Georgia Legislature returns to midnight finale

When the clock strikes midnight on March 29, the Georgia General Assembly will have to be finished with its work for the year.

The state Senate and House approved an resolution Thursday that adjourns the 2018 legislative session no later than midnight on its 40th business day, restoring a tradition that was broken in 2015.

During the past three legislative sessions, there wasn’t as much urgency to pass bills before midnight. Lawmakers continued their work into the morning.

The return of the midnight deadline could restore the drama that has at times gone missing in recent years.

The votes Thursday also set the Georgia General Assembly’s schedule for the rest of this year’s legislative session.

The crossover deadline — the date when bills must have passed at least one chamber to remain under consideration — is Feb. 28, the 28th day of the session.

Here’s the full schedule for the rest of the session:

Day 11: Jan. 29

Day 12: Jan. 30

Day 13: Jan. 31

Day 14: Feb. 1

Day 15: Feb. 5

Day 16: Feb. 6

Day 17: Feb. 7

Day 18: Feb. 8

Day 19: Feb. 12

Day 20: Feb. 13

Day 21: Feb. 14

Day 22: Feb. 15

Day 23: Feb. 20

Day 24: Feb. 21

Day 25: Feb. 22

Day 26: Feb. 23

Day 27: Feb. 26

Day 28: Feb. 28

Day 29: March 1

Day 30: March 5

Day 31: March 7

Day 32: March 9

Day 33: March 12

Day 34: March 14

Day 35: March 15

Day 36: March 19

Day 37: March 21

Day 38: March 23

Day 39: March 27

Day 40: March 29