News
SIne Die Edition 2
Following the end of the 2024 legislative session, we shared a detailed analysis of the state budget, which is a constitutional requirement of the General Assembly. This week, we’ll look at other legislative highlights passed during Sine Die Week. These bills include historic tax cuts, safeguarding children online and prioritizing patient protection.
SIne DIe Edition 1
The Georgia General Assembly returned to the State Capitol for the final week of the 2024 legislative session on March 28, also known as Sine Die. It was a very busy week as we worked late into the nights carrying out the people’s business and making progress for Georgians statewide.
Under the Gold Dome: March 2024 Legislative Update
Add your news summary here.
Under the Gold Dome: March Legislative Update
The Georgia House of Representatives continued making progress on passing significant legislation, including the FY25 budget, public safety funding and improving workforce development initiatives. Our priorities underscore our commitment to advancing the well-being and prosperity of Georgia's citizens through comprehensive, often-bipartisan measures addressing a wide range of critical issues facing the state.
Under the Gold Dome: Crossover Edition
This past week, the General Assembly marked “Crossover Day,” the 28th day of the legislative session. This is the deadline for bills and resolutions to pass from their originating chamber to remain eligible for final consideration by Legislative Day 40, or "Sine Die." On Crossover Day alone, the House passed 72 bills, working long hours and late into the night to tackle a range of pressing issues important to Georgians and our state.
Under the Gold Dome: February 2024 Update
It was a short but packed week as we focused on key legislation ahead of "Crossover Day" on February 29. Crossover Day is the deadline for bills to pass out of the House or Senate in order to move forward this session. Bills that do not cross over are unlikely to become law this year. We continued to make significant progress this week to advance issues most important to Georgians, including enhancing public safety, investing in behavioral healthcare, prioritizing education, protecting minors and further ensuring election security.
Under the Gold Dome: February 2024 Update
The Georgia House of Representatives convened this week for four days and made significant progress as we passed 34 bills and resolutions by the end of the week to send to our Senate counterparts. By Tuesday, we reached Legislative Day 20, which means we are now more than halfway through our 40-day session. With “Crossover Day” looming on Legislative Day 28, we are focused on perfecting legislation for consideration and advancing notable measures on the House floor.
Under the Gold Dome: February 2024 Update
Under the Gold Dome: January 2024 Update
This week, the House reconvened at the State Capitol to focus on election security, prosecutorial oversight and our court system.
Under the Gold Dome: January 2024 Session Update
The House of Representatives remains hard at work on behalf of Georgia families as we recently closed out our fourth week of the 2024 legislative session. In addition to committee work and floor votes, we honored Members of Georgia’s National Guard on the floor of the House Chamber, recognizing their heroism and service while naming January 25 as National Guard Day at the State Capitol.
Under the Gold Dome: The 2024 Session Convenes
The House of Representatives has gotten off to a busy and productive start since convening January 8 for the 2024 legislative session.
Under the Gold Dome: 2024 Legislative Preview
As the start of the 2024 legislative session rapidly approaches on January 8, we wanted to take a moment to provide a preview of key priorities the Georgia General Assembly will take up over the next 40 days.
In Gratitude and Thanksgiving
Rep. Shaw Blackmon reflects on the blessings of the Houston County community this Thanksgiving.
October 2023 Legislative Update: Taxes, inflation and the cost of living
Rep. Shaw Blackmon reviews how the Georgia legislature is combating record high inflation by returning billions in taxes to hardworking Georgians, including:
- Continued gas tax exemptions, totalling more than $1.5 billion to date
- Nearly $1 billion in property tax relief
- More than $2 billion in one-time tax rebates
- Historic rainy day fund reserves, which protect our state from economic downturns and help maintain our critically-important AAA bond rating
- Fully funding k-12 education for all public schools statewide
- Restoring HOPE scholarship to 100 percent
Read more about these efforts here.
Back to School: September 2023 legislative update
A detailed look at recent legislative investments in k-12 education, along with updates on Rep. Blackmon's Tax Credit Study Committee and more.
Gold Dome Update Highlights from the House- Week Twelve
Gold Dome Update Highlights from the House Week Eleven
Gold Dome Update Highlights from the House- Week Ten
Gold Dome Update Highlights from the House- Week Nine
Gold Dome Update Highlights from the House- Week Eight
Gold Dome Update Highlights from the House- Legislative Week Six (Days 17-23)
Gold Dome Update Highlights from the House- Week Five
Gold Dome Update Highlights from the House- Week Four
Gold Dome Update Highlights from the House- Week Three
Gold Dome Update Highlights from the House- Week Two (Budget Week)
Gold Dome Update Highlights from the House- Week One
Rep. Shaw Blackmon Urges Open Competition for Next Generation U.S. Air Force Tanker
ATLANTA – State Representative Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire) today issued the following statement urging the Georgia congressional delegation to take bipartisan action to allow an open, value-based competition for a next-generation aerial refueling tanker for the U.S. Air Force.
Rep. Shaw Blackmon Named Chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee
ATLANTA – The Georgia House of Representatives’ Committee on Assignments named State Representative Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire) as the Chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee.
“I look forward to serving as Chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee for another legislative term,” said Rep. Blackmon. “I am excited to assist Speaker Jon Burns and other leaders in the General Assembly to continue to build upon our focus on policies that keep Georgia moving forward.”
Gov. Kemp: Rural Economic Development Strategy Yields Major Success, Seven Georgia Communities Rank Among Top Performing in Nation
Atlanta, GA – Governor Brian P. Kemp's rural economic development strategy is yielding major results for hardworking Georgians in communities all across the Peach State.
In a recent ranking conducted by economic development and corporate real estate magazine, Site Selection, seven rural counties (Appling, Bacon, Dodge, Elbert, Franklin, Hart, and Union) in Georgia earned a spot in the top 50 performing non-metro communities across the nation with two Georgia counties placing in the top five.
Rep. Blackmon’s Historic Income Tax Cut Legislation Signed into Law
ATLANTA – State Representative Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire), chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee, today announced that House Bill 1437, legislation to lower Georgia’s maximum income tax rate, was recently signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp. Chairman Blackmon estimates that this new law will save taxpayers approximately $1 billion per year when the cut goes into effect for calendar year 2024.
Shaw Blackmon Campaign Announcement
“There's more work to do!” Shaw Blackmon Launches Reelection Campaign Highlights strong track record of advocating for education, small business, new and existing industry, and facilitating support for and expansion of Robins Air Force Base.
Rep. Shaw Blackmon Named Chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee
ATLANTA – The Georgia House of Representatives’ Committee on Assignments named State Representative Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire) as the Chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee.
Rep. Shaw Blackmon Issues Statement on Investigation into Primary Election Irregularities
ATLANTA – State Representative Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire), chairman of the House Governmental Affairs Committee, issued the following statement regarding Speaker David Ralston’s (R-Blue Ridge) call for the House Governmental Affairs Committee to investigate irregularities in the primary election in Georgia:Add your news summary here.
Rep. Shaw Blackmon Appointed to House Rural Development Council
ATLANTA – State Representative Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire), Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, was recently appointed by Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) to serve as an ex-officio member of the House Rural Development Council for the 2019-2020 legislative term.
Rep. Shaw Blackmon Named Chairman of House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation
ATLANTA – The Georgia House of Representatives’ Committee on Assignments named State Representative Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire) as the Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation.
Rep. Shaw Blackmon Receives 2018 ACCG Legislative Service Award
ATLANTA – State Representative Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire) recently received a 2018 Association of County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) Legislative Service Award.
Speaker Ralston Announces Members of the Georgia Joint Defense Commission
ATLANTA – Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) today announced his appointees to the Georgia Joint Defense Commission.
Rep. Blackmon Champions Military-Friendly Bill Signed by Gov. Deal
ATLANTA – Governor Nathan Deal signed House Bill 749 during a bill signing ceremony on Monday, May 7, 2018. State Representative Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire) sponsored HB 749 during the 2018 legislative session, and HB 749 specifies how military retirement income is excluded from Georgia income tax.
Reps. Blackmon and Clark and Sens. Harper and Walker Announce Changes to POST Certification requirements for Military Personnel
ATLANTA – State Representatives Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire) and Heath Clark (R-Warner Robins), along with State Senators Tyler Harper (R-Ocilla) and Larry Walker (R-Perry), today announced that the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Council in coordination with the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC) will provide an expedited process for military personnel seeking employment as peace officers or criminal justice professionals in Georgia.
Speaker Ralston Announces Members of the House Study Committee on Distracted Driving
ATLANTA – Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) today announced the members of the House Study Committee on Distracted Driving:
Governor Signs Legislation Sponsored by Rep. Blackmon
ATLANTA – State Representative Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire) today announced that House Bill 340, House Bill 470 and Senate Bill 104 were signed into law by Governor Nathan Deal on Monday, May 8, 2017. These measures will amend Georgia motor vehicle tax law, establish a grant fund to assist military communities and update Georgia’s invasion of privacy law.
Rep. Blackmon’s Bill Updating Georgia’s Invasion of Privacy Law Passes House
ATLANTA – The Georgia House of Representatives today overwhelmingly passed House Bill 9 by a vote of 156-1. Authored by State Representative Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire), the bill would change Georgia’s invasion of privacy laws to make filming under or through a person’s clothing a felony in Georgia.
Rep. Shaw Blackmon Receives 2017 ACCG Legislative Service Award
ATLANTA – State Representative Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire) recently received a 2017 Association of County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) Legislative Service Award. ACCG, Georgia’s county association, recognized Rep. Blackmon for his work on House Bill 340 during the 2017 legislative session.
Rep. Shaw Blackmon Appointed to Deputy Whip Team for the 2017-2018 Legislative Term
ATLANTA – State Representative Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire) was recently appointed to serve as a member of the House Majority Caucus Deputy Whip team. Rep. Blackmon was appointed to serve on the Whip Team by House Majority Whip Christian Coomer (R-Cartersville), and his appointment is for a two-year term concurrent with his service as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives.
Rep. Shaw Blackmon Selected for 2016 Emerging Leaders Program
ATLANTA — State Representative Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire) was selected for the State Legislative Leaders Foundation 2016 Emerging Leaders Program at the University of Virginia in partnership with the Darden School of Business. Rep. Blackmon was chosen from more than 200 applicants as one of 50 legislators from 47 states who attended the annual leadership program that was held July 11-14, 2016.
Rep. Shaw Blackmon Comments on First Meeting of House Military Affairs Study Committee
ATLANTA — State Representative Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire) today commented on the first meeting of the House Military Affairs Study Committee. Rep. Blackmon served as the local site Chair of the study committee’s first meeting, which was held at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins on Wednesday, August 10, 2016, and featured a keynote address from Senator Saxby Chambliss.
Rep. Blackmon Champions Military-Friendly Bill Signed by Gov. Deal
ATLANTA – Governor Nathan Deal signed House Bill 749 during a bill signing ceremony on Monday, May 7, 2018. State Representative Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire) sponsored HB 749 during the 2018 legislative session, and HB 749 specifies how military retirement income is excluded from Georgia income tax.
Rep. Shaw Blackmon’s Self-Insured Healthcare Legislation Signed by Gov. Deal
ATLANTA — State Representative Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire) today announced that House Bill 866 was signed into law by Gov. Nathan Deal and became effective on Tuesday, May 3, 2016. Sponsored by Rep. Blackmon, HB 866 will exempt multiple employer self-insured health plans from premium taxes in Georgia.
Rep. Shaw Blackmon Appointed to House Study Committee on Base Realignment and Closure
ATLANTA – House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) recently appointed State Representative Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire) to the House Study Committee on Base Realignment and Closure.
Rep. Shaw Blackmon Applauds Georgia DNR for Funding Local Recreation Trail
ATLANTA –State Representative Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire) today announced that the Big Indian Creek Waterway Trail in Houston County will receive $100,000 in grant funding from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources through the Federal Recreational Trails Program.
Rep. Shaw Blackmon Hosts Gen. Lee K. Levy at Georgia State Capitol
ATLANTA – State Representative Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire), along with Representatives Heath Clark (R-Warner Robins), Robert Dickey (R-Musella), Bubber Epps (R-Dry Branch) and Buddy Harden (R-Cordele), recently led the Georgia House of Representatives in recognizing Lieutenant General Lee K. Levy II, Commander of the United States Air Force Sustainment Center at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma, at the Georgia State Capitol on Wednesday, February 17, 2016.