From the upper chamber 2007April 10

Tuesday, April 10, 2007
The thirty-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 Bill 321 and House Bills 701, 733, 761-764, 766-769, 771-773, 775 and 780-784 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.
Lt. Gov. Cagle paused in recognition of Sen. Steve Thompson of the 33rd on the recent passing of his mother.
Sen. Dan Weber of the 40th then took the rostrum to lead the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. He introduced the Chaplain of the Day, Dr. Chuck Roberts of Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, who led the Senate in the daily devotional.
The Consent Calendar for Privileged Resolutions, consisting of SR 440, 562-565, 567589, was unanimously adopted.
The Senate Local Consent Calendar, consisting of HB 273, 690, 696 and 731, was adopted by a vote of 46 to 0.
The Secretary read SR 589, which commends the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange Program at Georgia State University for its service to state and international law enforcement. President Pro Tempore Eric Johnson of the 1st took the rostrum to speak to the resolution and thank the program's director, Dr. Robert R. Friedmann, for his contributions.
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Sen. Dan Weber took the rostrum to recognize members of the Doraville City Council, seated in the gallery.
The Secretary read SR 587-588, which recognizes NFL players Fernando Bryant and Don Griffin. Sen. Ron Ramsey of the 43rd took the rostrum to highlight both players' career accomplishments.
The FY07 Supplemental Appropriations Act, HB 94, was read. Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Jack Hill of the 4th, took the well to present the bill and outline what is included in the Supplemental Budget. He then addressed his Amendment, which increases the amount of funds for shortfall reserves.
Amendment 1 was adopted by a vote of 49 to 0.
The Secretary read Amendment 2, which makes a monetary change for the planning and design of the Dental School for the Medical College of Georgia. Sen. J.B. Powell of the 23rd took the well to explain the Amendment.
Amendment 2 failed by a vote of 2 to 32.
The Committee Substitute as amended was adopted by a vote of 32 to 0.
HB 94 passed by substitute by a vote of 50 to 0.
The Secretary read HB 76, which provides that anyone who falsely identifies themselves as an employee of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, or produces documents pertaining to the agency, shall be prosecuted. Sen. Chip Rogers of the 21st took the well to explain the bill.
The Committee Substitute was adopted by a vote of 49 to 0.
HB 76 passed by substitute by a vote of 42 to 0.
The Secretary read HB 91, which requires each state department and agency to provide annual financial reports to the General Assembly. Sen. John Wiles of the 37th took the well to explain the bill and Amendment 1, which makes a minor language change.
Amendment 1 was adopted by a vote of 32 to 0.
The Committee Substitute was adopted as amended by a vote of 32 to 0.
HB 91 passed by substitute by a vote of 58 to 0.
HB 105 was read, which repeals certain licensing fees for poultry plants required by the Department of Agriculture. Sen. John Bulloch of the 11th took the well to explain the bill.
The Committee Substitute was adopted by a vote of 34 to 0.
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HB 105 passed by substitute by a vote of 47 to 0.
The Secretary read HB 192, which raises the amount of bids for the Department of Transportation. Sen. Jim Whitehead, Sr. of the 24th presented the bill and yielded to questions from Sen. Regina Thomas of the 2nd.
HB 192 passed by a vote of 45 to 1.
Sen. Kasim Reed of the 35th took the rostrum to introduce the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Grace Kinmani of Atlanta.
Sen. Hill of the 4th moved that the Senate insist on the Senate Substitute to HB 94.
The Secretary read HB 218, which requires officers of the Georgia Ports Authority who are authorized to exercise powers of arrest to be certified peace officers. Sen. Whitehead took the well to present the bill, and he yielded to questions from Sen. Thomas of the 2nd.
HB 218 passed by a vote of 45 to 1.
Lt. Gov. Cagle recognized Representative Larry O'Neal of the 146th who was on the floor of the Senate.
The Secretary read HB 224, which changes the number of members on the state licensing board for residential and general contractors. Sen. Balfour took the well to present the bill.
HB 224 passed by a vote of 47 to 0.
The Secretary read HB 247, which prohibits counties, municipalities and local authorities from requiring connection with or use of water supplied by a public water system except when other water is unfit. Sen. Ross Tolleson of the 2oth took the well and offered his support of Amendment 1.
After the Secretary read Amendment 1, Sen. Horacena Tate of the 38th took the well to explain that the amendment would allow local governments in the metro Atlanta area to participate in the local assistant grants process.
Amendment 1 was adopted by a vote of 35 to 0.
HB 247 passed as amended by a vote of 42 to 3.
HB 316 was read, which allows a governing authority to regulate the towing of trespassing vehicles. Sen. Jeff Mullis of the 53rd took the well to present the bill.
HB 316 passed by a vote of 44 to 1.
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HB 330 was read, which establishes a registry for pharmacy technicians and gives the Georgia State Board of Pharmacy the authority to conduct background checks of technicians. Sen. Joseph Carter of the 13th took the well to present Amendment 1, which mandates that a pharmacy must give patients an opportunity to consult with their doctor regarding their medication.
Sen. Judson Hill of the 32nd took the well to address Amendment 2, which clarifies the information that is to be reported by pharmacies.
Amendment 1 was adopted by a vote of 33 to 0.
Amendment 2 was adopted by a vote of 33 to 5.
The Committee Substitute was adopted as amended by a vote of 37 to 0.
HB 330 passed by substitute by a vote of 44 to 0.
The Secretary read House Resolution 102, which will compensate Robert Clark for the more than 20 years he spent in prison for a crime he did not commit. Sen. Tate took the well to explain Mr. Clark's situation. She yielded to questions from Sen. Mitch Seabaugh of the 28th.
The Senate briefly suspended so that Sen. Seabaugh could prepare an amendment to HR 102.
The Secretary read Amendment 1, which clarifies when the monthly payments will begin in relation to the lump sum payment. Sen. Seabaugh took the well to present the Amendment. He yielded to questions from Sen. Steve Henson of the 41st.
Amendment 1 was adopted by a vote of 27 to 0.
The Committee Substitute was adopted as amended by a vote of 31 to 0.
HR 102 was adopted by substitute by a vote of 41 to 0.
Sen. Hill of the 4th moved the Senate insist on its substitute to HB 94, and that a Conference Committee be appointed. There was no objection, and Majority Leader Tommie Williams of the 19th and Senators Johnson and Hill of the 4th were appointed to the Conference Committee.
Following the announcements, Majority Leader Williams moved that the Senate stand adjourned until 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 11.
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