The Georgia Senate this week, Jan. 27, 2006

It's round two for Voter ID legislation

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n what seemed to be dj vu all over again, the Senate debated the Voter ID legislation for the third time in less than a year on Tuesday this time to "perfect" the legislation passed during the 2005 Session. It was round two for Senate Bill 84, authored by Sen. Cecil Staton of the 18th, which was

originally debated last March, only to be attached to House Bill 244 and debated for the

second time. SB 84, which languished in the House for nine months, was reborn earlier this

year and replaced with language making it easier for Georgians without one of the six

approved identification cards including a driver's license, a passport or a military ID.

"For me, this is about the future, not the past," Sen. Staton, who agreed there are problems with absentee voter fraud, said. "Our civil rights dictate that we have a right to vote without undue encumbrances. But our civil rights also dictate that we have a right to have our vote count, and not be disqualified by someone else who votes illegally or who commits fraud."

After U. S. District Court Judge Harold Murphy halted the law that Gov. Perdue signed last year, saying it was equal to a "poll" tax and was unfair to certain groups especially the poor, the elderly and minorities the House of Representatives sought to make the changes so that it would pass Court and U. S. Department of Justice muster. The new legislation specifies that the State will provide free identification cards to all registered voters upon request, and that all county board of elections and all local offices of the Department of Driver's Services more than 120 locations across the state will provide the state-issued ID card. The legislation also specifies that the State must educate voters about the new law.

"This bill is not about depriving people from voting," Sen. Preston Smith of the 52nd said. "This is about that sacred right which so many have fought and died for. It is about ensuring that we can vote and that our vote will have some meaning and not be cancelled out by the perpetuation of fraud."

Despite efforts to repair the legislation, the bill was not without its detractors.

"The 26th Amendment gave the right to vote to all us citizens 18 years of age or older," said Sen. Michael Meyer von Bremen of the 12th. "All of you think about this for a minute, why are we now restricting the right to vote?"

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The vote, which fell closely across party lines, was 32-22, and all amendments, with the exception of the one put forth by Sen. Staton, failed or were ruled out of order.
Sen. Kasim Reed of the 35th, who has fought vehemently against the legislation told the members of the Senate, "Failure to present a photo ID is not grounds for denying the right to vote."
The bill returned to the House for agreement on Wednesday. It now goes to the Governor for his signature.

Child support legislation helps non-custodial parents who spend time with their children

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support.

ollow-up legislation to House Bill 221 was heard Wednesday on the Senate floor, as Sen. Seth Harp of the 29th introduced Senate Bill 382, which makes changes to the current law governing the determination and payment of child

The bill spells out the means for calculating child support instructing the courts to determine the award based on the gross income and adjusted gross income of both parents. The table determines the pro-rata share of the Basic Child Support Obligation for each parent, making adjustments for parenting time, factors regarding health insurance, work-related child care costs and other factors prior to determining the final child support order.

Sen. Harp said that the primary goal of the Commission that was responsible for writing the proposed legislation is to take care of children.

"This bill brings Georgia's child support law into the 21st Century," he said.

The legislation was amended by Sens. Renee Unterman of the 45th and Valencia Seay of the 34th. Sen. Unterman's amendment mandates that if the non-custodial parent spends more than 120 days with their child, then the percentage of their child support would be adjusted according to the following schedule:

121-136 days 137-151 days 152-166 days 167-181 days 182+ days

10 percent 20 percent 30 percent 40 percent 50 percent

Sen. Seay's amendment orders judges to find noncustodial parents in contempt of court if they fail to abide by the visitation/payment schedule.
"There are good dads out there and it is hard to find ways to help them, because they are being abused," Sen. Steve Thompson of the 33rd said. "A great percentage of the problem is that there are dads out there who are not great dads."

Senate Bill 382 passed the Upper Chamber with a vote of 38-17.

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Agriculture and Consumer Affairs
The Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee did not meet this week.
Appropriations
The Senate Appropriations Committee met in joint session with the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee the week of January 16 to hear budget needs from state agencies.
Banking and Financial Institutions
The Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee did not meet this week.
Economic Development
Chairman Jeff Mullis of the 53rd called the first meeting of the 2006 session to order on Wednesday, January 18. After some brief introductions, Sen. Cecil Staton of the 18th presented the committee substitute to Senate Bill 414, the Rural Georgia Economic Development Act, and the accompanying Senate Resolution 682. Sen. Staton explained the bill and emphasized that any previous language giving local governments the powers of eminent domain had been removed. He then explained that SR 682 proposes a constitutional amendment to remove limitations on the types of properties in community improvement districts (CID). Sen. Bill Stephens of the 27th moved that the Committee adopt the substitute to SB 414, and this was approved unanimously. Chairman Mullis then moved the bill to a subcommittee, and appointed Senators Joseph Carter of the 13th, Curt Thompson of the 5th, Nancy Schaefer of the 50th and Jim Whitehead of the 24th to study the bill.
Education and Youth
The Committee met on Monday, January 23, to consider House Bill 543. After roll call, Sen. Nancy Schaefer of the 50th brought forth the Committee Substitute to Senate Bill 149, which is a bill from the 2005 session that would require written parental consent for a child to participate in any extracurricular club or activity. The bill passed through Committee by a 5-1 vote. Rep. David Casas of the 103rd then presented HB 543, which would allow an employee of a local board of education to donate up to ten sick leave days to his/her spouse if said spouse is also an employee of the local board. After expressing concerns that HB 543 would take control away from local school boards, Sen. John Douglas of the 17th moved to table the bill. The motion failed for lack of a second. Sen. Dan Weber of the 40th offered some minor language changes to the bill, which were approved unanimously. HB 543 passed through Committee as amended by a 5-1 vote.
The Committee met again on Tuesday, January 24, to consider SB 390, which would require that every local school system spend a minimum of 65 percent of its total operating funds on direct classroom expenditures, beginning with Fiscal Year 2008. Sen. Ronnie Chance of the 16th and Governor Perdue's Education Policy Advisor Jennifer Rippner presented SB 390, also known as the Classrooms First for Georgia Act. Sen. Chance and Rippner then reviewed data showing that school districts that spend a greater percentage of funds in the classroom outperform districts that spend lower percentages. Members of Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA), Georgia Association of Educators (GAE), Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE), Coweta County Schools, Georgia Parent/Teacher Association and others all spoke against the legislation, stating that it would take funding away from other important education costs, such as counselors, media specialists, school nurses and others. After a lengthy debate on the bill, Sen. Chance and Rippner concluded by emphasizing the need for SB 390 to improve the State's K-12 education system. SB 390 passed through Committee by a unanimous vote.
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Ethics
The Senate Ethics Committee did not meet this week.
Finance
The Senate Finance Committee did not meet this week.
Health and Human Services
On Wednesday, January 25, Chairman Don Thomas of 54th called the meeting to order and moved that the rules of the Committee be adopted. They were done so unanimously. Sen. Thomas then introduced Senate Bill 435, which affects county directors of family and children services by changing certain provisions relating to the appointment of the county directors and repealing conflicting laws. Gina Simpson, Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) Deputy Commissioner and Gary Nagel, Deputy Director of DHR's Office of Human Resource Management and Development, spoke on behalf of the legislation. After a point of clarification from Sen. Horacena Tate of the 38th, the motion passed out of Committee unanimously.
Higher Education
The Committee met in the Georgia State Student Center Auditorium on January 25. Chairman Seth Harp of the 29th called the meeting to order to hear presentations on Senate Resolution 655 sponsored by Senator Joe Carter of the 13th and Senate Bill 440 sponsored by Senator Bill Hamrick of the 30th. The two pieces of legislation will pave the way for a constitutional amendment reserving lottery funding for exclusive use for the HOPE Scholarship and Georgia Pre-K Program. After the presentation, the committee granted unanimous approval to both bills. Senator Harp then gave the public a briefing on the lawmaking process, describing how the bills will move through on their path to becoming a part of Georgia's constitution. The Senators were then dismissed to attend the State of the Judiciary Address.
Insurance and Labor
The Senate Insurance and Labor Committee did not meet this week.
Interstate Cooperation
The Senate Interstate Cooperation Committee did not meet this week.
Judiciary
On Thursday, January 19, the Committee took up three bills on its agenda. Sen. Jeff Chapman of the 3rd presented Senate Bill 391, which places a moratorium on the use of eminent domain for a period of 120 days. The moratorium would not apply to the construction of government structures and public roads. After some discussion and testimony from members of the audience, the bill passed unanimously. Sen. Seth Harp of the 29th then presented SB 382, which makes changes to current laws governing the determination of child support and other aspects of the duty to pay child support. The bill lays out the process for calculating child support, instructing the court to determine an award based on gross income and adjusted gross income of both parents, then utilizing the child support obligation table based on the combination of incomes. This table determines the pro rata share of the Basic Child Support Obligation for each parent, makes an adjustment for parenting time, factors in health insurance and work-related child care costs, and other factors before entering the final child support order. The bill passed by an unanimous vote. Finally, Chairman Preston Smith of the 52nd presented SB 383, which provides that superior court clerks will now also serve as clerks of the state courts, magistrate courts, juvenile courts and any newly created court having jurisdiction throughout a county. The Committee heard much testimony from superior court clerks in support of the bill, as well as
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state court, magistrate court and juvenile court clerks in opposition of the bill. The bill will be considered at a later time.
Natural Resources and Environment
The Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee did not meet this week.
Public Safety and Homeland Security
The Senate Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee did not meet this week.
Reapportionment and Redistricting
The Senate Reapportionment and Redistricting Committee did not meet this week.
Regulated Industries and Utilities
The Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee did not meet this week.
Retirement
The Senate Retirement Committee did not meet this week.
Rules
The Senate Rules Committee met to approve Senate Resolution 649 Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Georgia Court of Appeals.
Science and Technology
The Senate Science and Technology Committee did not meet this week.
Special Judiciary
On Wednesday, January 25, the Committee met to take up two bills on its agenda. Sen. Regina Thomas of the 2nd was joined by Jim Outman, an attorney specializing in adoptions, to present Senate Bill 249, which would allow for the release of the original birth certificate to an adoptee who is of adult age upon his or her request. Currently, this release can only be done through a court order. The same language has passed the Senate twice with overwhelming support, but the bill has been held over in the House due to concerns that it would be effective retroactively. SB 249 would make the effective date July 1, 2005. Sen. David Adelman of the 42nd proposed an amendment that would change the effective date to July 1, 2006. The amendment was adopted and the bill passed unanimously as amended. Chairman Michael Meyer von Bremen of the 12th then noted that the Committee would only be holding a hearing on SB 419. Sen. Seth Harp of the 29th presented the bill, which would allow an individual owed $500 or more delinquent child support to submit a claim to the Georgia Lottery Corporation. The claim would serve as a lien against lottery winnings. The Lottery Corporation would be required to hold any lottery proceeds in excess of $500 to verify whether claims for support have been filed. Currently, a claim can be made against winnings in excess of $5000. Sen. Harp stated that only winnings of $601 or more are collected at lottery offices and that it was not his intention to burden retailers by placing the threshold at $500 or more and that this change would need to be made. J.B. Landrosche of the Lottery Commission presented their concerns about the administrative costs and court costs associated with such small claims. Chairman Meyer von Bremen asked Mr. Landrosche to work with the author and stated that the Committee would take the bill up at another meeting.
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State and Local Governmental Operations
The Senate State and Local Governmental Operations Committee did not meet this week.
State Institutions and Property
The Committee met on Monday, January 23, in a joint fact-finding meeting with their colleagues from the House of Representatives to hear testimony from Assistant Commissioner Brian Owens about the methods of bidding for the state prisons' commissary contracts. Commissioner Owens told the committee that the state should determine if a single vendor or multi vendor system would be the most efficient way to operate the prison commissaries. Wardens from several of Georgia's high-profile prisons addressed the committees telling them their ideas to best manage the commissary system. The Committee will continue their inquiry next week, meeting with vendors that handle the commissary sales in Georgia.
Transportation
The Committee held its first meeting of the 2006 session on Wednesday, January 25 to adopt its rules and listen to presentations. Deputy Commissioner of Georgia Department of Transportation Larry Dent then made a presentation on a proposed public/private initiative for the I-75/I-575 corridor. The presentation highlighted the potential for toll lanes across the metro interstate system, including HOV, HOT and TOT lanes. Rick Fitzgerald of Goldman-Sachs also gave a presentation on public/private initiatives in other states, and the types of funding currently being used for these projects. Sen. Nancy Schaefer of the 50th then presented Senate Resolution 686, which designates a portion of U.S. 441 as the J. Alton Wingate, Sr. Memorial Parkway. The resolution passed through Committee by a unanimous vote.
Veterans and Military Affairs
On Wednesday, January 25, the Committee met to watch a slide show presentation given by retired Army Major Dexter Brewer on the current situation in Iraq.
Joint House of Representatives and Senate Education
On Monday, January 23, Chairman Brooks Coleman of the 97th and Chairman Dan Moody of the 56th called the first-ever joint meeting of the House and Senate Education Committees to order to hear from Chairman of the Governor's Education Finance Task Force Dean Alford and Dr. Ed Keller of IBM. They updated the Committee on the current status of the education cost-model project. Next, the joint committee heard from Performance Learning Center (PLC) students from counties across the State, including Barrow, Catoosa, Cobb, Fulton and others. All the students who spoke stressed that without attending PLCs, they would not graduate high school on time.
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(Friday, January 13 Wednesday, January 25, 2006)

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SR 682

CA: Community Improvement Districts; remove limitation on types of property subject to taxes, fees, and assessments Sens. Cecil Staton (18th); Joseph Carter (13th); Jeff Chapman (3rd); Ronnie Chance (16th); Johnny Grant (25th); Chip Pearson (51st) and others Economic Development Committee 01/13/06

SR 683

Georgia's Registered Nurses; commend Sens. Ross Tolleson (20th); David Adelman (42nd); Renee Unterman (54th); Don Thomas (54th); Chip Rogers (21st); Michael Meyer von Bremen (12th) and others Read and Adopted 01/13/06

SR 684

Religious Freedom Day; proclaim Jan. 16th Sens. Judson Hill (32nd); Johnny Grant (25th); Nancy Schaefer (50th); Seth Harp (29th); Eric Johnson (1st); Greg Goggans (7th) and others Read and Adopted 01/13/06

SR 685

Carroll County Chamber of Commerce; recognize Sens. Bill Hamrick (30th) and Mitch Seabaugh (28th) Read and Adopted 01/13/06

SR 686

Designate; J. Alton Wingate, Sr. Memorial Parkway; Habersham County Sen. Nancy Schaefer (50th) Transportation Committee 01/13/06

SR 687

Gordon, Dr. Carl; commend Sens. Michael Meyer von Bremen (12th) and George Hooks (14th) Read and Adopted 01/13/06

SR 688

Capitol Tech Day; recognize Jan. 30, 2006 Sens. Tim Golden (8th); David Shafer (48th); J. B. Powell (23rd); Casey Cagle (49th); Bill Heath (31st); Michael Meyer von Bremen (12th) and others Read and Adopted 01/23/06

SR 689

Bishop, Mrs. Vivian Creighton; congratulate Sen. Ed Harbison (15th) Read and Adopted 01/23/06

SR 690

Georgia Recreation and Parks Association; recognize Sen. John Wiles (37th) Read and Adopted 01/23/06

SR 691

Leadership Cook 2005; commend Sens. Tim Golden (8th) and Greg Goggans (7th) Read and Adopted 01/24/06

SR 692

Clamp, Dr. Wendell; commend Sen. John Douglas (17th) Read and Adopted 01/24/06

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SR 693 SR 694 SR 695 SR 696 SR 697 SR 698 SR 699 SR 700 SR 701
SR 702 SR 703 SR 704 SR 705 SR 706

Bremen High School; commend Sen. Bill Heath (31st) Read and Adopted 01/24/06
Cartersville/Bartow Chamber of Commerce and Governmental Affairs Committee; volunteers; recognize Sens. Bill Heath (31st); Preston Smith (52nd) and Chip Rogers (21st) Read and Adopted 01/24/06
Georgia Dance Marathon, University of; commend Sens. Brian Kemp (46th) and Ralph Hudgens (47th) Read and Adopted 01/24/06
CA: Sales Tax; educational purposes; distributed on basis of student enrollment when proceeds are between county/independent district Sens. Bill Hamrick (30th) and Casey Cagle (49th) Education and Youth Committee 01/24/06
CA; power vested in the people; Constitution of Georgia Sens. J. B. Powell (23rd) and George Hooks (14th) Rules Committee 01/24/06
Georgia's sustainable/environmentally friendly businesses; commend Sens. Jeff Mullis (53rd); Brian Kemp (46th); Don Thomas (54th); Chip Rogers (21st); Robert Brown (26th); Ross Tolleson (20th) and others Read and Adopted 01/24/06
Georgia Rural Health Association; commend Sens. Don Thomas (54th); Greg Goggans (7th); Renee Unterman (45th); Tommie Williams (19th); Jack Hill (4th); Bill Stephens (27th) and others Read and Adopted- 01/24/06
Juvenile Law Commission; creating/continuing Sens. Bill Hamrick (30th) and Renee Unterman (45th) Judiciary Committee 01/24/06
Crawford, Jr., James Ray; condolences Sens. Johnny Grant (25th); Jim Whitehead, Sr. (24th); Regina Thomas (2nd); Steen Miles (43rd); Valencia Seay (34th); John Wiles (37th) and others Read and Adopted 01/24/06
Kellett, Jr.; Samuel B.; commend Sens. David Shafer (48th); Casey Cagle (49th) and Brian Kemp (46th) Read and Adopted 01/24/06
Jefferson City Schools System; commend Sen. Ralph Hudgens (47th) Read and Adopted 01/24/06
Terry, Rev. James H.; Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church; congratulate Sen Regina Thomas (2nd) Read and Adopted 01/2506
Passmore; Mrs. Mildred Ruth Dixon; condolences Sen. Regina Thomas (2nd) Read and Adopted 01/25/06
Asbury Treasures Day; recognize February 5, 2006 Sen. Regina Thomas (2nd) Read and Adopted 01/25/06

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SR 707 SR 708 SR 709 SR 710 SR 711 SR 712 SR 713 SR 714 SR 715 SR 716 SR 717 SR 718 SR 719 SR 720

Williams-Omilami, Elisabeth and Afemo Omilami; commend Sens. Steen Miles (43rd); Gloria Butler (55th); Horacena Tate (38th); Vincent Fort (39th); Robert Brown (26th) and others Read and Adopted 01/25/06
Scott, Colonel (Retired) Charles; honoring Sens. Terrell Starr (44th); John Douglas (17th) and Emanuel Jones (10th) Read and Adopted 01/25/06
Mann, Ms. Ruth Hazel; congratulate Sen. Tommie Williams (19th) Read and Adopted 01/25/06 Scarborough, Mr. and Mrs. Ira; congratulate Sen. Tommie Williams (19th) Read and Adopted 01/25/06
Price, Judge Mell; condolences Sen. Tommie Williams (19th); Eric Johnson (1st) and Jeff Chapman (3rd) Read and Adopted 01/25/06
Fitzgerald High School Cheerleaders; Coaches; commend Sen. Joseph Carter (13th) Read and Adopted 01/25/06
Hullett, Mackenzie Elise, celebrate birth Sens. Judson Hill (32nd); Chip Rogers (21st) and John Wiles (37th) Read and Adopted 01/25/06
Atlanta International School; commend Sens. Judson Hill (32nd); Sam Zamarripa (36th); Casey Cagle (49th) and Dan Moody (56th) Read and Adopted 01/25/06
Bagataway Lacrosse Team Georgia High School Boys Lacrosse Team Sens. Judson Hill (32nd); Brian Kemp (46th); Bill Stephens (27th) and Casey Cagle (49th) Read and Adopted 01/25/06
Harris, Christopher Xavier; Eagle Scout; commend Sens. Chip Rogers (21st) and Bill Stephens (27th) Read and Adopted 01/25/06
Pate, Specialist (E4) Camden Ned; commend Sens. Greg Goggans (7th); George Hooks (14th); Terrell Starr (44th); John Douglas (17th); David Shafer (48th) and others Read and Adopted 01/25/06
Schmidt, Sr., Stephen J.; condolences Sens. Steve Henson (41st) and Dan Weber (40th) Transportation Committee 01/25/06
Riverwood High School's International Studies Sen. Judson Hill (34th) Read and Adopted 01/25/06
Take Your Kids to Vote Day; declare November 7, 2006 Sens. Preston Smith (52nd); Bill Heath (31st); Don Thomas (54th); Bill Hamrick (30th); Joseph Carter (13th) and others Read and Adopted 01/25/06

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SB 405

Driver's License; person driving without a vaild driver's license shall be fingerprinted/photographed Sens. Chip Rogers (21st); Chip Pearson (51st); Judson Hill (32nd); Greg Goggans (7th); Bill Heath (31st); John Douglas (17th) and others Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee 01/13/06

SB 425

Georgia Child, Family, and School Communications Protection; enact; provide conditions for registration Sens. Greg Goggans (7th); Sam Zamarripa (36th); Don Balfour (9th); Tommie Williams (19th); Eric Johnson (1st); Terrell Starr (44th) and others Science and Technology Committee 01/13/06

SB 426

Public Safety Commissioner; authorized/directed to negotiate terms; enforcement of immigration laws Sens. Chip Pearson (51st); Nancy Schaefer (50th); Bill Heath (31st); Johnny Grant (25th); Mitch Seabaugh (28th); Chip Rogers (21st) and others Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee 01/13/06

SB 427

Public Retirement Systems Investment Authority Law; define terms; alternative investments Sens. Judson Hill (32nd); Preston Smith (52nd); Ralph Hudgens (47th); Jack Hill (4th); Seth Harp (29th) and Curt Thompson (5th) Retirement Committee 01/13/06

SB 428

Contolled Substances; distribution in, on, or within real property on which a church is located; prohibited; penalties Sens. Nancy Schaefer (50th); Tommie Williams (19th); Chip Rogers (21st); John Douglas (17th); Chip Pearson (51st); David Shafer (48th) and others Special Judiciary Committee 01/13/06

SB 429

Abortions; access to certain medical equipment; perform certain medical procedures; penalty for violations Sens. Nancy Schaefer (50th); Tommie Williams (19th); Don Balfour (9th); Chip Rogers (21st); Preston Smith (52nd); Judson Hill (32nd) and others Health and Human Services Committee 01/13/06

SB 430

Student Health; mental health screening; parental consent; provide for notice Sens. Nancy Schaefer (50th); Tommie Williams (19th); Don Thomas (54th); Preston Smith (52nd); Chip Rogers (21st); Jeff Mullis (53rd) and others Education and Youth Committee 01/13/06

SB 431

Public Road System; utility fails to remove/relocate facility; responsible to Dept. of Transportation for failure to comply Sens. Jim Whitehead, Sr. (24th); Bill Stephens (27th); Tommie Williams (19th); Chip Pearson (51st); Bill Heath (31st); John Douglas (17th) and others Transportation Committee 01/13/06

SB 432

Georgia Museum Property Act; regulate loans to and abandoned property of museums and archives repositories Sens. Nancy Schaefer (50th); Don Balfour (9th); Ralph Hudgens (47th); Chip Pearson (21st); Jeff Mullis (53rd); Cecil Staton (18th) and others Special Judiciary Committee 01/13/06

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SB 433 SB 434 SB 435 SB 436 SB 437 SB 438 SB 439 SB 440 SB 441 SB 442 SB 443 SB 444

Detentions; counties housing state inmates; increase the minimum reimbursement rate Sen. Regina Thomas (2nd) State and Local Government Operations Committee 01/23/06
Geologist; license renewal; condition; provide for continuing education Sen. Ed Harbison (15th) Natural Resources and the Environment Committee 01/23/06
County Directors of Family/Children Services; appointment; change provisions Sens. Don Thomas (54th) and Seth Harp (29th) Health and Human Services Committee 01/23/06
Technical/Adult Education; State Board; meetings; change provisions Sens. Johnny Grant (25th); Seth Harp (29th); Ross Tolleson (20th); Chip Pearson (51st) and Brian Kemp (46th) Higher Education Committee 01/23/06
Quality Basic Education; authorize state board of education to develop elective course of a nonsectarian, nonreligious study of Bible Sens. Tim Golden (8th); Doug Stoner (6th); Kasim Reed (35th) and J. B. Powell (23rd) Education and Youth Committee 01/23/06
State Employees; health insurance plan; new third-party administrator; provide time requirements for credentialing health care providers Sens. Michael Meyer von Bremen (12th); George Hooks (14th) and Tim Golden (8th) Insurance and Labor Committee 01/23/06
State Employees; health insurance plan; assessed late charge due to noncompliance with deadline; provide proof of attempted compliance Sens. Michael Meyer von Bremen (12th); George Hooks (14th) and Tim Golden (8th) Insurance and Labor Committee 01/23/06
Lottery Funds; eliminate Construction Reserve Trust Fund; Board of Education; funds to local units of admin.; electronic technology Sens. Bill Hamrick (30th); Seth Harp (29th); Brian Kemp (46th); David Shafer (48th) and Nancy Schaefer (50th) Higher Education Committee 01/24/06
Milk; milk products; standards and requirements; change certain provisions Sens. John Bulloch (11th); Brian Kemp (46th); Casey Cagle (49th); Bill Stephens (27th) and Ross Tolleson (20th) Agriculture and Consumer Affairs 01/24/06
Child Abuse; reporting; change certain provisions Sens. Dan Moody (56th); Joseph Carter (13th); Michael Meyer von Bremen (12th); Brian Kemp (46th); Dan Weber (40th); Miles Steen (43rd) and others Education and Youth Committee 01/24/06
River Basin Protection Act; protection; regulate interbasin transfers of water; in-stream flow policy Sens. Preston Smith (52nd) and Seth Harp (29th) Natural Resources and the Environment 01/24/06
Paperwork Reduction Act; address filings by agents, subagents; exempt certain changes; provide for maintenance by Insurance Commissioner Sen. David Shafer (48th) Insurance and Labor Committee 01/24/06
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SB 445
SB 446 SB 447 SB 448 SB 449 SB 450 SB 451 SB 452 SB 453 SB 454

Civil War Commission; editorial changes; change administrative assignment; codify certain provisions Sens. Jeff Mullis (53rd); Ross Tolleson (20th); Chip Rogers (21st); John Bulloch (11th); Nancy Schaefer (50th); Preston Smith (52nd) and others Economic Development Committee 01/24/06
HOPE; public postsecondary institution; full-time student regain eligibility; end of quarter or semester Sens. Chip Rogers (21st) and Judson Hill (32nd) Higher Education Committee 01/24/06
Ga. Agricultural Commodities Promotion Act; create Ga. Blueberry Commission Sens. Greg Goggans (7th); John Bulloch (11th); Brian Kemp (46th); Chip Pearson (51st); Steve Henson (41st) and others. Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee 01/25/06
Natural Gas Competition/Deregulation; Public Service Commission; delivery Sens. Regina Thomas (2nd); Robert Brown (26th); Ed Harbison (15th); Kasim Reed (35th); Terrell Starr (44th) and others Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee 01/25/06
Penal Institutions; register sex offenders; prohibitions; higher education Sen. Brian Kemp (46th) Judiciary Committee 01/25/06
Ad Valorem Taxation of Property; pay structure Sens. Brian Kemp (46th); John Wiles (37th); Mitch Seabaugh (28th); Jeff Mullis (53rd); Jim Whitehead, Sr. (24th) and others. State and Local Government Operations Committee 01/25/06
Sex Offender; notice of conviction; publication; drivers' license renewal Sens. Brian Kemp (46th); Steve Thompson (33rd); Bill Hamrick (30th); Johnny Grant (25th); Casey Cagle (49th) and others. Judiciary Committee 01/25/06
Petroleum Products; Public Service Commission website of gas prices Sen. Curt Thompson (5th) Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee 01/25/06
Biodiesel Fuels; require use by vehicles of local school district; government Sens. Brian Kemp (46th); Tommie Williams (19th); Greg Goggans (7th) and Sam Zamarripa (36th) Transportation Committee 01/25/06
Law Enforcement; require vehicle markings; Ga. State Patrol Sens. John Douglas (17th) and Brian Kemp (46th) Public Safety and Homeland Security 01/25/06

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HR 1107

Joint session; message from Chief Justice of Supreme Court Rep. Jerry Keen (179th) Read and Adopted 01/23/06

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HB 978

Capitol Art Standards Commission; create Reps. Calvin Hill (21st) and Calvin Smyre (132nd) Rules Committee 01/23/06

HB 251

Judges of the Probate Courts Retirement Fund; designating surviving beneficiary Reps. Ben Bridges (10th); Bill Cummings (16th) and Brooks Coleman (97th) Retirement Committee 01/24/06

HB 809

Superior Court Clerks' Retirement; survivors benefits; amend provisions Reps. David Knight (126th); John Lunsford (110th) and John Yates (73rd) Retirement Committee 01/24/06

HB 821

Judicial Retirement; certain judges or district attorneys; creditable service Reps. John Yates (73rd); David Knight (126th) and John Lunsford (110th) Retirement Committee 01/24/06

HB 344

Firefighters' Pension Fund; return to service after retirement; benefit Rep. Bill Cummings (16th) Retirement Committee 01/25/06

HB 357

Class Nine Fire Department Pension Fund; increase maximum monthly retirement benefit Rep. Bill Cummings (16th) Retirement Committee 01/25/06

HB 660

Firefighters' and Class Nine Pension Funds; certain active military duty; creditable service Reps. Bill Cummings (16th); Ben Bridges (10th) and John Yates (73rd) Retirement Committee 01/25/06

HB 749

Firefighters' Pension; certain active military duty; creditable service Rep. Bill Cummings (16th) Retirement Committee 01/25/06

HB 804

Barratry; Code section; repeal Reps. David Ralston (7th) and Wendell Willard (49th) Special Judiciary Committee 01/25/06

HB 901

Bryan County; State and Magistrate Court; surcharge on fines Rep. Ron Stephens (164th) State and Local Governmental Operations 01/25/06

HB 902

Bryan County; state court; surcharge on fines Rep. Ron Stephens (164th) State and Local Governmental Operations 01/25/06

HB 973

Speed detection device; law enforcement officers; change provisions Reps. Wendell Willard (49th); Edward Lindsey (54th); Jan Jones (46th); Debbie Buckner (130th) and Burke Day (163rd) Public Safety and Homeland Security 01/25/06

HB 1003

Houston County, Magistrate Court of; elections Reps. Willie Talton (145th); Larry O'Neal (146th); Johnny Floyd (147th) and Robert Ray (136th) State and Local Governmental Operations 01/25/06

This Week January 27, 2006
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201 Paul D. Coverdell Legislative Office Building 18 Capitol Square
Atlanta, Georgia 30334 404.656.0028 or outside the Atlanta area 800.282.5803
This Week January 27, 2006
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