When state lawmakers return to the Capitol today, a new Atlanta stadium for the Falcons will be weighing heavy on their minds.

Legislators must approve raising the amount the Georgia World Congress Center Authority can borrow against Atlanta's hotel/motel tax from $200 million to $300 million dollars.

A new stadium for the Falcons is estimated to cost $1 billion, of which, a third would come from public money.

Recent polling shows most Atlantans are opposed to a new stadium by a ratio of 70 to 30 percent.

"The advocates of that project certainly have some convincing to do," says House Speaker David Ralston. "I think the burden of proof is on them to show the need."

Legislators are also expected to tackle ethics reform this session, but it remains to been seen if it will come in the form of a new state law.

The Senate is looking to pass a $100 gift cap as an internal rule.

Ralston tells WSB's Sandra Parrish that the House could present a plan as soon as this week, but likely one that does not include gift caps for lobbyists.

"I don't think you serve the interest of real reform with gimmicks, so I've asked the members of the House to look at something that will truly, truly change the way we do business here in a very fundamental way," he says.

Other bills that were pre-filed for the session include allowing pari-mutuel betting, requiring applicants for state benefits to only prove their citizenship one time for the same benefit, requiring carbon monoxide detectors in public schools, and allowing guns on college campuses and in churches.