Lawmakers Returns Tuesday, March 11!

Lawmakers will not be seen tonight because the legislature is not in session. Join us at 7 PM on Tuesday, March 11 when the Georgia General Assembly convenes for the 30th legislative day. As you may already know, the 30th legislative day is also known as "Crossover Day", meaning that legislation must pass out of it's chamber of origin by the end of the 30th legislative day in order to be considered by the opposite chamber.

In case you're wondering how to find out when a new episode of Lawmakers will be produced, we wanted to explain our schedule. Lawmakers is broadcast every night at 7 PM on Georgia Public Broadcasting when the Georgia General Assembly is in session. The Georgia General Assembly meets for no more than 40 legislative days each spring. The session commences on the second Monday after the first Tuesday in January. The legislature does not necessarily meet on consecutive days and the session often extends through March and well into April. The House and Senate set their schedule by Resolution, so, we at Lawmakers are often unaware of what the schedule will be until the Resolution is brought to the floor in one of the chambers for a vote.

On Wednesday, March 5, the Senate adopted HR 1556, which sets the following schedule:

Friday, March 7 in adjournment

Monday, March 10 in adjournment

Tuesday, March 11 in session for Legislative Day 30

Wednesday, March 12 in session for Legislative Day 31

Thursday, March 13 in session for Legislative Day 32

Friday, March 14 in adjournment

Monday, March 17 in adjournment

Tuesday, March 18 in session for Legislative Day 33

Wednesday, March 19 in session for Legislative Day 34

Thursday, March 20 in session for Legislative Day 35

Friday, March 21 in adjournment

Monday, March 24 in adjournment

Tuesday, March 25 in session for Legislative Day 36

Wednesday, March 26 in session for Legislative Day 37

Thursday, March 27 in session for Legislative Day 38

Lawmakers is broadcast on GPB television and streamed at www.gpb.org at 7PM every day that the Georgia General Assembly is in session.

Day 29- March 6, 2008

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Tonight on Lawmakers, House and Senate leaders announce that they are close to a compromise on a transportation funding solution, a bill that hits uninsured drivers with jail time gains final passage and Governor Sonny Perdue takes a wild ride as Atlanta Motor Speedway Day is observed at the State Capitol.

House and Senate leaders appeared at a press conference this morning to announce that they are close to a compromise on transportation funding. A coalition of more than 50 organizations called “Get Georgia Moving” has been urging passage of Senate Resolution 845, a measure that would let local communities vote for a one-cent local option sales tax to pay for local road projects. SR 845 is currently in the House Transportation Committee. Lawmakers Sandra Parrish reports.

Uninsured drivers face jail time with final passage today of Senate Bill 276. The measure also allows motorists to opt out of purchasing uninsured motorist coverage. The legislation passed the House with changes but the Senate agreed. The bill is headed to the Governor.

It’s the end of another legislative week under the gold dome. We’ll take a look back and talk with Tom Crawford, National Editor of CapitolImpact.com.

Legislation that gives Georgians another option for health care passed the Senate today. Senate Bill 404, known as the Georgia Health Marketplace is an initiative from Lt. Governor Casey Cagle. In this health care option, the rates could be more affordable...it also aims to reach out to those who currently have no insurance.

A measure aiming to improve the way Georgia’s Medicaid System is administered passed out of House Rules yesterday and will be on the floor for the crucial crossover day on Tuesday. Lawmakers’ Bridget Snapp talks with Representative Mickey Channell, sponsor of House Bill 1234, about this legislation and the impact on the Care Management Organizations that provide healthcare to Medicaid patients.

Georgia pharmaceutical companies should not receive preferential treatment when serving patients insured by Medicaid, Peachcare and State Employee Insurance Plans. This according to the House, which today defeated House Bill 180, preventing the Department of Community Health from doing business with insurers that require State drug companies to seek prior approval.

Lt. Governor Casey Cagle today showed support for two divestment bills making their way through the legislative process: one requires divestment from Iran, and the other curbs future divestment bills. Senator Don Balfour, sponsor of Senate Bill 451, says that legislation would require public pension funds to identify companies that have spent over $20 million dollars in oil and gas in Iran. Senate Bill 327 is designed to provide checks and balances for future divestment legislation. Lawmakers would need the approval from the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, or the House Speaker in writing, as well as a fiscal analysis. Lawmakers' Andi Dixon has more.

And it’s Atlanta Motor Speedway Day at the Capitol. Governor Sonny Perdue takes a NASCAR ride to promote racing this weekend in Hampton.

All that and more, tonight on Lawmakers.

Day 28- March 5, 2008

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Tonight on Lawmakers, Speaker Richardson’s ad valorem tax elimination plan fails to pass the House, the Senate approves a bill that would expand the use of school vouchers and a celebration under the gold dome for the peanut, Georgia’s official state crop.

Speaker Glenn Richardson’s proposed repeal of the ad valorem tax on vehicles has failed to gain passage in the House today. The constitutional amendment portion of the legislative package, Senate Resolution 796, required a 2/3 majority. That measure, along with House Bill 979 would have phased out the ad valorem tax on personal motor vehicles by July 1, 2010. The legislative package would have also frozen tax assessments at 2008 levels and cap future valuation increases. Lawmakers Sandra Parrish has the details.

The Senate approves a bill that could expand the use of school vouchers in Georgia. President Pro Tem Eric Johnson sponsors Senate Bill 458 and spoke about the choice the legislation is designed to give students and parents in school districts where there is a loss of accreditation or the school is on the “Needs Improvement” list for 7 years or more. Clayton County schools have been under scrutiny of late and may lose their accreditation on September 1. Lawmakers Bridget Snapp reports.

The House approved a measure that aims to increase mandatory sentences for driving under the influence. House Bill 336 makes DUI a felony on the fourth offense and mandates that judges cannot waive a jail requirement, even for first-time offenders. A minimum 24 hour stay would be required starting on the first offense.

The Senate today passed legislation that allows sugar gliders to be registered as pets rather than exotic wild animals. Senate Bill 522 would make it possible for owners of the small marsupials to avoid a $200,000 licensing fee. In other animal-related legislation, working dogs such as K-9 police dogs and guide dogs for the blind wear special collars contain tracking devices. Senate Bill 520 would make is a misdemeanor for anyone to remove this collar without permission from the owners.

Two licensing measures were also approved by the Senate today. Senate Bill 498 would require changes to licensing for the use of laser devices for cosmetic purposes. Under the measure passed today, a consulting physician would be required to examine each patient prior to any cosmetic laser service being performed and require that each facility offering cosmetic laser services have a supervisor with certain qualifications. Senate Bill 479 addresses ambulance licensing in a period of an EMS driver shortage.

And it was PB and J Day under the gold dome. The annual celebration of Georgia’s state crop always involves the sampling of peanut products of all kinds. Lawmakers Keocia Jackson makes friends with Buddy McNutty.

All that and more, tonight on Lawmakers.

Legislative Schedule Update

The Georgia General Assembly meets for no more than 40 legislative days each spring. The session commences on the second Monday after the first Tuesday in January. The legislature does not necessarily meet on consecutive days and the session often extends through March and well into April. The House and Senate set their schedule by Resolution, so, we at Lawmakers are often unaware of what the schedule will be until the Resolution is brought to the floor in one of the chambers for a vote.

On Wednesday, March 5, the Senate adopted HR 1556, which sets the following schedule:

Wednesday, March 5 in session for Legislative Day 28
Thursday, March 6 in session for Legislative Day 29
Friday, March 7 in adjournment

Monday, March 10 in adjournment
Tuesday, March 11 in session for Legislative Day 30
Wednesday, March 12 in session for Legislative Day 31
Thursday, March 13 in session for Legislative Day 32
Friday, March 14 in adjournment

Monday, March 17 in adjournment
Tuesday, March 18 in session for Legislative Day 33
Wednesday, March 19 in session for Legislative Day 34
Thursday, March 20 in session for Legislative Day 35
Friday, March 21 in adjournment

Monday, March 24 in adjournment
Tuesday, March 25 in session for Legislative Day 36
Wednesday, March 26 in session for Legislative Day 37
Thursday, March 27 in session for Legislative Day 38


For all the latest from under the gold dome, join Lawmakers on GPB Television at 7pm every day that the Georgia General Assembly is in session. We will continue to update the schedule here on our blog when a new resolution is passed by both chambers!

Day 27- March 4, 2008

Tonight on Lawmakers, major changes to Speaker Richardson’s tax plan, the House passes a measure to prevent senior judges from serving on death penalty cases and an exclusive interview Senate Democratic Whip David Adelman.

Speaker Glenn Richardson’s GREAT- Georgia’s Repeal of Every Ad Valorem Tax- Plan has gone through several changes over the course of the session, but the biggest by far was announced today. A repeal of the State portion of property tax has been eliminated from the bill. Instead, the Speaker has opted to pursue an idea originally put forward by Speaker Pro Tem Mark Burkhalter to eliminate the ad valorem tax on vehicles. Referred to as the “Happy Birthday Bill”, the combination of Senate Resolution 796 and House Bill 979 would phase out the ad valorem tax on personal motor vehicles by July 1, 2010 if adopted. The legislative package would also freeze tax assessments at 2008 levels and caps future valuation increases. Lawmakers Sandra Parrish has the details.

The House today approved a measure that would prevent senior judges from serving on death penalty cases. House Bill 1245 would also set up cost-sharing between counties and the State, allow Superior Court Clerks to collect and distribute funds, add four county commissioners to the Public Defender Standards Council and set an income cap at 100% of the poverty level for indigent defendants.

Our Tuesday Leadership Interview series continues with Senate Democratic Whip David Adelman. Lawmakers’ David Zelski talks with Sen. Adelman about the Democratic agenda as we approach the important crossover day- Legislative Day 30. Transportation, tax reform and education were also topics of discussion.

The Senate approved two pieces of legislation that aim to propel Tax Allocation Districts or TADs forward. Senate Bill 493 and Senate Resolution 996 are designed to help re-develop certain areas within communities to increase property values.

A measure that would require counties to have their water plans approved by the State Environmental Protection Division passed the House today. House Bill 1281 aims to assure that municipalities do not impose tougher restrictions than the State on outdoor watering.

Over 300 elementary and middle school students gathered today to celebrate the winners of the Parent Protection Act Art and Essay contest and show their support of House Bill 901. This legislation would provide job protected leave for parents to attend school conferences and routine medical appointments. Lawmakers' Bridget Snapp reports.

The Student Health and Physical Education, or SHAPE Act, got another workout this morning in the Senate. Senator Regina Thomas of Savannah took issue with Senate Bill 506, which aims to bring awareness to the problem by requiring Georgia schools to report the aggregate body mass index, or BMI, of their students. Although Thomas did not comment on Friday when the bill initially passed, she expressed reservations today about the funding of the measure as well as the impact of this legislation on student self-esteem.

All that and more, tonight on Lawmakers.