Georgia Senate
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Athens-Clarke County
Georgia Hate Crimes Legislation Stalls in Senate, Proponents Hope for Passage in 2020
The state’s first hate crimes bill, HB 426, passed the Georgia House but stalled in the Senate and will not be taken up until the next Georgia state legislative session in 2020. Dacula Republican Rep. Chuck Efstration sponsored House Bill 426 in the most recent 2019 legislative session. HB 426…
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Uncategorized
Mental Illness, Public Forum Issues Part of Georgia Legislation Action
In legislative news, your mental health information will now remain in the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System for life. Senate Bill 99 passed the Georgia Senate yesterday with overwhelming support. The bill makes it illegal for Georgia’s mental health database to be wiped clean every 5 years. This…
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Athens-Clarke County
New Legislation Brewing in Georgia House That Could Change Craft Beer Industry
ATHENS, Ga—Georgia legislators are brewing up new legislation that, if passed, would revolutionize Georgia’s craft beer industry, according to some analysts. The legislation, Senate Bill 85 would remove the decades-old law that requires breweries to sell their beer through distributors and give away their beer on tours. Beer accounts for more…
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Athens-Clarke County
Georgia Senate Bill to Protect LGBTQ Community
ATHENS, Ga.—Some Athens residents are speaking up about a newly introduced state senate bill that – if passed – could have a big impact on the LGBTQ community. Senate Bill 119, also called the ‘Georgia Civil Rights For All’ bill, would create full protections in public accommodations for LGBTQ individuals. The…
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Georgia Senate to Discuss ‘Justice for Rape Victims’ Bill
The Georgia State Senate will meet Tuesday and on its schedule is a bill that aims to speed up the process of gathering evidence of a rape. House Bill 827, better known as the Pursuing Justice for Rape Victims Act, passed through the House unanimously in late February. This bill would…
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In-Depth
‘Campus Carry’ Bill Passes Georgia House and Senate
GEORGIA — Governor Nathan Deal released a statement Monday about the “campus carry” bill, House Bill 859. The bill has passed in both the Senate and House and would allow for twenty one year old licensed gun owners to carry weapons on college campuses. Governor Deal called for the General Assembly…
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Athens-Clarke County
Some Students Say No to Guns on Campus
Students at the University of Georgia will hold a protest against a bill in the Georgia Senate that could lead to allowing carry of concealed firearms on campus. A march for UGA students and Athens’ community members will start at 6:15 PM tonight at the UGA Arch on Broad Street. The march will…
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Athens-Clarke County
Alcohol Bill Would Lower Punishments for Underage Drinking
ATHENS, Ga- A bill that would change how underage drinking is handled in the state of Georgia is now one step closer to becoming law. Advocates of the bill believe that the current law is ruining young people’s lives. It passed unanimously through its Senate committee just yesterday. Senate Bill…