Skip to content

Brought to you by

Dentons logo

Soapbox

A politics and policy blog

open menu close menu

Soapbox

  • Home
  • Who We Are
  • Topics
    • Topics
    • Federal Government Affairs
    • Dentons 50
    • State Attorneys General
    • Local Government Solutions
    • Elections
  • States
    • States
    • Colorado
    • Georgia
    • Hawai`i
    • Iowa
    • Pennsylvania
  • Guides and Resources
    • Guides and Resources
    • 2020 Presidential Election
    • Dentons Dialogue: US Policy Perspectives
    • State and Local
    • State Attorneys General
    • 100 Days Report 2021
    • US Policy Fall Preview 2021
  • Policy Scan 2021
    • Introduction
    • Administration
    • First 100 days
    • Policy in a Biden Administration
    • Congress
    • 50 state overview
    • Calendars

Georgia Legislative Update | March 15, 2022

By Eric Tanenblatt, Edward H. Lindsey Jr., Dan Baskerville, Samuel Olens, and Chan Creswell
March 15, 2022
  • Georgia
  • Local Government Solutions
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share via email Share on LinkedIn

Crossover Day Preview

Today, the State Capitol will be filled with legislators, advocates, and stakeholders abuzz with activity late into the day taking part in the annual “Crossover Day” tradition. Crossover Day is a deadline for bills to pass out of their original chamber. In practice, all House bills that will become law must pass the House today. The same goes for Senate bills.

On Crossover Day, many legislators will be pushing for their bill to pass and receive consideration before time runs out. Below we will preview a few “bills to watch” today.

Cannabis Bills

In 2019, the State Legislature legalized the growth of medical cannabis and set up a process for distribution licenses. However, after licenses were awarded, legal disputes from those who came up short in the process have threatened to tie up the legal distribution. A couple of bills are aimed at helping these losing parties and getting medical cannabis out to those who need it.

House Bill 1400 would seek to issue licenses to those companies who were denied a license by the commission, negating the need for further legal activity. This bill passed thorough committee 2 weeks ago, but has yet to be passed by the whole House. It’s fate will likely be tied to House Bill 1453, a different bill aimed at achieving the same ultimate result.

House Bill 1453 aims to equip the licensees to get their cannabis production up and running. It also passed committee, but will need to pass the full House by the end of today’s session.

In the Senate, Senator Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga) introduced SB 609 to change the scoring system and allow for new licenses to be issued to the appellees. It was read for a second time last week and will need to pass today.

Firearms Bill

The Governor made it a priority to pass “constitutional carry” legislation this session, which would allow Georgians to conceal carry without a license. While that legislation has already passed through its original chamber, a partner bill is still stuck in the House.

HB 1378, from Rep. Rick Jasperse, would remove “places of worship” from the list of unauthorized locations to carry a weapon. The bill passed committee on March 3rd and will try to pass the House today. Since Rep. Rick Jasperse is a close ally of the Speaker, it is likely this bill will pass through the House.

Elections Bills

Although legislators have not been as focused on “election integrity” this session, two elections bills will need to pass the House today to have a chance at overall passage.

House Bill 1464 would open original paper ballots for public inspection and give the Georgia Bureau of Investigation original jurisdiction of election fraud and election crimes. These investigations are presently overseen by the Secretary of State’s Office. Many voting rights advocates and Democrats have panned the bill and county officials have raised concerns it may slow results.

House Bill 1085 is a bipartisan bill that would allow municipalities to use instant runoff voting for their local elections should they so choose. The bill passed committee back in February but has yet to see the House floor.

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share via email Share on LinkedIn
Subscribe and stay updated
Receive our latest blog posts by email.
Stay in Touch
Eric Tanenblatt

About Eric Tanenblatt

Eric Tanenblatt is the Global Chair of Public Policy and Regulation of Dentons, the world's largest law firm. He also leads the firm's US Public Policy Practice, leveraging his three decades of experience at the very highest levels of the federal and state governments.

All posts Full bio

Edward H. Lindsey Jr.

About Edward H. Lindsey Jr.

Edward Lindsey is a partner in Dentons' Public Policy practice and serves as the head of the Firm's Georgia State Government Affairs team. His focus is on advancing the public policy interests and objectives of clients in the transportation, infrastructure, health care and education sectors.

All posts Full bio

Dan Baskerville

About Dan Baskerville

Dan Baskerville specializes in state and local government affairs and has 20 years of experience representing clients at the Georgia General Assembly. He has extensive experience and knowledge of local government issues, especially in relation to local governments within the metro-Atlanta region.

All posts Full bio

Samuel Olens

About Samuel Olens

Samuel S. Olens is a partner in Dentons' Public Policy practice and is a member of the firm's State Attorneys General group, based in the Atlanta office. His practice focuses on state attorneys general and local government affairs matters.

All posts Full bio

Chan Creswell

About Chan Creswell

Chan Creswell is a Senior Public Policy Analyst with Dentons' Public Policy and Regulation practice. Chan works closely with the firm’s global Autonomous Vehicles group and frequently writes on the development, deployment and acceptance of driverless vehicles.

All posts Full bio

RELATED POSTS

  • Dentons 50
  • Colorado
  • Local Government Solutions

Everything you need to know about Colorado’s elections

By Amy Stephens
  • Georgia

Georgia Legislative Update – January 30, 2020

Overview Unsurprisingly, the 2020 legislative session, still in its infancy, has been consumed by the General Assembly’s one constitutional obligation—passing […]

By Edward H. Lindsey Jr., Elmer Stancil, and Dan Baskerville
  • Dentons 50
  • Georgia

Georgia Post-Crossover Legislative Update – March 17, 2020

Due to the recent outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), the Georgia General Assembly has suspended the 2020 legislative session until further […]

By Edward H. Lindsey Jr., Elmer Stancil, Dan Baskerville, and Crawford G. Schneider

About Dentons

Dentons is designed to be different. As the world’s largest law firm with 20,000 professionals in over 200 locations in more than 80 countries, we can help you grow, protect, operate and finance your business. Our polycentric and purpose-driven approach, together with our commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and ESG, ensures we challenge the status quo to stay focused on what matters most to you. www.dentons.com

Dentons boilerplate image

Twitter

Categories

  • Federal Government Affairs
  • California
  • Dentons 50
  • Colorado
  • Georgia
  • Hawai`i
  • Iowa
  • Pennsylvania
  • State Attorneys General
  • Local Government Solutions
  • Elections
  • General

Subscribe and stay updated

Receive our latest blog posts by email.

Stay in Touch

Dentons logo white

© 2023 Dentons

  • Legal notices
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms of use
  • Cookies on this site