Panel passes tweaks to state immigration law

A bill aimed at preventing massive backlogs in state license renewals for thousands of nurses, insurance salesman and other professionals passed a key legislative committee Wednesday.

House Bill 125 would tweak Georgia’s sweeping immigration law so that people who have presented identification proving U.S. citizenship would not have to do so again when reapplying for such licenses and other public benefits.

The legislation — sponsored by Republican state Rep. Dustin Hightower of Carrollton — has cleared the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee.

Officials in the Secretary of State and Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner offices say Georgia’s immigration law has been bogging down the processes they use to issue licenses.

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State Rep. Marcus Wiedower resigns from Georgia General Assembly

Wiedower, a Republican from Watkinsville, said he is leaving office to focus on his real estate business.

Despite a $14.6 billion surplus, state leaders say they can’t bail out SNAP

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The AJC's poll results are a reminder that even though Trump’s name won’t appear on the ballot in next year’s midterms, his influence shapes Georgia’s political landscape.

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Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

State Rep. Marcus Wiedower resigns from Georgia General Assembly

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Despite a $14.6 billion surplus, state leaders say they can’t bail out SNAP

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Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC

Despite a $14.6 billion surplus, state leaders say they can’t bail out SNAP

The federal government says the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will run out of money Nov. 1. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp says there is nothing the state can do.

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