Georgia-Legislature on WACN 21 News

Georgia Legislature Passes Voting Machine Delay in Special Session

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 19:00:00 -0400

Georgia lawmakers concluded a closely watched special session Monday, sending a consequential election-administration bill to Gov. Brian Kemp’s desk just days before a sweeping ban on QR-coded ballots was set to take effect.

Kemp signed Senate Bill 3EX into law on Wednesday, June 25, resetting the state’s timeline for overhauling its ballot-marking devices and adding a new safeguard for razor-thin statewide contests.

What the Law Does

The measure addresses two central concerns that have dogged Georgia’s election apparatus since the state adopted touchscreen ballot-marking devices in 2020:

Georgia Expands Safe Haven Law, Giving Parents More Options to Safely Surrender Newborns

Fri, 08 May 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Georgia has significantly broadened the options available to parents who need to safely surrender a newborn, part of a sweeping child welfare agenda that defined the 2026 legislative session.

House Bill 350, signed into law this spring, expands the state’s Safe Haven law to include ambulances, public safety vehicles, and approved safety devices as locations where a newborn can be surrendered without fear of criminal prosecution. Previously, the law limited safe surrender to hospitals and fire stations only.

Georgia Legislative Session Wraps With Budget, Affordability Measures, and Three Ballot Questions

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

ATLANTA — The Georgia General Assembly gaveled to a close late Thursday night, concluding a 2026 legislative session that lawmakers from both parties characterized as one focused squarely on affordability, public safety, and government modernization. The session ended on April 2, 2026, with dozens of bills headed to the governor’s desk and three proposed constitutional amendments now bound for the statewide ballot.

The Budget: HB 974

The centerpiece of any legislative session is the state budget, and this year was no exception. HB 974, the FY2027 appropriations act, cleared both chambers after weeks of negotiation between House and Senate conferees. The spending plan reflects the affordability theme that dominated floor debate throughout the session, with targeted investments in education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

Affordability Takes Center Stage as Georgia Lawmakers Hit Crossover Day

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0500

As the 2026 Georgia General Assembly session approaches Crossover Day — the legislative deadline by which bills must pass at least one chamber to remain alive — affordability has emerged as the dominant theme under the Gold Dome. From tax relief and insurance reform to education funding and healthcare access, lawmakers in both parties are zeroing in on the costs that matter most to Georgia families.

The session, which is scheduled to conclude on April 2, still has significant work ahead. But the contours of the legislative agenda are now clear, and kitchen-table economics is driving the conversation.