Legislative update: a briefing for faculty and staff of the University System of Georgia, No. 6 (Feb. 18, 2008)

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
A Briefing for Faculty & Staff of the University System of Georgia No. 6, February 18, 2008
"Creating a More Educated Georgia"

Key Legislation of Interest to the University System of Georgia
Officials at the University System Office are keeping close tabs on a number of bills and resolutions that are of special interest to the University System of Georgia (USG), either because they directly impact students, faculty and staff or because they affect the way the System interacts with other agencies

The General Assembly was in recess on Friday and today in honor of President's Day. The legislative session reconvenes tomorrow, when hearings will resume on the Fiscal Year 2008 Amended Budget, which is pending before the Senate Appropriations Committee. Hearings on the FY09 Budget will also continue this week in various House Appropriations subcommittees.

and keeps its records.

Here is a list of bills being monitored as they progress through the House and Senate and where they currently stand:

University System of Georgia Legislation

House Bill 815 (Optional Retirement Plan) This legislation will change the definition of persons who may opt between the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia and the Regents Retirement Plan, change provisions governing the employer's contribution to the Regents Retirement Plan, etc. Sponsor: Rep. Carl Rogers of Gainesville Status: The bill was favorably reported by the House Retirement Committee on Feb. 13 and now is pending before the House Rules Committee.

House Bill 891 This legislation provides for the transfer of positions related to the former Georgia Aviation and Technical College to Middle Georgia College and related matters. Sponsor: Rep. Jimmy Pruett of Eastman Status: The bill is being reviewed by the House Higher Education Committee

House Bill 1170 (Tuition Carry Forward) This legislation will permit the Board of Regents to carry forward tuition revenues from year to year. Sponsor: Rep. Clay Cox of Atlanta Status: The bill is being reviewed by the House Higher Education Committee

Other Bills and Resolutions of Interest
House Bill 154 This bill will create the Intellectual Diversity in Higher Education Act, requiring all USG institutions to submit to the General Assembly an annual report on their efforts to ensure intellectual diversity and the free exchange of ideas and also to post this information on their websites. Sponsor: Rep. Tom Rice of Norcross Status: The bill is being reviewed by the House Higher Education Committee
House Bill 915 (Guns on Campus) This legislation will allow a licensed person to carry a weapon, concealed or unconcealed, in numerous public places, including college campuses. Sponsor: Rep. Timothy Bearden of Villa Rica Status: The bill is pending in the House Judiciary Committee. A Senate substitution to House Bill 89,
See "KEY LEGISLATION," Page 2 ...

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE -- February 18, 2008, Issue No. 6
Key Legislation Continued from Page 1...
which also deals with where weapons can be carried or kept, is currently pending before a Conference Committee appointed by the Speaker of the House and the Lieutenant Governor
House Bill 941 This legislation will reduce the age at which Georgians may attend classes tuitionfree from 62 to 60. Sponsor: Rep. Bobby Franklin of Marietta Status: The bill is under review by the Senate Higher Education Committee
House Bill 1091 This legislation will revise requirements for determining residency status for purposes of tuition fees and require students to have graduated from an eligible high school or home study program in Georgia to be eligible for HOPE scholarships and grants. Sponsor: Rep. Bill Hembree of Winston Status: The bill is being reviewed by the House Higher Education Committee
House Bill 1095 This legislation will create the Georgia Innovation Center Act and establish a Georgia Venture Capital Fund to make investments related to scientific innovations and to establish a funding mechanism for certain facilities and equipment for scientific research and science innovative businesses. Sponsor: Rep. Charlice Byrd of Woodstock Status: The bill is being reviewed by the House Appropriations Committee
House Bill 1113 This legislation will firm up guidelines and procedures involving the state's purchasing card (P-card) program, establishing penalties for violations. Sponsor: Rep. John Heard of Lawrenceville Status: The bill is being reviewed by the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee
House Bill 1156 and House Resolution 1245 This legislation will replace the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia with the Board of Higher Education of the Higher Education System of Georgia and the chancellor's position with a chief education officer. Sponsor: Rep. Bob Smith of Watkinsville Status: The bill is being reviewed by the House Higher Education Committee
House Resolution 1059 This resolution urges the Board of Regents to include more instruction in classroom management in the required curriculum for teacher education programs. Sponsor: Rep. Amy Carter of Valdosta Status: The bill is being reviewed by the House Rules Committee
House Resolution 1103 This resolution creates a 16-member Joint Study Committee on Teacher Training and Certification to study the conditions, needs, issues and problems involved in preparing quality teachers. Sponsor: Rep. Brooks Coleman of Duluth Status: The bill is being reviewed by the House Rules Committee
Senate Bill 434 and Senate Bill 435 These bills will change the name of the Department of Technical and Adult Education to the Technical College System of Georgia. Sponsor: Sen. Seth Harp of Midland Status: These bills are being reviewed by the Senate Rules Committee
Senate Bill 441 and Senate Bill 442 These bills will require people presenting certain testimony to a committee or subcommittee of the General Assembly to first take an oath or affirmation. Sponsor: Sen. Ed Tarver of Augusta Status: These bills being reviewed by the Senate Rules Committee
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