SENATEINFORMATIONOFFICE * 201 LegislativeOfficeBldg.,Atlanta,GA 30334 404656-0028 / 1-800-282-5803 #7285 March 9, 1994 HIGHLIGHTS OF MAJOR SENATE ACTION For the Week of March 7, 1994 (Week #8) The 1994 General Assembly moved into the home stretch this week. The Senate and House agreed to adjourn Wednesday for a four day recess and when lawmakers return on Monday, only two days will remain to settle unfinished business. The major objective of the recess is, of course, to stop the clock and give Senate and House conferees an opportunity to reach an accord on the $9.7 billion budget for Fiscal Year 1995 (House Bill 1375). The recess will also provide a chance for conferees on other headed itsosu-ecsotnofehraemnmceercoomumtitatgereesemiennctlsu.de The bills either in - or a comprehensive mandatory sentencing bill proposed by Governor Zell Miller and legislation by Senator David Scott which would require a moment of silent reflection in public school classrooms each day. Lieutenant Governor Pierre Howard's package of anti-DUI legislation, which passed the Senate, is still pending in the House. The highlight of this week's action in the Senate was passage of the Senate's version of the budget. According to Appropriations Committee Chairman George Hooks, the Senate budget proposal emphasizes programs for children and youth, the elderly and economic development. After protracted debate, the Senate also passed legislation proposed by the Governor to reduce state income taxes. Handled by Senator Mark Taylor, House Bill 596 would increase the allowance for dependents and boost the retirement income exclusion. Senators voted this week to reject House revisions on Senate Bill 396. The bill, sponsored by Senators David Scott, Walter Ray and Chuck Clay, would provide a moment of silent reflection in public school classrooms. The House version would, however, allow for student-led prayer which Senate sponsors say makes the bill vulnerable to legal challenges. Motorists who are willing to donate their organs for transplant would get a break on their driver's license fees. House Bill 1547, handled by Senator Richard Marable, would charge organ donors $8 for a license instead of the current $15. The Senate also passed legislation which would require local school systems to provide six week summer school programs for students who have been held back, failed academic subjects, or have been deemed to be "at risk." Handled by Senator Jack Hill, House Bill 1130 would apply to kindergarten through the eighth grade. In committee action, the Senate Judiciary panel heard more than an hour of testimony on legislation which would change the way in which child support payments are calculated, allowing them to be based on parents' net income rather than gross income. Following the hearing, it was decided to hold the bill in committee for further study during the interim. the Floor LOONNG BACK. . .on Friday, the Senate approved legislation which would give police officers more authority to deal with loitering. House Bill 1532, handled by Senator Mary Margaret oliver, would allow police to make arrests instead of just writing citations. Senators passed legislation to give local school boards more latitude to manage capital outlay funds to meet the demands of increased enrollment and to protect schools in small communities from being closed. House Bill 1314 was handled by Senator Jack Hill. The Senate also gave the green light to a bill which would allow applicants for licenses to operate private security businesses to substitute a four-year college degree in lieu of two years experience. HB 1493 was handled by Senator Nadine Thomas. State Budset . The Senate passed its version of the $9.7 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year (House Bill 1375) The Senate budget differs notably from the House proposal, setting the stage for a Senate-House conference committee to hammer out an accord before final adjournment. According to Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman George Hooks, the Senate budget proposal emphasizes programs for children and youth, the elderly and economic development. It is also characterized by fiscal responsibility. The Senate budget includes $2.5 million for 34 school systems that came up short on state funds because of problems with enrollment counts that are used to determine funding levels. The Senate version also includes $150,000 to create an office to investigate financial fraud against senior citizens as well as $100,000 for vehicles for parole officers who are now transporting felons in personal cars. The Senate also restored part of the funds recommended by the Governor for instructional technology for teachers and put $3.5 million in the budget to enhance various services to senior citizens. In addition, Senators adopted an amendment which would prohibit the use of state funds to produce, print or broadcast pornography. Another amendment, which won Senate approval, would prohibit the use of state funds to pay the salaries of people who lobby for organizations which have contracts to provide services to the state. Tax Cuts Georgia taxpayers got some good news this week with the Senate's passage of HB 596, a $100 million tax relief measure proposed by Gov. Miller. The bill, handled by Senator Mark Taylor, will increase the state income tax allowance for each dependent from $1,500 to $2,500. The amount of retirement income excluded from the state tax will be increased from $10,000 to $12,000. The increase in dependent exemptions will save Georgia families with children $83 million per year. The retirement exclusion will save older Georgians $17 million annually. Sponsors say it is the biggest tax cut in state history and that the largest percentage reduction in income taxes will be targeted to the middle class. A total of 3.2 million people will benefit from the reductions. The legislation will take effect July 1. As of that date, withholding tables for state income tax will be changed and the tax cuts will be reflected in July paychecks. A family with two children, for example, could see a tax savings of $120 per year. A floor substitute to roll back the sales tax on food was rejected. School Volunteers Legislation to clear the way for volunteers to assist in public schools without fear of being sued is finally on its way to the Governor's desk. The Senate and House agreed this week to SB 41, which would provide limited immunity to those volunteers. Senator Sallie Newbill is the sponsor. Ticket Scalpinq A bill to outlaw the scalping of Olympics tickets cleared the final legislative hurdle this week. The conference committee report on HB 1225 would prohibit the sale of tickets at more than the face value, but would allow stadium officials or organizations using stadium property to authorize ticket agents to impose a service charge as specified in writing. Tickets for traditional sporting events such as football, baseball or basketball games or golf tournaments would not be affected and the $3.00 cap on service charges for those events would remain. Any advertisements for events covered by the anti-scalping would have to clearly display the amount of a service charge. The legislation was handled by Senator Paul Broun. Summer School The Senate has given the go-ahead to legislation which would require local school systems to provide a six-week summer program for students who have been held back, failed academic subjects, or have been deemed to be Inatrisk." The legislation would apply to kindergarten through the eighth grade. HB 1130 would allow for local systems to work together in providing school locations and transportation for the summer school program. Funding for the program would come from the mid-term adjustment based on the projected number of students needing the program. Handled by Senator Jack Hill, the bill passed 52-0. Confiscate Weapons Authorities would be able to confiscate weapons from juveniles and dispose of them in the same way illegal weapons are taken from adults under a bill passed by the Senate. HB 1337 would allow authorities to destroy or store the weapons or convert them to their own use. HB 1337 was handled by Senator Chuck Clay and passed 52-0. Orqan Donors Motorists who are willing to donate their organs for transplant would get a break on their drivers's license fees. HB 1547 would charge organ donors only $8 for a new license or a license renewal instead of the current $15. Handled by Senator Richard Marable, the bill passed 36-14. Guide Doss Senators approved a measure which would allow animal trainers to take guide dogs into public buildings. The bill is aimed at improving training procedures. Handled by Senator Joe Burton, HB 1469 passed 46-0. Sex Offenders Local authorities would be able to keep a closer eye on known sex offenders if HB 1229 becomes law. The measure, handled by Senator Walter Ray, would require convicted sex offenders to register with the sheriff and the school superintendent when they move into a community. The bill passed 49-0. Drive-BY Shootinss Drive-by shootings seem to make headlines but the Senate has taken action to stiffen the penalty for the crime. HB 1198 would increase the minimum penalty for firing a weapon from a moving vehicle from one year to five years behind bars. The maximum prison sentence would remain at 20 years. HB 1198, handled by Senator Rene Kemp, passed unanimously. Silent Reflection The Senate voted to stick to its guns and reject House revisions to SB 396 by Senators David Scott, Walter Ray and Chuck Clay. The bill would provide a moment of silent reflection in public school classrooms each day. A major change proposed by the House, however, would allow for student-led prayer. Senate sponsors say this makes the bill vulnerable to legal challenges. Health Care Agreements The Senate gave the go-ahead to HB 1825 which would allow hospitals and health care providers to enter into cooperative agreements to provide service. The measure would allow the providers to avoid anti-trust problems in reducing duplication and holding down costs. State officials agency would have to approve the agreements. Handled by Senator Charles Walker, HB 1825 passed 52-1. School Breakfast Prosram School breakfast programs got a boost with the passage of HB 1557. The bill, handled by Senator Sallie Newbill, would require school systems to establish a breakfast program if 25 percent of its students in kindergarten through the eighth grade meet federal requirements for free or reduced-price meals. Other schools systems are encouraged to provide the program. Sponsors of the bill say it is not an unfunded mandate and that federal funds support the programs. The bill passed 49-0. Committee Action I The pace of activity in committees quickened this week as did action on the floor. Dozens of bills moved through the Senate committees and, in some cases, the panels met twice a day to make recommendations on the avalanche of legislation. Child Support One of the most controversial bills to come before a Senate committee was HB 642 which would change the way in which child support payments are calculated, allowing them to be based on parentsf net income rather than gross income. The Judiciary panel heard more than an hour of testimony on the bill and following the hearing, it was decided to hold the measure in committee for further study during the interim. Carjackinq The Senate Special Judiciary Committee recommended passage of HB 1080 which would designate carjacking as a separate and district crime. It would allow district-attorneys to prosecute a carjacking charge in addition to armed robbery or aggravated assault charges stemming from an incident. Fair Share The Senate Education Committee gave a do-pass recommendation to HB 282 which would cap the local fair share at $631 million or the QBE formula calculated amount, whichever is lower. Druq Tests The Education panel also recommended passage of HB 372 which provide for random drug tests for school bus drivers. Around ] Capitol Hill Former professional football star, Me1 Blount, was honored by the Senate early this week. Blount, a former Pittsburgh Steeler, was recognized for his outstanding football career on the high school, college, and professional levels. Blount is the founder of the Me1 Blount Youth Home in Vidalia which works with troubled boys in an effort to help them to become productive members of society. The Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee visited the State Capitol. The group was recognized by the Senate for their work on the annual parade. The 1994 St. Patrick's Day Parade will mark the 170th anniversary for which the parade has been held. This celebration was begun by the Hibernian Society of Savannah in 1824, which was formed in order to aid Irish immigrants to Georgia. Congressman Buddy Darden, a former member of the Georgia House, addressed the Senate. He discussed his membership on the Appropriations Committee of the U.S. House and his work to bring federal funds to Georgia. Darden also held a luncheon for lawmakers to further discuss legislation pending in Congress. T Georgia Senate Bios Brief Although state Senator Johnny Isakson of Marietta is in his first term in the Senate, he is a seasoned veteran of state politics. Before his election to the Senate in 1992, Isakson served seven terms in the state House of Representatives and was the Republican candidate for Governor in 1990. Isakson serves as secretary of the Education Committee and is a member of the prestigious Ethics Committee. He is also a member of the Appropriations Committee, the Insurance and Labor Committee, and the Transportation Committee. In addition to his standing committee assignments, Isakson has served on the Senate Study Committee on Post-secondary Technical and Adult Education and was a member of the Governor's Growth Strategies Commission. Sen. Isakson has received numerous awards for his community leadership and civic involvement such as Outstanding Young Man of the Year in Cobb County, the Marietta Daily Journal's Citizen of the Year, and Realtor of the Year by the Cobb County Board of Realtors. Isakson earned a BBA degree from the University of Georgia. A successful businessman, he is president of Northside Realty. Isakson and his wife, Diane, are the parents of three children-John, Andrew, and Julie. The 21st Senate District, which Isakson represents, includes portions of northeast Cobb County. Second Interview Senator Sonny Perdue of Bonaire is wrapping up his second term in the Georgia Senate where he chairs the Higher Education Committee. Perdue recently offered an assessment of the '94 session and discussed several pieces of substantial legislation which have cleared the Senate this session. "1 think the tax cut which was passed Tuesday is significant and is something that our constituents will be pleased to seeI1l said Perdue following the Senate's passage of the $100 million income tax cut proposed by Gov. Miller. "1 think the fiscal responsibility displayed by the Senate in considering budgetary matters is also quite noteworthy," Perdue continued. Among the education-related bills considered this session were several measures sponsored by Perdue dealing with lottery proceeds. I1Peopleare concerned that general state funds might have to be used if the lottery revenues do not reach the amount allotted for programs such as the HOPE scholarships,11Perdue explained. llTherefore,I introduced a bill which states that no programs started with lottery proceeds would be continued if.they lacked the necessary funding or unless the General Assembly votes to continue them and appropriates money to continue them." Perdue has also co-sponsored bills that are part of the Lieutenant Governor's tough anti-DUI package. "I hope the House of Representatives will pass the DUI legislation, said Perdue. "It is extremely important, and the people of Georgia are demanding that something be done about the drunk driving problem.11 Perdue said he is pleased with the crime and welfare reform packages which have been passed by the Senate and he praised his Senate colleagues for what has been accomplished so far this year.