4 things we learned under the Gold Dome today: Qualifying, guns and rat puppets

A busy Monday under the Gold Dome as qualifying for 2016 state and federal elections opened this morning. You can follow along with us until qualifying closes at noon Friday. We'll provide updates and analysis of key races all week.

On a lighter note, early morning Capitol dwellers were treated to a performance by Refuse the Rat and Garbagebag. Yes, that's right, a rat puppet entertained some Georgia politicos this morning with his musical offerings.

Now onto the 4 things that happened at the Georgia Capitol today that you should know:

1. "Floating under the influence" is almost legal in Georgia, after the Senate approved changes to the state's boating laws. [But what does that mean for you as you float down the Chattahoochee river this summer?]

2. A bill legalizing firearms on Georgia's college campuses passed a key Senate panel. [With no changes to where the legislation says college students could be allowed to carry guns.]

3. Local politicians across Georgia would get a chance to avoid millions of dollars in outstanding ethics fines under a bill passed by the Senate. [House Bill 370 would wipe the slate clean for thousands of county commissioners, mayors, school board members and other local officials.]

4. The Senate has passed and the House will consider a resolution honoring Sonny Perdue, the first Republican governor in Georgia since Reconstruction. [This bill would name I-75 in Houston County the Governor Sonny Perdue Highway, which would run past the state fairgrounds and the exit for his $14 million Go Fish Georgia Education Center.]

Now that you're all caught up, see what's coming up tomorrow at the Georgia Legislature.