Under the Gold Dome: Feb. 24, 2025

This year, ACPC is keeping an eye on the Georgia General Assembly. Each week, we will highlight selected bills, report on selected critical topics, and preview the schedule for the upcoming week.

What just happened?

Action in the House

After decades of little change in state laws governing the death penalty, HB 123 passed out of the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee. The bill would require defendants in death penalty cases to raise the defense of intellectual disability prior to trial. This bill now awaits a vote on the floor of the House. 

HB 267, the Riley Gaines Act, another transphobic bill, was approved by the House Education Committee. This bill prohibits transgender people from participating in sports with the gender with which they identify. It is more extreme than SB 1, which has passed the Senate because it uses the term sex instead of gender. This change would also affect a variety of state functions, including the use of bathrooms, patient record systems, and voter rolls. SB 1 has also been assigned to the House Education Committee. 

An issue that has gotten a lot of attention is the possibility of titanium mining on the Trail Ridge near the southeast corner of the Okefenokee Swamp. Two bills introduced this week would help protect the swamp from mining efforts. The Okefenokee Protection Act, HB 561, would prohibit future mining on the Trail Ridge. HB 562 calls for a five-year moratorium on applications for additional permitting along the Trail Ridge. While both of these bills have significant support in the House, neither would prevent the current strip mining permit applied for by the Alabama company Twin Pines Minerals. Its permit is still under review by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. The bills have been assigned to the Natural Resources and Environment Committee. 

And Over In the Senate

SB 89 was voted out of the Senate unanimously this week, and it heads to the House, where it is assigned to the Ways and Means Committee.  It would increase the state income tax credit for certain childcare expenses from the current 30% to 40% of the federal tax credit. However, this bill calls for a non-refundable credit — meaning it can lower your tax bill, but cannot increase a tax refund — whereas the federal tax credit is actually refundable. “This is a step in the right direction,” explained Danny Kanso, Director of Legislative Strategy and Senior Fiscal Analyst for the Georgia Budget & Policy Institute. “We support creating a Child Tax Credit and are happy to see unanimous support in the state Senate for SB 89, but hope lawmakers will consider adding refundability to ensure we are supporting families who need it the most with essential costs such as child care.” 

SB 21 waives immunity for local officials who violate the prohibition on sanctuary policies. It passed the full Senate with a vote of 33 to 18. Only one Democrat, Freddie Sims, voted for this bill. It has now moved to the House, where it is assigned to the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee.

The Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee passed SB 94, which would reestablish a Consumer Utility Council to represent citizens before the utilities oversight agencies. It should be on the floor of the Senate in the next two weeks. 

And finally, on Friday morning, SB 68 — one of Gov. Kemp’s must-pass tort reform bills — passed out of the Senate with a vote largely along party lines 33 to 21. It moves to the House for more debate. 

What’s coming next?  

Concern Over Data Centers

Data Centers have caught the attention of legislators in both chambers. Two bills have been introduced to put the brakes on the proliferation of data centers that are potentially needed for the expansion of artificial intelligence. New data centers create a range of environmental and fiscal concerns. HB 559 calls for rolling back the sales tax exemption on data centers from the current 2031 to 2026. The legislature passed a bill last year requiring a two-year suspension of this tax credit, but it was vetoed by Gov. Kemp, who has aggressively used this tax exemption to help lure more data centers to the state. HB 559 is awaiting a hearing by the House Ways and Means Committee.

SB 34, introduced by Republican Sen. Huffstedler, would require the Public Service Commission to ensure that no cost for additional electric generating power for data centers can be passed on to Georgia Power ratepayers. It is assigned to the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee. A hearing is expected this coming week. 

On Tuesday, in the House Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee, two significant environmental bills will be considered. HB 402 would require the Public Service Commission and other government entities to develop standards and goals for renewable energy sources and renewable energy portfolio for the state. The committee will discuss HB 507, the Home Grown Solar bill, which would allow communities or neighborhoods to establish solar facilities. 

It’s a busy committee week. As of Sunday evening, many did not have agendas posted, but that will change. Check the main page of the legislature’s website for all scheduled meetings. Click on “All Upcoming Meetings” for the full list. And yes, it frequently takes a bit of time to load. 

A look at the lighter side

The digital news outlet, the Georgia Recorder, has started a new column, Gold Dome Nuggets. Their recent posting regards a bill to allow pink attire for deer hunting, among other goings on. And a new quasi-satire BlusSky account has popped up, @ga-gossipgirl.bsky.social, whose bio reads  “serving politics with a helping of scandal.” 

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. A good number are on the schedule for this week. The coalition Cover Georgia will hold a lobby day on Monday, calling for Medicaid Expansion. Also, on that day, the League of Women Voters of Georgia will focus on elections and housing issues. Then, on Tuesday, Black Voters Matter will host a Day At the Capitol. Also that day, the Justice Reform Partnership will hold its Rooted in Justice, Thriving Together: Justice Day.

The National Parents Union will have its “Day of Action” on Thursday, along with the Muslim Advocacy Day sponsored by the Georgia Muslim Voter Project and the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Lastly, on Thursday, Georgia Youth Justice Coalition (GYJC) sponsors Youth at the Capitol to advocate for various issues.