Upper chamber report 2010 February 5

FEBRARY 8, 2010 . DAY13
Upper Chamber Report

Raegan Weber, Press Director Kallarin Richards, Editor in Chief

TOP STORY

Legislative Day 13: Senators Wear Red Badge of Courage for Women with Heart Disease

By Natalie Strong

CHAMBER (Feb. 5,

2010) - The Senate

got down to business

early Friday morn-

ing as lawmakers

prepared to return

home to their fami-

lies for the weekend

break. Sen. Valencia

Seay (D-Riverdale)

honored National

Wear Red Day at the

State Capitol, part

of February's

Sen. Seay speaks about heart disease in the Senate Chamber

American Heart

Month that is sponsored annually by the American Heart Association. Sena-

tors wore red to show support for the fight against heart disease in women.

Sen. Seay joined her female colleagues in the Senate to pass a resolution that

recognizes the importance of the ongoing fight against heart disease and

stroke in Georgia and around the country. As a survivor of a heart attack,

Sen. Seay has a very personal connection to this cause and has worked dili-

gently over the years to increase awareness of women's risk

Two bills were presented on the floor, Senate Bills 283 and 287. SB 283, sponsored by Sen. Bill Heath (R-Bremen), will encourage newly elected county tax commissioners to participate in the local retirement systems of-
fered to them rather than becoming members of the State Employees' Retirement System. The bill passed 48 to 2. The dissenting votes were from Sens. Lester Jackson (D- Savannah) and Steve Thompson (D- Marietta).

Sen. Judson Hill (R-Marietta) presented his legislation (SB 287) requiring the Department of Driver Services to change a drivers license number when issuing a new license if the old license is lost or stolen. The bill passed unanimously.

Sen. Bill Heath (R-Bremen) introduces county tax commissioners bill

Sen. Chip Pearson's (R-Dawsonville) Electrical Service Bill (SB 328), which authorizes the Public Service Commission

to resolve disputes concerning cable companies' pole attachment rates, was

slated to be presented for a vote but was tabled for further review.

* Follow the State Senate on Twitter at GASenatePress

Sen. Grant's Legislation Receives Unanimous Passage in Senate
By Katie Wright
ATLANTA (Feb. 5, 2010) Last week, State Sen. Johnny Grant (R-Milledgeville) led the Senate to unanimously pass legislation that will save taxpayers one-quarter of a million dollars per year. Senate Bill 324, authored by Sen. Grant, clarifies the powers and duties of the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council.
"Legislation that saves taxpayers money is exactly what we need to see this session," said Grant. "This legislation will also ensure that Georgia's Peace Officers are effectively trained and qualified to do the job this state has empowered them to do."
This legislation permits the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council to impose administrative fees for any authorized services that it provides. These fees are not new or additional. Imposing fees is common practice for the council under an attorney general ruling, but this legislation will ensure the legality of the practice by writing it in the Georgia Code. Without these fees, funding would come from taxpayer dollars.

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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