Under the Gold Dome: Day 26

Senate Senate Bill 235: Require the Georgia Student Finance Commission to establish the amount of HOPE scholarships awarded each year. SB 236: Allow drivers with a suspended license who were convicted of driving under the influence to obtain a limited driving permit. SB 237: Provide a new charter for the incorporation of the city of Summerville. SB 238: Require a motorized wheelchair or scooter to use reflectors if operated in the public after ...

March 08, 2011 | | State government

Georgia to ask appeals court to overturn water wars ruling Wednesday

ATLANTA - A tri-state dispute threatening the water supply of roughly 3 million people in metro Atlanta is headed to an appeals court Wednesday, although some involved in the case expect that negotiations - not a court order - will bring a resolution.

March 08, 2011 | Associated Press | State government

Under the Gold Dome: Day 25

Highlights Both chambers approved a final copy of the 2011 amended budget. Votes on the 2012 budget should come next week. The Senate Ethics Committee unanimously passed a bill Monday that would allow public utilities to make direct contributions to political campaigns. Senate Bill 160 is supported by a coalition of utility concerns, including telecommunication and power companies. Supporters say the bill brings the state into compliance with the U.S. Supreme Court's Citizen's United decision ...

March 07, 2011 | Carolyn Crist | State government

Under the Gold Dome: Day 24

Highlights State lawmakers passed legislation Friday to prevent state insurance commissioners from granting themselves licenses without passing mandatory tests. The House's 155-0 vote on HB 347 came fewer than two weeks after reports showed outgoing Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine gave himself several licenses the day before he left office in January, exempting himself from mandatory testing requirements. Oxendine's successor Ralph Hudgens said he could not revoke Oxendine's licenses because of the waiver. However, Hudgens supports ...

March 05, 2011 | Carolyn Crist | State government

Under the Gold Dome: Day 23

Senate Senate Bill 189: Change the charter for the city of Stockbridge to include additional powers of the mayor and city administrator. SB 190: Transfer operation of the Georgia Capitol Museum from the secretary of state to the Board of Regents. SB 191: Enact the Jury Composition Reform Act of 2011, which would create a modernized and uniform system of compiling and maintaining jury lists. SB 192: Under motor vehicle reparations, change the ...

March 04, 2011 | | State government

Ga. House OKs Arizona-style crackdown on illegal immigrants

The Georgia House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a bill Thursday that takes a tough stance on illegal immigration.

March 03, 2011 | Melissa Weinman | State government

Under the Gold Dome: Day 22

Senate Senate Bill 179: Require licensing of radiographers, radiation therapists and nuclear medicine technologists to regulate medical imaging and radiation therapy procedures on humans. SB 180: Allow pharmacists to dispense prescriptions through a remote automated medication system. SB 181: Prohibit the attorney general from granting contingent compensation and private counsel for certain crimes and offenses. SB 182: Clarify the authority of counties and municipal corporations to enter into guaranteed energy savings performance contracts. ...

March 03, 2011 | | State government

Under the Gold Dome: Day 21

Highlights The state Senate on Tuesday approved a zero-based budgeting bill, 51-0, which is their second attempt at the legislation after a failed veto override earlier in the session. Zero-based budgeting would require each state agency to justify each line item in its budget at least once every four years. The state now uses a system in which last year's figures are carried over to the current year without a line-by-line accounting. Both chambers passed ...

March 02, 2011 | Carolyn Crist | State government

Panel dismisses complaint against Cagle

The Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission has dismissed an ethics complaint against Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle.

March 02, 2011 | From staff reports | State government

Georgia may lower threshold for drunk boating

This summer, boaters may need to be a little more mindful if they plan to drink on Lake Lanier.

February 28, 2011 | Melissa Weinman | State government

Legislators eye tax code changes to push job growth

House lawmakers focused on taxes Monday, introducing bills that would encourage job creation and rewrite the state's tax code.

February 28, 2011 | Carolyn Crist | State government

Under the Gold Dome: Day 20

Highlights The state House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee passed a bill that would crack down on illegal immigration in Georgia. House Bill 87 sponsored by Rep. Matt Ramsey, R-Peachtree City, passed out of the committee easily Monday despite an attempt by Democrats to table it. The proposed law will now move to the House Rules Committee, which decides when the bill gets to the House floor. Ramsey hopes it will be up for a House vote ...

February 28, 2011 | Carolyn Crist | State government

Bill would send phone fees directly to 911 centers

Hall County officials are rallying behind a bill that would bring in money to fund 911 equipment.

February 27, 2011 | Melissa Weinman | State government

Deal announces members of education board

Gov. Nathan Deal announced Friday those who will serve on his Education Advisory Board. The group, tasked with brainstorming ways to improve education in Georgia, includes superintendents, principals, teachers and school board members from across the state. "I look forward to meeting with them on a quarterly basis to discuss how we can continue to improve educational outcomes for Georgia students," Deal said in a news release. The group includes the following local leaders: ...

February 26, 2011 | From staff reports | State government

Under the Gold Dome: Day 19

Highlights The Senate approved the $18 billion amended budget for the remainder of the fiscal year, including more money for hospitals serving poor patients. The spending plan was approved 46-4. It must now be reconciled with a version the House approved earlier this month. Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Jack Hill said the Senate and House versions are largely similar and represent difficult decisions made in a challenging economic climate. The bill restores cuts ...

February 25, 2011 | Melissa Weinman | State government

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