Day 26- February 29, 2008

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Tonight on Lawmakers, the SHAPE Act causes controversy in the Senate, an accounting of some expenses in the Brian Nichols case is made available to a House Committee and a look back at this week under the gold dome.

The Student Health and Physical Education, or SHAPE Act, got a workout this morning before passing the Senate. According to the Georgia Department of Human Resources, one in three Georgia children is obese, or at risk for obesity. Senate Bill 506 aims to bring awareness to the problem by requiring Georgia schools to report the aggregate body mass index, or BMI, of their students on the Department of Education website. Lawmakers’ Bridget Snapp reports.

New information in the efforts of a House Committee charged with looking into the expenditures of the Brian Nichols case. The new judge in the case of accused Fulton County Courthouse shooter Brian Nichols has agreed to the Committee's request to release some of the expense reports in the case. So far, $2 million has been spent on the 3 year old case which hasn't even seated a jury yet. Lawmakers’ Sandra Parrish has the latest.

The Senate passed legislation that could add a few more Georgia residents to HOPE scholarship eligibility. Senate Bill 492 would open the door for the few Georgia residents who attend Florida schools. Sen. John Wiles offered an amendment that he explained would help students who attempt challenging high school courses apply for HOPE a semester earlier than current regulations. The Wiles Amendment was adopted

It’s the end of another week under the gold dome. That means it’s time to check in with Tom Crawford, National Editor of CapitolImpact.com.

Lawmakers’ Nwandi Lawson takes a look back at the big events that shaped this week at the Georgia General Assembly.

The Senate Judiciary Committee gave a do pass recommendation yesterday to legislation that would penalize motorists who cause serious injury due to right of way violations. Lawmakers Dana Abercrombie has the details of Senate Bill 438.

The Clarke County DUI court has been selected as one of the four best DUI courts in the nation for targeting repeat drunk drivers. In a ceremony at the State Capitol this morning, the court was designated as one of four “Academy Courts” in the country. Lawmakers’ Keocia Jackson has more.

Former State Senator Donzella James announced her candidacy in the Democratic Primary for Georgia’s 13th Congressional District at the State Capitol today. Democratic Congressman David Scott is the current occupant of that seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. The State’s General Primary is July 15, 2008.

All that and more, tonight on Lawmakers.