(ATLANTA, Ga.) — Happy Crossover Day, Georgia! Monday, March 6, is the deadline for bills that have only passed one chamber of the General Assembly. If they can’t clear Crossover Day, their chances for making it to a vote this session drop to near zero.
Lawmakers vote today on bills covering issues like sports betting and whether or not to ban gender-affirming care for people under 18. If a bill doesn’t clear by today, it could be resurrected in next year’s session.
Bills on the docket today include:
- Sports bets. SR-140 would allow voters to amend the state’s constitution to allow for sports betting. SB-172 would create a regulatory structure, and HB-380 would allow sports betting without a statewide vote. Update: SR-140 failed 30-26.
- Gender-affirming care. SB-140 would ban almost all gender-affirming care, including sex-reassignment surgeries and hormone therapy, for people under the age of 18.
- Redistricting. SB-142 and SB-236 are pitted against one another, deciding whether or not counties are allowed to overrule state-level districting decisions within their own borders.
- Truck weight limits. HB-189 would allow trucks carrying certain logging, farming, and mining commodities to weigh 88,000 pounds instead of the current limit of 84,000.
- Download taxes. HB-170 would impose sales taxes on certain commodities like books, music, movies, games, and other digital goods purchased online. Update: HB-170 passed 162-10.
- Renters’ rights. HB-404 is designed to require landlords to ensure rental properties are fit for human habitation when renters sign leases. It would also give tenants a three-day grace period after rent is due before landlords can file for eviction.
- Active shooter drills. HB-147 would require every public school to hold annual active shooter drills, and to send updated safety plans to the state.
- Antisemitism. HB-30 would create a specific legal definition for anti-Semitism, as well as making it a crime to use swastikas with intent to terrorize. Update: HB-30 passed 136-22.
Rep. Esther Panitch hugs House members after HB 30 passes. The bill defines antisemitism in law and those who commit crimes against Jewish people would be charged with hate crimes. @wsbradio @gapol pic.twitter.com/jgScilvrGw
— Sandra Parrish (@WSBParrish) March 6, 2023
- Schedule II prescriptions. HB-557 would give certain nurses and physician assistants to prescribe Schedule II controlled substances. Update: HB-557 passed 136-38.
- Online automatic renewal transparency. HB-528 would require companies to make it as easy to cancel an online subscription as it is to enter into one. Update: HB-528 passed 173-0.
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