One of the busiest days on the legislative calendar is Crossover Day, the 28th day of the session, which marks the date by which bills must pass at least one chamber to advance for further consideration by the state House or Senate.
Tuesday’s 2022 edition was no exception to the typically hectic schedule, with votes flying and bills moving forward – or drawing their last gasp – as the day spilled over into night. Here’s a look at some of what passed, and what didn’t, on Crossover Day.
Passed:
Medical Marijuana
SB 609 – The process of issuing medical marijuana licenses and thus actually legally getting cannabis oil to patients has turned into something of a disaster in recent years. Tuesday the Senate voted 52-0 in favor of SB 609, which would authorize six companies (previously selected) to begin production of cannabis oil within the next couple of months if approved by the House. However it seems likely to be more fiercely debated in the lower chamber as it passed HB 1425, which would restart the bidding process entirely. Two diametrically opposed bills now swap chambers – this saga is far from over.
Protestor Crime
SB 171 – Passed along party lines (with Republicans in favor), the bill would increase penalties for crimes committed during protests. Inspired by some of the BLM protests from 2020 as well as the Jan. 6th riot at the U.S. Capitol, the bill would also require protestors to acquire a permit as well as punish local officials who order their law enforcement to “stand down” during a protest.
Lawmaker Raises
HB 824 – Lawmakers voting to increase their own pay and benefits is always a tricky issue, but compensation in Georgia has lagged behind neighboring states in recent years. HR 842 would increase lawmaker pay to $36,000, while HB 824 would increase lawmaker pensions by about 40%. The House approved both measures Tuesday, sending them to the Senate.
Term Lengths
SR 623 – Sen. Lindsey Tippins’ (R-Marietta) pet project to lengthen the terms for state senators to four years, arguing that it would give legislators more time to learn the ropes and spend less time fundraising and campaigning. The measure found widespread support in the Senate Tuesday, passing 49-3 – but will the House agree to double the term lengths of their peers in the upper chamber? If so, the question will be posed to Georgia voters this fall.
Election Reform
HB 1464 – This year’s GOP-backed elections bill is not as comprehensive as 2021’s, but it still looks to increase transparency and give the GBI additional powers to investigate allegations of voter fraud. The bill passed along party lines, 98-73. Expect more debate and more changes to the bill, which would also make paper ballots public record and make it a felony to threaten violence against poll workers.
Died:
School Choice
SB 601 – Backed by some heavy hitters in the Senate, the bill would have created vouchers for parents looking to switch their kids from public to private schools. Similar bills in the House were killed by Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) earlier in the session because of a school choice advocacy group’s overzealous mailers that slammed GOP legislators. Some Senate Republicans apparently felt similarly, and Democrats naturally joined them in voting down the bill 29-20. The bill was also noteworthy for not excluding illegal immigrants – which may have also contributed to the “No” vote from some Republicans.
Horse Racing
SR 131 and SB 212 – These companion bills would allow Georgia voters to decide on legalizing horse racing, and if approved would set up a Georgia Horse Racing Commission that would facilitate the construction of up to five horse racing tracks with gambling. The Senate voted in favor of SR 131, 33-20, but that number fell short of the 2/3 majority needed to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot and move the resolution forward to the House. Supporters voiced their disappointment and promised not to give up on the legislation.
We’ll have more on the bills that passed, that didn’t, and that might rise again in days to come.
