March 08, 2024

LEGISLATIVE REPORT
March 8, 2024

 

In Today’s Edition:

• House Passes FY 2025 Budget
• Georgia State University Recognized
• Senate Begins Review of FY 2025 Budget
• Legislation Tracker
• GLIP Intern Spotlight: Q&A with Artemio Gonzalez
• Alumni Spotlight: Q&A with Noah J. Roenitz
• Upcoming Events: Legislative Calendar

 

House Passes FY 2025 Budget

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Georgia State University Recognized

Rep. Chuck Martin (R-Alpharetta) who serves as Chairman of the House Higher Education Committee introduced HR 1272, which recognizes the achievements of Georgia State University. Other cosponsors of the resolution include: Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones (R-Milton), Rep. David Knight (R-Griffin), Rep. Mitchell Scoggins (R-Cartersville), Rep. Carter Barrett (R-Cumming) and Rep. Jordan Ridley (R-Woodstock).

The resolution celebrates Georgia State University’s prominence as the largest public research university in the state and the $2.9 billion economic impact GSU has on metro Atlanta. HR 1272 also highlights Georgia State’s work to promote student success and address critical quality of life issues by investing more than $1.2 billion in research expenditures over the past six years. Go Panthers!

 

Senate Begins Review of FY 2025 Budget

The Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Education & Higher Education began their review of the FY 2025 budget with presentations from various K-12 and Higher Education agency heads on Thursday, March 7th. Chancellor Perdue presented the Governor’s budget recommendations for the University System of Georgia and thanked the committee for continuing to support the $66 million restoration of the teaching formula funds. Other topics of interest included the Department of Early Care and Learning’s summer transition program and ongoing efforts to improve literacy by the Georgia Department of Education. The subcommittee took no action on Thursday but members will continue gathering information and will submit their proposed changes to the full Appropriations Committee in the coming days.

 

Legislation Tracker

Needs Based Financial Aid
HB 1124, sponsored by Rep. Chuck Martin 
(R-Alpharetta), would allow students to apply earlier to the needs based financial aid program. Georgia College Completion Grant eligibility would be awarded to students who have completed 70 percent of a four-year program or 45 percent of a two-year program. The bill passed the Senate Higher Education Committee and is now eligible for consideration in the Senate Rules Committee.

High-demand Career List
HB 982, sponsored by Rep. Matthew Gambill (R-Cartersville), would require the State Workforce Development Board to develop, approve, and annually publish a High-demand Career List identifying those careers most critical to the state’s current and future workforce needs. The bill passed the Senate Higher Education Committee and is now eligible for consideration in the Senate Rules Committee.

Transferable Course Credits
SB 399, sponsored by Sen. Shelly Echols 
(R-Gainesville), would encourage and state expectations for the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia to enter into and amend existing agreements with the Technical College System of Georgia for awarding postsecondary course credits that are transferrable between the university system and the technical college system.  The bill passed was heard before the House Higher Education Committee, but no vote was taken.

Georgia Higher Education Savings Plan
SB 469, sponsored by Sen. Jason Esteves
(D-Atlanta), the “College Success 529 Expansion Act” would increase the maximum amount of contributions allowed per beneficiary of savings trust accounts for higher education expenses. The bill passed was heard before the House Higher Education Committee, but no vote was taken.

High-Demand Apprenticeship Program
SB 497, sponsored by Sen. Billy Hickman
(R-Statesboro), would redesignate the High-demand Career Initiatives Program as the High-Demand Apprenticeship Program.  The bill passed was heard before the House Higher Education Committee, but no vote was taken.

AEDs in Public Schools
HB 874, sponsored by Rep. Lee Hawkins
(R-Gainesville), would require automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in all public K-12 schools and provide for the establishment of emergency action plans to address a person in cardiac arrest.  The bill passed the Senate Education and Youth Committee and is now eligible for consideration in the Senate Rules Committee.

Paid Parental Leave
HB 1010, sponsored by Speaker Pro Team Jan Jones (R-Milton), would increase the number of hours permitted for paid parental leave.  The bill passed the Senate Children and Families Committee and is now eligible for consideration in the Senate Rules Committee.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
HB 1046, sponsored by Rep. David Clark (R-Buford), would authorize advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants to order home healthcare services. The bill passed was heard before the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee, but no vote was taken.

Impaired Healthcare Professionals
HB 1264, sponsored by Rep. Ron Stephens
(R-Savannah), would authorize the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists, as well as the Georgia Board of Nursing, to establish professional health programs. These programs would be responsible for monitoring and rehabilitating impaired healthcare professionals, ensuring their fitness to continue practicing while maintaining public safety. The bill passed was heard before the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee, but no vote was taken.

Georgia Defense Commission
SB 398, sponsored by Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick
(R-Marietta), would move the Georgia Defense Commission under the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Includes the chancellor of the University System of Georgia or his or her designee. The bill passed the House Defense and Veterans Affairs Committee and is now eligible for consideration in the House Rules Committee.

Military Spouses
HB 880, sponsored by Rep. Bethany Ballard (R-Warner Robins), would allow military spouses to use an existing license in good standing from another state to obtain employment.  The bill passed the Senate Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committee and is now eligible for consideration in the Senate Rules Committee.

Nicotine Vapor Products  
HR 1283, sponsored by Rep. Alan Powell 
(R-Hartwell), would create the House Study Committee on Safety and Consumer Protection of Nicotine Vapor Products.  The bill passed the House Regulated Industries Committee and is now eligible for consideration in the House Rules Committee.

Human Trafficking
SB 370, sponsored by Sen. Mike Hodges
(R-Brunswick), would require certain establishments to post human trafficking hotline information. The bill passed the House Regulated Industries Committee and is now eligible for consideration in the House Rules Committee.

Trust Fund for Homeless Act
HB 1410, sponsored by Rep. Chuck Efstration (R-Dacula), known as the State Housing Trust Fund for the Homeless Act would establish a stable housing accountability program. The bill was heard before the Senate Economic Development and Tourism Committee, but no vote was taken.

 

GLIP Intern Spotlight: Q&A with Artemio Gonzalez

Q: Where is your hometown? 
A: I grew up in Gwinnett and lived in Sugar Hill from the moment I was born until the day I moved out for college. The memories and lessons I made in my hometown made me the person I am today and I hold them very dear to me. 

Q: What is your major? 
A: My major is Finance and I’m minoring in Political Science.

Q: Which office/committee are you assigned to? 
A: I’m assigned to Senator Brandon Beach’s office who serves as the Chairman of the Economic Development & Tourism committee. 

Q: What are some of your duties as a legislative intern? 
A: As a legislative intern at the State Capitol, I am engaged in a dynamic role where every day brings fresh challenges. Central to my duties is the meticulous organization and preparation of essential paperwork and documentation for bills slated for committee deliberation. Moreover, I am tasked with handling constituent inquiries via phone, adeptly noting and addressing their concerns regarding district matters.

Q: What do you hope to learn or come away with from the GLIP experience? 
A: Through my internship with GLIP, I hope to gain invaluable insights into the inner workings of government and the legislative process. My primary objective for this session is to nurture meaningful professional connections with Senators, dedicated staffers, and like-minded interns, thereby embracing a wealth of diverse perspectives and experiences.

Q: How will this experience help you in your future career plans? 
A: Participating in the GLIP program offers an excellent opportunity for me to delve into potential career paths, especially in Government and Politics, a field I am actively contemplating. As someone navigating the crossroads of career exploration, the hands-on experience provided by GLIP is instrumental in shedding light on diverse professional trajectories. Whether I ultimately carve a path within government and politics or venture into alternative avenues, the skills, knowledge, and perspectives acquired through this internship will undoubtedly catalyze my professional evolution and maturation.

Support A Panther

 

Alumni Spotlight: Q&A with Noah J. Roenitz

Q: What was your graduation year and degree? 
A: I graduated in 2019 with a B.S. in Public Policy with a concentration in Economic Development and Planning.

Q: What has your career path looked like since you graduated from Georgia State University? 
A: Since graduating from the Andrew Young School in 2019, my professional career has existed in a large part under the Gold Dome of the State Capitol. Upon graduating, I took an internship with the Georgia Link Public Affairs Group; working to support their contract lobbying efforts at the State Capitol. After finishing the 2020 legislative session, I worked some contract roles with Georgia based non-profits while searching for my next step. I found it in late 2020 with the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission where I worked for a year liaising with local governments in the Athens area on COVID-19 recovery and resiliency planning. My work here showed me the value of strong local governments and introduced me to my now current employer, the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA). At GMA I advocate on behalf of Georgia’s 536 cities under the Gold Dome, which marries my passions of advocacy and advancing strong local government.

Q: What advice do you have for current or prospective Georgia State students?
A: To prospective students I would recommend GSU for two key reasons. The first being the practical experience you will derive from the teachings. On multiple occasions since my graduation, I’ve been able to speak to, and pull from class exercises for professional work. What you will learn, will be transferable. The second reason is the vast array of professional networking and job opportunities that will be afforded to you, simply by being in downtown Atlanta. As someone who works to represent all of Georgia’s cities, I’d say opportunity stretches throughout our state, but you’d be hard pressed to find a better place to start your career or get an education than what you will get by being in our capital city. To current students I would recommend you utilize your professors when it comes to finding placements and exploring your academic, and likely soon to be professional passions. I would put GSU’s staff up against any in this state and I would encourage you to utilize their knowledge and expertise to help you find your path.

 

Upcoming Events

• Committee Work Day

• Legislative Day 34