As we approach the last hours of what has been a fast-paced legislative session where we have seen many bills chip away at democracy, we are holding out hope that the handful of bills we have in our sights will not move forward. With a get-the-vote-at-all-costs attitude, lawmakers abandoned democratic political processes and orchestrated new ones that rallied colleagues to side with them, while silencing opposing views. We were often among those who disagreed with their cruel bills.
"If people spend any time watching what the General Assembly has done this session, they will see bills that show a lack of regard for some Georgians and election year chicanery. When it comes to bills that will inflict the most harm on the most vulnerable groups, the legislature packs them all together and sneaks in additional language without members having seen the bills. As is always our hope, maybe next year will be when the General Assembly works toward legislation that will actually benefit all Georgians," said Ben Lynde, policy counsel.
While all Georgians will be impacted by bills passed that diminish their civil liberties and civil rights, Black and Brown people, LGBTQ+ people and other vulnerable communities will be especially hard hit. Lawmakers may pass bills that weaken rather than strengthen access to voting, take away parents’ rights to make decisions about their child’s education and healthcare, make it OK to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people, and blur the lines between violent and peaceful protesters.
Today is Sine Die — the last day of session — and we expect a long day of action on the floor of both chambers of the General Assembly . We will be on the front lines as we look out for last minute attacks on our civil liberties.
These are the bills were monitoring with hopes that they will not be passed:
Voter Access
Less Time to Count Absentee & Advance Ballots - SB 189
OPPOSE
Requires election officials to have all absentee and advance ballots counted within one hour of the close of the polls; this is an impossible and overly burdensome requirement.
Expansion of Voter Challenges - HB 976
OPPOSE
Allows voters to be challenged using information from third-party sites. This will lead to an increase of voter challenges, which also burdens over-extended election workers.
Discrimination Against Non-Citizens Eligible to Work at Polls - HB 1207
OPPOSE
Directly discriminates against non-citizens who have the right to work at polls in this country.
Education
Internet Age Verification for Minors - SB 351
OPPOSE
Georgia’s General Assembly has successfully passed censorship legislation that restricts young people’s access to information in classrooms and libraries. SB 351 expands censorship to the digital space by imposes age verification methods for youth seeking access to social media
Parent Notification of Book Checkout, Ban on Trangender Youth Participating in Sports and Sex Education - HB 1104
OPPOSE
Would jeopardize students’ access to library books, prevent Georgia’s students from accessing factual, appropriate information about sex and reproduction, and prevent transgender students from participating in school athletics.
Criminal Legal Reform
More Punishments For Peaceful Protestors - HB 505
OPPOSE
This bill would punish peaceful protestors if a “riot” occurred, regardless of whether or not their conduct was peaceful. Material support for terrorism laws are easily abused by our government. Providing immunity to those who run down protesters in the streets is unacceptable.
LGBTQ+
Puberty Blocker Ban - HB 1170
OPPOSE
As amended, HB 1170 removes the ability for Georgia families to choose and pursue necessary medical care for their trans loved ones. The bill also proposes a complete ban on puberty suppressants and would remove a critical exception allowing continued care for trans youth who began receiving treatments before July 1, 2023.
Privacy
Favoring Big Tech Over Consumer Protections - SB 473 / HB 498
OPPOSE
Biometric information is things like your fingerprints, eye pattern, and facial geometry, unchangeable features that make people unique. Without protections, big data companies are able to harvest, use, and sell this information without any restriction. SB 473 doesn't cover most businesses and is full of carve outs and exemptions.
Signed,
The ACLU of Georgia's Legislative Team
