From the upper chamber 2006 March 22

Report for Wednesday, March 22, 2006
The thirty-fifth day of the 2006 legislative session was called to order by Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor.
Senator Don Balfour of the 9th stated that the journal had been read and was found to be correct.
Senate Resolution 1236 and House Bills 1620, 1621, 1622, 1623, 1624 and 1626 were read for the first time and assigned to their respective Committees.
Majority Leader Tommie Williams of the 19th was recognized to serve notice that at the proper time the Senate would resolve itself into the Committee of the Whole to discuss the FY 2006-2007 Budget.
Lt. Gov. Taylor assigned Governor Sonny Purdue's list of state board appointees to the Rules Committee.
Following the reports of Standing Committees and the second reading of Bills and Resolutions, the morning roll call was taken.
Lt. Gov. Taylor recognized Sen. Emanuel Jones of the 10th to lead the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Sen. Jones then introduced the Chaplain of the Day, Archbishop Jimmie Smith and Pastor Ruth Smith of Light of the World Christian Tabernacle International in Stockbridge, who led the Senate in the daily devotional.
There were no unanimous consents.
SR 1190 was read, and Sen. Steen Miles of the 43rd was recognized to speak to the resolution, commending the Columbia High School Eagles basketball team for winning the 2006 Class AAAA basketball state championship.
From the Upper Chamber Wednesday, March 22, 2006
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SR 1049 was read, and Senators Jones and Miles were recognized to speak to the resolution, congratulating the DeKalb County School System for a record signing day for senior football players.
SR 762 was read, and Sen. Judson Hill of the 32nd was recognized to speak to the resolution, commending United States Marine Lee Merritt for his service to the United States.
SR 771, 773, 774, 775, 776, 777, 778 and 1115 were read. Sen. Gloria Butler of the 55th was recognized to speak to the resolutions, commending city officials of Clarkston and the Clarkston Health Collaborative.
Privileged Resolutions 1234, 1235 and 1237-1244 were read and adopted.
Sen. Bill Stephens of the 27th moved that SR 1244, honoring General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr., be immediately transmitted to the House. Without objection, the motion carried.
SR 1050 and 1105 were read. Sen. David Adelman of the 42nd was recognized to speak to the resolutions, commending Southwest DeKalb High School and its advanced placement U.S. history program.
Sen. Hill of the 32nd was then recognized to introduce the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Charles Burton, Jr. of Marietta.
Sen. Ronnie Chance of the 16th moved that HB 1497 be withdrawn from the Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee and recommitted to the Senate Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee. Without objection, it was recommitted.
The Local Consent Calendar, HB 1474, 1570, 1572, 1574, 1583, 1585, 1608, 1609 and 1610, was adopted by a vote of 49-0.
SR 946 was read. Sens. Jones and Miles were recognized to speak to the resolution, commending the Southwest DeKalb High School "Marching Panther" Band.
Sen. Casey Cagle of the 49th moved that HB 1018 and 1120 be engrossed.
Sen. Adelman objected to the engrossment of HB 1018 and 1120.
Sen. Cagle took the well to explain the necessity of engrossment of HB 1018.
Sen. Adelman took the well to speak against the engrossment. He yielded to questions from Sen. Steve Thompson of the 33rd.
The motion to engross HB 1018 passed by a vote of 34-19.
Sen. Cagle moved to engross HB 1120.
From the Upper Chamber Wednesday, March 22, 2006
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Sen. Adelman returned to the well to speak against the engrossment of HB 1120.
The motion to engross passed by a vote of 33-17.
The Secretary then read HR 1395, which honors the memory of Wiley T. Nixon and names the Wiley T. Nixon Capitol Post Office in his honor. Sen. Preston Smith of the 52nd took the well to present the resolution.
Sen. Thompson of the 33rd took the well to share his fond memories of Nixon.
The resolution was adopted by a vote of 50-0.
HB 692 was read. The legislation changes certain provisions relating to terms and conditions of probation in the state-wide probation system. Sen. Greg Goggans of the 7th took the well to explain the legislation and his floor subsitute.
Sen. Thompson of the 33rd took the well to speak to methamphetamine addiction in Georgia and commended the bill. He yielded questions from Sen. Brian Kemp of the 46th.
Sen. Goggans moved to withdraw his floor substitute to HB 692.
Sen. Smith took the well to explain Amendment 1, which extends the repeal date of the "Probation Management Act of 2004."
Amendment 1 was adopted 37-0.
HB 692 as amended passed by a vote of 54-0.
The Secretary read HB 972, which eliminates a computer skill competency course for teacher certification renewal, and instead, requires a test in basic computer skill competency. Sen. Joseph Carter of the 13th took the well to urge support for the bill. He yielded to questions from Sen. Thompson of the 33rd.
HB 972 passed by a vote of 50-0.
HB 1012 was read. Sen. Chance took the well to explain the bill and his amendment, which changes certain provisions regarding the contents of certain bond reports. The bill provides for additional performance audit requirements with respect to general obligation bonds and revenue bonds and provides authority to the inspector general.
Amendment 1 was adopted by a vote of 32-0.
The Committee Substitute passed 33-0.
HB 1012 passed by substitute as amended by a vote of 52-0.
From the Upper Chamber Wednesday, March 22, 2006
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Sen. Chance moved that HB 1012 be immediately transmitted to the House. Without objection, the motion carried.
President Pro Tempore Eric Johnson of the 1st moved that the Senate insist on its amendment to HB 81. The bill permits the unremarried surviving spouse of a deceased spouse who has been granted a homestead exemption to continue to receive that exemption so long as that unremarried surviving spouse continues to occupy the home as a residence and homestead. Without objection, the motion carried.
Sen. Mitch Seabaugh of the 28th moved that the Senate insist on its substitute to HB 173. Without objection, the motion carried.
Sen. Seabaugh moved that the Senate insist on its amendment to HB 1032, relating to a license to carry a pistol or revolver and temporary renewal permit. Without objection, the motion carried.
Sen. Smith moved that the Senate insist on its substitute to HB 912, relating to the production of documents and things and entry upon land for inspection. Without objection, the motion carried.
HB 1018 was read. Sen. Cagle took the well to explain HB 1018, which provides for an exemption regarding the sale or use of biomass material used in the production of electrical power.
HB 1018 passed by a vote of 53-1.
The Secretary then read HB 1217, which eliminates the rear window decal for disability parking. Sen. Ross Tolleson of the 20th took the well to urge support for the legislation.
HB 1217 passed by a vote of 48-0.
The Secretary then read HB 1253, relating to for new provisions and clarifications relating to drivers' licenses. Sen. Kemp took the well to explain the new changes.
The Committee Substitute was adopted by a vote of 34-0.
HB 1253 passed by substitute by a vote of 46-0.
HB 1120 was read. The legislation changes certain provisions regarding estimated tax liability for dealers' sales and use tax returns. Sen. Cagle took the well to explain and urge the support of the legislation.
HB 1120 passed by a vote of 47-0.
The Secretary then read HB 363, which changes the requirements for the registration and licensing of governmental motor vehicles. Sen. Tolleson took the well to urge support for the bill.
From the Upper Chamber Wednesday, March 22, 2006
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The bill passed by a vote of 48-0. Sen. Ed Harbison of the 15th took the well to recognize students from Dawson Elementary School in Columbus, present in the Senate Gallery. HB 1075 was read. The legislation increases the amount of the bond for used motor vehicle dealers. Sen. Johnny Grant of the 25th took the well to present the legislation. HB 1075 passed by a vote of 53-0. The Secretary read HB 718, which allows certain courts to create and administer pretrial intervention and diversion programs. Sen. Hill of the 32nd took the well to explain the legislation. The Committee Substitute was adopted by a vote of 33-0. HB 718 passed by substitute by a vote of 53-0. Majority Leader Williams moved that the Senate stand adjourned until Thursday, March 23, at 10:00 a.m. Following the announcements, the Senate then adjourned.
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From the Upper Chamber Wednesday, March 22, 2006
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