Senators make a deal on fentanyl prison sentences

By Mark Niesse, Staff Writer Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA — Something unusual happened to an anti-fentanyl bill in the Georgia Senate on Monday.

Concerns raised about public access to police videos

By Ty Tagami, Bureau Chief Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA — Four words added to legislation that targets mugshot mills have free speech advocates worried the public could lose access to videos that hold police accountable for their conduct.

Changes coming to legislature as lawmakers leave office

By Mark Niesse, Staff Writer Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA — With legislators running for higher office, longtime lawmakers retiring, and many challenges to incumbents, the Georgia General Assembly is set for high turnover after this year’s elections.

Hand-marked paper ballot bill fails ahead of deadline for changing Georgia’s elections

By Mark Niesse, Staff Writer Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA — Georgia senators shot down a bill Friday that would have switched the state’s voting method to paper ballots filled out by hand before this November’s elections.

Lawmakers debate legalizing silencers as gun safety bills stall

By Mark Niesse, Staff Writer Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA — Georgia has some of the loosest gun laws in the nation, but a bill to remove the state’s restriction on silencers tested lawmakers’ limits.

Senate GOP targets data centers

ATLANTA — The Georgia Senate adopted legislation March 6 that would encourage judges to think of regular people when considering disputes about contracts between electric utilities and big customers like data centers.

State legislature unanimously approves tax rebates

By Mark Niesse, Staff Writer Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA — Georgia taxpayers are getting some of their money back. With a unanimous vote Monday, the state Senate gave final approval to a bill that will distribute tax rebates worth $250 to individuals and $500 to married couples. Gov.

House fails first attempt at property tax cuts

 ATLANTA — The Georgia House of Representatives rejected a proposal to nearly eliminate homeowner property taxes. The Republican-driven measure would have put a constitutional amendment to voters.

Minimum speed limit on Georgia highways could rise by 10 mph

By Mark Niesse Staff Writer, Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA — Get out of the way, slow drivers. The minimum speed limit on Georgia highways might increase to 50 mph.

Midyear budget gets approval

ATLANTA — Georgia lawmakers reached a compromise on the mid-year budget Wednesday, fulfilling priorities of the three main players with a little help from extra money. To overcome an impasse after the state House and state Senate took money from each other's priorities — and from Gov.