GSU Men’s Basketball Team Commended at Capitol
Georgia State President Mark Becker, Athletics Director Charlie Cobb, Men’s Basketball Coach Ron Hunter, and the Men’s Basketball Team were invited to the House of Representatives and the Senate this week and presented with resolutions commending them on their championship season and outstanding performance in the 2015 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
The Panthers were named 2015 Sun Belt Conference champions with a 22-9 record in the regular season and earned the number one seed for the Sun Belt Tournament. The team would go on to win the championship by defeating their in-state rival, the Georgia Southern Eagles, in an incredible defensive battle that included a celebration injury for Coach Ron Hunter.
Georgia State captured the attention of the world in the opening round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament as they clawed back from a 12 point deficit in the remaining three minutes. Point guard R.J. Hunter hit the game winning three point shot with 2.6 seconds left on the clock to beat the number 3 seed Baylor Bears 57-56, allowing the to advance to the second round for only the second time in Georgia State history.
The Panthers played another incredible game against a powerful Xavier team, ending their tournament run for 2015 with a 25-10 record, tied for the second-most wins in school history.
The championship team includes seniors Ryann Green, Ryan Harrow, and Curtis Washington, along with teammates Kevin Ware, Jalen Brown, R. J. Hunter, T. J. Shipes, Markus Crider, Jeremy Hollowell, Isaiah Dennis, Isaiah Williams, Corey Tobin, Jordan Session, Jeff Thomas, and Carter Cagle. Led by Head Coach Ron Hunter and assistant coaches Darryl LaBarrie, Everick Sullivan, Claude Pardue, Joby Wright, Jeff Diepenbrock, and Nate Summers, athletic trainer Dinika Johnson, and team physician Dr. Letha Griffith. To read the resolutions in their entirety please click the following links. House Resolution 789 (http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20152016/HR/789) or Senate Resolution 580 (http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20152016/SR/580) .
Dual Enrollment Bill Passes
SB 2, passed the House this week in an unanimous 165-0 vote. The bill seeks to provide local Boards of Education the ability to award a high school diploma to students that fulfill certain requirements in the completion of college coursework after their 10th grade year. The bill now goes to the Governor for his signature.
Marijuana Bill Heads to the Governor
HB 1, would allow a low cannabis oil to be used to treat the following conditions: cancer, multiple sclerosis, seizure disorders, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), crohn’s disease, parkinson’s disease, mitochondrial disease and sickle cell disease. It will also allow children with seizure disorders to participate in a clinical trial of cannabis oil at Georgia Regents University. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 48-6. Governor Deal today signed an executive order directing state agencies to begin preparations for enactment of HB 1. Deal will sign the bill after the session to ensure that no conflicts arise with other pieces of legislation.
Senate Passes Angel Investor Tax Credit
HB 237, extends until 2020 the state income tax credit for a person (“angel investor”) who invests in a small, startup business. The credit would be equal to 35 percent of the amount invested. The aggregate tax credit would be capped at $5 million a year. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 48-3 and now goes to the Governor for his signature.
Opportunity School District Passes
The House Education Committee gave its approval this week to Governor Nathan Deal’s legislative package of SB 133 and SR 287. The bill would create an Opportunity School District headed by a superintendent appointed by the governor, that will allow the state to temporarily step in and take control of low-performing schools.
The House voted 121-47 to approve SR 287, a constitutional amendment that would go on the general election ballot in 2016. Because it is a constitutional amendment, the bill required a two-thirds vote for passage, which it received with one extra vote. SB 133, the enabling legislation, needing only a majority vote for passage, received a 108-53 vote.
Under this legislation, the superintendent could choose up to 20 schools to join the state district each year. The district would be limited to 100 total schools at any time. Schools will stay in the district for no less than five years but no more than ten years. The bill now goes to the Governor for his signature.
Cityhood Bill Pass
HB 520, authorizes a referendum to create the city of LaVista Hills. The bill passed the Senate this week by a vote of 38-5. The Senate voted 41-1 to pass HB 515, authorizing a referendum to create the city of Tucker. If the November referendums are approved, there would be an election in March 2016 for a mayor and city council. HB 515, was tabled in the House to work out the differences.
Casino Bill Introduced
Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Savannah), this week introduced HR 807, an amendment to the Georgia Constitution to permit the General Assembly to authorize through legislation up to six casinos in the state, each overseen by the Georgia Lottery Corp.
The bill would require a local public referendum approving the resort facilities. Additionally, the resort facilities would be spread throughout the state in five distinct licensing regions. Two license may be permitted in one region (Atlanta). State revenue derived from gaming would go to fund education programs such as the HOPE Scholarship and Pre-K Program. The bill has been assigned to the House Regulated Industries Committee. There is no planned action to move this legislation this session.
Legislation
HB 62, would waive the one year requirement for students whose parent is an active duty military service member stationed in Georgia within the previous year to apply for a special needs scholarship. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 33-1 and now goes to the Governor for his signature.
HB 320, restricts the data the Georgia Study Finance Authority, Georgia Student Finance Commission, and Georgia Higher Education Assistance Corporation can release for public disclosure. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 47-1 and now goes back to the House for consideration.
HB 91, eliminates the Georgia High School Graduation Test. It allows former students who failed the graduation tests to petition for a diploma from the local school board where they were last enrolled. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 50-3 and now goes to the Governor for his signature.
HB 255, requires equal credits be given to certain forestry certification systems when using green building standards in state construction. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 41-7 and now goes to the Governor for his signature.
HB 259, creates the “Georgia Business Act” providing for an exemption for state purchasing from competitive bidding procedures. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 45-2 and now goes to the Governor for his signature.
HB 504, would allow pharmacists and nurses to administer meningococcal vaccines to college students under a physician protocol agreement. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 47-0 and now goes back to the House for consideration.
HB 394, would allow individuals who have graduated from a nursing education program outside of the United States to be eligible for licensure as a registered professional nurse. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 47-0 and now goes to the Governor for his signature.
HB 313, would allow full time, non-temporary employees of the State of Georgia or of any branch, department, board, bureau or commission to be eligible for up to eight hours of paid leave per calendar year for promoting education in the state. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 45-2 and now goes to the Governor for his signature.
HB 505, would allow patients to see a physical therapist without first getting a doctors referral. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 46-6 and now goes back to the House for consideration.
HB 3, prohibits the solicitation of a student-athlete by persons who have knowledge that such a transaction could cause the student-athlete to be sanctioned. It also authorizes action against such persons by the institution. The bill passed the Senate Higher Education Committee and is now eligible for consideration in the Senate Rules Committee.
HB 492, provides that minor violations of a weapon in school safety zone is not considered a Class B designated felony. The bill also revises the unauthorized locations to provide that carrying a firearm in a government building as a non-license holder is unlawful. Also, provides that the prohibition on polling places is only in effect when elections are being conducted and polling places are being used for that purpose. For renewals, the presentation of the current license is evidence to the judge of the probate that the applicant’s fingerprints are on file. The background check for renewals will be a non-fingerprint check with GCIC and the FBI. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 45-6 and now goes back to the House for consideration. The University System continues to monitor all firearms legislation that may effect USG institutions.
Intern Spotlight: Jenny Guadalupe
“The Georgia Legislative Internship Program is a critical building block in achieving the goals I’ve had since I was a little girl,” says Jenny Guadalupe, a junior political science major at Georgia State University. Gaining a better understanding of the legislative process, improving her communication skills, and learning to work well under pressure is whatMrs. Guadalupe hopes to achieve in the program.
Jenny is assigned to the Senate Government Oversight Committee where her duties are different from day to day. Her assignments can range from handling constituent phone calls, to fielding lobbyists and helping legislators garner support for legislation.
Mrs. Guadalupe enjoys running in her leisure time. She is training to beat her personal record for the 5k this spring. After graduation, Jenny plans to work, attend law school and study international trade or humanitarian law. Her ultimate goal is to become a human rights attorney.
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Helpful Links
Information on legislative activities including bills and resolutions as well as webcast of daily sessions in both Chambers and committee meeting are available via the General Assembly website at ** www.legis.ga.gov (http://www.legis.ga.gov)
Upcoming Events
Day 39: The House and Senate will convene at 10:00 am on Tuesday, March 31.
Day 40: Sine Die, Thursday, April 2.
Government Affairs Team
Tom Lewis, Senior Advisor to the President
Julie Kerlin, Director of Government & Community Affairs
Jason Thomas, Assistant Director of Government & Community Affairs
Debbie Jones, Associate to the Director