Lawmakers continued the debate on a familiar issue under the Gold Dome today as a bill legalizing sports betting made its annual appearance in the Senate. Lawmakers will convene again on Tuesday.

Gov. Brian Kemp signed HB 30, which creates a state definition of antisemitism, into law this afternoon. Rep. Esther Panitch, Georgia’s only Jewish lawmaker, said she is elated with the bill’s signing and the bipartisan effort to make it happen. 

Lawmakers started Day 12 with sad and shocking news. House Rules Chairman Richard Smith had died overnight after battling the flu. He was 78.

In the House, members re-ignited a fiery debate over HB 881 and the Senate went back-and-forth about SB 354.

On Day 10 of the 2024 Georgia legislative session, the House finished business quickly while the Senate debated several controversial bills related to elections and the duties of elected officials. 

It was an emotional day nine in both the House and Senate as lawmakers in both chambers passed a bill that could help with hate crime prosecution. 

Republicans and Democrats gave press conferences this afternoon to address some of their top priorities this session.

Gov. Brian Kemp celebrated 50 years of friendship between Georgia and the Japanese Consulate in Atlanta. Lawmakers in both chambers also acknowledged Maternal Health Awareness Day. And Sen. Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming) introduced a resolution to look at Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ alleged mishandling of state money during her indictment of former President Trump. 

The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved the bill aimed at defining antisemitism in state code. House Bill 30 by Marietta Republican Rep. John Carson would adopt the definition used by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, requiring state agencies to use that definition as evidence for discriminatory intent in things like housing or employment discrimination, as well as under the state’s 2020 hate crimes law.

Monday at the Georgia capitol, a woman’s right to reproductive freedom was on the agenda as lawmakers looked back at the landmark 1973 decision. State senators also weighed in on the controversy surrounding Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. 

Kemp is spending the week in Switzerland attending the World Economic Forum, meeting business executives and political leaders and taking part in discussion panels.

Kemp also promoted action on school vouchers, announced pay raises for state employees, and expressed support for the Atlanta police training center.

 

House Republican leaders will push to eliminate QR codes from the paper ballots voting machines spit out to voters after they cast their ballots and consider strengthening the powers of the State Election Board, potentially at the expense of the secretary of state, said Burns.

Lawmakers started their day bright and early at the annual Georgia Chamber of Commerce Eggs and Issues breakfast, where policy goals were on the menu. 

Day 2 of the Georgia General Assembly’s 2024 legislative session did not bring the same busy energy as Day 1. But there was still business to be done.