From the upper chamber 2007 February 22

Thursday, February 22, 2007
The twenty-fourth day of the 2007 legislative session was called to order by Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle.
Senator Don Balfour of the 9th stated that the journal had been read and was found to be correct.
Senate Bills 201-222, Senate Resolutions 319, 326 and 327 and House Bills 155, 192, 233, 465, 146 and 147 were read for the first time and assigned to committees. The clerk of the Secretary then read the reports of standing committees and second readers.
After the morning roll call, Sen. Steve Thompson of the 33rd took the rostrum to lead the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Sen. Thompson introduced the Chaplain of the Day, Dr. Willis Moore, who led the Senate in the daily devotional.
The Secretary read SR 310, which recognizes Yana Vladykina, an intern from Russia who is working for Sen. Seth Harp of the 29th during the 2007 session. Sen. Harp took the rostrum to honor Ms. Vladykina for her hard work before she returns home to Russia this week.
Lt. Gov. Cagle then introduced U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, who took the rostrum to address the Senate.
Sergeant-at-Arms Lorenzo Wallace escorted Sen. Dan Moody of the 56th and his guests, members of the Roswell High School Hornets football team, to the rostrum.
The Secretary read SR 85, which commends the Hornets for their State Football Championship in 2006. Sen. Moody took the rostrum to congratulate the team.
Sen. Thompson of the 33rd took the well on a Point of Personal Privilege to thank the Senators and staff for their condolences on the passing of his nephew.
From the Upper Chamber Thursday, February 22, 2007
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Sen. Dan Moody of the 40th took the well on a Point of Personal Privilege to recognize and thank the members of the Dunwoody Women's Club, seated in the gallery, for their contributions to the community.
The Secretary read SR 156, which offers condolences on the passing of David Henry Shore, a former lobbyist who lived with severe disabilities. Sen. Preston Smith of the 52nd took the rostrum to speak about the memory of Mr. Shore, and presented his mother, Mary Ellen Shore, with the resolution.
Sen. Ron Ramsey of the 43rd took the rostrum to introduce U.S. Congressman Hank Johnson. Representative Johnson recognized several Senators and thanked them for their efforts on behalf of Georgia.
SR 311-318, 320-325 and 328 were then read and adopted.
Sen. Judson Hill of the 32nd took the rostrum to introduce the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Tom Cooper of Marietta.
The Secretary then read SR 252, which commends the emergency medical services professionals of Georgia and recognizes February 22, as "Emergency Medical Services Recognition Day."
Sen. Don Thomas of the 54th took the rostrum to recognize the several EMS professionals who joined him at the rostrum.
The Secretary read SB 27, which holds boat owners responsible for abandoning their boats in the water, and prohibits them from obtaining a new registration for any new boat or a motor vehicle registration until they remove or dispose of the vessel.
President Pro Tempore Eric Johnson of the 1st took the rostrum to explain the bill.
The Committee Substitute was adopted by a vote of 29 to 0.
SB 27 passed by substitute by a vote of 54 to 0.
The Secretary read SB 114, which is the annual housekeeping bill for the Georgia Real Estate Commission.
Sen. David Schafer of the 48th took the well to explain the various sections of the bill, adding that SB 114 changes the rules for minimum lengths of time after a criminal conviction before qualifying for a real estate license. He yielded to questions from Sen. Regina Thomas of the 2nd.
Sen. Thompson of the 33rd took the well to raise some concerns regarding unintended consequences of the bill.
From the Upper Chamber Thursday, February 22, 2007
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Sen. Chip Rogers of the 21st took the well to explain Amendment 1, which makes a language clarification.
Amendment 1 passed by a vote of 38 to 0.
The Committee Substitute was adopted as amended by a vote of 33 to 0.
SB 114 passed by substitute by a vote of 51 to 1.
Lt. Gov. Cagle recognized Senators Rogers and Michael Meyer von Bremen of the 12th, who took the rostrum to speak about the film Facing the Giants, which was filmed in Albany, and introduced the filmmakers.
The Secretary read SB 120, which requires the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Technical and Adult Education to acquire real property through the State Properties Commission.
Lt. Gov. Cagle recognized members of Lumpkin County Leadership who were seated in the gallery.
Sen. Jim Whitehead, Sr. of the 24th then took the well to present SB 120. He yielded to questions from Sen. Thompson of the 33rd.
SB 120 passed by a vote of 51 to 0.
Sen. Bill Hamrick of the 30th took the rostrum to recognize a group from Carroll County who were visiting the Capitol.
The Secretary read SR 243, which urges the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to raise the level of all lakes in Georgia.
Sen. Harp took the well to urge the passage of the resolution.
SR 243 passed by a vote of 51 to 0.
The Secretary read HB 245, which recommends that the Department of Public Safety no longer provide a vehicle to the Warden of the Georgia State Prison for official business.
Sen. Whitehead took the well to explain the bill.
HB 245 passed by a vote of 52 to 0.
Following the announcements, Majority Leader Tommie Williams of the 19th moved that the Senate stand in recess until 5:00 p.m., and then, pursuant to House Resolution 183, adjourn until 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 27.
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From the Upper Chamber Thursday, February 22, 2007
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