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Steve Gaynor Legislative Committee Chairman State of Georgia Legislative Information FOP Legislative Update Week #5 2/20/09 Even though the Georgia General Assembly did not convene Monday, your legislative team was hard at work attending numerous committee meetings. The committee meetings set the precedent for the fifth week of the Georgia legislative session, which began when the gavel dropped at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday. Tuesday kicked off the 19th day of the Georgia General Assembly. The House had a full plate with 30 pieces of legislation on their agenda while the Senate only had three on theirs, but both sides of Georgia's Congress would stay busy the next couple of days. Issues concerning the budget, education vouchers, property tax assessment caps, tax relief grants, employment, and alcohol sales were riddling the halls of Georgia General Assembly. In the House the infamous House Resolution 1 was resurrected for reconsideration and sent back to the House Rules Committee. Governor Sonny Perdue switched his opposition for the homeowner relief grant when he announced, with Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle and House Speaker Glenn Richardson by his side, that Georgia would be backing the $428 million needed to fund the $200-$300 grants that each homeowner received on their tax bills last fall. Also in the House this week, Republicans have introduced four bills to stimulate business in Georgia. All bills involve taxes, either giving tax credits or the elimination of taxes. Sunday alcohol sales were a hot debate this week in the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries and Utilities. SB 16 would allow local municipalities to vote on whether or not they would allow the sale of liquor, beer and wine on Sundays. Supporters such as grocers argue that this would boost Georgia's struggling economy by allowing for an additional day of revenue. This bill is also strongly opposed by some Christian groups and liquor store owners. Some Christian groups believe that the passage of this bill will increase underage drinking and driving under the influence, while liquor store owners want to stay closed on Sunday. Senate passed SB 55, a bill that would require county tax assessors to take into account foreclosed homes when deriving the assessable value of property. Last week, several bills regarding retirement were introduced in the House. HB 465, 467, 476, and 477 were first read in the House and sent to the House Retirement Committee. Next Monday there is a Public Safety Appropriations Subcommittee hearing. We understand how important this budget is to all of you. We are working as hard as possible by talking with many legislators to ensure that money is provided for your departments. We will keep you posted on all advances regarding the FY ’09 budget. 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 state-wide “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 Governmental Affairs 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 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 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 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 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 Second Read 2/05/2009. http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/sum/hb287.htm
HB 465: Aims to provide for a certain employer contribution to the Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund. Status: House First Read and Referred to the House Retirement Committee 2/18/2009. House Retirement Committee Second Read 2/19/2009. http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/sum/hb465.htm
HB 467: Aims to change a certain gender designation relating to employee and employer contributions and creation of funds for contributions, benefits, and administrative expenses in the Employees' Retirement System of Georgia. Status: House First Read and Referred to the House Retirement Committee 2/18/2009. House Retirement Committee Second Read 2/19/2009. http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/sum/hb467.htm
HB 476: Aims to provide that certain provisions relating to continued employment or reemployment shall not apply to certain members relating to retirement benefits options under the Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund, payment to surviving spouse, requirements, effect of reemployment, effect of changes in retirement benefits, and payment on the death of a member that certain provisions relating to continued employment or reemployment shall not apply to certain members. Status: House First Read and Referred to the House Retirement Committee 2/18/2009. House Retirement Committee Second Read 2/19/2009. http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/sum/hb476.htm
HB 477: Aims to remove a requirement that an application for certain creditable service be made within a certain period relating to procedure for establishment of creditable service, computations, employer contributions, and system or fund unable to provide creditable service. Status: House First Read and Referred to the House Retirement Committee 2/18/2009. House Retirement Committee Second Read 2/19/2009. http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/sum/hb477.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. It also aims to provide for 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
SB 129: Aims to expand the definition of the term "large retirement system"; to provide that such investments may be made up to a certain amount and to shield information related to such investment from public scrutiny. Status: Senate Read and Referred to Senate Retirement 2/10/2009. http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/sum/sb129.htm
SR 174: Aims to provide that the General Assembly shall be authorized to enact legislation and appropriate funds necessary to provide for retirement credit for retired members of the Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund for service rendered prior to January 1, 1976 but who are not members of the fund on July 1, 2009. Status: Senate Read and Referred to Senate Retirement 2/10/2009 http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/sum/sr174.htm
Mo Thrash John Haliburton Steven Gaynor Megan Langgood
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