Budget Review
The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education met his week to review Governor Kemp’s budget proposals for the FY 2019 Amended Budget. Chancellor Steve Wrigley, along with Interim Executive Vice Chancellor for Strategy and Fiscal Affairs Tracey Cook presented the USG budget recommendations to the committee. Chancellor Wrigley re-emphasized the top priorities for the USG are to graduate more students, be more affordable and be more efficient.
The Governor’s FY 2019 amended budget recommendation of interest to the University System of Georgia (USG) included $9.9 million in tobacco settlement funds for pediatric and adult clinical radiation therapy renovation and expansion projects at the Augusta University Health System campus. $153,634 was added to increase funds for maintenance and operation of the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center at Augusta University and $326,859 for Georgia Public Libraries to create a new digital children’s library consisting of 15,000 children’s ebooks, accessible to every public library in Georgia.
Georgia Student Finance Commission’s Interim President Caylee Noggle, also addressed the committee. GSFC has launched a statewide uniform college GPA calculation system to increase uniformity of HOPE scholarship calculations controlling for differences between college GPA factors. Also included in the amended FY2019 budget is $3.5 million meet the projected need of dual enrollment programs.
Dyslexia Legislation
HB 40, sponsored by Rep. Sandra Scott (D-Rex), would require local school systems to conduct certain screenings for dyslexia and the State School Superintendent to employ a dyslexia consultant. Assigned to the House Education Committee.
HR 52, sponsored by Rep. John Corbett (R-Lake Park), encouraging all schools, local educational agencies, and the state educational agency to recognize that dyslexia has a profound educational impact that must be addressed. Assigned to the House Education Committee.
Military Affairs & Veterans Legislation
HB 14, sponsored by Rep. Sandra Scott (D-Rex), provides that the Georgia Lottery Corporation shall offer one or more games to benefit homeless military veterans. Assigned to the House Appropriations Committee.
HB 15, sponsored by Rep. Sandra Scott (D-Rex), would require housing authorities to develop and implement policies granting housing preferences to veterans who are homeless individuals. Assigned to the House Governmental Affairs Committee.
HB 41, sponsored by Rep. Pam Dickerson (D-Conyers), would give an additional income tax credit to any film, gaming, video or digital production in Georgia that employs a Georgia veteran. Assigned to the House Ways & Means Committee.
HB 59, sponsored by Rep. Dave Belton (R-Buckhead), would allow children of active duty military personnel to register in a local school district based on the parent’s official military orders rather than requiring the family to establish residency. Assigned to the House Education Committee.
HB 60, sponsored by Rep. Dave Belton (R-Buckhead), would allow dependent children of active duty military members to be classified as in-state for purposes of tuition and fees by the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia. Assigned to the House Higher Education Committee.
HB 61, sponsored by Rep. Mike Glanton (D-Jonesboro) would require motor vehicle insurance companies to offer qualified active duty military service members between the ages of 18 and 24 motor vehicle insurance policies underwritten at rates for such service members 25 years of age or older. Assigned to the House Insurance Committee.
HB 64, sponsored by Rep. Brian Prince (D-Augusta), would require child welfare agencies to make efforts to determine whether a parent or guardian of a child who is the subject of abuse allegations is on active duty in the military and notify the relevant military installation family advocacy program upon an allegation of child abuse. Assigned to the House Juvenile Justice Committee.
Medicaid Expansion
HB 37, by Rep. Bob Tramell (D-Luthersville), the Expand Medicaid Now Act. The bill would authorize appropriations for the purpose of accessing additional federal funds and expanding Medicaid in Georgia. Assigned to the House Appropriations Committee.
SB 36, sponsored by Sen. Steve Henson (D-Stone Mountain), would authorize appropriations for the purpose of obtaining federal financial participation for medical assistance payments to Medicaid providers pursuant to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This act will not allow appropriations for this purpose unless federal payments provide for 90% or more of the funding. Assigned to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.
Physical Therapy Licensure Compact Act
HB 39, sponsored by Rep. Dave Belton (R-Buckhead), the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact Act. This will allow eligible physical therapists to practice across state lines. Assigned to the House Interstate Cooperation Committee.
Other Legislation
HB 16, sponsored by Rep. Sandra Scott (D-Rex), provides for in-state tuition at units of the University System of Georgia and branches of the Technical College System of Georgia for youth who are from foster care or homeless situations. Assigned to the House Higher Education Committee.
HB 36, sponsored by Rep. Bob Trammell (D-Luthersville), establishes a HOPE Tuition-Free Grant for students seeking a certificate or diploma in the Technical College System of Georgia. Assigned to the House Higher Education Committee.
HB 53, sponsored by Rep. Casey Carpenter (R-Dalton), provides for freedom of religious speech for students and faculty members in k-12 public schools. Assigned to the House Education Committee.
HB 55, sponsored by Rep. Roger Bruce (D-Atlanta), would prohibit firearms created by 3-D printing. Assigned to the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee.
HB 78, sponsored by Rep. David Clark (R-Buford), establishes guidelines and other relevant materials to inform high school students participating in interscholastic athletic activities about the nature and warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest. Assigned to the House Education Committee.
HB 83, sponsored by Rep. Demetrius Douglas (D-Stockbridge), would require elementary schools to schedule recess for children in grades K-5. Assigned to the House Education Committee.
HB 87, sponsored by Rep. David Clark (R-Buford), would allow home study students to participate in extracurricular and interscholastic activities in their residential school district. Assigned to the House Education Committee.
Intern Spotlight: Shanila Kabir
Shanila Kabir is a senior political science major at Georgia State University. Ms. Kabir’s career goal is to become a political journalist. Therefore, she decided to apply to the Georgia Legislative Internship Program (GLIP) to gain knowledge and experience that will help her become a successful reporter. “I believe in order to be a successful journalist, you have to be knowledgeable of the legislative system and American laws,” says Shanila.
Ms. Kabir is assigned to the Senate Education and Youth Committee. Her responsibilities as an intern include summarizing and analyzing bills, running errands, making copies, delivering mail, and other duties as assigned.
Shanila is a reporter for the GSU Panther Report newsletter. After graduating in the summer from GSU, Ms. Kabir plans to start graduate school. She enjoys quoting “All this hard work will pay off. The second I’m rich, I’ll take the day off.” Her favorite book is “The Jester,” by James Patterson.
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Helpful Links
Information on legislative activities including bills and resolutions as well as a webcast of daily sessions in both Chambers and committee meetings are available via the General Assembly website at ** www.legis.ga.gov (http://www.legis.ga.gov)
Upcoming Events
Day 8: The House and Senate will convene at 10:00 am on Tuesday, February 5.
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS TEAM
Tom Lewis, Senior Advisor to the President
Julie Kerlin, Senior Director of Government & Community Affairs
Michael Parkerson, Director of Government & Community Affairs
Jason Thomas, Assistant Director for State Relations
Clelia Keen, Assistant Director for Community Affairs
Debbie Jones, Associate to the Director
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Visit Georgia State University’s Office of Government and Community Affairs:
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