Rep. Barbara Massey Reece-Legislative Report- March 30, 2012

The 2012 session of the Georgia General Assembly drew to a close on Thursday, March 29 at Midnight. This report includes action from the final three days of the session. Next week, I will present a comprehensive wrap-up of the entire session.

The House and Senate gave final approval to a $19.3 billion annual state budget for fiscal year 2013, which begins July 1. In late negotiations, $111 million in appropriations for a number of economic development projects was added to the budget plan. That funding comes from Georgia's share of the recent national mortgage settlement.

The total plan reflects an increase of about $800 million over the budget for the current year. The budget legislation (HB 742) now goes to Gov. Deal for his signature. The governor also has the authority to veto specific line-item appropriations in the budget.

Restriction on Abortion

The House and Senate majorities gave final approval to HB 954, which shortens the time elective abortions can be done to 20 weeks or 5 months. I supported this bill which requires that methods should provide the best opportunity for the child to survive. The Senate amendment includes an exception for "medically futile" cases when conditions are "incompatible with sustaining life after birth." The bill now awaits the governor's signature.

Drug Testing for Assistance

HB 861, which would require drug testing for recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits, received final approval by the House and Senate majorities and awaits the governor's signature.

Unemployment Benefits Cut

A majority of House members and Senators gave final approval to HB 347, which would reduce unemployment payments from 26 weeks to a sliding scale of 14 to 20 weeks and would increase the amount businesses are taxed for unemployment insurance. Georgia's unemployment rate is 9.1 percent, well above the national average of 8.3 percent.

Metal Theft Enforcement

The House and Senate reached final agreement on HB 872, which would strengthen the penalties on those convicted of stealing various types of scrap metal for sale to recyclers. The bill also expands regulations on secondary metal recyclers to prevent metal thieves from profiting from their crimes.

Open Government

HB 397 was sent to the governor's desk after final approval by the House and Senate. The bill would increase penalties for government officials who break Georgia's "sunshine" laws and clarifies the definition of open meetings and what activities are allowed in closed meetings. The bill also allows the state Department of Economic Development to withhold information on incentives the state offers to attract large development projects until after the company commits to locating in Georgia.

Criminal Justice Reform

To address the problems caused by Georgia's prison population doubling over the past two decades, the Senate voted this week to approve an amended version of HB 1176, which implements recommendations of the Special Council on Criminal Justice Reform. The House unanimously agreed to the Senate's minor changes, sending the bill to the governor's desk.

Other Action

Among other action during the session's final three days, the House gave final approval to:

• HB 456, which would create a "sunset committee" of legislators to review state agencies, committees and boards for efficiency. The committee could recommend the agencies be abolished if they are found to be redundant, inefficient or unnecessary.
• HB 541, which would create the offense of threatening or intimidating a public officer or official in the administration of his or her duties.
• HB 685, which would strengthen Georgia's dangerous dog laws.
• HB 1027, which would maintain a 20 percent tax credit for television, film and video game productions in Georgia and grant a 10 percent bonus credit if the program or game includes a special peach logo to promote Georgia tourism.
• HB 1114, which would prohibit assisted suicide.
• SB 33, which would require state agencies and programs to justify all of their spending during the budgeting process at least once every 10 years.
• SB 302, which would increase the revenues bond cap for the Georgia Higher Education Facilities Authority from $300 million to $500 million, enabling construction of more dormitories, parking decks and student centers on the campuses of Georgia's colleges and universities.
• SB 410, which would put Georgia's public schools under a numerical grading system that considers student success and the progress educators make in improving test score performance. I opposed this bill since all testing information is already available online. It was defeated in the House, but later reconsidered and passed by a narrow margin.
• SB 431, which would add medical identity fraud to the provisions of state law related to identity fraud.

General Assembly Online

You can read the details and check the status of legislation online at www.legis.ga.gov. Please continue to contact me with your views on the issues or whenever I can be of service.