By Ashleigh Ewald
As Georgia lawmakers navigate the complexities of legislation, the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community closely watches how new laws will shape their futures.
On Crossover Day 2025, a pivotal deadline determining which bills advance in the legislative process, some key legislative efforts stalled while others moved forward. Georgia local officials, State Rep. Long Tran of District 80, State Rep. Sam Park of District 107, and State Rep. Soo Hong of District 103, representing diverse districts with substantial AAPI populations, reflected on their legislative priorities and the impact on their constituents.
The House Representative for District 80, Long Tran, put his focus on the Court Reform and Child Abuse Protections Act. His key legislation was to prioritize updating protocols surrounding child abuse monitoring in the judicial system. “For me, I have key legislation modernizing childhood monitoring child abuse. Updating child abuse and how courts report those protocols need to be updated,” Tran explained. His bill did not make it through Crossover Day, halting its progress for this session.
Despite this outcome, State Rep. Tran is shifting his focus toward upcoming battles over court reform and combating discriminatory legislation. “We are going to have court reform, anti-LGBTQ+ bills, and a lot more bad bills coming,” he noted. One of his chief concerns is the impact of court reforms, particularly Senate Bill 68, which he believes will make it harder for marginalized communities, including AAPI business owners, to seek justice.
“The court reforms could impact the Asian community, for example, an Asian business getting demanded by a white supremacist targeting them. The court system is supposed to be productive, and having reform would make that a bonfire,” he warned. State Rep. Tran also elaborated that if Senate Bill 68 passes, the hurdles for small businesses seeking legal recourse could increase, leaving them more vulnerable to discrimination and harassment.
Georgia’s first Asian Democrat and openly gay elected State Representative, Sam Park, focuses on “expanding access to affordable, quality healthcare because it’s good for families and our economy.” The state house representative for District 107 hopes that his efforts in pushing for affordable healthcare will positively help Georgia’s AAPI community by making it so they would have “fewer out-of-pocket costs, better access to doctors who understand our language and culture, and peace of mind when it comes to caring for our parents and grandparents.”
“When people can get the healthcare they need early, we avoid costly emergencies — saving taxpayers money and helping small businesses thrive with a healthier workforce. It’s a smart, responsible investment in our future,” he emphasized.
Representative Soo Hong of District 103 introduced her key legislation, the Tax Cuts to Support Small Businesses. On the other side of the legislative spectrum, Representative Soo Hong of District 103 championed economic relief measures that she believes will directly benefit Georgia’s AAPI community. House Bill 111, a tax reform measure that successfully passed the House and is now awaiting approval from the Senate and Governor, seeks to lower both individual and corporate tax rates. “HB 111 will lower the individual income tax rate and the corporate tax rate for all Georgians. This will also benefit our Asian American community, many of whom are small business owners,” Hong explained.
By reducing tax burdens, Hong advocates that small businesses—many of which are owned by Asian Americans, will have more excellent financial stability and growth opportunities. She emphasized her commitment to accessibility and open dialogue, stating, “My door is always open to anyone with any concerns or who wants to see a change in our current law.” Further, she expressed her desire to increase meaningful discussions and collaborations among all those who wish to make positive changes.
The Impact of Crossover Day 2025 proved to be a decisive moment for legislative efforts in Georgia. While economic measures like HB 111 advanced, other critical issues such as child abuse monitoring and judicial reforms stalled or faced contentious revisions. The impact on the AAPI community remains uncertain, with protective and restrictive measures in flux.
As Georgia lawmakers continue to debate and refine policies, community advocacy will be crucial in shaping the outcomes. The fate of these legislative efforts will significantly impact the state’s diverse populations, particularly those in the AAPI community who are consistently growing and look to their representatives for guidance and protection in an evolving political landscape.
