The Georgia Senate this week, Jan. 31, 2008

Senate makes historical override of veto

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he Senate made a historical vote on Monday when they voted 47 to 7 to override Gov. Perdue's veto of House Bill 529 which removes references to the Legislative Budget Office in Georgia code and replaces it with references to the

Senate Budget and Evaluation Office and the House Budget Office.

"HB 529 eliminates the budget responsibility and oversight committee that was eliminated about five years ago. It defines the House and Senate budget offices that were created about five years ago, I think, to the benefit of this body," Sen. Eric Johnson of the 1st said as he presented the override to the Senate members.

"The Code section still references both of those agencies and the original [Legislative] budget office. That's important because departments are supposed to send reports to the legislative budget office, which does not exist. There are appointments by the budget office to One Georgia for example, so it needs to be clarified. The Governor's veto message said the bill did not correct other budgeting terms as we moved from object class to program-base budgeting and he's correct. But we can, through separate legislation take care of the Governor's concerns."

When Gov. Perdue vetoed the legislation last May, he said: "HB 529 changes certain functions relating to the State's budget and reporting processes. The bill however does not change various budgeting terms such as `object classes' and `budget units' which have not been used in years and were positive changes previously included in SB 254. Neither term is germane to budgeting, therefore I veto HB 529." The Senate will take up additional legislation addressing the Governor's concerns later this Session.
On the first day of the 2008 Legislative Session, the House of Representatives took up 12 of the Governor's vetoes and overrode all of them. They were instantly transmitted to the Senate for immediate consideration. Sen. Tommie Williams of the 19th moved that all House veto overrides received by the Senate be moved to the Senate Rules Committee, and that any other veto override votes be moved by the Secretary of the Senate to the Senate Rules Committee.
"We are not the chief executive officers of this state," Sen. Steve Thompson of the 33rd said during the debate. "He's on the second floor, and whether you are for or against him, he's the guy who runs the state on a day-to-day basis. We should not ever try to micromanage the state, especially by introducing a plethora of motions concerning veto override.

"After 28 years, if we've never voted on one you can see how it is generally looked upon. I would encourage members of the Senate and members of the House to stop, other than this measure, to stop the gamesmanship of introducing motions of veto overrides. For no reason other than holding the state up. It's something that should never be done lightly because the Governor has to guide this state. Our job is to set policy and let the Governor do his job."

The last time legislation was vetoed and overridden by the legislature was in 1974, when the two chambers overrode some local bills that then Gov. Jimmy Carter vetoed. Sen. David Shafer of the 48th looked into this a little further, found that prior to that, the last gubernatorial veto of a general bill to be overriden by the Georgia Legislature just happened to be one cast by the last Republican governor prior to Sonny Perdue Gov. Benjamin Conley (1871-72).
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Conley, who had been president of the Senate, became Governor in 1871 amid the turmoil of the closing days of Reconstruction. Federal troops had been withdrawn from the state and his predecessor, Republican Rufus Bullock, fled the office and the state after voters elected a Democratic Legislature which was moving to impeach him.
The General Assembly approved legislation calling for an immediate special election, which Conley vetoed. The Legislature overrode his veto, the special election was held and Democrat James Milton Smith became governor in 1872.
No Republican was elected governor after that until Sonny Perdue's victory over incumbent Roy Barnes in 2002.
Statewide water plan passes Senate
The Senate approved Georgia's Statewide Comprehensive Water Management Plan on January 18, 39 to 12. The Plan, which has been in the works for several years, was presented to both the Senate and House, and both chambers passed the identical resolutions known as the Statewide Comprehensive Water Management Plan. The Plan establishes a set of policies to govern water management decisions, a set of management practices that can be implemented to keep the use of water sustainable and protect water quality and provide guidance for regional planning.
"We tried to make it so that each individual district has a water planning board and an advisory board, so that each of the water planning districts can best decide how to make water policy for their local districts. North Georgia is different from middle Georgia and middle Georgia is different from south Georgia," Sen. Ross Tolleson of the 20th, who also serves as chairman of the Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee, said during the debate.
"We need to look at all the parts of the puzzle. We need to look at our water withdrawals and our discharges and make sure they are in balance with each other. We've been very fortunate as a state to have a great economy and a great place to live but a lot of people have moved here over the past 30 years and we are a rapidly growing state.
"This plan will help us move forward with water planning for the future. We have never had a water plan in this state and this is just the beginning," Sen. Tolleson concluded.
Sen. Preston Smith of the 52nd took the well to express concern about how quickly the Senate took up the plan.
"Why are we ceding our authority as a legislature to the Environmental Protection Division? Why don't we do this is in a universal and comprehensive way? Why don't we take our time and do this the right way? I'm told just about everyone in this state supports this notion. All the more reason for us to take our time and be this deliberative body we're so proud to be and we time and time again prove ourselves to be. If there is all of this support for this bill, then there should be no fear of debating or deliberating it.
"I think this bill does a lot of good things. I think we desperately need a statewide water plan. Three years ago, when I was in this body, and we debated this and voted on it, we had no idea we would be in historic drought conditions three years later. It's serious. It's serious for the city of Atlanta. But it's also serious for the rest of Georgia. This bill may be good, but it is an opportunity lost to pass a great bill with enforcement provisions and strong teeth."
Senators Eric Johnson of the 1st, Chip Pearson of the 51st, Regina Thomas of the 2nd and Steve Thompson of the 33rd also spoke to the resolution.
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"Georgia has taken a critical step by adopting the framework for our first statewide comprehensive water plan. But there is more to do," Sen. Eric Johnson of the 1st said following the vote. "Over the next three years, we will use sound science to study the capacity of our water resources and the future demands of our consumers. We also will create 11 regional water planning district. They will then be empowered to use the data to protect, distribute and conserve the water within their districts. The competing interests have compromised and the rights of downstream communities are strengthened."

Transportation chairmen unveil state's new transportation plan

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en. Jeff Mullis of the 53rd and State Rep. Vance Smith of the 129th unveiled the first two pieces of legislation that will make up Georgia's new transportation funding plan during a press conference on Wednesday.

Sen. Mullis has introduced Senate Resolution 781 that will require the development of a Statewide Transportation Plan. It will have to be approved by the members of the Georgia General Assembly and updated every five years thereafter. The policy objective of the Plan is to create a 50-year safe, mobile, reliable, predictable and dependable transportation system for the state using projected growth and demographic trends. The Plan will include forecasts for Georgia's transportation needs in five year increments.

"Georgia's transportation infrastructure is a critical resource to the state and we must do whatever is necessary to provide greater mobility for the people who live and work here," Sen. Mullis said. "Transportation is essential to commerce and the provision of goods and services throughout our state, and finding the necessary funds to maintain and improve this infrastructure is becoming more and more difficult. It is imperative that we find new sources and methods of funding to meet our growing needs."

Within the next few weeks, Rep. Smith will introduce legislation to fund Georgia's transportation program. All bills for raising revenue or appropriating money must originate in the House of Representatives.

"As our population and our economy continue to grow, our transportation infrastructure must also be able to support our needs," Rep. Smith said. "We must find ways to ease congestion in Atlanta, move goods efficiently across our state, and improve roads in our rural areas to boost economic development.

"But in order to meet any of our objectives, we must first ensure we have the necessary funding to finish the work we start. Money doesn't grow on trees and empty promises of funding to come will not get us where we need to go."
Last year, Sen. Mullis and Rep. Smith co-chaired a Joint Study Committee on Transportation Funding and held meetings across the state to hear from Georgia's transportation stakeholders following a report by the Georgia Department of Transportation that the state would experience a $7.7 billion transportation shortfall over the next six years.
The study committee's goal was to study Georgia's transportation funding needs and recommend any action or legislation necessary for alternative funding mechanisms, including special funding sources to overcome the predicted shortfall.
During the next several weeks, additional pieces of legislation affecting transportation and transportation funding will be introduced by the lawmakers who served on the Joint Committee on Transportation Funding. This legislation will include measures on publicprivate initiatives, transit systems, magnetically levitated transit lines, High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes and a resolution urging the U.S. Department of Transportation to devolve the federal highway and transit program to the states, allowing them to take over collection of the
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federal fuel tax in order to spend those revenues on transportation priorities of their own choosing.
In addition to Sen. Mullis and Rep. Smith, those members of the Joint Transportation Committee included: Sen. Chip Pearson of the 51st, Sen. Doug Stoner of the 6th, Sen. Tommie Williams of the 19th, Rep. James Mills of the 25th, Rep. Jay Shaw of the 176th, Rep. Donna Sheldon of the 105th, and ex-officio members, Sen. Valencia Seay of the 34th and Rep. Mark Hamilton of the 23rd.

Lt. Gov. introduces healthcare initiatives

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t. Governor Casey Cagle held a press conference Thursday to introduce his two healthcare initiatives: The Georgia Health Marketplace and the Healthcare Safety Net have been formally introduced to the legislature. Sen. Greg Goggans

of the 7th will carry the Safety Net Clinic legislation, and Sen. Tommie Williams of the 19th

will carry the Health Marketplace legislation.

"One of the most pressing issues I hear from Georgians is the high cost of healthcare. For too long, consumers have had far too few options when it comes to healthcare purchases. It's time to give individuals more flexible options and the ability to purchase affordable, portable health insurance through a simplified free-market system," Lt. Gov. Cagle said.

"The problem we face rests in the fact that more Georgians everyday are going without insurance and basic healthcare services. This is unacceptable and our legislation will begin meeting the needs of the 1.7 million uninsured citizens in our state. Seventy-one percent of those uninsured are hardworking adults or their dependents and I'm confident that this legislation will match the amount of coverage a person needs with a cost they can afford. We must find ways to meet the healthcare needs of all Georgians."

The Healthcare Safety Net program will offer an alternative for indigent patients with nonemergency symptoms away from hospital emergency rooms and into more cost-efficient clinical situations. The community-based, volunteer-driven clinics will bring a flexible and local solution to meet the needs of indigent patients who are in need of healthcare services. Communities interested in opening a Safety Net Clinic can apply for partnership planning grants of up to $30,000 a year, which will be made available to start up facilities.

Implementation grants of up to $150,000 a year will be available for existing clinics that serve indigent patients, with the option of a one-year renewal of $50,000. The funding will be used primarily to service patient care and clinic services. Clinical services will address conditions most often seen in emergency rooms, as well as chronic disease treatment and prevention services.

The Georgia Health Marketplace (GHM) will put healthcare decisions into the hands of consumers through the creation of an online clearinghouse for healthcare products. Additionally, a sophisticated marketing operation will encourage uninsured Georgians to obtain health insurance and educate them on the importance of being insured. Multiple insurers, physician groups and state subsidized healthcare plans will be represented and will allow individuals and small business owners to easily access information, compare products and purchase them from plans or agents. This streamlined system coupled with newly offered products will produce exciting new choices and savings to all Georgians.

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(Friday, January 18 Thursday, January 31)

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SR 722

Grady Oversight Committee; create; Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority, Grady Health System, and Henry W. Grady Memorial Hospital; review Sens. David Shafer (48th); Tommie Williams (19th); Dan Moody (56th); Eric Johnson (1st); Chip Rogers (21st); John Wiles (37th) and others Government Oversight Committee 01/18/08

SR 723

Justice Clarence Thomas Interchange; Chatham County; dedicate Sens. Eric Johnson (1st); Regina Thomas (2nd) and Jeff Mullis (53rd) Transportation Committee 01/18/08

SR 724

Sizemore, Mrs. Charlene; honoring Sens. Ed Tarver (22nd); Bill Jackson (24th) and J. B. Powell (23rd) Read and Adopted 01/18/08

SR 725

Pearson, Dr. Ozias; recognize Sens. Valencia Seay (34th); Kasim Reed (35th); Horacena Tate (38th); Gail Davenport (44th) and Vincent Fort (39th) Read and Adopted 01/18/08

SR 726

Clarkston, City of; celebrate Sens. Gloria Butler (55th) and Steve Henson (41st) Read and Adopted 01/28/08

SR 727

Jakes, Sr., Pastor Martin L.; recognize Sen. Vincent Fort (39th) Read and Adopted 01/28/08

SR 728

Goods News Clinic in Gainesville, Ga; recognize Sen. Lee Hawkins (49th) Read and Adopted 01/28/08

SR 729

Health Access Initiative in Hall County, Ga; commend Sen. Lee Hawkins (49th) Read and Adopted 01/28/08

SR 730

Schexnayder, Andrew Kyle; Eagle Scout; commend Sen. Mitch Seabaugh (28th) Read and Adopted 01/28/08

SR 731

2007 Warner Robins American Little League All-Star Team; recognize Sen. Cecil Staton (18th) Read and Adopted 01/28/08

SR 732

Robinson, Charles A.; condolences Sen. Michael Meyer von Bremen (12th) Read and Adopted 01/28/08

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SR 733 SR 734 SR 735 SR 736 SR 737 SR 738 SR 739 SR 740 SR 741 SR 742 SR 743 SR 744 SR 745 SR 746 SR 747

PFC Robert Adrian Worthington Memorial Highway; Henry County; dedicate; condolences to family and friends Sen. John Douglas (17th) Transportation Committee 01/28/08
Williams, Linda; honoring Sen. Chip Pearson (51st) Read and Adopted 01/28/08
Georgia's sustainable and environmentally friendly businesses; commend Sen. Jeff Mullis (53rd) Read and Adopted 01/28/08
Mukami, Mwangi; recognize Sen. Gail Davenport (44th) Read and adopted 01/29/08
Ward, Kevin; commend Sens. Seth Harp (29th) and Ed Tarver (22nd) Read and adopted 01/29/08
Lofton, Keldrique; congratulate Sens. Seth Harp (29th) and Michael Meyer von Bremen (12th) Read and adopted 01/29/08
Technical College System of Georgia Day; proclaim January 29, 2008 Sens. Seth Harp (29th) and John Wiles (37th) Read and adopted 01/29/08
Keep Georgia Beautiful Program; commemorate Sens. Ross Tolleson (20th) and John Bulloch (11th) Read and adopted 01/29/08
Brown, Dr. Frank Douglas; congratulate Sens. Seth Harp (29th); Ed Harbison (15th) and George Hooks (14th) Read and adopted 01/29/08
Columbus State University; congratulate Sens. Seth Harp (29th); Ed Harbison (15th) and George Hooks (14th) Read and adopted 01/29/08
Georgia Forestry Commission; recognize Sens. Greg Goggans (7th); Ross Tolleson (20th); Jeff Chapman (3rd); Jack Hill (4th); Cecil Staton (18th); Joseph Carter (13th) and others Read and adopted 01/29/08
Carlton, Mr. Chad; recognize Sens. Bill Heath (31st) and John Bulloch (11th) Read and adopted 01/29/08
Harper, Mr. Charlie; condolences Sens. Ed Harbison (15th) and Seth Harp (29th) Read and adopted 01/29/08
First Bryan Baptist Church; recognize Sens. Regina Thomas (2nd) and Eric Johnson (1st) Read and adopted 01/29/08
Parker, Jimmy Lee; condolences Sen. Regina Thomas (2nd) Read and adopted 01/29/08
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SR 748
SR 749
SR 750
SR 751 SR 752 SR 753 SR 754 SR 755 SR 756 SR 757 SR 758 SR 759

Grady Health System; urged to adopt changes to its employees health benefits plan; utilize Grady Health System for primary health care Sens. David Shafer (48th); Cecil Staton (18th); Tommie Williams (19th); Dan Moody (56th); Ross Tolleson (20th); Chip Rogers (21st) and others Health and Human Services Committee 01/29/08
Tourism Industry in Georgia; Tourism Day, proclaim January 29, 2008 Sens. Chip Pearson (51st); Nancy Schaefer (50th); Chip Rogers (21st); Judson Hill (32nd); Jeff Mullis (53rd); Tommie Williams (19th) and others Read and adopted 01/29/08
Transportation, U.S. Dept.; urged to reconsider its mission and purpose Sens. Chip Pearson (51st); Jeff Mullis (53rd); Chip Rogers (21st); Judson Hill (32nd); Valencia Seay (34th); Doug Stoner (6th) and others Transportation Committee 01/29/08
Community Health Centers Day; recognize February 13, 2008 Sens. Greg Goggans (7th); Renee Unterman (45th) and Don Thomas (54th) Read and adopted 01/29/08
Vienna Historic Preservation Society; recognize Sen. George Hooks (14th) Read and adopted 01/29/08
Property Conveyance; City of Thomaston; Upson County Sen. George Hooks (14th) State Institutions and Property Committee 01/29/08
Paige, Kameron; commend Sens. Ed Harbison (15th) and Seth Harp (29th) Read and adopted 01/29/08
Tuttle, Demetrice; recognize Sens. Seth Harp (29th) and Mitch Seabaugh (28th) Read and adopted 01/29/08
Joint Conventions; recognize Sen. Emanuel Jones (10th) Read and adopted 01/29/08
NeighborWorks America, D&E Group, and Department of Housing/Urban Development; recognize Sen. Emanuel Jones (10th) Read and adopted 01/29/08
McLendon, Captain Kelly; recognize Sens. Jack Hill (4th); Jack Murphy (27th); Greg Goggans (7th); John Douglas (17th) and Bill Heath (31st) Read and adopted 01/29/08
Dean, David; recognize Sens. Jack Hill (4th); Jack Murphy (27th); John Douglas (17th); Greg Goggans (7th); Steve Thompson (33rd); Judson Hill (32nd) and others Read and adopted 01/29/08

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SR 760 SR 761 SR 762 SR 763 SR 764 SR 765 SR 766 SR 767 SR 768 SR 769 SR 770
SR 771
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Georgia veterinarians; commend Sens. John Bulloch (11th) and Ralph Hudgens (47th) Read and adopted 01/29/08
Georgia Peach Festival; commend Sens. Ross Tolleson (20th); George Hooks (14th); Joseph Carter (13th) and Robert Brown (26th) Read and adopted 01/29/08
Foster, Jayson; commend Sens. Jack Hill (4th); Eric Johnson (1st); Seth Harp (29th); Tommie Williams (19th); John Wiles (37th); Cecil Staton (18th) and others Read and adopted 01/30/08
Barnes, Sondra Marie; recognize Sen. Regina Thomas (2nd) Read and adopted 01/30/08
BOMA Day; recognize January 31, 2008 Sens. John Wiles (37th); Chip Pearson (21st); Judson Hill (32nd); Cecil Staton (18th); Johnny Grant (25th); Bill Jackson (24th) and others Read and adopted 01/30/08
Lupus Awareness Day; designate March 5, 2008 Sen. David Adelman (42nd) Read and adopted 01/30/08
Appling County Bulldawgs 4-H Gun Team; recognize Sen. Tommie Williams (19th) Read and adopted 01/30/08
Health Care Transformation; create Senate Study Committee Sens. Judson Hill (32nd) and Don Thomas (54th) Rules Committee 01/30/08
Jensen, Nicholas Christian; commend Sen. Judson Hill (32nd) Read and adopted 01/30/08
Lester, Jr., Charles T.; recognize Sen. David Adelman (42nd) Read and adopted 01/30/08
Girls and Women in Sports Day; recognize February 7, 2008 Sens. Valencia Seay (34th); Gloria Butler (55th); Horacena Tate (38th); Renee Unterman (45th); Regina Thomas (2nd); Gail Davenport (44th) and others Read and adopted 01/30/08
National Wear Red Day; recognize February 1, 2008 Sens. Valencia Seay (34th); Gloria Butler (55th); Horacena Tate (38th); Renee Unterman (45th); Regina Thomas (2nd); Gail Davenport (44th) and others Read and adopted 01/30/08
Burch, Robert Joseph; condolences Sens. Ronnie Chance (16th) and Valencia Seay (34th) Read and adopted 01/30/08
Whitewater High School Girls Soccer Team; congratulate Sen. Ronnie Chance (16th) Read and adopted 01/30/08
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SR 774 SR 775 SR 776 SR 777 SR 778 SR 780 SR 781 SR 783 SR 784 SR 785 SR 786 SR 787

Dunnock, Mr. Dan; recognize Sen. Ronnie Chance (16th) Read and adopted 01/30/08
Starr's Mill High School Girls Tennis Team; recognize Sen. Ronnie Chance (16th) Read and adopted 01/30/08
Sandy Creek High School Boys; recognize Sen. Ronnie Chance (16th) Read and adopted 01/30/08
McIntosh High School Soccer Boys' Team; congratulate Sen. Ronnie Chance (16th) Read and adopted 01/30/08
Smith, Archbishop Jimmie L.; condolences Sens. Emanuel Jones (10th); Ron Ramsey (43rd); Gloria Butler (55th); Dan Weber (40th); Curt Thompson (5th); David Adelman (42nd) and others Read and adopted 01/30/08
Smith, Archbishop Jimmie L.; condolences Sens. Emanuel Jones (10th); Eric Johnson (1st); Tommie Williams (19th); David Shafer (48th); Regina Thomas (2nd); John Douglas (17th) and others Read and adopted 01/30/08
GA Dept. Of Transportation; urged to develop a state-wide strategic transportation plan/to take certain other actions Sens. Jeff Mullis (53rd); Tommie Williams (19th); Doug Stoner (6th); Chip Pearson (51st) and Valencia Seay (34th) Transportation Committee 01/31/08
Newborn Church of Faith in Christ; commend Sen. Regina Thomas (2nd) Read and adopted 01/31/08
Dalton, Dr. Martin L.; commend Sens. Cecil Staton (18th); Seth Harp (29th); Ross Tolleson (20th) and George Hooks (14th) Read and adopted 01/31/08
University of Georgia Bulldogs Football Team Head Coach Mark Richt; recognize Sens. Bill Cowsert (46th); John Wiles (37th); Seth Harp (29th); Eric Johnson (1st); Ralph Hudgens (47th); Jack Murphy (27th) and others Read and adopted 01/31/08
Motor Fuel Taxes; provide for the authority of General Assembly to approve, reject, modify any proposed expenditure of revenue CA Sens. Bill Cowsert (46th); John Wiles (37th); Seth Harp (29th); Eric Johnson (1st); Ralph Hudgens (47th); Jack Murphy (27th) and others Appropriations Committee 01/31/08
Boney, Mayor Robert S. "Bob"; condolences Sens. Joseph Carter (13th); George Hooks (14th); Michael Meyer von Bremen (12th) and others Read and adopted 01/31/08

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SR 788

Brain Injury Related Neurobehavioral Issues; create Senate Study Committee Sens. Don Thomas (54th); Greg Goggans (7th); Renee Unterman (45th); Cecil Staton (18th); John Wiles (37th); Johnny Grant (25th) and others Health and Human Services Committee 01/31/08

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SB 353

Public Hospital Integrity Act; certain individuals shall not serve on hospital authority board managing a hospital on behalf of a hospital authority Sens. David Shafer (48th); Tommie Williams (19th); Dan Moody (56th); Eric Johnson (1st); Chip Rogers (21st); John Wiles (37th) and others Government Oversight Committee 01/18/08

SB 354

Motor Vehicles; provide another basis for first degree vehicular homicide Sens. Joseph Carter (13th) and Ronnie Chance (16th) Judiciary Committee 01/18/08

SB 355

Property; mortgages, conveyance to secure debt, liens; disbursement of certain settlement funds after closing; general provisions Sens. Preston Smith (52nd); William Hamrick (30th); Bill Cowsert (46th); Seth Harp (29th); Michael Meyer von Bremen (12th); David Adelman (42nd) and others Judiciary Committee 01/18/08

SB 356

Fines and Forfeitures; county treasuries; provide for payment of certain moneys arising from traffic fines; motorcycle enforcement program Sen. Steve Henson (41st) Public Safety Committee 01/18/08

SB 357

Wine; provide for direct shipping; special order shipping license; amend provisions Sens. Renee Unterman (45th); Cecil Staton (18th); Bill Cowsert (46th); Seth Harp (29th) and Nancy Schaefer (50th) Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee 01/18/08

SB 358

Georgia Uniform Securities Act of 2008; repealing it in its entirety and enacting a new chapter Sen. Bill Hamrick (30th) Banking and Financial Institutions Committee 01/18/08

SB 359

Made in Georgia; create program; promoting goods/product manufactured in Ga.; provide for rules/regulations Sens. Tim Golden (8th); Chip Pearson (51st); Doug Stoner (6th); Jeff Mullis (53rd); Don Thomas (54th) and Michael Meyer von Bremen (12th) Economic Development Committee 01/28/08

SB 360

Detention; housing state inmates; increase the minimum reimbursement rate paid to counties Sens. Johnny Grant (25th); Eric Johnson (1st); Jack Hill (4th); Regina Thomas (2nd); Kasim Reed (35th); Emanuel Jones (10th) and others State Institutions and Property Committee 01/28/08

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SB 361 SB 362 SB 363 SB 364 SB 365 SB 366 SB 367 SB 368 SB 369 SB 370

Georgia Credit Protection Act; provide definitions; credit reports; provide method of placing and removing security freeze Sens. Chip Rogers (21st); Bill Hamrick (30th); David Shafer (48th); Johnny Grant (25th); Greg Goggans( 7th); Cecil Staton (18th) and others Banking and Financial Institutions Committee 01/28/08
Local Government; provide for additional governmental services/facilities regarding community improvement districts Sens. Doug Stoner (6th); John Wiles (37th); Chip Rogers (21st); Steve Thompson (33rd); Judson Hill (32nd); Curt Thompson (5th) and others State and Local Governmental Operations Committee 01/28/08
Dentists/Dental Hygienists; provide advanced dental education programs; revisions Sens. Lee Hawkins (49th); Greg Goggans (7th); Don Thomas (54th); Dan Moody (56th) and Jack Murphy (27th) Health and Human Services Committee 01/28/08
Livestock; remove ratites/reclassify as poultry for certain purposes; definitions; brand or tattoo registration certificates; provisions Sen. John Bulloch (11th) Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee 01/28/08
Juvenile Justice, Dept; provide for the cost of care/support of children in temporary custody of the department Sen. Jeff Mullis (53rd) Appropriations Committee 01/28/08
Inmates; telecommunications devices; prohibit receiving/possessing; provide definition Sens. Johnny Grant (25th); Bill Hamrick (30th); John Bulloch (11th); Jack Hill (4th) and Greg Goggans (7th) State Institutions and Property Committee 01/28/08
Georgia Coastal Management Act; automatic repeal; change certain provisions Sens. Ross Tolleson (20th) and Eric Johnson (1st) Natural Resources and the Environment Committee 01/29/08
Environmental Protection Division Director; swimming pools; limit what restriction may be placed under certain circumstances Sens. Chip Rogers (21st); Judson Hill (32nd); David Shafer (48th); John Wiles (37th); Jeff Mullis (53rd); John Douglas (17th) and others Natural Resources and the Environment Committee 01/29/08
Revenue Dept.; parking permit for disabled persons; affidavit of active duty military physicians Sens. John Douglas (17th); Eric Johnson (1st); Greg Goggans (7th); Jack Hill (4th); Cecil Staton (18th); Ed Tarver (22nd) and others Veterans, Military and Homeland Security 01/29/08
Public Retirement Investment Authority Law; provide for legislative findings; definitions Sens. David Shafer (48th); Judson Hill (32nd); Kasim Reed (35th); Tommie Williams (19th); David Adelman (42nd); Dan Moody (56th) and others Retirement Committee 01/29/08

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SB 371 SB 372 SB 373 SB 374 SB 375 SB 376 SB 377 SB 378 SB 379

Local School Districts; rail crossings without active warning devices used by school buses; reroute buses to minimize use of such crossings Sens. Doug Stoner (6th); Jeff Mullis (53rd); Valencia Seay (34th); Chip Pearson (51st) and Bill Hamrick (30th) Transportation Committee 01/29/08
Local Government; provide for the establishment of ethics panels Sens. Kasim Reed (35th); Renee Unterman (45th); Eric Johnson (1st); David Shafer (48th) and George Hooks (14th) Ethics Committee 01/29/08
Peace Officers; emergency suspension of a peace officer's certification under circumstances; interviews for employment; modify requirements Sens. Jack Murphy (27th); Johnny Grant (25th); Jeff Mullis (53rd); Chip Rogers (21st) and John Douglas (17th) Public Safety Committee 01/30/08
Liens; revise certain time periods of filing materialmen's/mechanic liens; provide for certain notices regarding waiver of liens or claim upon bond Sens. Dan Weber (40th) and Mitch Seabaugh (28th) Special Judiciary Committee 01/30/08
Mortgage Lenders/Brokers; create a nation-wide automated licensing system; provide Banking/Finance Dept. participate; rules/regulations Sens. Bill Hamrick (30th); Ralph Hudgens (47th); Jack Murphy (27th) and Ed Tarver (22nd) Banking and Financial Institutions Committee 01/30/08
Redevelopment Powers; require training; provide for scope of review of proposed tax allocation districts by boards of education Sens. Doug Stoner (6th); Chip Rogers (21st); Judson Hill (32nd); Valencia Seay (34th) and Kasim Reed (35th) State and Local Government Operations Committee 01/30/08
Natural Resource Law Enforcement Officer; establish office; provide for the appointment; coverage for general liability/fidelity bonds; provisions Sen. Jeff Mullis (53rd) Natural Resources and the Environment Committee 01/30/08
Aging Dept.; transfer functions, duties, employees from Division of Aging Services of the Department of Human Resources Sens. Renee Unterman (45th); Don Thomas (54th); George Hooks (14th); Eric Johnson (1st) and Tommie Williams (19th) Health and Human Services Committee 01/30/08
Automatic Dialing/Recorded Message; prohibit use; provide exceptions; definitions; disclosure of information by live operations Sens. Eric Johnson (1st); George Hooks (14th); Michael Meyer von Bremen (12th); Chip Pearson (51st); Preston Smith (52nd) and John Bulloch (11th) Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee 01/30/08

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SB 380 SB 381 SB 382 SB 386 SB 387 SB 388 SB 389 SB 390

Insurance; provide for filing requirements for health insurance rates; change definitional limits of small groups Sens. Don Thomas (54th); Tommie Williams (19th); Eric Johnson (1st); Lee Hawkins (49th); Bill Cowsert (46th); Greg Goggans (7th) and others Insurance and Labor Committee 01/30/08
No Heartbeat Act; registration and certificates of birth; change certain provisions; provide for a definition Sens. Dan Weber (40th); Renee Unterman (45th); Nancy Schaefer (50th); Chip Rogers (21st); Tommie Williams (19th); George Hooks (14th) and others Health and Human Services Committee 01/30/08
Game/Fish; license, permit, tag and stamp fees; change certain provisions Sens. Bill Heath (31st) and Ross Tolleson (20th) Natural Resources and the Environment Committee 01/30/08
Incarcerated Persons; tested for HIV and hepatitis prior to discharge; provide for notice; counseling Sens. Kasim Reed (35th); Gloria Butler (55th); Valencia Seay (34th); Nan Orrock (36th); Horacena Tate (38th); Regina Thomas (2nd) and others State Institutions and Property Committee 01/31/08
Absentee Ballots; allow electors to request/cast without stating a reason; allow electronic submission of requests by certain electors Sens. Cecil Staton (18th); Ronnie Chance (16th); John Wiles (37th); Seth Harp (29th); Dan Moody (56th); Lee Hawkins (49th) and others Ethics Committee 01/31/08
Identity Fraud; provide Georgia Bureau of Investigation authority to investigate certain offenses; subpoena power Sens. Joseph Carter (13th); Ronnie Chance (16th); Bill Heath (31st); Chip Rogers (21st); Don Balfour (9th); Jeff Mullis (53rd) and others Judiciary Committee 01/31/08
Watercraft; operation; revise provisions; Mandatory Boating Safety Education Act; enact; provide definitions; applicability Sens. Johnny Grant (25th); Jack Murphy (27th); Joseph Carter (13th); Ross Tolleson (20th) and John Wiles (37th) Natural Resources and the Environment Committee 01/31/08
Henry County, State Court of; provide for additional judge; appointment of initial judge; election of successors Sens. Emanuel Jones (10th); John Douglas (17th) and Gail Davenport (44th) State and Local Government Operations Committee 01/31/08

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HR 1022

Certain comprehensive state-wide water management plan; ratify Reps. Lynn Smith (70th); Tom McCall (30th); Jim Cole (125th); Judy Manning (32nd) Mable Thomas (55th) and Hardie Davis (122nd) Rules Committee 01/29/08

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HB 130

Identity theft; security freezes; definitions; provisions Reps. Calvin Hill (21st); James Mills (25th); John Meadows (25th); Terry England (108th)and Tommy Benton (31st) Banking and Financial Institutions Committee 01/31/08

HB 301

Dogfighting; prohibit; punishments; amend provisions Reps. Bobby Reese (98th); David Knight (126th); Jay Roberts (154th); Al Williams (165th); Mike Jacobs (80th) and Gene Maddox (172nd) Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee 01/29/08

HB 358

Sheriffs' Retirement Fund; death benefits; increase amount Reps. Willie Talton (145th); Larry O'Neal (146th); Judy Manning (32nd); Freddie Sims (151st); Bryant Bob (160th) and Melvin Everson (106th) Retirement Committee 01/31/08

HB 578

State court proceedings; first time; death sentence; change certain provisions Reps. David Ralston (7th); Barry Fleming (117th); Timothy Bearden (68th) and John Lunsford (110th) Judiciary Committee 01/31/08

HB 875

Employees' Retirement System; established benefit formula; provide continuation Reps. Brooks Coleman (97th); Ben Bridges (10th) and Debbie Buckner (130th) Retirement Committee 01/31/08

HB 908

Certain sexual offenders; residency and employment restrictions; repeal certain provisions Reps. David Ralston (7th); Jerry Keen (179th); Steve Davis (109th); Timothy Bearden (68th); Melvin Everson (106th) and Kevin Levitas (82nd) Judiciary Committee 01/30/08

HB 932

Board of Elections and Registration of Towns County; re-create Rep. Charles Jenkins (8th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee 01/29/08

HB 933

Towns County; ad valorem tax; school district; provide homestead exemption Rep. Charles Jenkins (8th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee 01/29/08

HB 934

Towns County; ad valorem tax; county purposes; provide homestead exemption Rep. Charles Jenkins (8th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee 01/29/08

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HB 935

Hiawassee, City of; ad valorem tax; municipal purposes; provide homestead exemption Rep. Charles Jenkins (8th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee 01/29/08

HB 936

Young Harris, City of; ad valorem tax; municipal purposes; provide homestead exemption Rep. Charles Jenkins (8th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee 01/29/08

HB 944

Roswell, City of; Redevelopment Powers Law; authorize Reps. Harry Geisinger (48th); Wendell Willard (49th); Charles Martin (47th) and Jan Jones (46th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee 01/29/08

HB 995

Haralson County; board of commissioners; staggered terms; provide Reps. Howard Maxwell (17th) and Mark Butler (18th) State and Local Government Operations Committee 01/31/08

HB 998

Rincon, City of; ad valorem tax; municipal purposes; provide homestead exemption Rep. Earl Carter (159th) State and Local Government Operations Committee 01/31/08

HB 1002 HB 1003

Americus-Sumter County Parks and Recreation Authority Act; repeal Rep. Mike Cheokas (134th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee 01/31/08
Cobb County; solicitor-general; change compensation Reps. Rich Golick (34th); Steve Tumlin (38th); Rob Teilhet (40th); Don Wix (33rd); Terry Johnson (37th) and Alisha Morgan (39th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee 01/31/08

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\ V|xx Tv| A A A
Administrative Affairs Committee
The Administrative Affairs Committee did not meet this week.
Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee
The Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee did not meet this week.
Appropriations Committee
The Appropriations Committee met in a joint session the week of January 22-25 to hear budget requests from various state agencies including: the Georgia Department of Revenue, the Pardons and Paroles Board, the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Natural Resources, the Employees Retirement System, the Department of Technical and Adult Education, the Georgia Department of Transportation, the Superior Courts, the District Attorneys, the Court of Appeals, the Department of Human Resources, the Department of Community Health, the Department of Corrections and the Department of Juvenile Justice.
Banking and Financial Institutions Committee
On Tuesday, January 29, Chairman Bill Hamrick of the 30th called the meeting to order, and presented Senate Bill 358. The bill updates the Georgia Securities Act of 1973 and replaces it with the Georgia Uniform Securities Act of 2008. The new act will provide forms of registration for securities, regulation of securities professionals, fraud enforcement, as well as coordination and uniformity with current federal law. Director Bob Terry of the Division of Securities was in attendance to explain the provisions of the bill. The Committee will not vote on the bill until further clarifications are made.
Economic Development Committee
The Senate and House Economic Development Committees met jointly on Monday, January 28, to hear from the Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA) and representatives of the Department of Economic Development, including Commissioner Ken Stewart. First, GEDA President Todd Greene presented the Association's 2008 legislative agenda. The Committee also heard from representatives of various chambers of commerce and county development authority groups.
Education and Youth Committee
Chairman Dan Weber of the 40th called the Committee to order on Tuesday, January 29. Dean Alford, chairman of the Governor's Education Finance Task Force, gave a presentation on the responsibilities of the Task Force, which included the cost model currently being developed. Dr. Holly Robinson, commissioner of Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, clarified the responsibilities of the Best Practices Committee and highlighted new research. The Governor's Education Task Force is currently working with Chairman Weber and Representative Tyrone Brooks of the 63rd to develop a school model that focuses on flexibility and high accountability. Dr. Jeffrey Williams, former director of research for the Georgia School Superintendents Association, also gave a presentation on how school funding works.
Ethics Committee
The Ethics Committee did not meet this week.
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Finance Committee
On Monday, January 28, Chairman Chip Rogers of the 21st called the meeting to order. The Committee held a hearing for Senate Resolution 687, which calls for a constitutional amendment authorizing local governments to wholly or partially replace ad valorem taxation with a one percent sale and use tax. The one percent sales tax must be approved by local voters. Mayor Ken Steele of Fayetteville and Mayor Bill Floyd of Decatur were in attendance to give testimonies in support of SR 687. The Committee will vote on the resolution at the next meeting.
Government Oversight Committee
The Government Oversight Committee did not meet this week.
Health and Human Services Committee
The Health and Human Services Committee did not meet this week.
Higher Education Committee
The Higher Education Committee did not meet this week.
Insurance and Labor Committee
On Wednesday, January 30, Chairman Ralph Hudgens of the 47th called the Committee to order. The Committee first took up Senate Bill 230, sponsored by Senator Jeff Mullis of the 53rd, which seeks to clarify and redefine "classified service" and "unclassified service" as they relate to the State Merit System. Commissioner Steve Stevenson of the State Personnel Administration clarified the bill's purpose and whom the bill affects. SB 230 passed unanimously. Chairman Hudgens then introduced SB 347, which would allow software to be considered an asset when determining the financial condition of the insurer. Robert Lystad and Joel Williams, attorneys with Powell Goldstein law firm, spoke in support of the bill. SB 347 passed unanimously. SB 348 was also introduced by Chairman Hudgens. The legislation declares the imposition of any fees or taxes, other than the 2.5 percent local premium tax to be against public policy. Mr. Williams and Jim Martin of Insurance House spoke in support of the bill. James Grubiak, general counsel for Association County Commissioners of Georgia, spoke in opposition to the bill. SB 348 passed unanimously.
Interstate Cooperation Committee
The Interstate Cooperation Committee did not meet this week.
Judiciary Committee
The Judiciary Committee did not meet this week.
Natural Resources and the Environment Committee
Chairman Ross Tolleson of the 20th called the Committee to order on Wednesday, January 30, to take up three bills. First, Senator Chip Pearson of the 51st presented Senate Bill 342, also known as the Water Conservation and Drought Relief Act. The bill will ensure an expedited permitting process for new reservoir permits. It also sets forth a new way for state and local governments to partner in the effort to build and fund new water reservoirs and increase water storage capacity. SB 342 was unanimously passed. Sen. Bill Cowsert of the 46th presented two bills to the Committee, SB 351 and SB 352. The first, SB 351, which seeks to establish a statewide water planning oversight committee and procedural requirements for proposed rules of the Department of Natural Resources, was tabled until the next meeting. Sen. Cowsert then presented SB 352, which allows the legislature to override a rule or directive of the Environmental Protection Division (EPD). In addition, the legislative override would apply to any comprehensive statewide water management plan. SB 352 also passed unanimously.
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Public Safety Committee
On Tuesday, January 29, Chairman Jack Murphy of the 27th called the first meeting of the 2008 legislative session to order. Senator Murphy read the committee rules, which were unanimously adopted. Sen. John Wiles of the 37th presented Senate Bill 350, which increases penalties for anyone who drives on a Georgia highway without a valid driver's license. It also requires new residents of Georgia to obtain a Georgia driver's license within thirty days of moving to Georgia. SB 350 passed by a vote of 5 to 4.
Reapportionment and Redistricting Committee
The Reapportionment and Redistricting Committee did not meet this week.
Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee
The Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee did not meet this week.
Retirement Committee
The Retirement Committee did not meet this week.
Rules Committee
The Rules Committee met as a standing committee on Monday to discuss the Governor's vetoes which were overridden by the House of Representatives on January 14. All 12 overrides were placed in the Rules Committee. The Committee looked at House Bill 529 which creates a Senate Budget and Evaluation Office and a House Budget Office and abolishes the former Legislative Budget Office and the Budget Oversight Committee. House Bill 529 received a do pass recommendation. The legislation was voted on by special order by the entire body of the Senate that same day.
The Rules Committee also met on Wednesday to send House Resolution 1022 to the Senate floor. The measure, which is identical to Senate Resolution 701, the Statewide Comprehensive Water Plan passed unanimously out of Committee.
Science and Technology Committee
During the first meeting of the Science and Technology Committee on Wednesday, January 30, the Committee held a hearing on the National Economic Research Associates' (NERA) economic impact study, presented by former North Carolina Governor James Martin, who currently serves as vice president for the Carolinas HealthCare System and Sheri Wilburn, executive director of the Georgia Industry Association. The study examines the economic impact of the U.S. EPA proposal to tighten air quality regulations.
Special Judiciary Committee
The Special Judiciary Committee did not meet this week.
State Institutions and Property Committee
On Tuesday, January 29, Chairman Johnny Grant of the 25th called the first meeting of the State Institutions and Property Committee to order. The Committee first took up Senate Bill 360, sponsored by Chairman Grant, which seeks to raise reimbursement rates paid to counties for housing state inmates. Sheriffs Mike Yeager of Coweta County and Howard Sills of Putnam County both offered their support of the legislation, as did Executive Vice President Terry Norris of the Georgia Sheriffs' Association. Assistant Commissioner Brian Owens of the Georgia Department of Corrections then presented cost-specific information on current rates and how an increase would affect the bill's fiscal note. Senator Bill Cowsert of the 46th offered an amendment that makes some language clarifications to the bill. SB 360 passed unanimously by Committee Substitute. Chairman Grant then presented SB 366, which would make it unlawful for inmates to possess cell phones. Jennifer McMullen of Corrections Corporations of America then presented examples of the state's need for such legislation. Chairman Grant stated the Committee will not take a vote on the bill until further clarification has been made as to whether the measure would apply to both state and local jails.
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State and Local Governmental Operations Committee
The State and Local Governmental Operations Committee did not meet this week.
Transportation Committee
The Senate Transportation Committee met on Wednesday, January 30, to hear a presentation from Gordon Kenna, executive director of the Georgia Concrete and Products Association. During his presentation, Mr. Kenna stressed to committee members that any new state transportation plan should include new infrastructure to ensure the safety of pedestrians. Chairman Jeff Mullis of the 53rd then assigned Senate Bill 371 and Senate Resolution 428 to the new Intermodal Rail and Transit Subcommittee, which is chaired by Senator Doug Stoner of the 6th. In addition, several road-naming resolutions, including SR 716, 718, 720, 723 and 733, were assigned to the Roads and Bridges Subcommittee, which is chaired by Sen. Bill Jackson of the 24th.
Urban Affairs Committee
Chairman David Adelman of the 42nd called the Committee to order on Wednesday, January 30, to consider Senate Bill 332, which would allow MARTA to enter transportation services contracts to extend or add to MARTA's existing rail line system. After a brief discussion, SB 332 passed by a unanimous vote.
Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committee
Chairman John Douglas of the 17th called the first meeting of the 2008 session to order on Tuesday, January 29. The Committee met to consider Senate Bills 369 and 340. Sen. Douglas presented SB 369, which allows active duty or retired military personnel seeking a disabled parking permit to submit an affidavit from an active duty military physician whether or not the physician is licensed to practice in Georgia. Current law requires that applicants requesting a disabled parking permit must present an affidavit from a practitioner of the healing arts. Sen. Chip Pearson of the 51st presented SB 340, which prohibits local governments from enacting, adopting, implementing or enforcing sanctuary policies. D.A. King of the Dustin Inman Society was in attendance to support the bill. SB 369 and 340 both passed through committee unanimously.
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