Gold Dome 2025 Update: Post-Crossover

We are now over three-fourths of the way through the legislative session, which will end with Sine Die on April 4. Overall, the Republicans in the Gold Dome continue to refuse most attempts at bipartisan government. In the House, just 16 Dem-sponsored bills crossed over to the other chamber, compared to 205 Republican bills; in the Senate, just 8 Dem-sponsored bills crossed over out of dozens. This scant ratio is in a legislature where Dems occupy 44% of the seats.

Democrats proposed legislation to increase the minimum wage, increase healthcare access, provide school kids free lunch, and address gun violence. Republicans mostly sought to replicate at the state level the culture-war Executive Orders happening at the federal level, push Kemp’s litigation “tort reform” overhaul, and pass an 11-day tax holiday on guns and ammo, while Representative Michelle Au's HB1, the Pediatric Safe Storage Act, an important gun safety measure, did not get a committee hearing. Two consumer-friendly energy bills sponsored by Democrats did not cross over. SB34 would have required the Public Service Commission to ensure that costs from electricity used by data centers would not be passed on as rate hikes to consumers. And SB94 would have reestablished a Consumer Utility council, which would have represented ratepayers before the PSC.

Spearheaded by Forsyth’s SD27 Senator Greg Dolezal with his SB1, every anti-trans rights bill in the Gold Dome succeeded in crossing over. SB1, which would ban trans kids from participating in school sports, passed out of the senate, along with bills limiting gender-affirming healthcare for minors, enforcing school bathroom choice based on sex assigned at birth, and eliminating trans healthcare insurance benefits for state employees. One bright spot: SB120, an anti-DEI bill which would have cut funding to any schools and colleges with DEI programs, in keeping with Trump/Musk priorities, did not advance. 

Here are some bills that Forsyth Dems believe need our advocacy, either in opposition or support, and here is a link to find your legislator and their contact information to voice your opinion.

Support HB127, increases the number of paid sick leave days teachers may take from three to five. This came about in response to the Apalachee HS shooting. Ask your state senator to support.

Oppose SB1, prohibits trans girls from playing on girls’ sports teams from elementary school through college. Despite no known trans athletes in Georgia high schools, this bill targets vulnerable children and is an invasion of privacy. This bill will face more opposition in the House, tell your House reps you oppose it.

Oppose SB30 and SB39, these are also anti-trans bills which would ban puberty blockers and hormones for minors, and gender affirming healthcare for state employees. Forsyth Reps Todd Jones and David Clark are on the House committee for these bills. Tell your House reps you oppose this.

Support SB55, which would raise the wages of people with disabilities. This is a rare bipartisan bill sponsored by Forsyth’s Shawn Still and Democrat Elena Parent. Can contact Shawn Still and express thanks, also tell your House rep you support.

Support SB89, creates a child tax credit. This is also bipartisan legislation, Todd Jones is on the House Ways and Means committee, contact him to express your support.

Oppose SB36, this is the so-called “Religious Freedom Restoration Act,” but it would give people the legal right to discriminate against LGBTQ people. Todd Jones is on the House Judiciary Committee, tell him we strongly oppose.

Oppose SB47, the sales tax holiday for guns and ammunition. This bill, in the wake of the tragic shooting at Apalachee HS, is the opposite of meaningful gun safety legislation. Tell Todd Jones, who is on the Ways and Means Committee, that we strongly oppose. 

Oppose SB74, the “jail the librarians” bill. This bill would expose librarians to criminal penalties if any materials on library shelves could be deemed “harmful to minors.” This bill was introduced last year and didn’t crossover. Now it has gone farther. Tell your Forsyth House reps that we oppose this unconstitutional censorship.
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This is just a small sampling of bills for which we believe targeted  advocacy could be effective. Here are some ways to stay informed, look up bills you’re interested in, and track their movements through the chambers:

WABE Under the Gold Dome
AJC Legislative Navigator
Legiscan is a site that will email you when bills you are tracking change status. 
Sign up for Michelle Au’s newsletter, it is very detailed and informative.
Stay tuned to our social media and newsletters for talking points and calls to action.