LEGISLATIVE UPDATE 
A Briefing for Faculty & Staff of the University System of Georgia No. 4. February 2, 2004 
"Creating A More Educated Georgia" 
 
Session Resumes Following Week of Budget Hearings 
 
Monday, January 26 In addition to the marked the begin- Chancellor's various 
 
ning of the second full presentations, the 
 
week of sessions for 
 
week also saw the in- 
 
the General Assembly, troduction of a number 
 
following a week of budget hearings from all state agencies. 
 
of pieces of legislation.  Below are bills with impact on the University 
 
This past week saw 
 
System. 
 
Chancellor Thomas 
 
Meredith appearing 
 
 HB 1266 will 
 
 
 
before the House and 
 
return the State 
 
Senate Subcommittees 
 
Medical Educa- 
 
on Appropriations, as 
 
tion Board and the 
 
well as the House and 
 
Physicians Work- 
 
Senate Higher Educa- 
 
force Board as 
 
tion Committees. 
 
administratitively 
 
attached to the 
 
These presentations 
 
Board of Regents. 
 
continued to focus on 
 
the Governor's recom-  HB 1210 requires 
 
mendations for the 
 
an agency to ad-  
 
University System's 
 
vise leadership of 
 
FY'04 Amended and 
 
the executive and 
 
FY'05 Budgets. 
 
legislative branch- 
 
es of intent to 
 
Chancellor Meredith 
 
enter into a con- 
 
will be asked to return 
 
tract to privatize 
 
to the Senate Subcom- 
 
services 60 days 
 
mittee on Appropria- 
 
prior to signing 
 
tions to conclude his 
 
the contract. 
 
presentation on the Governor's FY'05 Budget recommendations. 
 
 
 
HR 1037 a resolution urging the Board of Regents 
 
 
 
to return fees to levels set prior to the beginning of the HOPE Scholarship program. 
SR 625 Honoring  the New Georgia Encyclopedia was read and adopted. 
SB 431 simplifies  supplying reports required by the General Assembly to a process of notifying members that the reports are available should the members wish a copy. 
 HB 712 and HB 1020 require materials used in postsecondary schools to be available in electronic format. Meetings will be held in February to study the issue. 
HB 478 requires instructors to disclose to students 
 
if they received anything of value related to class materials required of students. 
SB 52 requires the public libraries to use Internet filters. 
HB 1116 would prohibit any student guilty of a misdemeanor or felony from receiving HOPE. The bill has been placed in a study committee. 
And, various bills are being considered to re-write the code of ethics, which affects University System employees. More as this develops.