Georgia’s 2017 legislative session doesn’t officially kick off until January 9th, but some legislators have already been hard at work pre-filing bills. Often pre-filing is used to ‘feel out’ public opinion on a topic, the bill itself is only an early version of an idea that needs more refinement. Other times it’s a way for legislators to get a jump on an issue that they hope to push through over the upcoming months. Let’s take a look at some of the 12 pieces of legislation that have already been introduced in preparation for January’s session.
Rep. Jason Spencer (R) found his name in headlines when he pre-filed HB3, which added on to the state’s pre-existing anti-mask law which prohibits individuals from covering their faces in public. Additional language in the bill added a ‘she’ to, “a person is guilty of a misdemeanor when he or she wears a mask, hood …” and also made it illegal to cover one’s face while driving or in a driver’s license photo. The bill was met with quick and intense backlash by those saying that it discriminated against Muslim women, many of whom wear hijabs, niqabs, or burqas in public, all of which cover the face. Following a media blow-up that went national, Spencer withdrew the bill, despite arguing that it, “does not contain language that specifically targets any group”.
Spencer wasn’t done there though, he has pre-filed three other bills this fall, including HB1, the “Georgia Space Flight Act”, which seeks to outline a set of rules and regulations relating to space flight in the state. It may seem outlandish at first glance, but as a burgeoning industry in rival states Florida and Texas, (among others) Georgia clearly wants to not be left behind when it comes to shooting for the stars, (literally).
HB10, from Rep. Mary Oliver (D), would prohibit the sale, possession, or use of certain assault weapons, large capacity magazines, armor-piercing bullets, and incendiary .50 caliber bullets. Don’t expect such a harsh gun control bill to make it far in a Second Amendment-friendly state legislature. Fellow Democratic Rep. Keisha Waites pre-filed HB7, which would make it illegal to use your cell phone while driving except in case of emergency, (or with a hands free headset). Again, don’t expect that sort of regulation to pass the Republican-dominated house.
Most of the other pre-filed bills aren’t nearly so exciting. HR1, also sponsored by Waites, would allow the Georgia Assembly to dedicate certain fees to driver education courses statewide. HB9, from Republican Reps. Shaw Blackmon and Rich Golick, would make it illegal to take pictures or videos up womens’ skirts in public places. Why that wasn’t already illegal seems a mystery, but this is one bill you can bet will cruise through both sides of the General Assembly.
You can see the rest of the pre-filed bills, (and any more that may come up before January 9th) here.
