Gov. Brian Kemp signed a bill changing the name of the Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission back to the State Ethics Commission.

The much longer commission name was the product of a major ethics overhaul in 2010.

In addition to the name change, House Bill 572 also clarifies rules for late contribution reporting.

A contribution designated for a general election given close to a primary election date does not need reported within two days.

The new law will take effect on July 1.

The Georgia General Assembly adjourned the special session on November 22.

The special session was dedicated to the redrawing of state and federal districts, which passed mainly on party lines.

The newly approved maps were sent to Gov. Brian Kemp for his signature.

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’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.

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 convened special session called by Gov. Brian Kemp on Monday, March 16 to adopt his declaration of a public health emergency.

After passing a joint resolution concurring with Gov. Kemp’s declaration, the General Assembly adjourned the special session, sine die.

Therefore, the regular session remains suspended indefinitely.

The Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission is expected to issue guidance as to whether this will affect lobbyist dates reporting.