During the recent Georgia legislative session, several high-profile bills sparked debate across party lines and among Cobb County residents.
House Bill 127: From Teacher Sick Leave to Anti-DEI Enforcement
What began as a proposal to provide Georgia teachers with two additional sick days, House Bill 127, was dramatically amended late in the session into legislation targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in education. The final version would financially penalize public colleges and universities that support DEI initiatives, framing them as discriminatory.
Importantly, the version of the bill that passed the Senate did not include the additional sick days for teachers. That provision was stripped out during the amendment process.
The measure was introduced the day before Sine Die, the final day of the legislative session, when no further bills may be passed. Its timing led to nearly two hours of intense Senate debate.
Sen. Max Burns (R-Sylvania), who sponsored the bill, claimed, “If you believe that discrimination in any form is wrong, then this legislation aligns with making sure that discrimination does not happen in any form.” The bill passed the Senate but was not called back up in the House before adjournment.
Senate Bill 28: “Red Tape Rollback Act of 2025”
Senate Bill 28, sponsored by Sen. Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming), was a signature effort of Lt. Gov. Burt Jones to reduce regulation across state government. The legislation would require all Georgia agencies to conduct a comprehensive review of their rules every four years and report the economic impact of proposed major regulations to the General Assembly.
Lt. Gov. Jones praised the bill, saying, “The Red Tape Rollback Act of 2025 is mirroring the great work President Trump is doing in Washington to create efficiency, reduce unnecessary spending and eliminate bureaucratic red tape across state agencies.”
Though SB 28 passed in the Senate, it did not make it through the House.
Other Bills That Did Not Survive Sine Die:
Sine Die is a Latin phrase meaning “without a day.” In legislative terms, it marks the final day of a session, after which no further action can be taken on any bills.
- Senate Bill 21: Would have removed certain legal protections and allowed lawsuits against government officials who fail to comply with state laws requiring cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
- House Bill 79: Proposed a four-day sales tax holiday for purchases of guns, ammunition, and firearm safety devices, as well as income tax credits of up to $300 for enrolling in gun safety courses.
- House Resolution 450: Sought to put sports betting on the 2026 ballot as a constitutional amendment, allowing Georgia voters to decide its legalization.
- House Bill 225 and House Bill 651: Aimed at either banning or further regulating automated speed cameras in school zones across Georgia.
- Pay Raises for Statewide Elected Officials: Lawmakers ultimately shelved a proposal that would have raised salaries for statewide elected officials, including a raise for Gov. Brian Kemp to $250,000 annually.
