This week in the Senate, 2014 Feb. 10-14

This Week in the Senate
February 10-14, 2014
Review the week in pictures with the Georgia State Senate's Facebook Photo Essays!
A Message from Senate President Pro Tempore David Shafer
"The Georgia General Assembly revised its schedule earlier this week. A new adjournment resolution deferred all legislative work until Monday, February 17, due to severe winter weather, and also sets the date for Sine Die on Thursday, March 20.
"The House Appropriations Committee gave a "do pass" recommendation to House Bill 744, the Fiscal Year 2015 Budget, and the full House is expected to take action on this legislation next week. The Senate has already begun a careful line-by-line review of the bill. This is a timeconsuming and meticulous process, and is an important reason why we cannot afford to lose any more working days due to weather."
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10
Senate Passes Animal Control Bill The Senate passed Senate Bill 290 today by a vote of 50 to 3. Sen. Dean Burke (R- Bainbridge) sponsored this legislation to amend jurisdiction of dangerous or vicious dogs by allowing local governments to designate multiple individuals as dog control officers and clarifies owner responsibilities when a dog is deemed dangerous or vicious. SB 290
Written Notice and Opportunity to Remedy Building Code Violations Senate Bill 305, sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Tippins (R-Marietta), passed the Senate by a vote of 51 to 0. SB 305 authorizes a fire marshal, state inspector or code official to deny a permit or issue a stop-work order by written notification if it is determined that building construction or plans are not in compliance with state fire safety standards. SB 305
Protecting the Gopher Tortoise Sen. Tyler Harper (R-Ocilla) sponsored Senate Bill 322 to protect gopher tortoise habitats. Many people have been smoking out gopher tortoise dens under the belief they were homes to rattlesnakes. This bill will make it unlawful to disturb, mutilate or destroy the dens, holes or homes of any wildlife. SB 322 passed by a vote of 55 to 0. SB 322
Work Based Learning Act The Georgia State Senate passed Senate Bill 329, otherwise known as the Work Based Learning Act, today by a vote of 55 to 0. Sen. John Wilkinson (R- Toccoa) sponsored the legislation to

change the provisions of and rename the Youth Apprenticeship Program to the work based learning program. SB 329
Ola High School Softball Team Sponsored by Sen. Rick Jeffares (R--McDonough), Senate Resolution 767 congratulates the Ola High School softball team on winning the 2013 AAAAA State Championship. The many distinguished athletic accomplishments of the Mustangs softball team are attributed to the players' outstanding athletic ability, character and teamwork. SR 767
Congratulating June R.Wood The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 786, sponsored by Sen. Valencia Seay (D-Riverdale), congratulating June R. Wood on her retirement from Georgia Power. Wood, the Metro South Region External Affairs Manager for Georgia Power, has long been recognized by the citizens of this state for the vital role she played to provide exceptional utility services to the citizens of Georgia. SR 786
Emergency Medical Services Day Senate Resolution 821, sponsored by Sen. Judson Hill (R-Marietta), commends the emergency medical services professionals of Georgia and recognizes February 10, 2014, as Emergency Medical Services Day at the State Capitol. Emergency medical service (EMS) professionals respond to almost one million calls for assistance annually, risking their lives on a daily basis to assist those in need. SR 821
Commending the Eagle's Landing Christian Academy Chargers Baseball Team and Lady Chargers Softball Team Senate Resolutions 882 and 883 commend the Eagle's Landing Christian Academy Chargers baseball team on an outstanding 2013 season and the Lady Chargers softball team for winning the Region 5-A championship. The resolutions were sponsored by Sen. Rick Jeffares (R-- McDonough). SR 882 & 883
Honoring Sen. Saxby Chambliss Sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Ronnie Chance (R-Fayetteville) and Sens. David Shafer (RDuluth), Cecil Staton (R-Macon), Butch Miller (R-Gainesville), Renee Unterman (R-Buford) and Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga), Senate Resolution 889 commends Sen. Saxby Chambliss for his many congressional achievements. Sen. Chambliss was elected to the U.S House of Representatives in 1994, and subsequently elected to serve in the U.S. Senate in 2002. He has faithfully served on the Committees on Intelligence, Homeland Security, Agriculture and Rules. SR 889
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11
Low-Voltage Contracting Senate Bill 294 was passed by the Senate by a vote of 53 to 0. Sponsored by Sen. Jack Murphy (RCumming), this bill will allow an individual licensed as an Electrical Contractor Class II to perform low-voltage contracting without obtaining a statewide low-voltage contractor class license. SB 294

Wood Construction in Public School Facilities The Senate passed Senate Bill 301, sponsored by Sen. Fran Millar (R-Atlanta), by a vote of 39 to 13. This legislation will permit the use of certain wood materials in school construction as long as it is in compliance with state fire and building codes. SB 301
Senate Passes Private Air Safety Bill House Bill 494, carried by Sen. Tyler Harper (R-Ocilla) and sponsored by Rep. Andrew Welch (RMcDonough), was passed in the Senate by a vote of 39 to 11. HB 494 will call for private airstrip owners and utilities companies to work together during the installation of safety markers on utility lines to provide adequate visual warning in use of private airstrips. HB 494
Adjournment Resolution House Resolution 1333 was adopted to set the legislative calendar through legislative Day 40 on March 20, 2014. This calendar will prevent the General Assembly from losing future legislative days to severe weather and ensure legislation is carefully considered and fully deliberated. To view the legislative calendar, click here.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12
In adjournment, as set by HR 1333.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13
In adjournment, as set by HR 1333.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14
In adjournment, as set by HR 1333.
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