Report for Monday, January 14, 2008
The first day of the 2008 legislative session was called to order by Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle.
Following the morning roll call, Lt. Gov. Cagle greeted the Senate and welcomed members to the 2008 session of the General Assembly.
Lt. Gov. Cagle led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance and introduced Chaplain of the Day, Dr. Nelson Price, interim pastor of First Baptist Church of Mableton, who led the Senate in the daily devotional.
The clerk of the Secretary of the Senate then read a communication from the State Water Council on the Statewide Water Management Plan. Lt. Gov. Cagle then let the Senators know that the current version of the Water Plan was on their desks.
Sen. Ross Tolleson of the 20th took the well to discuss the process by which the General Assembly arrived at the current Statewide Water Management Plan.
Lt. Gov. Cagle then recognized former Sen. Joey Brush who was present in the Senate chamber.
The Senate welcomed incoming Sen. Bill Jackson of the 24th as the newest member of the Georgia Senate. The clerk of the Secretary read a directive from the Secretary of State, certifying the special election of Sen. Jackson.
Lt. Gov. Cagle then addressed the Senate and discussed some of the major issues to be dealt with in the 2008 session, including water management, transportation, education and healthcare.
Lt. Gov. Cagle recognized President Pro Tempore Eric Johnson of the 1st to greet the Senate.
From the Upper Chamber Monday, January 14, 2008
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Senate Bills 335-337, Senate Resolution 687 and House Bill 853 were then read for the first time and assigned to committees.
SR 689, notifying the House of Representatives that the Senate has convened, was read and adopted unanimously.
Sen. Cecil Staton of the 18th then introduced the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Nick Anderson of Macon.
The clerk of the Secretary read SR 690, which notifies the Governor that the Senate has convened. The resolution was adopted by a unanimous vote.
Lt. Gov. Cagle then appointed a committee to notify the Governor that the Senate has convened, consisting of Senators Greg Goggans of the 7th, Joseph Carter of the 13th, George Hooks of the 14th, Ronnie Chance of the 16th, Ed Tarver of the 22nd, Bill Heath of the 31st and Ron Ramsey of the 43rd.
Majority Leader Tommie Williams of the 19th asked for unanimous consent to change the names of two Senate standing committees. The Senate Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee will now be known as the Senate Public Safety Committee. The Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee will now be known as the Senate Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committee. There was no objection.
Sen. Jack Hill of the 4th took the well on a Point of Personal Privilege to introduce the new director of the Senate Budget and Evaluation Office, Dr. Carolyn Bourdeaux.
Sen. Staton took the well on a Point of Personal Privilege to thank the Senators and staff who served on the Senate Shortage of Doctors and Nurses in Georgia Study Committee. He asked all Senators to sign a resolution urging Congress to increase the number of residency slots in Georgia that are paid for by Medicare.
Sen. Vincent Fort of the 39th took the well on a Point of Personal Privilege to thank the Senate for their condolences on the passing of his brother.
Sen. Gloria Butler of the 55th took the well on a Point of Personal Privilege to announce the arrival of her great granddaughter.
Sen. Williams moved that HB 156 and 332 be removed from the table and recommitted to the committee from which they were last reported. There was no objection.
Sen. Williams then moved all remaining legislation on the Senate Rules Calendar, including SB 3, 25, 37, 41, 43, 66, 76, 110, 118, 119, 133, 137, 140-142, 151, 155, 159, 179, 211, 216, 221, 230, 256, 259, 274, 283, 293, 307, SR 5, 21, 319, 345, 428, and HB 39, 89, 127, 151, 226, 239, 254, 279, 280, 291 and 410, be recommitted to the committee from which they were last reported. There was no objection.
From the Upper Chamber Monday, January 14, 2008
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The Secretary read a message from the House of Representatives declaring the House override of Governor Sonny Perdue's vetoes of House Bills 549, 229, 451, 218 and 69.
Lt. Gov. Cagle then discussed the House veto overrides with the Senate, and the action required of the Senate by the Georgia Constitution.
Majority Leader Williams then moved that all five House veto overrides received by the Senate be moved to the Senate Rules Committee, and that any other veto override votes be moved by the Secretary of the Senate to the Senate Rules Committee.
Following the announcements, Majority Leader Williams moved that the Senate stand in recess until 5:00 p.m., and then stand adjourned until 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 15.
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From the Upper Chamber Monday, January 14, 2008
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