Donna Lowry recaps the end of Georgia’s 2025 legislative session, concerns over the state budget amid federal funding cuts, and the swearing-in of Georgia’s first female labor commissioner.
A proposed last-minute attempt to limit the public’s access to police reports and communications with state lawmakers was abandoned Friday as quickly as it emerged.
The last day of the 40-day legislative session, when the House and Senate usually crank out legislation right up until midnight and celebrate at the end of the night by throwing torn-up pieces of paper into the air, ended with a whimper.
In the Senate, almost 90 bills and resolutions were posted on their rules calendar as legislators hustled to pass as much legislation as they can in the last two days of the session. In the House, members approved Senate Bill 17, or Ricky and Alyssa's Law, named after two school shooting victims.
The final day for this year’s session is April 4. Here are some major pieces of legislation to watch out for as the Gold Dome’s final countdown begins.
On Thursday at the Capitol, both chambers stayed busy as the countdown until Sine Die is on. In the House, members debated Senate Bill 9, which would criminalize artificial intelligence videos designed to interfere with elections. The Senate took up HB 428, which would codify into law access to in vitro fertilization.
The Senate said farewell to one of their own this morning, after Sen. Brandon Beach's appointment as the Trump administration's new U.S. treasurer. The House took up several bills dealing with public safety and children.
On Friday at the Capitol, Senate Bill 68, the controversial tort reform bill, was back in the Senate after changes were made in the House that carved out an exception for victims of human trafficking.
