The Georgia General Assembly is now in session and here are some bills that were introduced last week:
Bills Introduced:
- SB 251-This bill would exempt school buses from the excise tax on motor fuels.
- SB 270- This bill authorizes retired law enforcement officers to carry a handgun anywhere within the state.
- SB 271- This bill provides new standards regarding the involuntary hospitalization of mental patients, as well as for protecting the rights of such patients.
- SB 276- This bill would require greater security against identity theft and increased notice of data breaches.
- SB 278- This bill would increase the penalties for pimping and pandering and require registration on the State Sex Offender Registry upon the third conviction for pandering.
- SB 282- This bill would prohibit financial institutions from refusing to provide credit or services to lawful vendors of firearms and ammunition.
- SB 301- This bill would revise the days and times in which consumer fireworks may be lawfully used or exploded. Any day between 10:00 A.M. and 10:00 P.M; On July 3rd, July 4th, and December 31st between 10:01 P.M. and 11:59 P.M; On January 1st and July 4th between 12:00 midnight and 12:15 P.M.
- SR 842- Creates the Senate Study Committee on the Legislative Process.
The House passed the Amended FY 2016 budget to the Senate this week. The Amended FY16 budget proposes adding $1.16 billion in surplus dollars (6.3%) to the base 2016 budget.
Highlights of FY 16 Amended Budget are:
- $109.9 million to fund growth in K-12 schools and the teacher pay scale
- $90.9 million to the Indigent Care Trust Fund, Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids including funds for indigent care in hospitals, growth in Medicaid enrollment, and rising expenses for Hepatitis C and Cystic Fibrosis drugs
- $51.4 million for services for the increased number of children in state custody
- $821,554 for drivers education program grants
- $3 million for the Hazardous Waste Trust Fund for cleanup
- $2.3 million added by the House for the Community Care Services Program
Source: Sen. Judson Hill’s E- Newsletter update.
*To follow the live action of this year’s legislative session, you can follow the Georgia House of Representatives and the Georgia State Senate on Twitter.
