The Senate has unanimously voted to keep in place a freeze on Georgia's gas tax. Senate lawmakers voted 50-0 to support the suspension, which took effect July 1. Gov. Nathan Deal issued an executive order in June halting an automatic increase linked to rising fuel prices, but lawmakers needed to sign off on the action.

State lawmakers will hold a public hearing on a draft congressional map Wednesday near the state Capitol. The Republican-controlled state legislature unveiled the map Monday.

Both chambers of the state legislature have approved new state house redistricting maps. But Gov. Nathan Deal wants lawmakers to take a second look at how the new map divides his home county. That's because under the approved maps, Hall County would go from having three state representatives to seven. Gov. Deal says that would divide the county too much.

The Georgia Senate is welcoming Macon's former city council president as its newest member. Miriam Paris was sworn in Monday by Georgia Supreme Court Justice Robert Benham. The Democrat defeated ex-state Rep. David Lucas in a special election held Aug. 16 by a margin of 12,950 to 10,220.

Georgia's newest congressional district will be based in the northeast corner of the state. The proposed congressional map unveiled by state lawmakers on Monday also redrew political boundaries for the 13 existing U.S. House districts. The new U.S. House district will be anchored by Hall County — home to Gov. Nathan Deal.