House Passes FY 2017 Budget
Today, the Georgia House of Representatives voted 167-1 to pass the $23.7 billion state budget for the fiscal year that begins on July 1. The proposed budget for FY 2017 is $1.9 billion larger than the current spending plan, with much of the new money added in the areas of transportation projects, education funding and 3% merit-based pay raises for teachers and state employees.
The House budget recommendations of interest to the University System of Georgia (USG) and Georgia State University included $5.2 million in funds for the construction of Alpharetta Labs and Student Learning Center at Perimeter College and $101 million for merit-based pay adjustments and new USG formula funds. These funds are critical in meeting enrollment demands, providing for maintenance of new facilities and funding strategic initiatives. Also included was $60 million in bonds for major repairs and renovation. The GSU Government Affairs team will continue to seek $5 million in funds during the budget process for the demolition of Kell Hall/Library Plaza.
House members agreed with the Governor’s recommendation of $584,000 to fund 10 additional kinship navigators. A 2015 House Study Committee on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren and Kinship Care determined navigators help grandparents and other caregivers work better with the state child services system and access services provided by nonprofits.
Governor Deal signed into law this week the FY 2016 Amended budget, which takes the state through June 30. The amended budget totals $23 billion, an increase of $1.1 billion over the budget originally adopted last year. Of the additional spending, $758 million will go toward road and bridge projects.
Weapons Bills Advance
HB 859, passed the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee this week. The bill would allow anyone with a weapons carry permit (must be 21 years of age and passed a background check) to carry a firearm anywhere on a public college, university, technical school, vocational school or other institution of postsecondary education, except for dormitories, greek housing or athletic events. The USG position remains unchanged from previous years and believe current law which preserves the school safety zone is sufficient. The bill is scheduled to be debated and voted on the House floor next Monday.
HB 792, passed the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee this week. This bill would authorize the carrying, possession and use of electroshock weapons by persons who are students or are employed at any public technical school, vocational school, college, university or other institution postsecondary education. The bill is now eligible for consideration in the House Rules Committee.
SB 270, passed the Senate this week by a vote of 54-0. This bill allows for retired law enforcement officers to carry a gun in any part of the state including areas that are off limits to other permit holders such as school zones. The bill now crosses over to the House and has been assigned to the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee.
HOPE Bills Advance
HB 798, passed the House this week by a vote of 164-7. This bill would allow home schooled students to qualify for the HOPE Scholarship by completing a home study program and scoring in the seventy-fifth percentile or higher nationally on the SAT or ACT. It would also allow home schooled students to qualify for the Zell Miller Scholarship by completing a home study program and scoring in the ninety-third percentile or higher on the SAT or ACT. The bill crosses over to the Senate has been assigned to the Senate Higher Education Committee.
SB 312, establishes a minimum $2,000 HOPE scholarship award each semester or $134.00 per credit hour at eligible institutions. The HOPE minimum would apply to all of Georgia’s technical colleges and 14 in the state’s university system including Perimeter College at Georgia State University. The bill passed the Senate Higher Education Committee and is now eligible for consideration in the Senate Rules Committee.
Georgia Health Policy Center Certificates
The House and Senate recently recognized and commended Georgia State University’s Legislative Health Policy Certificate Program and Advanced Health Policy Institute and its instructors with resolutions in both the House and Senate chambers. For more information on this program please visit the following link. Georgia Health Policy Center (http://ghpc.gsu.edu/2016/02/19/ghpc-awards-2015-legislative-certificates-and-receives-recognition-from-the-georgia-general-assembly/)
Fireworks Legislation Advances
SB 301, would revise the days and times in which consumer fireworks may be lawfully used or exploded. This legislation restricts the use of fireworks on days except for July 4 and December 31. These days have expanded hours of use. The bill passed the Senate Public Safety Committee and is now eligible for consideration in the Senate Rules Committee.
SB 350, is the enabling legislation for a corresponding constitutional amendment SR 558, to dedicate a portion of the excise tax from the sale of fireworks to the Georgia Trauma Care Network Commission. The bill passed the Senate Public Safety Committee and is now eligible for consideration in the Senate Rules Committee.
Special Election Results
Park Cannon (D-Atlanta), will represent House District 58, replacing Rep. Simone Bell, who resigned to take another job. Cannon has worked for the Feminist Women’s Health Center as a lobbyist and advocate on women’s health issues. District 58 represents part of Fulton County.
Carry Forward Legislation Passes House
HB 745, passed the House this week by a vote of 162-0. This bill allows the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia to write off small amounts due to the state and carry forward certain fees and revenue through July 1, 2021. This mechanism allows the USG to better manage their operational budget to meet the critical needs on campus. Currently, authorization is set to sunset on June 30, 2016. The bill now crosses over to the Senate.
Other Legislation
SR 990, sponsored by Sen. Curt Thompson (D-Tucker), commending the Georgia State University football team on their record-breaking season. Senate Read and Adopted.
SR 467, sponsored by Sen. Donzella James (D-Atlanta), a resolution creating the Senate Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Study Committee. The bill was heard before the Senate Higher Education Committee, but no vote was taken.
HB 684, sponsored by Rep. Chuck Martin (R-Alpharetta), increases access to preventative dental care in safety net settings for underserved and needy populations. The requirement that a dental hygienist be supervised by a licensed dentist will not apply to dental hygienists who are practicing at approved safety net settings, including nonprofit clinics, long-term care facilities, federally qualified health centers, and school settings, or at other safety net settings approved by the board if authorized by a licensed dentist. The dentist that delegated these duties must maintain a dental practice within 100 miles of the approved safety net setting. The bill passed the House Health and Human Services Committee and is now eligible for consideration in the House Rules Committee.
HB 944, sponsored by Rep. Sheri Gilligan (R-Cumming), would allow a physicians assistant, nurse practitioner, or a registered professional nurse to pronounce the death of a patient in a nursing home if the patient dies of natural causes. It would also allow a physicians assistant, nurse practitioner, or a registered professional nurse employed by a hospice to pronounce the death of a patient in hospice care. The bill passed the House Health and Human Services Committee and is now eligible for consideration in the House Rules Committee.
SB 319, would change the definition of professional counseling in relating to professional counselors, social workers and others by adding “diagnose” to their scope of practice. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 51-0 and has been assigned to the House Regulated Industries Committee.
SB 314, revises the definition of advanced nursing practice to include clinical nursing specialist. It also requires applicants to complete fingerprinting and criminal background check performed by the Georgia Crime Information Center of the FBI to be eligible for licensure or renewal as an advanced practice registered nurse. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 55-0 and now crosses over to the House.
SR 1001, sponsored by Sen. Fran Millar (R-Atlanta), creating the Senate Study Committee on Higher Education Affordability. Assigned to the Senate Higher Education Committee.
SR 1002, sponsored by Sen. Fran Millar (R-Atlanta) commending University System of Georgia Outstanding Scholars on Academic Recognition Day for 2016, including Ronald Sanderson from Georgia State University and Ajah Ochoa from Georgia Perimeter College. Senate Read and Adopted.
Intern Spotlight: Isiah Ellison
The Georgia Legislative Internship Program is a truly gratifying experience, says finance major Isiah Ellison. “I have found the program to be all that I expected and more. The people are exceptional in every way, and their commitment to service is something I hope I can emulate.”
Assigned to the Office of Budget & Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Isiah’s many duties include scheduling, researching bills, constituent concerns, and taking minutes at committee meetings.
Outside of school and interning, Mr. Ellison spends time tutoring mathematics. He also volunteers at the Andrew and Walter Young Family YMCA, and is a member of Grace Lutheran Church where he does community service work. After graduation, Isiah plans to attend law school and practice civil rights law.
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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 25: The House and Senate will convene at 10:00 am on Monday, February 22.
Legislators are scheduled to work Monday through Friday of next week.
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