Georgia lawmakers race to pass bills on final day of session as governor review looms

Georgia's legislative session wraps up tonight, with lawmakers still working to pass key bills before the midnight deadline. Once the clock strikes 12, any bills not passed will be dead until the next legislative session.

Three major proposals being tracked tonight include the state budget, tax breaks for data centers, and new weapons detection systems in public schools.

One proposal had aimed to make schools safer by requiring weapons detection systems at the main entrances of all public schools. It did not make it across the finish line before the deadline.

Lawmakers decided not to pass a bill repealing tax breaks for massive data centers. The discussion on Thursday night centered on how much responsibility these centers should have to avoid creating a financial burden on the state and residents, who could face rising utility bills. Some residents, like George and Colleen Freemon, are closely following the debate and are not in favor of incentives for data centers.

"Mainly because they create very few jobs really. They are just a bunch of machines collecting data and we don't want the taxpayers to have to foot the bill for all the utilities, water, you know, transportation problems around them," said George Freemon.

As for the state's budget, which is roughly $38.5 billion, lawmakers are working down to the wire to finalize what it will cover.

Gov. Brian Kemp, presiding over his eighth and final Sine Die, received a long round of applause tonight as he expressed gratitude for the work lawmakers have done together. 

Several bills already await his signature, and he has 40 days to sign or veto them.

Any legislation that does not pass both chambers by the end of the day will not carry over and must be reintroduced next year. Several major measures have already cleared the General Assembly and are now awaiting action from Governor Brian Kemp.

One of them is House Bill 1193, the Georgia Early Literacy Act, which would change how reading is taught in schools. Another is House Bill 1009, which would restrict cell phone use during the school day for high school students, with exceptions for medical and educational needs.

Even as that bill heads to the governor's desk, it has sparked strong reactions on both sides. 

Layla Contreras, whose sister was inside Apalachee High School during a shooting, said cell phones can be critical in emergencies. "There are so many other priorities that we should be focusing on and to say that banning cell phones is a school safety measure it's not," Contreras said. "Because that day, a student called from inside the classroom." 

Others support the measure, saying it could improve focus and social interaction in schools. 

"They're not making eye contact anymore, they're not talking to each other, they're on their phones," said Pam Haggerty, a parent. "The kids are learning how to socialize."

In a statement to CBS News Atlanta, the governor's office said Kemp has 40 calendar days after the session ends to consider legislation that reaches his desk. 

The office said each bill receives a thorough review before any decisions are made.