From the upper chamber 2008 March 18

Report for Tuesday, March 18, 2008
The thirty-second 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 Resolutions 1165-1167 and 1172 and House Bills 1406, 1407 and 1410 were read for the first time and assigned to committees. The clerk then read the reports of standing committees and second readers.
After the morning roll call, Sen. Lee Hawkins of the 49th led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. He then introduced the Chaplain of the Day, Pastor Jim Bocian of the Saint Paul United Methodist Church in Gainesville, who led the Senate in the daily devotional.
Sen. John Bulloch of the 11th rose on a Point of Personal Privilege to remind the Senate of Agriculture Week at the Capitol.
Sen. Nan Orrock of the 36th rose on a Point of Personal Privilege to comment on recent damage in Atlanta caused by tornadoes over the weekend.
The clerk read SR 1100, which recognizes Tallulah Falls School on the occasion of their centennial celebration. Sen. Nancy Schaefer of the 50th took the rostrum to speak to the resolution.
Lt. Gov. Cagle took paused to recognize Sen. Mitch Seabaugh of the 28th on the occasion of his birthday.
Sen. Jeff Mullis of the 53rd took the rostrum to recognize members of the 4H Club in Chattooga County, seated in the Senate gallery.
From the Upper Chamber Tuesday, March 18, 2008
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The Senate Consent Calendar for Privileged Resolutions, consisting of SR 1158-1160, 1162-1164 and 1168-1171, was unanimously adopted.
The Senate Local Consent Calendar, consisting of Senate Bill 553 and HB 1089, 1109, 1250, 1308, 1382, 1387 and 1388, passed by a vote of 47 to 0.
Sen. David Adelman of the 42nd took the rostrum to introduce the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Hogai Nassery of Atlanta.
The clerk read HB 579, which establishes terms regarding liens against mobile homes. Sen. Johnny Grant of the 25th took the well to present the bill.
HB 579 passed by a vote of 47 to 1.
The clerk read HB 961, which specifies the types of doctors who may provide affidavits for the issuance of disabled parking permits. Sen. Greg Goggans of the 7th took the well to present the bill and yielded to questions from Sen. Steve Thompson of the 33rd. Sen. David Shafer of the 48th moved to withdraw Amendment 2, as it duplicates information in Amendment 1. There was no objection.
Sen. Renee Unterman of the 45th took the well to present Amendment 1, which allows affidavits for disabled parking permits to be received from chiropractors.
Amendment 1 was adopted by a vote of 35 to 3.
The Committee Substitute to HB 961 was unanimously adopted as amended.
HB 961 passed by substitute by a vote of 50 to 0.
Lt. Gov. Cagle recognized former state Senator Carol Jackson who was present in the Senate chamber.
The clerk read HB 1019, which creates the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank within the State Road and Tollway Authority. Sen. Mullis took the well to present the bill, and yielded to questions from Senators Thompson of the 33rd and Jack Hill of the 4th.
Sen. Doug Stoner of the 6th took the well to present Amendment 1, which broadens the definition of "rail."
Amendment 1 was unanimously adopted.
The Committee Substitute to HB 1019 was unanimously adopted as amended.
HB 1019 passed by substitute by a vote of 51 to 0.
From the Upper Chamber Tuesday, March 18, 2008
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The clerk read HB 1111, which changes certain requirements and fees to obtain a Georgia driver's license. Sen. Mullis took the well to present the bill, and yielded to questions from Sens. Regina Thomas of the 2nd and John Wiles of the 37th.
Sen. Thompson of the 33rd took the well to comment on flaws in the legislation concerning the notification of license suspension.
Sen. Mullis took the well to speak against Amendment 1, which specifies that notifications of license suspension will be sent via certified mail return receipt requested. He yielded to questions from Sens. Seabaugh, Thompson of the 33rd and Bill Cowsert of the 46th.
Sen. Seabaugh took the well to speak in support of Amendment 1. Sen. Mullis moved to withdraw his objection to Amendment 1. There was no objection. Amendment 1 was unanimously adopted. The Committee Substitute to HB 1111 was unanimously adopted as amended. HB 1111 passed by substitute by a vote of 51 to 4. President Pro Tempore Eric Johnson of the 1st took the gavel to preside over the Senate. The clerk read HB 1201, known as the Georgia Emergency Management Agency Nomenclature Act of 2008, which prohibits the use of the terms `Georgia Emergency Management Agency,' `Emergency Management Agency' or `GEMA' without the written permission from the director of GEMA. Sen. Mullis took the well to present the bill. HB 1201 passed by a vote of 53 to 1. Following the announcements, Majority Leader Tommie Williams of the 19th moved that the Senate stand adjourned until 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 19.
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From the Upper Chamber Tuesday, March 18, 2008
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