Georgia’s ruling party has introduced new legislation that would dramatically weaken protections for peaceful assembly, further shrinking democratic space and flouting basic human rights standards guaranteed by the country’s constitution and international law.

The bill, tabled on December 8, is being reviewed under an expedited procedure without a substantiated justification for bypassing the ordinary legislative timeline.

The bill’s provisions would significantly broaden the requirement that protest organizers submit written notification before holding an assembly. Current law requires prior notification five days before the protest only when it would block a road used by automobile traffic. The new bill would extend this requirement to any roadway intended for vehicles or pedestrians. In practice, the obligation would arise for almost all assemblies held on city streets, near administrative buildings, or around political institutions, severely limiting the ability to organize protests.

The draft law would also grant the police wide discretion to impose binding instructions on the time, location, or route of assemblies. These instructions could be justified on broad grounds including “protecting public order,” ensuring the normal functioning of institutions, preventing obstruction of pedestrian or vehicle movement, or allegedly protecting human rights. The vague phrasing of these provisions increases the risk of authorities’ arbitrary interference and unjustified restrictions on peaceful gatherings.

The bill also introduces harsh new penalties for administrative offenses related to assemblies. Failure to submit advance notification—currently punishable by a 2,000-Georgian lari (about US$742) fine—would carry up to 20 days of administrative detention. Failure to comply with a police order to relocate or terminate an assembly would be punishable by up to 15 days of detention for protest participants or up to 20 days for organizers. Repeated violations would constitute a felony, punishable by up to one year in prison for participants and up to four years for organizers.

The bill’s introduction comes at a time of intensifying efforts by Georgia’s authorities to curb pro-democracy protests. By expanding prior-notification requirements, increasing police discretion, and imposing severe penalties, the new legal provisions would effectively hollow out the right to peaceful assembly.

The Georgian government should withdraw the bill and ensure all regulation of public assemblies fully complies with democratic standards and Georgia’s human rights obligations.

Georgia football coaches Kirby Smart and Mike Bobo are up for some prestigious awards.

The Georgia Bulldogs are fresh off an SEC title, their second one in as many years, after defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide by a final score of 28-7. Georgia is now in the hunt for a national title as the No. 3 seed in the college football playoffs.

A very successful season for the Bulldogs thus far, and as a result, two of their coaches are up for very prestigious awards.

Kirby Smart was announced a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo was announced as one of five finalist for the Broyles Award.

Kirby Smart and Mike Bobo Named Award Finalists

The Eddie Robinson Award dates back to 1997. Smart would be the first ever coach to win the award. Last year’s winner was Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer. Smart has been named SEC Coach of the Year three times during his time at Georgia, but he has never been acknowledged as the nation’s best coach in a season, despite having two national titles.

One award that Smart has won before is the Broyles award, which is what Bobo is a finalist for. Bobo would become just the second Georgia coach to ever win the award. The first to do so was Brian VanGorder, who won the award in 2003 as the defensive coordinator for the Bulldogs.

Georgia’s offense this season is averaging 31.9 points per game, 406.9 yards of offense per game, 186.6 rushing yards per game and 220.3 passing yards per game. Bobo has helped revamp Georgia’s offense this season after having some struggles just a season ago.

On top of that, Bobo has accomplished that with a first-year starting quarterback in Gunner Stockton and nearly a complete overhaul at offensive line due to players leaving for the NFL draft. The Bulldogs are one of the most efficient offenses in the country and Bobo has played a large role in that.

Coach Smart and Coach Bobo are now looking to help lead the Bulldogs to their third national title since Smart took over. They will play the winner of the Ole Miss vs Tulane game in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1. If the Bulldogs advance, they will play the winner of Ohio State and Texas A&M/Miami. Georgia was awarded a first-round bye after winning the SEC Championship.

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Georgia’s secretary of state is taking his fight over campaign money to federal court, and the outcome could reshape one of the state’s most-watched statewide races.

Brad Raffensperger filed a lawsuit this week challenging Georgia’s campaign-finance structure, arguing the current rules create an uneven playing field that benefits one candidate in particular: Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who is already campaigning for governor and raising millions through a special leadership committee.

The issue centers on a 2021 law that allows certain top officeholders, including the governor and lieutenant governor, to raise unlimited funds through these committees. Those accounts can coordinate directly with campaigns and do not face the $8,400 contribution caps placed on traditional candidate committees.

Raffensperger, who is exploring a run for governor himself, says that distinction violates the Constitution.

He isn’t asking the court to shut down leadership committees. Instead, he wants every candidate to have the same ability to raise unlimited funds — essentially lifting the caps for all campaigns.

A fundraising gap already shaping the 2026 race

Jones’ leadership committee has become one of the most powerful fundraising vehicles in Georgia politics, hauling in more than $14 million as he campaigns statewide.

Previous lawsuits have challenged the same law, including by former U.S. Sen. David Perdue, with mixed results. And earlier this year, a judge dismissed Attorney General Chris Carr’s attempt to block Jones from using his committee, keeping the current system intact.

That decision cleared the path for Jones to continue raising unlimited cash while potential challengers remain capped.

What Raffensperger wants and what could change

If Raffensperger wins, Georgia’s political landscape could shift dramatically:

• Every candidate for statewide office could raise unlimited money.
• Leadership committees may lose their outsized influence.
• Donors and campaigns would need to rethink spending strategies ahead of the 2026 primaries.

If he loses, the existing system — and Jones’ advantage — stays in place.

Election-law experts say Georgia’s framework is one of the most aggressive in the country when it comes to allowing unlimited coordination between leadership committees and campaigns.

A lawsuit with political stakes beyond 2026

The suit arrives at a moment when Georgia continues to be a national battleground for political fundraising, dark-money operations and election reform. It also signals Raffensperger’s growing willingness to challenge the Republican establishment, a posture that has defined much of his tenure since the 2020 election.

A court date has not yet been set. But any ruling will have immediate consequences for the 2026 governor’s race and the balance of political power at the state Capitol.

CBS News Atlanta will continue to follow this lawsuit as new filings and rulings emerge.