Latest news with #GeorgiaSecretaryofState'sOffice
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hearing over new GA bill that equates abortion to murder got so crowded troopers had step in
Georgia lawmakers are considering a bill that would essentially equate abortion to murder at the time of conception. The room got so full for Wednesday's hearing over HB 441 that troopers had no choice but to clear it. 'We're going to get everybody to step out. There's way too many people in here,' the troopers told the crowd. While the mass of people stood outside the committee room door, inside, Gillsville Republican Emory Dunahoo presented his bill which would grant 'personhood' to an embryo upon fertilization, and so, he says anyone who intentionally terminated that pregnancy could be guilty of murder. RELATED STORIES: Georgia Republicans want to limit early voting sites to just 1 location per county in revised bill Georgia Secretary of State's Office to purge 455,000 registrations from voter rolls Georgia Senate passes tax-free military retirement legislation, sending it back to the House 'Tens of thousands of babies made in the image of God continue to be murdered in our state every year,' Dunahoo said. 'This bill simply ensures that the same laws that protect the lives of people after birth equally protects the lives of people before birth.' Democrats peppered Dunahoo with questions about miscarriages, invitro fertilization and exceptions for rape and incest. 'So, there's no exception, tell me if I'm right or wrong, for rape or incest in this bill, is that accurate?' state Rep. Shea Roberts asked Dunahoo. 'Yes,' Dunahoo said. The bill has no chance of passing or even getting a vote this session, especially since it would eliminate the GOP-backed bill protecting IVF in Georgia, but that didn't stop Democrats from demanding answers. 'So, the answer to my question is yes, this would be a total ban? Tell me if I'm wrong,' state Rep. Dar'shun Kendrick asked Dunahoo. 'I pretty much would agree, I would say yes, sir,' Dunahoo said. That IVF protection bill was one of House Speaker Jon Burns' key pieces of legislation. The Senate is supposed to be taking it up Thursday.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Committee passes revitalized religious freedom bill, now goes to full House for a vote
A week after lawmakers rejected a new religious liberty bill, Republicans changed their minds and passed it over the objections of Democrats. Democrats and minority groups insist this bill will allow businesses to discriminate. But supporters insist the only groups not protected under the law are religious groups. This bill would change that. Procedural sparks flew at a committee hearing Wednesday, as Republicans essentially did a do-over on last week's failed vote on the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, or RFRA. 'If someone wanted to challenge the rule of the chair, it would've been proper to do it at that meeting, not today,' state Rep. Trey Kelley said. This time, Republican lawmakers prevailed, passing RFRA out of that committee. The bill is sponsored by Acworth Republican state Sen. Ed Setzler. He said, if enacted, it would protect people of faith from unwarranted government intrusions. 'I'm excited. Senate Bill 326 is a balanced bill,' Setzler said. RELATED STORIES: Georgia Republicans want to limit early voting sites to just 1 location per county in revised bill Georgia Secretary of State's Office to purge 455,000 registrations from voter rolls Georgia Senate passes tax-free military retirement legislation, sending it back to the House Setzler insists this bill is needed and necessary. 'Senate Bill 36 takes the middle course in addressing the basic rights of people of faith by exactly mirroring the same protections that we have from the federal government and applying those to state and local governmental agencies,' Setzler said. Atlanta Democrat Stacey Evans doesn't think the committee acted properly in the way it did the vote do-over. 'What just happened in this House judiciary committee, which has more lawyers than any other committee in this body, is an embarrassment,' Evans said. She said that without underlying state civil rights protections, this bill does nothing but give people license to discriminate against those they don't like. 'If it wasn't his intent, if it wasn't the intent of this body to discriminate, then why are we opposed to amendments that make it clear we're not discriminating?' Evans said. The bill will now head to the House for a vote.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Atlanta Discount Home Deals owner ordered to pay penalties, restrict operations by GA Sec. of State
The Georgia Secretary of State's Office issued an emergency order against Atlanta Discount Home Deals and its owner after an 'extensive investigation' into a series of financial crimes. Atlanta Discount Home Deals, also operating as ADHD, and its owner Mark Jackson were investigated under the orders of Sec. of State Brad Raffensperger. The company and owner were accused of offering unregistered securities, operating or taking part in fraudulent investment schemes and misappropriating investor funds. Raffensperger's office said the investigation into Jackson and his business revealed they'd engaged in unauthorized securities sales through $4 million of promissory notes from 2018 to 2024. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The promissory notes 'were purportedly secured by real estate properties in Georgia, Maryland, Florida, and Puerto Rico,' but investigators found that they were either not owned by ADHD or did not exist as represented. 'This order underscores our commitment to protecting Georgia's investors from fraudulent get-rich-quick schemes,' Raffensperger said. 'Fraud has no place in Georgia, and we use every available resource to keep it that way.' TRENDING STORIES: Town Center at Cobb closed after Georgia Power says mall owners haven't paid bills Coweta Co. elementary school principal arrested, charged with shoplifting Gwinnett bank teller accused of stealing $2.6 million in fraud scheme The investigation by the Sec. of State's Office focused on allegations about property ownership and secured assets, as well as issuance of unregistered securities to investors without proper filings, plus fraudulent claims related to purchases of property and renovations that never happened. State officials also said that there was 'significant mismanagement and potential misappropriation of funds,' leading to Jackson and ADHD being ordered to pay a $500,000 penalty and reimburse Georgia taxpayers for investigative costs. The order also bans Jackson and ADHD from registering as securities dealers in Georgia and stipulates that neither party may operate in Georgia or violate the Georgia Securities Act in the future. Raffenserpger's office said the order was effective immediately, adding that Jackson was also subject to ongoing investigation as his current whereabouts are unknown. Anyone with information about ADHD and Jackson, or how have been affected by their actions, are urged to come forward. To report potential violations, call the Securities Division at 470-312-2640 or email the Secretary of State here. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
