The Georgia Campaign Finance Commission has voted to approve the biennial increase to contribution limits.

The limit for statewide offices increased $600 up to $7,600 for each primary and general election and $400 up to $4,500 for each runoff.

The limit for other offices increased $200 up to $3,000 for each general and primary election and $100 up to $1,600 for each runoff.

These changes are effective immediately.

Gov. Brian Kemp called a special session of the Georgia General Assembly to convene on November 3.

The special session will focus on redistricting, as well as to consider ratification of executive orders and confirmations of gubernatorial appointments.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has announced a special election for House District 165 to coincide with the November 2 municipal elections.

If needed, a runoff will be held on November 30.

The House District 165 seat became vacant upon the passing of Rep. Mickey Stephens in August, who had held the seat continuously since 2009.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has announced special elections for House districts 34 and 156 to be held on June 15 to fill seats recently vacated by lawmaker resignations.

Rep. Bert Reeves resigned to accept a position at Georgia Tech and Rep. Greg Morris resigned after being elected to the State Transportation Board.

Georgia State Representative Bert Reeves resigned on April 30 after accepting the position of vice president for institute relations at Geris Tech.

Gov. Brian Kemp is expected to announce a special election for the now vacant District 34 seat.

Georgia’s 2021 Legislative session adjourned sine die on March 31.

Among the measures passed is Senate Bill 202, which was signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp on March 25 and made sweeping changes to the State’s voting laws, including bans on mass mailings of unsolicited absentee ballot requests and polling places on buses among other changes.

Another controversial bill, Senate Bill 221, also passed and currently awaits gubernatorial approval.

Senate Bill 221 allows certain elected officials to chair and register PACs called a leadership committee which is not subject to the in-session contribution ban.

Further, contributions to and expenditures by these leadership committees are not subject to the state’s contribution limits.

Governor Kemp will have just over a month to consider action on Senate Bill 221, as well as, the other bills passed during the session.

Republican incumbent Sen. David Perdue failed to secure a majority in his reelection bid, which means now both of Georgia’s U.S. Senate races will be decided by runoff elections on January 5, 2021.

Perdue will face Democratic challenger Jon Ossof and Democrat Raphael Warnock will face Republican Kelly Loefflerin.

The runoffs will determine control of the U.S. Senate.

With no candidate securing a majority, one of Georgia’s U.S. Senate races is heading for a runoff election.

Democrat Raphael Warnock and Republican Kelly Loeffler will face each other in the runoff election scheduled for January 5, 2021.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced a special election to fill the 5th congressional district seat vacated by the late Representative John Lewis.

The special general election will be held on September 29, with a special runoff held on December 1, if necessary.

The Georgia General Assembly adjourned sine die on June 26 after a session interrupted and delayed by COVID-19.

Before adjourning, the General Assembly notably passed a hate crimes bill, which was signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp on Friday, and a budget reduction of nearly 10%.

This $2.2 billion reduction is the largest reduction since the 2008 recession.

The does affect lobbyist reporting. The last semi-monthly report for state-level and State Transportation Board lobbyists is due on July 1.

Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan and Speaker of the House David Ralston announced the Georgia General Assembly will resume its 2020 legislative session on June 15.

The General Assembly’s session has been on pause since March 13 due to COVID-19 concerns.

Upon reconvening, a key issue will be the state budget.

Georgia General Assembly leaders have proposed two potential dates to reconvene the suspended session.

The Senate has proposed a return date of May 14, while the House has proposed a June 11 return date.

Given an agreement between both houses are needed for the return.

Upon the General Assembly’s return, the 2021 budget will be a chief concern as the fiscal year begins on July 1.

State level and Transportation Board lobbyists will continue to be required to file semi-monthly until lawmakers have officially adjourned sine die.

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announced the date for a special election for Senate District 4.

The passing of Senator Jack Hill on April 6 created the vacancy.

The election will be held on June 9 with a runoff election on August 11, if needed.

The Georgia Campaign Finance Commission issued formal opinions to reiterate the General Assembly is still legally in session.

Lawmakers have not officially adjourned sine die, nor has the governor issued an executive order adjourning both houses.

Members of the General Assembly and other statewide elected public officers remain subject to the session ban on campaign contributions.

However, they are permitted to issue reimbursements to themselves and campaign staff for expenses incurred during the suspended session.