Under the Gold Dome: March 24, 2025

What just happened? 

Tortuous Tort Reform

Despite a valiant effort by Democratic legislators, they were no match for the way Gov. Kemp steamrolled changes to civil litigation, referred to as tort reform. The main bill, SB 68, survived the legislative process with only a few minor amendments that would make it slightly easier for victims of sex trafficking to seek relief in court. Other measures largely stayed intact, including no requirements that insurance rates would decrease or stabilize—an argument that Kemp used to sell these changes. The bill passed the House on Thursday 91 to 82, with three Democrats voting for this bill—Reps. Michelle Au, Mack Jackson and Carl Gillard. The bill was quickly ratified by the Senate on Friday and is now awaiting Gov. Kemp’s signature. 

RFRA Roadblock

The so-called Religious Freedom bill, SB 36, did not make it out of the House Judiciary Committee last week. Republicans have tried to pass various versions of this type of bill for the past decade. The problem with these bills is that because Georgia has no statewide civil rights law, RFRA could be used to prohibit discrimination on the basis of faith. But without civil rights protections, it could also allow for discrimination on the basis of race, gender identity, country of origin, or in other ways.

Sen. Sally Harrell, in her newsletter, recounted the back-and-forth maneuvering around this bill, writing that after a four-hour hearing, Rep. Deborah Silcox, a Republican from Sandy Springs, offered an amendment to include civil rights protections against discrimination. The amendment failed, but Silcox and the Republican chair of the committee, Rep. Stan Gunter, then joined with the Democrats to defeat the bill 7 to 5. After that, a motion to reconsider passed, so it may be brought up again in the House Judiciary Committee, which is scheduled to meet at 11 a.m. on Wednesday.

Farm Working Families at the Capitol

On Friday, groups of students from Valdosta State and the University of North Georgia rallied in Liberty Plaza before going into the Capitol to talk with Legislators. The students, all from Georgia farm worker families, were members of cohorts at these two colleges designed to help them navigate and be successful as first-generation college students. Gigi Pedraza, executive director of the Latino Community Fund Georgia and organizer of the advocacy day, said to the students at the rally, ”Agriculture is the biggest economic sector in Georgia, with over $75 billion every year. I want to remind folks that when we go in the Capitol, that this is the people’s house. … Folks inside work for us. This is the time to not be quiet. The Senate and the House are in session at the moment, making decisions that are going to affect our lives every day.”  

What is coming up next? 

Despite only five more legislative days and two committee days, the schedule for this week, so far, is pretty slim. Few committee meetings are scheduled as of press time, and not many agendas are posted. 

None of the bills attacking transgender people have passed both chambers and do not appear on any committee agendas for this week. SB 1 is the bill that would prohibit transgender youth from participating in school sports teams that align with their gender identity. It is now in the House Education Committee, which is scheduled to meet on Tuesday at 2 p.m., but no agenda has been posted as of press time. Similarly, SB 30, the bill that would ban hormone therapy and puberty blockers for minors, is before the House Public and Community Health Committee, which is not scheduled to meet this week. SB 39 would restrict the state benefits health plan from covering gender-affirming care. This bill is assigned to the House Health Committee, which is not scheduled to meet this week. Lastly, HB 267, the Riley Gaines Act, is similar to SB 1 but is more restrictive. The Senate Judiciary Committee considered this bill last week but did not take a vote. The committee is scheduled to meet this Wednesday, but no agenda is posted as of press time. 

Other Georgia legislative bills to watch

SB 69 is a companion bill to Gov. Kemp’s tort reform, which would restrict organizations with ties to foreign governments or individuals from financing civil lawsuits. It passed the Senate weeks ago with no votes against it. However, it has not had a hearing in the Rules Subcommittee on Lawsuit Reform, which is not listed on the schedule of meetings for this week. 

SB 61 is on the agenda for Tuesday’s House Judiciary Non-civil Committee meeting at 3 p.m. This bill would require that young people ages 13 to 17 charged with domestic terrorist threats be tried as adults in superior court rather than juvenile court. Democratic members of the Senate have argued strongly against this bill. It will likely face stiff criticism at this Tuesday’s hearing. 

HB 268, the school safety bill sponsored by House Speaker Jon Burns, is on the agenda for the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Monday at 1 p.m. This bill would create a statewide database of students who have had behavioral or mental health issues in an effort to curb school shootings. 

And on Wednesday at 8 a.m., the Senate Special Committee on Investigations will hear an update on enforcement of the committee’s subpoena for documents and testimony regarding the investigation of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.

Over in the House, SB 29 is on the agenda in the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee, scheduled to meet Wednesday at 1 p.m. This bill would require DNA testing of anyone arrested for a felony. The current law requires DNA testing only after being charged or convicted. SB 21, which would waive sovereign immunity for city and county officials who violate the state’s prohibition of sanctuary laws, is before this same committee and possibly could be added to its Wednesday meeting agenda.

Always check the schedule for last-minute committee schedule updates and additions to committee agendas. 

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. Register using the links below, so that you are expected.

Tuesday, Georgia Values Action and Partners for Faith in Action will sponsor the Georgia Values Lobby Day for Working Families. Thursday, The Georgia Youth Justice Coalition will sponsor Youth at the Capitol.