May 20, 2024

Last week, the Governor’s post session 40-day signing period ended, officially concluding all legislative and executive work for the regular 2024 legislative session. Governor Kemp signed roughly 350 measures into law and vetoed a dozen more. Of particular interest for ACEC Georgia and its members, the Surveying and Mapping Society of Georgia’s Senate Bill 195, was ratified by the Governor. The proposal would decouple the exam and experience requirements for surveyors, allowing aspiring candidates for licensure to tak

April 1, 2024

Last week, the Georgia General Assembly adjourned Sine Die for the 2024 legislative session, ending the biennial session. The Senate adjourned at 12:48 am while the House took up two final measures before adjourning 11 minutes later at 12:59 am on Friday morning. As this is the final year of the biennial, any legislation that did not pass will have to be reintroduced next year. The SAMSOG land surveyor bill, SB 374 by Senator Larry Walker (R-Perry), ended up passing as Senate Bill 195, without the amendment that would

March 25, 2024

This past week Georgia lawmakers met for legislative days 36 through 38 and will adjourn, Sine Die, this Thursday on March 28th. The proposal to create a temporary moratorium on the sales tax exemption for the equipment used for high-technology data centers, HB 1192 by Representative John Carson (R-Marietta), which narrowly passed the House by a vote of 96 to 71, also narrowly passed the Senate on Thursday by a vote of 27 to 22. If signed by the Governor, the bill would go into effect on July 1, 2024 and would allow a

March 18, 2024

This past week Georgia lawmakers met for legislative days 33 through 35, leaving only 5 legislative days remaining before the end of this year’s legislative session which will Sine Die March 28th, 2024. Last Thursday, the House and Senate celebrated the late Speaker David Ralston’s birthday and unveiled a new portrait in his honor. We are also deeply saddened by the news that our friend, the Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson, was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer. Our thoughts and prayers are with the former Se

March 11, 2024

The Georgia General Assembly met last week for legislative days 29 through 32. This past week was also qualifying week, where incumbents and candidates “qualified” (or formally signed up) to be on the ballot of their respective races. Fortunately, following this year’s qualifying week, it seems as though there is far less turnover this year than there was during the last election cycle, which experienced a turnover of 46 seats throughout the House and Senate. Roughly a dozen incumbents will be retiring or moving on afte

March 4, 2023

Last Thursday, the Crossover deadline had the Georgia House working well into the evening where they eventually adjourned at 11:20pm after passing 72 bills and resolutions. The Senate had a somewhat shorter day and adjourned at 9:00pm after considering roughly 50 measures. At our request, our qualifications-based selection legislation, HB 1228, did not move forward. We asked the Chairman of the Government Affairs committee to hold our bill, in order to give us the opportunity to continue to work with local governments

February 27, 2024

This past week at the Capitol lawmakers met for legislative days 23 through 25. This week, Georgia legislators are likely to be working late into the evening most nights this week, but especially on February 29th, which is this year’s Crossover deadline.

February 19, 2024

This past week marked the halfway point to Sine Die for Georgia lawmakers, and in just a few short legislative days, lawmakers will be faced with the Crossover deadline on February 29th. Additionally, last week the Speaker appointed Representative Butch Parrish (R- Swainsboro) as House Rules Chairman after the unexpected passing of former Chairman Richard Smith on January 30, 2024. Our top priority for the 2024 session, expanding the use of Qualifications Based Selection at the local government level (QBS), HB 1228 by

February 12, 2024

Last week, Georgia lawmakers met for Legislative Days 15 through 18, rounding out nearly half of the 40 day legislative calendar. Our top priority for the 2024 session, expanding the use of Qualifications Based Selection at the local government level (QBS), is now HB 1228 by Representative Tyler Paul Smith (R-Bremen). The proposal would require local governments to utilize QBS for the procurement of engineers and architects (A/E). The proposal very closely resembles the “Mini-Brooks Act” that already requires utilizat

February 5, 2024

Last week, the state of Georgia lost another giant. House Rules Chairman Richard Smith passed away at the age of 78 and leaves large footprints to fill, not only in his position as Chairman, but as a powerful advocate and friend of the state. He was a good man and a dedicated public servant and he will be deeply missed. The General Assembly finished the first 14 of 40 legislative days. On Thursday, they updated the adjournment resolution to change the legislative schedule so that members could have Monday off to atte

January 29, 2024

The Georgia General Assembly met in a flurry of activity last week as they completed the first quarter of the legislative calendar after meeting on Friday for legislative day 10 of 40. On Monday, GDOT’s Director of Planning Jannine Miller presented to the first Senate Transportation committee meeting of the 2024 legislative session. Her presentation primarily focused on Georgia’s freight and logistics outlook over the next several decades with an emphasis on freight movement on Georgia’s roadways.

January 23, 2024

Every second week of the Georgia legislative session is “Budget Week”. Lawmakers temporarily recess from the pre-set legislative calendar in order to host a marathon 3-day joint appropriations committee session, where state agency heads present the Governor’s recommendations for their budgets. The state annually deals with two budgets, the amended budget which revises the spending plan for the final 90 days of the current fiscal year, in this case FY 2024 ending on June 30, 2024, and the next fiscal year’s full budget

January 16, 2024

This past Monday, the General Assembly gaveled in for the second year of the 2023-2024 biennial session. The usual first week fanfare ensued, including the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Eggs & Issues event and the Governor’s State of the State Address.

The Governor's signing period has officially ended!

Under the Georgia Constitution, the Governor has 40 days from the end of the legislative session in which he must sign, veto, or allow to become law without his signature, all bills passed by the General Assembly. The Governor’s signing period for 2023 has officially ended, marking the end of the 2023 regular legislative session work. All told, the Governor took action on over 250 bills, 13 of which ACEC Georgia monitored, and three of which ACEC Georgia took a position of support on.

April 3, 2023

A post-midnight adjournment early Thursday morning officially brought this year’s legislative session to a close.

March 27, 2023

This week we are entering the final week of the 157th Session of the Georgia General Assembly. We have tracked just under 50 bills this session, including the only bill the legislature is constitutionally required to pass: the budget.

March 20, 2023

Despite last week’s freeze, lawmakers were feeling the heat as they met for Legislative Days 32 through 35. With only five legislative days over the next two weeks remaining, the days will continue to get longer as legislators work to get their bills across the finish line in time for Sine Die on March 29th.

March 13, 2023

Only eight legislative days remain between now and the Georgia General Assembly adjourning Sine Die. With the Crossover Day deadline behind us (the deadline for a bill to pass its chamber of origin), the fate of some major initiatives has become clear, while others remain to be seen.

March 6, 2023

The Crossover deadline is upon us and your ACEC Georgia political advocates are ready for a long day and a potential midnight adjournment. Today is the last day for bills to be considered by the chamber in which it was introduced, so Representatives and Senators alike will be vying for their legislation to be heard in their respective chambers in order to keep their legislative proposals alive. Up today: tort reform proposals on the Senate side and a potential truck weights bill on the House side.

February 27, 2023

Last week, legislators met for Legislative Days 21 through 23. Despite the shortened week, lawmakers worked furiously to hear legislation in their respective committees before next week’s Crossover deadline on Legislative Day 28—this is the deadline for legislation to pass out of its original chamber, and only four legislative days remain for legislation to receive favorable consideration by the chamber where it was introduced.

February 21, 2023

Georgia lawmakers met last week for legislative days 17 through 20 and are now officially halfway through the 2023 legislative session. Only 8 legislative days remain before Crossover Day (the deadline for legislation to pass the chamber where it was introduced in order to be eligible for consideration in by the other chamber) and legislators and lobbyists alike are beginning to feel the stress of the deadline and are working at a furious pace. Issues like sports betting legalization, housing, and healthcare reform are

February 13, 2023

February 6, 2023

The legislative session began to pick up steam last week, with special elections, a House vote on the amended 2023 budget, over 150 new bills filed, and a #GAPOL Top Gun Remake, lawmakers seem to be settling into their new roles, hastening the pace of session.

January 30, 2023

Last week, bill activity under the Gold Dome picked up slightly from previous weeks; however, the legislature has filed far fewer bills than at this point than in previous years. We expect an exponential increase in bills over the next few days.

January 23, 2023

This past week at the Gold Dome was “budget week,” where the heads of state agencies presented the Governor’s recommendations from the $32.5 billion proposed spending plan for their respective departments.

January 17, 2023

This past week was a flurry of activity at the Georgia Capitol. On Monday, legislators were sworn in to begin their 2023-2024 terms and adopted an adjournment resolution setting the calendar for the entire session (see below for more). On Wednesday, at the Chamber’s Eggs & Issues event, Governor Brian Kemp, Lt. Governor Burt Jones, and Speaker of the House Jon Burns each spoke about their priorities this year’s session, which focused primarily on economic development, and addressing the workforce and housing crises. On

January 9, 2023

Today is a monumental day in Georgia politics—despite what is expected to be a very short session day. Today marks the first day of the 2023-2024 biennium session, as well as the first day for a new Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives since 2010, a new Lieutenant Governor, 53 freshmen legislators, and new leadership in each chamber.

May 23, 2022

Saturday, May 14th, marked the last day for the Governor to sign or veto legislation. It is the official end of our regular session business with the General Assembly—and we are absolutely thrilled to announce that Governor Kemp signed HB 476, the Professional Engineers & Land Surveyors Act, into law! The Governor issued a signing statement on HB 476, which can be read here, the PDF is listed as “2022 Veto Messages and Signing Statements”.

April 11, 2022

Last Monday on April 4th state lawmakers adjourned— “Sine Die”—for the regular legislative session. This session we say goodbye to 48 incumbents, including 37 Representatives, 10 Senators, and the Lt. Governor, who are not running for reelection. These departing incumbents include two incredibly influential lawmakers: the chairman of the powerful Senate Rules Committee, Senator Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga), who is retiring after 22 years of service; and the Dean of the House, Representative Calvin Symre (D-Columbus), wh

April 4, 2022

Last week, lawmakers met to convene for Legislative Days 36 through 39, with this past weekend blocked out for House committee workdays. Today marks the last day of the legislative session, known as “Sine Die!” Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter James Salzer wrote a column over the weekend (HERE’S THE LINK) that does an excellent job describing the somewhat chaotic energy of Sine Die.

March 28, 2022

Last week, state lawmakers met for Legislative Days 32 through 35, leaving only five legislative days left in the 2022 Legislative Session. But a lot is going to happen in those last five days! HB 476 – Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors Act We are absolutely thrilled to report that last Thursday, HB 476 – ACEC Georgia’s PELS Board legislation – was passed unanimously out of the Senate Regulated Industries Committee!

March 21, 2022

Last week, state lawmakers met for Legislative Days 28 through 31. Tuesday, Legislative Day 28, was Crossover Day – the deadline which is the last day to pass a bill out of the chamber of origin—and lawmakers met until 9:30pm in the Senate, while the House met until 11:00pm. On Thursday, the Senate unanimously voted to support Governor Kemp’s gas tax suspension proposal, HB 304. The estimated fiscal impact of this proposal is roughly $400 million. The Governor has stated that the lost funds will be replaced by unreserv

March 14, 2022

Last week was an incredibly important week in Georgia politics! In addition to lawmakers convening for Legislative Days 25 through 27, this past week was “qualifying week,” which is the 5-day period when candidates must officially file their paperwork to run for office within their respective political parties (or as undeclared/independent candidates).

March 7, 2022

Last week, lawmakers met for Legislative Days 21 through 24. This week begins “qualifying week,” which is the 5-day period when candidates must officially file their paperwork to run for office within their respective political parties (or undeclared/independent classifications). Friday is the last day to file that mandatory paperwork in order to be eligible to run for any given regularly scheduled election in 2022. Qualifying is sometimes a turning point in the legislative session, because incumbents will finally know

February 28, 2022

Georgia lawmakers met to convene for Legislative Days 19 and 20 this past week—officially marking the halfway point to Sine Die (the last day of session, scheduled for April 4) and 8 Legislative Days until the Crossover Day deadline of March 15. The legislature is certainly feeling the heat of the election year and the approaching deadlines. As such, the legislature kept quite busy last week and promises to continue to stay busy this week!

February 21, 2022

This past week, Georgia state lawmakers met for Legislative days 16 through 18. There are now three calendar weeks until the Crossover Day deadline (March 15th), though only 9 legislative days are scheduled between now and Crossover. The various Cobb County cityhood bills continue to move steadily through the legislative process and may soon be subject to voter approval during the May primary election this year. The proposed city of Mableton passed the House Government Affairs Committee this past week and is now elig

February 14, 2022

This past week the Georgia General Assembly met for Legislative Days 12 through 15. The legislature is now past the halfway point to Crossover (the deadline for legislation to pass its original chamber) and activity in both chambers is starting to pick up. The amended budget, HB 910, passed the House by a vote of 152-4 this past Friday. The entire amended budget passed by the House totals $29.9 billion. The House largely preserved the Governor’s ambitious promises made in response to a huge windfall in tax revenue and

February 7, 2022

This past week the legislature met Tuesday through Thursday for Legislative days 9 through 11. As of February 3rd, nearly 2,900 bills and resolutions have been introduced over the course of this two-year session! Of those 2,900 bills and resolutions, House Bill 961 by Rep. Chuck Efstration (R-Dacula) and Senate Bill 329 by Sen. Bo Hatchett (R-Cornelia) are high on ACEC Georgia’s priority list. HB 961 and SB 329 are both intended to address a 2021 ruling by the Georgia Supreme Court that eliminated the apportionment of

January 31, 2022

Among the issues the House is juggling, and in addition to the proposed city of Buckhead, there are several other bills proposing referendums for the creation of new cities. These new city proposals include the cities of Lost Mountain, Vinings, and East Cobb—all of which are located in Cobb County. The legislation proposing the cities of Lost Mountain and Vinings passed the House Government Affairs Committee’s Special Subcommittee on Cityhood this past week and are now pending in the full committee.

January 24, 2022

Last week, the Georgia General Assembly took its customary break from legislative days for the joint House & Senate Appropriations Committees to hear presentations from various state agency heads on their portion of the Governor’s proposed budget. The Governor kicks things off with an overview of any significant changes from the previous year’s budget, while also highlighting his new initiatives and budget priorities. Some of our readers may already be familiar with the Governor’s recommendation to increase overall spen

January 18, 2022

Last week, UGA’s complicated relationship with Hope turned into full-blown commitment and the excitement was palpable at the Capitol. In fact, before the Georgia General Assembly even met to convene the second year of the 156th General Assembly on Monday, January 10th, they preemptively decided to take Tuesday off to recover from the Monday evening championship game (before UGA had even won!).