “disastrous” deal.
Just three days after Chief Justice David Nahmias announced his retirement, Kemp named his successor: 35-year-old Andrew Pinson. The surprise decision to tap a new Supreme Court justice – bypassing the traditional process and a competitive election this year – had the legal community buzzing.
In an effort to reconcile his image in the eyes of election fraud believers, incumbent Sec. of State candidate Brad Raffensperger is calling for state troopers to be posted at every polling station across the state during elections.
Airport news: Atlanta City Council approved a concourse widening project, expected to take five years to complete.
4. Leadership Changes
Republican State Representative Terry England says he will not run for re-election. He has chaired the House Appropriations Committee, which oversees the state budget, for 12 years.
“The time has come.” Another veteran, Republican state Sen. Lindsey Tippins (Marietta), who chairs the Higher Education Committee, isn’t running for another term.
5. What’s Next
Senate Rules Calendar for Legislative Day 19 on Tuesday, February 22, 2022:
SB 395 adds a third judge of the superior courts of the Mountain Judicial Circuit
SB 449 protects the fundamental right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their minor children
SB 469 requires certain watercraft to have day and night visual distress signals on board
SR 395 recognizes February 2022 as Self-Care Awareness Month
HB 840 City of Vinings incorporation
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