House Information Office Room 505, Legislative Office Building 
Atlanta, Georgia 30334 
1-800-282-5800 404-656-5082 
 
1-1945-5099 
 
January 29, 2004 
 
For Immediate Release 
 
Ray Hits Ground Running for 2004 Session 
 
Legislation Moving through General Assembly at Fast Pace 
 
Atlanta - State Representative Robert Ray (D-Fort Valley) has had two of his bills acted upon by the full House and another has just passed out of committee. The General Assembly began the session January 12th and will last for forty legislative days. 
 
HB 648, which was approved by the full House today gives poultry growers more of a say in their business dealings with poultry processors. Under the provisions of HB 648, producers who are offered a contract to grow chickens for a poultry processor would be allowed three business days to have the proposed contract reviewed by an outside attorney or advisor. It also would require processors to provide growers upon request with all the statistical information used to determine the compensation paid to growers under a production contract, and would give growers the right to be present when the processor weighs their poultry. 
 
Also adopted by the full House was HB 987 which allows employees under the Macon Water Authority's retirement pension plan with five years of service to be vested in the system. The bill also implements a cost of living increase for retirees. 
 
And lastly, HB 1083 which has passed out of the House Natural Resources Committee, prohibits the permitting of a disposal facility or solid waste handling facility if it is within one mile of any recreational camp for kids under 18 years of age. This will include the facility trying to locate near Benjamin Hawkins Boy Scout Camp near Byron. "I was very pleased to have Mr. Joe Collins, Peach County Commissioner, to testify before the Natural Resources Committee. I am working hard to get this bill passed as soon as I can this session. Hopefully it will reach the House Floor by next week. This bill will help my constituents out and will go along way to benefit the citizens of Georgia," said Ray. "I would like to thank all of those who have helped me in the process and encourage anyone who has any questions or comments to contact me at the Capitol." 
 
Rep. Ray, a Middle Georgia lawmaker since 1982, chairs the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee and serves on the Appropriations and Rules committees. 
### 
 
For further information contact Rep. Ray at 404/656-5122.