Highlights from the House – Rep. Shaw Blackmon

The Georgia General Assembly had a productive fifth week of the 2024 legislative session, with the House focusing on passing key bills and advancing committee work. Highlights include the passage of the House’s version of the Amended Fiscal Year 2024 budget (AFY 2024) and the convening of a joint legislative session for the State of the Judiciary address.

The AFY 2024 budget, represented by House Bill 915, is set at approximately $37.5 billion and includes $2 billion in surplus funds. The budget prioritizes investments in technology, capital improvements, safety and security initiatives, economic development projects, and human capital enhancements. Notable allocations include funding for the Rural Workforce Housing program, water and wastewater infrastructure development, economic development initiatives, and support for educational programs such as the Quality Basic Education Formula, Communities in Schools, and the Summer Transition Program.

Transportation projects also received significant attention, with allocations for transportation infrastructure, freight network enhancement, and improvements to local transportation infrastructure projects statewide.

Additionally, the House passed legislation aimed at providing tax relief for Georgians, including lowering the individual income tax rate, increasing the statewide homestead exemption, and increasing the child tax deduction. We also unanimously passed legislation to expand access to opioid antagonists, allow for their sale in vending machines, and provide liability protection for those who dispense them. This legislation builds on existing laws to address opioid overdose emergencies.

Efforts were also focused on maintaining and expanding the Realizing Education Achievement Can Happen (REACH) scholarship, with legislation introduced to expand eligibility to victims of human trafficking, increase scholarship recipients, and realign funding mechanisms between state and local entities. Finally, this week the House passed Resolution 1019 to support increased security at the nation’s border and urges Congress to close the southern border.

We remain committed to addressing key issues facing the state, including education, economic development, transportation, tax relief, and public health. As we continue working on the state budget, education improvements and other important policies, please stay tuned for legislative news and announcements. We will be working diligently on behalf of your family, our district and the state to create and implement simple, smart and effective laws.We hope you will take the opportunity to review updates like this throughout the session and reach out should you have any questions, concerns or feedback.

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