Moving forward, vol. 14, no. 5 (2009 February 12)

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

The Developmental Disabilities Advocates' Guide to Legislation
February 12, 2009 Volume 14--Issue 5

Day 18
The Special Appropriations Committee on DHR restructuring met twice this week. On Monday, Rep. Mark Butler presented HB 228, and the Governor's Office and the Commissioners of DHR and DCH took questions from committee members. On Wednesday, advocates voiced their opinion on many aspects of the bill. Of particular concern to the DD Community is the creation of a Division of DD, and mechanisms to account for the funds allocated to provide DD services. Babies Can't Wait and the organization of the Regional Offices and planning boards are other concerns that aren't adequately addressed in the bill. MF will continue to track its development.

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)

The US Senate passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 this week; the compromise between the House and Senate is expected to be voted on in time for a President's Day signing.

Defer provider rate increase provided for in FY 2009 Georgia will benefit significantly from the package.

In anticipation, the Georgia Legislature is pacing its (863,724) work on the FY 2009 Supplemental Budget, and will

Reduce funds for 135 vacant MRWP slots provided adjourn on the 35th Day (expected to be March

for in FY 2009 (slots vacant due to attrition will be 25th) until mid-summer to incorporate the federal

made available to new consumers, instead of with funds into the FY 2010 budget, and also to give

new money; adults, children, 6 mos)

revenues a chance to recover.

(1,684,229) Until the 35th Day, House and Senate plan to con-

Reflect savings from implementation of an integrated vene Tuesday through Thursday each week.

and more medically appropriate system for serving children with special needs (Infant and Child Essen- Legislation

tial Health Program)

(1,200,000) HB 20: Relating to administrative procedure, so as to provide that

Reflect savings from implementation of an integrated

policies or rules of the Department of Human Resources and the Georgia Trauma Care Network Commission regarding loans,

and more medically appropriate system for serving grants, and benefits shall not be excluded from the requirements

children with special needs, (Infant and Health Pro- regarding rule making; Sponsors: Oliver, 83; Gardner, 57; Ben-

motion)

(545,069) field, 85; Stephens, 164. Status: Gaff; House Committee Favora-

Department of Community Health

bly Reported.

FY 2009 Supplemental (ending June 30, 2009)

HB 22: Relating to the use of safety belts in passenger vehicles, so as to require the use of safety belts in all passenger vehicles, in-

Defer rate increases provided for in FY 2009

for ser-

cluding pickup trucks; to require the use of safety belts by occupants in the rear seats of a passenger vehicle; Sponsors: Oliver,

vice providers including ICWP personal support

83; Manning, 32; Hugley, 133; Stephens, 164, Abrams, 84, and

(355,598) others. Status: A&CA; Second Readers.

HB 37: Relating to general provisions relative to labor and indus-

Delay implementation of 75 new ICWP waivers until trial relations, so as to enact the "Parent Protection Act"; to provide

Jan 1, 2009

for leave for employees to attend school conferences and medical
(586,822) appointments. Sponsors: Bruce, 64. Status: House Prefiled.

DOE Budget, FY 2009 Supplemental (ending

HB 39: Relating to the excise tax on tobacco products, so as to

June 30, 2009)

increase the amount of such tax with respect to cigarettes and

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

Reduce funds for graduation coaches, and spring

House Second Readers.

training for coaches

(1,033,333)

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

Reduce Georgia Special Needs Scholarships

analysis of departmental and program objectives; to provide for consideration of alternative funding levels; to provide for depart-

(113,135) mental priority lists. Sponsors: Graves, 12; Loudermilk, 14; Ram-

Reduce funds for low incidence S.E. grants

sey, 72; Scott, 2; Levitas, 82; and others. Status: App; Second Readers.

(16,534)
HB 89: the "Georgia Medical Assistance Act of 1977," so as to

Reduce QBE funding by 2%

(135,799,719) require physicians who participate in the state employees' or board
of regents' health insurance plan to also participate in the Medicaid

program, and other. Sponsor: Powell, 29. Status: H&HS; Second

Disability Day at the Capitol,

Readers.

Feb 25th

HB113: Relating to the "Housing Authorities Law," so as to establish that certain past offenses shall not disqualify applicants from

access to housing provided by housing authorities; Sponsor: Holt,

Register Today at www.gcdd.org 112. Status: Hum R; Second Readers.

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 118: Supplemental Appropriations, State Fiscal Year July 1,

garding and alleviation of multiple sclerosis; to provide an effective

2008 to June 30, 2009. Sponsors: Richardson, 19; Keen, 17; Burk- date and for applicability. Sponsors: Seay, 34; Adelman, 42; Brown,

halter, 50; Harbin, 115; Cole, 125; Pruett, 144. Status: App; Second 26; Butler, 55; Orrock, 36 and others. Status: Fin; read & referred.

Readers.

SB 39: So as to provide for a 1 percent sales tax to be used to fund

HB 119: Appropriations, State Fiscal Year July 1, 2009 to June 30, transportation projects in special transportation districts within the

2010. Sponsors: Richardson, 19; Keen, 17; Burkhalter, 50; Harbin, state; to provide for the creation of such districts, the governance

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

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

district; and other. Sponsors: Mullis, 53; Stoner, 6; Williams, 19;

HB 128: Relating to disabled veterans and blind persons engaging in Reed, 35; Rogers, 21 and others. Status: Trans; read and referred. peddling, operating businesses, or practicing professions, so as to

provide that a certificate of eligibility for an exemption from occupa- SB 54: Relating to banking and finance, so as to repeal and reenact

tion taxes, administrative fees, and regulatory fees shall be valid for a the "Georgia Fair Lending Act"; to prohibit abusive home loan prac-

period of ten years; Sponsor: Benton 31. Status: Hum R; Senate tices; Sponsors: Thompson, 33; Fort, 39; Reed, 35; Status: B&FI;

Read and Referred

read & referred.

HB 149: Relating to financing under the "Quality Basic Education SB 60: So as to authorize each local board of education to determine

Act," so as to enact the "Move on When Ready Act"; to provide for the maximum age of mandatory education from 16 to 18 for its local

definitions; to provide a program for eleventh and twelfth grade stu- school system; to provide for alternative tracks; Sponsors: Jackson,

dents to attend postsecondary colleges and schools for high school 2; Brown, 26; Jones, 10; Sims, 12; Ramsey, Sr. 43. Status: ED&Y:

credit; Sponsors: Jones, 46; Hembree, 67; Dempsey, 13; Powell, Senate Read and Referred.

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

SB 90: So as to provide the option for parents to enroll their child in

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

another school within the local school system, a school in another

and human services agencies; to establish the Department of Health, local school system, or in a private school under certain conditions; to

the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Behav- provide for the amount of scholarship and method of payments.

ioral Health; to reassign various functions of the Department of Com- Sponsors: Johnson, 1; Rogers, 21; Hill, 32; Unterman, 45; Moody,

munity Health and the Department of Human Resources to the new 56. Status: ED&Y: Senate Read and Referred.

agencies; Sponsors: Butler, 18; Harbin, 118; Cole, 125; Keen, 179; Olive, 83. Status: App; Second Readers.

SB 92: So as to convert Medicaid and the PeachCare for Kids Program funds to premium assistance to allow low-income families to

HB 377: To provide that all contracts between the Department of

participate in private sector health insurance plans. Sponsors: Hill,

Community Health and health care management organizations, third 32; Johnson, 1; Thomas, 54t; Rogers, 21; Murphy, 27. Status: I&L:

party administrators of health care plans, or other entities and their Senate Read and Referred.

subcontractors concerning the provision of health care services for health care programs under the authority of the department, including SB 146: Relating to medical assistance generally, so as to require the state health benefit plan and the Medicaid program, shall be sub- the Department of Community Health to contract with a single adminject to the provisions of the open records act; Sponsors: Powell, 29; istrator for dental services; to provide for applicability; to provide for Chambers, 81; Roberts, 154; Levitas, 82; Williams,165; Bearden, an amendment to the state plan if necessary; Sponsors: Hill, 32;

68. Status: H&HS: House First Readers

Jackson, 2; Hawkins, 49; Goggans, 7. Status: Senate Hopper

SB 5: Relating to the use of safety belts in passenger vehicles, so as to eliminate certain exceptions to the required use of safety belts; Sponsors: Thomas, 54; Hill, 4; Harp, 29; Stoner, 6; Hill, 32; and others. Status: Pub Saf: Favorably reported / Committee sub
SB 25: Relating to income tax returns and information, so as to authorize taxpayers to make certain contributions through the income tax payment and refund process to programs for the education re-

SR 56:A Resolution creating the Georgia Vulnerable Adult Study Commission. Sponsors: Ramsey, 43 Status: H&HS; read & referred.
SR 57: A Resolution creating the Georgia Vulnerable Adult Study Commission; to provide for the membership, duties, and operation of the commission. Sponsors: Ramsey, 43 Status: H&HS; read & 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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