Upper chamber report 2010 February 3

FEBRARY 4, 2010 . DAY11
Upper Chamber Report

Raegan Weber, Press Director Kallarin Richards, Editor in Chief

TOP STORY

Legislative Day 11: Emergency Volunteer Assistance Legislation Passes in the Senate

ments of being named SEC AllAmerican and Rookie of the Year in 2009. He is now playing for the Chicago White Sox.

Sen. Jim

Butterworth

(R-Cornelia)

introduced

Sen. Ralph Hudgens (R-Hull) greets baseball player Gordon Beckman

the chaplain of the day,

By Meredith Rich

Dr. Bill Cashion, who is currently the senior pastor of Bethlehem Bap-

tist Church in Clarkesville. Dr. CHAMBER (Feb. 3, 2010) Sen. Cashion received his Master of DiPreston Smith's (R-Rome) emer- vinity degree from Southeastern gency volunteer assistance bill Baptist Theological Seminary and (Senate Bill 315) passed unani- Doctor of Ministry in Missiology mously out of the Senate today, from Mid-America Baptist Theowhich allows out-of-state, licensed logical Seminary. emergency personnel to assist the

state in the event of a disaster. The Sen. Valencia Seay (D-Riverdale) bill will ensure organization and reminded everyone that Friday is rapid medical attention during an National Wear Red Day, dedicated emergency. When the governor de- to building awareness that heart disclares a state of emergency, regis- ease is the number one killer of tered health practitioners can enter women. the state and begin treating Georgi-

ans under a temporary license. (For Sen. Butterworth also recognized

more information, see page 2)

Georgia State Patrol officers in

chamber, while Sen. Buddy Carter MLB baseball player Gordon (R-Pooler) introduced members of Beckam was recognized in the the Georgia Psychological Associachamber for his outstanding career tion to the Senate. The Doctor of in baseball at the University of the Day was introduced by Sen. CeGeorgia and as a professional cil Staton. Dr. Dan Callahan is a player. Sen. Ralph Hudgens (R- physician from Warner Robbins and Hull) presented Beckman with a attended the Medical College of resolution honoring his achieve- Georgia.

* Follow the State Senate on Twitter at GASenatePress

Rogers Introduces "Early Hope Scholarship" for Foster and Military Children

By Raegan Weber

ATLANTA (Feb. 3, 2010) Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) today introduced Georgia's Early Hope Scholarship Program to help military, foster and special needs children receive the best education opportunities possible.

"I know for certain that every child can learn if placed in the right learning environment. The decision of which environment serves the child best must be placed in the hands of those who ultimately have the child's best interest in mind the parents. Children of military and foster care often get shuffled from school to school and can fall behind. By providing parents a better choice for a stable learning environment, these children will be more likely
Continued on Page 3

Sen. Rogers looks on as a mother of four speaks in support of his legislation

Senate Unanimously Passes Sen. Smith's Volunteer Emergency Assistance Bill

for health professionals to quickly respond should a disaster or emergency arise in Georgia.

Sen. Smith delivered an impassioned speech before his colleagues on the Senate Floor, pointing to the mass causalities in Haiti and the destruction following Hurricane Katrina as the need for a rapid and systematic emergency response. "In Haiti, health personnel had to take extraordinary measures, even using vodka to sterilize medical tools and performing amputations without anesthesia. There's no reason to allow a disaster to succumb to that level if we have the resources to protect our citizens," said Smith. "This bill will allow the state to utilize the assistance of our neighboring health practitioners and ensures Georgians will receive rapid medical attention."

If the governor declares a state of emergency, volun-

teer practitioners will be allowed to enter the state

By Kallarin Richards

with a temporary license. The bill aims to expedite the process for issuing these temporary licenses,

which will only be given to those who are in good ATLANTA- (Feb. 3, 2010) The Georgia State Sen- standing under the laws of their home state. Volunate today unanimously passed Sen. Preston Smith's teers can register in advance of or during an emer(R-Rome) bill to allow licensed, out-of-state emer- gency with a qualified registration system. The gency personnel to assist the state in the event of a Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) disaster. The Uniform Emergency Volunteer Health will oversee the registration system and will coordiPractitioners Act (Senate Bill 315) will make it easier

Continued on Page 4

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UPPER CHAMBER REPORT

From Page 2
to succeed in school and in life. The successful results personnel work and have children. This does not inshown by the Special Needs Scholarship are undeni- clude National Guard and Reserves who have been able. These children deserve to be a part of this won- deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan yet hold civilian derful program that places education, not bureaucracy jobs and live in communities throughout Georgia. first," said Rogers.
In addition, the legislation would make scholarships Children of military personnel and children in foster available to Georgia's 15,000 foster children. Many care would be able to transfer to another public or of these children have learning disabilities and most private school under this school choice proposal. In are academically challenged, according to the Foster addition, the legislation expands the Georgia Special Children's Foundation. Needs Scholarship Program that already provides scholarships to those with learning disabilities to oth- Rogers' bill would also allow children currently eners with disabilities. Georgia's Early Hope Scholar- rolled in the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship to ship Program would only serve students in grades K- obtain a scholarship throughout the year and not have 12 and would allow parents to choose a learning envi- to enroll only during a short enrollment window. "We ronment that best suits their child's learning needs. want to open up as many options for special needs
children as possible. We shouldn't be asking them to There are approximately 14 military installations renew their scholarship in the middle of the school throughout Georgia where about 110,000 military year," said Rogers.

Snakes Slither Their Way Back in to Natural Resources Committee
By Natalie Strong

CAP 450 (Feb. 3, 2010) - Sen. John Douglas (R Social Circle) returned to the Natural Resources and Environment Committee on Wednesday to present the newest draft of Senate Bill 303, the Wild Animal Permits Bill. Sen. Douglas worked with members of the committee and wildlife experts in order to strengthen the language and stipulations in his legislation. Changes included a permit that lasts two years, not one, and a grace period for current snake owners to be grandfathered in.

B.W. Smith, a representative from Animal South, and Jason Clark with the Southeast Reptile Association returned to voice their strong objection to the mandatory micro chipping stipulation. Both cited that many snake owners would not have the funds to pay for the permit as well as the micro chipping. This would have reverse consequences and cause many owners to release their snakes into the wild. Clark noted that the Georgia Department of Natural Resources currently has a method to register wild animals in order to track without the expense of micro chipping. Smith noted that it would be nearly impossible for the type of problem that exists in Florida to spread to Georgia, as these animals don't survive well around people and are only prevalent in Florida because they are protected as a wild animal in the Everglades.

He suggested that we treat Georgia as a state that doesn't have a problem, like North Carolina, and not compare the state to that with a larger problem, such as Florida.

Aaron Colson, a representative for lobbyists for Life and Liberty, took the microphone to speak against the bill. He stressed that this bill was a direct violation of property rights and a blatant attempt to tax consumers with a 200 percent tax. He cited that no incident has ever been recorded of a snake of this size in the wild causing a death in the United States.

The committee asked Sen. Douglas to review the current legislation in North Carolina and make necessary changes to his bill to reflect stricter caging and securing requirements. The committee will vote on the bill at their next meeting.

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UPPER CHAMBER REPORT

Continued on Page 4 nate with other emergency response organizations to dispatch volunteers where assistance is needed.
Similar legislation has been passed in 10 other states. This creates greater uniformity among the states to provide for better cooperation and assistance in emergencies. Three other states besides Georgia have introduced a similar bill this year. Model legislation was first drafted in response to the crisis that occurred as a result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. In these instances, volunteers were sometimes delayed or entirely prevented from providing assistance as they waited to obtain authorization. While all 50 states uniformly recognize licenses for those who respond to emergencies, this is not an effective system to handle the high number of licenses needed to deliver assistance in a statewide emergency. Sen. Smith's legislation implements an effective system to handle and carry out additional medical attention in the event of a disaster.

Joint Committee Meets to Discuss "Reasonable" Price of Motor Vehicle Records

By Adam Sweat

legislation that requires the sale of the information to

be at a "reasonable" price. They claimed that the new

CLOB 506 (Feb 3, 2010) - Yesterday, the Joint House price was in fact not reasonable, especially when

Motor Vehicle and Senate Public Safety Committee compared to other states in the Southeast.

met to hear testimony regarding the sale of motor

vehicle records to third parties. RL Polk and Ex-

North Carolina charges third parties $1,000 annually

perian Automotive, two of the leading nationwide for unlimited record procurement. South Carolina

businesses who had contracts with the Department of charges a flat annual fee of approximately $200,000

Revenue (DOR), sent individuals from their compa- for unlimited annual access. Last year, Georgia

nies to testify before the

charged over $430,000 to

committee members.

third parties for the sale

of motor vehicle informa-

According to the latest

tion. If the current legis-

statistics available, Geor-

lation were to be enacted,

gians account for ap-

the state would double

proximately 3 percent of

that fee in the first year

the nation's driving popu-

alone.

lation. As of August

2009, the state has not

Both Chairman Jack

been able to sell the mo-

Murphy (R-Cumming)

tor vehicle records to

and Chairman Tom Rice

third parties due to a dis-

(R-Norcross), along with

agreement in the cost of the information. These re- the other committee members, were curious to find

cords consist of crucial information that includes

out the exact cost of obtaining the motor vehicle in-

safety recalls for manufacturers, vehicle history re- formation so that they could better assess what a rea-

ports and statistical reports pertaining to each vehicle. sonable price would be. After hearing additional tes-

The lack of access Georgia's drivers have to this in- timony from DOR, they concluded that the depart-

formation signals the potential risks citizens face. ment would come back to the committee with concise

information regarding the actual cost the state incurs

Representatives from both RL Polk and Experian

when compiling the information. Once these figures

Automotive were present to dispute the increase in are obtained, the committee will be better suited to

price per record. Previously, the state was selling decide what a reasonable price is for the motor vehi-

records for four cents a piece. The new price increase cle records. The bill will be held in committee until

would now have the state selling them at eight cents that time.

per record. Both companies supported the current

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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