From the upper chamber 2007 March 29

Thursday, March 29, 2007
The thirty-second 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.
House Bills 552, 647, 688-690, 693, 694, 696-698, 700, 702-706, 708, 712, 723 and 724 were read for the first time and assigned to committee. The clerk of the Secretary then read the reports of standing committees and second readers.
Majority Leader Tommie Williams of the 19th moved to dispense with the morning roll call. There was no objection.
Sen. Don Thomas of the 54th then took the rostrum to lead the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. He introduced the Chaplain of the Day, Reverend William G. Wilson of First Baptist Church in Dalton, who led the Senate in the daily devotional.
The Consent Calendar for Privileged Resolutions, consisting of Senate Resolutions 546 and 547, was adopted unanimously.
Sen. Chip Rogers of the 21st took the well on a Point of Personal Privilege to address the increase of Georgia's tax burden.
The Secretary read SR 443 and 444, which recognize the University of West Georgia Advocates Program and the University's cheerleading teams. Sen. Bill Hamrick of the 30th took the well to speak to the resolutions and thank the University for its contributions to the community and the state.
The Secretary read SR 548, which recognizes Susan Gordon on the occasion of her retirement. Lt. Gov. Cagle and Sen. Williams took the rostrum to thank Ms. Gordon for her service of more than 30 years to the state.
From the Upper Chamber Thursday, March 29, 2007
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SR 274 was read, which commends the G.P. Babb Middle School Bulldogs Girls' volleyball team on winning the 2006 Clayton County championship. Sen. Gail Davenport of the 44th took the rostrum to speak to the resolution and recognize several special guests seated in the gallery.
Sergeant-at-Arms Lorenzo Wallace escorted Senators Steve Henson of the 41st and Robert Brown of the 26th and their guest to the rostrum. The Secretary read SR 540, which recognizes former Sen. Eugene P. Walker on the occasion of his retirement. Sen. Henson took the rostrum to thank Dr. Walker for his lifetime of public service.
The Secretary read SR 543, which commends Emmie Claire Howard and Reagan Elizabeth Hardy for the success of their company, Southern Proper. President Pro Tempore Eric Johnson of the 1st took the rostrum to speak to the resolution.
Sen. John Wiles of the 37th took the well to remind Senators of the looming deadline for Local Bills in the Senate.
Lt. Gov. Cagle paused to recognize the students of Chestnut Mountain Elementary School, seated in the gallery.
The Senate Local Consent Calendar, consisting of Senate Bills 298, 317 and 316 and HB 243, 312, 315, 406, 465, 499, 537, 538, 600, 621, 624, 632 and 633, was unanimously adopted.
The Secretary read HB 81, which changes provisions relating to saltwater fishing and pier fishing licenses, fees and maintenance of records, and provides for a lifetime hunting and fishing license for veterans in Georgia. Sen. John Douglas of the 17th took the well to present the bill.
The Floor Amendment was adopted by a vote of 36 to 0.
SB 81 passed as amended by a vote of 48 to 0.
HB 132 was read, which increases the number of licensed pilots for certain ports. Sen. Johnson took the rostrum to present the bill and address his floor substitute, which incorporates the sunken boat vessel legislation into the bill.
The Floor Substitute was adopted by a vote of 37 to 0.
Further action on HB 132 was suspended pursuant to Senate Rule 7-1.6(b).
The Secretary read HB 274, which strengthens the requirements for becoming a notary public. Sen. Judson Hill of the 32nd took the well to explain the bill and Amendment 1, which asserts that a notary applicant must be a legal resident of the U.S. He yielded to questions from Sens. David Adelman of the 42nd, Preston Smith of the 52nd and Michael Meyer von Bremen of the 12th.
From the Upper Chamber Thursday, March 29, 2007
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President Pro Tem Johnson took the gavel to preside. Sen. Douglas took the well to discuss HB 274 and Amendment 1. He yielded to questions from Sen. Adelman. Amendment 1 was adopted by a vote of 35 to 0. HB 274 passed as amended by a vote of 49 to 0. Sen. Nancy Schaefer of the 50th took the rostrum to introduce the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Guy Gober of Rabun County. Sergeant-at-Arms Wallace escorted Minority Leader Robert Brown of the 26th and his guest to the rostrum. The Secretary read SR 484, which congratulates the Wilkinson County High School Warriors Boys' basketball team on their state championship. Sen. Brown took the rostrum to speak to the team's athletic and academic accomplishments. Sen. Jim Whitehead, Sr. of the 24th took the gavel to preside, as a nod to both his upcoming retirement and birthday. The Secretary read HB 386, which makes changes to the construction of superior court fee provisions. Sen. Bill Cowsert of the 46th took the well to present the bill. He yielded to questions from Sens. Hill of the 32nd and Bill Heath of the 31st. The Committee Substitute was adopted by a vote of 35 to 0. HB 386 passed by substitute by a vote of 48 to 0. Lt. Gov. Cagle then took the gavel to preside. Following the announcements, Majority Leader Williams moved that the Senate stand adjourned until 9:00 a.m., Friday, March 30.
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From the Upper Chamber Thursday, March 29, 2007
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