Report for Thursday, February 7, 2008 
The thirteenth day of the 2008 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 417-428, Senate Resolutions 822 and 827, and House Bills 387, 1033 and 1089, were read for the first time and assigned to committees. The clerk then read the reports of standing committees and second readers. 
Following the morning roll call, Lt. Gov Cagle informed the Senate of the passing of former Senator Jim Whitehead, Sr.'s brother, Billy Whitehead. 
Sen. Ross Tolleson of the 20th led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. He then introduced the Chaplain of the Day, Dr. Frank Wood, pastor of Dudley Baptist Church, who led the Senate in the daily devotional. 
Sen. Cecil Staton of the 18th took the rostrum to introduce the Doctor of the Day, Dr. John J. Rogers of Forsyth. 
SR 823-825 and 828-830, were read and adopted. 
Sen. Gail Davenport of the 44th took the well on a Point of Personal Privilege to recognize and honor the life of Mr. Wade Starr, Sr. 
Sen. Judson Hill of the 32nd took the well on a Point of Personal Privilege to introduce his father in-law, Fred Duffer, seated in the Senate Gallery. 
Senators Johnny Grant of the 25th and Staton took the well on Points of Personal Privilege to recognize the Jones County Leadership Class seated in the Senate Gallery. 
From the Upper Chamber Thursday, February 7, 2008 
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 The Local Consent Calendar, consisting of HB 820, 821, 995, 1002 and 1039, passed by a vote of 52 to 0. 
Sens. Seth Harp of the 29th and Ed Harbison of the 15th took the rostrum on Points of Personal Privilege to recognize the Columbus Youth Advisory Council seated in the Senate Gallery. 
The clerk read SB 340, which prohibits local governments from enacting, adopting, implementing or enforcing sanctuary policies. Sen. Chip Pearson of the 51st took the well to present the bill. He yielded to questions from Sen. Regina Thomas of the 2nd. 
The clerk read Amendment 1, by Sen. Chip Rogers of the 21st, which requires local governments to report the immigration status of employees by July 1, 2008. Sen. Rogers took the well to explain his amendment. 
Amendment 1 was adopted unanimously. 
SB 340 was passed by a vote of 45 to 8. 
SB 347 was read. The bill allows software to be considered an asset when determining the financial condition of the insurer. Sen. Ralph Hudgens of the 47th took the well to discuss the legislation. 
The clerk read Amendment 1, by Sen. Steve Thompson of the 33rd, which makes the increasing the number of rate filings available to the public. Sen. Thompson of the 33rd took the well to explain his amendment. 
Sen. Hudgens took the well to object to the Amendment and request that it be withdrawn, and introduced as separate legislation. He yielded to questions from Sen. Thompson of the 33rd. 
Sen. Thompson of the 33rd took the well again to state that he would withdraw the amendment. 
Sen. Thompson of the 33rd moved that the amendment be withdrawn. 
There was no objection, and Amendment 1 was withdrawn. 
SB 347 passed by a vote of 54 to 0. 
SR 828, which recognizes the Georgia Watermelon Queen, was read and adopted. 
Sen. Joseph Carter of the 13th took the rostrum to speak to the resolution and introduce the Watermelon Queen to the Senate. He also recognized the Crisp County Leadership Class seated in the Senate Gallery. 
From the Upper Chamber Thursday, February 7, 2008 
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 Sen. John Douglas of the 17th took the well to recognize a group of students Spalding County seated in the Senate Gallery. 
The clerk read SB 355, which defines the forms of payment that a settlement agent must receive prior to making a disbursement. Sen. Preston Smith of the 52nd took the well to present the bill and Amendment 1, which allows certain forms of payment to be accepted if funds are immediately available. 
He yielded to questions from Sen. Thompson of the 33rd. 
Amendment 1 to the Committee Substitute was adopted unanimously. 
SB 355 passed by Committee Substitute by a vote of 53 to 1. 
The clerk read SB 364, which reclassifies ratite products, or large flightless birds such as ostrich, as poultry rather than livestock. 
Sen. John Bulloch of the 11th took the well to explain the bill. He yielded to questions from President Pro Tempore Eric Johnson of the 1st. 
SB 364 passed by a vote of 51 to 0. 
The clerk read SB 350, which increases penalties for anyone who drives in Georgia without a valid driver's license, and requires new residents of Georgia to obtain a Georgia driver's license within thirty days of moving to Georgia. This bill was vetoed by the Governor last year. Sen. John Wiles of the 37th took the well to explain the bill. 
He yielded to questions from Sens. Thomas of the 2nd, Emanuel Jones of the 10th, David Adelman of the 42nd and Thompson of the 33rd. 
Sen. Jones took the well to speak to the bill. He is concerned how this bill has unintended consequences, such as racial profiling. 
Sen. Ronald Ramsey of the 43rd took the well to speak in support to the bill. 
Sen. Gloria Butler of the 55th took the well to speak in opposition to the bill. She is also concerned this bill will enable racial profiling and costs will increase for jails. 
SB 350 passed by a vote of 38 to 13. 
Following the announcements, Majority Leader Tommie Williams of the 19th moved the Senate stand adjourned until 9:00 a.m., Friday, February 8. 
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From the Upper Chamber Thursday, February 7, 2008 
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