This legislation is currently in the Senate Rules Committee, eligible for Senate floor consideration.  

In 2015, the "second Saturday" of advanced primary runoff voting fell on the 4th of July, reducing voter participation and making it difficult to staff the polling stations. Under this bill, if the second Saturday of advance voting in any general, primary, or runoff election falls on a federal holiday or holiday weekend, then the third Saturday prior to these elections will become the Saturday for advanced voting.  

 This legislation would create a new Judicial Qualifications Commission if the voters approve a statewide referendum to amend the Georgia Constitution proposed by HR 1113.

This legislation clarifies what "campaign material" may not be displayed or distributed at or near polling places.  

It also allows for the reopening of qualifications in city elections under certain circumstances and provides that local legislation by the General Assembly can require candidates for the county commission to reside in their respective districts for up to 12 months prior to their qualifying for election.  

Next, candidates for local office receiving between $2,500.01 and $5,000.00 in campaign contributions must file campaign reports on June 30 and December 31 (formerly June 30 and October 25).

This legislation prohibits businesses (as well as their affiliated entities, executive employees, and employees whose compensation is determined by the award of government contracts) from making campaign contributions to state and local elected officials or candidates for offices that are responsible for awarding the contract to the business. 

Specifically, businesses with more than $50,000 per year in contracts with counties, cities, school boards and local authorities may not make contributions to any candidate or campaign committee of an official (or individual seeking office) responsible for awarding contracts. The prohibition lasts for the term of office of an incumbent officeholder or for two years following the expiration/termination of the contract, whichever is longer. Any business that violates this provision three or more times within three years will have all of their contracts with the county and the state voided.

Similarly, businesses (as well as affiliated entities and affiliated individuals) with a total of pending bids and offers over $50,000 to counties (or the total of existing contracts with the state and pending bids and offers to counties is over $50,000) are prohibited from making contributions to any candidate (or their campaign committee) whose office is responsible for awarding the contract for which the bid or offer was submitted.

The county may void a contract with any business that violates either of these provisions related to donations to local officials or candidates within 90 days of the violation.  Any business that violates the prohibition against making contributions to state officials or candidates three or more times within a three year period may not respond to any county invitation to bid or request for proposal.

Any candidate or campaign committee that received a contribution in violation of this law must pay the state the amount of the contribution illegally made.

 This legislation asks the voters to consider an amendment to the constitution allowing public initiatives to enact laws in Georgia.