TOP STORY 
Legislative Day 5: Senate Back in Session after Week-Long Budget Hearings 
 
JANUARY 26, 2010 . DAY5 
Upper Chamber Report 
 
Natalie Strong, Deputy Press Director Kallarin Richards, Editor in Chief 
Page 
 
By Kallarin Richards 
 
help manage the cuts until more 
 
funds become available. 
 
CHAMBER (Jan. 25, 2010)  The 
 
Senate reconvened Monday after Hundreds of teachers, parents and 
 
recessing for a week to conduct students gathered at the State Capi- 
 
budget hearings. Upon the release tol on Saturday to rally for education 
 
of the governor's budget recommen- spending. During the Senate's ses- 
 
dations, agency heads traveled to the sion on Monday, Sen. Gail Buckner 
 
State Capitol to present their spend- (D-Jonesboro) shared statements 
 
ing plans for the re- 
 
mainder of Fiscal 
 
Year 2010, which 
 
ends June 30, and for 
 
Fiscal Year 2011. 
 
The governor has 
 
proposed a $15.5 
 
billion spending plan 
 
in state general funds 
 
for the rest of FY10, 
 
which is a more than 
 
$1.4 billion reduction 
 
from the original 
 
FY10 budget and Sen. Buckner addresses the Senate on education funding puts the state back at 
 
revenue levels from 2005. The made by the Georgia PTA during 
 
state's population has grown by over the rally on how cuts to education 
 
half a million since then. Right funding are hurting students and 
 
now, the FY11 budget stands at teachers. She noted that the budget 
 
$16.8 billion. 
 
cannot be balanced on the backs of 
 
students, who are our future. Ac- 
 
Lawmakers will have limited cording to the PTA's remarks, edu- 
 
choices when looking for areas to cation has not been fully funded 
 
cut spending this year. Under the since 2002. 
 
governor's recommendations, state 
 
employees, including teachers, will The rest of the Senate's morning 
 
face three more furlough days be- session was dedicated to recognizing 
 
tween January and June of this year. distinguished guests and allowing 
 
This is projected to save the state senators to make special announce- 
 
close to $250 million. Education ments. This week, a majority of 
 
funding made headlines last week as legislative business will take place 
 
lawmakers took a close look at the in committee meetings, as both the 
 
proposed cuts to the state's K-12 Senate and House gear up for hear- 
 
and higher education system. State ings on bills and voting to move 
 
School Superintendent Kathy Cox legislation to the floor for a vote. 
 
noted that giving school systems 
 
more flexibility in class size could 
 
 Public Safety Votes to Clarify Laws Regarding Use of Hands-Free Communication Devices while Driving 
 
By Katie Wright 
 
of establishing a Georgia State 
 
Fire Service. The service 
 
CLOB 307 (Jan. 25, 2010) 
 
would consolidate training, the 
 
 Today, the Senate Public 
 
administration of safety codes 
 
Safety Committee voted to 
 
and emergency rescue services 
 
pass Senate Bill 306, 
 
for the fire fighting 
 
clarifying laws regarding 
 
community of Georgia. 
 
the legal use of hands-free 
 
communication devices 
 
Sen. Nan Orrock's (D-Atlanta) 
 
while driving. Sen. Bill 
 
resolution to urge congress to 
 
Heath (R-Bremen) 
 
reject any legislative efforts to 
 
authored the bill as a result 
 
enact unfair and ineffective 
 
of a constituent being cited 
 
immigration policies was also 
 
for using a Bluetooth while driving. 
 
considered. The resolution, SR 570, was ultimately 
 
assigned to a sub-committee consisting of Senators 
 
The committee also passed Senate Resolution 513, John Crosby (R-Tifton), Mullis, and Valencia Seay 
 
Sen. Jeff Mullis' (R-Chickamauga) resolution (D-Riverdale). 
 
creating a study committee to explore the possibilities 
 
Ethics Leaders Discuss Need for Change, Goals for the 2010 Ethics Agenda 
 
By Natalie Strong & Adam Sweat 
 
CLOB 506 (Jan 25, 2010)  Several groups testified on behalf of new ethics reform in today's Senate and House Ethics Committee meeting. Disclosure of gifts from lobbyists and campaign contributions were discussed. 
 
Common Cause, an organization that specializes in ethics reform, presented four key suggestions on how best to handle ethical issues in the Georgia General Assembly. These included a reform in campaign financing disclosure and lobbyist gifts, establishing a body to view ethics complaints, adopting a code of ethics for the governing body, and rules for "pay for play" legislation. 
 
The State Ethics Commission brought a similar agenda in front of the committee and discussed such issues as having a limit or ban on lobbying gifts. They noted that such a limit already exists in the executive branch and suggested that similar provisions should be considered for both the House and Senate. They clarified that their primary function is as a disclosure agency to make it easier for elected officials and lobbyists to disclose information and make it more available for the public. Only when there is a problem do they become a regulatory body. Several bills, including Senate Bill 17, House Bill 919, and HB 601, have strived to accomplish these goals but have failed to be enacted as law. 
 
Doug Chalmers and Robert Highsmith, noted attorneys who specialize in political law and government ethics, also presented their findings on the issue to the committee. Stressing the importance of building public confidence, they suggested that all information pertaining to campaign contributions and lobbying gifts be made available online. Furthermore, they told the committee that due to public outcry over discussed issues, reform must come first during this legislative session. 
 
The hearing concluded with House Chairman Joe Wilkinson (R-Sandy Springs) asking both Chalmers and Highsmith to return before the joint committee so that they could continue the discussion on disclosure of campaign contribution and lobbyist gifts. The members will continue to hear testimony on these topics in order to construct an articulate and simple law which adds greater transparency to the financial contribution process at the state level. 
 
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UPPER CHAMBER REPORT 
 
 Legislative Process Dates 
Important Dates in the Legislative Process 
Introduction - Last day to file and/or 1st Read in Senate. 30 th day - last day to introduce General Senate bills and resolutions (even year). [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 30 th day - last day to accept General House bills and resolutions. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 39th day - last day to introduce General Senate bills and resolutions (odd year). [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] *Note: Senate bills and resolutions must be filed with the Secretary before 4:00 p.m. to be 1st read on the next legislative day. 
Deadlines for passage in current year 
Committee Report Deadlines - Last day to read report. Report submitted to Secretary by convening. 28th day - General Senate bills and resolutions. 38th day - Local Senate bills and resolutions. 38th day - General House bills and resolutions. 40th day - Local House bills and resolutions. Calendar Management Calendar in numerical order after 2nd reading of legislation; days 1-5. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] Rules Committee sets the calendar for days 6 - 40. [Rule 4-2.10 (b)] General Senate Bills and Resolutions 26th day - File with Secretary of the Senate. [Rule 3-1.2 (a)] 27th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 28th day - Committee report read upon convening. (A recommitted bill already 2nd read - report day 29.) 29th day - 2nd Reading. [Rule 4-2.6] 30th day - Passage [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] and immediate transmittal to House. [Rule 4-2.14] Local Senate Bills and Resolutions 35th day - File with Secretary of the Senate. [3-1.2 (a)] 36th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. (Cannot pass for 2 days.) [Rule 4-2.4 (c) ] 38th day - Favorable report by committee, passage and immediate transmittal to the House. [Rule 4-2.14] 39th day - 2nd Reading in House. 40th day - Favorable report and passage in House. General House Bills and Resolutions 30th day - Transmitted from House and received by Secretary. 31st day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 38th day - Favorable report upon convening and 2nd reading. (Applies to days 36 - 38) [Rule 4-2.6] 39th day - Passage. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] 40th day - Passage of bills or resolutions tabled day 39; removed from the table on day 40. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] Local House Bills and Resolutions 39th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. 40th day - Favorable report by committee and passage. * Note: On the 30th day and on the last three days of session, bills and resolutions needing action from the House are automatically immediately transmitted. [Rule 4-2.14] 40th day - Passage of bills or resolutions tabled day 39; removed from the table on day 40. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] 
 
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UPPER CHAMBER REPORT