LISTEN: GPB's Sarah Kallis breaks down the day's events on legislative Day 13 at the Georgia Capitol.
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A bipartisan group of lawmakers celebrated Gov. Brian Kemp signing a historic bill into law on Day 13.
Kemp signed House Bill 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.
In the House, lawmakers remembered the Georgia soldiers who lost their lives this week in a drone attack: Sgt. William Rivers, Spc. Kennedy Sanders, and Spc. Breonna Moffett.
The House returned to business after a moment of silence and passed HB 878. The bill aligns traffic laws for passing a postal truck with the laws for passing a garbage truck, including reducing speed by at least 10 miles per hour below the posted limit. The bill passed 165 to 1.
HB 976 also passed the House today. The bill would add a watermark to ballots. Sponsors of the bill say it will help voter confidence.
The bill passed 165 to 1.
Rep. Shelly Hutchinson (D-Snellville) provided an update on the foster children available for adoption she has introduced in the house.
Hutchinson has introduced at least one child per week in the House the past several years.
Today was Dyslexia Day at the Capitol. Sen. Jason Esteves (D-Atlanta ) shared his personal story about the condition.
It’s estimated that around 20% of Georgia’s school-age kids are affected by some form of dyslexia.
Esteves said some major changes need to take place in our schools to help combat the learning disability.
The Senate also passed two bills that should help some Georgians’ retirement benefits.
SB 105 will boost multiplier rates for the public school workers’ retirement plan.
School employees such as bus drivers, cafeteria workers and maintenance workers will benefit, but the bill doesn’t include schoolteachers. They have their own separate plan.
And SB 328 will allow an increase in dues and other administrative changes for law enforcement officers enrolled in the police officer’s annuity and benefit fund.
The retirement plan is voluntary and completely member-funded.
But the big news from the Senate today was license plates. A new Georgia license plate will be produced starting in 2026, celebrating the semi-quincentennial — or 250th anniversary — of the American Revolution.
Unlike most of the other approximately 30 license plates you can purchase in Georgia, this one will be one of three standard-issue plates.
Sen. Max Burns (R-Sylvania) said “It is not a vanity plate.”
The logo on the left side of the plate will be designed by middle school students and chosen by the Georgia Department of Education.
Tomorrow, on Day 14, the Senate is expected to vote on a bill that seeks to legalize sports betting in Georgia.
Join host Donna Lowry and capitol reporter Sarah Kallis at 7 p.m. on GPB-TV for the 54th season of GPB's Lawmakers.
