Upper chamber report 2010 March 16

TOP STORY

Legislative Day 25: Senate Hears State of Judicial System

MARCH 16, 2010 . DAY 25
Upper Chamber Report

Raegan Weber, Press Director Kallarin Richards, Editor in Chief

By Natalie Strong
CHAMBER (March 16, 2010) Sen. Don Thomas (R-Dalton) welcomed the Rev. Danny Cochran, senior pastor of Holly Creek Baptist Church, to serve as the Chaplain of the Day. Cochran's message encouraged senators to lead our state in the right direction and lean strongly on their faith.
Following the introduction of the Chaplain of the Day, the Senate moved into a joint meeting with the House of Representatives for the State of the Judiciary address, given by the honorable Chief Justice Carol Hunstein of Georgia's Supreme Court. She emphasized that the Georgia Judicial System is vital to all Georgians' safety, but the court systems are on the edge of an abyss. Hunstein outlined the court systems in Georgia and noted that members of the judicial system provide the utmost in public service and justice for all Georgians. She stressed that tough economic times are causing increased case loads and decreased funding. The Chief Justice Carol Hunstein Georgia Judicial System is a significant source of revenue for the state and local communities with $500 million in court fees being collected and nearly $90 million of that revenue being returned to the state general fund. However, Hunstein stressed this revenue will decrease as core court functions are reduced and it will become increasingly difficult to fulfill their constitutional duty with budget cuts. She noted that the need for justice does not shrink in a diminishing economy. Even one of Georgia's largest court systems, the Fulton County Courts, will face the surreal prospect of having to close their doors on certain days of the month. Hunstein concluded by urging the legislators to protect Georgia's Judicial System. "We share a common mission: to serve the people of Georgia, public service, and provide our citizens with the best possible government."
After the joint session concluded, the Senate reconvened to take care of the four pieces of legislation on the day's calendar. Sen. Jim Butterworth's (RClarksville) Rules of the Road Bill (SB 345) allows for races on county and municipal roads when sanctioned by the local governing authority and when the road is closed to traffic. Two amendments were added that require medical personnel to be present during the road races and a public notification announcing the race to be published in the local news at least 30 days prior to the event. Butterworth noted that this is a great economic development bill and cited that cities such as Detroit and Miami already allow for these sanctioned street races. Both amendments were adopted
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and the Rules of the Road Bill passed by 41 to 9.
The next three bills all received unanimous support from the Senate and will move to the House for consideration. SB 387, presented by Sen. Dan Weber (R-Dunwoody), provides career counseling and advisement for students in grades 6 through 12. This bill is a vital step for Georgia to qualify for specific federal funding to aid its financially struggling school systems. SB 392, a response to a bus crash that injured Morehouse students, will require educational institutions to verify that motorized transportation of students are properly licensed and certified. The bus company must furnish mandatory forms and in-
surance paperwork before they are cleared to transport students. Sen. Jack Murphy (R-Cumming), the author of the bill, stressed that "we must not cut corners and endanger students when trying to save pennies during tough economic times."

Finally, Sen. Jeff Mullis' (R-Chickamauga) Blue Alert system Bill (SB 397) passed unanimously, which creates a statewide system to speed the apprehension of violent criminals who have injured or killed local, state, and federal law enforcement officers. For more inforSen. Jeff Mullis presents his Blue Alert Bill to the Senate mation on Blue Alert, see Page 3.

Sen. Fort Stands with Students to Reject Higher Education Budget Cuts

By Jennifer Kitt

"When we cut higher education in this way, we are ATLANTA (March 16, 2010) taking away the American Dream from our young Sen. Vincent Fort (D-Atlanta) people," said Fort. joined 500 Georgia college stu-
dents during a rally at the State Fort has been a champion for issues concerning Capitol today to protest higher education, and currently serves on the Senate Edueducation budget cuts. Students cation and Youth Committee. He has also drafted encouraged legislators to stop legislation (Senate Bill 132) that will increase the cuts to college programs, and high school drop out age from 16 to 17. end tuition increases.

"Higher education is the last place where funding should be cut. These students are the future leaders of Georgia, and they deserve a quality college experience," said Fort. "Georgia will not progress unless we invest in educating our students."

In addition to apprehensions about increased tuition, students also voiced their concerns about the elimination of curriculum programs. Fort opposes this budget cutting method, and feels students should have the opportunity to learn about a variety of subjects.

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UPPER CHAMBER REPORT

Mullis: Blue Alert Passes the Senate
By Raegan Weber

ATLANTA (March 16, 2010) Sen. Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga), chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, made the following statement today following the Senate's vote on his Blue Alert System Bill SB 397:

"Georgia's law enforcement personnel are our first line of defense when it comes to public safety. When a peace officer is injured or killed, we must do all we can to apprehend the criminal immediately. I commend my Senate colleagues for unanimously passing Senate Bill 397 to protect our law enforcement and our communities. Had this sort of system been in place when Officer Vogt was shot and killed, his shooter could have been apprehended quickly," said Mullis.

Mullis carried SB 397 on behalf of the Georgia Fraternal Order of Police. The bill creates a statewide alert system to speed the apprehension of violent criminals who kill or seriously injure local, state, or federal law enforcement officers. The State Blue Alert System has four criteria that must be met to be activated:

1. A law enforcement officer must have been killed or seriously injured or seriously injured by an offender
2. The investigating law enforcement agency must determine that the offender poses a serious risk or threat to the public and other law enforcement personnel
3. A detailed description of the offender's vehicle, vehicle tag, or partial tag must be available for broadcast to the public
4. The investigating law enforcement agency of jurisdiction must recommend activation of the Blue Alert to the State Operations

Sen. Ramsey Hosts Georgia African American Horse Council
By Katie Wright
ATLANTA (March 16, 2010) Sen. Ronald Ramsey (D-Decatur) recently hosted the Georgia African American Horse Council at the State Capitol. Twenty-three elite cowboys and cowgirls visited the Capitol to observe the legislative process first hand and to be recognized in the Senate chamber.
"These cowboys and cowgirls play an important role in our community and in promoting the horse industry in Georgia," said Ramsey. "It is an honor to host such a distinguished group at the State Capitol."
The Georgia African American Horse Council is comprised of cowboys and cowgirls that compete in professional rodeos. They offer free youth programs, scholarships, riding lessons and many other services to the community.

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UPPER CHAMBER REPORT

Senate Transportation Committee Limits Terms for DOT Board Members

By Raegan Weber

jointly by the chairpersons of the House and Senate

Transportation Committees. Each member must be

CAP 125 (March 16, 2010) Georgia Department of available to discuss with the legislators that elected

Transportation Board Members will have shorter term them any matters that may be of interest to the mem-

limits and will be directed to be more responsive to bers of the legislative delegation.

Senate and House legislators under a bill by Trans-

portation Committee Chairman Jeff Mullis (R- This enabling legislation is effective on January 1,

Chickamauga). Mullis' bill, Senate Bill 448, passed 2011, but only upon ratification of Senate Resolution

the Senate Transportation Committee with a unani- 1126 by the voters of Georgia on the November 2010

mous vote after two meetings of deliberations.

ballot. SR 1126 unanimously passed out of the

Transportation Committee in a previous hearing.

The original proposal began with limiting DOT Board

terms to two years. While many members of the Sen. Valencia Seay (D-Riverdale) introduced a reso-

committee agreed that Board members need to be lution urging the United States Congress to assist

more responsive to the legislators and terms should Georgia by continuing federal funding of public

be updated, they felt two-year terms coinciding with transportation for elderly and disabled Georgians (SR

legislative terms was not long enough. Mullis was 1159). Many elderly and disabled Georgians rely on

willing to compromise, but reminded the committee Clayton County's C-TRAN bus system to go to work,

that the only mechanism to remove board members go to the doctor and even get the medications they

was impeachment. By limiting their terms, they may need. C-TRAN is expected to be shut down at

would have to be re-elected by the legislators.

the end of March due to funding cuts. The resolution

passed unanimously.

During the process, Mullis noted the bill as "the com-

mittee's bill" due to his desire for each committee SB 51 sponsored by Sen. Doug Stoner (D-Smyrna),

member's input. A compromise was reached and SB which gives greater authorities to the Georgia Rail

448 now limits DOT Board Members to four-year Passenger Authority, also received unanimous pas-

terms. Sen. Chip Pearson (R-Dawsonville) added a sage by the committee.

provision to the bill to require yearly meetings called

Buckle up:
Sen. Don Thomas' Seat Belt Legislation Speeds through Public Safety Committee

By Natalie Strong

CLOB 307 (March 16, 2010) - With 100% support, Sen. Don Thomas' (R-Dalton) Seat Belt Legislation (SB 458) was voted out of the Public Safety Committee and now awaits its turn on the Senate Floor. Thomas has worked to ensure that Georgians are safe and responsible when operating or riding in all motor vehicles. The bill will still allow for the exclusion of the agriculture community, but now pick-up truck drivers in Georgia are one step closer to being required to buckle up. Representatives from the Georgia Junior League, Governor's Office of Highway Safety, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta were all on hand to applaud Thomas' efforts. Thomas reminded the committee that over $25 million in Medicaid costs has been lost in the past 10 years from preventable injuries and death caused by accidents where a pick-up driver was not wearing a seat belt. He stressed that the pick-up truck loophole must be closed in order to receive millions of dollars in federal aid available to other states.

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UPPER CHAMBER REPORT

Health and Human Services Committee Votes to stop the Sale of Synthetic Marijuana
By Jennifer Kitt
CAP 450 (March 16, 2010) - The Health and Human Services Committee showed their commitment to ending substance abuse by unanimously passing Sen. Ed Harbison's legislation to end the legal sale of synthetic marijuana in Georgia stores. Senate Bill 498 would also add the substances to Schedule 1 on the controlled substance list; substances on this list carry the most severe penalties. Harbison was inspired to create the legislation after Atlanta area teens were hospitalized after using the drug.
The committee also unanimously passed two amendments by Chairman Don Thomas (R-Dalton), the first of which urges the Georgia Composite Medical Board to establish regulations on office-based surgeries and anesthesia. Sen. Greg Goggans (R-Douglas) offered an amendment to the resolution to encompass all health care providers who are licensed by a composite medical board, which will include oral surgeons and dentists. Dr. Steve Sween from the Georgia Society of Anesthesiologists spoke in favor of Senate Resolution 1222.
Thomas' second resolution (SR 1162) creates a study committee that will examine traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in Georgia and how to amend the State Health Plan to include TBI facilities.

Reduction in Continuing Education Requirements on the Horizon for State Teachers

By Adam Sweat

Sen. Ronald Ramsey (D-Lithonia) presented Senate

Bill 420, concerning Perfect Attendance Awards.

CLOB 307 (March 16, 2010) Every five years, The bill would establish a new provision stating if a

teachers are required to complete ten professional student misses school due to illness or injury from a

learning units (PLUs), which is equal to 100 hours. statewide state of emergency or epidemic, the ab-

In light of the budget crisis local school systems con- sence will not count against a student's candidacy for

tinue to face, senators are taking steps to substantially the Perfect Attendance Award. Ramsey spoke about

reduce the number of PLUs required by teachers. a family in his district with several children who re-

Senate Resolution

ceived this award for each grade, K-

1199, sponsored by

12. However, when their youngest

Sen. Lee Hawkins

child became sick with swine flu, she

(R-Gainesville), will

was not eligible for the award. This

mandate the Profes-

bill received a unanimous vote from

sional Standards

the committee.

Committee cut the

required number of

Chairman Dan Weber (R-Dunwoody)

PLUs in half for the

presented SB 457, establishing addi-

next five years.

tional alternative procedures for con-

Therefore, teachers

verting a high school to a charter

will now be required

school within a high school cluster. A

to receive only five

cluster is determined by geographical

PLUs, which is equal to 50 hours, in the next five boundaries where there are elementary, middle, and

years. Hawkins explained this would only last five high schools. SB 457 would allow a charter school to

years and would be re-examined at the end of the al- be established within a high school cluster if it is ap-

lotted time period. After unanimous passage of the proved by those living within the cluster. It passed

vote, the bill now moves on to the Senate Rules Com- out of committee with a 9-1 vote. Sen. Vincent Fort

mittee.

(D-Atlanta) was the only member who expressed op-

position.

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UPPER CHAMBER REPORT

Budget Task Force Presents Final Recommendations to Lt. Governor Cagle and Senate Leadership
By Jaillene Hunter
(Atlanta, GA) Today, the Budget Task Force presented Lt. Governor Casey Cagle a final report outlining 50 recommendations focusing on long-term budget solutions. If all recommendations were fully implemented, the projected cost savings would total over $3 billion. The group was tasked with identifying new ways to cut state spending without drastic cuts to essential services or raising taxes in this economy.
"As we face some extremely difficult budget decisions this session, we want to make the fiscally responsible decisions now that will position our state for economic growth and job creation. We need to think toward the future and implement systemic reforms that will change the way we operate and prevent another shortfall this significant. It is vital that we maintain our AAA Bond Rating, which is a `good housekeeping' seal of approval on the fiscal strength of our state," said Lt. Governor Casey Cagle. "None of the recommendations are quick fixes and I look forward to studying each of the proposals, along with the Senate, to determine which make the most sense for Georgia. I want to express my appreciation to each member of the Task Force for the considerable effort and time given to advance fundamental reform in state government with a fiscally conservative and business-minded approach."
"It is clear that our state leaders are proactively looking for ways to confront the budget challenges our state faces with the future in mind. We focused our efforts on areas where we could bring real world value of new efficiencies, consolidation, and seizing opportunities even under difficult conditions, just as private sector businesses are doing everyday in this economy. This exercise proved beneficial for all participants and we are hopeful that some of these recommendations will provide the structural changes necessary to put Georgia on the right trajectory for the future," said Ed Heys, Atlanta Deputy Managing Partner of Deloitte& Touche.
After cutting over $2 billion from the state budget in the 2009 session and still faced with an additional $1.5 billion shortfall, Cagle, along with Senate leadership, announced early in the legislative session the formation of a Budget Task Force. The Budget Task Force brought together experienced business leaders and accounting professionals who held a total of 7 meetings and participated in extensive work sessions.
While some of the 50 specific recommendations can impact the state budget this year, the majority of the recommendations are focused on long-term budget solutions including consolidation and streamlining of state services and greater efficiencies. For example, the Task Force recommends the state increase shared services, particularly in human resources, payroll, accounting, and classroom curriculum development. Industry standards for of human resources personnel to employees: are 1:195 but the state operates at 1:115 and smaller state agencies operate at 1:88.

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UPPER CHAMBER REPORT

Legislative Process Dates
Important Dates in the Legislative Process
Introduction - Last day to file and/or 1st Read in Senate. 30 th day - last day to introduce General Senate bills and resolutions (even year). [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 30 th day - last day to accept General House bills and resolutions. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 39th day - last day to introduce General Senate bills and resolutions (odd year). [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] *Note: Senate bills and resolutions must be filed with the Secretary before 4:00 p.m. to be 1st read on the next legislative day.
Deadlines for passage in current year
Committee Report Deadlines - Last day to read report. Report submitted to Secretary by convening. 28th day - General Senate bills and resolutions. 38th day - Local Senate bills and resolutions. 38th day - General House bills and resolutions. 40th day - Local House bills and resolutions. Calendar Management Calendar in numerical order after 2nd reading of legislation; days 1-5. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] Rules Committee sets the calendar for days 6 - 40. [Rule 4-2.10 (b)] General Senate Bills and Resolutions 26th day - File with Secretary of the Senate. [Rule 3-1.2 (a)] 27th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 28th day - Committee report read upon convening. (A recommitted bill already 2nd read - report day 29.) 29th day - 2nd Reading. [Rule 4-2.6] 30th day - Passage [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] and immediate transmittal to House. [Rule 4-2.14] Local Senate Bills and Resolutions 35th day - File with Secretary of the Senate. [3-1.2 (a)] 36th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. (Cannot pass for 2 days.) [Rule 4-2.4 (c) ] 38th day - Favorable report by committee, passage and immediate transmittal to the House. [Rule 4-2.14] 39th day - 2nd Reading in House. 40th day - Favorable report and passage in House. General House Bills and Resolutions 30th day - Transmitted from House and received by Secretary. 31st day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 38th day - Favorable report upon convening and 2nd reading. (Applies to days 36 - 38) [Rule 4-2.6] 39th day - Passage. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] 40th day - Passage of bills or resolutions tabled day 39; removed from the table on day 40. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] Local House Bills and Resolutions 39th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. 40th day - Favorable report by committee and passage. * Note: On the 30th day and on the last three days of session, bills and resolutions needing action from the House are automatically immediately transmitted. [Rule 4-2.14] 40th day - Passage of bills or resolutions tabled day 39; removed from the table on day 40. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)]

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UPPER CHAMBER REPORT
To view this report online, please visit http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/senate/ucreport.htm