May 2021 Newsletter

After-Session Action by the Governor

“Except as otherwise provided in the Constitution, before any bill or resolution shall become law, the Governor shall have the right to review such bill or resolution intended to have the effect of law which has been passed by the General Assembly. The Governor may veto, approve, or take no action on any such bill or resolution. In the event the Governor vetoes any such bill or resolution, the General Assembly may, by a two-thirds’ vote, override such veto as provided in Article III of the Constitution.”
Constitution of the State of Georgia, Article V, Section II, Paragraph IV

For 40 days a total of 137 Republicans – 34 senators and 103 representatives – along with 99 Democrats – 22 senators and 77 representatives – passed 294 bills and adopted 752 resolutions of the 2,100 bills and resolutions introduced since the General Assembly convened January 13th. Only 9 bills and 1 resolution were lost, withdrawn or unfavorably reported by committee. So, 1,044 pieces of this year’s legislation remain alive for the 2022 legislative session.

Governor Brian Kemp signed 307 bills and resolutions, and vetoed only one – S.B. 156 – during the 40 days after the legislative session ended. The governor’s 40-day sign/veto limit is in Article III, Section V Paragraph XIII of the Constitution of the State of Georgia.

Read all the after-session actions by Governor Kemp here..