This week in the Senate [Feb. 16-19, 2016]

This Week in the Senate
February 16 - 19, 2016

Georgia State Senate Press O ce Sta
Jennifer Yarber Director Ines Owens Sr. Communications Specialist Brittany Wagner Communications Specialist Brett Johnson Broadcast Specialist Gavriella Coffman Communications Associate Andrew Allison 2016 Legislative Aide Jacob Hamilton 2016 Legislative Aide Tyna Duckett Photographer
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Working Towards Crossover Day
e Senate took its nal step in nalizing the amended Fiscal Year 2016 Budget by approving the House's amendment to the Senate substitute. Gov. Deal has already signed this bill, and our focus has now shifted to the General Fiscal Year 2017 Budget.
House Bill 757, a bill protecting the free exercise of religious beliefs, received Senate approval today. e legislation protects pastors, ministers and other ordained individuals from being forced to perform marriage ceremonies that contradict closely held religious beliefs. e bill was merged earlier in the week with Senate Bill 284, also known as the First Amendment Defense Act, which prevents state and local governments from taking punitive action against faith based organizations or individuals because of beliefs with respect to lawful marriage.
e Senate will be in session all ve days next week as we move toward the Crossover Day deadline. Senate bills must be introduced by Tuesday, February 23, and favorably reported out of committee by ursday, February 25, in order to have time to be considered this session.
Sen. David J. Shafer President Pro Tempore, Georgia State Senate
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16
Allowing Physician Assistants to Prescribe Schedule II Substances Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (R Rome) introduced Senate Bill 115. SB 115 would allow physician assistants, who are authorized by a physician, to prescribe schedule II substances to patients. Schedule II substances include drugs such as Adderall and Vicodin. e bill passed 50 to 1. SB 115
Rental Network Regulation Senate Bill 158 sponsored by Sen. Dean Burke (R Bainbridge) passed by a vote of 54 to 0. SB 158 requires greater transparency from health insurance providers by requiring health insurance rental networks to register with the Insurance Commissioner. is bill would not apply to Medicaid, Medicare or select other programs. SB 158
Restrictions on Becoming an Insurance Agent Restrictions Sen. Charlie Bethel (R Dalton) sponsored Senate Bill 290, which explicitly prohibits certain individuals from becoming insurance agents. e restriction would apply to attorneys acting in a capacity to advise clients on insurance matters, and also employees of credit or character reporting rms who report to insurers. e bill passed 51 to 0. SB 290

Foreign Issued Driver's Licenses Treated as Valid Sen. Ben Watson (R Savannah) introduced Senate Bill 320, which updates Georgia law to recognize foreign issued driver's licenses as valid in the state of Georgia. is bill changes existing law, which previously required drivers to have an international driving permit. e bill passed 51 to 0. SB 320
100th Anniversary of the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Sen. Mike Dugan (R Carrollton) recognized the 100th anniversary of the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives with Senate Resolution 935. Sen. Dugan was joined by Daniel Jackson, President and CEO of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce. e two explained the importance of chambers of commerce as engines of economic development throughout the state. SR 935
Public Health Nurses Recognized Sen. Renee Unterman (R Buford) commended the work of public health nurses and the vital services they provide to communities throughout our state with Senate Resolution 848. Sen. Unterman presented the resolution to Georgia's Chief Public Health Nurse, Carole Jakeway. SR 848
Recognizing the Philanthropic Educational Organization Sisterhood Sen. Fran Millar (R Atlanta) sponsored Senate Resolution 906 to recognize the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) Sisterhood and their 66 local chapters. PEO empowers women through education funding and has approximately 2,300 members throughout the state. SR 906
Literacy Day Sen. Nan Orrock (D Atlanta) introduced Senate Resolution 896 recognizing February 16, 2016, as Literacy Day at the Capitol. Sen. Orrock was joined by Austin Dickson, the Executive Director for Literacy Action Inc., to discuss illiteracy and the steps Georgia is taking to spread awareness and education. SR 896
Senate Welcomes Congressman Sanford Bishop Congressman Sanford Bishop (D GA) visited and presented remarks to the Senate Chamber. Rep. Bishop previously served in the Georgia House from 1977 until 1990 and in the Georgia Senate from 1991 to 1992. Rep. Bishop was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1993
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17
Scope of Practice for Licensed Professional Counselors Sen. Lester Jackson (D Savannah) sponsored Senate Bill 319, which updates the de nition of "professional counseling" for Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs). SB 319 changes the scope of practice by giving LPCs the ability to diagnose emotional and mental conditions, along with evaluating and recommending treatment. e bill passed with a vote of 51 to 0. SB 319
Providing Credit Services to Firearm Dealers Sen. Jesse Stone (R Waynesboro) sponsored Senate Bill 282. e bill makes it unlawful for companies providing credit or nancial services to discriminate against any person, business, public entity or trade association engaged in the lawful sale of rearms or ammunition. e bill passed with a vote of 39 to 14. SB 282

Carrying of Firearms by Retired Law Enforcement O cers Sen. P.K. Martin IV (R Lawrenceville) sponsored Senate Bill 270, which would exempt quali ed retired law enforcement o cers from rearms licensing and carry restrictions in Georgia. e bill also extends these bene ts to former law enforcement o cers who previously worked out-of-state, but are Georgia citizens. e bill passed with a vote of 54 to 0. SB 270
Noti cation of Changes to Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment Form Senate Bill 305, sponsored by Sen. Renee Unterman (R Buford), would require the Department of Public Health to notify both the House and Senate Committees on Health and Human Services prior to making changes to its Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form. POLST forms are used as a reference by doctors in determining a patient's end of life decisions. e Department of Public Health must provide at least 60 days notice. e bill passed with a vote of 54 to 0. SB 305
2016 Amended Budget Receives Final Passage Sen. Jack Hill (R Reidsville) carried House Bill 750, the amended Fiscal Year 2016 Budget. e Senate agreed to HB 750 as amended by the House by a vote of 53 to 0; giving nal passage to the nearly $23 billion budget. HB 750
State Restaurant Day e Senate recognized State Restaurant Day at the Capitol and commend-
ed the industry with Senate Resolution 886, sponsored by Sen. Butch Miller (R Gainesville). Georgia's restaurant industry includes nearly 17,000 food and drink vendors and employs approximately 421,000 individuals statewide. SR 886
Gordon Lee Memorial High School Softball Team Sen. Je Mullis (R Chickamauga) congratulated the Gordon Lee Memorial High School softball team on their outstanding 2015 season with Senate Resolution 864. e Lady Trojans held a record of 37 to 2 and went on to win their rst class AA state championship. Four of the team's members were selected to play on Georgia's All-Star Team, and senior pitcher Emily Armour was named AA Pitcher of the Year. SR 864
Honoring the Life of Rana Elyse Mashburn Sponsored by Sen. Charlie Bethel (R Dalton), Senate Resolution 861 honors the life and memory of Rana Elyse Mashburn, who fought a courageous battle against Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, a rare immune system disease. Sen. Bethel was joined by Mashburn's mother, Kathy, who spoke of her daughter's bravery and faith. SR 861
Commending Dalton State College Basketball Team Sen. Charlie Bethel (R Dalton) sponsored Senate Resolution 826 commending the Dalton State College men's basketball team on winning the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Division I Championship.
e Dalton State College basketball team completed their second season with a 32 to 4 record. SR 826

Congressman John Lewis Visits the Senate United States Rep. John Lewis (D GA) visited the Senate and commended its members for never giving up in the face of adversity and working together. Rep. Lewis asked that senators learn to deliberate, discuss and compromise.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18
Franchise Employee Clari cation Sen. John Albers (R Roswell) sponsored Senate Bill 277 to clarify that franchisees and employees of a franchisee are not considered employees of the franchisor. e bill passed with a vote of 39 to 14. SB 277
Religious Expression at High School Athletic Events Sen. Burt Jones (R Jackson) sponsored Senate Bill 309. is bill allows student athletes to express their personal religious beliefs during sporting events. SB 309 also enables high schools, who receive state funding, to participate in athletic competitions with schools outside of their designated conference. e bill passed with a vote of 39 to 16. SB 309
Updated De nitions For Advanced Nurses and Nurse Practitioners Sen. Renee Unterman (R Buford) sponsored Senate Bill 314 to modernize the roles and de nitions of advanced practicing nurses and advanced practice registered nurses. e bill does not change licensing requirements, but updates the de nitions and establishes a new code section for license applications and reinstatements. e bill also creates criminal penalties for fraudulent nursing practices. e bill passed with a vote of 55 to 0. SB 314
Expanding the Quality Basic Education Act Sen. Lindsey Tippins (R Marietta) sponsored Senate Bill 329. Under this bill, students would be awarded a high school diploma if they have completed college dual credit coursework and have earned certi cation to work in an "in-need" industry as de ned by the Technical College System of Georgia. Additionally, SB 329 would expand HOPE scholarship eligibility to students meeting these requirements. e measure passed 56 to 0. SB 329
Carroll County Day Sen. Mike Dugan (R Carrollton) introduced Senate Resolution 795 recognizing February 18, 2016, as Carroll County Day at the Capitol. Sen. Dugan was joined by the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Daniel Jackson. Jackson spoke about how Carroll County is a leading driver of economic growth thanks to the University of West Georgia and West Georgia Technical College. SR 795
Honoring the Family of Hosea Williams Sen. Vincent Fort (D Atlanta) introduced Senate Resolution 686 to honor the life of Hosea Williams, an active participant in the civil rights movement and former Atlanta City Council and DeKalb County Commission member. Williams served the Georgia State Senate from 1974 until 1985. Sen. Fort was joined by Williams' two daughters, who testi ed to the devotion and character exhibited by their father. SR 686
Recognizing Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Sen. Lester Jackson (D Savannah) sponsored Senate Resolution 830 to recognize Alpha Phi Alpha Day at the

Capitol. Alpha Phi Alpha was founded by in 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Alpha Phi Alpha boasts several Georgia natives including Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Andrew Young. SR 830
Commending Miss Georgia Peach Scholarship Pageant Sen. John F. Kennedy (R Macon) sponsored Senate Resolution 987 commending the Miss Georgia Peach Scholarship Pageant and congratulating the 2015 Miss Georgia Peaches. e Miss Georgia Peach Scholarship Pageant was founded by the Pilot Club of Fort Valley to coincide with the famous Georgia Peach Festival. e annual pageant is held in June. SR 987
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19
Superior Court Clerk Continuing Education Sen. P. K. Martin (R Lawrenceville) sponsored Senate Bill 370. e legislation would expand the list of training institutions for superior court clerks by adding professional court management associations, accredited colleges and universities. Current Georgia law requires superior court clerks to exclusively complete classes at the Institute of Continuing Judicial Education of Georgia. e bill passed by a vote of 53 to 1. - SB 370
Pastor Protection and First Amendment Defense Act Carried by Sen. Greg Kirk (R Americus) and sponsored in the House by Rep. Kevin Tanner (R Dawsonville), House Bill 757 passed by a vote of 38 to 14. HB 757 protects a minister, cleric or religious practitioner who is authorized to perform marriages from being compelled to perform a marriage ceremony that goes against his or her religious beliefs. e bill also restricts state government from any discriminatory action against faith-based organizations based on sincerely held religious beliefs regarding the de nition of marriage. - HB 757
Honoring Former Senator Ross Tolleson Sen. Larry Walker III (R Perry) sponsored Senate Resolution 943 honoring former State Sen. Ross Tolleson. During his 13 years in the Senate, he served as a Chairman of the Senate Natural Resources and the Environment Committee, Vice Chairman of the Rules Committee, and held seats on the Appropriations and Transportation Committees. Tolleson retired from Georgia Senate in 2015. SR 943
Recognizing Miss Apple Capital and Miss Teen Apple Capital Sen. Steve Gooch (R Dahlonega) recognized Miss Apple Capital Katherine McCauley and Miss Teen Apple Capital Kendall Chamberlain with Senate Resolution 957 and Senate Resolution 958. McCauley and Chamberlain will both represent Ellijay and the North Georgia area at the 2016 Miss Georgia Pageant, a preliminary to the Miss America Pageant. McCauley attended Kennesaw State University, where she raised more than $700,000 for Children's Miracle Network through fundraising events. Chamberlain attends West Forsyth High School where she actively volunteers in her community and champions childhood cancer research. SR 957 & 958

Recognizing Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity Senate Resolution 962, sponsored by Sen. Steve Henson (D Tucker), recognized February 19, 2016, as Lambda Day at the Capitol. La Unidad Latina Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity was established in 1982 and is dedicated to establishing community leaders and innovators. e rst Georgia chapter was founded at Georgia State University in 2010. SR 962
The Georgia State Senate will reconvene at 10:00 a.m. on MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22.