Under the Gold Dome: Day 40

Senate Senate Bill 285: Revise disclosure requirements for lobbyists. SB 287: Allow members to be a part of the Regents Retirement Plan in lieu of the Teachers Retirement System. SB 288: Allow pharmacists and nurses to give vaccines according to vaccine protocol agreements with physicians. SB 289: Require public school students to take one course containing online learning. SB 290: Create the Georgia Innocence Inquiry Commission to investigate and determine credible claims of ...

April 15, 2011 | | State government

Under the Gold Dome: Day 39

Highlights Georgia legislators tackled a number of important bills Tuesday, trying to work out the big questions before the measures rush through on the chamber floors on the last day of the session Thursday. The House focused on more than 20 bills, including Sunday alcohol sales, the 2012 budget and an ethics amendment on lobbying. The Senate also looked at the $18.3 billion budget and tax breaks for major Georgia companies. In addition, both chambers ...

April 12, 2011 | Carolyn Crist | State government

Under the Gold Dome: Day 38

Highlights A tax overhaul that would reduce personal income taxes in Georgia died Monday for the current legislative session. House Speaker David Ralston stopped the bill, which would have reduced the income tax rate from 6 percent to 4.6 percent in 2012, after losing confidence in economic data provided by Georgia State University. Ralston said the work on tax reform will continue and state lawmakers may address the issue during a special session this summer ...

April 11, 2011 | Carolyn Crist | State government

Legislators make final push on budget, taxes

State lawmakers have three days to approve a budget, debate a tax overhaul and investigate immigration reform changes.

April 09, 2011 | Carolyn Crist | State government

Democrats aim for HOPE changes

State Democrats are rallying behind a plan that would give certain HOPE scholars a grace period on this fall's funding cuts.

April 09, 2011 | Tricia L. Nadolny | State government

Deal appoints 3 locals to DNR authority

Gov. Nathan Deal has appointed three men with local ties to serve on the North Georgia Mountains Authority, which is affiliated with the Department of Natural Resources. Its members must serve on the DNR board.

April 08, 2011 | From staff reports | State government

Farmers say immigration reform could hurt business

A large group of Georgia's farmers and agricultural leaders have spoken up about the possible negative effects that immigration legislation could have on their businesses and the state's economy.

April 06, 2011 | Carolyn Crist | State government

Under the Gold Dome: Day 37

Senate Senate Bill 276: Provide terms and appointment of members to the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority. SB 277: Change terms of office for the Poulan mayor and council members. Senate Resolution 521: Urge Congress to designate the Honor and Remember Flag as a national emblem of service and sacrifice for the U.S. Armed Forces. SR 524: Urge the Georgia congressional delegation to pursue an equitable, long-term resolution for the growth rate formula and ...

April 01, 2011 | | State government

Under the Gold Dome: Day 36

Senate Senate Bill 271: Allow the State Court of Putnam County to have concurrent jurisdiction with the Magistrate Court of Putnam County regarding violations of Putnam County ordinances. SB 272: Give the Georgia Music Hall of Fame Authority and the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame Authority certain authority over video lottery terminals. SB 273: Allow the Lumpkin County chief magistrate to appoint the clerk of the county's magistrate court. SB 274: Restructure the ...

March 30, 2011 | | State government

Under the Gold Dome: Day 35

Highlights The Senate unanimously approved a bill that imposes higher fines and stiffer sentences on sex traffickers. The measure, approved 54-0, would also offer new treatment options to victims of the sex slave trade. The legislation calls for a 25-year minimum sentence for those convicted of using coercion to traffic someone under age 18 and requires a minimum sentence of five years for those who pay for sex with a 16-year-old. People who try to ...

March 29, 2011 | Carolyn Crist | State government

House Republicans push comprehensive immigration bill

House Republicans stripped a Senate immigration bill Monday and replaced it with wording from the more comprehensive legislation already passed by their chamber.

March 28, 2011 | Carolyn Crist | State government

Under the Gold Dome: Day 34

Highlights A Senate panel approved an $18.2 billion budget Monday for fiscal year 2012 that adds millions of dollars for capital projects in the state's university system and sets aside funds to track down missing taxes. The Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously approved the budget, which will move to the Senate floor for a vote this week. The House approved an $18.25 billion budget on March 11. The Senate version adds $50 million in bonds over ...

March 28, 2011 | Carolyn Crist | State government

Under the Gold Dome: Day 33

Senate Senate Bill 265: Change the corporate limits for Lilburn. SB 266: Provide membership to the South Cobb Development Authority and change the geographical area of its operations. SB 267: Create a new charter for Coolidge to include the elections of a mayor and council members. House House Bill 587: Levy an excise tax in Snellville. HB 588: Create community improvement districts in Hall County. HB 589: Create a ...

March 24, 2011 | | State government

Under the Gold Dome: Day 32

Senate Senate Bill 264: Provide for election of mayor and council members in Coolidge. House House Bill 571: Approve a new charter for the town of McIntyre. HB 572: Change compensation for Twiggs County Board of Education members. HB 573: Create a Brooks County board of elections and registration. HB 574: Create a board of education for the Dalton Independent School System. HB 575: Allow the Redevelopment Powers Law in Tunnell ...

March 23, 2011 | | State government

Under the Gold Dome: Day 31

Highlights Both the House and Senate assigned bills from Crossover Day, or legislative Day 30 on March 16, when bills had to switch from one chamber to the other to pass the 2011 session. The chambers delegated more than 100 pieces of legislation to committees, including hot topics such as Sunday alcohol sales and tax exemptions. Lawmakers can continue to introduce legislation that will affect their local areas. Floor debates start again later this week ...

March 21, 2011 | Carolyn Crist | State government

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