Possible MARTA expansion in Atlanta and the death of an effort to kill the DeKalb County CEO position were among the decisions of local interest as the Georgia Legislature ended its 2016 session just after midnight March 25.
Here are some highlights:
Atlanta voters would get a chance to approve an additional 0.5 percent sales tax to fund MARTA expansion within the city, likely on the BeltLine. Senate Bill 369 also allows Fulton County to put a 0.25 percent sales tax for MARTA on the ballot sometime in the future, while allowing a 0.75 percent sales tax for road improvements to go on the ballot this year, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
A bill that would have expanded use of cannabis oil in Georgia failed as the session closed. The bill would have added six conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder, to the list of allowed illnesses and diseases in the current law. It also would specify no punishment for companies willing to ship it to Georgia.
The Legislature passed Senate Bill 304, originally a House bill sponsored by DeKalb Democrat Rep. Scott Holcomb, which requires police agencies to promptly process sexual assault evidence tests, or “rape kits.” The new law follows revelations last year that Atlanta’s Grady Memorial Hospital had 1,400 rape kits that had gone unprocessed.
Gov. Nathan Deal is also decided whether he will sign or veto House Bill 757 — the so-called “religious liberty” bill that has created an international backlash from businesses and opponents who believe the legislation singles out the LGBT community for discrimination.
John Ruch at Reporter Newspapers contributed to this article.
