Crunchtime at the Georgia Capitol? Local lawmakers push bills as Crossover Day looms

Several bills sponsored by Savannah-area legislators are on the brink, including one sponsored by Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Savannah). House Bill 1053 would allow Georgia to collect a percentage of royalties from the syndication of any production filmed in the state, meaning the state would bring in money throughout the lifespan of the film or TV show.

Legislating on Crossover Day typically lasts deep into the evening, prompting Rep. Carl Gilliard (D-Garden City) to remark Monday about "getting all my vitamins tonight."

Crossover Day narrows the focus for lawmakers heading into the final weeks of the session. However, legislation that doesn't meet the deadline can be resurrected as attachments, or "riders," on measures that do cross over. Bills with riders are subject to new votes in both chambers.

Crossover Day also doesn't apply to local bills — legislation that only needs to be approved by the lawmakers from the county that the bill affects.

Here's a look at what the members of Chatham's delegation are watching heading into Crossover Day.

Sen. Ben Watson (R-Savannah, District 1)

Legislation sponsored: 7

Legislation waiting to crossover: 1

A physician by trade, Watson is the chairman of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. The lone bill he sponsored that’s yet to crossover, SB 398 focused on ownership of auto sales dealerships, will not get a committee hearing and will not advance.

Bills to watch: None

Already passed: SB 403

The Georgia Behavioral Health and Peace Officer Co-Responder Act passed the Senate on March 3 and received a House committee hearing Monday. The bill is bipartisan with 41 co-sponsors and creates a program that encourages law enforcement agencies to incorporate mental health professionals into their departments as co-responders, similar to the Savannah Police Department’s behavioral health unit.

Sen. Lester Jackson (D-Savannah, District 2)

Legislation sponsored: 17

Legislation waiting to crossover: 16

The longtime senator is the chairman of the Senate Urban Affairs Committee. Tuesday will mark the last Crossover Day of his tenure, as he is running for Labor commissioner this fall and will leave the Senate.

Bill to watch: SB 96

This measure would amend the law around the type of ID necessary to have a document notarized by a notary public. The bill would recognize a Veterans Health Identification Card 4 issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as a valid form of ID. The bill was submitted to the Senate Rules Committee for review on Monday and, pending approval from Rules, would go to the Senate floor for debate and a vote.

Already passed: SR 125

The resolution encourages Georgia companies and institutions to adopt equitable and diverse gender representation on the boards and in the senior management.

Rep. Bill Hitchens (R-Savannah, District 161)

Legislation sponsored: 6

Legislation waiting to crossover: 5

In his ninth year of holding the office, Hitchens represents Effingham County’s southern border with Chatham, and the northwest corner of Chatham. A retired Georgia State Patrolman, Hitchens is the chairman of the Public Safety Subcommittee.

Bill to watch: HB 202

Originally filed in 2021, this bill would establish a Driver's Education Trust Fund to finance driver training and education programs around the state. The monies for the fund would come from an already existing provision in the law that allows the state to add 1.5% cost on top of any tickets in a county court.

Already passed: HR 1431

This bill allows for the creation of community improvement districts within the City of Rincon. Within these districts, real estate property used non-residentially or for agricultural or forestry purposes can be taxed for 2.5 % of the assessed value of the property. These monies can then be used for city improvements like roads, sewer systems and a myriad of other options. This bill passed a Senate vote March 9.

Rep. Carl Gilliard (D-Garden City, District 162)

Legislation sponsored: 19

Legislation waiting to crossover: 15

The fourth-term representative is watching a Senate bill, SB 279, as the crossover deadline approaches. The legislation mirrors a bill Gilliard introduced in the House in 2021 that would clear the way for the creation of a monument honored the "Original 33," the first Black members elected to the Georgia General Assembly following the Civil War. All 33 were expelled before they could serve, and a quarter of them were killed, threatened, beaten, or jailed.

Bill to watch: HB 1282

The Blind Persons' Braille Literacy Rights and Education Act would require schools to provide Braille instruction to blind schoolchildren. According to Gilliard, the legislation is unlikely to pass on its own but may advance as an attachment to another bill later in the session.

Already passed: HB 750

The measure created the Chatham County Legislative Gang Prevention and Intervention Commission, which has since launched initiatives. Gilliard is seeking additional state funding for the commission.

Rep. Derek Mallow (D-Savannah, District 163)

Credit: Courtesy Derek Mallow

Credit: Courtesy Derek Mallow

Legislation sponsored: 9

Legislation waiting to crossover: 6

The first-term representative for a swath of in-town Savannah neighborhoods is not hopeful that his remaining measures will make the Crossover Day deadline.

Bill to watch: HB 1542

Mallow introduced this legislation last week. The measure relates to criminal sentencing and pardoning procedures for minors. Among other guidelines, HB 1542 would eliminate the imposition of the death penalty and life without parole for those under age 18.

Already passed: HR 24, 25, 26

Mallow sponsored these measures compensating three Fort Stewart soldiers wrongfully convicted in a 1992 drive-by shooting that happened in downtown Savannah. The resolutions passed in March 2021 and were signed by Gov. Brian Kemp in April.

Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Savannah, District 164)

Legislation sponsored: 42

Legislation waiting to crossover: 17

After 23 years in office, Stephens, the chairman of the Chatham legislative delegation, represents the western edge of Chatham, Bryan and Liberty counties. Stephens is the chairman for the Economic Development & Tourism Committee.

Bill to watch: HB 1053

This legislation entered the House Hopper on Jan 26. If passed, it would allow the state to collect a portion of the royalty fees for any production filmed in Georgia in perpetuity. If an episode of Family Feud was filmed here, every time that episode plays, the state would get a portion of the money in tax revenue.

Already passed: HB 316

This bill, which was passed and then signed by Gov. Brian Kemp in 2021, increases the ratio available for pharmacy technicians training under a pharmacist. Previously, a pharmacist could only have three pharmacy techs at once, now, that number extends to four, with some restrictions based on certification.

Rep. Edna Jackson (D-Savannah, District 165)

Credit: Georgia House of Representatives

Credit: Georgia House of Representatives

Legislation sponsored: 0

Legislation waiting to crossover: 0

The representative elected in a 2021 special election to fill out the term of the late Mickey Stephens has not sponsored legislation this session.

Rep. Jesse Petrea (R-Savannah, District 166)

Legislation sponsored: 8

Legislation waiting to crossover: 4

Petrea has been a House representative for the last seven years, serving as the chairman of the House Committee on Human Relations and Aging. His district encompasses the entirety of the coastline of Chatham and Bryan counties

Bill to watch: HB 1064

The legislation exempts up to $17,500 in military retirement income from state income taxes for retired service members under 62 years old. If a military retiree continues to work and earns up to $17,500, they will be eligible for an additional exemption up to $17,500 in state income taxes for a total exemption of $35,000.

Already passed: HB 168

This bill, signed into law last year, allows district attorneys to review the correctional record of inmates convicted of violent and sexual crimes before they are released on parole. Before this bill, all institutional inmate files were classified. Now, spare medical records, district attorneys can acquire those files earlier. Even then, only the district attorney can access these files, and they cannot distribute them.

Will Peebles is the enterprise reporter for Savannah Morning News. He can be reached at wpeebles@gannett.com and @willpeeblessmn on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Crunchtime at the Georgia Capitol? Local lawmakers push bills as Crossover Day looms