ATLANTA, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- New rules for the Georgia Senate likely will quicken passage of political maps favoring the Republican majority, observers say.
The rules, in effect only during the special session, expected to last at least a few weeks, won passage Monday, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
The rules do away with the required two-thirds vote to send a bill to the House the same day it's approved in the Senate and allow two readings of a bill on the same day instead of having to wait 24 hours.
The changes also establish tighter requirements for introducing proposed changes to legislative and congressional districts, the Journal-Constitution said.
Proposed new maps for Georgia's political districts will be the focus Tuesday when House and Senate redistricting committees meet for the first time since the release of draft maps last week.
It's no small matter for lawmakers, given minor changes in political maps can decide the fate of their careers, the Journal-Constitution noted.
Also Monday, state lawmakers paid respects to Rep. Bobby Franklin, R-Marietta, who was found dead at his home July 26. He was 56.
