The Holland Report - 2024, Week 11

Christmas Trees, Stripping, and Other Shenanigans as We Near the Finish Line
As we might expect, the week of legislative days 36, 37 and 39 was brutal. Good bills that passed the House are now being stripped of their original language and new, unrelated language substituted instead. Other bills are now picking up amendments (like ornaments on a Christmas tree) that can make otherwise innocuous bills into something controversial. And while we try to keep track of those changes, bad bills have now worked their way over from the Senate, passed through committee, and are hitting the House floor. With so much happening, it’s hard to summarize all of it, but I want to share some highlights. Be sure to tune into my regular listening session on Sunday for even more scoop. Registration information is at the bottom of this email.

Hopes for Medicaid Expansion are Dashed...Again
Earlier this week, Democratic leadership in the Senate made headway in working to negotiate support for Medicaid expansion as a companion bill supporting Certificate of Need reform. In a committee hearing Thursday morning, the bill that would have moved Medicaid expansion along (HB 1077) narrowly failed with a 7-7 vote in committee. Two Republicans voted with Democrats in favor of the measure, but a tie vote equals a no vote. In protest, Democrats in both chambers voted against the Certificate of Need reform bill (HB 1339), but the move was not enough to defeat the measure. The state has already lost $26M with Governor Kemp’s alternative to Medicaid expansion while 500,000 Georgians continue to go without healthcare coverage. Polls show that more than 70% of Georgians want the state to expand Medicaid access.

Good Bills

Let’s start on the bright side. The legislature continues to make progress on its mental health priorities with the passage of SB 373 (expediting licensing of therapists) and SB 480 (loan forgiveness for those going into mental health fields).

Several bills should improve circumstances for children in the foster care system, including SB 376 (more timely placement of children removed from their homes), SB 230 (a foster parents bill of rights), and SB 401 (the Foster Care and Adoption Study Committee).

On the education front, I was proud to support SB 469. Sponsored by my colleague, Sen. Jason Esteves, this bill raises the cap on contributions made to 529 savings accounts. I was also proud to vote "yes" on SB 464 (the School Supplies for Teachers program).

Bad Bills

On the “bad bills” front, I joined with many colleagues who opposed SB 362, an anti-union bill that denies economic development incentives to businesses that voluntarily recognize unions or voluntarily disclose employee information to a labor organization. Georgia is already a very anti-union state. SB 362 hinders Georgia business owners from independently determining the most efficient and cost-effective methods to manage their employees.  The bill also appears to be preempted by federal labor law, which means the state is likely to get embroiled in yet another lawsuit for passing illegal legislation.

I also voted no on SB 420, a bill that would prevent people of certain nationalities and immigration status from owning or leasing land in agricultural areas or near military bases. While the law was written to strengthen national security, it’s riddled with loopholes that will not prevent bad actors from obtaining land if they so wish.

What Bills are We Watching Next Week?

A bill placing a statue honoring Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas was originally scheduled for a vote on Thursday but then got reassigned to Rules for a possible amendment. I expect we’ll see it back on the floor for a vote next week. Its bill number is SB 69.

SB 507 would create an “America First” license plate, allowing Georgians to opt to display a slogan that has been affiliated with historic moments ranging from isolationism during World War II to the current re-election campaign for President Trump. Such divisive slogans have no place on Georgia vehicles. I plan to oppose the measure.

SB 390 will be heard in Higher Education Committee on Monday and would prohibit Georgia libraries from paying dues to the American Library Association. This bill has been called everything from the anti-librarians act to the book banning bill. I have multiple concerns with the legislation, and I plan to raise those in committee next week.

The duo of sports betting bills–one that’s a constitutional amendment (SR 579) and one that’s the enabling legislation (SB 386)–will also likely receive a vote in Higher Education Committee next week. As structured now, the constitutional amendment would require Georgians to vote on the ballot to include online sports betting as a lottery game. The enabling legislation would then outline how to regulate that betting and where the raised funds would go (as of now, they would fund pre-K, college scholarships, capital school improvements and gambling addiction prevention and treatment).

HB 1104 started out as a great bill, the first passed by my colleague Rep. Omari Crawford and aimed at addressing the mental health challenges facing student athletes. In the Senate, the bill has been mostly gutted. It now requires student athletes to compete only in sports that align with their birth gender, prohibits schools from teaching factual and appropriate information about reproduction, and requires libraries to notify parents about possible “objectionable” books checked out by students. 

World Down Syndrome Day and Other Celebrations at the Capitol
Many visitors came to the Capitol this week including Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta. We also celebrated sports teams, school groups, heritage groups, Navroz, and Ramadan representatives.

Join us this Sunday to learn more about what to watch in the last week of the session. Pre-register here for the zoom link.

If you haven’t already, please browse my website, betsyforgeorgia.com.

As your Representative, your concerns are important to me. Please contact me at betsy.holland@house.ga.gov or 404-656-0116 with questions, concerns, or solutions you may have regarding legislation or other happenings in District 54.

To stay updated, follow me on Twitter and Facebook, and follow the Georgia House of Representatives @GAHouseHub on Twitter. Additionally, in-depth information regarding current bills, Georgia's annual and supplemental budgets, committee meetings, and livestreams from the General Assembly can be accessed via www.legis.ga.gov.

I encourage you and your family to visit our State Capitol and my office, where all constituents are welcome. I look forward to connecting with you!

My office is located at:
18 Capitol Square, SW
409-B, Coverdell Legislative Office Building
Atlanta, Georgia 30334

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your representative.

Representative Betsy Holland
GA House District 54