Moving forward, vol. 14, no. 4 (2008 February 5)

Moving Forward
Brought to you by the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities

The Developmental Disabilities Advocates' Guide to Legislation
February 5, 2009 Volume 14--Issue 4

Day 14
This week, House and Senate held budget hearings on the FY 2009 and in the Senate, the FY 2010 budgets. In this issue of Moving Forward, we kept the FY 2009 budget information and removed the FY 2010 information for now. Once the FY 2009 goes to Green Door, we'll focus on the FY 2010.
On Monday, Feb 9th, Rep. Butler will present HB 228, The DHR Restructuring bill, and there will be hearings on Wed, 2-11, at 1:00.

Department of Human Resources
FY 2009 supplemental (ending June 30, 2009)

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

(all parentheses are deductions) Reduce funding for new provider and other MHDDAD training, and quality compliance audits (510,534)

A complete side by side comparison of the House and Senate figures for the Recovery Act
can be accessed at www.gcdd.org

Defer provider rate increase provided for in FY 2009 Medicaid FMAP: $87 billion, all states receive 4.8% increase, higher for states with greater unemploy-
(863,724) ment; plus additional COBRA, and Medicaid and

Reduce funds for 135 vacant MRWP slots provided for in FY 2009 (slots vacant due to attrition will be

Medicare moratoria extended to 10-09. Senate's figures are structured differently.

made available to new consumers, instead of with new money; adults, children, 6 mos)
(1,684,229)

Education: $13 billion IDEA state grants, and $600 million for Part C (In Georgia, Babies Can't Wait); plus school construction, technology, teachers;

Reflect savings from implementation of an integrated again, Senate figures slightly different.

and more medically appropriate system for serving children with special needs (Infant and Child Essential Health Program)

SSA: One time stimulus payments, $450 individual, $630 couple; funds to reduce claims backlogs

(1,200,000) Employment: Extended unemployment insurance,

Reflect savings from implementation of an integrated

and more medically appropriate system for serving

children with special needs, (Infant and Health Pro-

motion)

(545,069)

and $500 million through VR state grants for construction and rehab of facilities that prepare people with disabilities for employment; additional funds for the centers for independent living.

Department of Community Health

Legislation

FY 2009 Supplemental (ending June 30, 2009)

HB 20: Relating to administrative procedure, so as to provide that Defer rate increases provided for in FY 2009 for ser- policies or rules of the Department of Human Resources and the

vice providers including ICWP personal support

Georgia Trauma Care Network Commission regarding loans, grants, and benefits shall not be excluded from the requirements

(355,598) regarding rule making; Sponsors: Oliver, 83; Gardner, 57; Ben-

field, 85; Stephens, 164. Status: Gaff; Second Readers.

Delay implementation of 75 new ICWP waivers until

Jan 1, 2009

HB 22: Relating to the use of safety belts in passenger vehicles, so

(586,822) as to require the use of safety belts in all passenger vehicles, in-

DOE Budget, FY 2009 Supplemental (ending June 30, 2009)

cluding pickup trucks; to require the use of safety belts by occu-
pants in the rear seats of a passenger vehicle; Sponsors: Oliver, 83; Manning, 32; Hugley, 133; Stephens, 164, Abrams, 84, and
others. Status: A&CA; Second Readers.

Reduce funds for graduation coaches, and spring

training for coaches

HB 37: Relating to general provisions relative to labor and industrial relations, so as to enact the "Parent Protection Act"; to provide

(1,033,333) for leave for employees to attend school conferences and medical

Reduce Georgia Special Needs Scholarships

appointments. Sponsors: Bruce, 64. Status: House Prefiled.

(113,135) HB 39: Relating to the excise tax on tobacco products, so as to

increase the amount of such tax with respect to cigarettes and

Reduce funds for low incidence S.E. grants

loose or smokeless tobacco; Sponsor: Stephens,164, Status:

(16,534) House Second Readers.

Reduce QBE funding by 2%

(135,799,719)

Disability Day at the Capitol, Feb 25th

HB 44: Known as the "Budget Act," so as to provide for the application of zero-base budgeting to the budget process; to provide for analysis of departmental and program objectives; to provide for consideration of alternative funding levels; to provide for departmental priority lists. Sponsors: Graves, 12; Loudermilk, 14; Ramsey, 72; Scott, 2; Levitas, 82; and others. Status: App; Second Readers.

Register Today at www.gcdd.org

The Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities collaborates with Georgia citizens, public and private advocacy organizations, and policymakers to positively influence public policies that enhance the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities and their families.

HB 89: the "Georgia Medical Assistance Act of 1977," so as to re- SB 5: Relating to the use of safety belts in passenger vehicles, so as

quire physicians who participate in the state employees' or board of to eliminate certain exceptions to the required use of safety belts;

regents' health insurance plan to also participate in the Medicaid pro- Sponsors: Thomas, 54; Hill, 4; Harp, 29; Stoner, 6; Hill, 32; and oth-

gram, and other. Sponsor: Powell, 29. Status: H&HS; Second Read- ers. Status: Pub Saf: read and referred.

ers.

SB 25: Relating to income tax returns and information, so as to au-

HB113: Relating to the "Housing Authorities Law," so as to establish thorize taxpayers to make certain contributions through the income

that certain past offenses shall not disqualify applicants from access tax payment and refund process to programs for the education re-

to housing provided by housing authorities; Sponsor: Holt, 112. garding and alleviation of multiple sclerosis; to provide an effective

Status: Hum R; Second Readers.

date and for applicability. Sponsors: Seay, 34; Adelman, 42; Brown,

HB 118: Supplemental Appropriations, State Fiscal Year July 1,

26; Butler, 55; Orrock, 36 and others. Status: Fin; read & referred.

2008 to June 30, 2009. Sponsors: Richardson, 19; Keen, 17; Burk- SB 39: So as to provide for a 1 percent sales tax to be used to fund

halter, 50; Harbin, 115; Cole, 125; Pruett, 144. Status: App; Second transportation projects in special transportation districts within the

Readers.

state; to provide for the creation of such districts, the governance

thereof, and the development of a list of transportation projects by the

HB 119: Appropriations, State Fiscal Year July 1, 2009 to June 30, district; and other. Sponsors: Mullis, 53; Stoner, 6; Williams, 19;

2010. Sponsors: Richardson, 19; Keen, 17; Burkhalter, 50; Harbin, Reed, 35; Rogers, 21 and others. Status: Trans; read and referred.

115; Cole, 125; Pruett, 144. Status: App; Second Readers.

SB 54: Relating to banking and finance, so as to repeal and reenact

HB 128: Relating to disabled veterans and blind persons engaging in the "Georgia Fair Lending Act"; to prohibit abusive home loan prac-

peddling, operating businesses, or practicing professions, so as to tices; Sponsors: Thompson, 33; Fort, 39; Reed, 35; Status: B&FI;

provide that a certificate of eligibility for an exemption from occupa- read & referred.

tion taxes, administrative fees, and regulatory fees shall be valid for a

period of ten years; Sponsor: Benton 31. Status: Hum R; House SR 56:A Resolution creating the Georgia Vulnerable Adult Study

Committee Favorably Reported

Commission. Sponsors: Ramsey, 43 Status: H&HS; read & referred.

HB 149: Relating to financing under the "Quality Basic Education SR 57: A Resolution creating the Georgia Vulnerable Adult Study

Act," so as to enact the "Move on When Ready Act"; to provide for Commission; to provide for the membership, duties, and operation of

definitions; to provide a program for eleventh and twelfth grade stu- the commission. Sponsors: Ramsey, 43 Status: H&HS; read & re-

dents to attend postsecondary colleges and schools for high school ferred.

credit; Sponsors: Jones, 46; Hembree, 67; Dempsey, 13; Powell,

171; Harden, 147. Status: Ed; Second Readers.

SB 60: So as to authorize each local board of education to determine

the maximum age of mandatory education from 16 to 18 for its local

HB 215: So as to enact the "Graduating Everyone Matters Act"; to school system; to provide for alternative tracks; Sponsors: Jackson,

establish three diploma options for high school students; to provide 2; Brown, 26; Jones, 10; Sims, 12; Ramsey, Sr. 43. Status: ED&Y:

for course requirements for each diploma option; to provide for appli- Senate Read and Referred.

cability; to provide for statutory construction; to revise provisions re-

lating to testing requirements for graduation purposes; Sponsors: SB 90: So as to provide the option for parents to enroll their child in Davis, 109;; Mayo 91;, Casas, 103; Neal, 1; Sellier, 136 . Status: d: another school within the local school system, a school in another

House Second Readers.

local school system, or in a private school under certain conditions; to

provide for the amount of scholarship and method of payments.

HB 228: So as to reorganize and reestablish various state health

Sponsors: Johnson, 1; Rogers, 21; Hill, 32; Unterman, 45; Moody,

and human services agencies; to establish the Department of Health, 56. Status: Senate Read and Referred.

the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Behav-

ioral Health; to reassign various functions of the Department of Com- SB 92: So as to convert Medicaid and the PeachCare for Kids Pro-

munity Health and the Department of Human Resources to the new gram funds to premium assistance to allow low-income families to

agencies; Sponsors: Butler, 18; Harbin, 118; Cole, 125; Keen, 179; participate in private sector health insurance plans. Sponsors: Hill,

Olive, 83. Status: App; Second Readers.

32; Johnson, 1; Thomas, 54t; Rogers, 21; Murphy, 27. Status: I&L:

Senate Read and Referred.

Who Are My Elected Officials?--Find your legislators, learn House and Senate leadership
Visit www.vote-smart.org to identify your legislators. Find your legislators' contact information at www.legis.state.ga.us House Information, 1-800-282-5800; Senate Information 1-800-282-5803
Senate Leadership--Presiding: Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle; President Pro Tempore: Tommy Williams, 19th; House Leadership-- Speaker of the House: Glenn Richardson, 19th; Speaker Pro Tempore: Mark Burhalter, 50th; Senate Appropriations--Chair: Jack Hill, 4th; Sub Com. Chair Education: Dan Moody, 56th; Sub Com. Chair Community Health: Greg Goggans, 7th; Sub Com. Chair Human Development: Renee Unterman, 45th.
House Appropriations--Chair: Ben Harbin, 118th; Vice Chair Education: Jan Jones, 46th; Vice Chair Health: Mickey Channell, 116th; Vice Chair Human Services: Mark Butler, 18th. Contact information for the Governor--The Honorable Sonny Purdue, 203 State Capitol, Atlanta, Georgia, 30334; 404-656-1776, http://gov.state.ga.us

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