Nick Masino President & CEO | Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce Inc.
Nick Masino President & CEO | Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce Inc.
Lawmakers in Georgia gathered for legislative days 22-25 this week, with a focus on advancing bills ahead of Crossover Day on March 6. The Senate approved HB 67, the Amended Fiscal Year 2025 budget, which includes increased funding for Hurricane Helene relief, rail upgrades, and surface water infrastructure projects. The bill now returns to the House.
The Senate unanimously passed SB 69, sponsored by President Pro Tempore John Kennedy. This bill aims to ban hostile foreign adversaries from financing lawsuits against Georgia companies and increase transparency in litigation funding.
Justice Nels Peterson was elected as Chief Justice of Georgia’s Supreme Court following the resignation of Chief Justice Michael P. Boggs due to family commitments. Peterson has been serving on the court since 2016.
Several bills are currently under consideration:
- HB 34 by Rep. Dale Washburn proposes a solution for tracking compliance with professional licenses' continuing education requirements.
- HB 82 by Matt Reeves seeks to establish a guest worker program under the state's Department of Labor.
- HB 111 by Governor's Floor Leader Soo Hong aims to reduce the state income tax rate gradually.
- HB 112 by Lauren McDonald III offers a one-time tax credit for taxpayers who filed state returns in recent years.
- HB 113 also by Lauren McDonald III prohibits state agencies from purchasing goods from certain foreign entities.
- HB 137 by Rep. Victor Anderson suggests increasing bid limits for public works projects.
- HB 147 by Rep. Brad Thomas involves inventorying artificial intelligence usage in state agencies.
- HB 168 requires local acts for reimposing county SPLOSTs.
- HB 230 proposes tax credits for affordable home construction expenses.
- Other notable bills include those addressing military retirement income exclusion (HB 361), homestead exemption adjustments (HB 539), data center tax exemptions (HB 559), open records requests (SB12), nonpartisan elections (SB15), regulatory streamlining (SB28), electric utility charges (SB34), AI accountability (SB37), fentanyl penalties (SB79), childcare expense credits (SB89), consumer privacy protection (SB111), sports betting regulation and taxation (SB208).
Additionally, SR131 sponsored by Sen. Carden Summers sought a constitutional amendment for sports betting and casino gambling but failed to advance.
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