House & Senate Agree on FY 2020 Budget
Earlier this week the Senate passed the FY 2020 budget by a vote of 55-0. A conference committee of House and Senate leadership was formed to work through the differences of the $27.5 billion state budget for the fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2019. The agreed upon budget for FY 2020, provides an increase of $1.05 billion or 3.95% over the FY 2019 original budget. A major emphasis was placed on education, including fully restoring the Governor’s recommendation of a $3,000 pay raise for certified teachers and certified employees. Of the funds appropriated in the FY 2020 budget, 55% is for education; 22% for health and human services; 8% for public safety; 8% for transportation and economic development; and 7% for general government agencies.
The budget recommendations of interest to the University System of Georgia (USG) and Georgia State University included $48 million in bonds for construction of a Convocation Center at Georgia State University. The budget also included $50 million in bonds for major repairs and renovation across the University System and 2% merit pay raises for USG employees.
Within the Student Finance Commission, the budget provides the HOPE and Zell Miller scholarships with $73.7 million to meet the projected need of 21,700 additional awards and increase the award amount by 3%. Participation in the REACH scholarship continues to grow statewide. The FY 2020 budget includes $782,000 in additional funds to provide for 162 new REACH scholars; to date the program serves 690 scholars. The budget will now head to Governor Brian Kemp for final approval and his signature.
Tom Lewis recognized in the House and Senate
HR 615, sponsored by Rep. Jan Jones (R-Milton) and SR 439, sponsored by Sen. Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta), commending Thomas Carlton Lewis on his retirement from Georgia State University.
Tom began his career with Georgia State University in 1991, representing the University in the local, state and federal arena advancing to Senior Vice President for External Affairs and Senior Advisor to the President. Tom has walked the halls of the State Capitol for over 40 years, the past 28 years advocating for students, faculty and staff at Georgia State University and the entire higher education community.
Dual Enrollment
HB 444, renames the “Move on When Ready Act” to the “Dual Enrollment Act.” It will permit an eligible high school student in 11th or 12th grade the ability to take a maximum of 32 hours of covered dual credit courses (delivered on-site) and 9th through 12th grade (on-line) at a University System of Georgia Institution. Lottery funds will no longer be available for use after the 32 hours. The bill was tabled on the Senate floor while continuing to work the bill.
Georgia Hemp Farming Act
HB 213, the “Georgia Hemp Farming Act” would authorize colleges and universities in the University System of Georgia to conduct research on hemp grown in Georgia, including the development of new hemp varieties, seed development, and consumer uses. The bill also outlines the process to receive a hemp growers license. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 45-6. The House has agreed with the Senate changes and is now headed to Governor Brian Kemp for his consideration.
HOPE Scholarship
HB 218, would extend the time that students have to use the HOPE Scholarship from seven to ten years after high school. If the student serves in the military during that 10-year period, their active duty service will not count towards the 10 years. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 47-5 and is now headed to Governor Brian Kemp for consideration.
Military Affairs & Veterans Legislation
HB 59, 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. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 52-0 and now goes back to the House to agree or disagree with the changes.
HB 25, would provide military service members civil relief concerning certain contractual obligations due to circumstances of active duty. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 49-0 and now goes back to the House to agree or disagree with the changes.
HB 64, requires that the appropriate child welfare agency make efforts as soon as possible to notify the applicable military installation’s family advocacy program in the event of a child abuse or neglect allegation involving an active-duty military parent or guardian. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 51-0 and is now headed to Governor Brian Kemp for consideration.
HB 33, allows a grace period of up to six months for the renewal of a weapons carry license for any service member whose license expires while they are on active duty. Once home, the service member may carry within the limits of the permit until they renew their license as long as they have with them their military orders or a written verification signed by the commanding officer. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 50-0 and is now headed to Governor Brian Kemp for consideration.
Living Infants Fairness and Equality Act
HB 481, would prohibit an abortion once a fetal heartbeat has been determined by a doctor, which is typically detected at about 6 weeks. Current law allows abortions up to 20 weeks. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 34-18. The House has agreed with the Senate changes and is now headed to Governor Brian Kemp for his consideration.
Anti-Human Trafficking
SB 158, will provide additional safeguards and protections against human trafficking, authorize DFCS to provide care and supervision to children who are victims of human trafficking and expand prohibitions against trafficking of persons for labor or sexual servitude. The bill passed the House by a vote of 167-0. The Senate has agreed with the House changes and is now headed to Governor Brian Kemp for his consideration.
Georgia Major Airport Authority Act
SB 131, passed by the Senate would create the Georgia Major Airport Authority Act intended to control the operations of the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. The House amended the legislation to create an airport oversight committee as an alternative to a proposed state takeover. The House version also includes a tax break on jet fuel for air carriers. The bill passed the House by a vote of 104-70 and now goes back to the Senate to agree or disagree with the changes.
Georgia’s Hope Act
HB 324, would create a five-member Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission to oversee the sale of low-THC cannabis oil to Georgians who are registered patients suffering from specific diagnoses. The University System of Georgia would get the right of first refusal on a cannabis cultivation, manufacturing and distribution license. Two universities, the University of Georgia and Fort Valley State University, could cultivate cannabis, and use it to make this liquid and to do medical research. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 44-8. The House has disagreed with the Senate changes and a conference committee will be formed to work out the differences.
K-12, School Safety & Security Legislation
HB 83, would require elementary schools to schedule recess for children in grades K-5. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 48-4 and is now headed to Governor Brian Kemp for consideration.
HB 530, would require a school to contact the Division of Family and Children Services to conduct an assessment if a child is withdrawn from a public school without a declaration of intent and that child stops attending school for a period of 45 days. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 50-0 and is now headed to Governor Brian Kemp for consideration.
SB 60, requires high schools to post information on the warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest, hold an informational meeting for parents, and obtain informed consent before participating in interscholastic athletic activities. The bill passed the House by a vote of 163-0. The Senate has agreed with the House changes and is now headed to Governor Brian Kemp for his consideration.
SB 83, expands curriculum provisions to allow high schools to provide elective courses on the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. The bill passed the House by a vote of 122-44 and now goes back to the Senate to agree or disagree with the changes.
HB 12, requires the posting of signs which contain the toll-free number to report incidents of child abuse in a visible, public area of a school. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 46-1 and is now headed to Governor Brian Kemp for consideration.
SB 108, requires all public high schools to offer a course in computer science by the 2024-2025 school year. It outlines a phase-in schedule, lays out the requirements for charter and middle schools, and allows the General Assembly to offer grants for the professional development of teachers who wish to teach computer science courses. Courses may be taught by a teacher trained in computer science instruction or through a proctored virtual course offered by the Georgia Virtual School. The bill passed passed the House by a vote of 163-8. The Senate has agreed with the House changes and is now headed to Governor Brian Kemp for his consideration.
Dyslexia Legislation
SB 48, would require that all pre-kindergarten students are screened for dyslexia and provide a framework to identify and address dyslexia in students between kindergarten and grade three. It would also require the Georgia Department of Education to implement guidance and training in all schools regarding the teaching of students with dyslexia and requires that all schools submit data to the department regarding students with dyslexia. The bill passed the House by a vote of 161-2. The Senate has agreed with the House changes and is now headed to Governor Brian Kemp for his consideration.
HB 52, encourages all schools, local educational agencies, and the state educational agency to recognize that dyslexia has a profound educational impact that must be addressed. The resolution passed the House by a vote of 155-0 and has been adopted.
Patients First Act
SB 106, would allow the Governor to apply to the federal government for a Section 1332 waiver from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. It would also allow the Department of Community Health to apply for a Section 1115 Medicaid waiver that may include an increase in the income threshold up to a maximum of 100 percent of the federal poverty level. The bill passed the House by a vote of 104-67 and was signed this week by Governor Brian Kemp.
Broadband Expansion
SB 66, the “Streamlining Wireless Facilities and Antennas Act”, would streamline the deployment of wireless broadband in the public rights of way. The bill passed the House by a vote of 159-3 and is now headed to Governor Brian Kemp for consideration.
SB 17, would authorize rural telephone cooperatives to furnish broadband services either directly or indirectly through an agreement or through a broadband affiliate. The bill passed the House by a vote of 169-1 and now goes back to the Senate to agree or disagree with the changes.
SB 2, would permit electric membership corporations (EMCs) and their affiliates to deliver broadband services throughout Georgia. The bill passed the House by a vote of 107-62 and now goes back to the Senate to agree or disagree with the changes.
Physical Therapy Licensure Compact Act
HB 39, the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact Act. This will allow eligible physical therapists to practice across state lines. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 51-0 and now goes back to the House to agree or disagree with the changes.
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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 40: The House and Senate will convene at 10:00 am on Tuesday, April 2.
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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