South Georgia at the State Capitol

 

By State Sen. Greg Goggans

Bills Passed This Past Week in the Senate

 

  • SB 8: Requires a third party audit of state agencies and allows for contracted collection for overpayments.

 

  • SB 36: Establishes an electronic database of written and filled prescriptions of controlled substances in Georgia to help doctors and pharmacists identify prescription drug abusers.

 

  • SR 20: Constitutional amendment that would limit state spending based on previous years, adjusted for inflation and population growth.

 

  • FY2011 Amended Budget: The Senate passed its version of HB 77 on Thursday, and will begin the process of conferring with the House. 

 

Bills Introduced

  • SB 111: Establishes rules governing electronic systems for ordering prescription drugs.

 

  • SB 116: Requires banks serving as depositories for the state to offer legal tender U.S. gold and silver minted coins along with accounts based on these currencies. Also allows gold and silver to be used in transactions as long as both parties agree.  

 

  • SB 123: Revises laws governing foreclosures and establishes the crime of residential foreclosure fraud.

 

  • SB 133: Allows legal permanent residents to become certified peace officers.

 

  • SB 146: Increases the weight variance allowed for agricultural or farm product transports from 5% to 10%of gross weight.

 

  • SB 147: Prevents public officials from waiving testing or education requirements for licenses issued to themselves or their businesses.

 

Passed House – Now in Senate

 

HB 99: Requires fingerprinting of nursing license applicants to be used in conducting a criminal background check

  • HB 101: Revises provisions governing use of bicycle lanes, including right of way. Also forbids vehicles from obstructing or blocking bicycle lanes.

 

  • HB 172: Extends the date by which school systems must notify the Department of Education of their intention to request flexibility or remain status quo in regard to class size and expenditures.

 

  • HB 192: Establishes the State Education Finance Study Commission to evaluate the Quality Basic Education Formula and education funding for public schools.

 

HIGHLIGHTS OF GOVERNOR’S PROPOSED LOTTERY CHANGES – HB 326***

 

HOPE

  • 90 % of tuition coverage based on continuing 3.0 average
  • Fees and Books no longer paid for
  • Top students with 3.7 GPA and 1200 SAT score get 100% tuition.
  • Private College grant will be 90% of current $4,000 or $3,600
  • Remedial classes will no longer be paid by HOPE
  • Adds a 3.0 GPA requirement for technical school HOPE Grant
  • Reduces HOPE Grant to 90%

Pre-K

  • Reduces class time to 4 hours per day
  • Adds 5,000 slots and increases transportation funds

Lottery Corp.

  • Reduces retailers’ commissions and limits officials’ salary bonuses

***Please keep in mind that this is the Governor’s recommendations.  The bill will still have to go through the committee process in both the House and Senate.

If you would like additional information regarding a specific piece of legislation, you may access the Georgia General Assembly website at http://www.legis.ga.gov/

Please remember to contact me in my office on the issues that are affecting you and your area.  I am here to represent you and it is an honor for me to work on your behalf.  As always, I’d like to thank members of the Senate staff, who contribute regularly to my column.

 

Sen. Greg Goggans represents the 7th Senate District, which includes Atkinson, Bacon, Berrien, Clinch, Coffee, Echols, Lanier, Pierce and Ware counties and a portion of Cook County. 

 

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
February 28, 2011
For Information Contact:
Matt Colvin, Broadcast Director
matthew.colvin@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028