Lawmakers in Georgia met the deadline to sign bills
Georgia lawmakers have just days left to try to pass several major bills, including some on immigration and sports betting.
ATLANTA – Georgia lawmakers are racing toward the finish line to pass major legislation as Georgia's 2024 legislative session comes to a close.
With just two days left to pass new legislation, lawmakers are making one last attempt to get their bills to a vote before they die.
Democratic political strategist Tharon Johnson said several key pieces of legislation are still in effect. “A lot of bills right now are probably going to end up on paper,” Johnson told FOX 5’s Deidra Dukes.
Georgia's selection of online sports betting
Georgia's push for online gambling
Georgia voters could soon decide whether to allow legalized online gambling in the state. Lawmakers are considering a bill that would bring the matter to a vote in November.
An online sports betting bill would clear the way for Georgians to vote on whether to legalize online sports betting in Georgia in November.
“We're going to vote on sports betting today to see if it passes, moves forward and gets into the House,” said Republican political strategist Brian Robinson.
Georgia's immigration laws
Immigration bill passes Georgia Senate
A controversial immigration bill passed the Georgia Senate on Thursday, a day after the father of a nursing student murdered in Athens addressed the chamber. Investigators believe the man who killed her was in the country illegally. What the bill requires.
Two major immigration bills are also still on the table. The law gained traction following the murder of nursing student Laken Riley in February.
“Republicans and some Democrats are once again pushing to really address the immigration problem we have in the state,” Johnson said. “So you saw a very aggressive conservative approach.”
HB 301 would withhold state funding for local governments that operate shelter-in-place policies.
HB 1105 would require local law enforcement to assist federal officials in enforcing immigration laws and punish sheriffs and prison guards who do not contact federal officials to verify prisoners' immigration status.
Georgia's transgender in sports legislation
Georgia's controversial transgender law
A bill targeting transgender children has sparked some outrage. Republican lawmakers have introduced a new bill that would ban biological males from participating in girls' sports in Georgia public schools.
Perhaps one of the most controversial pieces of legislation would be to ban biologically male students from competing in girls' sports in public schools.
“When it comes to some of these social issues like transgender legislation, that's a policy that appeals to the Republican base. There is no doubt that she is a priority for the Republican base. But if you look at what the legislation does.” “It also has an appeal to the political center and independents,” Robinson explained.
The meeting ends on Thursday.
