On Day 10 of the 2024 Georgia legislative session, the House finished business quickly while the Senate debated several controversial bills related to elections and the duties of elected officials. 

It was an emotional day nine in both the House and Senate as lawmakers in both chambers passed a bill that could help with hate crime prosecution. 

Republicans and Democrats gave press conferences this afternoon to address some of their top priorities this session.

Gov. Brian Kemp celebrated 50 years of friendship between Georgia and the Japanese Consulate in Atlanta. Lawmakers in both chambers also acknowledged Maternal Health Awareness Day. And Sen. Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming) introduced a resolution to look at Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ alleged mishandling of state money during her indictment of former President Trump. 

The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved the bill aimed at defining antisemitism in state code. House Bill 30 by Marietta Republican Rep. John Carson would adopt the definition used by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, requiring state agencies to use that definition as evidence for discriminatory intent in things like housing or employment discrimination, as well as under the state’s 2020 hate crimes law.

Monday at the Georgia capitol, a woman’s right to reproductive freedom was on the agenda as lawmakers looked back at the landmark 1973 decision. State senators also weighed in on the controversy surrounding Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. 

Kemp is spending the week in Switzerland attending the World Economic Forum, meeting business executives and political leaders and taking part in discussion panels.

Kemp also promoted action on school vouchers, announced pay raises for state employees, and expressed support for the Atlanta police training center.
 

House Republican leaders will push to eliminate QR codes from the paper ballots voting machines spit out to voters after they cast their ballots and consider strengthening the powers of the State Election Board, potentially at the expense of the secretary of state, said Burns.

Lawmakers started their day bright and early at the annual Georgia Chamber of Commerce Eggs and Issues breakfast, where policy goals were on the menu. 

Day 2 of the Georgia General Assembly’s 2024 legislative session did not bring the same busy energy as Day 1. But there was still business to be done. 

Protesters awaited lawmakers as they arrived at the Georgia Capitol Monday. The session began on a somber note, as state Rep. Sandra Scott took to the House floor to honor a cousin who died as a result of gun violence this year. She urged lawmakers to pass gun safety laws.

Lowry is the host of GPB's Lawmakers program. She spoke with GPB's Orlando Montoya about what's on tap for the show, which kicks off its 54th season tonight at 7 p.m. ET on GPB-TV.

In an October ruling, U.S. District Judge Steve Jones ordered the legislature to draw five additional Black-majority districts in the House and two additional Black-majority districts in the Senate to accommodate increases in Georgia’s Black population in the last decade. On Friday, Republicans said their new maps honor Jones’ ruling.

State Rep. Patty Bentley joyously changed her last name to Stinson in a wedding ceremony on the grounds of the Georgia Capitol on Tuesday.