Notes from the Senate...........
BY SEN. JACK HILL, 4th DISTRICT
Senate Action This Week

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The following Bills were passed by Senate this week:

Senate Bill 42 passed, 46-3, allowing the Department of Human Resources to impose fees on child support collections.

Senate Bill 77 passed, 52-0, creating an online filing system that will allow commercial truck drivers to file their International Registration Plan (IRP) tag application from their home computers starting January 1, 2008. IRP tags are required for commercial trucks that travel across state lines.

Senate Bill 168 passed, 46-0, providing that in developing an individualized education program (IEP) for a deaf or hard-of-hearing child, the local school system must consider the related services and program options to provide the child with an appropriate and equal opportunity for communication access.

Senate Bill 170 passed, 47-0, allowing American Sign Language to fulfill the foreign language requirements for a college preparatory curriculum seal of endorsement on a high school diploma for any student.

Senate Bill 80 passed, 29-23, allowing a gradual, limited optional investment of Employee Retirement System dollars into alternative investments, which opens up a proven mainstream investment class to our State Employee Retirement System.

Senate Bill 148 passed, 39-15, creating the Newborn Umbilical Cord Blood Bank for postnatal tissue and fluid, which can be used in nondestructive stem cell research.

Senate Bill 203 passed, 49-0, allowing police officers to search secondary metal recycling businesses and to charge the owner with a felony if they knowingly accepted stolen regulated metal, and would also charge the seller with a felony.

Senate Bill 212 passed, 49-1, providing that personal information such as birthdays and social security numbers of public employees can not be required to be disclosed to the news media.

Senate Bill 194 passed, 53-0, requiring election officials to compare the signature on the ballot's oath with the absentee elector's voter registration card's signature and allowing for the absentee ballot tabulation process to start upon the opening of polls on Election Day.

Senate Bill 145 passed, 49-3, allowing for a sentence of life without parole for individuals convicted of murder independently of a death penalty prosecution.

Senate Bill 139 passed, 40-7, transferring oversight of the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council from the judicial branch to the executive branch.

Senate Bill 33 passed, 54-0, creating a statewide first responder system that will provide first responders with critical information.

Senate Bill 123 passed, 50-0, allowing that twins be placed in the same classroom if requested by the parents.

Senate Bill 169 passed, 54-0, requiring the Georgia Student Finance Authority to provide direct loans with an interest rate of 1% to eligible students.

Senate Bill 185 passed, 50-1, requiring proof of sales taxes paid on boats over 16 feet for initial registration of new boats with the Department of Natural Resources.

Senate Resolution 20 passed, 44-6, providing limitations on state government expenditures tying growth to population and inflation increases. SR 20 prescribes an amended budget only reflecting certain expenditures such as mid-year education adjustment and emergency expenditures. Passing in the House requires a 2/3 majority vote. Voters would then decide in 2008.

AT&T Grants Available

The AT&T Foundation is currently accepting applications for their 2007 AT&T Excelerator competitive technology grant program until 5 p.m. on May 4, 2007. This program is designed to assist nonprofit organizations in the integration of technology into their community outreach and operations. The AT&T Excelerator Program is going to award $9 million in competitive grants in 2007. The four main program areas where the AT&T Excelerator Program addresses community needs are: education, community development, health and human services, and arts and culture. Interested groups can visit www.att.com/foundation to download a copy of the 2007 AT&T Excelerator grant application.

Visit the Legislature's Home Page at www.legis.state.ga.us

I want to hear from you! I may be reached at 234 State Capitol, Atlanta, GA 30334 (404) 656-5038 (phone) (404) 657-7094 (fax). E-mail at Jack.Hill@senate.ga.gov. Or Call Toll-Free 1-800- 367-3334 Day or Night. Reidsville: (912) 557-3811

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