Georgia’s Crossover Day: Legislative Measures That Advanced and Those That Didn’t
Atlanta, GA – On March 6, 2025, Georgia’s General Assembly reached a pivotal milestone known as Crossover Day, marking the deadline for bills to pass one legislative chamber to remain active for the session. This year, several significant measures progressed, while others stalled.
Advancements:
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Medical Cannabis Program Expansion: The House approved legislation to increase the number of medical cannabis production licenses from two to up to 15. This move aims to alleviate legal challenges and enhance patient access to medical marijuana. (ajc.com)
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Regional Transit Funding: Both the House and Senate passed bills to secure state funding for regional transit systems. The House’s version proposes a 1% sales tax at Atlanta and Savannah airports and a 50-cent fee on ride-sharing services, while the Senate’s bill allows 13 counties to implement a 1% sales tax for transit if they lack one. (easyreader.org)
- Tenant Protection Measures: The House passed HB 404, aiming to cap security deposits at twice the monthly rent, prevent landlords from cutting off air conditioning during eviction processes, and grant tenants a three-day grace period to pay rent before eviction proceedings begin. (atlanta.capitalbnews.org)
Stalled Measures:
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Mobile Sports Betting: Despite previous discussions, mobile sports betting failed to advance this session, leaving the proposal in limbo for another year. (wabe.org)
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Compensation for Wrongful Convictions: While lawmakers approved compensation for five individuals wrongfully convicted in Georgia, they did not vote on the compensation process, leaving the matter unresolved. (wabe.org)
- Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Tax Exemption: Senate Bill 71, which sought to eliminate state taxes on college athletes’ NIL earnings to attract more talent to Georgia, did not pass out of at least one chamber by Crossover Day, making it unlikely to advance this year. (wabe.org)
As the legislative session progresses, these developments highlight the dynamic nature of Georgia’s policymaking process, with some initiatives gaining momentum and others facing setbacks.
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