Upper chamber report 2010 March 30

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Legislative Day 31: Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland Headlines Legislative Day

MARCH 30, 2010 . DAY 31
Upper Chamber Report

Raegan Weber, Press Director Kallarin Richards, Editor in Chief

The Senate welcomes county music star Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland
By Katie Wright
CHAMBER (March 30, 2010) After a long day of legislative action on Friday, the Senate reconvened with a relatively short calendar and a popular country music star. Jennifer Nettles of the musical group Sugarland was recognized in the Senate Chamber with a resolution authored by Sen. Greg Goggans (R-Douglas). The resolution honored her contributions to the state as a leader in the music industry and an active participant in the 4-H program. Nettles spoke about the 4-H program with fond regard for the affect it had on her life. She learned to speak in front of a crowd and she took her first airplane ride as a result of her activities within the 4-H program.
Sen. Jack Murphy (R-Cumming) asked the Senate to amend legislation limiting drivers' license examinations to be offered only in English. SB 67 passed the Senate and House last year, and today Murphy sought to reverse some of the changes the House made to the bill, which will require any driver's license examination given to a permanent Georgia resident to be written in English only. Sen. George Hooks (D-Americus) was concerned about the effect this legislation may have on seasonal workers as agriculture is such a large part of Georgia's industry. Murphy explained that no seasonal workers will be under the mandates of this legislation.
Sen. Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta) explained that she is against supporting her the measure because it may have a negative affect on Georgia's economic
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Continued from Chamber, Page 1

development. Murphy countered stating that, as English speakers, we could not go to France or Mexico and take a driver's license examination in our native language; we must take it in French or Spanish. Public safety is also his concern as all of our road signs and hazard signs are written in English. The Senate agreed to amend the measure with a vote of 39-11.

A strong message was sent to the federal government when

the Senate passed Sen. Chip Pearson's (R-Dawsonville)

resolution explaining any Cap and Trade legislation would

Sen. Jack Murphy debates with Senate members about English-only legislation

be extremely detrimental to Georgians, potentially costing families $6,800 by 2035. Senate Resolution 801 says that the alleged environmentally friendly legislation fails to con-

sider that a large portion of carbon emissions resulting in global warming are produced from cropland

and forest conversion, rather than by the production of energy such as natural gas, coal and oil.

A bill to extend the current capital outlay formula for the Quality Basic Education Act, House Bill 905, was sponsored by Sen. Dan Weber (R-Dunwoody). It is an effort to grant schools more flexibility as they face tremendous budget challenges. The bill received unanimous passage from the Senate.

The Interior Designer Bill, carried by Sen. Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock), passed unanimously out of the Senate. Senate Bill 231 is the result of a multi-year discussion to clearly define that an interior designer is able to draw and consult on drawings for construction permits for areas of a building that has been previously designed by an architect. However, they cannot change load bearing or mechanical construction. Interior designers will also not be able to change a building's outside shell without the approval of an architect. The bill preserves the practice of architecture while allowing interior designers to continue to practice trade.

Workers Comp Improvements Highlight Insurance & Labor Meeting

By Matt Colvin

worker's comp process and increased

penalties for noncompliance with

CAP 450 (March 30, 2010) - Legislation

state laws. The bill was overwhelm-

aimed to enhance Georgia's Worker Com-

ingly passed and now heads to the

pensation Program overwhelmingly passed

Senate Rules Committee.

the Senate Insurance and Labor Committee

Wednesday as the Senate begins to evaluate

Another House bill that would make

bills and resolutions from the House of Rep-

significant changes to the state Insur-

resentatives. Rep. Mike Coan (R-

ers Insolvency Pool was heard by the

Lawrenceville) presented House Bill 1101 to

committee but ultimately failed to

committee members, which would add sev-

pass after no motion was taken. Rep.

eral key improvements to the state Worker's

Carl Rogers (R-Gainesville) pre-

Comp program and the Self-Insurers Guar-

sented House Bill 1364, which would

anty Trust Fund. Coan said the changes stem

allow worker's comp benefits that

from recommendations by the Georgia Worker's Com- ended to be covered by the state insolvency pool, which

pensation Advisory Committee, a statewide panel of protects the insured from liability as a result of their

doctors, lawyers, pharmacists and administrators seek- insurer becoming insolvent, retroactively from passage

ing solutions to enhance the worker's comp system in of the bill. Concerns were raised by insurance represen-

Georgia. Coan noted the main elements of the bill in- tatives on the Constitutionality of the bill which led to

clude increased openness and transparency in the non-action on the part of the committee.

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UPPER CHAMBER REPORT

Jace's Law Establishing Home Day Care Provisions Passes the Senate

By Jennifer Kitt

gation. If the investigation proves the conditions of

the home caused the child's death, the operating li-

ATLANTA (March 30, 2010) The Senate on last cense would be revoked.

Friday unanimously passed Sen. Freddie Powell

Sims' (D-Albany) bill, which mandates an immediate "These facilities are responsible for the lives of our investigation and closure of Family Home Day Care children and they should be held to the highest level centers if a child dies under the facility's care. Sen. of standards," said Sen. Sims. "Our state has a reSims was inspired to create the legislation (SB 451) sponsibility to monitor these facilities, and ensure after hearing about the death of her four month old parents they are safe for their children." constituent Jace Hester.

Sims worked with Jace's mother, Amanda Hester, "When baby Jace passed away, his home day care over one and a half years to create the bill. They will center reopened the day after his death," said continue to work together as the bill goes into the Sims. "Children should not be forced to return to a House. dangerous situation before a proper investigation is

conducted and a state agency deems the facility is "These parents are working hard trying to provide the

safe to reopen."

best life possible for their children. They should not

have to worry about their children being cared for in Under the legislation, if a minor dies at a Family substandard facilities," said Sims. "I will continue to Home Day Care facility it will immediately be closed fight for Georgia's working families and the well beand the commissioner of the Department of Early ing of our children." Care and Learning (DECAL) will conduct an investi-

Government Oversight Requires Local Governments to Conduct Annual Audits

By Jennifer Kitt

Local governments

will submit a copy of

CAP 125 (March 30, 2010)-

their budgets to the

The Government Oversight

Carl Vision Institute of

Committee today passed leg-

Government of the

islation requiring local gov-

University of Georgia

ernments to conduct an an-

thanks to Rep. Edward

nual budget audit at the end

Lindsey (R-Atlanta).

of each fiscal year. Rep.

Under HB 122, any

Chuck Sims' (R-Ambrose)

local government with

bill (House Bill 831) gives

an excess of $1 million

local governments 180 days

in their annual budget

following the end of the fis-

will fall under this leg-

cal year to conduct the audit unless there are extenu- islation, which was supported by GEMA and

ating circumstances outside of the government's con- ACCCG.

trol. Sims said there are dozens of local governments

in the state that have been out of compliance with Three bills cleaning up previous legislation also

audit requirements for years. The legislation also says passed unanimously. Rep. Wendell Willard's (R-

that if the audit is not conducted, the Department of Sandy Springs) legislation to eliminate requirements

Revenue (DOR) will withhold funds as a penalty. to distribute court reports (HB 1236) and the Legisla-

Sen. Johnny Grant (R-Milledgeville) presented an tive Counsel's Georgia Laws pamphlets (HB 1279) to

amendment that would set the penalty amount at 50 specific state agencies were created to reduce spend-

percent of the cost of the audit and the DOR will not ing. Rep. Mark Butler (R-Carrollton) drafted HB

be allowed to withhold SPLOST funds. The commit- 1324 to clarify and correct language in the Health and

tee unanimously passed the bill as amended.

Humans Services' HB 228, which passed last year.

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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
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