DeKalb Times

This week, the General Assembly of Georgia held sessions on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday for Legislative Days 32 through 34. Wednesday was dedicated to committee work. Among the issues addressed were Governor Kemp's tort reform legislation and a proposal to designate Brunswick stew as Georgia's official stew.

As the legislative session nears its end, lawmakers are pressed for time to pass their bills. The upcoming week will see sessions on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday for Legislative Days 35 through 37, with Wednesday again reserved for committee work. The final session day is set for April 4. Bills passed by both chambers will be sent to Governor Kemp for consideration during a 40-day review period.

Governor Kemp's priority legislation on tort reform saw significant progress this week. Senate Bill 68 was discussed in the House Rules Subcommittee on Lawsuit Reform chaired by Representative Rob Leverett (R-Elberton). President Pro Tempore John Kennedy (R-Macon), who sponsors the bill, defended it against criticism regarding its impact on sex trafficking victims' ability to claim damages.

Representative Stacey Evans (D-Atlanta) proposed amendments that were not adopted. Meanwhile, Chairman Leverett introduced minor amendments resulting from negotiations between interested parties. These included provisions related to seatbelt relevance in court cases and exceptions under premises liability for sex trafficking victims.

Senate Bill 68 advanced from subcommittee with Leverett's amendment and was subsequently passed by the full Rules Committee and then by the House after floor debates led by Majority Caucus Whip James Burchett (R-Waycross) and Minority Caucus Chairman Tanya Miller (D-Atlanta).

The House approved the bill narrowly with a vote of 91 to 82. It was then transmitted to the Senate where an amendment proposed by Senator Elena Parent (D-Atlanta) failed. The Senate agreed to the House version with a vote of 34 to 21. The bill now awaits Governor Kemp’s signature.

In other developments, Senate Bill 69 concerning third-party litigation financing practices will be reviewed next Tuesday in subcommittee.

Social issues also featured prominently this week. Senate Bill 36 or 'Georgia Religious Freedom Restoration Act' faced opposition in the House Judiciary Committee but remains eligible for further votes.

A special subcommittee began reviewing House Bill 267 or 'Riley Gaines Act,' which addresses participation in women's sports based on biological sex rather than gender identity.

Pending social-related measures include Senator Ben Watson’s Senate Bill 30 restricting certain medical procedures related to gender dysphoria for minors and Senator Blake Tillery’s Senate Bill 39 prohibiting state funds from covering gender-affirming care expenses.

Government efficiency initiatives included Senate Bill 28 or 'Red Tape Rollback Act of 2025,' which mandates regular reviews of agency rules and economic impact assessments. It passed through committee with amendments.

Additionally, Senate Bill 46 aims at improving government service delivery through new roles within state agencies; it too advanced in committee proceedings.

On tax relief efforts, House Bill 111 proposes accelerating income tax reduction rates while House Bill 112 offers one-time tax credits—both measures are headed toward gubernatorial approval following legislative passage.

School safety discussions focused on Senate Bill 17 requiring panic alert systems in schools—a measure amended before passing out of committee amid concerns about private school inclusion without state funding benefits.

Other school safety bills remain pending including comprehensive legislation from Representative Holt Persinger awaiting hearing assignments within relevant committees.

Governor Kemp announced Bárbara Rivera Holmes as his choice for Commissioner of Georgia Department of Labor following Bruce Thompson’s passing last November; she assumes office April fourth upon formal swearing-in ceremonies supported by family members present during announcements made earlier this week across various platforms statewide reporting updates accordingly throughout regional networks affiliated under auspices RBC membership affiliations extending outreach coverage beyond immediate metropolitan confines surrounding Atlanta itself thereby fostering broader engagement among constituents affected thereby across diverse demographic landscapes integral component shaping policy formulation processes underpinning legislative endeavors ongoing current calendar year cycle concluding shortly thereafter aforementioned deadline expiration dates stipulated procedural guidelines enacted statutory frameworks governing operations therein delineated hereinabove stated contextually 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