Georgia Legislature settles disagreement over short-term schedule

Senators vote down an amendment to a bill on March 28, 2017.   BOB ANDRES  /BANDRES@AJC.COM

Credit: Bob Andres

Credit: Bob Andres

Senators vote down an amendment to a bill on March 28, 2017. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

The state Senate resolved an impasse Thursday over when the Georgia General Assembly will hold legislative sessions, agreeing on a short-term schedule after meeting four days this week.

The General Assembly set a calendar for the first 11 business days of its 40-day legislative session, avoiding the possibility of a legislative session on Friday.

Some lawmakers in the Senate have been trying to burn legislative business days as quickly as possible, allowing them to leave the Georgia Capitol and return to election-year campaigning.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Cowsert, R-Athens, said he hopes the House and Senate reach an agreement for the rest of the 2018 legislative session by the end of January.

The Georgia General Assembly met Monday through Thursday this week. Its upcoming legislative meeting days are scheduled for Jan. 18-19, Jan. 22-25 and Jan. 25.