For state legislation to have a realistic chance of passing, it must clear either the House or Senate by the end of the 30th day of the 40-day legislative session. Day 30, or “Crossover Day,” is scheduled to be Monday. Here’s where some of the most watched and debated bills in this year’s session stand. A list of major bills that have already “crossed over” from one chamber to the other appears at the end.
Drugs/Alcohol
HB 772: Would require food stamp recipients to pass a drug test.
Will it pass: Prospects are uncertain. Similar laws have already been struck down by courts in other states.
Health care
HB 707: Would bar any state or local government or agency from operating a health care exchange or navigator program allowed under the Affordable Care Act. It would make it illegal for any public employee or agency to use state resources or time to advocate for the expansion of Medicaid.
Will it pass: Has been changed significantly to make it more palatable. Passage seems likely.
HB 885: Would allow use of a marijuana derivative to treat certain seizure disorders.
Will it pass: Has a shot, but not without a fight.
HB 990: Would require an act of the Legislature before Medicaid can be expanded via the Affordable Care Act.
Will it pass: Most likely.
SB 98: Would bar abortions from being covered by insurance policies offered through health care exchanges; it would ratify Gov. Nathan Deal’s decision to eliminate abortion coverage from state employee health insurance policies.
Will it pass: Likely
Local government
HB 819: Both would cut profits for Fulton County Tax Commissioner Arthur Ferdinand and his biggest buyer of property tax liens, Vesta Holdings. Vesta has been lobbying heavily, and a provision that would prevent private collectors from collecting a 10 percent penalty, at the county’s loss, has been removed from the House version.
Will it pass: Prospects are mixed.
HB 991: Would allow the Fulton County Industrial District to become part of the city of South Fulton, should that new municipality be formed.
Will it pass: Likely.
HB 960: Would broaden and clarify existing urban redevelopment laws to give projects such as the Atlanta Beltline the option of using a public-private partnership to build out its transit system.
Will it pass: Most likely.
SB 318: Would allow local officials to decide whether bars can sell alcohol on a Sunday if it’s St. Patrick’s Day.
Will it pass: Strong possibility.
Courts/Law enforcement
HB 1: Would subject law enforcement and district attorneys to more scrutiny when they seize property during investigations.
Will it pass: House leadership wants it, but some sheriffs — a strong lobby in rural counties — oppose it. Could be close.
HB 845: Would ban the release of police mug shots unless the person requesting them signs a sworn statement the photos will not be published on a website that charges for their removal.
Will it pass: Strong possibility.
HB 1023: Supporters say it would protect individuals’ religious freedoms against government intervention, but critics worry it would allow private business owners to cite their religious beliefs in declining to serve people they believe are gay or having premarital sex.
Will it pass: Odds are against it.
SB 377: Same language as HB 1023.
Will it pass: Odds are against it.
SB 404: Would deny Georgia driver’s licenses to immigrants who don’t have legal status in the U.S. but have been granted “deferred action,” or permission to temporarily stay and work here for humanitarian reasons.
Will it pass: Prospects are mixed.
SR 1031: Would mandate that state driver’s license exams be given only in English.
Will it pass: Would take a two-thirds vote of the Senate, which is unlikely to happen.
K-12 education/Higher education
HB 516: University System of Georgia employees who initially – and irrevocably — chose to participate in the Regents Retirement Plan would be given a one-time option to switch to the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia. This bill initially passed the House on a close vote (92-70) but was reconsidered and has been tabled.
Will it pass: Faces tough odds.
SB 394: Would reinstate state scholarship programs for college students who want to be teachers or teaching aides. It also would restore funding for National Board Certification for certified teachers and HOPE Scholarship programs designed to train and recruit teachers.
Will it pass: Unlikely
SB 398: Would require the Georgia Lottery to increase how much money it provides to fund HOPE.
Will it pass: Unlikely
SR 750: Proposes a constitutional amendment to require an education budget to be passed before a separate budget covering everything else.
Will it pass: No
Taxes
HB 153: Would allow local governments to levy a special local option sales tax at rates less than a penny.
Will it pass: It lost a vote in the House on Wednesday, but lawmakers will vote again Monday. Still, it’s doubtful to move forward.
Other
HB 702: Would allow for a monument featuring the Ten Commandments to be erected and placed on the grounds of the state Capitol.
Will it pass: Most likely.
HB 907: Would require car-service companies such as Uber and Lyft to pay sales taxes, have insurance and conduct background checks.
Will it pass: Prospects are mixed.
HB 935: Would make secret many documents related to local governments and school systems’ retirement systems.
Will it pass: Most likely.
HB 1080: Would allow for a monument of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on the grounds of the state Capitol.
Will it pass: Most likely
Other bills that have already met the Crossover Day deadline
HB 310: Moves primary elections for state and local offices from July to May 20.
Status: Signed by governor.
HB 449: Would bar the release of audio recordings of 911 calls when the caller dies.
Status: Passed House
HB 704: Would allow a referendum to create city of South Fulton.
Status: Passed House
HB 714: Bus drivers and other seasonal school workers who work for private firms would lose unemployment coverage when school is not in session.
Status: Passed House
HB 715: Would spell out how land on Jekyll Island may be developed.
Status: Passed House
HB 774: Would allow maximum speed limit of 70 mph on interstates in urban areas with populations of more than 50,000.
Status: Passed House
HB 837: Would make changes to the private probation industry in Georgia.
Status: Passed House
HB 875: Would lift restrictions on guns in churches and bars and allow school boards to arm employees. It also would no longer be a crime for licensed owners to carry guns on college campuses, where they are banned.
Status: Passed House
HB 923: Would require greater transparency from the Division of Family and Children Services in cases of child deaths and move the Child Fatality Review Panel to the GBI.
Status: Passed House
SB 270: Would allow a referendum to create the city of Lakeside.
Status: Passed Senate
SB 283: Would allow students and school staff to offer “traditional greetings” such as “Merry Christmas.”
Status: Passed Senate
SB 299: Would give local authorities leeway in adopting watershed protection standards for buffer areas along streams and reservoirs.
Status: Passed Senate
SB 350: Would require DFCS to bid out to private firms some functions, such as case management, family preservation and independent living.
Status: Passed Senate
SB 397: Would require insurance companies to provide coverage for autism-related disorders.
Status: Passed Senate
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