It was a busy and sometimes controversial Crossover Day in the legislature. Officially the final day for bills to move from one chamber to the other – though unofficially you never know what might happen on Days 29-40 as bills get attached or stripped or amended. There were a number of high profile items that were up for debate.
The day started out rather mildly, with the first bill passed in the House, HB 296, allowing for a revised term of court in the Superior Court of Hall County in the Northeastern Circuit. That mildness did not last.
One surprise of the day was the result of the vote on the so-called Hate Crimes bill, HB 426, that would allow for the imposition of punishment for crimes involving bias or prejudice. A bill that on first glance might be opposed by Republicans met with some stiff opposition. A motion to table – likely an attempt to delay it to death – failed and the bill was eventually passed by the House on a 96-64 vote, with all the Democrats voting in favor and enough crossover votes from Republicans to pass it easily.
HB 454, a bill dealing with the electric scooter phenomenon, also passed the house, on a 133-28 vote. The bill prohibits riders of the popular devices, like Bird and Lime, from parking on sidewalks or other places that may restrict pedestrians or vehicles. It does allow for riders to utilize bike paths or roads with a speed limit of up to 35 mph if no bike lane is available.
The most controversial bill of the day did not come up until nearly 9:00 PM. Rep. Ed Setzler (R-35 Acworth) introduced HB 481, the “heartbeat bill” that would ban abortions when doctors could detect a heartbeat, usually at about six weeks. What followed was a sequence of emotional testimonies from Setzler about growing up as an adopted child; Rep. Renitta Shannon (D-Decatur 84) talking about her own abortion that she had almost 20 years ago and does not regret – then refusing to leave the well after her time was up, and Rep. Deborah Silcox (R-52 Sandy Springs) gave a tearful defense of her no vote, citing feedback from constituents.
Several Democrats briefly walked out of the debate on the bill, with Rep. Park Cannon (D-58 Atlanta) and other Democrats handing out clothes hangers, meant to symbolize the danger of the pre-Roe days.
Governor Kemp signaled his support for the bill early in the day, before it was certain that it would come to a floor vote. “Let’s champion life today and ensure that all Georgians – including the unborn – have the chance to live, grow, and prosper,” said Kemp.
After the vote, Kemp held a brief, one-minute press conference expressing his support for the bill and its passage. “I proudly support this legislation which protects the rights of the unborn at the heartbeat. Together we must stand up for the innocent and stand up for those who do not have a voice,” said Kemp after the legislation passed. Kemp promised during the Republican primary that he would sign the toughest abortion laws in the country and it looks like he’s following through on that pledge.
Stay tuned as InsiderAdvantage continues to cover the fallout from Crossover Day.
