Weekly wrap-up [House] [Mar. 17, 1997]

Ga Hou~e Information Office - Weekly Wrap-up

http://www.state.ga.us/Legis/1997_98/house/hinfo/wrap_8.htm

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GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE ROOM 131, STATE CAPITOL 30334 404-656-5082 1-800-282-5800
Week #8 Wrap-up
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33rd Day Arrives -- When the General Assembly reconvenes Monday, March 17, it will be the 33rd day of the 40-day session. Under General Assembly rules, a bill that doesn't make it through at least one body by the 33rd day ofthe session is dead for the year. Much ofthe focus now is on dealing with reapportionment, revamping Welfare, and perfecting an $11.8 billion state budget for the coming Fiscal Year. This past week, the Legislature was in recess Monday to allow committee work on the Appropriations bill, and recessed Wednesday for regular committee meetings. On Thursday the House was in session untillate afternoon and saw action on several important pieces of legislation.
Elections -- SB 273, which requires voters to show identification to a polling official before they can vote was adopted 162 to 7 and is strongly supported by the Secretary of State who oversees Georgia's elections.. Supporters said the bill is greatly needed because the increased amount of people registering to vote by mail and through the motor voter system raises fear of fraud. Also passed was HB 635, that disqualifies candidates for elected office, who have not paid their taxes or who have been convicted of domestic violence; and, HB 889, Elections, inactive voters, removal from voting lists.
Consumer Friendly -- Two pieces of consumer friendly legislation also saw action on the floor ofthe House Thursday and had overwhelming support. HB 570, which passed by a vote of 167 to 0, would eliminate the fee for cashing a check at a bank other than your own; and HB 630, which passed 160 to 0, allows regional and small banks to enter into an agreement with each other to eliminate ATM fees.
Driver Education -- The Quality Basic Education Act was amended by HB 409, to include driver education funding. School systems would have the option to include driver's education as a part of their curriculum. New motorist can save $200 in insurance costs ifthey take a driver education course.
Golf Hall of Fame -- HB 866, making Georgia's GolfHall of Fame in Augusta an independent authority, run by a IS-member state appointed board, passed by a vote of 149 to 15. The facility is scheduled to be completed in October of 1998 at a budget of$24 million, most of which has been raised locally. The Golf Hall of Fame has already produced approximately $1.6 million in sales tax income, supporters said.
Vehicle Tag System -- A bill to streamline the state vehicle tag system cleared the House 160 to this
past week. HB 487 authorizes the Revenue Commissioner to create a centralized computer system to coordinate tag registration and payments with local governments. Among other things, it would link county tag offices via computer and make it easier to transfer information.
Other Bills Sent to Senate -- The House also adopted HB 474, which requires all food preparers in restaurants to wear hair nets or hats to keep the food clean. An amendment was adopted that exempts volunteers preparing food at an educational, religious, or charitable event. The measure passed 95 to 13. Also adopted was HR 362, urging the State Board of Education to designate a "Civics Day" to promote civic culture with young people; and, HB 180, facilitating the transfer of disciplinary records when students change schools; HB 500, which requires a distance of at least 500 hundred yards between licensed package stores with the distance to be measured by the most traveled route on ground; HB 567, School Safety Act of 1997, enact; HB 348, Trial Judges and Solicitors Retirement; mandatory retirement age; HB 492, Insurance premium taxes; county expenditure of proceeds; HB 830, Private home care providers, certain volunteer services, exempt from provisions; HB 478, Mortgage lenders,failure to pay

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Ga Hou~e Information Office - Weekly Wrap-up

http://www.state.ga.us/Legis/1997_98/house/hinfo/wrap_8.htm

insurance premiums,liability; HB 708, Telemarketing, unlawful computer related activities, amend provisions; HB 505, Fire protection sprinkler contractor, licensure; HB 447, Firearms, pawn transactions, Brady Law applicability; HB 600, Hospitals, certain transfers of assets, provisions; HB 673, Law Enforcement Officers, training, amend provisions; HB 374, Public accountants, registration, amend provisions; HB 604, Natural resources, environmental testing laboratories, accreditation; and, HR 379, urging the EPA to keep the current air quality standards the same. To check on legislation click here

Georgia House ofRepresentatives Public Information Office

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