TOP STORY JANUARY 29, 2010 . DAY8 Upper Chamber Report Legislative Day 8: Senate Receives visit from Distinguished Former Colleague, Second Day in a Row Natalie Strong, Deputy Press Director Kallarin Richards, Editor in Chief and shoulder by shoulder. He pledged to support mem- bers of the Senate and House, as well as Gov- ernor Sonny Perdue, and work together to improve the economy, build jobs and emerge suc- cessfully Mayor of Atlanta, Kasim Reed, speaks to the State Senate. from the tough times. By Natalie Strong Lastly, Sen. Valencia Seay (D- River- CHAMBER (Jan. 28, 2010)-Once dale) took the podium and concluded by again, the Senate received a special, reminiscing about her time as a suite distinguished visitor on Thursday as mate with Mayor Reed- even remarking members welcomed Atlanta Mayor, and the Mayor's good looks. former Senator, Kasim Reed. The Sen- ate honored Mayor Reed with a Resolu- Thursday also saw the first bill of the tion to commend his past achievements 2010 Session reach the Senate floor. and present position as Atlanta City Sen. Bill Heath (R- Bremen) presented Mayor. Senate Bill 306 which makes it legal to use a hands-free communication device, Sen. Donzella James (D-College Park) such as a Bluetooth, to communicate introduced Mayor Reed and lauded him while operating a motor vehicle. SB for his great achievements at such a 306 was the product a letter that Sen. young age. Reed then took the podium Heath received from a constituent in the to speak about his fond memories in the fall who had been ticketed for using a Senate and his current job just steps Bluetooth Device. The constituent was away form the State Capitol. cited with a violation although he was He thanked his former colleagues for trying to be a safe driver and use a their unending support and pledged to hands free device. shorten the distance between city and state government. Reed attributed his In addition, the Senate celebrated Geor- success to his relationships in both the gia College and State University day at house and senate and likened his feel- the State Capitol. Senators welcomed ings to an old African proverb "if you ROTC cadets from GSCU to the po- want to go fast go alone, if you want to dium to speak about their experiences. go far go with others." He challenged The cadets thanked the senators for their his former colleagues to work through continued support and funding for pro- the tough issues together, to turn to one grams and scholarship at the University. another and solve problems side by side * Follow the State Senate on Twitter at GASenatePress Senate Health and Human Services Committee Passes the Uniform Emergency Volunteer Health Practitioners Act By Jennifer Kitt get more health care workers into the state." Repre- sentative for Georgia Emergency Management 450 CAP (Jan. 28, 2010) - The Senate Health and Agency (GEMA), Buzz Weiss, spoke to the commit- Human Services committee unanimously passed Sen- tee about the organizations' role in coordinating the ate Bill 315 the Emergency Volunteer Practitioners legislation. Act. This bill will create a registry for licensed health care practitioners that can voluntarily treat Georgians Bill Clark, with the Georgia Trial Lawyers Associa- in the case of an extreme emergency. Once the gov- tion, also testified before the committee. He re- ernor declares a state of emergency, a volunteer minded the committee that the emergency volunteers health practitioner who is licensed and in good stand- would be considered employees of the state and ing in his or her home state may treat individuals in should examine the fiscal impact that could have on Georgia. Sen. Preston Smith (R-Rome) was inspired the state. After his testimony the committee passed to author the bill after seeing the devastation from the the legislation with at 10-0 vote. Haitian earthquakes and Hurricane Katrina. After voting committee Chairman Sen. Don Thomas "This bill will allow licensed health care workers to (R-Dalton) assigned SB 146, a bill requiring the De- assist our state if we are faced with an emergency partment of Community Health to contract with a situation," Sen. Smith said. "If a disaster does strike single administrator for Medicaid dental services, to Georgia, the registration process can be expedited to the technology subcommittee for review. Transportation Committee supports efficiencies for Rural and Human Services Transportation By Raegan Weber rural citizens, the elderly and dis- of each year addressing cost impli- abled. They worked in a bi- cations, impact on client services CAP 125 (Jan. 28, 2010) State partisan effort to establish guide- and recommendations for efficien- Sen. Doug Stoner (D-Smyrna) lines for the Council and make cies. achieved success in the Transporta- adjustments to SB22 since it was tion Committee today for finding proposed at the end of the 2009 Many organizations spoke in favor greater efficiencies in providing Legislative Session. of the bill because they see this as rural and human services transpor- a significant step forward in find- tation services across the state. Funding for rural transportation ing efficiencies within the bureauc- Senate Bill 22 will establish the assistance goes through a tangled racy and utilizing existing re- Georgia Coordinating Council for web of bureaucratic services, lead- sources without costing more tax- Rural and Human Services Trans- ing to confusion, inefficiencies and payer money. Each noted that portation (Council). ultimately lack of good service. improvements to transportation for This Coordinating Council will the elderly and disabled will help Since the previous session, Stoner comprise of representatives from improve their access to jobs and has worked with President Pro the State School Superintendent any medical attention they may Tempore Tommie Williams (R- and the Commissioners of the De- need. Supporters included the Lyons), Senate Transportation partment of Transportation, De- Georgia Council on Aging, Geor- Chairman Jeff Mullis (R- partment of Human Resources, gia Transit Association, and All Chickamauga), Senate Economic Department of Community Health, About Developmental Disabilities. Development Chairman Chip Pear- and the Department of Labor. The son (R-Dawsonville), and Sen. Nan Council will report to the Gover- The bill passed with unanimous Orrock (D-Atlanta) in exploring nor, General Assembly and House consent. the need for better and more effi- and Senate Health and Human Ser- cient transportation services for vices Committees by December 31 Page 2 UPPER CHAMBER REPORT Telecomm Reform Takes Center Stage in Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee By Natalie Strong company whose fee is being cut will Those who spoke against the bill be compensated from companies agreed that Georgia was in dire need CAP 450 (Jan. 28, 2010)-The Regu- who will benefit from the new legis- of telecomm reform but strongly lated Industries and Utilities Com- lation. The primary goal is to level differed on what the approach and mittee met to discuss the need for the playing field by assuring that strategy should be. They argued that telecomm reform in Georgia. Com- each company will pay the same they would be unable to compete mittee Chairman, Sen. David Shafer access fee and repeal unnecessary with companies who received the (R Duluth) presented his prelimi- regulations for companies who benefit of being subsidized and that nary bill, which is a viable substitute choose to be regulated. increased cost for a smaller retailer for House Bill 168. Sen. Shafer would certainly equal an increase in noted that the bill was merely up for There were many parties present to cost for their consumers. Critics also discussion and welcomed input on speak both for and against the pro- worried that the bill would remove proposed changes and additions for posed legislation. the protection methods which are all invested parties. Those for the bill spoke about Geor- already in place should a company gia's long needed attention to tele- lease wires from a larger carrier and Sen. Shafer assured the committee, comm reform and how the much these wires become damaged. Cur- as well as the attending audience, needed changes would empower rently, the smaller carrier would that any bill released from the com- Georgians with the choice to pick have the opportunity to appeal to the mittee would strictly follow four from fairly competing carriers. They FCC for downed service and lost guidelines: levels the playing field applauded the committee's intention costumers as a result, but the pro- between carriers, reduces subsides, to rid carriers of antiquated regula- posed legislation would limit this gets rid of unnecessary regulations tions and to create a level playing option. and does not burden the consumer field among businesses. Support with new fees or taxes. reiterated that any bill that passed the The meeting was called to order and committee must be free of any new Sen. Shafer welcomed all interested The proposed bill will work to bring taxes or fees that would unfairly bur- participants input and offer them the parity to all access fees charged be- den the consumer. opportunity to review the current tween carriers. Over the transition, a draft legislation. Georgia Senate Passes Hands-Free Communication Bill By Raegan Weber and Meredith Rich ATLANTA (Jan. 28, 2010) The Georgia Senate passed the first bill of the 2010 legislative session. Sen. Bill Heath's (R-Bremen) legislation, allowing the use of hands-free communication devices while driving a vehicle (SB 306), passed without opposition. The legislation corrects current law which currently prohibits the use of headphones. Sen. Bill Heath addresses the Senate on SB306 "Drivers who want to be safe on the road and use hands-free devices should not be penalized for using good judgment," said Sen. Heath. "The legislature creates enough laws, so it is about time we start reducing the burden on citizens. With this clarification, citizens can be safer while talking on the phone Continued on Page 4 Page 3 UPPER CHAMBER REPORT Judiciary Committee votes to Prevent Involuntary Microchip Implantation By Kallarin Richards CLOB 307 (Jan. 28, 2010) The Senate Judiciary Committee held its first meeting of the 2010 Legislative Session on Thursday. Business began with members unanimously voting to hold a series of hearings this legislative session to explore the relationship and interplay between the Georgia State Bar Association and Georgia's Judiciary and Legislative Branches. Chairman Preston Smith (RRome) and Sen. John Wiles (R-Kennesaw) have been working to improve relationships with the State Bar, and this process will help achieve efficiencies and progress in Georgia's judicial system. The committee also passed a bill authored by Sen. Chip Pearson (R-Dawsonville) that protects microchip involuntarily implanted. The bill also lays Georgians from being involuntarily implanted with a out guidelines for voluntary implantation, which can microchip. Microchips can be used as tracking only be performed by a physician and will be devices or to store medical information. Sen. Pearson regulated by the State Board of Medical Examiners. noted that Senate Bill 235 upholds Georgians' Sen. Pearson added that the bill sends the message constitutional rights of protection of person and that Georgia will uphold its citizens' constitutional property by prohibiting anyone from having a rights and protection of their personal property. Continued from page 3 and operating their vehicles." The legislation allows for safe hands-free communication devices. The bill states that it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle while wearing a headset or headphone that would impair one's ability to hear. The current law was enacted before the creation of cell phones, blackberries and Bluetooth devices. Heath wants the law modernized. He proposed this legislation in response to an e-mail from a citizen who was cited under the old Georgia code for the use of a hands-free device. Follow the Georgia State Senate Press Office On Twitter At GASenatePress Page 4 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)] Page 5 UPPER CHAMBER REPORT To view this report online, please visit http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/senate/ucreport.htm