ATLANTA (June 6, 2013) – Senator Josh McKoon (R – Columbus) has been selected to serve as chair of two influential senate study committees, including the Senate Expungement Reform Study Committee and the Senate Select Alternative Funding for Medicaid and other Health Care Federal Funding Study Committee. Over the next several months, these study committees will meet regularly to review several policy areas and regulations in need of modification or reorganization.
“I look forward to serving with my colleagues on these important study committees,” said Senator McKoon. “These committees are important to Georgia’s future prosperity and represent two critical issues facing the citizens of this state.”
“I’m happy to appoint Senator Josh McKoon to the Study Committee on Expungement Reform, the Senate Select Alternative Funding for Medicaid and other Health Care Federal Funding Study Committee and the Joint Committee on Mental Health and School Violence and look forward to thoroughly evaluating their findings,” Lt. Governor Casey Cagle said. “Senator Josh McKoon has been a leader on these issues and I’m thankful he’s lending his time and expertise to the important work these committees will perform.”
The Senate Expungement Reform Study Committee was created by the passage of Senate Resolution 247 during the 2013 Legislative Session. As stated in the resolution, the committee will include four other members of the Senate as appointed by the Lieutenant Governor. The committee will specifically review Georgia’s current expungement process and determine whether it’s necessary for additional reform efforts.
The Senate Select Alternative Funding for Medicaid and other Health Care Federal Funding Committee was created through the passage of Senate Resolution 345 during the 2013 legislative Session. This committee will include a total of nine members, including:
- Four members of the Senate appointed by the Lieutenant Governor
- A representative of the nonprofit or charitable organization appointed by the Governor
- A representative of an advocacy organization focused on state and federal fiscal matters appointed by the Governor
- A representative from the Senate Budget Office appointed by the Lieutenant Governor
- A representative from the Office of Treasury and Fiscal Services appointed by the Governor
- The chairperson of the Senate Appropriations Committee
The focus of this committee is to identify the effect of federal health care funding on the state budget while also readying a statewide response plan in the event of a decrease or elimination of federal health care funds. This plan will also address the loss of federal money and maintain benefit programs and essential state services if federal fiscal policy necessitates a significant reduction in funding for state governments.
Senator McKoon will also serve as a member of the Joint Study Committee on Mental Health and School Violence.
Each study committee will present its findings—and any resulting proposed legislation—by December 2013.
RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
June 6, 2013
For Information Contact:
Jennifer Yarber, Interim Director
Shawna Mercer, Sr. Communications Specialist
Shawna.Mercer@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028