Gov. Brian Kemp announced at the beginning of the 2024 General Assembly session that he would not push for comprehensive tort reform this year. But the state Senate passed legislation Tuesday addressing one aspect of tort reform.

As we reached the halfway point in the session, it was a tale of two chambers — leading up to a major announcement from Gov. Brian Kemp.

Senators discussed a Republican-penned resolution allowing Gov. Brian Kemp to allocate resources to help the state of Texas secure the border.

Today, lawmakers in the House debated a bill that would make cornbread the official state bread. 

The Carter Center hosted its inaugural Mental Health Parity Day by the Georgia State Capitol. Mental health stakeholders, legislators, and leadership from several state agencies gathered to discuss how to advance implementation of the bipartisan Mental Health Parity Act passed in April 2022.

Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Boggs gave his State of the Judiciary Address on Wednesday. Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns, along with Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones and other Republican legislators also spoke at a press conference about upcoming changes they’re going to make to tax exemptions affecting teachers, technology, and the film industry. 

The Republican controlled House voted 97 to 69 along party lines to adopt a conference committee report on Senate Bill 63, worked out by House and Senate negotiators.

Last year, the Georgia Senate passed Senate Bill 92, which would create a commission to oversee and potentially punish local district attorneys who fail to uphold Georgia law or  break it. Today, the Senate revisited the bill.

Lawmakers continued the debate on a familiar issue under the Gold Dome today as a bill legalizing sports betting made its annual appearance in the Senate. Lawmakers will convene again on Tuesday.

Gov. Brian Kemp signed HB 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. 

Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns said earlier this month a "private option” was being studied. Many Republicans have voiced support for an Arkansas-style model that uses federal funds to purchase private plans on the federal marketplace.

Lawmakers started Day 12 with sad and shocking news. House Rules Chairman Richard Smith had died overnight after battling the flu. He was 78.

In the House, members re-ignited a fiery debate over HB 881 and the Senate went back-and-forth about SB 354.

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.