The 2016 legislative session is at the half-way point, and key bills are moving in the House and Senate.
Here’s a some of the most closely watched bills, their current status and what the forecast is for their passage by March 24, planned as Sine Die for this session:
2017 Budget, House Bill 751 Status: pending in House: Chances: 100 percent, must pass
HB 757, known as the Pastor Protection Act, sponsored by Rep. Kevin Tanner, R-Dawsonville, writes into state law that a faith leader cannot be compelled to marry a same-sex couple. Status: Passed House Chances: 80 percent
Senate Bill 129 (Religious Freedom Restoration Act or RFRA), sponsored by Sen. Josh McKoon-R-Columbus, says that government has to show a compelling reason why its policy should override an individual's religious freedom, using similar language as federal legislation that Congress passed in 1993 and has since been adopted in more than 20 states. Supports say it establishes a new line of defense to protect people of any religion from interference. Opponents say it is a discriminatory end run on the First Amendment that could allow business owners to cite religious beliefs to deny people service —- in particular, gays and lesbians. Status: Passed Senate in 2015, pending in House Chances: 26 percent
House Bill 722, sponsored by Rep. Allen Peake, R-Macon, allows controlled growing of marijuana for medical purposes and expands list of qualifying illnesses. Status: pending in the House Chances: 9 percent
Senate Bill 284 (First Amendment Defense Act of Georgia or FADA), sponsored by Sen. Greg Kirk, R-Americus , creates religious exemption for Georgia nonprofits that believe "marriage should be recognized as the union of one man and one woman or that sexual relations are properly reserved to such a marriage." Opponents say it gives a select group — nonprofits — the right ot discriminate. Status: Pending in the Senate Chances: 6 percent
HB 870, sponsored by Rep. Brian Strickland, R-McDonough , bars public schools from participating in athletic associations that prohibit athletes from literally wearing their faith on their sleeves, headbands or other apparel. Status: Passed the House on Feb. 10, 136-25 with 6 excused and 13 not voting. Now in the Senate.Chances: 78 percent
SB 308, sponsored by Sen. Renee Unterman, R-Buford, giving grants to organizations that try to talk teens out of abortions. Status: Passed the Senate on Feb. 11 and now is in the House. Chances: 59 percent
HB 859, known as the campus carry bill, sponsored by Rep. Rick Jasperse, R-Jasper, would make it legal for anyone age 21 or older with a state weapons license to carry guns onto public college and university campuses. Firearms would remain banned in dormitories, fraternity and sorority houses and at athletic events. Status: Pending in the House Chances: 19 percent
HB 22, sponsored by Rep. Stacey Evans-D-Smyrna, would fully fund tuition for all HOPE recipients at tech colleges. Status: pending in House; Chances: 1 percent
On the predictions: See how Predict-A-Bill performed during the 2015 session
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