After the penny’s demise, Georgia may round prices to the nearest 5 cents
ATLANTA — Now that the government isn't making pennies anymore, Georgia lawmakers are planning to round cash transactions to the nearest nickel. The penny proposal makes sense, said Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, R-Rome. "It's pretty simple," Hufstetler said. "You round up or...
‘Rio’s Law’ passes to help police confrontations with Georgians with autism
ATLANTA — When police pull over someone with autism, those stops can quickly escalate into confrontations because of miscommunications and stress. The General Assembly gave final approval Wednesday to a bill designed to alert police so they handle those situations...
Georgia Senate unveils its take on next fiscal year budget
ATLANTA — Georgia state employees would enjoy more consistent cost of living increases under the state Senate's version of the budget for next year. The Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday approved its amendments to the Fiscal Year 2027 budget that starts in...
College scholarships for low-income students closer to becoming Georgia law
ATLANTA — A state-funded college scholarship based on financial need rather than academic merit took another step toward becoming a reality in Georgia on Tuesday when a Senate committee approved the bipartisan measure. House Bill 1413 passed the Senate Higher...
A clock that doesn’t jump around twice a year? Georgia lawmakers are working on it
ATLANTA — Anyone who is still groggy from, and maybe a little bit resentful about, the time change earlier this month, might find solace in the Georgia Senate's action Monday. The chamber gutted a bill about ambulances and replaced it with language that would...
Georgia lawmakers pass bill penalizing protests that block roads
ATLANTA — The Georgia House voted Monday to impose tougher punishments on protesters who block streets, approving the bill over objections from legislators who said it infringes on free speech rights. The 96-69 vote sends the bill to Gov. Brian Kemp's desk after it...
High school cellphone ban heads to Georgia governor’s desk
ATLANTA — Cellphones will be banned in Georgia public high schools starting in the 2027-28 school year, if Gov. Brian Kemp signs House Bill 1009 into law. The state Senate passed the measure unanimously on Monday. "This is a great, great, win for our students and our...
Georgia General Assembly approves medical marijuana vaping and removing THC limits
ATLANTA — In the 11 years since Georgia's medical marijuana program started, it has slowly stumbled forward, with patients restricted to low-potency oils. The Georgia General Assembly gave final approval to a bill Monday that would change that. The House voted 144-21...