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Georgia passes bill to round cash purchases to the nearest nickel

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Thursday, April 9, 2026

By Mark Niesse, Staff Writer Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA — You could soon leave pennies at home when you go shopping in Georgia. The Georgia House gave final approval to a bill Thursday that rounds in-person cash transactions to the nearest nickel.

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Senate moves to cut property taxes by increasing sales taxes

News Staff

Thursday, April 2, 2026

By Ty Tagami, Bureau Chief Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA — The Georgia Senate passed a measure Tuesday that would reduce homeowner property taxes by creating a new sales tax in exchange. House Bill 1116 came from the House as a cap on property tax valuation increases.

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Lawmakers put 911 upgrades on this year’s ballot

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Thursday, April 2, 2026

By Mark Niesse, Staff writer Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA — Georgia voters will decide this year on a constitutional amendment that would dedicate their 911 fees to a statewide fund for improving emergency services.

Gov. Brian Kemp speaks before signing Georgia House Bills 1199 and 1000 into law at the Georgia State Capitol March 20. The laws suspend the state motor fuel tax for 60 days and implement one-time income tax rebates. Photo by Ashtin Barker, Capitol Beat

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State suspends gasoline tax amid price surges

Ty Tagami – Capitol Beat News Service

Thursday, March 26, 2026

ATLANTA — Drivers will soon find gas to be a little cheaper in Georgia after Gov. Brian Kemp signed a law Friday that immediately suspended the state excise tax on motor fuel to address affordability concerns.

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Medical marijuana limits could be lifted and vaping permitted for registered patients

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Thursday, March 26, 2026

By Mark Niesse, Staff Writer Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA — In the 11 years since Georgia’s medical marijuana program started, it has slowly stumbled forward, with patients restricted to low-potency oils. The Georgia General Assembly is on the verge of changing that.

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Lawmakers zero in on discrimination in education

Ty Tagami – Capitol Beat News Service

Thursday, March 26, 2026

ATLANTA — Students in Georgia schools and colleges who face certain types of discrimination could soon have a path for redress that need not involve the federal government.

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A clock that doesn't jump around twice a year? Georgia lawmakers are working on it

Ty Tagami – Capitol Beat News Service

Thursday, March 26, 2026

ATLANTA — Anyone who is still groggy from, and maybe a little bit resentful about, the time change earlier this month, might find solace in the Georgia Senate's action Monday.

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Feral hogs can't catch a break in Georgia

Ty Tagami – Capitol Beat News Service

Thursday, March 26, 2026

ATLANTA — After passing a budget that puts a bounty on wild pigs, Georgia lawmakers reiterated their lethal intent by enlisting cutting-edge technology to hunt them down. Feral hogs have been ripping through farmers' fields, inflicting millions of dollars of damage a year.

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High school cellphone ban heads to Gov. Kemp's desk

Ty Tagami – Capitol Beat News Service

Thursday, March 26, 2026

ATLANTA — Cellphones will be banned in Georgia public high schools starting in the 2027-28 school year, if Gov. Brian Kemp signs House Bill 1009 into law. The state Senate passed the measure unanimously on Monday.

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New proposal keeps voting system in place till ’28, despite QR codes

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Thursday, March 26, 2026

By Mark Niesse, Staff Writer Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA — Georgia representatives abandoned a deadline to change the state’s voting technology before this November’s election, advancing a bill Tuesday that delays a switch to hand-marked paper ballots until the 2028 election year.