Media release: Monday, March 5, will be the 29th legislative day of the 2012 session of the Georgia General Assembly and will be followed by one day of recess to allow various House of Representatives and Senate committees to get legislation ready for "Crossover Day" on Wednesday, March 7.
Crossover Day is the 30th legislative day of the 40-day session and is the final chance for legislation to be approved by either the House or the Senate in time to be considered by the other chamber before the end of this session. Since this is the end of a two-year term, any legislation not acted upon by either house before Crossover Day is considered dead.
With a number of major issues still to be addressed, including criminal justice reform, tax reform and the annual budget for fiscal year 2013, this will be a very busy week at the Capitol.
Restriction on Abortion
A majority of the Georgia House of Representatives voted Feb. 29 to approve legislation that would prohibit most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. HB 954 would allow abortions after 20 weeks only when there is substantial medical risk to the expectant mother. I voted in favor of the bill, which also requires the procedure to be performed so that it "provides the best opportunity for the unborn child to survive." The measure passed by a margin of 102-65 and now goes to the Senate for its consideration.
End of Aviation Authority
The House approved SB 339, which would dismantle the Georgia Aviation Authority and transfer the aircraft previously owned and operated by the Department of Natural Resources and the Georgia Forestry Commission back to those agencies. The General Assembly passed a bill last year that returned ownership of other state aircraft to the Department of Public Safety. SB 339 now goes to the governor for his signature.
Local Legislation
Several pieces of legislation that I have introduced on behalf of the local governments in House District 11 are making their way through the General Assembly. HB 922, which would revise the Chattooga County Board of Education's district boundaries, has been approved by both the House and Senate and awaits the Governor's signature. HB 1118, which would provide a new charter for the Town of Trion, passed the House and is pending in the Senate State & Local Governmental Operations Committee. HB 1195, which would change the Chattooga County Commissioner's compensation, was referred to the House Intergovernmental Coordination Committee for its consideration.
Other House Action
Other legislation approved by the House and sent to the Senate last week includes:
HB 456, which would establish a "sunset commission" of legislators who could recommend abolishing various agencies in the executive branch of state government. I voted against this legislation because it sets up another 14-member "commission" and level of bureaucracy, which I feel is unnecessary. Already, the legislature and the governor have the authority to make those changes.
HB 520, which would increase the maximum amount of solar-generated electricity that Georgia Power buys back from its customers who co-generate their own power.
HB 641, which would revise Georgia's juvenile justice code.
HB 898, which would establish a new category of banking entity in the state for companies that validate credit card transactions.
HB 1376, which conveys property which is owned by the state and includes sites in 21 counties. Among these was the campus at Northwest Georgia Regional Hospital. The Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities has declared the property surplus. The legislation allows the State Properties Commission to market the property for sale. In the meantime, a grounds and maintenance crew are on site to care for the campus.
HB 1146, which moves the Vocational Rehabilitation program from Department of Labor (DOL) to Human Services. I voted no on the bill due to constituent contacts from the district. Most receiving services were pleased with the program administered by DOL. The bill passed with a vote of 140-16.
Complete College Georgia
On Feb. 28, Gov. Nathan Deal launched the "Complete College Georgia" initiative, which aims to motivate Georgia students to stay so that they complete work on a degree. The governor said he hopes the program will result in Georgia's public and private colleges adding 250,000 more college graduates – who earn a one-year certificate, an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree – by 2020.
Unemployment Rate Drops
Georgia's unemployment rate in January decreased for the sixth consecutive month, falling to 9.2 percent, down from 9.4 percent in December and reaching its lowest level in nearly three years. The Georgia Department of Labor said 13,000 more Georgians were employed in January than in December, and the state gained 83,700 jobs over the last 12 months. A year ago, the statewide unemployment rate was 10.1 percent. However, Georgia unemployment stayed higher than the national average, which is now 8.3 percent.
Please continue to contact me with your views on the issues or whenever I can be of service.
State Rep. Barbara Massey Reece represents the 11th District (Chattooga and Floyd counties) in the Georgia House of Representatives. Contact her at 512 Coverdell Legislative Office Building, Atlanta, GA 30334; by phone at 404-656-7859; or by email at barbara.reece@house.ga.gov.
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