Daily report [Apr. 11, 2007]

MEMBER SERVICES
Coverdell Legislative Office Bldg. Suite 609 Phone: (404) 656-0305

TOMORROW'S FORECAST
* The House will reconvene for its 36th Legislative Day on Friday, April 13, at 10:00 AM. * 1 bill is expected to be debated on the floor.

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DAILY REPORT

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TODAY ON THE FLOOR

MOTIONS TO INSIST
SB 17 - Optometrists; authorize to prescribe and administer oral/topical pharmaceutical agents; eye/adnexa oculi
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would allow optometrists to prescribe certain oral antibiotics to treat ocular surface disease and lid disease, but specifically prevents optometrists from treating systemic diseases of the eye. - Authored By: Sen. Seth Harp of the 29th - House Committee: Health & Human Services - A motion to insist sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.
MOTIONS TO AGREE
HB 81 - Salt water fishing; charter fishing guide and pier fishing licenses; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill comes from the findings and recommendations of a saltwater fishing guide work group facilitated and conducted by the Coastal Resources Division in 2006. The bill would define "salt water fishing guide," and salt water fishing pier," as well as make it unlawful for anyone to engage in the occupation of salt water fishing guide without holding a valid annual salt water fishing guide license. The fees for the license are $25 resident and $50 nonresident. The bill also creates an optional customer license that is available only to a salt water fishing guide who holds a USCG passenger vessel operator's license. Fees for the optional customer license would be: Resident, six or fewer customers - $150; Resident, unlimited customers - $400; non-residents, regardless of number of customers - $400. Finally, the bill authorizes the Department to use rule and regulations to specify information reporting requirements for salt water fishing guides and salt water fishing pier operators. - Authored By: Rep. Cecily Hill of the 180th - House Committee: Game, Fish, & Parks - Due to an Amendment offered and passed this bill has been sent back to the Senate for consideration.
HB 132 - Vessels; certain ports; numbers of pilots; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill changes the number of licensed pilots to not exceed 21 instead of 17 for the port of Savannah, three for the port of Doboy and Darien, eight instead of six for the port of Brunswick, two for the Great Satilla River, and two for the port of St. Marys. - Authored By: Rep. Ron Stephens of the 164th - House Committee: Economic Development & Tourism - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 274 - Notaries; qualifications; application; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 274 sets forth to amend Code Section 45-17-2 relating to the qualifications of notaries public, as well as, adding additional requirements to be met in order to maintain one's status as a notary public. These requirements include: the applicant shall have an operating telephone, the applicant shall show proof that he/she resides in the county of application, and, for endorsement, the applicant must bring along an individual who has known the applicant for at least one month. This bill also amends the notary application form to comply with the revised code section. - Authored By: Rep. Edward Lindsey of the 54th

- House Committee: Judiciary - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
MOTIONS TO DISAGREE
HB 366 - Guide or service dog; certain persons; equal public accommodations; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would allow for persons who are training guide or service dogs for use by blind or deaf citizens to enjoy the same rights of accommodation as blind or deaf citizens for the purposes of training such animal. - Authored By: Rep. Timothy Bearden of the 68th - House Committee: Health & Human Services - A motion to disagree sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.
RULES CALENDAR
SB 70 - Financial Institutions; update banking laws to reflect changes in federal law
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill updates the banking laws in order to reflect changes in federal law. It excludes the value of good will in certain transactions to minimize its impact on limits of loans, investments and fixed assets. This bill more closely follows federal agency rules and regulations regarding real estate loans. It also follows the language of the Georgia Corporate Code to allow for the electronic transmission of proxy. Further, this legislation defines share exchange and allows for share exchange in mergers or consolidations. It changes the qualifications for check sellers and requires background checks on employees and agents of check sellers. This bill also clarifies the licensee's obligation to post a bond as well as clarifies the registration and testing of check sellers who are not licensed. It provides for a cease and desist order to be issued against noncompliant licensees and specifies a penalty for withholding or falsifying information submitted to the Department of Banking and Finance. In addition, it makes provisions for advertisement restrictions and for background checks for check cashers and mortgage lenders or mortgage brokers as well as places a limit on the check-cashing fee. - Authored By: Sen. William Hamrick of the 30th - House Committee: Banks & Banking - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 157; Nays: 4
* The House will reconvene Friday, April 13, at 10:00 AM, for its 36th Legislative Day of the 1st Regular Session of the 149th General Assembly.
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COMMITTEE ON RULES
The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 36th Legislative Day, Friday, April 13, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker.
RULES CALENDAR FOR NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY
SB 224 - Motor Vehicles; commercial vehicle and fleet policy; change the definition
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill changes the term "commercial vehicle policy" to "commercially insured vehicle policy" in the definitions section of OCGA 40-2-137. - Authored By: Sen. Ralph Hudgens of the 47th - House Committee: Insurance - Rule: Open
* The Rules Committee will next meet on Friday, April 13, at 9:00 AM, to set the Rules Calendar for the 37th Legislative Day.
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COMMITTEE ACTION REPORT

Education
SB 9 - Grade Integrity Act; provide ethical violation reportable to Professional Standards Commission; statutory construction
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill provides that no classroom teacher shall be required, coerced, intimidated, or disciplined in any manner by the local board of education, superintendent, or any local school administrator to change the grade of a student. - Authored By: Sen. Chip Rogers of the 21st - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
SB 168 - Deaf Child's Bill of Rights Act; communication needs of a deaf student
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill enacts the "Deaf Childs Bill of Rights Act". The bill requires that a school system will take into account the specific communication needs of a deaf student and provide for the explanation of options to the parent or guardian of a deaf student. Additionally the bill provides that a deaf student shall not be denied the opportunity for instruction in a particular communication mode or language. - Authored By: Sen. Preston Smith of the 52nd - Committee Action: Do Pass
SB 170 - Quality Basic Education Act; foreign language requirements; college preparatory diploma
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill provides that American Sign Language can be used to fulfill the foreign language requirements for a college preparatory diploma for any student. - Authored By: Sen. Preston Smith of the 52nd - Committee Action: Do Pass
Industrial Relations
HR 427 - House Self-employment Assistance Program; create
- BILL SUMMARY: Creates the House Self-Employment Assistance Program that would encourage and enable unemployed workers to start small businesses and would allow states to pay a self-employed allowance rather than regular unemployed benefits to these workers. - Authored By: Rep. Virgil Fludd of the 66th - Committee Action: Do Pass
HR 666 - House Study Committee on a Flexible Work Week; create
- BILL SUMMARY: Creates the House Study Committee on a Flexible Work Week that would study the impact a flexible work week would have on traffic congestion and its resulting air pollution. - Authored By: Rep. Earl Ehrhart of the 36th - Committee Action: Do Pass
SB 49 - Labor, Dept. of; transfer of Rehabilitation Services; provide delivery of certain services/techniques to deaf-blind individual
- BILL SUMMARY: Provides that the Division of Rehabilitation Services under the Department of Labor will oversee services to the deaf and the blind by an organization knowledgeable on deaf-blind issues. The funding for this organization will be subject to appropriations by the General Assembly. The organization will provide comprehensive training to division staff on services required by deaf and/or blind customers to lead them to maximum independence and employment. - Authored By: Sen. Regina Thomas of the 2nd - Committee Action: Do Pass
SB 96 - Drug-Free Work Programs; provide for onsite/oral testing
- BILL SUMMARY: Would allow urinalysis conducted by laboratories, testing at the employer work-site with on-site testing kits or use of oral testing as acceptable forms of drug-free workplace employer drug testing. Adds to the list of qualified persons who may take a specimen for drug testing a person trained and qualified to conduct on-site testing or a person trained and qualified to conduct oral testing. - Authored By: Sen. Tim Golden of the 8th - Committee Action: Do Pass
SB 131 - Subsequent Injury Trust Fund; payment of assessments; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: Requires that, with regard to the Subsequent Injury Trust Fund, an employer who has ceased to be a self-insurer will still be liable for assessments so long as payments are made on any worker's compensation claims made while that employer was self-insured. - Authored By: Sen. Ralph Hudgens of the 47th

- Committee Action: Do Pass
SB 239 - Farm Laborers; provide a definition
- BILL SUMMARY: Defines "farm laborers" for purposes of Code Section 34-9-2(a), as any person employed in connection with the raising and feeding of and caring for wildlife as that term is defined in paragraph (77) of Code Section 27-1-2. OCGA 27-1-2(77) defines "wildlife" as any vertebrate or invertebrate animal life indigenous to this state or any species introduced or specified by the board and includes fish, except domestic fish produced by aqua culturists registered under Code Section 27-4-255, mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, crustaceans, and mollusks or any part thereof.
Claims filed with the Worker's Compensation Board for which no benefits have been paid after July 1, 2007, will be dismissed with prejudice by operation of law if no hearing has been held within five years of the alleged date of injury. This change will not apply to claims filed for an occupational disease as defined by OCGA 34-9-280. The form used by the Board for filing claims will contain notice of this new provision. In cases where rehabilitation is required, employers will now have 20 days from the date of notification of the requirement to select a rehabilitation supplier. Current law provides for 15 days. Injured employee examinations may now include physical, psychiatric and psychological exams. Charges for prescriptions and other items will be subject to Board approval. Charges by physicians and hospitals are currently subject to Board approval. The total maximum compensation rate per week is raised from $450.00 to $500.00 and the total minimum is raised from $45.00 to $50.00; the minimum under which the employer shall pay the total weekly wage is raised from $45.00 to $50.00. The rate at which employers shall make disability payments is raised from $300.00 per week to $334.00 per week; the length of time (350 weeks) is not changed. - Authored By: Sen. Greg Goggans of the 7th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
SB 246 - Buildings; advisory committee on industrialized buildings; appointment/vacancies; change composition
- BILL SUMMARY: Amends provisions related to the appointment and vacancies of members to the Advisory Committee on Industrialized Buildings. Members will be appointed to four-year terms and will not serve more than two terms. Vacancies, when filled, must be filled by persons meeting the same requirements as the person previously holding the position. To be eligible to serve each member must remain actively involved in the profession or industry of his or her appointed position when such person ceases to meet the appropriate criteria, his or her position shall be deemed vacated. Members will include -- Two members who are either licensed design professionals, electrical engineers architects or mechanical engineers; One member who is a building code enforcement officer; One member from the residential industrialized building industry; One member from the commercial industrialized building industry; One member from the industrialized building installation industry; One member who is an elected member of the governing body of a municipality; One member who is an elected member of the governing body of a county; One member from the industrialized building evaluation-inspection service; One member from a regional development center; and One member appointed by the Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs. - Authored By: Sen. Jeff Mullis of the 53rd - Committee Action: Do Pass
Motor Vehicles
SB 81 - Special Licenses; 100 years of scouting; Boy Scouts of America
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill changes the administrative process for the issuance of special license plates. It requires the following to be presented to the Department of Revenue before being sent to the General Assembly for authorization:
1. Sponsor must have all of the following: Commissioner's approval of application and design Post a $50,000.00 bond Have 1000 completed license applications with paid fees
2. Upon presentation of the above, Commissioner issues a letter of certification to Sponsor.
3. Sponsor goes to legislature with letter of certification to seek appropriate legislation.
It becomes effective July 1, 2007
Further, it creates several special license plates including ones for 100 years of Scouting, Garden Club of Georgia, Autism Treatment, Georgia Municipal Clerks, and Cobb County Schools. - Authored By: Sen. Chip Pearson of the 51st - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Natural Resources & Environment

SB 116 - State Forestry Commission; qualifications of the director; change provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill seeks to broaden the pool of candidates who may be considered for the position of director of the Georgia Forestry Commission. Under current law, the scope of qualifications is so narrow that few candidates could be considered for the position. This bill would provide for a larger candidate pool by allowing persons with, "significant experience in forest management," to also be considered. - Authored By: Sen. Ross Tolleson of the 20th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Natural Resources & Environment
SB 176 - State Forestry Commission; reports to General Assembly; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: Current law requires the State Forestry Commission (Commission) to annually submit reports to the General Assembly showing the condition of the forest resources of the state, with particular reference to the protection, preservation, and propagation of timber growth.
This legislation requires the Commission, in addition to the above reports, to submit reports every five years to the General Assembly verifying the ability of forest resources in this state to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability to meet the needs of future generations. However, the first report is not due until July 1, 2008. - Authored By: Sen. Ross Tolleson of the 20th - Committee Action: Do Pass
SB 263 - Soil/Water Conservation Districts; number/boundaries; alteration of existing districts/formation of new districts; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would move elections of soil and water conservation district supervisors from an annual requirement to even-numbered years to be elected during the general election cycle. This would reduce the burden on taxpayers and local governments by not requiring an election of soil and water conservation district supervisors when there is no general election being held. The bill also provides for the election of successors in the case of office vacancies and provides for staggered election of offices based upon the expiration of current terms. - Authored By: Sen. John Bulloch of the 11th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Regulated Industries
SB 114 - Real Estate Brokers; criminal convictions; terms/conditions of sentence; provide that certain time periods shall pass; application for licensure
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill: Requires the individuals who have committed certain crimes to wait a defined period of time after completing a sentence before applying for a real estate license as well as before applying for appraiser classification or approval in Georgia. Provides for the denial of a real estate license and appraiser classification or approval for certain criminal offenses. Further amends and specifies the instructional course requirements for obtaining a real estate license. Allows the Real Estate Commission to provide educational materials to consumers. Indicates that brokers are entitled to security deposits or trust funds only after consummation or termination of the transaction. Specifies the circumstances under which a licensee is allowed to deal with another licensee's clients. Amends provisions relating to point credits given to disabled veterans by professional licensing boards. - Authored By: Sen. David Shafer of the 48th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
SB 115 - Residential/General Contractors; revise the licensure provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill: Revises the procedure for obtaining residential and general contractor licenses as well as the procedure for renewing such licenses. Adds various powers to the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors. Allows the board to contract for the development and administration of examinations. Revises and provides for penalties for intentionally attempting to evade licensing requirements. Sets exceptions to licensing requirements and provides for a period to file applications for exemption. - Authored By: Sen. David Shafer of the 48th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
SB 237 - Architecture; establish minimum training requirements to qualify for certification; Georgia State Board of Architects and Interior Designers

- BILL SUMMARY: This bill: Requires the Georgia State Board of Architects to post all current laws, rules, regulations and standards of conduct relating to the practice of architecture in this state on the board's website as well as to provide notification and individual notices of recent changes. Amends qualifications necessary for obtaining a certificate of registration so as to enable architects licensed in other states to be recognized in Georgia. Increases the penalty for practicing architecture without a proper license. - Authored By: Sen. Eric Johnson of the 1st - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Retirement
SB 156 - Retirement; counties, municipal corporations; post-employment benefits; define certain terms
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends provisions relating to minimum funding standards for public retirement systems. Specifically, this bill would authorize political subdivisions to create retiree health benefit plans for the purpose of providing for the payment of covered post-employment health care expenses for eligible, present and future retirees. This bill would require that the plan and assets of any trust or fund be under the governance and investment authority of a retirement system maintained by the political subdivision or other board of trustees established for such purpose. - Authored By: Sen. Don Balfour of the 9th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Special Rules
HR 376 - Portrait of Ms. Coretta Scott King; Capitol Arts Standards Commission; urge
- BILL SUMMARY: Urges the Capitol Arts Standards Commission to authorize the placement of a portrait of Ms. Coretta Scott King on the second floor of the state capitol building alongside the portrait of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - Authored By: Rep. Roberta Abdul-Salaam of the 74th - Committee Action: Failed
State Institutions & Property
SB 48 - Penal Institutions; transmittal information on convicted persons; provide notice to the attorney of record for the convicted persons
- BILL SUMMARY: A bill related to the conditions of detention. This bill will change certain provisions relating to the transmittal of information on convicted persons and the place of detention. It will also change the provision that allows convicted persons to remain in local jails under certain circumstances. - Authored By: Sen. Joseph Carter of the 13th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
SB 120 - State Properties; requirement that acquisitions of real property must be conducted through commission; remove certain exceptions
- BILL SUMMARY: A bill related to the state agencies that acquire real property through the State Properties Commission. This bill will remove certain exceptions to the requirement that acquisitions of real property generally must be conducted through the commission. Also, this bill will deletes statutory language that created the following entities: Georgia Building Authority (Markets), Georgia Building Authority (Penal), and the Georgia Building Authority (Hospitals), collectively referred to herein as the "GBA small authorities". O These small authorities were once used to finance that construction or renovation of various buildings for the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Corrections, and the Department of Human Resources. o Theses authorities have engaged in very little activity within the past few years. O The use of general obligation bonds to fund construction and renovation has made the primary purpose of the small authorities obsolete. O The small authorities' funds are now depleted and continued existence of these authorities will require the Georgia Building Authority to use its own funds to ensure completion of the audits if these small authorities continue to exist. O All assets (real and personal property) of the small authorities will be transferred to the Georgia Building Authority. This bill also deletes statutory language that created the Agency for Removal of Hazardous Materials, also known as AFROHM. O AFROHM has been use as the agency in state government primarily responsible for the abatement and removal of asbestos from state buildings. O AFROHM's activities are decreasing. In fact, upon completion of the renovation of the Health Building, all abatement work on Capitol Hill will be complete. O Currently, the Georgia Building Authority subsidizes staffing and other administrative costs of the AFROHM's operations. If the agency is allowed to continue to exist, those expenses will continue to be borne by Georgia Building Authority.

O All assets (real and personal property) of AFROHM will be transferred to the Georgia Building Authority. - Authored By: Sen. Jim Whitehead, Sr. of the 24th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
SB 146 - Public Works Bidding; provide definitions; advertisement of contract opportunities
- BILL SUMMARY: A bill that amends Chapter 91 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to public works bidding. The bill provides for definitions, advertisement of contract opportunities, and specifications of such notices and advertisements. - Authored By: Sen. Mitch Seabaugh of the 28th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
SB 210 - Secretary of State; authorize to designate/establish facilities; government agency as a branch depository; Division of Archives/History
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends Article 3 of Chapter 13 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Division of Archives and History. This will authorize the Secretary of State to designate and establish facilities occupied by a government agency as a branch depository. It will provide that the division of Archives and History shall own and operate any equipment necessary to manage and retain control of electronic archival records. However, it may contract third parties for services related to the management of such records. - Authored By: Sen. George Hooks of the 14th - Committee Action: Do Pass
SB 235 - Corrections, Dept. Of; certified correctional employees; leave under certain conditions may retain their badges
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends Code Section 42-5-35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the conferral of police powers by the commissioner of the Department of Corrections. This will provide that certified correctional employees of the Department of Corrections who leave the department under certain conditions may retain their badges. - Authored By: Sen. Johnny Grant of the 25th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
SB 280 - Georgia Technology Authority; provide for construction/interpretation of the Code section
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends Code Section 50-25-7.7 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to ethical standards for the executive director and employees of the Georgia Technology Authority. This will provide that an officer or employee of such authority shall not have greater than 1 percent ownership interest in entities doing business with the authority - Authored By: Sen. Dan Moody of the 56th - Committee Action: Do Pass
SR 68 - William H. "Sonny Boy" Skipper Maintenance Headquarters; dedicate
- BILL SUMMARY: A resolution dedicating the Georgia Department of Transportation Long County Maintenance Headquarters to William H "Sonny Boy" Skipper in memory of the outstanding public service he made. The Long County Maintenance Headquarters shall be known as the William H "Sonny Boy" Skipper Maintenance Headquarters. - Authored By: Sen. Tommie Williams of the 19th - Committee Action: Do Pass
SR 249 - Public Property; conveyance; granting of easements for facilities, utilities 6 counties
- BILL SUMMARY: A resolution authorizing the granting of nonexclusive easements for operation and maintenance of facilities, utilities, ingress, egress, in, on, over, under, upon, across, or through property owned by the State of Georgia in Cobb, Floyd, Gwinnett, Muscogee, Paulding, and Ware counties of Georgia. - Authored By: Sen. Johnny Grant of the 25th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Transportation
SB 19 - Transportation, Department of; pay costs of removal, relocation, or adjustment of utility facilites necessitated by construction of public roads
- BILL SUMMARY: Amends the Georgia Code relating to the authority of the Department of Transportation to pay the costs of removal and relocation of certain utility facilities necessitated by the construction of public roads without regard to whether such facilities were originally installed upon rights of way of the state highway system, a county road system, or a municipal street system, where the Department has made the determination that the payments are necessary to expedite the process or that the payments are part of the contract. The Department may also order the removal or relocation of utilities occupying any part of the public road system where improvements are going to be made. When such order is made, there will be at least 60 days' written notice. The Department and the utility will adhere to the Department's utility relocation procedures for public road improvements. If the utility does not begin

removal, relocation, or adjustment within the time specified in the work plan, the Department may give the utility a final notice and the work shall commence no later than ten days from the receipt of the final notice. The owner of the utility may be responsible for and liable to the Department or its contractors for documented damages resulting solely from failure on the part of the utility to comply with requirements of the submitted and approved work plan. This bill also outlines the procedure for setting up a mediation board to hear any disputes that should arise between the utility and the Department. - Authored By: Sen. Jim Whitehead, Sr. of the 24th - Committee Action: Do Pass
SB 87 - Highway System; Dept. of Transportation; RV friendly markers on specific service signs for business establishments
- BILL SUMMARY: Part 2 of Article 3 of Chapter 6 of Title 32 of the OCGA relating to the state highway system. This bill directs the Department of Transportation to seek approval from the Federal Highway Administration to incorporate the use of "RV friendly" markers on specific service signs for business establishments that cater to the needs of persons driving recreational vehicles. - Authored By: Sen. Chip Pearson of the 51st - Committee Action: Do Pass
SB 282 - Highway System; alternative tourism routes; creation
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill provides for the creation of alternative tourism routes that are a part of the state highway system that traverse the state and pass through or in close proximity to historic sites or tourist attractions in the state. Interstate highways, that traverse the state, will not be eligible for such designation. The initial alternative routes will be U.S. Highway 27 and U.S. Highway 441. The State Board of Transportation will consult with the Department of Economic Development (department), county governing authorities, and historical sites and tourist attractions in the selection of additional routes. The department will promote such routes and attractions along such routes to the motoring public. The department will, within five years of the designation of an alternative tourism route, construct within 20 miles of the state line on each end of such route a welcome center. - Authored By: Sen. Jeff Mullis of the 53rd - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
SR 154 - Joint Human Services Transportation Study Commission; create
- BILL SUMMARY: The Joint Human Services Transportation Study Commission proposes to address a concern regarding the efficiency of current application of programs which provide transportation services to the public as they relate to health and social service transportation. The Georgia Department of Community Health, the Georgia Department of Human Resources, the Georgia Department of Labor, and the Georgia Department of Transportation receive nearly $200 million per year in federal grants to transport individuals. There are 103 rural transit systems and 15 urban transit systems in Georgia that are involved in the transportation of the people who qualify for these services. Local governments are also involved in this process. Currently, coordination among these agencies is, primarily, on an ad hoc basis. The resolution proposes that the Commission study if there might be more cost efficient ways for state and local governments to provide these transportation services such as sharing the federal funds, vehicles and facilities, coordination in the acquisition and maintenance of vehicles, and sharing in the use of trip planning technologies. The resolution proposes 15 members. The Commission may meet as it sees fit but must conclude and have a report completed by 1 December, 2007. - Authored By: Sen. Jeff Mullis of the 53rd - Committee Action: Do Pass
SR 263 - Commuter Rail; Athens to Atlanta; urging U.S.Congress to provide funding
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution urges the members of Congress to help ensure that funding for the Athens to Atlanta Commuter Rail Line is appropriated in the 110th Congress. - Authored By: Sen. Don Balfour of the 9th - Committee Action: Do Pass
* Bills passing committees are reported to the Clerk's Office, and are then placed on the General Calendar.
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COMMITTEE BROADCAST SCHEDULE
Thursday, April 12, 2007

8:00 AM 9:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 8:30 AM 9:30 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 10:00 AM 11:00 AM 10:00 AM 11:00 AM 10:00 AM 1:30 PM 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 11:00 AM 12:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM 4:00 PM 5:00 PM 4:00 PM 6:00 PM

NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MOTOR VEHICLES INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION TRANSPORTATION AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER AFFAIRS Appropriations Higher Education JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL APPROPRIATIONS Ways and Means Tax Reform Subcommittee HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES HIGHER EDUCATION - CANCELLED JUDICIARY CIVIL Academic Achievement Sub. Of Education Academic Support Sub. Of Education EDUCATION GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS

606 CLOB 506 CLOB 406 CLOB 403 CAP 606 CLOB 506 CLOB 415 CLOB 132 CAP 341 CAP 133 CAP 606 CLOB 506 CLOB 132 CAP 406 CLOB 406 CLOB 406 CLOB 606 CLOB

* This schedule is accurate at the time of this report, but meeting dates and times are subject to change. To view the most up to date meeting schedule, please visit http://www.legis.ga.gov and click on Meeting Notices. To view the live streaming video of the meeting, please visit the Georgia Legislative Network website.
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CONTACT: BRENT CRANFIELD
(404) 656-0305 Brent.Cranfield@house.ga.gov