FOP Legislative Update Week #3
2/06/09
Monday was officially the 11th
legislative day. February is sure to see a magnitude of legislative action
passing through the Georgia General Assembly.
Legislators' number one priority is still the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget. Numerous
appropriations meetings have been held over these past few weeks, for both
Representatives and Senators, to decide what money should go where and to whom.
This week began with Casey Cagle wanting to
double the statewide homestead exemption, a
measure that could raise the amount of property value that homeowners could be
tax exempt from $2000 to $4000. Friday afternoon
the Senate passed this bill with a vote of 44 to 14. Governor Purdue, who has
been openly against this legislation, has yet to announce whether he will sign
or veto these bills.
House Democrats pressed Speaker Glenn
Richardson to prolong the session so that
Georgia may see some of the federal economic
stimulus money. Friday, the House voted to split the session, working
three days a week until March 25, then saving
five days in June in order to give a the Georgia General Assembly a chance to
revisit budgetary issues if need be. Senator Eric Johnson introduced a bill
that would make Georgia the first state to offer vouchers for parents to send
their children to private schools. This legislation would provide parents with
$5000 in taxpayers money to send their child anywhere in the state that is
willing to accept the child. Georgia democrats oppose this bill, because it
siphons off funding from struggling public schools.
On Febraury 4th, Court Chief Justice,
Leah Ward Sears, gave the State of the Judiciary
address to members of the Georgia General Assembly, stressing the importance of
people's need to access justice now, during tough
economic times more than ever. She predicts that the state of Georgia's
economy could have negative effects, increasing crime, child abuse,
domestic violence and
substance abuse.
As each week passes, legislators get closer and closer to redrafting the FY ’09 budget. Numerous Appropriations meetings of both the House and Senate are being held. While there is no certainty yet of when the final budget will be released, legislators are working diligently to determine where money should be displaced. We will keep you updated on any and all FY ’09 budget outcomes.
Below you will find a list of bills and resolutions that are most important to the Fraternal Order of Police. If you would like to retrieve a complete copy of a bill or resolution you can access the information from the links below. If you have any questions, comments or anything at all, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Bills of Concern:
HB 14: Aims to provide nonpartisan elections of sheriffs, district attorneys and solicitor generals along with qualifications to hold one of the aforementioned positions.
Status: House Governmental Affairs Second Read 1/16/2009.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/sum/hb14.htm
HB 31: Aims to repeal provisions relating to traffic-control signal monitoring devices.
Status: House Judicial Non-Civil Second Read 1/29/2009.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/sum/hb31.htm
HB 36: Aims to create a “Blue Alert” alert system which speeds the apprehension of criminals who kill or seriously injure local, state, or federal law enforcement officers. It also will provide immunity from civil damages for dissemination of alert information.
Status: House Second Read 1/14/2009
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/sum/hb36.htm
HB 53: Aims to require policies that prohibit law enforcement officers from impermissibly using race or ethnicity in determining whether to stop a motorist and for law enforcement officers to document race, ethnicity, and gender of a motorist and passengers. This bill will also require officers to attend annual training of law enforcement officers on unlawfully using race and ethnicity in stopping vehicles.
Status: House Judiciary Non-Civil Second Read 1/15/2009.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/sum/hb53.htm
HB 88: Aims to provide nonpartisan elections of clerks of the superior court, sheriffs, tax receivers, tax collectors, and tax commissioners along with the qualifications to hold one of the aforementioned positions.
Status: House Governmental Affairs Second Read 1/16/2009
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/sum/hb88.htm
HB 110: Aims to require policies that prohibit law enforcement officers from impermissibly using race or ethnicity in determining whether to stop a motorist and for law enforcement officers to document race, ethnicity, and gender of a motorist and passengers. This bill will also require officers to attend annual training of law enforcement officers on unlawfully using race and ethnicity in stopping vehicles.
Status: House Judiciary Non-Civil Second Read 1/26/2009.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/sum/hb110.htm
HB 256: Aims to provide that evidence relating to the failure to use safety belts in passenger vehicles may be used by state and local authorities to recover costs incurred from a person’s failure to use a safety belt.
Status: House Judiciary First Read 2/03/2009. House Judiciary Second Read 2/04/2009.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/sum/hb256.htm
HB 259: Aims to provide for training for certain persons licensed to carry a pistol or a revolver.
Status: House Judiciary Non-Civil First Read 2/03/2009. House Judiciary Non-Civil Second Read 2/04/2009.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/sum/hb259.htm
HB 260: Aims to provide that licenses to carry a pistol or revolver and temporary renewal permit shall include a photograph and current address of the holder.
Status: House Judiciary Non-Civil First Read 2/03/2009. House Judiciary Non-Civil Second Read 2/04/2009.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/sum/hb260.htm
HB 286: Aims provide that persons applying for a license to carry a pistol or revolver and temporary renewal permit shall complete a handgun safety course.
Status: House Judiciary Non-Civil First Read 2/04/2009. House Judiciary Non-Civil Second Read 2/05/2009.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/sum/hb286.htm
HB 287: Aims to provide that certain restrictions on the use of speed detection devices in traffic law enforcement shall not apply with respect to the use of speed detection devices in school zones.
Status: House Judiciary Non-Civil First Read 2/04/2009. House Judiciary Non-Civil Second Read 2/05/2009.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/sum/hb287.htm
SB 9: Aims to repeal the requirement that a concealed weapon must be kept in a holster.
Status: Senate Read and Referred to Senate Judiciary 1/12/2009.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/sum/sb9.htm
SB 12: Aims to prohibit the manufacture, sale, and possession in this state of handgun ammunition that does not contain a unique code; the creation of the coding system database is to be established by the Department of Public Safety and will require the registration of manufacturers and vendors.
Status: Senate Read and Referred to Senate Judiciary 1/12/2009.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/sum/sb12.htm
SB 32: Aims to give authorization to the Department of Transportation to establish rules and regulations for the prevention or reduction of occurrences of dangerous traffic congestion caused by a high volume of vehicles exiting the interstate highway at certain locations during peak traffic times.
Status: Senate Read and Referred to Senate Transportation 1/26/2009.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/sum/sb32.htm
Mo Thrash Steven T. Gaynor
Megan Langgood Legislative Chairman
Our Voice at the Capital