Ga. Lawmakers Pass Dozens Of Bills On Last Day Of Session

Georgia lawmakers have adjourned the 2015 legislative session after passing dozens of bills.

Lawmakers worked until their midnight deadline Thursday, and have sent the measures to Gov. Nathan Deal for his signature.

By law, the General Assembly meets 40 days each year and must adjourn "sine die" - signaling no further meetings.

Deal called the session one of the state's most productive. Lawmakers passed a $40 billion state budget, a $900 million transportation funding package and legislation affecting schools, as well as relief for children with autism and people seeking medical marijuana for treatment of chronic illnesses. A divisive religious freedom measure did not receive a House vote.

Other bills passed: a tax break for Mercedes-Benz employees who lease cars; a ridesharing bill that requires drivers for companies that offer those services to display certificates of identifications on their cars, obtain master licenses and offer $1 million of insurance; a fund for sexually abused and exploited children that would be financed through fines on convicted traffickers and a fee on strip clubs; a sales tax supporting MARTA; proposals for cities of LaVista Hills and Tucker.

Attention now turns to the governor, who can sign, veto or take no action on the bills.

Tags: Sine Die, georgia house and senate pass bills, religious freedom, last day of legislative session