Easy-to-Understand Guide to Georgia’s Legislative Session
Why You Should Stay Engaged During Georgia’s Legislative Session
By Lesleigh Sanders, Mental Health Program Coordinator
Each year, Georgia’s legislative session determines policies that impact education, healthcare, mental health services, and community resources. Understanding what happens at the Capitol is crucial because the decisions made during this time directly affect individuals, families, and local communities. Advocacy plays a key role in shaping policies, and being informed allows you to voice your concerns effectively to your representatives.
How to Stay Informed
The Georgia General Assembly meets annually, beginning in January and typically lasting 40 legislative days. During this time, lawmakers debate and vote on bills that can have lasting effects on the state. You can track proposed legislation by visiting the Georgia General Assembly website, following advocacy organizations, and subscribing to legislative updates from groups that align with your interests. Keep reading for specific resources to stay informed and ways to contact your elected officials.
What is Crossover Day?
Crossover Day is the legislative day (typically Day 30 of the session) by which a bill must pass out of its
originating legislative chamber to be considered by the other chamber before the end of Georgia’s Legislative Session. Once both house chambers agree on the same version of a bill, it is then sent to the governor.
During the session, the governor can ask to sign or veto a bill once it passes both chambers. The governor then has 6 consecutive days after the bill passes to sign or veto if the legislature is still in session. More often than not, though, bills are sent to the governor after the session ends, formally referred to as Sine Die. (“Sine die” comes from the Latin “without assigning a day for a further meeting or hearing.”) The governor has 40 days to determine whether to sign the bill — creating a law — or veto the bill.
Crossover Day 2025 is Thursday, March 6th.
Source: The Life of a Law
Ways to Reach Your Legislators
Connecting with your state legislators is easier than many people think. Here are some ways to make your voice heard:
- Call or Email: A simple phone call or email to your state senator or representative can make a significant impact. Be concise and clear about the issue you’re addressing.
- Attend Town Halls or Public Meetings: Many legislators hold community meetings to hear from constituents. Attending these events provides an opportunity to ask questions and express concerns directly.
- Engage on Social Media: Follow your legislators on social platforms where they share updates and engage with the public.
- Visit the Capitol: If you can, attending committee hearings or legislative sessions in person demonstrates your commitment to the issue at hand.
- Sign Petitions & Join Advocacy Groups: Many nonprofits and advocacy organizations organize campaigns to amplify important policy issues.
The Importance of Advocacy in Policy
Your voice matters in the legislative process. Advocacy ensures that decision-makers understand how policies impact everyday people. Whether it’s mental health funding, education reform, or community resources, policymakers rely on constituent input to make informed decisions. Advocacy also fosters transparency and accountability, ensuring that elected officials represent the needs of their districts.
By staying informed and engaged, you help shape the policies that affect you and your community. The legislative session is a critical time to make an impact—take action, speak up, and be a part of the change you want to see in Georgia.
Resources for You
Here is a great list of resources that provide information as well as action steps for contacting your legislators, based on what matters most to you:
- Learn about the Life of a Law : A great resource explaining the process of changing laws and policies
- Contact your State Legislators:
- Sign up for a Newsletter from the Office of your Elected Official
