2018 Legislative session comes to an end

ATLANTA — Georgia lawmakers agreed to a budget that fully funds the state’s K-12

education formula and passed a measure that cracks down on distracted driving before the gavel fell on this year’s legislative session early Friday.

A number of bills, including a controversial immigration enforcement measure and a proposal to move away from electronic voting machines failed to be taken up as lawmakers rushed to pass dozens of other bills throughout the final hours of the legislative session.

Attention now turns to Gov. Nathan Deal, a Republican in the final year of his last term. Georgia law gives Deal 40 days to decide whether to sign or veto legislation, or allow it to become law without his name.

The House and Senate adjourned a few minutes after midnight, which used to be considered a hard deadline to end the session. But in recent years, lawmakers have worked beyond it.

Here’s a look at some of the top issues at the Capitol:

STATE BUDGET

The Georgia House passed a budget Thursday for the upcoming fiscal year that fully funds the state’s K-12 education formula after over a decade of cutbacks.

The $26 billion budget will go to Gov. Nathan Deal, who’s expected to quickly sign it into law. The measure passed the Senate on Tuesday.

The proposal, buoyed by a $195 million increase in the governor’s tax revenue estimate, includes an additional $167 million for K-12 education and allows lawmakers to fully fund the Quality Basic Education formula.

The new budget also includes $100 million in borrowing for transit projects, $360 million toward the teacher retirement pension system and about $16 million in funding for school safety in the wake of last month’s school shooting in Parkland, Florida.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Georgia lawmakers have agreed to expand the state’s medical cannabis oil program to include those with post-traumatic stress disorder or intractable pain.

Senators voted 38-14 in favor of widening the cannabis oil program and establishing a joint study commission to analyze medical marijuana.

The Senate had weeks ago stripped PTSD and intractable pain from the bill, but the House added it back Thursday afternoon

DISTRACTED DRIVING

Pending the governor’s signature, Georgia will soon become the 16th state in the U.S. to enact a hands-free driving law.

The House gave final passage Thursday night to a proposal that would prevent drivers from holding their cellphones while behind the wheel.

Proponents say drivers who look at their phones are largely responsible for a recent spike in fatal crashes in Georgia — and the resulting rise in auto insurance premiums.

Under the bill, first-time offenders would be fined $50, with the fees increasing for repeat offenders.

First-time offenders could avoid the fine by appearing in court with proof that they have purchased a hands-free device.

HIDDEN PREDATORS

Differing opinions in the House and Senate on amending the state’s Hidden Predator Act doomed the efforts of victims’ advocates this session.

GOP Rep. Jason Spencer had sought to significantly expand the law under which adults who were sexually abused as children could file lawsuits against their alleged abusers.

Earlier Thursday, Senators voted 51-0 in favor of giving adults up to the age of 30 to file suit in the future. The current age limit is 23, but the House had last month voted to extend the statute of limitations to 38.

Shortly before 11 p.m., the House sought to create a conference committee in hopes of reaching a compromise. Senators, however, refused to form the committee so late at night.

During a news conference Thursday morning, Spencer had said the Senate’s proposal “leaves victims behind.”

ESCAPING ABUSERS

Georgia lawmakers have given final passage to a proposal to let victims of domestic violence terminate housing leases early without paying penalties.

The House voted 166-0 in favor of the measure, sending it to the governor.

Under the proposal, victims who have received a domestic violence order in either criminal or civil court proceeding will be eligible to terminate their lease early.

Proponents say victims who are trying to escape a dangerous environment should not also have to worry about the fees they would face if they break their lease.

A tenant would need to provide a landlord with a written notice at least 30 days before breaking the lease.

ANONYMOUS WINNERS

Those who win a big lottery jackpot would be able to remain anonymous under a bill that is now awaiting the governor’s signature.

The Senate on Thursday granted final passage to Minority Leader Steve Henson’s proposal, which legislators say will help public safety.

Under the measure, those who win at least $250,000 and submit a written request can prevent their name from being publicly released.

Proponents say lottery winners can become prime targets of criminals.

The proposal has been criticized by open government advocacy groups, who say it is a bad idea to allow the government to hand out millions to private citizens without a public record.