GEORGIA, — Along with signing off on the $36 billion state budget, which included a teacher raise, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp wielded his power to veto over 10 bills, citing various reasons ranging from fiscal concerns to technical errors.
Kemp said he weighed various factors, including fiscal responsibility, legal consistency, and potential unintended consequences; his full statements are in the documents linked. You can find the full document at the bottom of this page, as well.
Let's delve into the details of the bills vetoed by Kemp and what he said was his rationale behind each decision.
House Bill 228
This bill aims to broaden the eligibility criteria for certain educational programs, including the Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant Program, HOPE Scholarship, and Dual Enrollment Program, to include private for-profit institutions. It proposes expanding access to these programs without specifying additional funding or conducting a comprehensive fiscal analysis to understand the financial implications of such an expansion.
Reason for veto?
Gov. Kemp vetoed it due to the lack of additional funding or fiscal analysis to address the potential impact of the expansion on existing appropriations. While acknowledging the importance of tuition equalization grants, he emphasized the necessity of measured and consistent expansion only with a clear understanding of financial implications.
House Bill 441
This legislation seeks to establish a legal framework for the practice of teledentistry in Georgia. It mandates that health insurers, including the State Health Benefit Plan and Medicaid care management organizations, provide coverage for teledentistry services by a specified date. Some concerns arose due to the lack of a thorough fiscal analysis and understanding of the potential financial impact of mandating this coverage.
Reason for veto?
Gov. Kemp vetoed it due to concerns about the fiscal impact, lack of clarity regarding financial implications, and potential unintended consequences on existing access to teledentistry services. While supportive of expanding access to dental care, he stressed the need for a comprehensive understanding of the financial implications before implementation.
House Bill 866
The purpose of this bill is to create the Pike County Public Facilities Authority, although specific details regarding the authority's responsibilities and functions are not provided.
Reason for veto?
At the request of the sponsor, Gov. Kemp vetoed it, although the specific reasons for the veto were not outlined.
House Bill 956
This bill proposes granting Superior Court judges of the Conasauga Judicial Circuit the authority to annually vote to select their chief judge for a one-year term.
Reason for veto?
Despite the sponsor's request, Gov. Kemp vetoed the bill for reasons that were not explicitly stated.
House Bill 1019
Originally intended to increase the state-wide homestead tax exemption, this bill encountered complications due to a discrepancy between the statutory language and the required voter referendum language. The bill aimed to raise the exemption from $2,000 to $4,000 upon voter approval through a referendum.
Reason for veto?
Inconsistencies between the statutory language and the required voter referendum language rendered it unimplementable, according to the governor.
House Bill 1123
This legislation aims to establish an Adult Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Multidisciplinary Coordinator Program within the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council. It also proposes the creation of an elder justice coalition to address issues related to elder abuse response and prevention, including law enforcement training.
Reason for veto?
Gov. Kemp vetoed it due to a lack of funding despite substantial proposed costs.
House Bill 1192
The bill proposes a two-year pause on the issuance of sales and use tax exemption certificates to high-technology data centers and their customers.
Reason for veto?
Gov. Kemp vetoed it, emphasizing disruption to ongoing projects and investments made by stakeholders.
House Bill 1231
This bill seeks to expand eligibility for educational grants and scholarships to certain private, nonprofit institutions. It also proposes changes to the HOPE Scholarship program, including allowing recipients to utilize unused credit hours to pursue their first professional degree.
Reason for veto?
Gov. Kemp vetoed it due to the absence of additional funding and concerns about its financial impact.
House Bill 1479
This legislation would grant the Probate Court of Ware County the authority to impose a technology fee on civil action filing fees and outstanding fines, up to $5.00.
Reason for veto?
Gov. Kemp vetoed it at the sponsor's request, although the specific reasons for the veto were not provided.
Senate Bill 198
This bill aims to ensure fair reimbursement rates for independent pharmacies under the State Health Benefit Plan, requiring rates not less than those provided to chain retail pharmacies. It also requires compliance certification and records production from pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs).
Reason for veto?
Gov. Kemp vetoed it due to a lack of funding, highlighting alternative budget items supporting independent pharmacists.
Senate Bill 203
The bill proposes, subject to appropriations, offering tuition-free commercial driver’s license training programs to veterans through the Technical College System of Georgia.
Reason for veto?
Gov. Kemp vetoed it due to the General Assembly's failure to fund the initiative, he said.
Senate Bill 368
This legislation seeks to prohibit foreign nationals from making political contributions and impose additional state-level registration requirements on agents of foreign principals.
Reason for veto?
Gov. Kemp vetoed it at the sponsor's request, with Kemp citing some of the requirements as "unintended" by the sponsor.
Full veto messages