Report for Friday, February 9, 2007 
The sixteenth 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 112-128, Senate Resolutions 228 and 229, and House Bills 79, 100 and 122 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, Lt. Gov Cagle then recognized Sen. Chip Rogers of the 21st, who took the rostrum to lead the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Sen. Rogers introduced the Chaplain of the Day, Pastor Jon Rogers of Colorado Springs, CO, who led the Senate in the daily devotional. Pastor Rogers is Sen. Rogers' brother. 
Sen. Greg Goggans of the 7th took the well on a Point of Personal Privilege to speak about the benefits of a leadership institute for lawmakers. 
The Consent Calendar for Privileged Resolutions, consisting of SR 168-235, was adopted by a unanimous vote. 
Sergeant-at-Arms Lorenzo Wallace escorted Senators Jack Hill of the 4th and Jim Whitehead, Sr. of the 24th and their guests, Georgia ATF agent Howard Tyler and other officers, to the rostrum. 
The Secretary read SR 88, which recognizes Agent Tyler for being the Officer of the Year for Meritorious Service. Sen. Whitehead introduced Agent Tyler to the Senate. 
The Secretary read SR 89, which recognizes Officer Matthew Buehler for being the Officer of the Year for Valor. Sen. Whitehead commended Officer Buehler for his brave service to the state of Georgia. 
From the Upper Chamber Friday, February 9, 2007 
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 The Secretary read SR 90, which recognizes Ranger First Class Mitchell Oliver for being the Officer of the Year for Valor. Sen. Whitehead also commended Ranger Oliver for his brave service to the state of Georgia. 
Sen. Preston Smith of the 52nd took the rostrum to introduce the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Billy Burke of Rome. 
The Secretary read HB 98, which is a housekeeping bill that updates the names of certain Senate and House standing committees and other minor administrative affairs. 
President Pro Tempore Eric Johnson of the 1st took the well to present the Committee Substitute on behalf of Sen. Balfour. 
The Committee Substitute to HB 98 was adopted by a vote of 38 to 0. 
HB 98 passed by substitute by a vote of 50 to 0. 
The Secretary read SB 54, which provides for gender neutrality with regard to the offense of incest. 
Sen. Smith took the well to present the bill, describing certain situations that led to the introduction of SB 54. 
SB 54 passed by a vote of 50 to 0. 
SB 40 was read. The legislation will increase the penalties for certain types of voter fraud, including absentee voter fraud. 
Sen. Cecil Staton of the 18th took to the well to present the Committee Substitute. 
The Committee Substitute to SB 40 was adopted by a vote of 39 to 0. 
SB 40 passed by substitute by a vote of 52 to 0. 
The Secretary read SB 17, which would give optometrists the authority to prescribe and administer oral and/or topical pharmaceutical agents. 
Sen. Seth Harp of the 29th took the well to explain the legislation and its history in the General Assembly. He also briefly described the changes in the Committee Substitute. 
The Committee Substitute to SB 17 was adopted by a vote of 41 to 0. 
SB 17 passed by substitute by a vote of 52 to 0. 
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 The Secretary read House Resolution 183, which outlines the upcoming session schedule for the General Assembly. Majority Leader Tommie Williams of the 19th took the well to explain the upcoming calendar of the Senate. 
HR 183 was adopted by a vote of 43 to 0. The Secretary then read SB 5, which will allow the Governor to delay implementing the requirements of the federal Real ID Act until the Department of Homeland Security has issued regulations that the Governor finds will adequately protect the interests of the citizens of Georgia. Sen. Mitch Seabaugh of the 28th took the well to explain the provisions of the bill. He stated that SB 5 is designed to protect and secure the personal information of Georgia citizens. Sen. Steve Thompson of the 33rd took the well to speak on certain implications of the bill. Sen. Johnson took the well to highlight some of the Senate's past efforts to protect the identities of private individuals. The Committee Substitute to SB 5 was adopted by a vote of 42 to 0. SB 5 passed by substitute by a vote of 51 to 1. Following the announcements, Majority Leader Williams moved that the Senate stand adjourned until 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 10, for Family Day 2007. 
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From the Upper Chamber Friday, February 9, 2007 
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