Hundreds of bills hang in the balance at the Georgia Capitol on Thursday, the self-imposed deadline for legislation to pass at least one chamber.
Dozens of bills ranging from the hotly contested to the mundane will be debated on Crossover Day, which occurs on the 28th business day of each year’s 40-day legislative session.
Lawmakers will likely consider a state government takeover of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, abortion restrictions and casino gambling, among many other issues.
If a bill fails to make it out of a chamber by the end of the legislative day, it is unlikely to pass this year.
But that doesn’t mean there’s no hope.
Measures could be revived this year if eagle-eyed lawmakers find opportunities to add their bill onto legislation that has already passed one chamber, which they can do if the two measures are in the same code section of state statutes.
Some big issues have already crossed the hall, including efforts to increase transparency in medical billing and expand Medicaid for new mothers. The state’s hotly debated budget for the next fiscal year has also moved from the House to the Senate.
Here’s a look at what remains in play as lawmakers head into Thursday’s session:
Senior care
A trio of bills tackling issues at the state’s nursing homes and assisted living facilities are making their way through the Legislature.
The House has already approved House Bill 987, which would increase training requirements and safety protections for seniors in assisted living and large personal care homes. It would also increase fines for abuse and neglect in homes in the rapidly growing industry that cares for thousands of elderly Georgians.
But other legislation has struggled to gain traction this year.
House Bill 955, which aims to help make sure local coroners or medical examiners are notified of unexpected deaths in senior care homes, stalled in committee Monday after hearing a bevy of concerns from the nursing home industry.
A third proposal, House Bill 849, calls for families to be allowed to install so-called "granny cams" in rooms at nursing homes and assisted living facilities to monitor what's going on with their loved ones.
The bills were filed earlier this year on the heels of an investigation last fall by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that identified significant gaps in the reporting system for elder abuse and neglect in Georgia's assisted living and personal care homes.
Voting
Legislation that would require election officials to do something about long lines is up for debate on the Senate floor. According to Senate Bill 463, if lines last more than one hour, county election officials would have to split up precincts that have more than 2,000 voters, provide additional voting equipment or hire extra poll workers.
The legislation is backed by Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.
Gambling
A House panel on Wednesday approved legislation that could lead to expanded gambling in Georgia. The measures are now eligible for addition to Thursday’s calendar for floor debate in the House.
The House Regulated Industries Committee approved House Resolution 378, which would ask voters whether they believe Georgia should allow casino gambling, horse racing and sports betting. If approved by voters, House Bill 570 sets up framework to regulate the industry.
Ethylene oxide
Legislation to regulate ethylene oxide will be on the Senate floor on Thursday. Similar legislation in the House was approved in committee and could also make it to that chamber’s floor.
Both Senate Bill 426 and House Bill 927 would require facilities using ethylene oxide to report any leak to state regulators, regardless of the quantity released.
Distracted driving
Legislation that would increase the fines for those caught driving while distracted will be on the Senate floor on Thursday.
The Hands-Free Georgia Act, passed in 2018, prohibits motorists from handling their phones while driving. A first offense costs up to $50, a second offense up to $100 and a third offense up to $150. Under Senate Bill 479, the fines would range from $25 to $100 for each offense, at a judge's discretion.
The legislation also would eliminate the so-called “get out of jail free card” provision of the distracted driving law. Under that provision, first offenders can bring a receipt for a hands-free device to court, and the judge must dismiss the citation.
