Live from the Gold Dome, it’s Sine Die!
Thursday is the final day of the 2016 Georgia legislative session, and lawmakers have until midnight to finish their work. Dozens of bills remain in play, although with the 2017 state budget already done, none of them are mandatory. Here’s a look at some of the top issues still to be decided, tips on how to follow the action and more.
BILLS TO WATCH
House Bill 727: The bill would put new limits on the private use of fireworks. Some industry insiders also want to allow fireworks sales from tents and other temporary structures. Status: Needs final Senate vote.
Senate Bill 369: Originally another fireworks bill, SB 369 now would allow the city of Atlanta to levy a new sales tax to expand MARTA. It also would allow North Fulton cities to raise taxes to pay for road improvements. Status: Needs final Senate vote.
HB 1060: Makes "cleanup" modifications to a 2014 law expanding gun rights in the state. Widely considered to be the top option if lawmakers decide to make changes suggested by Gov. Nathan Deal to fix a controversial bill legalizing firearms on Georgia's college campuses, which passed earlier this year. Status: Needs final House vote.
SB 85: Formerly a bill dealing with development authorities, it now would bar immigrants without legal status from serving on boards and commissions. Status: Needs final Senate vote.
SB 304: Originally a bill dealing with mental health and guns, it now would require more efficient testing of rape kits. Status: Needs final Senate vote.
HB 937: The bill would extend tax breaks for major business expansion projects, including redevelopment of the area around Philips Arena. Status: Needs vote of the Senate and the House.
HB 808: The bill would makes major changes to the Judicial Qualifications Commission, the watchdog agency for the state's judiciary. Status: Needs final House vote.
SB 378: The bill would abolish DeKalb County's CEO position and replace it with a politically weak commission chairman. Status: Needs vote of the House and the Senate.
SB 1: Formerly a bill dealing with autism, it now contains HB 838, which would give insurance agents a minimum 5 percent commission on small-group health insurance plans. Status: Needs final Senate vote.
HB 838: The bill would give insurance agents a minimum 5 percent commission on health insurance plans. Status: Needs final Senate vote.
SB 145: Formerly a bill dealing with the board of the Department of Community Health, it now includes HB 722, which would expand Georgia's medical marijuana law. Status: Needs final Senate vote.
HB 792: The bill 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. Status: Needs final House vote.
SB 364: The bill would reduce the weight that testing results have on teacher evaluations to 30 percent. Status: Needs final Senate vote.
HOW TO KEEP UP WITH THE ACTION
Both the House and Senate live stream their sessions. Find links to the broadcasts here: http://www.legis.ga.gov/en-US/default.aspx. Both chambers begin their day at 10 a.m. and will likely go until midnight.
For full coverage of all the action under the Gold Dome, follow our live bill tracker here.
Head over to myAJC's legislative page for more on what survives and what dies on Sine Die.
Like Georgia Politics News Now on Facebook, where our reporters will bring you Facebook Live video updates from Under the Gold Dome and where you'll be able to watch the Sine Die midnight tradition, live.
Finally, add AJCnews on Snapchat for a behind-the-scenes look at Sine Die 2016.
Bill tracker link: www.ajc.com/politics/sine-die-bill-tracker-2016/
Legislative page link: www.myajc.com/s/news/georgia-legislature/
Facebook link: www.facebook.com/gapoliticsnewsnow/
Snapchat link: https://go.snapchat.com/add/ajcnews
About the Author
