Long day at the Georgia Legislature: Full coverage of Crossover Day in the AJC

Among the votes taken: Push to legalize sports betting stalls; budget ready for governor’s signature

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones talks with Sen. Majority Leader Steve Gooch, R-Dahlonega, as SB 140 is discussed in the Senate Chambers during Crossover day at the State Capitol on Monday, March 6, 2023, in Atlanta. SB 140 prohibits medical professionals from giving transgender children certain hormones or surgical treatment that assists them in aligning with their gender identity. Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

Sen. Kim Jackson, D-Stone Mountain, speaks in opposition of SB 140 in the Senate Chambers during Crossover day at the State Capitol on Monday, March 6, 2023, in Atlanta. The bill prohibits medical professionals from giving transgender children certain hormones or surgical treatment that assists them in aligning with their gender identity. Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones stands in front of the voting board as SB 140 passes in the Senate Chambers during Crossover day at the State Capitol on Monday, March 6, 2023, in Atlanta. The bill prohibits medical professionals from giving transgender children certain hormones or surgical treatment that assists them in aligning with their gender identity. Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

Sen. Sally Harrell, D-Atlanta, speaks in opposition of SB 140 in the Senate Chambers during Crossover day at the State Capitol on Monday, March 6, 2023, in Atlanta. The bill prohibits medical professionals from giving transgender children certain hormones or surgical treatment that assists them in aligning with their gender identity. Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

Sen. Carden Summers, R-Cordele, speaks about SB 140 in the Senate Chambers during Crossover day at the State Capitol on Monday, March 6, 2023, in Atlanta. Summers is the sponsor of SB 140. The bill prohibits medical professionals from giving transgender children certain hormones or surgical treatment that assists them in aligning with their gender identity. Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

State Rep. Esther Panitch D-House District 51, and State Rep. John Carson, R-Marietta, embrace each other after the passing of the HB30 during Crossover Day at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 6, 2023. HB30 defines antisemitism so that it would be included under Georgia’s hate crimes law.
Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

State Rep. Stacey Evans, D-Atlanta, addresses the chamber opposing HB231 during Crossover Day at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 6, 2023. HB231 proposes that removing a prosecutor from office could be easier if prosecutors are not doing their job.
Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

The sun sets behind the Georgia State Capitol on Crossover Day, day 28 of the legislative session, on Monday, March 6, 2023, in Atlanta. Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

State Rep. Houston Gaines R-Athens speak in favor of HB231 during Crossover Day at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 6, 2023. HB231 proposes that removing a prosecutor from office could be easier if prosecutors are not doing their job.

Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

A Mardi Gras king cake baby sits on the desk of Sen. Mike Dugan (R-Carrollton) as he presses the button to vote for a bill on Crossover Day at the State Capitol on Monday, March 6, 2023. (Natrice Miller/ Natrice.miller@ajc.com)

With 170 yeas votes and two nays, the HB196 bill passes the House Chamber during Crossover Day at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 6, 2023. HB196 is a medical marijuana bill that aims to expand production, increase transparency, and end lawsuits. Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

State Rep. Esther Panitch D-Sandy Springs, a co-author of the HB30, speaks firmly in favor of the bill during Crossover Day at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 6, 2023. HB30 defines antisemitism so that it would be included under Georgia’s hate crimes law.
Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

State Rep. John. Carson, R-Marietta, a primary author of the HB30, speaks in favor of the bill during Crossover Day at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 6, 2023. HB30 defines antisemitism so that it would be included under Georgia’s hate crimes law, and it would prohibit using swastikas with the intent to terrorize another person.

Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

State Rep. Jasmine Clark, D-Lilburn, speaks opposing House Bill HB30 during Crossover Day at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 6, 2023. HB30 defines antisemitism so that it would be included under Georgia’s hate crimes law, and it would prohibit using swastikas with the intent to terrorize another person.
Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

State Rep. John. Carson, R-Marietta, a primary author of HB30, speaks in favor of the bill during Crossover Day at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 6, 2023. HB30 defines antisemitism so that it would be included under Georgia’s hate crimes law, and it would prohibit using swastikas with the intent to terrorize another person.
Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Sen. Bo Hatchett (R-Cornelia) holds his daughters Hallie (left) and Hazel (right) while they visit him in the Senate chambers on Crossover Day at the State Capitol on Monday, March 6, 2023. (Natrice Miller/ Natrice.miller@ajc.com)

State Rep. Joseph Gullet, R-Acworth, the primary of HB231, speaks in favor of the bill during Crossover Day at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 6, 2023. HB231 proposes that removing a prosecutor from office could be easier if prosecutors are not doing their job.Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

State Rep. Dar'shun Kendrick, D-Lithonia speak opposing HB231 during Crossover Day at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 6, 2023. HB231 proposes that removing a prosecutor from office could be easier if prosecutors are not doing their job.
Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

State Rep. Houston Gaines R-Athens looks over the board as the voting of HB231 is taking place during Crossover Day at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 6, 2023. HB231 proposes that removing a prosecutor from office could be easier if prosecutors are not doing their job.
Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

State Rep. Alan Powell R-Hartwell, the author of HB196, answer a question regarding the bill during Crossover Day at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 6, 2023. HB196 is medical marijuana bill that aims to expand production, increase transparency, and end lawsuits. Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com
Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Members of the House of Representatives welcome Rep. Holt Persinger, R-Winder, on his first day of the legislative session on Monday, March 6, 2023. (Natrice Miller/ Natrice.miller@ajc.com)

Sen. Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming) turns his thumb down in response to an amendment to SB 233 which would provide vouchers to public school students to attend private school on Crossover day at the State Capitol on Monday, March 6, 2023. (Natrice Miller/ Natrice.miller@ajc.com)

Sen. Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming) answers a question about SB 233 which would provide vouchers to public school students to attend private school on Crossover day at the State Capitol on Monday, March 6, 2023. (Natrice Miller/ Natrice.miller@ajc.com)

Rep. Chas Cannon (R-Moultrie) chats with Georgia Teen Miss United States Agriculture Jessie Blair, 17, at the State Capitol on Monday, March 6, 2023. (Natrice Miller/ natrice.miller@ajc.com)

House Chamber debate on HB18 during Crossover Day at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 6, 2023. HB18 will do mid-year budget changes to the fiscal 2022-23 Georgia budget. Monday is the last day for a bill to move from one chamber to another.
Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Sen. Bill Cowsert (R-Athens) talks about SB 140 on Crossover Day during the legislative session at the State Capitol on Monday, March 6, 2023. (Natrice Miller/ Natrice.miller@ajc.com)

Lawmakers and lobbyists stand in the South wing of the State Capitol on day 28 of the legislative session on Monday, March 6, 2023. (Natrice Miller/ Natrice.miller@ajc.com)

Sen. Blake TIllery (R-Vidalia) talks about SB 18 on Crossover Day during the legislative session at the State Capitol on Monday, March 6, 2023. (Natrice Miller/ Natrice.miller@ajc.com)

Sen. Bo Hatchett (R-Cornelia) holds his daughter Hallie while she visits him on Crossover day at the State Capitol on Monday, March 6, 2023. (Natrice Miller/ Natrice.miller@ajc.com)

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones hits gavels out for a lunch break on Crossover day at the State Capitol on Monday, March 6, 2023. (Natrice Miller/ Natrice.miller@ajc.com)

State Rep. Matt Hatchett, chair of the Georgia House Appropriations Committee, speaks in favor of the SB18 during Crossover Day at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 5, 2023. HB18 will do
mid-year budget changes to the fiscal 2022-23 Georgia budget. Monday is the last day for a bill to move from one chamber to another.
Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Lobbyists and lawmakers gather in the hallways of the Georgia Capitol during crossover day on Legislative session 28 on Monday, March 6, 2023.
Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

House Chamber debate on HB18 during Crossover Day at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 6, 2023. Monday is the last day for a bill to move from one chamber to another.
Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

LGBTQ activists protest outside the Georgia Capitol against SB 140 during crossover day on Monday, March 6, 2023. Bills, and resolutions need passage in either the House or the Senate by Crossover Day to be considered by the other chamber for passage this year
Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Georgia Capitol is seen on Crossover Day and legislative day 28 on Monday, March 6, 2023. Monday is the last day for a bill to move from one chamber to another.
Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Lobbyists follow the House Chamber session on the screens during Crossover Day at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 6, 2023. Monday is the last day for a bill to move from one chamber to another.
Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

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Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones talks with Sen. Majority Leader Steve Gooch, R-Dahlonega, as SB 140 is discussed in the Senate Chambers during Crossover day at the State Capitol on Monday, March 6, 2023, in Atlanta. SB 140 prohibits medical professionals from giving transgender children certain hormones or surgical treatment that assists them in aligning with their gender identity. Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

By AJC staff

March 7, 2023

Monday was Crossover Day at the Georgia Legislature, the General Assembly’s internal deadline for bills to pass at least one legislative chamber.

Measures that fail to advance by that day have less of a chance of becoming law before the final day of the 2023 session. But even those bills could return in another form, if the language of the bill is inserted into another piece of legislation.

Below are some of the key votes taken on Monday and covered in both ajc.com and the ePaper edition.

For a snapshot look, here is the AJC Bill Tracker with status of major legislation our Politics team is watching.

UPDATE: These bills didn’t make the cut on Crossover Day. From the Jolt

TOP STORIES from Crossover Day

Push to legalize sports betting stalls

Budget ready for governor’s signature

Senate approves bill to prohibit surgery, limit treatment for transgender youth

State OKs expansion of need-based college aid

Secessionists’ quest to make Buckhead a city ends

Medical marijuana logjam targeted

House votes to include antisemitism under hate crimes law

Full coverage of the Georgia Legislature on ajc.com

Special Politically Georgia Podcast; Sorting out Crossover Day

A Mardi Gras king cake baby sits on the desk of Sen. Mike Dugan (R-Carrollton) as he presses the button to vote for a bill on Crossover Day at the State Capitol on Monday, March 6, 2023. (Natrice Miller/ Natrice.miller@ajc.com)

The sun sets behind the Georgia State Capitol on Crossover Day, day 28 of the legislative session, on Monday, March 6, 2023, in Atlanta. Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

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