/>iThe House and Senate were ships passing in the storm on Tuesday as the Senate kept its customary 10:00 a.m. convening while the House delayed its start until 1:00 p.m. on account of the inclement weather across Georgia. With only one committee meeting scheduled, most Senators were headed out of the parking deck before many Representatives pulled in. But it wasn’t just the hour of convening where Representatives and Senators legislators lacked agreement. Legislative Day 2 marked another day burned without adoption of an adjournment resolution setting the legislative schedule for the days ahead. Lawmakers and lobbyists in the halls continue to talk wistfully of the 2023 legislative session, where the chambers agreed to a schedule for the entire session on the first day. Perhaps the sun breaking through the clouds on Tuesday afternoon is an omen of conciliation coming on Wednesday.
Before legislators get back to the people’s work on Wednesday, many will gather along with business leaders from across the state for the annual Georgia Chamber of Commerce Eggs and Issues breakfast at the Mercedes Benz Stadium. Follow along with the #GoldDomeReport team as we hear from the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the House on their plans for the 2024 Legislative Session.
In this Report:
- Joint Appropriations Committee Hearing Schedule
- New Legislation
- What’s Next
Joint Appropriations Committee Hearing Schedule
In anticipation of Governor Brian Kemp releasing his budget proposals for Amended FY24 and FY25 later this week, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees have announced their hearing schedule for next week. During these hearings, legislators will receive briefings from Governor Kemp, the state economist, and state agency heads about budget needs for the coming year. Hearings will be streamed live on the General Assembly’s website.
Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024
| 9:00-9:15 a.m. | Chairman’s Welcome |
| 9:15-9:45 a.m. | Governor Brian Kemp |
| 9:45-10:15 a.m. | State Economist Dr. Robert “Bob” Buschman |
| 10:15-10:45 a.m. |
Department of Education Superintendent Richard Woods |
| 10:45-11:30 a.m. |
Univeristy System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue |
| 11:30-12:00 p.m. |
Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Greg Dozier |
| 12:00-1:00 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1:00-1:20 p.m. |
Georgia Lottery Corporation President Gretchen Corbin |
| 1:20-1:40 p.m. |
Georgia Student Finance Commission President Lynne Riley |
| 1:40-2:00 p.m. |
Department of Early Care and Learning Commissioner Amy Jacobs |
| 2:00-2:30 p.m. |
Department of Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper |
| 2:30-2:50 p.m. |
Public Service Commission Chairman Jason Shaw |
| 2:50-3:10 p.m. |
Georgia Forestry Commission Director Tim Lowrimore |
| 3:10-3:30 p.m. |
Georgia Technology Authority Executive Director Shawnzie Thomas |
| 3:30-4:00 p.m. |
Georgia State Financing and investment Commission State Property Officer Marty Smith State Properties Commission Director Diana Pope |
| 4:00-4:30 p.m. |
Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Christopher Nunn |
| 4:30-5:00 p.m. |
Department of Transportation Commissioner Russell McMurry |
Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024
| 8:00-8:45 a.m. |
Department of Human Services Commissioner Candice Broce |
| 8:45-9:30 a.m. |
Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Kevin Tanner |
| 9:30-10:15 a.m. |
Department of Community Health Commissioner Russel Carlson |
| 10:15-10:45 a.m. |
Department of Public Health Commissioner Kathleen Toomey |
| 10:45-11:15 a.m. |
Department of Veteran Services Commissioner Patricia Ross |
| 11:15-11:45 am |
Department of Administrative Services Commissioner Rebecca Sullivan |
| 11:45-12:00 p.m. |
State Accounting Office State Accounting Officer Gerlda Hines |
| 12:00-1:00 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1:00-1:30 p.m. |
Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson |
| 1:30-2:00 p.m. |
Georgia Ports Authority President Griff Lynch |
| 2:00-2:30 p.m. |
Secretary of State Secretary Brad Raffensperger |
| 2:30-3:00 p.m. |
Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King |
| 3:00-3:20 p.m |
Department of Driver Services Commissioner Spencer Moore |
| 3:20-3:40 p.m |
Employees’ Retirement System Executive Director Jim Potvin |
| 3:40-4:00 p.m. |
Teachers Retirement System Executive Director Buster Evans |
| 4:00-4:30 p.m. |
Department of Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson |
| 4:30-4:50 p.m. |
Department of Revenue Commissioner Frank O’Connell |
| 4:50-5:20 p.m. |
Department of Audits and Accounts State Auditor Greg Griffin |
| 5:20–5:40 p.m |
Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Walter Rabon |
| 5:40-6:00 p.m. |
Environmental Protection Division Director Jeff Cown |
Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024
| 8:00-8:30 a.m. |
Department of Law Attorney General Chris Carr |
| 8:30-9:00 a.m. |
Public Defender Council Executive Director Omotayo Alli |
| 9:00-9:45 a.m. |
Department of Public Safety Colonel Billy Hitchens |
| 9:45-10:15 a.m. |
Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey |
| 10:15-10:45 a.m. |
Department of Community Supervision Commissioner Michael Nail |
| 10:45-11:15 a.m. |
Department of Corrections Commissioner Tyrone Oliver |
| 11:15-11:45 a.m. |
Department of Juvenile Justice Commissioner Shawanda Reynolds-Cobb |
| 11:45-12:15 p.m. |
Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Executive Director Jay Neal |
| 12:15-12:45 pm |
Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget Director Richard Dunn |
| 12:45-2:00 p.m. | Lunch |
| 2:00-3:00 p.m. | Block Grant Hearing |
New Legislation
The following new legislation of interest has been introduced in the House:
| H.B.870 | State government; observe standard time; provide | Rep. Dale Washburn (R-144) | https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/65941 |
| H.B.872 | Medical professionals; rural assistance; expand service cancelable loan program for health care providers to include dental students | Rep. Lee Hawkins (R-027) | https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/65943 |
| H.B.873 | Courts; juvenile treatment court divisions; create | Rep. Stan Gunter (R-008) | https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/65944 |
| H.B.874 | Schools; automated external defibrillators; require | Rep. Lee Hawkins (R-027) | https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/65945 |
| H.B.875 | Firearms; persons convicted of family violence offenses cannot possess or purchase; provide | Rep. Shea Roberts (D-052) | https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/65946 |
| H.B.876 | Banking and finance; update terminology; revise procedures; provisions | Rep. Bruce Williamson (R-112) | https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/65947 |
The following new legislation of interest has been introduced in the Senate:
| S.B.334 | "Helping Firefighters Beat Cancer Act"; enact | Sen. John Albers (R-056) | https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/65950 |
| S.B.335 | "Safeguarding Adopted Children from Sexual Violence Act"; enact | Sen. John Albers (R-056) | https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/65951 |
| S.B.336 | Administration of Mental Health; Behavioral Health Coordinating Council to be represented by a delegate or agent; allow for certain officials | Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (R-032) | https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/65952 |
| S.B.337 | Georgia Colonel; appoint honorary title for life; authorize the Governor | Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (R-032) | https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/65949 |
| S.R.435 | Acuña Jr., Ronald; recognize | Sen. Gloria Butler (D-055) | https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/65954 |
What’s Next
The House will reconvene for Legislative Day 3 on Wednesday, Jan. 10 at 11:00 a.m. The Senate will convene at 2:00 p.m.
See our coverage of Day 1 here.
