The Georgia House has agreed to Senate changes to the state ethics laws designed to resolve fears that Georgians who talk about legislation with lawmakers would need to register as lobbyists.

Changes to House Bill 232 add new language so that a person would have to spend more than $1,000 before registering as a state lobbyist. People would also be excluded from registering unless they spend 10 percent or more of their work time lobbying.

The original intent of the bill, that those selling products to the state would not have to register, also remains.

The House voted 167-2 to accept those changes.

The proposal now heads to Gov. Nathan Deal, who will determine whether to sign it into law.

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U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., was first elected to the House in 2022 after the seat was vacated by U.S. Rep. Jody Hice, who resigned to run for secretary of state. (Alex Brandon/AP 2024)

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Tracy Woodard from InTown Cares (left) and Lauren Hopper from Mercy Care organization work with residents at the Copperton Street encampment in August 2024. 
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