{"response":{"docs":[{"id":"dlg_ggpd_i-ga-bl411-b-pp1-bu6-b2009-s2-h20-belec-p-btext","title":"Upper chamber report 2009 February 20","collection_id":"dlg_ggpd","collection_title":"Georgia Government Publications","dcterms_contributor":null,"dcterms_spatial":["United States, Georgia, 32.75042, -83.50018"],"dcterms_creator":["Georgia. General Assembly. Senate"],"dc_date":["2009-02-20"],"dcterms_description":["Daily during the legislative session","Title from caption","Published only during Georgia legislative session"],"dc_format":["application/pdf"],"dcterms_identifier":null,"dcterms_language":["eng"],"dcterms_publisher":["Atlanta : Senate Information Office, 2009-02-20"],"dc_relation":null,"dc_right":["http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"],"dcterms_is_part_of":null,"dcterms_subject":["Georgia. General Assembly. Senate","Georgia--Politics and government--1951-"],"dcterms_title":["Upper chamber report 2009 February 20"],"dcterms_type":["Text"],"dcterms_provenance":["University of Georgia. Map and Government Information Library"],"edm_is_shown_by":["https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/do:dlg_ggpd_i-ga-bl411-b-pp1-bu6-b2009-s2-h20-belec-p-btext"],"edm_is_shown_at":["https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/id:dlg_ggpd_i-ga-bl411-b-pp1-bu6-b2009-s2-h20-belec-p-btext"],"dcterms_temporal":null,"dcterms_rights_holder":null,"dcterms_bibliographic_citation":null,"dlg_local_right":null,"dcterms_medium":["state government records"],"dcterms_extent":null,"dlg_subject_personal":null,"iiif_manifest_url_ss":null,"dcterms_subject_fast":null,"fulltext":"TOP STORY \nSenate Passes Public Defender Reform Package as General Assembly enters Second Half \n \nFEBRUARY 20, 2009 \nUpper Chamber Report \n \nBy Matt Colvin \nA bill that would radically reshape the public defender system in Georgia passed the Georgia State Senate Thursday during Legislative Day 21. Senate Bill 42 would significantly revise the Georgia Public Standards Act of 2003 by changing the role of the current Georgia Public Defenders Standards Council (GPDSC) to an advisory role under a new director that would oversee the new Georgia Public Defender Agency (GPDA). The bill drew lively debate from supporters and opponents \n \nto the measure as the General Assembly began the second half of their allotted 40-day legislative session. \nState Sen. Preston Smith (RRome) took the well as SB 42's author and chief sponsor to address the merit of the revisions he sought to impose on the GPDSC. Under his proposal, the current Public \n \nDefenders Council would be renamed as the Georgia Public Standards Agency and name a new director to \nhave full control and management of the agency. Currently, the council makes policy and financial decisions, but will relinquish all control and become an \nContinued on page 2 \n \nOther Key Bills and Resolutions Introduced in the Senate \n \n Senate Bill 176 provides that on and after July 1, 2010, any increase in the actuarial accrued unfunded liability to a public retirement system which occurs as a result of the enactment of legislation shall be fully funded in the year in which such legislation becomes effective. \n \nInside this issue: \n \n Senate Bill 178 relates to capital outlay funds under the \"Quality Basic Education Act,\" so as to embed and extend a sunset date of June \n \n30, 2011, for provisions relating to advance funding, exceptional growth, \n \nSenate Passes Public \n \n1-2 and low-wealth capital outlay grants. \n \nDefender Reform Package \n \nas General Assembly enters Second Half \n \n Senate Bill 179 relates to the Georgia Trauma Care Network Commission, so as to add a definition and to revise certain provisions relating \n \nKey Bills and Resolutions 1,3 to funding priorities of the commission. \n \nRaegan Weber, Press Director Kallarin Richards, Editor in Chief \n \nSenator Reed Speaks During 8th Annual Re- \ngional McDonald's Black \nHistory Luncheon \n \n Senate Bill 180 relates to the issuance of limited driving permits for 2 certain offenders, so as to allow the issuance of a limited driving permit to \na person convicted of driving under the influence subject to certain condi- \ntions. \n \nThe General Assembly Welcomes Alpha Kappa \n \n3  Senate Bill 181 changes the Board of Trustees to the Georgia Judicial Retirement System as appropriate. \n \nAlpha Sorority Inc. to the Capitol \n \n Senate Bill 182 revises the time periods and eligibility for continuation coverage under certain group accident and sickness insurance plans, \n \nCommittee News \n \n4-5 provides for additional continuation plan options, changes the age for \n \nLegislative Process Dates \n \ncontinuation coverage under certain group accident and sickness insur6 ance plans from 60 to 55, and provides for the coverage of dependents \n \nunder group and individual accident and sickness policies up to and in- \n \ncluding 25 years of age if such dependent is a dependent for state income tax purposes for such \n \npolicyholder or group member. \n \n TOP STORY, cont'd \nadvisory body under the director, who will be responsible for setting policy and accountable for the council's actions. The council board members would be chosen by the Governor, Lt. Governor, and the Speaker of the House under Smith's bill, and remove the State Supreme Court and the Georgia Court of Appeals as current bodies who nominate board members. \nSmith was joined by Sens. John Wiles (R-Kennesaw) and Seth Harp (R-Midland) in voicing frustration with the current GPDSC in how the council handled budgetary issues and ultimately has become a hindrance in properly running an effective state indigent defense system. Smith has noted while presiding over Senate Judiciary Committee hearings that he is concerned that \n \nthe current structure does not provide an adequate voice of representation for the council's interests and often leads to conflicting agendas between the council and director. \nOpponents to the bill, including Senate Democratic Leader Robert Brown (D-Macon) and Sen. Kasim Reed (D-Atlanta) were concerned that the measure is stripping power from the council and the judicial branch and placing it under the executive and legislative branches. They urged Senate members to consider the impact of placing control of the public defender system in a political environment and take influence away from those in the legal system. \nA floor amendment authored by Smith was adopted before the bill passed out of chamber by a vote of \n \n32 to 21. \nSenate Bill 100, also sponsored by Smith and pertaining to the Public Defense system was passed by an overwhelming 50 to 2 vote. SB 100 is a non-fiscal retirement bill that changes the GPDSC to the GPSA, where current members of the retirement system will be easily worked into the new agency administration. \nA number of Senators began the day by acknowledging several events going on at the Capitol such as Veterans Advocacy Day and Georgia Rural Health Day. \nThe Senate will be adjourned until Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 10:00 a.m. for Legislative Day 22. \n \nSenator Reed Speaks During 8th Annual Regional McDonald's Black History Luncheon \nBy Jennifer Kitt \nATLANTA (Feb. 19, 2009)  Sen. Kasim Reed (D-Atlanta) spoke to approximately 120 McDonald's owners, managers and regional employees during the 8th annual Black History Luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009. Sen. Reed encouraged listeners to do their part in improving the African American community. \n\"Sen. Reed talked about the work Civil Rights pioneers did to knock down walls during the Civil Rights movement; however, our generation is dealing with the debris from those walls. \n \nIt is up to our generation to clean up that debris, and create more opportunities for African Americans,\" said A. L. Farmer, a Field Consultant for the McDonald's Corporation. \"After hearing this speech I felt like now is the time for African Americans to create better opportunities for themselves in this county. Although we have an African American in the White House, we can't wait on Washington to bring change to our communities.\" \n \nSen. Reed has improved the Atlanta Metro area with his work \non the Senate Judiciary, Special Judiciary, Ethics, Urban Affairs, Transportation, and the State and Local Government Operations committees. He was recently honored by the Atlanta Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce, and has been featured in Georgia Trend magazine's \"40 under 40 Rising Stars.\" \n \nPage 2 \n \nUPPER CHAMBER REPORT \n \n AKA DAY \n \nOther Key Bills and Resolutions, cont'd \n Senate Resolution 327 affirms states' rights based on Jeffersonian principles.  Senate Resolution 328 urges the Georgia Senate to acknowledge a paramount right to life and the need for the protection of \ninnocent human life at every stage of life.  Senate Resolution 331 creates the Joint Study Committee on Health Care Transformation. \n \nThe General Assembly Welcomes Alpha Kappa Al- \npha Sorority Inc. to the Capitol \nBy Jennifer Kitt \nATLANTA (Feb. 19, 2009)  Sen. Horacena Tate (DAtlanta) joined fellow legislators Reps. Carolyn Hugley (DColumbus), Nikki Randall (DMacon) and Alicia Thomas Morgan (D-Austell) to welcome approximately 260 fellow Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. (AKA) members to AKA day at the Capitol on Monday, Feb. 16, 2009. Sorority members spent the day discussing legislation, meeting members of the General Assembly and honoring community leaders during an awards luncheon held at the Twin Towers. \n\"AKA day was a huge success. Our members were able to meet their legislators and see how my colleagues and I handle day-to-day business at the Capitol,\" said Sen. Tate. \"I was also pleased to welcome Ms. Ella Springs Jones, South Atlantic Regional Director to the Capitol. She is a wonderful asset to our organization.\" \nAttendees listened to a legislative update from House Minority Leader DuBose Porter (D-Dublin), and Senate Minority Leader Robert Brown (D-Macon). Department of Human Resources Commissioner B.J. Walker and Georgia Department of Labor Commissioner Michael \n \nThurmond gave overviews of their respective agencies to the ladies. \nMembers then attended a luncheon with presentations from Georgia Legislative Black Caucus Chairman Sen. Emanuel Jones (D-Decatur) and CEO of DeKalb County Burrell Ellis. During the luncheon the following honors were presented: \nLifetime Achievement Award Mayor Shirley Franklin City of Atlanta \nPacesetter Award Lisa Borders, Atlanta City Council \nTrailblazer Award Chief Judge Yvette Miller, Georgia \nCourt of Appeals \n \nPage 3 \n \n In Committee News... \n \nHarp (R-Midland) would create a number \n \nof revisions to the sex- \n \nSenate Judiciary Committee Passes Tough Legislation Combating Sexual Offenders, Pros- \ntitution of Children, High Speed Chases \n \nual offender registration code in Georgia, including a new statute for conducting risk assessments of convicted sexual offenders at the sentencing stage. Sentencing courts would be required to assign a risk \n \nBy Matt Colvin \n \ncategory to each convicted offender \n \nATLANTA (February 19, 2009)  The Senate Judiciary Committee favorably recommended two bills out of their meeting today at the State Capitol that will impose tougher restrictions on sexual predators and give law enforcement the ability to arrest and prosecute anyone who commits the sexual exploitation of a child. The committee also passed a bill that will \n \nbased on the likelihood of them committing another crime. Other areas would involve rephrasing the definitions throughout the code and expanding several sexual offender registry requirements for law enforcement officers. The bill will provide released or paroled sex offenders conditions to help them in their rehabilitation process outside of prison. \n \nstrengthen the laws against persons \n \ninvolved in high-speed chases. \n \nSenate Bill 69, sponsored by Sen. \n \nRenee Unterman (R-Buford) would \n \nchange the Georgia code to allow Senate Bill 157, sponsored by Judi- any person found responsible for ciary Committee member Sen. Seth the sexual exploitation of a minor in \n \nprostitution to be charged. Currently the law only allows for a parent or primary caretaker to be charged with a crime. This measure is part of a legislative package aimed at combating the increasingly widespread prostitution of young boys and girls in Atlanta and all over Georgia that was written from findings from Sen. Unterman's study committee on the issue last year. \nSenate Bill 2, sponsored by Sen. John Douglas (R-Social Circle) would alter the current law to strengthen the current penalties against people found guilty of fleeing from police. \nAll bills received a favorable recommendation by the committee and will now head to the Senate Rules Committee before consideration on the Senate floor. \n \nSenate Finance Committee Passes Trauma Care Funding Resolution, Tax Exemption for \nJet Fuel \nBy Matt Colvin ATLANTA (February 19, 2009)  A possible source for funding a statewide trauma care network has passed favorably out of the Senate Finance Committee. Senators also recommended a continuation of the state sales tax exemption for airlines buying jet fuel in Georgia. The committee delayed a vote on a House measure that would cap property tax ad valorem tax rate increases at three percent to work on some of the bill's language. \nSen. Greg Goggans (R-Douglas), member of the Finance committee, presented Senate Resolution 277 as its sponsor. The resolution is pro- \n \nposing an amendment to the state constitution that transfers motor vehicle registrations to the state treasury for the purpose of funding a Georgia Trauma Trust Fund. The amendment would allow for a $10 annual charge to be placed on every licensed passenger vehicle in the state that would go towards funding \na network that Sen. Goggans made clear is an urgent need that requires action as soon as possible, as he mentioned the current system is sorely lacking the resources to be a benefit to many across the state. \nHouse Bill 212 would provide for companies such as Delta Airlines to receive a sales tax exemption when purchasing jet fuel. This is an extension of the current exemption \n \nthat would now lengthen the statute to end in 2011. \nBoth bills received a favorable recommendation from the committee and will now head to the Senate Rules Committee before being taken up on the Senate floor for a vote. \nThe committee heard testimony on House Bill 233, which would add a real property value assessment cap to the ad valorem taxes on property. The bill would provide for any increase not to exceed three percent from one year to the next. Discussion concerning several parts of the bill's intent led to the committee deciding it would delay a vote until a future meeting to address any concerns and questions with the language in the legislation. \n \nPage 4 \n \nUPPER CHAMBER REPORT \n \n Natural Resources Cracks Down on Environmental Clean \nUp and Meth Labs \nBy Raegan Weber \nATLANTA (Feb. 19, 2009)  Today the Natural Resources and Environment Committee took up the Georgia Voluntary Remediation Program Act (Senate Bill 78) and the Clean-Up of Methamphetamine Lab Sites bill (Senate Bill 15). The Voluntary Remediation Program expands the Hazardous Site Response Act and implements a voluntary clean-up program for hazardous wastes, constituents or substances from the environment. This encourages a cost-effective and faster clean-up of the envi- \n \nronment. In order to enroll in the voluntary program, an applicant must submit a plan and an application fee of $5,000 to the Environmental Protection Division. Certain requirements and restrictions will apply and for further information, go to www.legis.ga.gov to do a legislative search on SB 78. The bill passed unanimously out of the committee. \n \nThe Clean-up of Meth Labs bill brought more discussion from committee members. While applauding Sen. John Douglas' (R-Social Circle) efforts to greatly reduce the production and use of Methamphetamines, senators also expressed their concern for the delicate balance of the rights of the property owner and public safety. The bill was ultimately held over for the next committee meeting in order to work through these concerns. \n \nSenate Health and Human Services Committee Pass Measures to Strengthen \nHealthcare in Georgia \nBy Ravae Graham \nThe Senate Health and Human Services Committee convened under the leadership of Sen. Don Thomas (R- Dalton) Thursday to consider four bills. \nIn an effort to strengthen trauma care in Georgia, Sen. Cecil Staton (R-Macon) presented Senate Bill 156. The legislation revises the duties of the Georgia Trauma Care Network Commission and the State Office of EMS/Trauma; clarifies the definitions of readiness, uncompensated care, and trauma network; specifies priorities for distributing funds and abolishes the Trauma Trust Fund. The bill clearly specifies how the Commission can allocate funds, and it will be required to report everything to the Governor and the General Assembly. SB 156 \n \nwas unanimously passed. \nSen. Greg Goggans (R-Douglas) presented SB 165 which authorizes the Department of Community Health (DCH) to obtain income eligibility for Medicaid and PeachCare applicants. To achieve the task, the state revenue commissioner will notify DCH as to whether an applicant's income exceeds the relevant income threshold. The Medicaid program has experienced unsustainable growth over the years. Sen. Goggans noted the importance of being fiscally responsible with taxpayer dollars and Georgians who need help the most are accommodated. SB 165 was unanimously passed. \nServices provided by Medicaid were once again the focus of the committee through Senate Bill 146. The legislation presented by Sen. Judson Hill (R-Marietta) requires DCH to contract with a single ad- \n \nministrator for Medicaid dental services by September 1, 2009. Sen. Hill noted the measure will save taxpayers money and will better serve Medicaid patients who desperately need dental care. The new single administration program must be in effect and contracted with all dental providers by January 1, 2010. SB 146 passed by a majority vote. \nThe Committee closed by passing Senate Resolution 156 by Sen. David Shafer (R-Duluth), which opposes the Freedom of Choice Act. The Act was a federal law introduced last year that declares that it is the policy of the United States that every woman has the fundamental right to choose to bear a child, terminate a pregnancy prior to fetal viability, or terminate a pregnancy after viability when necessary to protect her life or her health. SR 156 passed by a majority vote. \n \nPage 5 \n \n Legislative Process Dates \nImportant Dates in the Legislative Process \nIntroduction - Last day to file and/or 1st Read in Senate. 30 th day - last day to introduce General Senate bills and resolutions (even year). [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 30 th day - last day to accept General House bills and resolutions. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 39th day - last day to introduce General Senate bills and resolutions (odd year). [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] *Note: Senate bills and resolutions must be filed with the Secretary before 4:00 p.m. to be 1st read on the next legislative day. \nDeadlines for passage in current year \nCommittee Report Deadlines - Last day to read report. Report submitted to Secretary by convening. 28th day - General Senate bills and resolutions. 38th day - Local Senate bills and resolutions. 38th day - General House bills and resolutions. 40th day - Local House bills and resolutions. Calendar Management Calendar in numerical order after 2nd reading of legislation; days 1-5. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] Rules Committee sets the calendar for days 6 - 40. [Rule 4-2.10 (b)] General Senate Bills and Resolutions 26th day - File with Secretary of the Senate. [Rule 3-1.2 (a)] 27th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 28th day - Committee report read upon convening. (A recommitted bill already 2nd read - report day 29.) 29th day - 2nd Reading. [Rule 4-2.6] 30th day - Passage [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] and immediate transmittal to House. [Rule 4-2.14] Local Senate Bills and Resolutions 35th day - File with Secretary of the Senate. [3-1.2 (a)] 36th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. (Cannot pass for 2 days.) [Rule 4-2.4 (c) ] 38th day - Favorable report by committee, passage and immediate transmittal to the House. [Rule 4-2.14] 39th day - 2nd Reading in House. 40th day - Favorable report and passage in House. General House Bills and Resolutions 30th day - Transmitted from House and received by Secretary. 31st day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 38th day - Favorable report upon convening and 2nd reading. (Applies to days 36 - 38) [Rule 4-2.6] 39th day - Passage. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] 40th day - Passage of bills or resolutions tabled day 39; removed from the table on day 40. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] Local House Bills and Resolutions 39th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. 40th day - Favorable report by committee and passage. * Note: On the 30th day and on the last three days of session, bills and resolutions needing action from the House are automatically immediately transmitted. [Rule 4-2.14] \n \nPage 6 \n \nUPPER CHAMBER REPORT \n \n "},{"id":"dlg_ggpd_i-ga-bl411-b-pp1-bu6-b2009-s2-h18-belec-p-btext","title":"Upper chamber report 2009 February 18","collection_id":"dlg_ggpd","collection_title":"Georgia Government Publications","dcterms_contributor":null,"dcterms_spatial":["United States, Georgia, 32.75042, -83.50018"],"dcterms_creator":["Georgia. General Assembly. Senate"],"dc_date":["2009-02-18"],"dcterms_description":["Daily during the legislative session","Title from caption","Published only during Georgia legislative session"],"dc_format":["application/pdf"],"dcterms_identifier":null,"dcterms_language":["eng"],"dcterms_publisher":["Atlanta : Senate Information Office, 2009-02-18"],"dc_relation":null,"dc_right":["http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"],"dcterms_is_part_of":null,"dcterms_subject":["Georgia. General Assembly. Senate","Georgia--Politics and government--1951-"],"dcterms_title":["Upper chamber report 2009 February 18"],"dcterms_type":["Text"],"dcterms_provenance":["University of Georgia. Map and Government Information Library"],"edm_is_shown_by":["https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/do:dlg_ggpd_i-ga-bl411-b-pp1-bu6-b2009-s2-h18-belec-p-btext"],"edm_is_shown_at":["https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/id:dlg_ggpd_i-ga-bl411-b-pp1-bu6-b2009-s2-h18-belec-p-btext"],"dcterms_temporal":null,"dcterms_rights_holder":null,"dcterms_bibliographic_citation":null,"dlg_local_right":null,"dcterms_medium":["state government records"],"dcterms_extent":null,"dlg_subject_personal":null,"iiif_manifest_url_ss":null,"dcterms_subject_fast":null,"fulltext":"TOP STORY \nThe General Assembly Welcomes U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson \n \nFEBRUARY 18, 2009 \nUpper Chamber Report \n \nBy Jennifer Kitt \n \nadded that he knew the Sen. John Bulloch (R- Och- \n \nOn Tuesday, the Senate welcomed U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Georgia), who was visiting the Capitol to officially announce his campaign for reelection. In his address to the Senate, Isakson encouraged legislators to use money from the Federal economic stimulus package responsibly. \n \nSenate would spend the \n \nlocknee) commended the Georgia leaders of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) while introducing Senate Resolution 299. The resolution recognizes February 17, 2009 as FFA day at the Capitol, and February 21-29 as FFA week. The Georgia FFA is the third largest FFA organization \n \nin the nation, with over \n \nU.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson at the Sen- \n\"My one admonition is this ate Rostrum is a one time occurrence. \n \n28,000 members. The organization promotes \n \nDon't get used to it and don't get dependent on it \n \nmoney wisely and had faith \n \nagriculture education, leadership and personal \n \nbecause it's a big jolt of money, but it's borrowed \n \nthat the country will emerge form the recession \n \ngrowth to its members. \n \nmoney,\" he said. Isakson stronger than before. \n \nContinued on page 2 \n \nOther Key Bills and Resolutions Introduced in the Senate \n \n Senate Bill 151 relates to oral victim impact statements and grants of pardons, paroles, and other relief to provide courts and the State Board of Pardons and Parole greater input from crime victims, their families, and other witnesses and to provide for \nInside this issue: victim notification of parole board hearings. \n \nThe General Assembly Welcomes U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson \n \n1-2  Senate Bill 152 relates to established agricultural commodity commissions and ratifications, contributions, and balloting to provide for an Agricultural Commodity Commission for Ornamental Plants. \n \nRaegan Weber, Press Director Kallarin Richards, Editor in Chief \n \nOther Key Bills and Resolutions \nSen. Chip Rogers: Delivering on Promises to Homeowners \nSenator Judson Hill Introduces State Medicaid Reform Bill \nSenator Ed Tarver Hosts Augusta Day at the Capitol, Introduces new Paine College President \nHealth Care Dependent Reform Passes Senate Insurance \u0026 Labor Committee \nOther Committee News \nLegislative Process Dates \n \n1-2  Senate Bill 153 allows the use of more than one parking place by persons with disabilities when all parking places for persons with dis- \n3 abilities are full. \n Senate Bill 154 amends legislation that provides a supplemental salary for the judges of the Superior Court of the Coweta Judicial Cir- \n3 \ncuit in order to change the supplemental salaries for the judges. \n Senate Bill 155 relates to the best management practices for con4 trol of soil erosion and sedimentation and minimum requirements for \nrules, regulations, ordinances, or resolutions in order to change certain provisions relating to 25 foot buffers along state waters. \n4  Senate Bill 156 revises the duties of the Georgia Trauma Care Network Commission by revising definitions relating to trauma care, provides duties of the State Office of EMS/Trauma relating to the statewide trauma network, revises funding priorities, abolishes the \n5 Georgia Trauma Trust Fund, and establishes the State Office 6 EMS/Trauma. \n \n TOP STORY, cont'd \nSen. Dan Weber's (R-Dunwoody) Senate Bill 58, which relates to newly created municipalities, providing for the offer of sale to these municipalities of county property used as police stations, fire stations, cultural properties, or vacant properties within the geographical boundaries of the new city, passed with a 32 to 16 vote. Weber took well to rally support of the bill that would currently affect DeKalb County and the city of Dunwoody. \nOpposing views were heard from Sen. Steve Henson (D-Tucker), who noted that the state should not be involved in local and county matters. He cautioned against getting involved in the DeKalb and Dunwoody issues, and against not allowing local and \n \ncounty governments to address the situation. \n\"We have a new government in DeKalb County and a new CEO that is trying to reach an agreement in this situation. We've seen other municipalities such as Sandy Springs and John's Creek come together without this bill,\" said Sen. Henson. \nThe Senate also passed Senate Bill 4 from Sen. Gloria Butler (D-Stone Mountain) with a vote of 49 to 0. SB 4 requires Constables/Marshals when issuing protective orders to notify the protected person by electronic or telephonic means within 24 hours. Senate Bill 62 from Sen. Ralph Hudgens (R-Hull) seeks to include plan administrators in prompt pay requirements \n \nthat are already on the books in Georgia, which also passed with a vote of 49 to 0. \nSenate Minority Leader Robert Brown (D-Macon) took the well to passionately show his distain for the displacement of veterans from their government housing and apologized for focusing on \"politics\" and not the people. Sen. Renee Unterman (RBuford) followed Brown to inform the Chamber how each veteran was properly and carefully cared for. She also mentioned that she, Sens. John Douglas (R-Social Circle) and Johnny Grant (R-Milledgeville) confirmed that all 86 veterans were accounted for and moved to another home. \nThe Senate was adjourned until Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 10 a.m. \n \nOther Key Bills and Resolutions, cont'd \n Senate Bill 157 relates to classification of sexual offenders, sexual offender registration, and restrictions on sexual offenders' residences, workplaces, and activities so as to amend current legislation applicable to appeals from decisions of superior courts reviewing a decision of the Sexual Offender Registration Review Board. \n Senate Bill 158 provides exceptions to the requirements for fiscal notes regarding legislation. \n Senate Bill 159 creates the Hemophilia Advisory Board. \n Senate Bill 160 amends the \"Quality Basic Education Act\" to revise provisions relating to instructional activity concerning Veterans Day and require public and secondary schools to be closed on November 11 of each year in honor of Veterans Day. \n Senate Bill 161 requires certain insurance coverage of autism spectrum disorders. \n Senate Bill 162 authorizes security guards and detectives to obtain individual licensure for employment. \n Senate Bill 163 relates to the Department of Human Resources to authorize the commissioner of human resources to appoint a diabetes coordinator, provide for the department to serve as the central repository of diabetes treatment and prevention data. \n Senate Bill 164 provides certain height limitations on signs and signals on the state highway system to allow owners of legally erected and maintained signs to obtain permits to remove vegetation from the viewing zones of their signs if certain specified conditions are met. \n Senate Bill 165 authorizes the Department of Community Health to obtain income eligibility verification from the Department of Revenue for applicants for Medicaid and the PeachCare for Kids Program. \n Senate Resolution 291 urges the President and Congress of the United States to support legislative efforts to enact the \"National Childhood Brain Tumor Prevention Network Act of 2009.\" \n Senate Resolution 294 authorizes conveyance of certain state owned real property located in Baldwin, Bibb, Cherokee and Wilkinson Counties, Georgia; authorizes the conveyance of any state interest in certain real property in Baldwin County, Georgia; and authorizes the conveyance of an easement of certain state owned real property located in Camden County, Georgia. \n Senate Resolution 295 requests the implementation of a Strategic Deployment-Distribution Corridor Network by the Georgia Ports Authority and the Georgia Departments of Transportation, Economic Development, and Agriculture with assistance from the Georgia Congressional delegation. \n \nPage 2 \n \nUPPER CHAMBER REPORT \n \n Sen. Chip Rogers: Delivering on Promises to Homeowners \nATLANTA (February 17, 2009)  Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) released the following statement regarding Governor Perdue signing H.B. 143 into law. This ensures over three million homeowners that funding for the 2009 Homeowners Tax Relief Grant (HTRG) will be maintained in this year's budget: \n \n\"While Washington D.C. places almost a trillion dollars in debt on the American people, we in Georgia are delivering real tax relief to homeowners. The legislature declared that funding the Homeowners Tax Relief Grant was our top legislative priority. Today with the cooperation of the Governor, the Senate, and the House, we have reached an agreement to deliver on this promise to taxpayers. This is good day for homeowners in Georgia.\" \n \nHB 143 will honor the $428 million HTRG the General Assembly placed in the 2009 budget and adjusts the manner and method for appropriating any grants in future years. \nFor more information on HB 143, go to www.legis.ga.gov. \n \nSenator Judson Hill Introduces State Medicaid \nReform Bill \nBy Matt Colvin \nATLANTA (February 16, 2009)  Leading Georgia health care reformer State Sen. Judson Hill (R  Marietta) introduced Senate Bill 92 as his latest initiative to improve our current state health care system and to make health care more accessible for all Georgians. SB 92 would transfer eligible state Medicaid and PeachCare patients' medical coverage to a private health insurance provider with state health care funds still paying the premiums. The measure is intended to help Medicaid and PeachCare recipients obtain health care in the doctor's office rather than be turned away due to low physician reimbursements pushing the recipients to the hospital emergency room for care. The measure also provides eligible recipients the opportunity to stay insured under the same plan once they move off of government assistance. Hill believes SB 92 is an essential measure to accomplish his mission of improving access to quality care and lowering health insurance costs for every Georgian. \n\"In tough economic times, the easy answer is to increase the taxpayer's burden to raise extra funds before looking at fiscally responsible ways to change health care, to increase \n \nhealth care quality and decrease the costs to the state,\" said Hill. \"I am confident Senate Bill 92 will have an overwhelmingly positive impact on the health care industry in our state. It gives Medicaid and PeachCare better access to quality medical care and provides them the protection of continued private coverage once they leave the state plan. It is vital that once we get people insured, they have the ability to stay insured with quality, affordable health care coverage\" \nWhen Medicaid and PeachCare eligible recipients move into the private sector, Hill believes that the longterm results will be extremely beneficial to both them and to the state. By working with private insurance companies, the legislation should allow for doctors to receive greater compensation for medical services as well as generate revenue increases for hospitals and medical facilities. Hill points out that having more people insured in the private sector will ultimately lower the health care cost burden for all Georgians. \nHill projects these new policies could potentially save $80 million a year, in which these savings could be used to help alleviate any future health care funding shortfalls such as the $110 million projected shortfall Georgia is facing for later this year. Measures \n \nsuch as this are even more necessary with new federal dollars coming to the state because the short-term fix they may bring also causes an even \ngreater longterm health care funding crisis. \nSB 92 is just one of Hill's many health care reform initiatives. In 2008 he authored and successfully passed the nation's first patient-centered prevention-focused free market health care reform legislation, making health care and insurance more affordable for Georgia's working families. Several of his health care bills have been adopted by national associations as model legislation. Hill championed legislation in 2007 that led to the creation of www.GeorgiaHealthInfo.gov giving Georgians access to the latest healthcare quality, cost and health education information. Hill was also appointed by Lt. Governor Casey Cagle as chairman of the 2008 Senate Healthcare Transformation Study Committee, responsible for creating and perfecting policy to help make health care and health insurance more accessible and affordable for every Georgian. \n \nPage 3 \n \n Senator Ed Tarver Hosts Augusta Day at the Capitol, Introduces new Paine College \nPresident \nBy Matt Colvin \nATLANTA (February 16, 2008)  State Sen. Ed Tarver (D-Augusta) joined a group of state officials in hosting the annual Augusta Day at the Capitol last week in Atlanta. During the day's events, Tarver welcomed notable Augusta leaders and officials to the gold dome, including new Paine College President Dr. Gregory Bradley. Tarver expressed his confidence in Dr. Bradley's vast education experience and his vision for Paine and is excited to work with its new president to further grow and expand the historically black liberal arts school in the upcoming years. \n\"It is always a privilege to host Augusta Day at the State Capitol and this year was especially rewarding to introduce Dr. Bradley to state \n \nleaders and education officials,\" said Tarver. \"Paine College has found itself an outstanding leader with a focused vision, a commitment to academic success, and the experience and knowledge to guide Paine College for many years to come. He is forward-thinking in his goals and ambitions for a school rich in history and importance to our state and I am looking forward to working with Dr. Bradley and to see his contributions to Paine and the Augusta community.\" \nDr. Bradley's first visit to the Capitol during Augusta Day provided him opportunities to speak with several state and educational leaders, including Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, University System of Georgia Chancellor Erroll Davis, and State \n \nSen. Seth Harp (R-Midland) who chairs the Senate Higher Education Committee. \nTarver noted Dr. Bradley is committed to making Paine College a premier liberal arts school in the region that provides intensive student engagement and a comprehensive learning environment. Several components of Bradley's strategy are improving the core faculty, growing Paine's technology infrastructure development, and enhancing the campus facilities. \nPaine College is a historically black, higher-educational institution founded in 1882 and currently supported by the United Methodist Church. Paine is a four-year co-ed liberal arts school with academic divisions focusing on business administration, humanities, social sciences, education, natural sciences, and mathematics. \n \nIn Committee News... \n \ncate of state health care reform and this measure would allow \n \nHealth Care Dependent Reform Passes Senate Insurance \u0026 Labor Committee \n \nstudents who chose to pursue internships or are working on a parttime degree to stay covered until they reach 25. \n \nBy Matt Colvin \n \nATLANTA (February 17, 2009)  A bill allowing all dependent children under the age of 25 to stay on their guardian's health insurance plan has passed the Senate Insurance \u0026 Labor Committee. Senate Bill 94, sponsored by State Sen. Judson Hill (RMarietta), would allow coverage for dependent children regardless of their enrollment status in college up until they turn 25. Currently the law requires insurance policies to only allow coverage if the dependent child under 25 is a full-time college student. Hill has been a long-time advo- \n \nSenate Bill 105, also sponsored by Hill, passed out of committee and would allow health reimbursement arrangement (HRA)  only plans to be approved for sale in conjunction with individual health insurance plans. \nHill's state Medicaid reform legislation, Senate Bill 92, was scheduled to be taken up for a vote but Committee Chairman Ralph Hudgens (R-Hull) announced the bill will be presented at a future meeting yet to be determined. \n \nOther bills that were passed out of committee include: House Bill 80, which would allow private companies that have a minimum of two employees to secure life insurance for anyone in their company they deem as needing life insurance; Senate Bill 95, sponsored by Sen. Renee Unterman (R-Buford) would protect seniors over the age of 65 from any unfair insurance trade practices; and Senate Bill 123, sponsored by Sen. Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville) would require pharmacy benefit managers to be licensed by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner. \nAll bills will now head to the Senate Rules Committee before going to the Senate floor for consideration. \n \nPage 4 \n \nUPPER CHAMBER REPORT \n \n In Committee News... \n \nquires an outdoor advertising \n \nOutdoor Advertising Restrictions Pass Through \nthe Transportation \n \npermit holder to submit a vegetation fee of $4,000, minus the costs associated with acquiring, in- \n \nCommittee \n \nstalling, and maintaining re- \n \nBy Raegan Weber \nATLANTA (Feb. 17, 2009)  Today the Transportation Committee passed the Outdoor Advertising Restrictions bill by a vote of 9-1. Senate Bill 164, authored by Sen. Don Balfour (RSnellville) provides additional restrictions by prohibiting outdoor signs that exceed 75 feet in height (excluding pre-existing signs). In addition, the bill re- \n \nplacement landscaping. Replacement landscaping will require the planting of trees from a list approved by DOT in a ratio of 22 trees for each site a vegetation removal permit is granted on the right of way. If DOT determines the applicant's site is not feasible for the tree replanting plan, DOT must consider the acceptance of wildflower planting. All replacement landscaping must be installed \n \nduring the next full planting season, and outdoor advertising permit holders will be responsible for maintaining the landscaping, including erosion control, for two years. For more details on this bill, go to www.legis.ga.gov and do a legislative search for SB 164. \n \nPublic Safety Committee Passes Two Metal Theft \nBills \nBy Raegan Weber \nATLANTA (Feb. 17, 2009)  Sen. Seth Harp (R-Midland) presented his two metal theft prevention bills today to the Public Safety Committee. Senate Bill 53 provides for the seizing of vehicles and tools of the criminals that were used during a metal theft crime and prohibits any kind of advertising for the purchase or sale of stolen metals. Many times the chosen form of advertising is fliers posted to trees and lamp poles in local areas. SB 53 passed unanimously through the Public Safety Committee. \nSenate Bill 52 creates a registry for metal thieves so they will be \n \nknown throughout their neighborhoods. Main concerns over the bill were for the protection of juvenile offenders and first offenders. Sen. Harp assured members of the committee that the judges will still have the ability to rule accordingly in those cases and juvenile offender laws still apply. The bill passed with a majority vote. \nLast month, Public Safety Committee Chairman Jack Murphy (R-Cumming) joined other General Assembly leaders to announce the formation of a Stop Metal Theft Task Force to combat the rising problem of recy- \n \ncled metals being stolen from homes, cars and even graveyards. \nItems that are typically at risk include catalytic converters, copper piping in vacant homes, copper coils and wires in airconditioning units and platinum. \nThe task force's work will be maximized by the STOP METAL THEFT (SMT) TM website, which has been dubbed the MySpace of metal theft. To visit the site, go to www.stopmetalthefts.com. \n \nPage 5 \n \n Legislative Process Dates \nImportant Dates in the Legislative Process \nIntroduction - Last day to file and/or 1st Read in Senate. 30 th day - last day to introduce General Senate bills and resolutions (even year). [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 30 th day - last day to accept General House bills and resolutions. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 39th day - last day to introduce General Senate bills and resolutions (odd year). [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] *Note: Senate bills and resolutions must be filed with the Secretary before 4:00 p.m. to be 1st read on the next legislative day. \nDeadlines for passage in current year \nCommittee Report Deadlines - Last day to read report. Report submitted to Secretary by convening. 28th day - General Senate bills and resolutions. 38th day - Local Senate bills and resolutions. 38th day - General House bills and resolutions. 40th day - Local House bills and resolutions. Calendar Management Calendar in numerical order after 2nd reading of legislation; days 1-5. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] Rules Committee sets the calendar for days 6 - 40. [Rule 4-2.10 (b)] General Senate Bills and Resolutions 26th day - File with Secretary of the Senate. [Rule 3-1.2 (a)] 27th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 28th day - Committee report read upon convening. (A recommitted bill already 2nd read - report day 29.) 29th day - 2nd Reading. [Rule 4-2.6] 30th day - Passage [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] and immediate transmittal to House. [Rule 4-2.14] Local Senate Bills and Resolutions 35th day - File with Secretary of the Senate. [3-1.2 (a)] 36th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. (Cannot pass for 2 days.) [Rule 4-2.4 (c) ] 38th day - Favorable report by committee, passage and immediate transmittal to the House. [Rule 4-2.14] 39th day - 2nd Reading in House. 40th day - Favorable report and passage in House. General House Bills and Resolutions 30th day - Transmitted from House and received by Secretary. 31st day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 38th day - Favorable report upon convening and 2nd reading. (Applies to days 36 - 38) [Rule 4-2.6] 39th day - Passage. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] 40th day - Passage of bills or resolutions tabled day 39; removed from the table on day 40. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] Local House Bills and Resolutions 39th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. 40th day - Favorable report by committee and passage. * Note: On the 30th day and on the last three days of session, bills and resolutions needing action from the House are automatically immediately transmitted. [Rule 4-2.14] \n \nPage 6 \n \nUPPER CHAMBER REPORT \n \n "},{"id":"dlg_ggpd_i-ga-bl411-b-pp1-bu6-b2009-s2-h12-belec-p-btext","title":"Upper chamber report 2009 February 12","collection_id":"dlg_ggpd","collection_title":"Georgia Government Publications","dcterms_contributor":null,"dcterms_spatial":["United States, Georgia, 32.75042, -83.50018"],"dcterms_creator":["Georgia. General Assembly. 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Map and Government Information Library"],"edm_is_shown_by":["https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/do:dlg_ggpd_i-ga-bl411-b-pp1-bu6-b2009-s2-h12-belec-p-btext"],"edm_is_shown_at":["https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/id:dlg_ggpd_i-ga-bl411-b-pp1-bu6-b2009-s2-h12-belec-p-btext"],"dcterms_temporal":null,"dcterms_rights_holder":null,"dcterms_bibliographic_citation":null,"dlg_local_right":null,"dcterms_medium":["state government records"],"dcterms_extent":null,"dlg_subject_personal":null,"iiif_manifest_url_ss":null,"dcterms_subject_fast":null,"fulltext":"TOP STORY \n \nFEBRUARY 12, 2009 -- DAY 18 \nUpper Chamber Report \n \nSenate Debates Georgia Power Financing Bill \n \nBy Raegan Weber and Hayley Howell \nSenate Chamber Day 17 brought much excitement as many senators took center stage for devotions, resolutions, and a spirited debate over the Georgia Power financing bill. The excitement began with the former President Pro Tempore Sen. Eric Johnson (R- Savannah) having the honor and pleasure of introducing his son, Marcus Johnson, as the Chaplain of the Day to lead the Senate in the morning devotion. \nThe main focus of Day 17 was the debate and passage of Sen. Don Balfour's (R-Snellville) Georgia Nuclear Energy Financing Act, Senate Bill 31. \n \nSens. Balfour and Adelman express their thoughts on the Georgia Nuclear Energy Financing Act. \n \nThe bill allows recovering of financing costs during the construction of two nuclear power generators rather than have the financing costs compounded at the end of the project. It ultimately passed by 38-16, but not without intense questions and speeches from the Well. \n \nBalfour opened the discussion by presenting evidence and charts demonstrating the money savings to Georgia Power customers as well as the economic development benefits. He urged his colleagues to pass the bill and \nContinued on page 2 \n \nOther Key Bills and Resolutions Introduced in the Senate \nInside this issue: \n \nSenate Debates Georgia Power Financing Bill \nKey Bills and Resolutions \nGeorgia Power Financing Bill Passes in the Senate \n \n Senate Bill 132 enacts the \"Dropout Deterrent Act\" for school 1-2 attendance in elementary and secondary education which will revise \nthe age of mandatory education. \n1,4 \n Senate Bill 133 provides compensation that may be received by a 3 health care provider for purposes of sovereign immunity protection in \nthe \"Health Share Volunteers in Medicine Act.\" \n \nAdelman Introduces Renewable Energy Bill \nSen. Pearson Urges Congress to Build Reservoirs, Increasing Georgia's Water Supply \nBanking Committee Holds Public Hearing on Fair Lending Act Revisions \nAgriculture Committee Passes Food Testing Bill \nHigher Education Initiatives Pass Committee \n \n3  Senate Bill 134 enacts the Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote for elections which allows \n4 states to join together to establish an interstate compact to elect the president by national popular vote. \n Senate Bill 135 states that a religious nonprofit organization which enters into a health care cost sharing arrangement with its mem5 bers shall not be considered an insurance company, health maintenance organization, or health benefit plan of any class, kind, or character. \n5  Senate Bill 136 requires the Department of Corrections and the State Board of Pardons and Paroles to participate in the United States \n6 Immigration and Customs Enforcement Rapid Removal of Eligible Paroles Accepted for Transfer (REPAT) Program or a similar federal deportation program. \n \nRaegan Weber, Press Director Kallarin Richards, Editor in Chief \n \nTransportation Committee Passes MARTA Bill \nLegislative Process Dates \n \n6  Senate Bill 137 adopts the Interstate Compact on Educational \nOpportunity for Military Children which will remove barriers to edu- \n7 cational success imposed on children of military families because of frequent moves and deployment of their parents. \n \n TOP STORY, cont'd \nsaid that by doing so it would lower financing costs by nearly $300 million. In addition, the funds would accelerate the projects and bring approximately 3,500 jobs over the next eight years to Georgia. (More details on this story on pg. 3.) \nOpposition to the bill included questions of who will receive the benefits of paying now for units that will be built in the future, especially for senior citizens and more transient citizens. Others were concerned if the funds from the slight rate increase would go only toward the generators or be pooled with Georgia Power's general revenues, if there could be any future increases to customer power rates, and if the bill was stepping over legislative boundaries. \nSen. David Adelman (D-Decatur) ardently expressed the negatives of the bill, especially when crossing into jurisdiction of Georgia's Public Service Commission (PSC). \"The Public Service Commission regulates the balance between rate payers and shareholders,\" professed Adelman. \"This bill suggests the Georgia Senate should eject itself in a regulatory compact on an issue the Georgia Public Service Commission controls.\" \n \ntheir thoughts on issues important to them and their constituents. \nSen. John Douglas (R-Social Circle) took the well to explain the cost of illegal immigration in Georgia. Douglas presented the results of the Gwinnett County prison population of illegal immigrants in which they found a significant number were guilty or suspected of murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, and other crimes. He pointed out that the cities that adopt a sanctuary policy actually ignore the crimes illegal immigrants commit. A \"sanctuary policy\" is any regulation which prevents local officials from reporting a person's immigration status, effectively ignoring illegal immigration. \nAfter months of poor economic news, Majority Leader Chip Rogers (RWoodstock) presented a success story about the Georgia Tech Research Institute, an organization that started with a $5,000 investment which they have turned into $2 billion in research grants. Last year the state money that went into this organization was returned with an 18-1 ratio. The institute has been an incredible success for the state. Just last year they hired 122 people and their annual economic impact is nearly $500 million. The institute's director, Dr. Stephen Cross, and all its members were recognized today by Sen. Rogers and the Senate. \n \nan interstate compact of education opportunities for military children and their families. Harbison explained that military children encounter significant school challenges when dealing with enrollment, eligibility, placement, and graduation while their parents defend our country. Harbison appealed to the Senate to perfect legislation this year and move it forward once again for Georgia's military families. \nSen. Valencia Seay (D-Riverdale) passionately expressed her concerns for veterans making a smoother transition into civilian lives. She mentioned upcoming legislation that will offer an improved and smoother process for veterans. She offered five points that Georgia could do to improve veterans' lives after service. They include guaranteeing veterans benefit by expanding the term \"veteran\" to include those serving after to 1972, hiring preferences for veterans and spouses, creating an interstate compact allowing interstate college transfers, enabling veterans to pursue a quality college education by providing tuition and deadline wavers, supporting soldiers and their families with spousal leave for wounded veterans, tax deductable marriage counseling, and property tax relief for the disabled and spouses of the deceased. As a wife of a veteran, she believes that the treatment for veterans is in need of improvement and could be achieved through her legislation. \n \nSen. Robert Brown (D-Macon) stepped up to profess his opposition to the bill. \"This bill is essentially an accelerated tax increase,\" Brown alleged. \"It doesn't belong here. This is the Public Service Commission's decision.\" \nBalfour closed the debate by stating, \"The demand for Georgia Power is going through the roof. This bill is not establishing rates but is providing the ability to pay the interest of the construction of these units ahead of time.\" \nPrior to the discussion of SB 31, other senators had the opportunity to express \n \nSen. Greg Goggans (R-Douglas) introduced a bill that will place a trauma charge of $10 per year for each passenger vehicle licensed in Georgia. This will be a Designated Fund Source for the Georgia Trauma Network. Goggans expressed that his bill would help make Georgia a safer place to live and will improve Georgians' quality of life. He advised the Senate \"it's time for a little less talk and a lot more action\" and to support this bill that so many Georgians need. \nSen. Ed Harbison (D-Columbus) rose to speak about last year's Senate Bill 345, \n \nSen. Chip Pearson (R-Dawsonville) presented and passed Senate Resolution 107, urging Congress to facilitate the building of reservoirs in north Georgia to ensure the state has an adequate water supply. The resolution recommends that reservoirs be built upstream from Lake Sydney Lanier. Over five million people depend on Lanier and the Chattahoochee River for their water supply. The metro Atlanta area alone relies on the Chattahoochee for 75 percent of its water, the smallest river in the nation providing a main water source to a city the size of Atlanta. (more on pg. 4.) \n \nPage 2 \n \nUPPER CHAMBER REPORT \n \n Senate Drives Energy Initiatives \n \nGeorgia Power Financing Bill Passes in the Senate \nBy Raegan Weber \nATLANTA (Feb. 11, 2009)  Today the Senate took great strides in saving taxpayers and Georgia Power customers significant money by passing the Georgia Nuclear Energy Financing Act, Senate Bill 31. The bill allows recovering of financing costs during the construction of two nuclear power generators rather than have the financing costs compounded at the end of the project. Sen. Don Balfour (RSnellville), chairman of the Rules Committee, sponsored the bill. \n\"The beauty of the bill is that it prevents the capitalization of financing costs at the end of the project, lowering the cost by $300 million,\" said Balfour. \"The reality is that these generators will be built with or without this legislation. So why not save customers and taxpayers as much money up front as we can? This is purely good business practice.\" \n \nTraditionally, utilities are allowed to recover the costs of investments, such as power generators, after the generators begin to operate and serve customers. Construction, utility and many other costs are incurred during this time as well as compounding interest. \nAs an alternative, Balfour's legislation allows for recovery of financing costs during construction period- and therefore avoids the \"interest on interest\" expenses. The Public Service Commission (PSC) can allow recovery of financing costs during the construction period by including the on-going construction costs related to the new units in the rate base of customer power bills. Customers may see a raise in their power bills of approximately $1.30 per month starting in 2011. Construction on the projects begins in 2010. \nBalfour has also noted that by passing this legislation, funding for the projects will accelerate the development of the generators and bring significant economic growth to the local areas. Building the nuclear generators will create over 3,500 jobs over the next eight years. The generators also produce tremendous energy savings for companies, which will make Georgia more competitive with neighboring states in attracting new businesses. \n \nThe Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 provides approximately $80 billion in Federally backed monies for the creation of nuclear power generators across the U.S. The creation of the two new facilities by Georgia Power will be the first in 30 years. Nuclear energy accounts for about 20 percent of U.S. electricity supply. Georgia is already harnessing the benefits of nuclear energy. As of 2006, one-fifth of Georgia's electricity was powered by nuclear energy. Georgia is home to two nuclear generators  Plant Vogtle near Waynesboro, and Plant Hatch near Baxley in southeastern Georgia. In an effort to increase the state's nuclear output, Georgia Power is seeking federal funding to build two new 1,100 megawatt nuclear reactors at Plant Vogtle along with two partners, Georgia EMC's and the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia. \nThe nation's nuclear generators are among the safest and most secure industrial facilities. Every nuclear plant has a detailed plan for responding in the event of an emergency. Nuclear energy will add needed diversity to Georgia's fuel mix at a time when fuel prices are increasingly significantly and represents the only technology that does not produce greenhouse gas emissions. \nFor more information on SB 31, go to www.legis.ga.gov. \n \nAdelman Introduces Renewable Energy Bill \nBy Raegan Weber \nATLANTA (Feb. 11, 2009) - Sen. David Adelman (D-Decatur) wants Georgia to be in a strong position to take advantage of the more than $70 billion for renewable energy initiatives in the Federal economic stimulus plan. To meet this objective, Adelman today introduced a renewable energy bill requiring electric service providers to \n \ngradually increase the amount of renewable and recoverable energy generation in their portfolios. Renewable energy sources include biomass, solar and wind energy, geothermal, and hydrogen. \n\"Renewable energy development gives us a three-for-one opportunity: it will create jobs, promote energy security and independence, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,\" said Adelman. \n \n\"This is a first step to long-term, sustainable energy independence.\" \nSpecifically, the bill requires electric service providers to gradually increase renewable and recoverable energy generation with an ultimate requirement that 20 percent of annual net electricity sales come from renewable energy sources by the end of 2030. Measures that make energy usage more efficient, thereby conserving energy, can be counted toward that percentage. \n \nPage 3 \n \n Sen. Pearson Urges Congress to Build Reservoirs, Increasing \nGeorgia's Water Supply \nBy Kallarin Richards \nATLANTA (February 12, 2009) -- As Georgia continues to suffer a recordbreaking drought, Sen. Chip Pearson (R-Dawsonville) yesterday passed a resolution in the Senate urging Congress to facilitate the building of reservoirs in north Georgia to ensure the state has an adequate water supply. \n\"The drought has threatened Georgians' health and quality of life while also endangering our animal and plant life,\" stressed Pearson. \"The state has worked hard to better \n \nmanage our water resources and increase conservation by developing a statewide water plan. Now is the time to turn our attention to additional solutions that will help us meet the growing demand for this essential resource.\" \nTo provide more water storage, the resolution recommends that reservoirs be built upstream from Lake Sydney Lanier including in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Over five million people depend on Lanier and the Chattahoochee River for their water supply. The metro Atlanta area alone relies on the Chattahoochee for 75 percent of its water, the smallest river in the nation providing a main water source to a city the size of Atlanta. \nGeorgia already faces limited water resources with small headwater riv- \n \ners, no large natural lakes, and almost no groundwater. Building reservoirs upstream from Lake Lanier will allow for the control of water levels, also protecting downstream areas by increasing river flow in times of drought. This will help ensure that agriculture, much of which is located in the southern part of the state, is provided with the necessary amount of water to sustain the state's largest industry. \nIssues arising from Georgia's already small watershed have been compounded by a severe drought. Lanier's lake level has continuously dropped since 2006, with the current level more than 14 feet below full. On average, Georgia's annual rainfall is 50 inches, but by December, the state had only received 37 inches for the whole of 2008. \n \nOther Key Bills, cont'd \n Senate Bill 138 is the \"Transparency in Lawsuits Protection Act\" which provides that legislative enactments do not create a private right of action. \n \n Senate Bill 139 uses parole evidence to prove an apparent deed is a mortgage, to delineate the factors to be considered in determining when an instrument of conveyance can be held as an equitable mortgage. \n \n Senate Bill 140 provides that a tenant with a valid lease can stay in a foreclosed property for 60 days and receive a notice of an impeding sale of the property if it is under foreclosure. \n \n Senate Bill 141 requires fees to be collected by clerks of the superior court to provide for fees for filing documents and other instruments pertaining to a deed under power more than 30 days. \n \n Senate Resolution 184 creates the Senate Study Committee on Boating Safety. \n \n Senate Resolution 187 urges Congress to adopt the \"United States National Health Insurance Act\" (or the \"Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act\"). \n \n Senate Resolution 255 requests that the President of the United States and his administration continue the uninterrupted production of the F-22 Raptor. \n \n Senate Resolution 260 urges the President and the Congress of the United States to support legislative efforts amending the United States Constitution to incorporate the Voting Rights Act of 1965. \n \nPage 4 \n \nUPPER CHAMBER REPORT \n \n In Committee News... \n \nHamrick introduced a substitute \n \nto SB 57 which \n \nSenate Banking \u0026 Financial Institutions Committee Holds \nPublic Hearing on Fair \n \nwas drafted after the initial public hearing on the bill took place last week. The substitute narrows down its mortgage broker \n \nLending Act Revisions \n \ndefinition and will exclude Federal \n \nBy Matt Colvin \nATLANTA (February 11, 2009)  A bill that would revise the Georgia Fair Lending Act is now four pieces of legislation aimed at addressing current and future foreclosure issues in Georgia. Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee Chairman Sen. Bill Hamrick (R  Carrollton) introduced the new legislation package during his committee's scheduled meeting Wednesday at the Capitol. Hamrick noted the \n \nhome loans as considered nontraditional loans. SB 57 targets revising the code on two mortgage loans that have caused massive amounts of foreclosures and decreasing home values: the option adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) and sub-prime credit loans. He stated during the first meeting that this measure is aimed at properly defining these two loan structures and to set standards for how lenders can operate under those categories. \n \nthree new measures were originally included in Senate Bill 57, the Georgia Fair Lending Act, and are now complementary bills as part of a legislative package. \n \nHamrick summarized the three new bills that were originally part of SB 57 and will now stand alone as separate legislation: \n \nSenate Bill 139 - SB 139 will essentially make foreclosure scams easier to undo by law. \nSenate Bill 140  SB 140 will allow tenants with a valid lease to remain in a foreclosed property for 60 days. The lender must also provide written notice to the tenant informing them of the pending foreclosure. \nSenate Bill 141  SB 141 imposes a time limit of 30 days for purchasers of foreclosed properties to file deeds to the courts. Failure to comply would result in fines being imposed on the purchaser of up to $7,500 for late filing. \nHamrick announced that all four Senate bills will be considered and taken up for a vote at a future committee meeting date yet to be determined. \n \nAgriculture Committee Passes Food Testing Bill \nBy Ravae Graham \nThe Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee unanimously passed Senate Bill 80, the Food Safety Testing, Reporting \u0026 Record Keeping bill. The legislation, authored by Chairman John Bulloch (R-Ochlocknee), imposes stricter guidelines on food testing for processing plants in response to the nationwide salmonella outbreak that was linked to a south Georgia peanut butter plant in Blakely, GA. \nBulloch's legislation requires that food processing facilities report suspicions of contaminated food, food testing and retention of testing results to the Department of Agricul- \n \nture (Department). This legislation provides the Department access to any food processor's testing records for the presence of contaminants. The Commissioner of Agriculture is also directed to establish requirements for regular food testing. Processors are to report positive finds of contaminates within one business day of the discovery directly to the state. \nThe bill gives the commissioner the right to test any food if there are reasonable grounds to suspect contamination. Financial responsibility for the cost of testing lies solely with the food establishment, not the department. \n \nGeorgia is the number one peanut producer in the nation. In 2008, peanut production in Georgia was \n2.3 billion pounds, compared to the previous year's 1.6 billion pounds according to the USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service. Georgia produces 45 percent of the United States' peanuts. Georgia has 14,160 farms with peanuts and over 4,800 active farms. Georgia has approximately 250 peanut related businesses. The peanut industry contributes more than 50,000 jobs in Georgia. \n \nPage 5 \n \n Higher Education Initiatives Pass Committee \nBy Hayley Howell \nATLANTA (Feb. 11, 2009)-- Sen. Seth Harp (R- Midland) began Wednesday's Higher Education Committee meeting by tabling Senate Resolution 84 which urges the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia to merge Savannah State University with Armstrong Atlantic State University and Albany State University with Darton College. Harp declared the resolution would more than likely come up again in the next Legislative Session. \nThe resolution was tabled in order to research and discuss with the colleges to find the most appropriate solution for the merger. Sen. Emanuel Jones (D- Decatur) proposed Senate Resolution 140 which creates the Senate Study Committee on Consolidation of Institutions of Higher Education. The study committee \n \nwill consist of three Senate members and four members of the public appointed by the President of the Senate. One of these members must be a member if the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus' committee on education. The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Higher Education is to serve as chairperson of the study committee. The resolution passed unanimously among the committee. \nLastly, Harp proposed House Bill 157 on behalf of Rep. Ben Harbin (R- Evans) which extends certain benefits of the HOPE scholarship should we reach economic shortfalls. Current law provides for certain HOPE scholarship benefits to be reduced or eliminated if one fiscal year-end balance of the Lottery for Education Account is lower than the prior fiscal year. Under this bill, such reductions \n \nor eliminations could only occur in the following circumstances: \n If a year-end balance is less tan 92 percent of the highest year-end balance since Fiscal Year 2004 (\"highest year-end balance\"), then book allowances must be reduced to no more than $150 per year. \n If the year-end balance of any subsequent fiscal year is less than 84 percent of the highest \nyear-end balance, then book allowances must be eliminated. \n If the year-end balance of any further subsequent fiscal year is less than 75 percent of the highest year-end balance, then scholarships or grants for mandatory fees must be eliminated. \nThe bill passed with a unanimous vote from the committee. \n \nTransportation Committee Passes MARTA Bill \nBy Raegan Weber \nATLANTA (Feb. 12, 2009)  Yesterday the Senate Transportation Committee unanimously passed Sen. Doug Stoner's (DSmyrna) MARTA use of Tax Proceeds bill. Senate Bill 120 allows MARTA to utilize its capital funds to offset the operation and maintenance deficit. \nIn late 2008, MARTA General \n \nManager and CEO Dr. Beverly Scott appealed to the state to roll back a requirement that sales tax revenues be split 50-50 between operations and capital costs. The transit agency has a large capital account it could tap into to help manage the downturn. \nMARTA's Fiscal Year 2009 deficit is approximately $67 million. Projections for FY 2010 show a possible $94 million deficit. Since MARTA is not investing in new trains or other new \n \nequipment, these funds could be used to offset the deficits in maintenance with the passage SB 120. The bill now goes to the Senate Rules Committee for consideration on the Senate Floor. \n \nPage 6 \n \nUPPER CHAMBER REPORT \n \n Legislative Process Dates \nImportant Dates in the Legislative Process \nIntroduction - Last day to file and/or 1st Read in Senate. 30 th day - last day to introduce General Senate bills and resolutions (even year). [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 30 th day - last day to accept General House bills and resolutions. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 39th day - last day to introduce General Senate bills and resolutions (odd year). [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] *Note: Senate bills and resolutions must be filed with the Secretary before 4:00 p.m. to be 1st read on the next legislative day. \nDeadlines for passage in current year \nCommittee Report Deadlines - Last day to read report. Report submitted to Secretary by convening. 28th day - General Senate bills and resolutions. 38th day - Local Senate bills and resolutions. 38th day - General House bills and resolutions. 40th day - Local House bills and resolutions. Calendar Management Calendar in numerical order after 2nd reading of legislation; days 1-5. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] Rules Committee sets the calendar for days 6 - 40. [Rule 4-2.10 (b)] General Senate Bills and Resolutions 26th day - File with Secretary of the Senate. [Rule 3-1.2 (a)] 27th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 28th day - Committee report read upon convening. (A recommitted bill already 2nd read - report day 29.) 29th day - 2nd Reading. [Rule 4-2.6] 30th day - Passage [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] and immediate transmittal to House. [Rule 4-2.14] Local Senate Bills and Resolutions 35th day - File with Secretary of the Senate. [3-1.2 (a)] 36th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. (Cannot pass for 2 days.) [Rule 4-2.4 (c) ] 38th day - Favorable report by committee, passage and immediate transmittal to the House. [Rule 4-2.14] 39th day - 2nd Reading in House. 40th day - Favorable report and passage in House. General House Bills and Resolutions 30th day - Transmitted from House and received by Secretary. 31st day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 38th day - Favorable report upon convening and 2nd reading. (Applies to days 36 - 38) [Rule 4-2.6] 39th day - Passage. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] 40th day - Passage of bills or resolutions tabled day 39; removed from the table on day 40. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] Local House Bills and Resolutions 39th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. 40th day - Favorable report by committee and passage. * Note: On the 30th day and on the last three days of session, bills and resolutions needing action from the House are automatically immediately transmitted. [Rule 4-2.14] \nPage 7 \n \n "},{"id":"dlg_ggpd_i-ga-bl411-b-pp1-bu6-b2009-s2-h11-belec-p-btext","title":"Upper chamber report 2009 February 11","collection_id":"dlg_ggpd","collection_title":"Georgia Government Publications","dcterms_contributor":null,"dcterms_spatial":["United States, Georgia, 32.75042, -83.50018"],"dcterms_creator":["Georgia. General Assembly. Senate"],"dc_date":["2009-02-11"],"dcterms_description":["Daily during the legislative session","Title from caption","Published only during Georgia legislative session"],"dc_format":["application/pdf"],"dcterms_identifier":null,"dcterms_language":["eng"],"dcterms_publisher":["Atlanta : Senate Information Office, 2009-02-11"],"dc_relation":null,"dc_right":["http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"],"dcterms_is_part_of":null,"dcterms_subject":["Georgia. General Assembly. Senate","Georgia--Politics and government--1951-"],"dcterms_title":["Upper chamber report 2009 February 11"],"dcterms_type":["Text"],"dcterms_provenance":["University of Georgia. Map and Government Information Library"],"edm_is_shown_by":["https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/do:dlg_ggpd_i-ga-bl411-b-pp1-bu6-b2009-s2-h11-belec-p-btext"],"edm_is_shown_at":["https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/id:dlg_ggpd_i-ga-bl411-b-pp1-bu6-b2009-s2-h11-belec-p-btext"],"dcterms_temporal":null,"dcterms_rights_holder":null,"dcterms_bibliographic_citation":null,"dlg_local_right":null,"dcterms_medium":["state government records"],"dcterms_extent":null,"dlg_subject_personal":null,"iiif_manifest_url_ss":null,"dcterms_subject_fast":null,"fulltext":"TOP STORY \nMeasure to Fund HTRG in 2009 Sails out of Senate Chamber \n \nBy Kallarin Richards \nAfter a motion to reconsider the chamber's vote on funding the Homeowner Tax Relief Grant (HTRG) in 2009 failed in the Senate, House Bill 143 will now go to the Governor for his consideration. The bill represents a commitment throughout the legislature to fund the $428 million grants this year and also stipulates that funding will be provided in future years in the event of a budget surplus. \n \nBefore addressing a few pieces of upcoming legislation, Senate Minority Leader Robert Brown (DMacon) raised concerns that the bill unconstitutionally binds future legislatures by outlining requirements for how the grant program is to be funded in subsequent years. He then went on to highlight a legislative package designed to provide aid to Georgia veterans, which Sen. Emanuel Jones (D-Decatur) later \n \naddressed in more detail. Included in the package are measures to provide tax relief for combat veterans, marriage counseling for families struggling with post traumatic stress syndrome and those facing home foreclosures, and a measure to ensure that veterans have adequate housing. This last bill comes in response to the December closing of a domiciliary unit in Milledgeville that forced 81 veterans to find alternative housing. \nContinued on page 2 \n \nFEBRUARY 11, 2009 -- DAY 17 \nUpper Chamber Report \n \nOther Key Bills and Resolutions Introduced in the Senate \n \nRaegan Weber, Press Director Kallarin Richards, Editor in Chief \n \n Senate Bill 122 covers employee insurance and benefit plans, repeals and divides the Georgia Retiree \nHealth Benefit Fund, and creates the Georgia State Retiree Health Benefit Fund and the Georgia School Retiree Health Benefit Fund. \n \n Senate Bill 123 regulates and permits licenses to pharmacy benefits managers by the Commissioner of \nInsurance including license requirements and filling fees. \n \n Senate Bill 124 states that when public disclosure is not required then social security numbers in pub- \nlic documents shall not be disclosed. \n \n Senate Bill 125 requires insurance companies to indicate on their premium statements to consumers \nthe amount of the premium attributable to premium taxes paid by the insurer. \n \n Senate Bill 126 provides certain requirements in elections and primaries to qualify for a party's nomi- \nnation or to run for public office. \n \nInside this issue:  Senate Bill 127 adds a penalty, late fees, and interest for failure to \n \nremit certain funds and reports to the Georgia Superior Court Clerk's Co- \n \nMeasure to Fund HTRG in 2009 Sails out of \n \n1-2 operative Authority. \n \nSenate Chamber \n \n Senate Bill 128 provides for the insurances, at the option of the owner, \n \nSenate Science and Technology Committee Rec- \n \n2 permanent license plates for boat trailers, utility trailers, and noncommercial cattle trailers when registering and licensing motor vehicles. \n \nommends Tougher Internet Fraud Legislation \n \n Senate Bill 129 is the \"Public Retirement Systems Investment Author- \nity Law\" which expands the definition of the term \"large retirement\" in \n \nBeavers, Hunting Lights \n \n3 which such investments may be made up to a certain amount and shields the \n \nFocus of Natural Resources \n \ninformation from such an investment from public scrutiny. \n \n Senate Bill 130 covers selling and other trade practices to establish \n \nPublic Safety Committee \n \n3 procedures and requirements for the electronic and lease-purchase of goods \n \nPasses Key Legislation to \n \nto provide that anyone entering into electronic lease-protection agreements \n \nFurther Protect Georgians \n \nwill receive certain information and have certain rights with regard to the \n \ngoods that are subject to the agreement. \n \nLegislative Process Dates 4 \n \n TOP STORY, cont'd \nThe Senate voted on three additional bills today, each which passed overwhelmingly. Under a measure authored by Sen. John Douglas (R-Social Circle), anyone on the national or state sexual offender registry is restricted from running for or being elected to a local school board. Sen. Johnny Grant (R-Milledgeville) also saw the passage of his bills, the first which reinstates the Probation Options Management Program under the Department of Corrections. The second urges the Board of Regents to designate Georgia Military College as the military junior college of Georgia, as well as to maintain current programs, such as the military science program. \n \nthe first for- \n \nAmong the many special guests \n \nestry carbon offset project to be ac- \n \nrecognized in the Senate today, former Atlanta Braves player Ryan Klesko was honored for Former Braves player Ryan his out- Senate Rostrum standing career in baseball and for his contributions to the community. After playing 10 years \n \ncepted on the Georgia Carbon Registry. Also dedicating his time to children, he is the founder of Klesko is honored at the the Blue Ryno Foundation, which helps children affected by cancer and their families. \n \nwith the Braves and for the San \n \nDiego Padres and San Francisco Giants, Klesko returned to Georgia to raise his family where he has \n \nThe Senate adjourned until 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 11. \n \nbeen active in land conservation \n \nefforts. He successfully developed \n \nOther Key Bills, cont'd \n Senate Bill 131 having to do with wills, trusts, and estates, revises provisions relating to trusts, charitable trusts, trustees, and trust investments. \n Senate Resolution 173 urges the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia to establish and offer a teacher education program at each of its universities offering four-year degree programs. \n Senate Resolution 174 authorizes the General Assembly to enact legislation and appropriate funds necessary to provide for retirement credit for retired members of the Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund for service rendered prior to January 1, 1976. \n Senate Resolution 179 requires mandatory funding of homeowner tax relief grants. \n \nSenate Science and Technology Committee Recommends Tougher Internet Fraud Legislation \nBy Matt Colvin \nATLANTA (February 10, 2009)  A bill placing stronger restrictions on Internet and electronic mail fraud is on its way to the Senate floor. Senate Bill 59 was unanimously passed from the Senate Science and Technology Committee today at the Capitol. Committee Chairman Senator Cecil Staton (R-Macon) spoke on behalf of the bill as its primary sponsor. Staton \n \nnoted the bill would prohibit a person from using computers to send commercial email messages with the intent to deceive or mislead recipients with fraudulent claims in the header message or email body and would give prosecutors the right to enforce criminal or civil charges against the violators. Violations would also include any attempt by the sender to hide the origin location of the fraudulent emails. Staton mentioned his intent as the bill's au- \n \nthor is to allow Georgia laws to catch up with Internet crimes and provide law enforcement and prosecuting attorneys the resources to pursue and punish offenders. A person found guilty of violating the proposed statue may be punishable with a prison sentence ranging from three to five years and fines from $5,000 to $10,000. \nThe bill will now head to the Senate Rules Committee before being taken up on the Senate floor for consideration. \n \nPage 2 \n \nUPPER CHAMBER REPORT \n \n Beavers, Hunting Lights Focus of Natural Resources \nBy Ravae Graham \nATLANTA (February 10, 2009) -- State Senator Ross Tolleson (RPerry) convened the Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee and took up two bills sponsored by Sen. John Bulloch (ROchlocknee). \nSenate Bill 110 allows anyone with a commercial trapping license to \n \ntrap beavers on state, county or municipal roads. The dam building, feeding and lodging behavior of beavers can flood roadways, collapse reservoir dams, undermine the integrity of roadways causing millions of dollars in damage and threaten public safety on roads and highways. SB 110 unanimously passed. \nThe committee wrapped up by unanimously passing SB 111, which removes restrictions on light voltage \n \nand requires any light used to hunt these animals be carried on the hunter, affixed to the helmet or hat, or be part of the belt system worn by a hunter. It also specifies that alligators are no longer allowed to be hunted at night with any light. State law currently allows raccoons, opossums, foxes, bobcats and feral hogs to be hunted at night with a light that does not exceed six volts or fuel type lanterns. Additionally, alligators may be hunted at night with a light that does not exceed 12 volts. \n \nPublic Safety Committee Passes Key Legislation to Fur- \nther Protect Georgians \nBy Hayley Howell \nATLANTA (February 10, 2009)--The Senate Public Safety Committee convened today under Chairman Jack Murphy (R- Cumming) to discuss five pieces of legislation. \nSen. Gloria Butler (D- Stone Mountain) began by proposing Senate Bill 4 which expands the duties of sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, constables, and marshals to include notifying a protected person by email or telephone that a restraining order, protective order, injunction, or similar court order has been served on the restrained person. The bill passed with unanimous votes among the committee. \nSen. David Shafer (R-Duluth) called attention to an oversight in Georgia law that doesn't protect some emergency workers' private information. Therefore, he proposed SB 26 which amends the current law to also exclude certain \n \npersonal information of firefighters from the Open Records Act. There was no opposition to the bill, and it passed unanimously across the committee. \nThe committee began discussion on Sen. Seth Harp's (R- Midland) bills - SB 52, which requires registration for those involved in metal theft with the local sheriff and SB 53, which subjects for forfeiture all motor vehicles, tools, and weapons used in any manner for a crime. Further discussion on the bills and possible voting will be taken up next week. \nSen. Chip Pearson (R- Dawsonville) proposed SB 20 which prohibits local governments from enacting, adopting, implementing, or enforcing sanctuary policies. A \"sanctuary policy\" is defined as any regulation, rule, policy, or practice which prevents local officials or employees from reporting a person's immigration status or otherwise providing immigration status information. \n \ncities\") that violate this legislation or fail to cooperate with the Federal government with regard to reporting a person's immigration status will be subject to the withholding of state funding or state administered Federal funding. \nSen. Pearson gave examples of cases where illegal immigrants, who had been arrested before and not reported as illegal, had later gone on to cause harm to others. Supporters of the bill explained that there is registered proof that illegal immigration is being allowed in places throughout Georgia. Other supporters explained that illegal immigration brings an increased crime rate while also taking jobs away from Georgians and further hurting the economy. Opposition stated that there was no official proof of illegal immigration being permitted, and that this bill would send the negative message that Georgia is not a welcoming state for immigration. \nThe bill passed with the majority vote. \n \nLocal governments (\"sanctuary \n \nPage 3 \n \n Legislative Process Dates \nImportant Dates in the Legislative Process \nIntroduction - Last day to file and/or 1st Read in Senate. 30 th day - last day to introduce General Senate bills and resolutions (even year). [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 30 th day - last day to accept General House bills and resolutions. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 39th day - last day to introduce General Senate bills and resolutions (odd year). [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] *Note: Senate bills and resolutions must be filed with the Secretary before 4:00 p.m. to be 1st read on the next legislative day. \nDeadlines for passage in current year \nCommittee Report Deadlines - Last day to read report. Report submitted to Secretary by convening. 28th day - General Senate bills and resolutions. 38th day - Local Senate bills and resolutions. 38th day - General House bills and resolutions. 40th day - Local House bills and resolutions. Calendar Management Calendar in numerical order after 2nd reading of legislation; days 1-5. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] Rules Committee sets the calendar for days 6 - 40. [Rule 4-2.10 (b)] General Senate Bills and Resolutions 26th day - File with Secretary of the Senate. [Rule 3-1.2 (a)] 27th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 28th day - Committee report read upon convening. (A recommitted bill already 2nd read - report day 29.) 29th day - 2nd Reading. [Rule 4-2.6] 30th day - Passage [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] and immediate transmittal to House. [Rule 4-2.14] Local Senate Bills and Resolutions 35th day - File with Secretary of the Senate. [3-1.2 (a)] 36th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. (Cannot pass for 2 days.) [Rule 4-2.4 (c) ] 38th day - Favorable report by committee, passage and immediate transmittal to the House. [Rule 4-2.14] 39th day - 2nd Reading in House. 40th day - Favorable report and passage in House. General House Bills and Resolutions 30th day - Transmitted from House and received by Secretary. 31st day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 38th day - Favorable report upon convening and 2nd reading. (Applies to days 36 - 38) [Rule 4-2.6] 39th day - Passage. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] 40th day - Passage of bills or resolutions tabled day 39; removed from the table on day 40. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] Local House Bills and Resolutions 39th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. 40th day - Favorable report by committee and passage. * Note: On the 30th day and on the last three days of session, bills and resolutions needing action from the House are automatically immediately transmitted. [Rule 4-2.14] \n \nPage 4 \n \nUPPER CHAMBER REPORT \n \n "},{"id":"dlg_ggpd_i-ga-bl411-b-pp1-bu6-b2009-s2-h6-belec-p-btext","title":"Upper chamber report 2009 February 6","collection_id":"dlg_ggpd","collection_title":"Georgia Government Publications","dcterms_contributor":null,"dcterms_spatial":["United States, Georgia, 32.75042, -83.50018"],"dcterms_creator":["Georgia. General Assembly. Senate"],"dc_date":["2009-02-06"],"dcterms_description":["Daily during the legislative session","Title from caption","Published only during Georgia legislative session"],"dc_format":["application/pdf"],"dcterms_identifier":null,"dcterms_language":["eng"],"dcterms_publisher":["Atlanta : Senate Information Office, 2009-02-06"],"dc_relation":null,"dc_right":["http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"],"dcterms_is_part_of":null,"dcterms_subject":["Georgia. General Assembly. Senate","Georgia--Politics and government--1951-"],"dcterms_title":["Upper chamber report 2009 February 6"],"dcterms_type":["Text"],"dcterms_provenance":["University of Georgia. Map and Government Information Library"],"edm_is_shown_by":["https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/do:dlg_ggpd_i-ga-bl411-b-pp1-bu6-b2009-s2-h6-belec-p-btext"],"edm_is_shown_at":["https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/id:dlg_ggpd_i-ga-bl411-b-pp1-bu6-b2009-s2-h6-belec-p-btext"],"dcterms_temporal":null,"dcterms_rights_holder":null,"dcterms_bibliographic_citation":null,"dlg_local_right":null,"dcterms_medium":["state government records"],"dcterms_extent":null,"dlg_subject_personal":null,"iiif_manifest_url_ss":null,"dcterms_subject_fast":null,"fulltext":"FEBRUARY 6, 2009 -- DAY 15 \nUpper Chamber Report \n \nRaegan Weber, Press Director Kallarin Richards, Editor in Chief \n \nTOP STORY \nHomestead Exemption Passes Senate, Homeowner Tax Relief Grants to be Reconsidered Tuesday \nLawmakers Agree to Legislative Schedule through March, Adjourning to June \n \nBy Raegan Weber and Matt Colvin \nATLANTA (February 6, 2009)  A bill that will give Georgia homeowners a tax break by doubling the current homestead tax exemption passed the Senate this morning while a House bill that would guarantee property owners state tax relief will be reconsidered for a vote Tuesday. The Georgia State Senate met this morning for Legislative Day 15, which would serve as arguably the liveliest day of the 2009 session. \n \nThe Senate took up two property tax bills for votes, Senate Bill 83 which raised the current homestead tax \n \nInside this issue: \n \nHomestead Exemption \n \n1-2 \n \nPasses Senate, Homeown- \n \ners Tax Relief Grants to \n \nbe Reconsidered Tuesday \n \nSenate Makes Historic \n \n2 \n \nVote to Double Statewide \n \nHomestead Exemption \n \nSen. Mullis Continues \n \n3 \n \nQuest to Solve Georgia's \n \nTransportation Woes \n \nSen. Renee Unterman \n \n4 \n \nLeading Charge in Gen- \n \neral Assembly to Fight \n \nProstitution of Children \n \nSenate Finance Commit- \n \n4 \n \ntee Recommends Changes \n \nto Ad Valorem Property \n \nTax Assessment \n \nLegislative Process Dates \n \n5 \n \nexemption from $2,000 to $4,000 and House Bill 143 which would fund the \n$428 million Homeowner Tax Relief Grant for 2009. Lawmakers also adopted an adjournment resolution from the House detailing the legislative schedule for the rest of the 2009 General Assembly that would include a three month recess that would put the end of session in late June. \nMotions to engross both bills were brought to the floor with much debate, but both were ultimately engrossed so the bills came to a vote without amendments. Democratic leaders including Senators Robert Brown (D-Macon), David Adelman (DDecatur), and Steve Thompson (D-Marietta) spoke out in disappointment over not being able to submit any changes to the legislation. \nSenate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (RWoodstock) presented SB \n \n83 to the floor, noting that the current homestead exemption has not been up- \ndated in over 70 years and that taxpayers should have the right to determine how much property taxes they should pay. Opponents to the bill noted that the increased tax exemption would take away from local governments and limit their ability to operate their respective cities and counties. The bill passed with overwhelming support by a 4014 vote and will now head to the House of Representatives for consideration. If passed, the measure will be voted on by citizens during a special election in June before becoming law. \nSenate President Pro Tempore Tommie Williams (RLyons) presented HB 143 as its Senate sponsor. He urged passage of this bill to honor the General Assembly's promise to maintain the Homeowner Tax Relief Grant in the 2009 budget. Additionally, the grants would be appropriated in future years only when there was a budget surplus. Opponents of the bill expressed their desire to pass a more permanent property \nContinued on page 2 \n \n TOP STORY, cont'd \ntax relief measure as well as to ensure the current bill was not conflicting with other statutes. Senate members passed HB 143 on the floor by a 29-24 majority vote followed by a motion for reconsideration. HB 143 will be reconsidered next Tuesday, February 10. \nThe Senate adopted House Resolution 238 which sets the legislative calendar through the end of March. HR 238 states that both the House and Senate will meet on a three day a week schedule beginning next week and complete its business by Day 35, scheduled for March 22. \n \nThe General Assembly will then adjourn and leave five legislative days that would only be used if needed depending on federal stimulus money and finalizing budget details. The General Assembly would reconvene Monday, June 22 for Day 36 to complete the 2009 session or come back and adjourn sine die if no more legislative days are needed. \nOn Thursday, the Senate passed two bills during Chamber. SB 8 allows students to self administer epinephrine. This life-saving measure permits local boards of education to adopt a policy that will allow students to carry self-administered injectable epinephrine to treat allergic \n \nreactions. Epinephrine is the first drug that should be used in the emergency of a child having a potential life-threatening allergic reaction. Common examples of potentially life threatening allergies are those to foods, such as peanuts, eggs, and shellfish, and stinging insects such as bees, wasps, and fire ants. SB 43 amends the Boll Weevil Eradication Act to adjust the requirements for suppression and eradication programs to include cotton handlers, in addition to cotton farmers. It also addresses updated rules for fines. \nThe Senate will be adjourned until Tuesday, February 10 for Legislative Day 16. \n \nSenate Makes Historic Vote to Double Statewide Homestead \nExemption \nBy Raegan Weber \nATLANTA (February 6, 2009)  The Georgia State Senate today voted historically to double the statewide homestead exemption. Senate Bill 83 overwhelmingly passed out of the Senate by a 40-14 vote and will now go to the House. \nSenate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) introduced the bill that will amend the Homestead Exemption Act to increase the exemption from $2,000 to $4,000 with automatic future adjustments for inflation. \n\"This is crystal-clear legislation that is the proper way to deliver property tax relief to homeowners,\" said Rogers. \"Overall, this coupled with the tax assessment caps will impact those who need it the most - taxpayers.\" \nThe Homestead Exemption Act became State law in the 1930s under \n \nGovernor Eugene Talmadge's Administration. The tax exemption was proposed at $2,000 and has remained that amount ever since. If the measure passes in the House, it will go on the special-election ballot in June for voters to make the final decision. \n\"Today we sent a strong message to over three million homeowners throughout Georgia: the Senate will remain steadfast in our commitment to keep property taxes low during this tough economic time,\" said Lt. Governor Casey Cagle. \"The fact is, in the time that we have seen thirteen U.S. Presidents sworn into office, the homestead exemption has not increased. Increasing the exemption is not only long overdue, but it is the right thing to do for homeowners who are wading through this economic downturn.\" \nRogers also supports House Resolution 1 to help protect Georgia property owners from unfair property assessment increases. Senator Rogers authored similar legislation, Senate \n \nResolution 796, which provides tax relief for homeowners through a constitutional amendment to cap property tax assessments. Residential property assessed value may not increase anymore than two percent a year and non-residential property assessed value may not increase anymore than three percent a year or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. In addition, it allows property to be assessed at a real, fair market value and will establish accountability for the property tax system. The resolution passed the State Senate in 2008. \nRogers passionately urged his colleagues to vote for the amendment stating, \"If we can ask voters for a penny tax increase in a special election, then we can certainly ask voters if they'd like to lower their property tax liability in a special election. This is legislation truly acting in voters' best interests.\" \nFor more information on SB 83, go to www.legis.ga.gov. \n \nPage 2 \n \nUPPER CHAMBER REPORT \n \n Sen. Mullis Continues Quest to Solve Georgia's Transportation Woes \n \nBy Raegan Weber \nATLANTA (February 6, 2009)  State Senator Jeff Mullis (RChickamauga) is leading the way for Georgia to establish a state-ofthe-art, magnetic levitation rail system connecting Chattanooga to Atlanta. \nSen. Mullis offered \"Plain Train\" legislation this week through Senate Resolution 117 which supports the creation of a magnetic levitating, or maglev, train connecting Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta to the Chattanooga Municipal Airport. If passed, this would be the first maglev of its kind in the United States and second in the World. \n\"Creating the Plain Train would make Georgia a world-wide leader in transportation innovation,\" said Mullis. \"This would alleviate many of the mass transportation issues between Chattanooga and Atlanta, while also improving regional and local economies.\" \nA maglev train is a form of transportation that levitates, guides, and propels vehicles using electromagnetic force. This method of transportation is much faster, safer and cleaner than wheeled mass transit systems, potentially reaching velocities comparable to turboprop and jet aircraft. \nChina has had its own maglev transit since 2000, called the \n \nShanghai Maglev Train. The Shanghai Transrapid Maglev Line is the world's first high-speed commercial commuter system, which can reach speeds of up to 300 miles per hour using state-ofthe-art electromagnetic levitation technology. Sen. Mullis' resolution seeks to establish this same state-ofthe-art technology in Georgia. The resolution passed with an overwhelming majority in committee this week. \n\"A Maglev high-speed connection between Chattanooga and Atlanta would be beneficial for both communities as it would increase economic development, bring more people to the underutilized Chattanooga airport and relieve congestion at Atlanta's busy airport. Regional infrastructure investment is an important component for getting federal support for Maglev,\" said U.S. Congressman Zach Wamp (R-Tenn.). \"This could be a national model for other cities to help alleviate overcrowding in land-locked areas. An AtlantaChattanooga link could ultimately take high-speed rail through Nashville to Chicago and open up a \n \nSouth to Midwest route for an intermodal mass transit system to grow the U.S. economy and help our nation be more competitive.\" \nHartsfield-Jackson International \nAirport is the world's busiest airport, serving 250,000 passengers daily. It provides Georgia with $53.6 billion in total economic impact a year. While 80 percent of the U.S. population is within a two-hour flight from Atlanta, many residents in north Georgia and visitors to the state say traffic is too congested and that it often delays safe travel to the airport. Sen. Mullis has noted that constructing a high speed train will be much cheaper than building a new airport to serve the state's northern region. \nFor more information on Senate Resolution 117, please visit www.senate.ga.gov. \n \nPage 3 \n \n Sen. Renee Unterman Leading Charge in General Assembly to Fight Prostitution of Children \nBy Matt Colvin \nATLANTA (February 5, 2009) -- State Senator Renee Unterman (RBuford) continued her efforts to fight the sexual exploitation of minors in Georgia as she held a press conference today at the State Capitol endorsing a legislative package aimed at cracking down on this practice. Sen. Unterman, who co-chaired the joint Commission on Sexual Exploitation of Minors this past summer, is the primary sponsor of two bills in the package which she sees as vital measures to protect the safety of young boys and girls and to create a no tolerance zone for the prostitution of children in Georgia. \n\"I am committed to doing all I can to stop the horrible victimization of young boys and girls in Georgia and this legislation will protect innocent children and teens from abuse and provide the resources necessary to combat these crimes much more effectively,\" said Unterman. \"This legislative package is designed as a targeted effort to help create a coordinated, statewide campaign that will raise awareness and stop the prostitution of children in Georgia, so it is imperative we act now to address these horrendous crimes taking place all over our state and protect these young victims from future \n \nabuse.\" \nSen. Unterman seeks to amend the child abuse reporting law to require mandatory reporting of all commercial sexual exploited minors as child sexual abuse through Senate Bill 69. The current law only mandates a report of sexual abuse by a parent or caretaker, but the study committee findings noted that many adolescent girls are solicited by non-family members. Sen. Unterman also will carry the issue of changing the minimum age of exotic dancers from 18 to 21 with SB 74. SB 74 also raises the required age of any employee such as a waiter or bartender working in a Georgia adult entertainment facility to 21. \nSen. Jack Murphy (R-Cumming) has introduced SB 91, the adult entertainment surcharge bill, as part of this legislative package. The proposed measure would impose a $5 entry fee for patrons at adult entertainment businesses and venues. The money generated from the surcharge will be spent to fund services for children who have been prostituted, including abuse centers and prevention strategies. Unlike taxes which generate revenue for the state general fund and can be spent on any project, this surcharge fee will go directly to the Crime Victims' Emergency Fund, which is administered by the Criminal Justice Coordinating \n \nCouncil (CJCC). \nSen. Unterman was joined today by several students of TeenPact, which is a Christian leadership school geared towards teaching children ages 13-18 principles in leadership, politics, and citizenship. TeenPact holds classes at the state Capitol studying the legislative process. Other supporters who attended were State Senator David Shafer (R-Duluth), Jim Beck of the Georgia Christian Coalition, and Cheryl Deluca-Johnson of Street GRACE. \nAdvocates for the bills have noted Minor Sexual Exploitation is an imperative and prevalent issue to Georgians because Atlanta is one of 14 cities in the U.S with the highest incidents of child exploitation. Two hundred to three hundred young girls are sexually exploited in Georgia every month with as many as 129 girls being prostituted on a typical weekend night, and 12 to 14 is the average age of entry into pornography and prostitution in the U.S. \nSB 69 and 74 have been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee while SB 91 has been assigned to the Senate Finance Committee. Each bill will be taken up for debate and consideration at a future committee meeting yet to be determined. \n \nSenate Finance Committee Recommends Changes to Ad \nValorem Property Tax Assessment \nBy Matt Colvin \nATLANTA (February 5, 2009)  The Senate Finance Committee met for the second time this week and resumed testimony on Senate Bill 55, legisla- \n \ntion that would amend the definitions related to the Ad Valorem Taxation of Property. The proposed bill would require foreclosure of bank-owned sales of comparable real property to be factored in Ad Valorem tax assessment of property when determining fair market value. The bill's sponsor, Senator Chip Pearson (R- Dawsonville), presented a substitute to the \n \ncommittee that would expand the proposed requirement to also include the value as declared on the real estate transfer tax declaration and any value resulting from land conversion easement. The committee unanimously passed the substitute to SB 55 and it will now head to the Senate Rules Committee before consideration on the Senate floor. \n \nPage 4 \n \nUPPER CHAMBER REPORT \n \n Legislative Process Dates \nImportant Dates in the Legislative Process \nIntroduction - Last day to file and/or 1st Read in Senate. 30 th day - last day to introduce General Senate bills and resolutions (even year). [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 30 th day - last day to accept General House bills and resolutions. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 39th day - last day to introduce General Senate bills and resolutions (odd year). [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] *Note: Senate bills and resolutions must be filed with the Secretary before 4:00 p.m. to be 1st read on the next legislative day. \nDeadlines for passage in current year \nCommittee Report Deadlines - Last day to read report. Report submitted to Secretary by convening. 28th day - General Senate bills and resolutions. 38th day - Local Senate bills and resolutions. 38th day - General House bills and resolutions. 40th day - Local House bills and resolutions. Calendar Management Calendar in numerical order after 2nd reading of legislation; days 1-5. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] Rules Committee sets the calendar for days 6 - 40. [Rule 4-2.10 (b)] General Senate Bills and Resolutions 26th day - File with Secretary of the Senate. [Rule 3-1.2 (a)] 27th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 28th day - Committee report read upon convening. (A recommitted bill already 2nd read - report day 29.) 29th day - 2nd Reading. [Rule 4-2.6] 30th day - Passage [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] and immediate transmittal to House. [Rule 4-2.14] Local Senate Bills and Resolutions 35th day - File with Secretary of the Senate. [3-1.2 (a)] 36th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. (Cannot pass for 2 days.) [Rule 4-2.4 (c) ] 38th day - Favorable report by committee, passage and immediate transmittal to the House. [Rule 4-2.14] 39th day - 2nd Reading in House. 40th day - Favorable report and passage in House. General House Bills and Resolutions 30th day - Transmitted from House and received by Secretary. 31st day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 38th day - Favorable report upon convening and 2nd reading. (Applies to days 36 - 38) [Rule 4-2.6] 39th day - Passage. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] 40th day - Passage of bills or resolutions tabled day 39; removed from the table on day 40. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] Local House Bills and Resolutions 39th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. 40th day - Favorable report by committee and passage. * Note: On the 30th day and on the last three days of session, bills and resolutions needing action from the House are automatically immediately transmitted. [Rule 4-2.14] \nPage 5 \n \n "},{"id":"dlg_ggpd_i-ga-bl411-b-pp1-bu6-b2009-s2-h5-belec-p-btext","title":"Upper chamber report 2009 February 5","collection_id":"dlg_ggpd","collection_title":"Georgia Government Publications","dcterms_contributor":null,"dcterms_spatial":["United States, Georgia, 32.75042, -83.50018"],"dcterms_creator":["Georgia. General Assembly. Senate"],"dc_date":["2009-02-05"],"dcterms_description":["Daily during the legislative session","Title from caption","Published only during Georgia legislative session"],"dc_format":["application/pdf"],"dcterms_identifier":null,"dcterms_language":["eng"],"dcterms_publisher":["Atlanta : Senate Information Office, 2009-02-05"],"dc_relation":null,"dc_right":["http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"],"dcterms_is_part_of":null,"dcterms_subject":["Georgia. General Assembly. 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Map and Government Information Library"],"edm_is_shown_by":["https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/do:dlg_ggpd_i-ga-bl411-b-pp1-bu6-b2009-s2-h5-belec-p-btext"],"edm_is_shown_at":["https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/id:dlg_ggpd_i-ga-bl411-b-pp1-bu6-b2009-s2-h5-belec-p-btext"],"dcterms_temporal":null,"dcterms_rights_holder":null,"dcterms_bibliographic_citation":null,"dlg_local_right":null,"dcterms_medium":["state government records"],"dcterms_extent":null,"dlg_subject_personal":null,"iiif_manifest_url_ss":null,"dcterms_subject_fast":null,"fulltext":"TOP STORY \n \nFEBRUARY 5, 2009 -- DAY 14 \nUpper Chamber Report \n \nSenators Fight for Constituents' Concerns \n \nBy Hayley Howell \nDay 14 of this year's Senate Legislative Session witnessed the passage of Senator Ralph Hudgens' (R- Hull) Senate Bill 61, which establishes regulations for life settlement contracts, specifically setting up guidelines for the sale of an unneeded life insurance policy. The bill passed with 100 percent of the Senate's support. \nSen. Gail Buckner (D- Morrow) took the well to ardently profess her support and the need for educational outdoor therapeutic programs. She noted that there is the threat of a budget cut to the mental health division of the outdoor therapeutic programs that are located near Cleveland and in Warm Springs. \n \n\"These facilities are not in my district, but I have gotten to know the kids that go to the programs and benefit from them,\" Sen. Buckner said. \"Their involvement is important because the young people who attend are the kids whose needs typically cannot be met in a traditional classroom. They are the kids who skip school, are in juvenile court, or are disruptive when they \n \nare in school. We must meet their needs.\" \nSen. Buckner informed the Senate that on average, children who attend these programs progress two months forward for every month they are involved. \n\"This cut is very unwise, because most of the children who attend these programs will have to go into foster care,\" Buckner expressed. \"We already have a difficult time placing children with issues. Let's not do things that have long term consequences.\" \nContinued on page 2 \n \nInside this issue: \n \nRaegan Weber, Press Director Kallarin Richards, Editor in Chief \n \nSenators Fight for \n \n1-2 \n \nConstituents' Concerns \n \nTransportation Committee \n \n2 \n \nPasses Bills on Planes, \n \nTrains, and \"Plain Trains\" \n \nSenate Banking \u0026 Finan- \n \n3 \n \ncial Institutions Commit- \n \ntee on Fair Lending Act \n \nRevisions \n \nJoint Lottery Oversight \n \n3 \n \nCommittee Carefully \n \nExamines Money Going \n \nto Education \n \nEducation \u0026 Youth Com- \n \n4 \n \nmittee Hears Update on \n \nCareer Academies \n \nRegulated Industries \u0026 \n \n4-5 \n \nUtilities Pass Georgia \n \nPower Bill \n \nHigher Education Passes \n \n5 \n \nKey Legislation for Geor- \n \ngia's Nursing Shortage \n \nLegislative Process Dates \n \n6 \n \nEditor's Note: Apology to Senators Valenica Seay and \nHoracena Tate \nOn behalf of the Senate Press Office, I would like to personally apologize for an error that I included in the Day 11 Upper Chamber Report article \"Women's Heart Disease Awareness, Honoring Local WWII Veteran Focus of Senate Day 10.\" I incorrectly cited Senator Horacena Tate in the article when in fact Senator Valencia Seay took the well to address her support of Go Red for Women Day on Friday, February 6th at the Capitol. I would like to personally apologize to Senator Tate for any confusion this may have caused and especially to Senator Seay who regrettably did not get the credit in the article that she deserved for her hard work and dedication to a cause that she has been personally affected by in recent years. I sincerely regret the error and any negative effects it may have caused. My fellow Press Office staff worked extremely hard to produce this daily report and I hope my personal error will not reflect poorly on what they do here at the State Senate. \n- Matt Colvin \n \n Sen. Vincent Fort (D-Atlanta) passionately took the well to continue the long-standing discussion on the subprime and predatory lending issue. Fort informed the Senate that home foreclosures are setting records across the state and that problems are still unfolding. \nFort explained that he still gets numerous phone calls from his constitu- \n \nents about foreclosure problems. He told the story of a woman who contacted him about her house payment loans that she received from her local Wachovia branch, which now refuses to help her with payment. \n\"These are the same people who received taxpayer bailout money in a total of $25 billion. They are the same people who are out in the lobby tell- \n \ning us to lie low and not make any big decisions,\" Fort vehemently professed. \"This is not the time for caution or tepid measures that will do nothing. Some will tell us to listen to the banking industry, but they are the ones who got us into this mess, and if we listen then we are also at fault. The time has come to stand up and do something for the constituents. This is not an Atlanta problem, this is a Georgia problem.\" \n \nTRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE PASSES BILLS ON \nPLANES, TRAINS AND \"PLAIN TRAINS\" \nBy Raegan Weber \nATLANTA (February 5, 2009)  The Senate Transportation Committee chaired by Senator Jeff Mullis (RChickamauga) passed the Georgia Rail Passenger Authority and the Georgia Aviation Authority Act bills as well as the Plain Train resolution during an efficiently run committee meeting on Wednesday at the Capitol. \nMany residents in North Georgia and visitors to the State have expressed complaints that Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is too far away to service their needs. Sen. Mullis, along with his colleagues Senator Doug Stoner (DSmyrna), Senator Valencia Seay (DRiverdale), Senator Cecil Staton (RMacon), and Senator Kasim Reed (DAtlanta), has offered the solution of \"The Plain Train\" through Senate Resolution 117. The Resolution urges the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) to support a magnetic levitating, or maglev, train connecting Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta along Interstate 75 with the Chattanooga Municipal Airport. The GDOT is urged to report its progress on the project to the General Assembly by September 30, 2009. \nA maglev train is a form of transpor- \n \ntation that levitates, guides, and propels vehicles using electromagnetic force. This method of transportation is much faster than wheeled mass transit systems, potentially reaching velocities comparable to turboprop and jet aircraft. China has had its own maglev transit since 2000, called the Shanghai Maglev Train. The Shanghai Transrapid Maglev Line is the world's first high-speed commercial commuter system, which can reach speeds of up to 300 miles per hour using state-of-the-art electromagnetic levitation technology. Mullis' resolution seeks to establish this same state-of-the-art technology in Georgia. The resolution passed with an overwhelming majority in committee. \nAnother solution to Georgia's transportation woes that many State government and legislative officials are considering is rebuilding the commuter rail system. The commuter rail system has been neglected over the years due to the move toward roadways and metro rail systems. The Georgia Rail Passenger Authority (GRPA) Bill, Senate Bill 51, is authored by Sen. Stoner and gives GRPA the authority to develop the proper administrative infrastructure to operate prior to funds being allocated for the reestablishment of the commuter rail system. The bill passed \n \nwith bi-partisan support through the committee. \nSenator Bill Heath (R- Bremen) reintroduced Senate Bill 85 which would create the Georgia Aviation Authority (Authority). This bill was introduced during the 2008 Legislative Session, passed through the Senate, but got stuck in committee in the House. The purpose of the Authority is to manage all state aviation assets under one governing authority, provide aviation services for the entire state, and oversee all state aviation operations. The Authority's goals are to efficiently operate the state's fleet of aircraft, ensure state aviation safety, and advance policy through aviation missions. It was made clear that emergency services would always take top priority over any other government functions. The bill passed with majority support of the Transportation Committee. \n \nPage 2 \n \nUPPER CHAMBER REPORT \n \n Senate Banking \u0026 Financial \nInstitutions Committee Holds \nPublic Hearing on Fair Lend- \ning Act Revisions \nBy Matt Colvin \nATLANTA (February 5, 2009)  Georgia State Senator Bill Hamrick (R  Carrollton) chaired a public hearing for Senate Bill 57, which would revise certain Georgia Fair Lending Act policies on mortgages, during the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee Wednesday at the Capitol. The committee heard testimony from several interested parties for SB 57, which was authored by Chairman Hamrick to help address current and future foreclosure issues that Georgia is currently dealing with. Sen. Hamrick mentioned that SB 57 targets revising the code on two mortgage loans that have caused \n \nmassive amounts of foreclosures and decreasing home values: the option adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) and subprime credit loans. He stated during the meeting that this measure is aimed at properly defining these two loan structures and setting standards for how lenders can operate under those categories. Sen. Hamrick believes that the Federal government has left it up to the states to regulate non-bank loans and lawmakers have responsibility to help regulate in order to keep foreclosures down and stabilize the housing markets. \nThe committee spent time listening to input from agencies and state officials on determining the language and conditions the bill would create. Representatives from Atlanta Legal Aid and State Sen. Vincent Fort (D-Atlanta) \n \nurged the committee to consider adding legislation that would allow bank trustees in charge of bad loans to be held accountable in addition to the mortgage lenders. \nSB 57, as well as an alternate version, SB 54 authored by Sen. Steve Thompson (D-Marietta), will be considered and taken up for a vote at a future committee meeting yet to be determined. \n \nJoint Lottery Oversight Committee Closely Examines \nMoney Going to Education \nBy Kallarin Richards \nATLANTA (February 5, 2009)  The Joint Lottery Oversight Committee, co-chaired by Senator Chip Pearson (R-Dawsonville) and Representative Roger Williams (R-Dalton), convened for its annual meeting with the Georgia Lottery Corporation. Legislators took a hard look at the proceeds being returned to education, which funds the HOPE scholarship and pre-kindergarten programs. \nWhile the corporation reported positive sales and revenue numbers for the fiscal year, several committee members raised con- \n \ncerns about the amount of money being returned to education. The lottery has returned $421 million to education for the first half of FY 2009, a decrease in the amount returned for the same period last year. The percentage of ticket sales transferred to the state for education has steadily decreased over the past 13 years, causing the lottery to not meet its statutory goal of transferring 35 percent of its ticket sales. In 2008, the lottery contributed only 24.7 percent of gross ticket sales to education. \nPresident Margaret DeFrancisco reported that despite the declining economy, lottery sales continue to increase. Revenue estimates are still about 3 percent ahead of last year. She also noted that Georgia \n \nis ranked fourth as the most profitable lottery in the nation. Lawmakers pointed out that if the economy continues to see a downturn, the lottery could see their expenses exceed revenue, as costs for the HOPE increase and more students enroll in the university system. \nQuestions were also raised about the lottery's consideration of installing video lottery terminals in Underground Atlanta, which could raise millions of dollars. While Georgia prohibits any kind of casino gambling, there is confusion over whether the lottery can legally install such equipment. The lottery board said it is thoroughly examining the proposal. \n \nPage 3 \n \n Education \u0026 Youth Committee Hears Update on Career Academies \nBy Ravae Graham \nSenate Education and Youth Committee Chairman Dan Weber (RDunwoody) co-chaired a joint legislative panel with his House counterparts to hear an update on the status of the Career Academy Initiative in Georgia. During the meeting, the panel heard presentations from three Career Academies: Floyd Charter College and Career Academy, Hapeville Charter Career Academy and Southeastern Early College and Career Academy. \nCollege Career Academies are part- \nCAREER ACADEMIES \n \nnerships between the business community and local technical colleges, where students are trained to obtain well-paying, secure jobs in the local community. \nHapeville Charter Middle School Director Dr. Gary Martin informed the panel that every student attending high school does not need to be trained to attend a four year university. He noted that career academies don't choose the kids, the kid chooses the school. Career academies are subject to open enrollment just like any public school in the state. The Hapeville Charter Career Academy will kick off in August 2009 teaching only 9th graders and will continue to introduce another grade level each subsequent year. \n \nmore integration of Career Technical Education and core academic courses will be necessary to adequately prepare student for the challenges of their postsecondary training programs.\" \nRegulated Industries \u0026 Utilities Pass Georgia Power \nBill \nBy Ravae Graham \nUnder the leadership of Chairman David Shafer (R-Duluth), the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee convened Wednesday to continue their hearing and vote on a bill to change the way Georgia Power bills its customers to recover the construction cost of a nuclear generating plant. \n \nExisting  Central Education Center  Rockdale Career Academy  Tech High  Walton Career Academy  Whitfield Career Academy  Floyd County College \u0026 Career Academy  Effingham Gateway to College Academy  Savannah Gateway to College Academy Proposed  Warren County Career Academy  Athens Community Career Academy  Douglas County College \u0026 Career Academy  Houston County Career Academy  Carroll County College \u0026 Career Academy  Southeastern Early College \u0026 Career Academy  Habersham Career Academy  Lanier Charter Career Academy  Effingham Career Academy  Golden Isles Career Academy  Hapeville Charter Career Academy  P.R.E.P. Academy \n \nThere are currently 20 career academies in Georgia. Eight are educating students today and 12 are set to open their doors in the upcoming school year. \nThe institute for a Competitive Workforce of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce recently noted that, \"90 percent of the fastest growing jobs and over 60 percent of all new jobs will require some postsecondary education or training, but not necessarily a bachelor's degree. A new system with \n \n\"The math is simple, we need to pay things off as we go along, not at the end,\" said the bill's author, Senator Don Balfour (R-Snellville). \nSen. Balfour explained that under Senate Bill 31, a homeowner whose monthly bill averages $100 will see an increase of $1.11 per month, or 1.3 percent, beginning in January 2011. If payments do not begin until after construction is completed, customers could see an increase of up to six percent in their monthly bills. Allowing for the early recovery of the interest costs would shave about $300 million off the total price. \nOscar Harper, the vice president of government and regulatory affairs for Georgia Power, discussed the importance of taking the necessary steps now to implement nuclear energy in the future. Harper noted \nContinued on page 5 \n \nPage 4 \n \nUPPER CHAMBER REPORT \n \n that Georgia Power is doing this in the best interest of its customers and is not about shifting the risk of the company to them. Customers will save an estimated $6.5 billion by 2016 through the use of nuclear energy. \n \nGeorgia Power operates the nuclearpowered Plant Vogtle with three other power companies that are not regulated by the Public Service Commission. Georgia Power's share of the $14 billion expansion price tag is $6.4 billion. $2 billion of that total is interest. The entire southeast region currently has legislation \n \nsimilar to SB 31 except Georgia and Alabama. \nThe committee passed SB 31 by a vote of 8 to 2, which now goes to the Rules Committee to be scheduled for a vote on the Senate floor. \n \nHigher Education Committee Passes Key Legislation for Georgia's Nursing Shortage \nBy Hayley Howell \nATLANTA (February 5, 2009)--The Higher Education Committee, chaired by Senator Seth Harp (R- Midland), favorably passed three pieces of legislation including Senate Resolution 96, Senate Bill 45, and the highly discussed SB 49 which is vital legislation for helping Georgia's current shortage of certified nurses. \nSen. Johnny Grant (R- Milledgeville) began by proposing SR 96 which urges the Board of Trustees and the president of the Georgia Military College to maintain the school's current military program. It would also designate the Georgia Military College as the State of Georgia's Military Junior College. The resolution passed unanimously. \nLes Schneider of Devry, Inc. presented SB 45, sponsored by Sen. Harp, which specifies requirements for a nursing education program to be approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing or the Georgia Board of Examiners of Licensed Practical Nurses for purposes of licensing or recognizing advanced practice registered nurses, licensed registered professional nurses, or licensed practical nurses. The bill passed with 100 percent of the votes. \nSen. Harp's controversial SB 49, or the Georgia Registered Professional Nurse Practice Act, was presented by Sen. Lee Hawkins (R- Gainesville). To be licensed as a registered nurse under the current law, an applicant must graduate from a nursing education program approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing (the board) or a program meeting criteria similar to, and no less stringent than, those established by the board. The act provides that a program will meet this requirement if the program: \n \n Is part of an out-of-state institution \napproved by the appropriate regulatory authorities of its home state \n Holds regional and specialty ac- \ncreditation by a Federally recognized accrediting body or bodies \n Requires program applicants to be a \nlicensed practical/ vocational nurse, military service corpsman, or a paramedic or hold a degree on a clinically oriented health care field \n Requires its students to pass faculty- \ndetermined program outcome at a rate equivalent to the completion rate for students of approved programs in Georgia. \nThe bill also removes a current provision requiring a nurse applicant to meet other criteria set by the Georgia Board of Nursing in addition to criteria specified by statute. \nThis act strongly affects Georgia's Excelsior College, which in July of last year, the Georgia Board of Nursing decided to no longer license. It hurts the 1,100 students who are currently enrolled at the college. Laurie Nagelsmith, assistant dean of nursing for Excelsior, reminded the committee that the college is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and has received its second designation as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education 2008-2011 from the National League for Nursing. \n\"The board has applied traditional standards to a non-traditional system. Our program is different in methodology, but we focus on the same outcome--to provide competent nurses and safe care,\" reminded Nagelsmith. \"We have thirtysix thousand practicing nurses with our degree throughout the country, and they have only shown competency.\" \n \nAll other agencies supported the bill including the Georgia Health Care Association, Northeast Georgia Medical Center, and Georgia Nurses Association. Cindy R. Balkstra, president of the Georgia Nurses Association, provided ardent support for the bill and for Excelsior College. \n\"Georgia is one of the top ten states with a nursing shortage, and we need to address this problem,\" Balkstra affirmed. \"The Georgia Nurses Association only supports high quality nursing programs, and without a doubt, I would have an Excelsior student take care of me.\" \nThe Georgia Board of Nursing fervently declared their opposition to the bill. They believed the Excelsior program was insufficient, because they did not provide hands-on training. Linda Herron, expresident of the board, passionately explained that they were only trying to protect the public before any missteps occurred from what they deem as \"inadequate\" graduates. They also opposed the removal of their criteria requirements in the process of nurse certification. \n\"This bill will totally destroy all education rules of the board, and we cannot compromise our standards,\" Herron insisted. \"We understand the argument that there is no proof these graduates are unsafe, but everyday incompetency is not seen by the board.\" \n\"There is nothing you have presented that is a problem that needs fixing,\" rebutted Senator Nan Orrock (D- Atlanta) to the board. \"There are no signs that these students are unsafe.\" \nThe committee passed the bill unanimously, and it is now sent to the Senate Rules Committee. \n \nPage 5 \n \n Legislative Process Dates \nImportant Dates in the Legislative Process \nIntroduction - Last day to file and/or 1st Read in Senate. 30 th day - last day to introduce General Senate bills and resolutions (even year). [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 30 th day - last day to accept General House bills and resolutions. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 39th day - last day to introduce General Senate bills and resolutions (odd year). [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] *Note: Senate bills and resolutions must be filed with the Secretary before 4:00 p.m. to be 1st read on the next legislative day. \nDeadlines for passage in current year \nCommittee Report Deadlines - Last day to read report. Report submitted to Secretary by convening. 28th day - General Senate bills and resolutions. 38th day - Local Senate bills and resolutions. 38th day - General House bills and resolutions. 40th day - Local House bills and resolutions. Calendar Management Calendar in numerical order after 2nd reading of legislation; days 1-5. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] Rules Committee sets the calendar for days 6 - 40. [Rule 4-2.10 (b)] General Senate Bills and Resolutions 26th day - File with Secretary of the Senate. [Rule 3-1.2 (a)] 27th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 28th day - Committee report read upon convening. (A recommitted bill already 2nd read - report day 29.) 29th day - 2nd Reading. [Rule 4-2.6] 30th day - Passage [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] and immediate transmittal to House. [Rule 4-2.14] Local Senate Bills and Resolutions 35th day - File with Secretary of the Senate. [3-1.2 (a)] 36th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. (Cannot pass for 2 days.) [Rule 4-2.4 (c) ] 38th day - Favorable report by committee, passage and immediate transmittal to the House. [Rule 4-2.14] 39th day - 2nd Reading in House. 40th day - Favorable report and passage in House. General House Bills and Resolutions 30th day - Transmitted from House and received by Secretary. 31st day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 38th day - Favorable report upon convening and 2nd reading. (Applies to days 36 - 38) [Rule 4-2.6] 39th day - Passage. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] 40th day - Passage of bills or resolutions tabled day 39; removed from the table on day 40. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] Local House Bills and Resolutions 39th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. 40th day - Favorable report by committee and passage. * Note: On the 30th day and on the last three days of session, bills and resolutions needing action from the House are automatically immediately transmitted. [Rule 4-2.14] \n \nPage 6 \n \nUPPER CHAMBER REPORT \n \n "},{"id":"dlg_ggpd_i-ga-bl411-b-pp1-bu6-b2009-s2-h4-belec-p-btext","title":"Upper chamber report 2009 February 4","collection_id":"dlg_ggpd","collection_title":"Georgia Government Publications","dcterms_contributor":null,"dcterms_spatial":["United States, Georgia, 32.75042, -83.50018"],"dcterms_creator":["Georgia. General Assembly. Senate"],"dc_date":["2009-02-04"],"dcterms_description":["Daily during the legislative session","Title from caption","Published only during Georgia legislative session"],"dc_format":["application/pdf"],"dcterms_identifier":null,"dcterms_language":["eng"],"dcterms_publisher":["Atlanta : Senate Information Office, 2009-02-04"],"dc_relation":null,"dc_right":["http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"],"dcterms_is_part_of":null,"dcterms_subject":["Georgia. General Assembly. Senate","Georgia--Politics and government--1951-"],"dcterms_title":["Upper chamber report 2009 February 4"],"dcterms_type":["Text"],"dcterms_provenance":["University of Georgia. Map and Government Information Library"],"edm_is_shown_by":["https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/do:dlg_ggpd_i-ga-bl411-b-pp1-bu6-b2009-s2-h4-belec-p-btext"],"edm_is_shown_at":["https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/id:dlg_ggpd_i-ga-bl411-b-pp1-bu6-b2009-s2-h4-belec-p-btext"],"dcterms_temporal":null,"dcterms_rights_holder":null,"dcterms_bibliographic_citation":null,"dlg_local_right":null,"dcterms_medium":["state government records"],"dcterms_extent":null,"dlg_subject_personal":null,"iiif_manifest_url_ss":null,"dcterms_subject_fast":null,"fulltext":"TOP STORY \nTransportation, Education, and Judicial Reform Take Center Stage in Chamber \n \nBy Ravae Graham \nThe State Senate today passed the most sweeping form of transportation legislation in Georgia's history. Authored by Senator Jeff Mullis (RChickamauga), the Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) will fund much needed, long-term transportation infrastructure across the state, strengthening Georgia's competitive edge in a global economy. See the full story on page 3 of the Upper Chamber Report. \n \ntems, Sen. Gail Buckner (D-Morrow) compellingly addressed the Senate to garner support for her legislation concerning the code of ethics for local school boards. Senate Bill 36 requires local boards of education to adopt and annually review a code of ethics. She noted that 10 \n \nceive life imprisonment with the possibility of parole or the death penalty. SB 13 offers an alternative to those sentences by allowing life imprisonment without parole. Smith has received support for the bill from several prosecutors across the state. \n \nFEBRUARY 4, 2009 -- DAY 13 \nUpper Chamber Report \n \nIn efforts to prevent the loss of accreditation of any other county school sys- \n \nInside this issue: \n \nTransportation, Educa- 1 tion, and Judicial Reform Take Center in Chamber \n \nSen. Rogers Authors \n \n2 \n \nHomestead Exemption \n \nAmendment \n \nSen. Bulloch Proposes \n \n2 \n \nCrackdown on Food \n \nTesting \n \nGeorgia One Step \n \n3 \n \nCloser to Transporta- \n \ntion Reform \n \nIn Committee News \n \n4 \n \nLegislative Process \n \n5 \n \nDates \n \nRaegan Weber, Press Director Kallarin Richards, Editor in Chief \n \nto 15 percent of school boards are under accreditation review. Clayton County schools were the first in the nation in the past 40 years to lose accreditation, failing to meet eight of nine improvement mandates. \nLegislation presented by Sen. Preston Smith (RRome) changing sentence options for those convicted of murder also overwhelmingly passed by a vote of 54 to 0. Currently in the state of Georgia, a person convicted of murder can re- \n \nFirefighters participated in events at the Gold Dome to celebrate the 37th annual Firefighters' Recognition Day at the Capitol. To commemorate the special event, Sens. Bucker and Valencia Seay (DRiverdale) presented firefighters from Clayton County with a resolution honoring their outstanding service and commitment. There are over 30,000 firefighters and 900 local fire departments in Georgia. \n \n Senator Rogers Authors Homestead Exemption \nAmendment \nBy Raegan Weber \nATLANTA (February 3, 2009)  Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) has introduced a bill to amend the Homestead Exemption Act doubling state-wide homestead exemptions. This comes on the heels of Governor Perdue's attempt to remove the Homeowner Tax Relief Grants (HTRG) for 2009. \n\"This bill creates a homeowner tax relief the taxpayer can rely on each year. Increasing the Homestead Exemption in lieu of a grant removes the state government as the middle man,\" said Rogers. \"The amount of the exemption has never changed since its inception in the 1930s. It has been unresponsive to the economic situations for far too long. Homeowners \n \ndeserve some relief.\" \nSpecifically the bill will increase the amount of the state-wide homestead exemption from $2000 to $4000 with automatic future adjustments for inflation. \nWhile the Senate and House are committed to funding HTRG in 2009, Rogers says that by doubling the Homestead Exemption homeowners would be protected from possible HTRG cuts in the future. Additionally, exemption funds would not be subject to appropriated funding decisions each year. The funds would be guaranteed to those it impacts most  the taxpayers. \nLt. Governor Casey Cagle recently commented on Senate Bill 83 saying, \"The Senate has stood strong in our commitment to fight for lower prop- \n \nerty taxes and not increase the burden on homeowners during this tough economic time. Our proposal to double the homestead exemption will provide necessary relief for homeowners across the state and is a step in the right direction. President ProTem Tommie Williams and Majority Leader Chip Rogers have displayed solid leadership on this issue and we look forward to moving this legislation forward.\" \nThe Homestead Exemption Act became State law in the 1930s under Governor Eugene Talmadge's Administration. The tax exemption was proposed at $2000 and has remained that amount ever since. \nSB 83 goes before the Senate Finance Committee today and will likely go to the Senate Floor for a vote by the end of the week. For more information on SB 83, go to www.legis.ga.gov. \n \nSen. Bulloch Proposes Crackdown on Food Testing \nBy Kallarin Richards \nATLANTA (February 3, 2009) -- State Senator John Bulloch (ROchlocknee) is launching a bill to impose stricter guidelines on food testing for processing plants in response to the nationwide salmonella outbreak that was linked to a South Georgia peanut butter plant in Blakely, GA. Senate Bill 80, the Food Safety Testing, Reporting \u0026 Record Keeping bill, dropped this week. \n\"When people's lives are at stake, food safety inspections should not be subject to lax regulations,\" said Sen. Bulloch. \"Consumers must be assured their food is safe and we must protect the integrity of Georgia's producers. Much of our economy depends on the state's agriculture industry, which cannot afford to suffer the negative impacts of food recalls.\" \nSen. Bulloch's legislation would re- \n \nquire that food processing facilities report suspicions of contaminated food, food testing and retention of testing results to the Department of Agriculture (Department). This legislation would provide the Department free access to any food processor's testing records for the presence of contaminants. The Commissioner of Agriculture is also directed to establish requirements for regular food testing on a yearly or more frequent basis. \nThe measure strengthens requirements for reporting contaminated products or the suspicions of contaminated products, requiring that a food processor report testing results by the next business day to the Department. This will ensure that any testing or suspicions are reported directly to the state. The bill gives the commissioner the right to test any food if there are reasonable grounds to suspect contamination. Financial responsibility for the cost of testing lies solely with the food establishment, not the department. \n \nDespite misleading media reports, the peanuts in the contaminated peanut butter were not the cause of the outbreak. While Georgia peanuts remain a safe product, the state's agriculture industry has already experienced a negative impact. The Federal government has launched a criminal investigation to determine if the plant knew about the contamination prior to releasing the product to the marketplace. Hearings begin this week in Washington, DC. \nGeorgia is the number one peanut producer in the nation. In 2008, peanut production in Georgia was 2.3 billion pounds, compared to the previous year's 1.6 billion pounds according to the USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service. Georgia produces 45% of the United States' peanuts. Georgia has 14,160 farms with peanuts and over 4,800 active farms. Georgia has approximately 250 peanut related businesses. The peanut industry contributes more than 50,000 jobs in Georgia. \n \nPage 2 \n \nUPPER CHAMBER REPORT \n \n Georgia One Step Closer to Transportation Reform \n \nSenate Passes TSPLOST Measure \n \nBy Kallarin Richards \nATLANTA (February 3, 2009)  The State Senate today passed the most sweeping form of transportation legislation in Georgia's history. Authored by Senator Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga), the Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) will fund much needed, longterm transportation infrastructure across the state, strengthening Georgia's competitive edge in a global economy. \n \naround the state have the option to be individual regions or come together as larger regions with local approval. They may also opt not be a TSPLOST region at all. Offering a flexible solution to meet the diversity of needs across the state, the measure allows voters to \n \n\"The time is now to \n \nimplement a true infra- \n \nstructure stimulus. Reporters eagerly await Sen. Mullis' remarks on passing Traffic congestion sti- TSPLOST \n \nfles economic growth, \n \nhinders businesses, and costs also decide what projects in their \njobs. Georgia cannot continue to area need funding the most. suffer such losses in the current \n \neconomic climate,\" said Sen. Mullis. \"Passing this bill now gives us the chance to educate the public on its benefits before they are faced with a vote on the November 2010 ballot.\" \n \nLieutenant Governor Casey Cagle offered his support of the bill by saying, \"Our statewide, regional approach is a flexible and optional solution for Georgia allowing for true local input and influence of \n \nThis voter-approved transportation funding enhancement will allow counties the option to band together to levy a one percent sales tax to fund transportation projects \n \ntransportation projects. Just as our state has many diverse transportation needs, a funding mechanism should respect the diverse regional needs.\" \n \nin their district. The bill creates only one defined region  10 County ARC Region (Cherokee, Douglas, Fulton, Fayette, Clayton, Henry, Rockdale, DeKalb, Gwinnett, and Cobb). Other counties \n \nMany lawmakers are looking to transportation this session as a means of jump starting the economy. The TSPLOST will generate up to $850 million in funding each year for the metro Atlanta \n \narea, and up to $1.2 billion for the entire state. Contributing to transportation infrastructure will produce jobs and a better economy, capitalizing on the relationship between transportation development and economic growth. Sen. Mullis noted that due to the severe traffic congestion, Georgia has already lost $185 billion in infrastructure, along with several Fortune 500 companies. \nThere was a strong showing of bipartisan support for the measure as Senators from both sides of the aisle took the floor to urge passage of the bill. Senate Resolution 44, the Constitutional Amendment, and its enabling legislation Senate Bill 39 passed overwhelmingly, becoming the first major piece of legislation to pass through the Senate for the 2009 Legislative Session. The bill now moves to the House, where it will first be debated in committee. \n\"I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House to finally pass the transportation relief that we have been working on for the past three years,\" Sen. Mullis added. \"This is not a Republican or Democratic issue, this is a Georgia issue. There is not a single city or county in the state that does not need transportation improvements.\" \n \nPage 3 \n \n In Committee News... \n \nSenate Public Safety Committee Recommends Pick-up Truck Seat \nBelt Enforcement Legislation \nBy Matt Colvin \nATLANTA (February 3, 2009)  The Senate Public Safety Committee favorably passed today a revised version of State Senator Don Thomas' (R-Dalton) legislation that would require enforcement of seat belt use in pick-up trucks. Sen. Thomas has worked tirelessly over the years on seeking passage of this legislation. As he testified before the committee, Georgia is now the only state that does not have a pick-up truck seat belt enforcement law in effect. The new bill, Senate Bill 5, would allow pick-up trucks that are regularly used on Georgia farms \n \nnot to be included in the requirement. \nRepresentatives from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, AAA, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta all spoke briefly to the committee in support of SB 5 before it was unanimously passed out of committee. \nTwo other bills were favorably recommended by a unanimous vote. Senator Bill Jackson (R-Appling) introduced to the committee SB 6, which would revise any penalties enforced on restricted licenses for truck drivers charged with a traffic violation. The bill would revoke the option to suspend the license and only allow for monetary fines to be imposed in hopes of not jeopardizing the driver's \n \nemployment status. \nThe committee also passed a bill sponsored by Sen. Seth Harp (RMidland) that would allow agencies to help train police dogs by allowing them to maintain any unclaimed human cadavers for training purposes. SB 38 would give power to the Board for the Distribution of Cadavers to provide for dead bodies to be used in the training and handling of police canine, as currently the training agencies do not have permission to possess and maintain any cadavers. \n \nHomeowner Tax Relief Grant Protection, Homestead Exemp- \ntion Increases pass Senate Finance Committee \nBy Matt Colvin \nATLANTA (February 3, 2009)  The Senate Finance Committee today recommended two key pieces of legislation that would protect a promised property tax break for 2009 and double the current statewide homestead tax exemption from $2000 to $4000. \nRepresentative Larry O'Neal (RWarner Robins), chairman of the House Ways and Means committee, introduced House Bill 143 to the committee, which would ensure the Homeowner Tax Relief Grant (HTRG) would be part of the 2009 budget and change the manner and method for appropriating \n \nthe funds for future years. HB 143 would mandate the General assembly fund the HTRG for the 2009 amended budget, which currently is facing a $428 million shortfall to provide the funding. The second part of the bill would allow the HTRG to be funded for future years only from a budget surplus. Rep. O'Neal stated that the General Assembly wants to fund this program, but needs to ensure it will be able to afford it in case of any future budget shortfalls. If the funding is available it will be allocated to the supplemental fiscal year budget with the appropriate rate change to reflect the consumer price index and inflation. \nSenate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) introduced the committee substitute to Senate Bill 83, which would allow for a state-wide Home- \n \nstead Tax Exemption Act increase from $2000 to $4000. Sen. Rogers presented to the committee statistics showing the current homestead exemption had been in place for over 70 years and taking inflation into account that $2000 exemption in the 1930's would equate to approximately a $32,000 exemption in today's economy. Sen. Rogers noted that the legislation includes an exemption amount increase on a year-to-year basis by a percentage equal to the costof-living index. The Act would be subject to voter approval, in which a special election is scheduled to be held in June 2009 to decide on the measure. \nBoth HB 143 and the SB 83 substitute passed unanimously from the committee and will await further action before going to the Senate floor for consideration. \n \nSenate State Institutions \u0026 Property Committee Recommends State Detention Center \nReform Bill \nBy Matt Colvin \nATLANTA (February 3, 2009)  A bill that will drastically increase the available space in the Department of Corrections (DOC) was unanimously passed out of the Senate State Institutions \u0026 \n \nProperty Committee today at the Capitol. Committee chairman Johnny Grant (R-Milledgeville) introduced Senate Bill 65 which would allow judges to require certain defendants sentenced to probation to complete a period of confinement in a probation detention center not to exceed 120 days. Representatives from the DOC testified to the committee that current occupants of detention centers are staying far longer \n \nthan 120 days and this bill would provide much more flexibility and space for detention center management. The DOC stated that currently they have over 500 persons on their detention center waiting list and this new legislation would equate to freeing up the space of six detention centers. The bill was unanimously passed out of committee and will await Senate action before going to a floor debate. \n \nPage 4 \n \nUPPER CHAMBER REPORT \n \n Legislative Process Dates \nImportant Dates in the Legislative Process \nIntroduction - Last day to file and/or 1st Read in Senate. 30 th day - last day to introduce General Senate bills and resolutions (even year). [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 30 th day - last day to accept General House bills and resolutions. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 39th day - last day to introduce General Senate bills and resolutions (odd year). [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] *Note: Senate bills and resolutions must be filed with the Secretary before 4:00 p.m. to be 1st read on the next legislative day. \nDeadlines for passage in current year \nCommittee Report Deadlines - Last day to read report. Report submitted to Secretary by convening. 28th day - General Senate bills and resolutions. 38th day - Local Senate bills and resolutions. 38th day - General House bills and resolutions. 40th day - Local House bills and resolutions. Calendar Management Calendar in numerical order after 2nd reading of legislation; days 1-5. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] Rules Committee sets the calendar for days 6 - 40. [Rule 4-2.10 (b)] General Senate Bills and Resolutions 26th day - File with Secretary of the Senate. [Rule 3-1.2 (a)] 27th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 28th day - Committee report read upon convening. (A recommitted bill already 2nd read - report day 29.) 29th day - 2nd Reading. [Rule 4-2.6] 30th day - Passage [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] and immediate transmittal to House. [Rule 4-2.14] Local Senate Bills and Resolutions 35th day - File with Secretary of the Senate. [3-1.2 (a)] 36th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. (Cannot pass for 2 days.) [Rule 4-2.4 (c) ] 38th day - Favorable report by committee, passage and immediate transmittal to the House. [Rule 4-2.14] 39th day - 2nd Reading in House. 40th day - Favorable report and passage in House. General House Bills and Resolutions 30th day - Transmitted from House and received by Secretary. 31st day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 38th day - Favorable report upon convening and 2nd reading. (Applies to days 36 - 38) [Rule 4-2.6] 39th day - Passage. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] 40th day - Passage of bills or resolutions tabled day 39; removed from the table on day 40. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] Local House Bills and Resolutions 39th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. 40th day - Favorable report by committee and passage. * Note: On the 30th day and on the last three days of session, bills and resolutions needing action from the House are automatically immediately transmitted. [Rule 4-2.14] \n \nPage 5 \n \nUPPER CHAMBER REPORT \n \n "},{"id":"dlg_ggpd_i-ga-bl411-b-pp1-bu6-b2009-s2-h3-belec-p-btext","title":"Upper chamber report 2009 February 3","collection_id":"dlg_ggpd","collection_title":"Georgia Government Publications","dcterms_contributor":null,"dcterms_spatial":["United States, Georgia, 32.75042, -83.50018"],"dcterms_creator":["Georgia. General Assembly. 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Map and Government Information Library"],"edm_is_shown_by":["https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/do:dlg_ggpd_i-ga-bl411-b-pp1-bu6-b2009-s2-h3-belec-p-btext"],"edm_is_shown_at":["https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/id:dlg_ggpd_i-ga-bl411-b-pp1-bu6-b2009-s2-h3-belec-p-btext"],"dcterms_temporal":null,"dcterms_rights_holder":null,"dcterms_bibliographic_citation":null,"dlg_local_right":null,"dcterms_medium":["state government records"],"dcterms_extent":null,"dlg_subject_personal":null,"iiif_manifest_url_ss":null,"dcterms_subject_fast":null,"fulltext":"TOP STORY \nBrief Start to the Week, Senators Anticipate Debating TSPLOST Measure \n \nFEBRUARY 3, 2009 -- DAY 12 \nUpper Chamber Report \n \nRaegan Weber, Press Director Kallarin Richards, Editor in Chief \n \nBy Kallarin Richards \nThe Senate held a brief session on Monday to start the week. Senator Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga) asked that the Senate not take up Senate Resolution 44, the Constitutional Amendment to the TSPOLOST bill, as was originally scheduled. The enabling legislation was not available for placement on the calendar, and the Senator plans to present the two measures simultaneously. Sen. Mullis also had the honor of presenting the Chaplain of the Day, Dr. Stephen Anthony of \n \nInside this issue: \n \nBrief Start to the \n \n1 \n \nWeek, Senators Antici- \n \npate Debating \n \nTSPLOST Measure \n \nSen. Johnson's \n \n2 \n \nVoucher Bill Brings \n \nGreater Choice to Stu- \n \ndents and Parents \n \nEducation and Youth \n \n2 \n \nCommittee Holds First \n \nMeeting of Session \n \nSen. Judson Hill Au- \n \n3 \n \nthors Key Amendment \n \nto Protect TSPLOST \n \nBill \n \nHTRG v. Homestead \n \n4 \n \nExemption Fact Sheet \n \nLegislative Process \n \n5 \n \nDates \n \nPeavine Baptist Church in Rock Spring. Dr. Anthony emphasized the importance of character in \nour country's leaders and citizens during these trying economic times. \nSenators were hard at work filing bills as the day's first reader sheet reflected several important measures, including one aimed at stricter guidelines for food processing plants that was sponsored by Sen. John Bulloch (R-Ochlocknee) in response to the recent salmonella outbreak. Sen. Chip Rogers (RWoodstock) filed legislation last Friday to increase statewide homestead exemptions from $2000 to $4000. \nContinuing his efforts to bring statewide transportation reform to Georgia, Sen. Mullis filed a resolution urging the Department of Transportation to build a magnetic levitation, or MAGLEV, train connecting HartsfieldJackson International Airport in Atlanta to the Chattanooga Municipal Airport at Lovell Field. \n \nDubbed \"The Plane Train,\" it will run along I-75. Sen. Mullis has said that this method of public transport will cost less than building another airport to serve north Georgia. The project would be funded using money raised through TSPLOST, which is expected to generate $850 million a year for the metro Atlanta area alone. \nSen. Vincent Fort (DAtlanta) took a moment to address the sub-prime mortgage downturn in Georgia, noting that changes the legislature made to the law in 2003 are in part responsible for the current situation. He is looking forward to the upcoming debate on several foreclosure bills that are expected to be introduced in the Senate, noting that it is critical for the legislature to quickly provide relief to homeowners who are suffering. Receiving calls from many of his constituents who are struggling to keep their homes, Sen. Fort encouraged his colleagues to listen to their local homeowners, rather than lobbyists, when considering the proposed foreclosure relief this session. \nThe Senate is expected to take up the TSPLOST bill on Tuesday, when the Chamber convenes at 10:00 a.m. \n \n Sen. Johnson's Voucher Bill Brings Greater Choice to Stu- \ndents \u0026 Parents \nBy Raegan Weber \nATLANTA (February 2, 2009)  State Senator Eric Johnson (RSavannah) today introduced a voucher bill that provides parents with universal public and private school choice that will improve education in Georgia and will prepare our workforce for the global economy. \n\"Every parent in Georgia should have the freedom to choose the best school for their child,\" said Johnson. \"Education is the key to everything. If we allow existing funds to follow the child to the school which best meets their needs, our test scores and our ability to compete for jobs will improve.\" \nGeorgia taxpayers already provide school choice to special needs students, prekindergarten students and college students through the HOPE scholarship. Johnson's bill would \n \nnow provide that same choice to all of Georgia's students. Three basic conditions will apply. First, the receiving school must agree to accept students under this universal voucher program. The parents must make all transportation arrangements, and the parents and students must sign a contract with the receiving school agreeing that if the child does not follow school rules, he or she may be returned back to their assigned public school. \nThe United States Supreme Court has recognized the fundamental right of a parent to determine the best education for their child. This bill gives every parent the opportunity to find the educational environment that will allow their child to excel. \n \n\"Georgia's graduation rates are still 49th in the nation, and our unemployment rate is well above the na- \ntional average. Clearly, the old way of delivering education to our students is not working and we need to look at new ideas. The freedom to choose is good for students, good for teachers, good for parents, and good for business. Universal school choice is one tool in the toolbox to achieve a more educated Georgia and a stronger economy,\" said Johnson. \"The research is clear. Limited choice means limited benefits for students. Greater choice means greater benefits for all students, even for those who remain in their home public school.\" \nAfter this bill has been filed in the Senate today, it will be first read on the Senate floor this week where it will be assigned to committee. For questions regarding Sen. Johnson's voucher bill, Senate Bill 90, please contact his office at 404.656.5109. \n \nEducation and Youth Committee Holds First \nMeeting of Session \nBy Ravae Graham \nATLANTA (February 2, 2009) State Senator Dan Weber (R-Dunwoody) today called to order the first meeting of the Senate Education and Youth Committee at the Capitol. After the adoption of the committee rules, lawmakers reviewed legislation that would further protect Georgia's youth from sexual predators and ensure that Georgia's children are provided an opportunity to receive quality education. \nSen. John Douglas (R-Social Circle), former member of the Senate Education and Youth Committee, was in attendance at today's meeting to present Senate Bill \n \n14, which restricts any person who is on the National Sex Offender Registry or the state sexual offender registry from being elected or serving on a local board of education. During the 2008 legislative session, Sen. Douglas strongly objected to the candidacy of Horace Don Gresham to the Newton County Board of Education, District 2. In 1988, Gresham was convicted of sodomy in DeKalb County involving a boy under the age of 14. In 1999, he was charged with public indecency in Newton County. In the most recent case, Gresham admitted his guilt and voluntarily completed a pretrial diversion program in lieu of prosecution. The committee unanimously passed SB 14. \nThe Committee meeting wrapped up by taking up education bill SB 60. Sponsored by Sen. Lester Jackson (D-Savannah), SB 60 gives local school boards the option of \n \ndetermining the mandatory attendance age in a public school, which is currently 16. School boards would have the option of changing the age to 17 or 18. Parents may sign a waiver to allow a child to opt out of school between the ages of 16 to 18 and enroll them in community college or technical school. \n\"This legislation provides local control, parental control and ensures the youth of our state will obtain a quality education,\" said Jackson. \"Age 16 is too young to make a decision that will most definitely affect the rest of your life.\" \nPresident Jeff Hubbard of the Georgia Association of Educators (GAE) offered his support of the bill and additionally noted that the bill will improve Georgia's education and its citizenry. \n \nPage 2 \n \nUPPER CHAMBER REPORT \n \n State Senator Judson Hill Authors Key Amendment to Protect TSPLOST Bill \n \nBy Matt Colvin \nATLANTA (January 30, 2009)  A leading Georgia State Senator has ensured that any transportation special-purpose local-option sales tax (TSPLOST) project could not be later nullified by bureaucrats. Georgia State Senator Judson Hill (RMarietta), a member of the Senate Transportation Committee, successfully introduced an amendment to Senate Bill 39, the TSPLOST bill, which would guarantee the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) will not have any discretion to review or approve transportation projects funded by the TSPLOST. Senator Hill wants to assure Georgians that the road projects they choose to fund through a TSPLOST would be developed. \n\"My constituents in Fulton and Cobb County have waited long enough for us to create additional funding options to build needed roads and highways. For me to support the TSPLOST measure, we had to guarantee Georgians that they would not be taxed for new transportation projects which were never developed because bureaucrats independently nullified the project. We had to guarantee that if you vote for a new transportation sales tax then those roads will be built. It is unacceptable for a nonelected government body to have sole discretion to kill any transpor- \n \ntation project that the voters approve.\" said Senator Hill. \"If Georgians want to continue attracting new businesses and create jobs, we must solve our current and future transportation funding needs.\" \nCurrently, GRTA is required to approve the Atlanta Regional Commission's Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The TIP represents the programming for funding and implementation of near-term projects adopted in the long-term Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). By Federal law, metropolitan TIPs must be approved by the Governor of the state or an agency the governor delegates that authority to; in Georgia's case responsibility has been assigned to GRTA. Senator Hill's amendment ensures that any TSPLOST short-term project in the metro Atlanta area can begin without GRTA approval. Senator Hill's state Senate District 32, which includes parts of Cobb and Fulton counties, would have been dependent upon GRTA approval, without his amendment. \nSenator Hill says he is working to help get the TSPLOST bill passed \n \nthrough the Senate quickly. \n \nTSPLOST would provide for a state \n \nreferendum where voters could \n \nchoose to fund transportation pro- \n \njects in the Atlanta area through a \n \none percent \n \ntax. \n \nThe \n \nTSPLOST bill \n \nis estimated to \n \ngenerate up to \n \n$850 million \n \nin funding \n \neach year for \n \nthe metro At- \n \nlanta area and \n \nup to $1.2 bil- \n \nlion for the \n \nentire state. Senator Hill believes \n \nTSPLOST would offer greater \n \nchoice and flexibility at the county \n \nlevel so that local government lead- \n \ners and the regional voters can de- \n \ncide which transportation projects \n \nneed funding the most. Should the \n \nbill pass in the legislature, a Consti- \n \ntutional Amendment question will \n \nbe on the November 2010 ballot for \n \nGeorgians to consider. \n \nSenator Hill notes that Atlanta is the 2nd most congested city in the United States of America, and Georgia has lost Fortune 500 companies because of the congestion issue. SB 39 passed the Committee by unanimous consent and is now awaiting a Rules Committee vote before consideration on the Senate floor. \n \nPage 3 \n \n Page 4 \n \nUPPER CHAMBER REPORT \n \n Legislative Process Dates \nImportant Dates in the Legislative Process \nIntroduction - Last day to file and/or 1st Read in Senate. 30 th day - last day to introduce General Senate bills and resolutions (even year). [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 30 th day - last day to accept General House bills and resolutions. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 39th day - last day to introduce General Senate bills and resolutions (odd year). [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] *Note: Senate bills and resolutions must be filed with the Secretary before 4:00 p.m. to be 1st read on the next legislative day. \nDeadlines for passage in current year \nCommittee Report Deadlines - Last day to read report. Report submitted to Secretary by convening. 28th day - General Senate bills and resolutions. 38th day - Local Senate bills and resolutions. 38th day - General House bills and resolutions. 40th day - Local House bills and resolutions. Calendar Management Calendar in numerical order after 2nd reading of legislation; days 1-5. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] Rules Committee sets the calendar for days 6 - 40. [Rule 4-2.10 (b)] General Senate Bills and Resolutions 26th day - File with Secretary of the Senate. [Rule 3-1.2 (a)] 27th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 28th day - Committee report read upon convening. (A recommitted bill already 2nd read - report day 29.) 29th day - 2nd Reading. [Rule 4-2.6] 30th day - Passage [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] and immediate transmittal to House. [Rule 4-2.14] Local Senate Bills and Resolutions 35th day - File with Secretary of the Senate. [3-1.2 (a)] 36th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. (Cannot pass for 2 days.) [Rule 4-2.4 (c) ] 38th day - Favorable report by committee, passage and immediate transmittal to the House. [Rule 4-2.14] 39th day - 2nd Reading in House. 40th day - Favorable report and passage in House. General House Bills and Resolutions 30th day - Transmitted from House and received by Secretary. 31st day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 38th day - Favorable report upon convening and 2nd reading. (Applies to days 36 - 38) [Rule 4-2.6] 39th day - Passage. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] 40th day - Passage of bills or resolutions tabled day 39; removed from the table on day 40. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] Local House Bills and Resolutions 39th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. 40th day - Favorable report by committee and passage. * Note: On the 30th day and on the last three days of session, bills and resolutions needing action from the House are automatically immediately transmitted. [Rule 4-2.14] \nPage 5 \n \n "},{"id":"dlg_ggpd_i-ga-bl411-b-pp1-bu6-b2009-s2-h2-belec-p-btext","title":"Upper chamber report 2009 February 2","collection_id":"dlg_ggpd","collection_title":"Georgia Government Publications","dcterms_contributor":null,"dcterms_spatial":["United States, Georgia, 32.75042, -83.50018"],"dcterms_creator":["Georgia. General Assembly. Senate"],"dc_date":["2009-02-02"],"dcterms_description":["Daily during the legislative session","Title from caption","Published only during Georgia legislative session"],"dc_format":["application/pdf"],"dcterms_identifier":null,"dcterms_language":["eng"],"dcterms_publisher":["Atlanta : Senate Information Office, 2009-02-02"],"dc_relation":null,"dc_right":["http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"],"dcterms_is_part_of":null,"dcterms_subject":["Georgia. General Assembly. Senate","Georgia--Politics and government--1951-"],"dcterms_title":["Upper chamber report 2009 February 2"],"dcterms_type":["Text"],"dcterms_provenance":["University of Georgia. Map and Government Information Library"],"edm_is_shown_by":["https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/do:dlg_ggpd_i-ga-bl411-b-pp1-bu6-b2009-s2-h2-belec-p-btext"],"edm_is_shown_at":["https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/id:dlg_ggpd_i-ga-bl411-b-pp1-bu6-b2009-s2-h2-belec-p-btext"],"dcterms_temporal":null,"dcterms_rights_holder":null,"dcterms_bibliographic_citation":null,"dlg_local_right":null,"dcterms_medium":["state government records"],"dcterms_extent":null,"dlg_subject_personal":null,"iiif_manifest_url_ss":null,"dcterms_subject_fast":null,"fulltext":"TOP STORY \nWomen's Heart Disease Awareness, Honoring Local WWII Veteran Focus of Senate Day 10 \n \nFEBRUARY 2, 2009 -- DAY 11 \nUpper Chamber Report \n \nRaegan Weber, Press Director Kallarin Richards, Editor in Chief \n \nBy Matt Colvin \nATLANTA (January 30, 2009)  The Georgia State Senate convened for Legislative Day 10 at the end of a full week of standing committee meetings and appropriations subcommittee hearings. With no bills or resolutions on the general calendar for the day, the Senate took time to adopt a number of privileged resolutions honoring a wide range of individuals and groups from Senators' local districts. But the focus of the day was one Senator taking time to promote women's heart disease awareness and another honoring a local World War II veteran and his family at the chamber well. \n \nInside this issue: \n \nWomen's Heart Dis- \n \n1 \n \nease Awareness, Hon- \n \noring Local WWII \n \nVeteran Focus of Sen- \n \nate Day 10 \n \nSen. Pearson Honors \n \n2 \n \nDistinguished War \n \nVeteran \n \nMullis Leads Most \n \n2 \n \nSweeping Form of \n \nTransportation Legisla- \n \ntion in Georgia History \n \nGeorgia Women Legis- 3 lators Join Pearl of Wisdom Campaign \n \nLegislative Process \n \n4 \n \nSenator Horacena Tate (D  Atlanta) took the floor during the daily Points of Personal Privilege to promote \"Go Red for Women\" day taking place Friday, February 6th at the Capitol to raise awareness for women's heart disease in Georgia. Senator Tate, who suffered a heart attack during a previous session, noted that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women in Georgia and in the nation and urged her fellow Senators to show their support of the Go Red for Women campaign by wearing red ties or dresses this coming Friday, February 6th. Senator Tate is committed to helping raise awareness and prevention of women's heart disease and stroke in Georgia. \nGo Red for Women is a national campaign started by the American Heart Association to raise awareness and prevention for heart disease and stroke in women. Their near-term goal is a 25% reduction in coronary heart disease and stroke \n \nrisk by 2010. Go Red for Women has chosen Fri- \nday, February 6th as their National Wear Red Day and urging companies, associations, and groups to pledge to wear red in support of their goal of increased awareness. \nFor more information on Go Red for Women and National Wear Red Day, please visit goredforwomen.org. \nSenator Chip Pearson (R  Dawsonville) invited all Senators who spent time serving in the military to the well to help him in honoring World War II veteran Dr. Joseph Lazzarini with a Senate Resolution officially commending him for his 20 years of military service. Dr. Lazzarini served in the Army during World War II, as well as the Navy and the Air Force. \nThe Senate stood at ease until 5pm Friday, then adjourned until 1pm on Monday February, 2nd for Legislative Day 11. \n \n Senator Pearson Honors Distinguished Georgia War Veteran in Senate Chamber \nBy Kallarin Richards \nATLANTA (January 30, 2009) -- The State Senate paused today during its daily business to honor an exceptional Georgian who has dedicated his life to serving his country. Sen. Chip Pearson (RDawsonville) presented Dr. Joseph Lazzarini with a Senate Resolution officially commending him for his 20 years of military service, in which he served in the Army during World War II, as well as the Navy and the Air Force. \n\"I am humbled by the dedication and selflessness Dr. Lazzarini exemplified throughout his career with the United State military,\" said Sen. Pearson. \"Today we honor a man who has continued to give back to his country and community even after his military service ended. Our country owes a great debt to his generation of brave servicemen and they must not be forgotten.\" \nDr. Lazzarini, originally from Puerto Rico, volunteered for service in the U.S. Army at 19 years old, where he was eventually named a corporal. After working on a premedical degree, Dr. Lazzarini returned to service in the Naval Reserve, the Merchant Marines, and the Military Sea Transport Service. That led him to the U.S. Air Force, where he earned the rank of airman first class. \n \nWhile stationed in Spain, Dr. Lazzarini graduated from the University of Madrid's School of Medicine. He used his education to serve as a military doctor in the U.S. Army, which ultimately brought him to Georgia where he served as a lieutenant colonel and chief of radiology at Fort Gordon in Augusta. He was then promoted to colonel and went on to serve as chief of radiology at Fort Stewart, which took him to Germany, Italy, and Texas, before he chose to return to Georgia upon his retirement. \n \nDr. Lazzarini, who celebrated his 83rd Sen. Pearson honors Dr. Joseph Lazzarini at the \n \nbirthday in December, continues to Senate rostrum, a 20 year war veteran who served give back to his community by found- the U.S. military in both combat and as a doctor and \n \ning the Caring Hands Clinic in down- radiologist. \n \ntown Atlanta to provide free medical \n \nservices to those without insurance. He is also an active member of the Knights of \"I am proud to also recognize Dr. Lazza- \n \nColumbus, the Georgia Mountain chapter of rini's son, Edward, who followed in his the Military Officers Association of Amer- father's footsteps by choosing a career in \n \nica, the Disabled American Veterans Na- the military and is being deployed to Af- \n \ntional Service Foundation, and the Radiol- ghanistan,\" added Sen. Pearson. \"The Laz- \n \nogy Society of America, among others. \n \nzarinis are a brave military family, and on behalf of the Senate and the State of Geor- \n \ngia, I thank them for their service to this \n \nDr. Lazzarini's son, Edward, joined his country.\" \n \nfather for this special recognition. Edward \n \nhas also chosen a life of public service in \n \nthe military, and will soon be deployed to For more information on the Georgia State Afghanistan. This will be his third deploy- Senate or to view Senate Resolution 103, \n \nment overseas, having already served in please visit www.senate.ga.gov. \n \nKuwait and Iraq. \n \nMullis Leads the Most Sweeping form of Transportation Legisla- \ntion in Georgia History \nBy Raegan Weber \nATLANTA (January 30, 2009)-- Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Jeff Mullis (R- Chickamauga) is leading the effort to get Senate Bill 39 and Senate Resolution 44, the Transportation Special Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) bills, passed through the chamber quickly. The legislation unanimously passed through the Senate Transportation Committee this week and legislators are optimistic it will go to the Senate Floor for a full vote on Tuesday, February 3. \n\"There is over $185 billion dollars of private investment waiting to be used for public transportation. Georgia should not be left behind while other states move ahead,\" said \n \nMullis, \"This bill has come together as a bipartisan effort to address the transportation needs in the state of Georgia.\" Mullis went on to add that the TSPLOST is not about monetary gain. In rural communities the bill would help to stimulate economic development. For Atlanta and urban areas it is intended to help alleviate congestion. \nThe TSPLOST bill is the most sweeping form of transportation legislation in Georgia history. It provides for a one percent sales tax to be used to fund transportation projects in special transportation districts within the state. TSPLOST would generate up to $850 million in funding each year for the metroAtlanta area, and up to $1.2 billion for the entire state. It provides greater choice and flexibility at the county level so that local areas can decide what transportation projects need funding the most. Should the bill pass in the legislature, a Constitutional Amendment will be on the November 2010 ballot for Georgians to vote. \n \nMany senators back the bill saying it's exactly what Georgia needs for long-term transportation and economic growth. \n\"As the economic engine of our state, it is critical that we get metro Atlanta out of our transportation crisis. Traffic stifles economic growth to our entire state. Voters in Atlanta are anxious to have an opportunity to decide whether or not they want to take a step forward to relieve congestion. And businesses need to see a clear message that Georgia is serious about addressing our transportation issues,\" said Mullis. \"This is a major step forward in the funding process so we can clear the gridlock on our roads.\" \nFor more information on TSPLOST, go to www.legis.ga.gov and do a legislative search on SB39. \n \nPage 2 \n \n Georgia Women Legislators Join Global Pearl of WisdomTM Campaign to Prevent Cervical Cancer \nCoalition Promotes Pearl of Wisdom as Worldwide Symbol of Cervical Cancer Prevention \n \nMarking Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in January, Georgia women legislators have joined a coalition of women's health and advocacy organizations in the United States and Europe in a new, united effort to prevent cervical cancer worldwide. \nThe Pearl of Wisdom Campaign to Prevent Cervical Cancer (www.PearlofWisdom.us) will raise awareness of cervical cancer, encourage women to take advantage of the means that are now available to prevent it, and work to make sure that these methods are accessible to girls and women around the globe  particularly to the underserved populations that have much higher rates of cervical cancer. A central focus of the campaign is the promotion of the Pearl of Wisdom as the global symbol of cervical cancer prevention, designed to help all groups involved unite behind a core set of messages. \n \nStone Mountain). \n\"The Cervical Cancer Elimination Task Force worked diligently to craft three solid recommendations on education, screening and immunization to prevent cervical cancer,\" said Sen. Thomas. \nThe Pearl of Wisdom Campaign to Prevent Cervical Cancer was started by the European \nCervical Cancer Association, or ECCA (www.ecca.info), which includes 100 organizations from across Europe. Sen. Orrock presented a report on cervical cancer efforts in the U.S. at a European-wide meeting of Politicians for Cervical Cancer Prevention at the European Union Parliament in Brussels on January 22, 2009. \n \n\"Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women around the world, killing nearly 300,000 women worldwide each year,\" said Senator Nan Grogan Orrock (D-Atlanta), member of the Women in Government Board of Trustees. \"In Georgia, there are 400 deaths of women annually from cervical cancer. However, this disease is almost completely preventable. Research has established that cervical cancer is caused by persistent infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), whose presence is seen in 99.7 percent of all cervical cancers. Almost every case of cervical cancer is now preventable through organized screening with Pap tests, HPV tests and immunization programs with HPV vaccines.\" \nGeorgia women legislators are presenting the recommendations of the Final Report of the 2006 Georgia Cervical Cancer Elimination Task Force to the Women's Caucus to announce the Pearl of Wisdom Campaign and highlight the needs here in Georgia for broader education, screening, treatment, and immunization. Legislation to accomplish these goals is under consideration by the Women's Caucus. Members of the Task Force chaired by Sen. Don Thomas (RDalton) include Sen. Renee Unterman (RBuford), Representative Cicely Hill (RKingsland) and Rep. Michele Henson (D- \n \nU.S. partners in the Pearl of Wisdom Campaign include the American Medical Women's Association, the American Social Health Association, the Balm in Gilead, the Coalition of Labor Union Women, the Global Summit of Women, the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health, the National Council of Women's Organizations, the Society for Women's Health Research, Tamika and Friends, Women In Government, The Yellow Umbrella Organization, and others. \nPearl of Wisdom pins are available at www.PearlofWisdom.us for $6.95 each and are also available in bulk. Proceeds will go to the U.S. Pearl of Wisdom Campaign Fund, dedicated to the support of U.S.-based cervical cancer prevention activities. Visitors can also send \"virtual\" Pearls of Wisdom to the women in their lives through the website. \n\"The prevention of cervical cancer is now a realizable goal and the Pearl of Wisdom is the ideal symbol to spread this powerful message. It is my hope that women around the world, indeed everyone, takes this symbol to heart and supports our united campaign to ultimately eliminate cervical cancer,\" said Sen. Unterman. Sen. Unterman, a registered nurse, has led efforts to address cervical cancer in Georgia for several years. \n \nRep. Barbara Reece (D-Menlo), \"We've all shared the hope of curing cancer. Thanks to recent breakthroughs, we now have the means to eliminate cervical cancer with widespread education and immunization. \nThere is cause now for new hope for women here in Georgia and around the world.\" \n\"I have seen the tragic loss of life in my own family as a result of this cancer,\" said Rep. Gloria Frazier (D-Hephzibah). \"No effort is too great to spare families the loss of loved ones. Eradicating cervical cancer is a worthy goal and we are totally committed to working with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and our Georgia public health officials and healthcare providers toward this goal.\" \nAbout Cervical Cancer \nCervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women worldwide. In the U.S., the American Cancer society estimates that 11,070 women will have been diagnosed with cervical cancer and 3,870 women will have died of the disease in 2008. Cervical cancer is caused by high-risk types of the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a very common sexually transmitted infection that three of four adults will have at some time in their lives. Most of these infections go away on their own without treatment. Infections that do not go away on their own can lead to cervical cancer. \nA Pap test is the traditional method used for cervical cancer screening. An HPV test identifies women who are infected with high-risk types of HPV that could potentially lead to cervical cancer. Clinical studies suggest that screening with both a Pap test and an HPV test offers women aged 30 and older the best protection against cervical cancer. An HPV vaccine is now FDAapproved for girls and young women ages 9-26. It has been shown to be 100 percent effective  in women not previously infected  at preventing infection with the two types of HPV that cause approximately 70 percent of all cervical cancers. HPV vaccination does not protect against all the HPV types that can cause cervical cancer, however, meaning that women who have been vaccinated still need to be screened to protect against the HPV types that are not covered by the vaccine. \n \nPage 3 \n \nUPPER CHAMBER REPORT \n \n Legislative Process Dates \nImportant Dates in the Legislative Process \nIntroduction - Last day to file and/or 1st Read in Senate. 30 th day - last day to introduce General Senate bills and resolutions (even year). [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 30 th day - last day to accept General House bills and resolutions. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 39th day - last day to introduce General Senate bills and resolutions (odd year). [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] *Note: Senate bills and resolutions must be filed with the Secretary before 4:00 p.m. to be 1st read on the next legislative day. \nDeadlines for passage in current year \nCommittee Report Deadlines - Last day to read report. Report submitted to Secretary by convening. 28th day - General Senate bills and resolutions. 38th day - Local Senate bills and resolutions. 38th day - General House bills and resolutions. 40th day - Local House bills and resolutions. Calendar Management Calendar in numerical order after 2nd reading of legislation; days 1-5. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] Rules Committee sets the calendar for days 6 - 40. [Rule 4-2.10 (b)] General Senate Bills and Resolutions 26th day - File with Secretary of the Senate. [Rule 3-1.2 (a)] 27th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 28th day - Committee report read upon convening. (A recommitted bill already 2nd read - report day 29.) 29th day - 2nd Reading. [Rule 4-2.6] 30th day - Passage [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] and immediate transmittal to House. [Rule 4-2.14] Local Senate Bills and Resolutions 35th day - File with Secretary of the Senate. [3-1.2 (a)] 36th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. (Cannot pass for 2 days.) [Rule 4-2.4 (c) ] 38th day - Favorable report by committee, passage and immediate transmittal to the House. [Rule 4-2.14] 39th day - 2nd Reading in House. 40th day - Favorable report and passage in House. General House Bills and Resolutions 30th day - Transmitted from House and received by Secretary. 31st day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 38th day - Favorable report upon convening and 2nd reading. (Applies to days 36 - 38) [Rule 4-2.6] 39th day - Passage. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] 40th day - Passage of bills or resolutions tabled day 39; removed from the table on day 40. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] Local House Bills and Resolutions 39th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. 40th day - Favorable report by committee and passage. * Note: On the 30th day and on the last three days of session, bills and resolutions needing action from the House are automatically immediately transmitted. [Rule 4-2.14] \n \nPage 4 \n \nUPPER CHAMBER REPORT \n \n "},{"id":"dlg_ggpd_i-ga-bl411-b-pp1-bu6-b2009-s1-h30-belec-p-btext","title":"Upper chamber report 2009 January 30","collection_id":"dlg_ggpd","collection_title":"Georgia Government Publications","dcterms_contributor":null,"dcterms_spatial":["United States, Georgia, 32.75042, -83.50018"],"dcterms_creator":["Georgia. General Assembly. Senate"],"dc_date":["2009-01-30"],"dcterms_description":["Daily during the legislative session","Title from caption","Published only during Georgia legislative session"],"dc_format":["application/pdf"],"dcterms_identifier":null,"dcterms_language":["eng"],"dcterms_publisher":["Atlanta : Senate Information Office, 2009-01-30"],"dc_relation":null,"dc_right":["http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"],"dcterms_is_part_of":null,"dcterms_subject":["Georgia. General Assembly. Senate","Georgia--Politics and government--1951-"],"dcterms_title":["Upper chamber report 2009 January 30"],"dcterms_type":["Text"],"dcterms_provenance":["University of Georgia. Map and Government Information Library"],"edm_is_shown_by":["https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/do:dlg_ggpd_i-ga-bl411-b-pp1-bu6-b2009-s1-h30-belec-p-btext"],"edm_is_shown_at":["https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/id:dlg_ggpd_i-ga-bl411-b-pp1-bu6-b2009-s1-h30-belec-p-btext"],"dcterms_temporal":null,"dcterms_rights_holder":null,"dcterms_bibliographic_citation":null,"dlg_local_right":null,"dcterms_medium":["state government records"],"dcterms_extent":null,"dlg_subject_personal":null,"iiif_manifest_url_ss":null,"dcterms_subject_fast":null,"fulltext":"JANUARY 30, 2009 -- DAY 10 \nUpper Chamber Report \n \nRaegan Weber, Press Director Kallarin Richards, Editor in Chief \n \nTOP STORY \nPeanuts, HBCUs, and Child Prostitution Hot Topics on Senate Floor \n \nBy Hayley Howell \nThe ninth day of legislative session began with strong and ardently professed Points of Personal Privileges from Senators Vincent Fort (D- Atlanta), John Bulloch (R-Ochlocknee), Renee Unterman (D- Buford) and Nan Orrock (D- Atlanta). \nSenator Fort proclaimed his concerns with Senate Resolution 84 to combine historically black colleges. Senator Seth Harp's (RMidland) Resolution urges the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia to merge Savannah State University with Armstrong Atlantic State University and Albany State University with Darton College in order to save money this budget season. Sen. Fort believes that the resolution lacks documentation proving its resourcefulness and that additional research and information is needed. For Fort, historically black colleges provide a certain atmosphere and a system of mentoring that could be taken away by integrating them with technical schools. \n \nInside this issue: \n \nPeanuts, HBCUs, and \n \n1-2 \n \nChild Prostitution Hot \n \nTopics on Senate Floor \n \nJohnson Introduces Meas- \n \n2 \n \nure to Secure Secret \n \nBallots \n \nReed Files Legislation to \n \n2 \n \nMore Atlanta Law En- \n \nforcement \n \n\"The numbers show that the college mergers could be cost saving, but nothing has detail,\" states Sen. Fort. \"We need to better educate ourselves on this issue before it moves any farther.\" \n \nment a surcharge on the entrance into an adult entertainment business, changing the age of erotic dancers from a minimum age of 18 to 21 and to require proof of age, and tie enforcement to licensing regulations. \n \nThe salmonella outbreak at a local South Georgia plant then took center stage with Senator Bulloch clarifying misleading media reports. Bulloch reminded the Senate that only processed products sent to other manufacturers for the creation of their products has been affected. By displaying a Peter Pan jar of peanut butter and a bag of Georgia peanuts, Bulloch urged everyone that these products were safe for consumption. \n \n\"We have all worked extremely hard to collect as much data and expert advice as possible over the course of the last year, and based on our committee findings it is vital that we do everything we can to address this problem now, as it is only getting more and more dangerous for our young children,\" said Unterman. \"Our mission with these pieces of proposed legislation is to ensure Georgia is a safer, better educated state on these matters and a no tolerance zone for the prostitution of chil- \ndren.\" \n \n\"We are the \n \nnumber one peanut pro- \n \nThe legisla- \n \nducer in the \n \ntors also \n \nnation, and it \n \nproposed to \n \nis our second most impor- \n \namend Georgia Code 19- \n \ntant Georgia \n \n7-5, the \n \nproduct,\" Bulloch \n \nmandatory reporting of \n \ninformed. \"I Sen. Bulloch emphasizes the safety of \n \nchild abuse, \n \nassure you Georgia's peanut products. \n \nto also report \n \nthat our pea- \n \na child who \n \nnuts are safe for consumption.\" they suspect is being prostituted \n \nby someone other than a \"parent \n \nor caretaker.\" \n \nThe salmonella outbreak is a serious problem, and the list of affected products is on the FDA's website at \nhttp://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/ hottopics/ salmonellatyph.html#update. \n \nWith the Legislature having to cut 2.2 billion out of this year's budget, Sen. Orrock took the well to protect senior citizen services from budget cuts. \n \nJoint Commission on Sexual Exploitation of Minors Legislative Recommendations \n \n3 \n \n\"If we cut back spending, we will \n \nSenator Unterman stepped up to cut senior services by millions,\" \n \npassionately educate the Senate she reminded us. \"We cannot \n \nabout her study committee re- slash and burn programs many \n \nPublic Defender Council \n \n4 \n \nsearching Georgia's statistics on have worked so hard to get.\" \n \nBill Passes Judiciary \n \nthe sexual exploitation of minors. Without senior services, such as \n \nMeals on Wheels, many senior \n \nRogers Authors Taxpayer \n \n4 \n \ncitizens will not be able to stay in \n \nAmendment Protection \n \nThree potential pieces of legisla- \n \nLegislative Process Dates \n \n5 \n \ntion that have emerged from the \n \nstudy committee are to imple- Continued on page 2 \n \n Highlights of Day 9, cont'd \ntheir own homes and with their families. Many will be forced to live in expensive institutions which, unfortunately, have higher death rates. \nDavid Shafer also proposed Senate Bill 1, the \"Waste Reduction Act,\" which will \n \nimplement a system of zero-based budgeting for state government. Georgia currently prepares its budget on a \"continuation\" basis, which assumes that all current spending will be carried forward, and legislators only examine proposed increases. Shafer's legislation would require that one-fourth of the budget be zero based each year, so that over a four year term, the entire budget is scrutinized by the General Assembly. \n \nSenator David Adelman spoke on behalf of the bill. \"This bill has been in process since Jimmy Carter was governor,\" said Sen. Adelman. \"I hope you all will support this very important piece of legislation.\" The bill passed with 100% of the Senate's votes and is now on to the House of Representatives. \n \nSen. Johnson Introduces Measure to Secure Secret Ballots \nBy Kallarin Richards \nATLANTA (January 29, 2009)  State Senator Eric Johnson (R-Savannah) has introduced legislation defending Georgia workers' ability to vote by secret ballot in union organizing elections. Johnson proposed a state constitutional amendment to protect Georgians from a national attempt to end the use of the secret ballot called The Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). Sen. Johnson filed his constitutional amendment today, which secures the right to a secret ballot for nearly all elections, including those for union representation. \n\"A voter's right to a secret ballot is an essential and fundamental principle in our society. Without the ability to vote secretly, individual political freedom will decline and be subject to threats and intimidation by those who want \n \nvoters to pursue a specific course of action or ideology.\" \nIf EFCA becomes federal law it would forego secret ballot union votes and implement a practice commonly known as \"card check.\" Card check is where workers are encouraged to sign a membership card which then serves as a favorable vote for unionizing. Once a union organizer has enough cards signed by the majority of workers, an employer is required to recognize all employees as a union \n\"Replacing a worker's private vote with a piece of paper that is potentially signed under harassment is a travesty. Card check is nothing more than a power grab by union bosses that will come at the expense of hardworking Georgians,\" said Johnson. \n \nSen. Johnson is responsible for introducing the Senate's version of this measure, while a similar House Resolution is making its way through the Industrial Relations Committee. Both measures have received bipartisan support. \nThis initiative is just one of a number that are being introduced in several other states across the nation. The proposed amendment states, \"The right of individuals to vote by secret ballot is fundamental. Where local, state, or federal law requires elections for public office or public votes on initiatives or referenda, or requires designations or authorizations of employee representation, the right of individuals to vote by secret ballot shall be guaranteed.\" \nIf passed by the General Assembly, the measure will appear on the 2010 ballot for consideration. \n \nSen. Kasim Reed Files Legislation to Fund More Police Officers and Firefighters in Atlanta \nBy Raegan Weber ATLANTA (January 29, 2009)  State Sen. Kasim Reed (D-Atlanta) is proposing an initiative to fund public safety and help fight crime in the City of Atlanta. A referendum, giving the citizens of Atlanta a choice to levy a 1 mill property tax dedicated solely to funding police and fire officer salaries was announced today. \n\"It is time for us to come together around a common goal  reducing crime and keeping our citizens safe,\" said Reed. \"By conservative estimates, \n \nthis legislation will fund 150-200 police and fire officers and eliminate current furloughs.\" \nA special fund will be dedicated only to paying salaries for police and fire officers would be established and would not be co-mingled with the city's general fund. This mill increase would be subject to sunset, unless continued by the voters of the City of Atlanta in subsequent referendum, similar to the Water and Sewer legislation previously coauthored by Sen. Reed. For the owner of a $250,000 home, this would mean an impact of approximately $6.00 per month. Conservative projections indicate that a 1 mill increase will generate between $20-$24 million. \n \n\"The referendum will resolve the current impasse between the Mayor and the Council by providing the funds which are needed to push back against the tide of rising crime in our city,\" Sen. Reed continued. \"Our investments today will pay us back for years to come with safer families, safer neighborhoods and safer communities across our city.\" \nSenator Reed introduced the bill in the Georgia General Assembly on January 29, during the 2009 Legislative Session. For additional information on the referendum, contact Senator Reed or go to www.legis.ga.gov. \n \nPage 2 \n \nUPPER CHAMBER REPORT \n \n Joint Commission on Sexual Exploitation of Minors Announces Legislative Recommendations for 2009 \n \nBy Matt Colvin \nATLANTA (January 29, 2009) -- The joint Senate and House Commission on Sexual Exploitation of Minors announced their legislative recommendations for the 2009 General Assembly today during a press conference at the Capitol. Three potential pieces of legislation that have emerged from the study committee are to implement a surcharge on the entrance into an adult entertainment business, changing the age of erotic dancers from a minimum age of 18 to 21 and to require proof of age, and tie enforcement to licensing regulations. \nState Senator Renee Unterman (RBuford), in conjunction with Representative Calvin Hill (RCanton) cochaired the committee's five meetings during the interim session and has identified these areas as crucial to help create a coordinated, statewide campaign to raise awareness and stop the prostitution of children in Georgia. \n\"We have all worked extremely hard to collect as much data and expert advice as possible over the course of the last year, and based on our committee findings it is vital that we do everything we can to address this problem now, as it is only getting more and more dangerous for our young children,\" said Unterman. \"Our mission with these pieces of \n \nproposed legislation is to ensure Georgia is a safer, better educated state on these matters and a no tolerance zone for the prostitution of children.\" \nThe legislators also proposed to amend Georgia Code 19-7-5, the mandatory reporting of child abuse, to also report a child who they suspect is being prostituted by someone other than a \"parent or caretaker.\" \nRep. Hill and Senator Jack Murphy (R-Cumming) will sponsor the adult entertainment surcharge bill in the House and Senate respectively that looks to impose a $3 to $5 entry fee for patrons at adult entertainment businesses and venues. The revenues generated from the surcharge will be spent to fund services for children who have been prostituted, including abuse centers and prevention strategies. \nSen. Unterman and Representative Amy Carter (D-Valdosta) will champion the issue of raising the minimum age of erotic dancers from 18 to 21 in their respective chambers. Sen. Unterman and Rep. Carter will also introduce Senate and House bills to amend the child abuse reporting law to require mandatory reporting of all commercial sexual exploited minors as child sexual abuse. The current law only mandates a report of sexual abuse by a parent or caretaker, but the study committee findings noted that many adolescent girls are solicited by non-family members. \nThe committee hopes to utilize these legislative items in conjunction with the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act reauthorization which passed both the US Senate and House December 10th, 2008 and was recently signed by President George W. \n \nBush. The bill authorizes tens of millions to prosecute pimps and assist victims of the domestic minor sex trade. Sen. Unterman believes that in taking a comprehensive statewide approach means when those funds are appropriated, Georgia will be well positioned to apply for and receive TVPRA federal dollars. \nMinor Sexual Exploitation is an imperative and prevalent issue to Georgians because Atlanta is one of 14 cities in the U.S with the highest incidents of child exploitation. Two hundred to three hundred young girls are sexually exploited in Georgia every month with as many as 129 girls being prostituted on a typical weekend night, and 12 to 14 is the average age of entry into pornography and prostitution in the U.S. \nLegislators and advocates that were scheduled to speak and appear at today's press conference include Sen. Renee Unterman (R-Buford), Rep. Calvin Hill (R-Canton), Sen. Kasim Reed (D-Atlanta), Sen. Jack Murphy (R-Cumming), Rep. Amy Carter (DValdosta), Rep. David Ralston (RBlue Ridge), Kaffie McCullough of the Juvenile Justice Fund , Cheryl Deluca-Johnson of StreetGRACE, Rev. Scott Weimer of North Avenue Presbyterian Church, Sharon SaffoldHarris of A Future. Not A Past, Wendell Phillips of the Presbytery Public Policy Committee, and Ray Newman of the Georgia Baptist Convention \n \nPage 3 \n \n Public Defender Council Bill Passed by Judiciary \nCommittee \nBy Kallarin Richards \nATLANTA (January 30, 2009)  The Senate Judiciary Committee passed a measure to restructure the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council during its recent meeting at the Capitol. Authored by Judiciary Chairman Preston Smith (R-Rome), Senate Bill 42 changes the council's board to an advisory body under the director, who will be responsible for setting policy and accountable for the council's actions. \n\"The council has a history of driving a separate agenda from the director,\" said Sen. Smith. \"Greater accountability is needed in order for the system to operate efficiently and effectively, and by restructuring the agency we can eradicate conflicting policy directives.\" \n \nThe legislation revises the Georgia Public Standards Act of 2003, renaming the council as the Georgia Public Standards Agency and charging the director with control and management of the agency. Currently, the council makes policy and financial decisions, but will relinquish all control to the director under the provisions of the bill. \nIn his introduction of the bill, Sen. Smith noted that the legislature has not been provided adequate information from the council when requested, and because the council and director do not work in concert, it is unclear who ultimately speaks for the agency. This has only served to exacerbate differences in opinion on funding between the council and the legislature, which Sen. Smith said serves as an example of why this system needs restructuring. \nCouncil Chairman Wilson DuBose agreed that funding issues are at the center of the council and the legislature's disagreements, but is concerned \n \nthat this bill would not solve those issues. When asked for his solutions to the problem, DuBose recommended that the council retain its authority and also be restored power to hire and fire the director. Former council Chairman Emmet Bondurant argued that this legislation puts the council in conflict with its Constitutional obligations by mandating the director serve at the will of the Governor, chief prosecuting officer of the state. \nBefore moving for a vote, Sen. Smith noted that the final version of the bill outlines the process for removal of a circuit public defender from office, providing additional protection in consideration of a director with significantly more power. The bill passed out of the committee with a 5 to 4 vote, and will be considered by the Rules Committee before it is slated for a vote on the Senate floor. \n \nSenator Rogers Authors the Taxpayer Protection \nAmendment \nBy Raegan Weber \nATLANTA (January 30, 2009)  Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers today introduced Senate Resolution 1, The Taxpayer Protection Amendment, which would limit the spending of any future budget surpluses. The measure requires any budget surplus first go to fund increases in student enrollment and then be placed into the state reserve fund. If the state reserve fund were to reach 10% of the previous year budget, surplus funds would then go to pay off state debt or be returned to the taxpayers. \n\"Georgians deserve a budget process that rebuilds our state reserves and prevents the unwise spending of excess tax revenue. When taxpayers are forced to pay more than what is necessary to fund the state budget it is only right that the money is set-aside \n \nfor a rainy day so that taxes aren't raised or essential government services aren't cut during difficult economic times,\" Sen. Rogers said today. \"At a time when the politicians in Washington, D. C. show no signs of any fiscal discipline, we in Georgia must provide for the future of our children and grandchildren by properly managing taxpayer money.\" \nGeorgia is one of 29 states in the nation that is required by law to balance its budget each year, unlike the Federal government that can run on deficit spending. The legislature's current Rainy Day Fund is a $1.2 billion reserve account to assist the state in difficult financial times. Governor Perdue has applied these funds to his 2010 budget proposal. Rogers' proposed legislation would ensure greater spending accountability and provide for the most essential government services first. \nRogers has been a champion steward \n \nof taxpayer dollars. In 2008, he sponsored legislation that created the \"Transparency in Government Web Site\" which gives Internet users access to information on billions of dollars in state spending. The \"Transparency in Government Act\" requires state spending information be placed on a searchable website allowing Georgia taxpayers easy access to where their tax dollars are being spent. The web site was launched on January 1, 2009 and can be found at www.Open.Ga.gov. Rogers' supports property tax reform that provides property tax relief and finding greater efficiency in collecting local sales tax so taxpayers don't have to foot the bill for government inefficiencies. \nIf Rogers' Taxpayer Protection Amendment is approved by twothirds of the Senate and House, SR 1 will appear on the ballot in 2010 as a \"yes/no\" question for the voters. For more information on the resolution, go to www.legis.ga.gov. \n \nPage 4 \n \nUPPER CHAMBER REPORT \n \n Legislative Process Dates \nImportant Dates in the Legislative Process \nIntroduction - Last day to file and/or 1st Read in Senate. 30 th day - last day to introduce General Senate bills and resolutions (even year). [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 30 th day - last day to accept General House bills and resolutions. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 39th day - last day to introduce General Senate bills and resolutions (odd year). [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] *Note: Senate bills and resolutions must be filed with the Secretary before 4:00 p.m. to be 1st read on the next legislative day. \nDeadlines for passage in current year \nCommittee Report Deadlines - Last day to read report. Report submitted to Secretary by convening. 28th day - General Senate bills and resolutions. 38th day - Local Senate bills and resolutions. 38th day - General House bills and resolutions. 40th day - Local House bills and resolutions. Calendar Management Calendar in numerical order after 2nd reading of legislation; days 1-5. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] Rules Committee sets the calendar for days 6 - 40. [Rule 4-2.10 (b)] General Senate Bills and Resolutions 26th day - File with Secretary of the Senate. [Rule 3-1.2 (a)] 27th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 28th day - Committee report read upon convening. (A recommitted bill already 2nd read - report day 29.) 29th day - 2nd Reading. [Rule 4-2.6] 30th day - Passage [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] and immediate transmittal to House. [Rule 4-2.14] Local Senate Bills and Resolutions 35th day - File with Secretary of the Senate. [3-1.2 (a)] 36th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. (Cannot pass for 2 days.) [Rule 4-2.4 (c) ] 38th day - Favorable report by committee, passage and immediate transmittal to the House. [Rule 4-2.14] 39th day - 2nd Reading in House. 40th day - Favorable report and passage in House. General House Bills and Resolutions 30th day - Transmitted from House and received by Secretary. 31st day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 38th day - Favorable report upon convening and 2nd reading. (Applies to days 36 - 38) [Rule 4-2.6] 39th day - Passage. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] 40th day - Passage of bills or resolutions tabled day 39; removed from the table on day 40. 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