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Georgia lawmakers on deadline to sign bills
Georgia lawmakers only have a few days left to try and pass several big bills, including some on immigration and sports betting.
ATLANTA - Georgia lawmakers are racing to the finish line to pass major legislation as the 2024 Georgia Legislative Session draws to a close.
With just two days left to pass new laws, legislators are making a final push to get their bills to the floor for a vote before sine die.
Democratic political strategist Tharon Johnson said several key pieces of legislation are still in play. "A lot of bills right now are probably going to go down to the wire," Johnson told FOX 5's Deidra Dukes.
Georgia's online sports betting choice
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Georgia's push for online gambling
Georgia voters may soon decide whether to allow legalized online gambling in the state. Lawmakers are considering a bill to put the ussue to a vote come November.
An online sports betting bill would clear the way for Georgians to vote on whether online sports betting should be legalized in Georgia come November.
"We'll today have a vote on sports betting to see if that is going to be able to get through and move forward and get to the floor of the house," explained Republican political strategist Brian Robinson.
Georgia's immigration bills
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Immigration bill passes Georgia Senate
A controversial immigration bill has passed the Georgia Senate on Thursday, the day after the father of a college nursing student who was murdered in Athens addressed the chamber. Investigators say the man who killed her was in the country illegally. What the bill requires.
Two big immigration bills are also still on the table. The legislation has gained traction following the murder of nursing student Laken Riley in February.
"There's been a renewed push by Republicans and some Democrats to really deal with the immigration problem that we have in the state," Johnson said. "So, you have seen a very aggressive conservative approach."
HB 301 would withhold state funding for local governments that engage in sanctuary policies.
HB 1105 would require local law enforcement to help federal agents enforce immigration laws and penalize sheriffs and jailers who don’t contact federal officials to check prisoners’ immigration status.
Georgia’s transgenders in sports legislation
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Georgia's controversial transgender bill
A bill targeting transgender children has sparked some outrage. Republican lawmakers have introduced new legislation that would prohibit biological males from participating in girls’ sports at Georgia public schools.
Perhaps one of the most controversial pieces of legislation would prohibit students who are biological males from competing in girls' sports in public schools.
"When it comes to some of those social issues such as the transgender legislation, that is policy that appeals to the Republican base. No doubt about it, it is a priority for the Republican base. But if you look at what the legislation is doing, it's also got appeal to the political center to independents," Robinson explained.
The session ends on Thursday.