Legislative Session Review: Georgia

Georgia adjourned its 2018 legislative session sine die on March 29, and Governor Nathan Deal (R) finished acting on the bills sent to his desk on May 8. This was an active session that saw changes to state policy on income tax, adoption, and infrastructure.

Legislative Highlights

• Changes to the state income tax included a cut of the top marginal rate from 6 percent to 5.75 percent and a doubling of the standard deduction. Additionally, the legislature passed an expansion of the online sales tax.
• Adoption reform in the state aims to streamline the adoption process by shortening the period that a birth mother has to change her mind and allowing prospective parents to pay living expenses for birth mothers.
• The governor vetoed a bill criminalizing unauthorized computer access. Critics said the bill would have penalized cybersecurity researchers who disclose system vulnerabilities.
• The legislature also passed a $26.2 billion budget package. One notable feature of the budget is that it fully funds Georgia’s public schools--the first budget to do so in over 10 years.

Election Preview

Georgia voters will go to the voting booths on November 6 to choose a replacement for term-limited Governor Deal. Candidates on the Republican side include Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle and Secretary of State Brian Kemp. Democratic candidates include former State Representative Stacey Abrams and current State Representative Stacey Evans. In addition, all 56 Senate seats and 180 House seats are up for reelection in 2018. The state primary election will take place on May 22, and any runoffs will follow on July 24.