The Georgia General Assembly finished its work early Friday morning and then adjourned for the year, not to return to Atlanta until January. Here’s a look at the fate of some of the top bills of the 2016 legislative session.
HOUSE BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
HB 6 — Would allow weighted grade-point averages of greater than 4.0 for international baccalaureate, advanced placement and dual-credit courses in science, technology, engineering and math for HOPE scholarships for incoming college freshmen. Did it pass? No
HB 22 — Would restore funding for HOPE grants for technical college students that was cut in 2011. Did it pass? No
HB 483 — Would designate the shoal bass as the official state native riverine sport fish. Did it pass? No
HB 514 — Would allow for the creation of the city of South Fulton. Did it pass? Yes.
HB 561 — Would name the "adoptable dog" the official state dog. Did it pass? No, but it was added to SB 168, which did pass.
HB 588 — Would enforce the legal purchasing limits on pseudoephedrine. Did it pass? No.
HB 677 — Would create up to four "destination" casino resort licenses. Did it pass? No.
HB 713 — Would allow the termination of custody rights if a child was conceived due to rape, incest or sexual servitude. Did it pass? No, but a similar bill, SB 331, did pass.
HB 722 — Would expand the list of disorders that would qualify for the state's medical cannabis program. Did it pass? No.
HB 727 — Would limit when and where fireworks can be used and give local governments more control to regulate their use. Did it pass? Yes.
HB 750 — The supplemental state budget for this fiscal year. Did it pass? Yes.
HB 751 — The fiscal 2017 budget that takes effect July 1, the one bill lawmakers must pass. Did it pass? Yes.
HB 756 — Would allow private business owners to cite religious beliefs in refusing service to gay couples who plan to wed. Did it pass? No.
HB 757 — Originally said no member of the clergy could be forced to perform a same-sex wedding ceremony. Senators amended it to also allow businesses and individuals to refuse service to anyone if it violates their religious beliefs. A compromise between the chambers protects religious nonprofits and says no individual could be forced to attend a marriage ceremony. Did it pass? Yes.
HB 762 — Pertains to the disposal of aborted human fetuses. Did it pass? No.
HB 792 —Would allow anyone over the age of 18 or enrolled in classes to carry a Taser or stun gun on public college and university campuses. Did it pass? Yes.
HB 797 — Would allow motorcycle and moped operators 18 and older to skip wearing a helmet. Did it pass? No.
HB 801 — Would give extra credit toward HOPE scholarship to students taking tougher courses. Did it pass? Yes.
HB 808 — Would strip the State Bar of its three appointments on the Judicial Qualifications Commission. Did it pass? Yes.
HB 811 — Would extensively change the state code dealing with banking and finance. Did it pass? Yes.
HB 816 — Would allow students to have voluntary prayer in school, before athletic events, ceremonies and more. Did it pass? No.
HB 827 — The Pursuing Justice for Rape Victims Act would require law enforcement to more quickly submit neglected sexual assault evidence to the state's forensic labs for processing. Did it pass? No, but its language was added to SB 304, which did pass.
HB 837 — Would apply the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act to Georgia and its courts. Did it pass? No, but some of its language was added to HB 757.
HB 849 — Would create a state civil rights act barring discrimination in public accommodations for anyone based on race, religion or national origin. Did it pass? No.
HB 859 — Would allow anyone 21 or older with a concealed weapons license to carry a gun anywhere on a public college or university campus, except for inside dormitories, fraternities and sorority houses, or at athletic events. Did it pass? Yes.
HB 870 — Would bar any school from joining an athletic association that prohibits religious expression by student athletes. Did it pass? No.
HB 927 — Would expand the state Supreme Court from seven to nine justices. Did it pass? Yes.
HB 941 — Would bar police officers accused of use of improper force from attending entire grand jury proceedings and says if the officer testifies, prosecutors can cross-examine him or her. Did it pass? Yes.
HB 951 — Would exempt state and local sales taxes for tickets to the Super Bowl and other major sporting events held in Georgia. Did it pass? Yes.
HB 965 — Would make it easier for patients to obtain the treatment that former President Jimmy Carter received for his cancer diagnosis. Did it pass? Yes.
HB 1036 — Would place a temporary moratorium on petroleum pipelines. Did it pass? Yes.
HB 1055 — Would repeal the state's certificate of need for hospital construction. Did it pass? No.
HR 502 — Would amend the state constitution to halt the diversion of state fees for other purposes. Did it pass? No.
HR 807 — Would amend the state constitution to allow casino gaming in Georgia. Did it pass? No.
HR 962 and HR 963 — Would shift legislative and congressional redistricting power from the General Assembly to an "independent, nonpartisan commission." Did they pass? No.
HR 1113 — Companion legislation to HB 808; would deconstruct and then re-create the Judicial Qualifications Commission. Did it pass? Yes.
SENATE BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
SB 6 — Would create special Georgia driver's licenses and ID cards for immigrants who lack legal status but have received deferred action from the federal government. Did it pass? No.
SB 129 — Would require government to meet a strict test before infringing on someone's religious practices. Would say the law could not be used to discriminate against anyone. Did it pass? No.
SB 193 — Would strengthen sentences for domestic abuse convictions. Did it pass? Yes.
SB 199 — Would allow a voter to walk into a polling precinct wearing a National Rifle Association cap. Did it pass? Yes.
SB 208 — Would incorporate the city of Stonecrest in DeKalb County. Did it pass? Yes.
SB 254 — Would, in cases of conviction for possession of marijuana, preserve voting rights and eligibility for food stamps. Did it pass? No.
SB 255 — Would change state wage garnishment laws. Did it pass? Yes.
SB 264 — Would set the rules governing legalized horse racing. Did it pass? No.
SB 266 — Would call on casino supporters to "declare every red cent" spent trying to legalize casino gambling. Did it pass? No.
SB 269 — Would stop so-called "sanctuary cities," or local governments that don't fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Did it pass? Yes.
SB 278 — Would increase penalties for pimping and pandering. Did it pass? No.
SB 284 — Would allow religious nonprofit organizations to opt out of serving gay couples or following government anti-discrimination requirements. Much of its language was added to HB 757. Did it pass? No.
SB 293 — Would increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Did it pass? No.
SB 303 — Would require a gun lock be furnished to the retail purchaser of a gun. Did it pass? No.
SB 309 — Would prohibit state schools from participating in an athletic association that limits religious expression on clothing. Did it pass? Yes.
SB 312 — Would set a minimum award amount for HOPE, which would provide full tuition for students eligible for HOPE scholarships and grants at all 22 technical colleges and 14 of 29 schools in the University System of Georgia. Did it pass? No.
SB 322 — Would force colleges to report all accusations of sexual assault to a law enforcement agency outside of campus police. Did it pass? No.
SB 330 — Would allow for a ballot initiative in DeKalb and Fulton counties that, if approved, would raise the sales tax by a half percent to fund at least three major MARTA expansion projects. Did it pass? No, but a different MARTA bill, SB 369, did.
SB 355 — Would allow test scores to count for 10 percent in teacher ratings. Did it pass? Yes.
SB 364 — Would reduce the weight testing results have on teacher evaluations to 30 percent. Did it pass? Yes.
SB 369 — Originally a fireworks bill, was amended to allow Atlanta to levy a sales tax to expand MARTA and allow North Fulton to raise money for roads. Did it pass? Yes.
SB 410 — Would name the English bulldog the state dog. Did it pass? No.
SR 809 — Would give Georgia voters a vote on whether to limit how cities contract with third-party vendors for parking enforcement. The bill is aimed at Park Atlanta. Did it pass? No.
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