Upper chamber report 2010 February 11

TOP STORY
Legislative Day 17: Senate Passes Bill to Give Banks More Lending Flexibility

FEBRUARY 11, 2010 . DAY17
Upper Chamber Report

Sen Jim Butterworth discusses giving banks more flexibility to renew loans

By Jennifer Kitt

CHAMBER (Feb. 11, 2010)-The Senate showed support for flexible bank loans with the passage of House Bill 926. The bill, which was immediately signed by Governor Sonny Perdue, gives Georgia banks more flexibility in renewing loans for customers in good standing. Sen. Jim Butterworth (R-Clarkesville) presented the bill to the Senate, and explained how customers with good credit histories are being turned down for loans because of decreasing bank capital. The bill will now put Georgia's banks under similar guidelines with those on the federal level. Sen. Steve Thompson (D-Marietta) applauded Sen. Butterworth and the Senate Banking and Finance Committee for passing the legislation, saying the bill will help Georgia's businesses grow in difficult economic times.
The Senate also welcomed Georgia Boy Scout troops to the Capitol for the 100th anniversary of scouting during annual Boy Scout Day. Sen. Chip Pearson (RDawsonville) presented SR 840 commemorating the event and welcomed troops to the Capitol. He also announced the Boy Scouts' new partnership with the Department of Natural Resources to help maintain Georgia's state parks. (See more on page 2.) Sen. George Hooks (D-Americus) recounted his fond memories of being a Boy Scout and later receiving the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award.

Natalie Strong, Deputy Press Director Kallarin Richards, Editor in Chief

Today also marked Community Health Day and Sen. Lee Hawkins (RGainesville) welcomed various community health workers from across the state to the Capitol. The community health system helps to alleviate some of the patients that would otherwise go to emergency rooms or use Medicaid. These facilities see approximately 300,000 Georgians a year, and save the state $124 million dollars.

* Follow the State Senate on Twitter at GASenatePress

Georgia State Capitol Celebrates 100 Years of Scouting

communities and of our

ATLANTA State law-

state's tourism industry."

makers today welcomed

Boy Scout troops from

Rep. Ehrhart noted, "I'm so

across Georgia to cele-

pleased to be a part of the

brate 100 years of scout-

celebration of the centennial

ing during Boy Scouts of

of the Boy Scouts of Amer-

America Day at the Geor-

ica, and of the tenth anni-

gia State Capitol. Repre-

versary of Boy Scout Day at

sentatives of the Depart-

the Georgia Capitol. Over

ment of Natural Re-

the past ten years, thousands

sources were also on hand

of young men from all over

to announce the "Scouting

Georgia have taken part in

for State Parks" initiative

Boy Scout Day, and it has

that will engage thousands of scouts and volunteers to given them a chance to meet their elected officials

help maintain Georgia's state parks.

and learn more about how our democracy works."

Each year, Sen. Chip Pearson (R-Dawsonville) and Each of Georgia's thirteen Scout chapters, or coun-

Rep. Earl Ehrhart (R-Powder Springs), along with cils, has committed to undertaking a large-scale ser-

other legislators involved in scouting, host the troops vice project for a local state park throughout this

at the State Capitol for the day and formally recog- year. Georgia state parks have suffered from painful

nize them in the Senate and House chambers with a budget cuts due to severe declines in state in-

special resolution. "The Boy Scouts are an integral come. Maintenance and improvement projects have

part of every community they serve. As an Eagle been put on hold, while cuts have been made to staff

Scout and board member of the Northeast Georgia and public resources. Through this partnership, state

Council of the Boy Scouts of America, I've had a parks will receive maintenance and care at no addi-

unique opportunity to see first-hand the level of dedi- tional cost to taxpayers by enlisting many of

cation the organization, its scouts and volunteers Georgia's 200,000 Scouts, volunteers, and alumni.

bring to each project," said Sen. Pearson. "I look

forward to seeing how our state parks benefit under This initiative has received strong bi-partisan support

this partnership. Parks are a vital part of Georgia's

Continued on Page 3

Senator Vincent Fort's Dropout Deterrent Act Passes Education Committee
By Jennifer Kitt
ATLANTA Sen. Vincent Fort's (D-Atlanta) Dropout Deterrent Act passed unanimously out of the Senate Education and Youth Committee. The bill will increase the mandatory school attendance ages from 16 to 17. Sen. Fort drafted the legislation to deter young people in the state from dropping out of high school.

"You must have a high school diploma to succeed in today's society. Our state is dealing with an astronomical dropout rate," said Sen. Fort. "Our children must know an education is the key in living a prosperous life. In addition, the cost to Georgia for the 5,500 students that drop out every year is $1.8 billion annually."

The legislation exempts students that are enrolled in community college or technical schools. The bill will now go to the Senate for a vote.

Page 2

UPPER CHAMBER REPORT

Sen. Butterworth Hosts Toccoa-Stephens County Day At the State Capitol
By Katie Wright
ATLANTA (Feb. 11, 2010) Yesterday, State Sen. Jim Butterworth (R-Clarkesville) hosted Tocooa-Stephens County Day at the State Capitol. It was an opportunity for state and local leaders to come together, foster relationships and work collaboratively to further economic growth in Northeast Georgia.
"These counties will be strong leaders as Georgia grows out of this economic downturn," said Sen. Butterworth. "I was honored to host the over 40 local leaders and citizens who came to visit the State Capitol and I look forward to discussing how to further promote job growth and economic prosperity in Stephens County."
Officials from the city of Toccoa, Stephens County, ToccoaStephens County Chamber of Commerce, and Stephens County Development Authority travelled to the State Capitol to meet with their legislators and other state leaders. These local leaders and citizens, along with Sen. Butterworth and Rep. Michael Harden (R-Toccoa), attended to the legislative priorities of Toccoa-Stephens County including improved infrastructure, economic development and tourism.
The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 1031, sponsored by Sen. Butterworth, recognizing Feb. 10 as ToccoaStephens County Day at the State Capitol. The resolution mentioned several notable aspects of the counties. The City of Toccoa and Stephens County were deemed a Signature Community City by the Department of Community Affairs and an Entrepreneur Friendly county by Governor Sonny Perdue.
From Page 2
from Georgia's state lawmakers. Sen. George Hooks (D-Americus), the only Georgia state senator to receive the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, offered his encouragement to the Boy Scouts and state park staff to take pride that their partnership will benefit thousands of Georgians across the state. "During such difficult economic times, the state needs all the help it can get from citizens who are willing to lend a helping hand."
Rep. Pedro Marin (D-Duluth) remarked, "It has been truly an honor to have participated for the last eight years in Boy Scout Day at the Capitol, especially this year as we celebrate Scouting's 100th anniversary. Throughout the years we have seen a movement that has embraced diversity by bringing together people from all cultures and helped millions develop the necessary components to influence their adult lives through character building, leadership training, and physical activities."
"For 100 years, Scouts have served Georgia's communities," said Scouting's Georgia State President Scott Sorrels. "Now, during Scouting's Centennial, we're focusing our resources like never before to address a critical need the budget crisis in our state parks."
National author and Scouting advocate Alvin Townley was instrumental in helping develop the program. "We saw our state and its magnificent park system in trouble and we realized Scouting has 200,000 youth and adult volunteers here in Georgia who can help," he explained.
To learn more about Scouting for State Parks, visit www.ScoutingForStateParks.org.

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UPPER CHAMBER REPORT

Committee Votes to Include First Aid in Health Curriculum

By Katie Wright

supplements for advanced degrees, but will be eligible

for higher bonuses based on classroom observations

CLOB 310 Sen. Valencia Seay (D-Riverdale) intro- and the degree to which their students have grown

duced legislation that arms students

academically. The bill will en-

with first aid knowledge so they can

able those already enrolled in

be prepared in the event of an emer-

advanced degree programs to

gency. Senate Bill 298 simply in-

complete their studies and re-

cludes first-aid instruction in health

main in the current pay scale.

curriculum for students in 8th grade

or higher. The Senate Education

Sen. Balfour presented the bill

Committee passed Sen. Seay's leg-

with Erin Hames, Policy Direc-

islation unanimously.

tor in the Office of the Gover-

nor and Kelly Henson of the

Additionally, Sen. Vincent Fort's

Professional Standards Com-

(D-Atlanta) bill that raises the man-

mission.

datory school attendance age from

16 to 17 passed unanimously.

The biggest concern for the committee and the wit-

nesses that testified was that advanced degrees would

Sen. Don Balfour (R-Snellville) presented SB 386, lose relevance. Hames explained that if a teacher feels

regarding performance-based pay structure for Geor- an advanced degree will improve student achievement

gia educators. This bill will preserve current salary in the classroom, then that should be reason enough to

structure but will allow current teachers to opt-in to further their education.

the new performance pay system when it is fully im-

plemented in 2014. New teachers and those opting The committee will continue hearings on SB 386 be-

into the pay system will not be eligible for automatic fore taking a vote.

Nasal Spray: Topic of Discussion in Health and Human Services
By Katie Wright
CAP 450 Expanding the definition of influenza vaccines to include nasal sprays that administer the flu vaccine in a live influenza virus was approved by the Health and Humans Services Committee. Senate Bill 367, authored by Sen. Don Balfour (R-Snellville), is a provision that most states already recognize.
Testimony was heard from two physicians; Dr. Karen Duncan, a Grady and Emory Pediatrician, and Dr. Tara Gonzales, pediatrician and science director with Medimmune. Both testified that the nasal spray is a safe and effective way to administer the vaccine, even to children. Both witnesses mentioned that a consent form must be completed in order to weed out those who the vaccine would not be compatible with.
Bryan Looby represented the Medical Association of Georgia, which opposes the legislation because it does not require a prescription from a doctor. A main concern is that without a prescription, vaccine compatibility might be an issue with consumers.
The committee voted unanimously to pass Sen. Balfour's bill.
The committee also voted unanimously to pass two other bills. House Bill 194, authored by Rep. Fran Millar (R-Dunwoody), ensures that a pharmacist who substitutes a generic drug for a brand name drug will display the names of both drugs on the prescription label with an explanation that there was a substitution. SB 353, authored by Sen. Buddy Carter (R-Savannah), adds certain drugs to the classification of controlled substances.

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UPPER CHAMBER REPORT

By Katie Wright

Agriculture Committee Votes for Fire Safety

CAP 123--Currently, there are several counties that do not allow a manufactured home that is more than 10 years old to be moved into the county. The Agriculture Committee met Thursday to discuss a bill carried by Sen. John Bulloch (R-Ochlocknee) that simply states that age of a manufactured home will not determine fire safety, rather it will be contingent upon a fire safety inspection.

The committee heard two favorable testimonies on the bill. Todd Edwards with the Association County Commissioners of Georgia reiterated that several counties have age restrictions throughout the state and that there was no objection to the proposed bill. Lamar Morton of the Georgia Municipal Association and Charlotte Gaddis of the Georgia Manufactured Homes Association supported using health and safety standards as opposed to age in determining the safety of a manufactured home.

The last witness, Ron Jackson of the Insurance Department, testified that there might be a staffing issue regarding who would perform the inspections, but Sen. Bulloch explained that those issues are up to the local authority, not the state.

Senate Bill 384 passed unanimously out of committee.

Regulated Industries Passes Four Bills with Overwhelming Support

By Natalie Strong

last session but failed in the House. The bill would

allow municipalities, housing authorities and counties

(450 CAP)- The Regulated Industries and Utilities the power to decide whether or not to allow alcohol to

Committee passed four bills out of committee on be consumed within 100 yards of a housing authority

Thursday with little debate. Committee Chairman Sen. property. Chairman Shafer noted that there was a new

David Shafer (R-Duluth) presented two bills Senate philosophy on public housing and several areas across

Bills 150, the Junk Dealers Bill and 148, the Georgia the state have sought to mix in different socioeco-

Occupational Regulation Review Law. Under SB 150, nomic backgrounds in order to improve these housing

a current $1 tax on all junk dealers would be repealed communities and the surrounding areas. Murphy re-

in its entirety. Currently, probate judges are required minded the committee that this is a good economic

to levy this dollar tax on area junk dealers.

development bill which will help many areas grow

and improve. Both the Georgia Municipal Association

SB 148 would give the Georgia Occupation Regula- and the Association of County Commissioners were

tion Review Council the ability to review existing on hand to support the bill, which passed unanimously

state boards to determine the need for change to their out of committee.

current regulations, as well as evaluate the regulations

of existing state boards at least once every seven years Finally, the committee heard testimony on House Bill

in order to see if all boards are still required. The re- 231, the Interior Designer Bill. The bill will clearly

viewing board would then present a non-binding rec- define that an interior designer is able to draw and

ommendation to the legislature. Under current law, consult on drawings for construction permits for areas

the state is not able to create a new licensing board of a building that has been previously designed by an

without having it reviewed after one session. Secre- architect but cannot change load bearing or mechani-

tary of State Brian Kemp spoke in support of the bill, cal construction. Additionally, they can not change the

noting that there is a need to assure that each board outside shell or building without the approval of an

was still relevant and productive. Some boards have architect. Rep. Sean Jerguson (RCanton) noted that

remained in existence but are still valid or impose the bill preserves the practice of architecture while

little to no fines. This piece of legislation would hold allowing interior designers to continue to practice

all boards and agencies accountable. Both bills passed trade. Representatives from the Home Builders Asso-

unanimously out of committee.

ciation and the architecture and interior design com-

munities all spoke in favor of the bill, which passed

The next order of business was Sen. Jack Murphy's unanimously out of committee.

(R-Cumming) SB 335, which passed out of Senate

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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
To view this report online, please visit http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/senate/ucreport.htm