After Georgia Legislature’s Sine Die comes signing time for governor

After Georgia Legislature’s Sine Die comes signing time for governor

The end of the 2025 legislative session began a 40-day window that runs through May 14 when Gov. Brian Kemp can veto or sign legislation, or do nothing and automatically let it become law.

Georgia Enacts Religious Freedom Restoration Act - The Iowa Standard

Last week, Georgia became the 30th state to enact into law its own version of a Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) to protect individual religious freedoms from undue government interference. The law mirrors the federal RFRA enacted in 1993 by adding a specific layer of protection in Georgia from any unfair burden by state or local laws, orders, or policies that conflict with religious beliefs or expression. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp sig…

Rep. Lehman Franklin: Week 12 Under the Gold Dome

The 2025 legislative session officially wrapped up with the General Assembly’s 12th and final week, highlighted by the passage of key bills on education, public safety, healthcare, and Georgia’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget.

Under the Gold Dome: 2025 legislative session wraps up

The Georgia State Capitol Building, known as the Gold Dome. (Georgia State House Media Services) Georgia just finished the first year of its 158th bi-annual legislative session. The legislature sent some significant bills to the governor but left many others behind. Gov. Kemp has 40 days to either sign, veto, or let bills become law without his signature. He also can exercise a line-item veto of appropriations in the budget. Bills that survive g…

Oconee’s legislators talk shop

BY JEFF HOOD ATLANTA—The final day of this year’s Georgia General Assembly brought an unexpected twist. To the delight of many who had filled the Capitol by noon last Friday, it appeared the tradition of waiting until the final hour of Day 40 to approve the upcoming year’s budget would be broken. Shortly after 2 p.m., the only item required by the state constitution to be approved by the House and Senate each year had been agreed to in both cham…