Gov. Kemp signs dozens of bills into law, vetoes others. See the list

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Governor Brian Kemp signed dozens of bills into law after the 2024 legislative session.

Credit: Sarah Kallis/GPB News

Gov. Brian Kemp signed dozens of bills into law in the 40-day signing period after the 2024 legislative session gaveled out.  

Several key pieces of legislation received final approval from Kemp late in the signing period, which ended on May 7. 

Senate Bill 189 

Kemp signed the controversial elections bill on the last day of the signing period. The bill outlines requirements for voter challenges and will remove bar codes off of ballots in 2026. Democrats opposed the bill when it passed, saying it creates additional hurdles to voting.

House Bill 916 

The $36 billion budget was signed into law May 7. It includes raises for teachers, law enforcement and other state employees.

Kemp said this year’s budget demonstrates the state’s priorities and will help Georgia serve its citizens.

“And this budget, in particular, will help us further promote economic prosperity in communities all across the state," he said. "It will also provide Georgia students a quality education, care for health and well-being of our families and ensure the safety of our neighborhoods.“

The budget also includes funds for school safety, mental health care and a rural workforce housing program.

Senate Bill 233 

Senate Bill 233 establishes the "Georgia Promise Scholarship" which provides a $6,500 voucher for students attending the lowest-performing public schools to use to attend private school. Critics cited concerns that it could siphon funding from public schools.

House Bill 1015

Kemp signed legislation to reduce the income tax rate to 5.39%, down from 5.49%. He also signed legislation to reduce the corporate tax rate to the same rate, and increase the tax deduction for dependents.

House Bill 1105

HB 1105 requires that local sheriffs and jailers report the immigration status of detainees to federal immigration enforcement. The bill picked up steam after the February murder of student Laken Riley in Athens, Ga. 

Senate Bill 63 

SB 63 expands the number of offenses, including some misdemeanors, that require cash bail. Critics of the bill say that it keeps low-income people in jail, but supporters say it prevents criminals from leaving jail quickly. 

Other bills signed

• HB 30 creates a state definition of antisemitism. 
• HB 869 allows residents to vote to create a city of Mulberry in Gwinnett . 
• HB 1201 allows victims of human trafficking to petition courts to vacate their sentences. 

Vetos 

• HB 1192 would have created tax breaks for data storage facilities, but Kemp vetoed it because it could interfere with another existing program. 
• HB 1019 would have doubled the homestead exemption. Kemp vetoed it because of legal technicalities. 
• SB 368 would have banned foreign nationals from donating in campaigns. Kemp vetoed it because it is already law. 

Here is the list of all the legislation Gov. Kemp has signed in 2024. Any bills passed by the Legislature that Kemp neither signed nor vetoed will become law at a date specified in each bill.