Day 12 promises to be action-packed. The House and Senate will convene at 10 a.m.
David Cooke, the Macon district attorney, this morning speaks to the House Democratic caucus on H.B. 218, the new iteration of the religious liberty bill filed by state Rep. Sam Teasley, R-Marietta. Cooke's remarks will include these paragraphs:
"It is, however, important to note that the 26 cases I referenced all occurred in states with RFRA statutes that did not include Rep. Teasley's original language regarding discipline. From this, we know that, whether or not the defense is successful, House Bill 218 still opens the door wider for criminal defendants to use their religious beliefs as a defense in court, and this is troubling."
On the House calendar: H.B. 57, the solar bill. Expect no trouble.
S.B. 53 is back on the Senate calendar after being tabled Wednesday because of a time crunch. It's a minor bill related to mental health licensing. The afternoon will be busy, with a full slate of committee meetings.
The most closely watched: a House transportation subcommittee, which is expected to take up the new and improved H.B. 170. We've already got some details for you here. The first version of the transportation funding bill was panned by local government leaders who said it would hit them hard. Also, it wouldn't have raised nearly enough money. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Jay Roberts, R-Ocilla, will present the changes at the 2 p.m. meeting in room 406 of the Coverdell Legislative Office Building.
Also, pay attention to whatever those people above have to say.
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