This morning, hundreds of people gathered for the annual Georgia March for Life outside of the Capitol. The event advocates for an end to abortion. Representative Lauren Daniel, who gave birth to her first child in high school, spoke at the event.  

In the House, members passed a measure aimed at preserving election integrity. House Bill 986 would create regulations around deepfake and A.I. videos created of a candidate near an election. Any content using computer generated video and audio of a candidate would require a warning. Someone who doesn’t disclose that the content is A.I.- generated would be charged with a felony.  

Reps. Brad Thomas (R–Holly Springs) and Charlice Byrd (R-Woodstock) presented their views. Byrd pushed back on the bill and said it sacrifices freedom. Supporters of HB 986 said Georgia is being pro-active at combatting an increasing threat from technology. The bill passed 148 to 22. 

HB 986, a bill that came up on the House floor Thursday, is designed to keep someone from using AI and deepfake media of a candidate. The bill would make it a felony to create any misleading content that could influence an election. It passed 148 to 22.

Rep. J. Collins, who has served in the house since 2017, announced his retirement.  

The Senate’s version of the house mid-year amended budget was the big news on the floor today. The budget will increase this year’s spending by an additional $5 billion. One of the main differences this year is how the state will pay for future big-ticket expenditures.  

After being passed the Senate’s version was sent back to the House.But the House rejected the revisions.The House and Senate will now create a joint conference committee to work out the balance sheet.  

Also today, state Senator Nabilah Islam Parkes held a news conference advocating for a sales tax holiday on school supplies, and sales tax removal on menstrual products and baby supplies.  

The Carter Center's Melissa Montgomery accepts an award on behalf of the late Rosalynn Carter, the former first lady of Georgia and the United States who died in November 2023 at age 96.

The Carter Center's Melissa Montgomery accepts an award from the Georgia Commission on Women on Feb. 22, 2024, on behalf of the late Rosalynn Carter, the former first lady of Georgia and the United States who died in November 2023 at age 96.

Credit: GPB

The Georgia Commission on Women held its annual Champions for Change event, where it presented awards to leaders from around the state. The group honored the late Rosalynn Carter, whom it had named its first woman of the year when the event began decades ago. The Carter Center's Melissa Montgomery accepted the award for the former first lady, who died in November 2023 at age 96.

Lawmakers return to the Gold Dome on Monday for legislative Day 26.

Join host Donna Lowry and capitol reporter Sarah Kallis at 7 p.m. on GPB-TV for the 54th season of GPB's Lawmakers.

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