State budget among top issues facing Georgia lawmakers on Sine Die

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Lawmakers are waiting until their legislative session’s last day to fulfill their only constitutional requirement, adopting a state budget.

Wednesday is the 40th and final day of the 2023 Georgia General Assembly before adjournment, known as Sine Die.

ANF+ SINE DIE TEAM COVERAGE:

State Rep. Jon Burns (R-Newington) is wrapping up his first session as House speaker after the retirement and subsequent death of David Ralston last year. Besides the state budget, Burns has publicly supported HB404, called the Safe at Home Act; and HB520, known as the Mental Health Reform Bill.

The budget, according to Burns’ office, is currently in conference committee and was likely be reported out Tuesday. It would then head to the floor for a vote.

THE BIGGEST LEGISLATIVE ISSUES:

State budget

• Georgia’s mid-year budget will include tax rebates similar to 2022
• Gov. Kemp signs state income tax refund bill

The Safe at Home Act is on the Senate Rules calendar and could be taken up, while the Mental Health Reform Bill is still sitting in the Senate Health & Human Services Committee. The Senate could act on it, or certain provisions within it, by amending or substituting it onto legislation or suspending the Senate rules.

Here are some other issues that lawmakers could decide on Wednesday before adjournment.

Sports betting

• Sports betting back on political agenda | Senate hijacks soap box derby bill

Private school vouchers

• $6,500 school vouchers bill stalls in Georgia House
• Bill for $6,500 vouchers creeps toward Georgia House passage
• Senate bill could make some students eligible for school vouchers

Reforming Georgia care for foster children

• Senate passes bill reforming Georgia’s foster care custody
• Jon Ossoff, Marsha Blackburn demanding answers from Georgia DFCS
• Housing foster kids in county offices, hotels may soon end
• DFCS leader ‘hell bent’ on ending office housing for kids in state foster care

Truck weight limits

• Big truck weight limit increase could pass in Georgia

Tik Tok ban

• Local TikTok creators fear a possible ban on the popular app

MORE HEADLINES FROM THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

• District attorneys oversight commission now on Gov. Brian Kemp’s desk
• Georgia Senate approves more restrictions for convicted sex offenders
• Georgia lawmakers: Localities must apply homeless camp bans
• ‘Sine Die’ or ‘Sign or Die?’ | Georgia General Assembly’s final hours
• Gov. Kemp signs Senate Bill 140 into law

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