<p>Social issues that may come up in the Georgia Legislature in 2005:</p><p>_ABORTION WAITING PERIOD: Republicans say the social matter most likely to be approved in 2005 will be a bill mandating 24-hour waiting periods and a doctor's lecture for women seeking abortions. The bill passed the Senate in 2003, but never came to a vote in the Democrat-controlled House.</p><p>_FAITH-BASED CHARITIES: Expect to see a revival of a constitutional amendment repealing the state's ban on tax dollars going to religious groups, including charities. Gov. Sonny Perdue advocated the amendment in 2003, but it also stalled in the House.</p><p>_TEN COMMANDMENTS: It's possible, but unlikely, that lawmakers will vote to shield counties from lawsuits over Ten Commandments displays in courthouses. The bill could potentially cost millions, and lawmakers will probably just wait for the U.S. Supreme Court to settle the question, given that a Ten Commandments case is slated to be considered by the nation's highest court.</p><p>_GAY MARRIAGE: If a court throws out the state's constitutional ban on gay marriage, expect the Legislature to revisit the topic to write a ban that would withstand court scrutiny.</p>
