5 things to watch for on Crossover Day in the Georgia Legislature

It’s Crossover Day in the Georgia Legislature, where the big story isn’t what passes but what doesn’t.

Bills must “cross over” from one chamber to the other by the end of the day to have the best chance of becoming law this year.

Here are some bills we’re watching today:

1. Protesting. Multiple bills appear to be Republican responses to the clashes between police and protesters in Minnesota over President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. Senate Bill 443 would increase penalties for obstructing highways or streets. Senate Bill 572 would limit claims of self-defense in situations when law enforcement officers properly identify themselves. And Senate Bill 591 would make it a crime to disrupt a worship service, which follows the arrest of protesters at a church.

2. Immigration. Georgia has no say over federal immigration policy. But there are other ways the state can have an impact. Senate Bill 442 would automatically revoke the commercial driver’s license for noncitizens once their visas expire or five years passes. And Senate Bill 465 would disqualify businesses from tax credits if they hire people who are living in the country without legal permission.

3. Taxes. House Speaker Jon Burns’ proposal to cut property taxes failed earlier this week. But a revamped proposal could come up for a vote today. Lawmakers are also expected vote on House Bill 880, which would cut the state income tax rate. Senate Bill 410 would repeal a sales tax exemption for data center equipment. Meanwhile, MARTA bosses will be anxiously watching to see whether lawmakers agree to let them continue collecting a 1% sales and use tax.

4. Political games. House Bill 1362 would make billionaire health care executive Rick Jackson ineligible to run for governor. That bill is sponsored by state Rep. Jason Ridley, who is an ally of Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who happens to be Jackson’s chief rival for the Republican nomination. Senate Bill 423 would ban political donations from out-of-state donors if those contributions exceed 50% of the total money raised for a campaign or leadership committee.

5. Just for fun. All bills are important. But some are more fun than others. House Bill 1013 would make lemon pepper the state’s official chicken wing flavor. House Bill 1112 would require retailers to round up or round down prices when giving change, owing to the demise of the penny. And House Bill 809 would increase the minimum speed limit on highways to 50 miles per hour.

Friday news quiz

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Good morning! The deadline to qualify for the 2026 midterm elections is noon today. Republican Rick Jackson is expected to file to run for governor this morning. In the meantime, test your knowledge with our weekly news quiz. You’ll find the answers at the end of the newsletter.

Atlanta is a finalist to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention. Atlanta came close to hosting the 2024 convention. What city did they lose out to?

Georgia’s Republican leaders are used to having their priorities pass in the state Legislature. But what proposal failed to pass the House this week despite the backing of the GOP leadership?

Republican candidates for governor have spent millions of dollars on TV ads so far while Democrats have been mostly quiet. What Democratic candidate for governor broke that trend this week?

The rivalry between Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and health care executive Rick Jackson for the Republican nomination for governor has spilled over into the courts. Why?

Musical chairs

Credit: Abbey Cutrer/AJC

Credit: Abbey Cutrer/AJC

It was a dizzying Day 4 of qualifying on Thursday.

State Sen. Nabilah Parkes, D-Duluth, abandoned her bid for insurance commissioner and instead jumped into the race for lieutenant governor. She’ll now face fellow Democratic state Sen. Josh McLaurin, D-Sandy Springs, for the party’s nomination.

Meanwhile, state Sen. Elena Parent, D-Atlanta, announced her surprise retirement. State Rep. Saira Draper, who had already said she wouldn’t seek reelection to the House, will run for Parent’s Senate seat with the outgoing lawmaker’s blessing.

As for Parent, she isn’t planning another campaign — at least not right away.

“I need some space to figure out what my next chapter is,” she said. “Whatever I choose, it will be somewhere where I can make a difference in people’s lives. It may well be another political office, but I am really looking forward to some time to reflect.”

Special delivery

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

One of the state’s few Muslim legislators sought out a Republican candidate for lieutenant governor this week as he continued to face criticism for posting a campaign video depicting Muslim characters terrorizing white Georgia residents.

State Rep. Ruwa Romman, a Duluth Democrat, crossed the Capitol on Wednesday with pink bag in hand containing a gift she wanted to give state Sen. Greg Dolezal, R-Cumming.

Romman grew up in Forsyth County, an area Dolezal represents. She said people have targeted her for being Muslim since she was a child, so it takes a lot to get under her skin. However, Dolezal’s campaign video did.

“For me to see that from a sitting senator who represents the majority of my family, I was frankly appalled,” she told reporters. “Today we had a conversation and I said to him, ‘Nothing I say is going to change your mind. I know you don’t really care, but here is a gift that represents the kind of man you actually are.’”

In the bag? A set of costume bunny ears. But why?

The gift was a nod to GregsBunnyEars.com, a website run by an unknown entity displaying the text “Dearest Greg Dolezal: The truth will set you free. More to come.”

“We’re not really sure what it’s about, but it doesn’t seem like it’s anything good,” Romman said.

Dolezal declined the gift. He did not respond to requests for comment.

Farewell

Credit: Jeremy Freeman/Dagger

Credit: Jeremy Freeman/Dagger

It’s going to be a hectic day at the Capitol. But we wanted to pause to honor two valuable members of the AJC politics team: Michelle Baruchman and Maya T. Prabhu.

Whenever the Legislature meets, Baruchman and Prabhu are there. It’s a grueling job to keep watch over countless hours of monotonous legislative procedure to explain what lawmakers are doing and why they are doing it.

Baruchman and Prabhu are among the many talented journalists who are leaving the AJC today. If you see them around the Capitol, please take a moment to thank them for their work serving the public.

Under the Gold Dome

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

It’s Day 28 of the legislative session. Some happenings:

Poll position

Credit: Jason Getz/AJC

Credit: Jason Getz/AJC

A new poll of likely Georgia voters found the three leading Republican U.S. Senate contenders trail Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff in head-to-head matchups.

The Emerson College Polling/Nexstar Media poll found Ossoff leading U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter Carter 47% to 44%. His advantage widens to 48% to 43% against U.S. Rep. Mike Collins and 49% to 41% against former football coach Derek Dooley.

Collins still leads the Republican field overall with 30% of likely voters’ support compared with Carter’s 16% and Dooley’s 10%. But 40% of voters are still undecided. The margin of error is 4.6 percentage points.

The same poll found Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and health care executive Rick Jackson virtually tied in the GOP primary for Georgia governor with 38% of voters undecided.

On the Democratic side, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms leads the field with 35% support. Former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan is in second place with 13%. Former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond received 7% of support. Meanwhile, 39% of Democrats polled said they are undecided.

Listen up

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Have a question or comment for the show? Email us at politicallygeorgia@ajc.com or give us a call at 770-810-5297 and you could be featured on a future episode.

Noem out

Credit: Ross D. Franklin/AP

Credit: Ross D. Franklin/AP

President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he will replace Kristi Noem as Homeland Security secretary with U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, an Oklahoma Republican. Noem will take on a new role in the administration. Mullin still needs to be confirmed by the Senate.

The change comes a day after Noem was grilled by members of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, including U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath, D-Marietta. McBath aired concerns about a disabled Gwinnett County man who has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for more than a year.

U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, a Lithonia Democrat who is also on the committee, said he applauded Trump for “giving her the boot.”

Republicans focused on praising Mullin rather than bashing Noem. Among them was U.S. Rep. Austin Scott, R-Tifton, who said he counts both as friends.

“I think he will do an exceptionally good job there,” Scott said of Mullin. “And I think the president has made a good choice.”

Today in Washington

Credit: J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Credit: J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Happenings:

Iran fallout

The U.S. House rejected a war powers resolution that would have limited President Donald Trump’s ability to continue military strikes on Iran.

The War Powers Act failed 212-219, mostly along party lines. Two Republicans voted with most Democrats in favor of the bill. Four Democrats voted against the measure.

All five Georgia Democrats supported the resolution while all eight of the delegation’s GOP members were against it.

Shoutouts

Credit: AJC file photo

Credit: AJC file photo

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Before you go

Credit: Arvin Temkar, Miguel Martinez/AJC

Credit: Arvin Temkar, Miguel Martinez/AJC

Answers to today’s news quiz

That’ll do it for us today. As always, you can send your best scoops, gossip and insider info to greg.bluestein@ajc.com, tia.mitchell@ajc.com, patricia.murphy@ajc.com and adam.beam@ajc.com.