Legislative Day 40 continues as this Report goes live, and the day has already been a historic one! Most notably, HB 1013, Speaker David Ralston’s (R-Blue Ridge) Mental Health Parity Act legislation was signed by Governor Kemp around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Advocates, legislators, lobbyists, and onlookers spilled over the railings as Governor Kemp put ink to paper on the legislation. After the signing ceremony, mental health advocates tuned up to serenade Speaker Ralston with “Thank You for Being a Friend.” The moment was poignant and moving, and the legislation is now a done deal!
There have been a few “fits and starts” throughout the day so far, with both chambers standing at ease for various reasons over the course of the day. Chief among those were abruptly-called House Rules Committee meetings. Among bills that struggled were an online sports betting proposal presented by Representative Ron Stephens (R-Savannah). His Rules Committee Substitute proposal was voted down with a vote of 12-17. Another late arriving idea was language from Representative Ed Setzler (R-Acworth) from HB 290, the Patient’s Representation Act, that was threatened to be added to SB 456. Due to numerous questions, the underlying Rules Committee Substitute was held (but could emerge later this evening).
Before action was taken in the House to agree to HB 911, the FY 2023 Budget, Dean of the House Calvin Smyre (D-Columbus) took the well for likely a final time to give his farewell...
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