The last day of this year’s 40-day legislative session – a furious race against the clock known in Latin as sine die – has begun with the fate of several controversial measures up in the air.
State lawmakers are scrambling today to resolve bills that would expand gun rights in Georgia, legalize a form of medical marijuana used to treat seizure disorders and privatize the state’s child welfare system. Any legislation that doesn’t pass today will die and must restart the process in 2015.
House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, brought his chamber into session at around 9:45 a.m., saying, “It got here, didn’t it? Day 40. March 20, 2014.”
The Senate convened at 10:05 a.m. to a largely empty chamber.
“I think we have a number of senators still making their way here,” said Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, who agreed to skip the morning roll call as senators slowly filed in.
Despite the languid pace, the Senate has a lot of work ahead. With so much to do, the pressure will build throughout the day.
A senate staffer briefing young pages warned them lawmakers may be “grumpy” as time runs out on the session.
“They are going to be real stressed out,” she said.
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