Under the Gold Dome: Feb. 10, 2025

This article has been updated to correct a reference to the Senate Committee on Public Safety, a previous version incorrectly referenced the House Committee on Public Safety.

What just happened? 

Public Safety Bills Move Forward

The Senate Committee on Public Safety met for the second time on Thursday to discuss SB 21, which will lift sovereign immunity for any elected official participating in immigration sanctuary policies, making them liable to being sued for civil damages. The bill passed out of committee on a party-line vote. Also, this same committee heard additional testimony on SB 7 that would require the city of Atlanta to allow the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office to use the Atlanta Detention Center fully. Objections were expressed by the City of Atlanta Law Department and the Southern Center for Human Rights. Additionally, the Georgia Municipal Association opposed the bill on local control grounds.  This bill also passed out of committee on a party-line vote. 

Transphobia at the Gold Dome

Last week, a good deal of air time at the Georgia Legislature was consumed by Republicans’ apparent obsession with genitalia and “protecting” girls in sports. SB 1 zoomed through the committee process and was approved by the full Senate with a vote of 35 Yeas and 17 Nays, with all the Republicans and two Democrats–Sens. Freddie Sims and Ed Harbison — voting for the bill. You can watch the Feb. 6 debate on the floor of the Senate here, starting at 3:00:45 time stamp. Generally, this bill prohibits transgender women and girls from participating in sports at the college, high school, and junior high levels. It also prohibits them from using bathrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identity. A less expansive bill has been introduced in the House, HB 104, banning transgender sports, but only at the high school level. It has been assigned to the House Education Committee.

What is coming up next? 

Tort Reform Debates Begin

The Governor’s tort reform bills are expected to be debated at 4 p.m. today in the Senate Judiciary Committee (although, as of Sunday afternoon, no agenda was posted for this committee). Attorneys representing citizens who suffer personal injuries will push back against the narrative that somehow these bills (SB 68 and 69) will magically reduce liability insurance rates for a wide swath of Georgians, including doctors, hospitals, and large and small business owners. These bills are heavily supported by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. Monday’s hearing likely will be the opening salvo for a lengthy debate throughout the session. 

Another Try for Medicaid Expansion

SB 50 would create PeachCare Plus by expanding Medicaid access for Georgians making less than 138% of the federal poverty level. Four Republican senators have joined 17 Democrats in sponsoring the bill. It has been assigned to the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee, scheduled to meet on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons this week, with no announced agenda as of Sunday afternoon. This article from the Current has the details. 

Other Items to Watch

HB 111 and 112 will be discussed in the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Income Tax on Monday. These are the beginning steps to enshrine a lower state income tax rate of 5.19% and certain tax credits for filers from 2023-2024. Also, a bill relating to open records requests, SB 12, was amended and passed unanimously out of committee last week. It will likely be voted on by the full Senate and sent to the House for consideration. 

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones introduced SB 21, which he has named the “Red Tape Roll Back Act. Patterned after the Elon Musk DOGE effort on the federal level, Jones, who is laying the groundwork for a run for governor next year, says the bill requires state agencies to review rules and regulations every four years. The bill has been assigned to the Economic and Tourism Committee of the Senate, which is not scheduled to meet this week.   

Several committee meetings are scheduled, and more will be posted. Some committees meeting later in the week do not have agendas announced yet, and agendas are always subject to change. Always check the latest schedule for up-to-date information. 

Advocacy Days The best way to learn about the legislative process and to advocate for particular issues is to come to the Capitol for an advocacy day. On Wednesday, NAACP of Georgia is holding an advocacy day and its 116th Founders Day celebration. And Thursday is the New Americans Celebration sponsored by the Coalition of Refugee Service Agencies. Also, on Thursday, the League of Women Voters of GA will host their Educate the State on Mental Health and Housing Priorities.