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Under the Gold Dome: Day 35
Full coverage of the 2011 legislative session
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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 have sex with someone younger face at least 10 years behind bars.

The bill now moves to Gov. Nathan Deal's desk for his signature.

In the House, representatives passed a resolution that supports the deepening of the Port in Savannah and one across the state line in South Carolina.

The measure, already passed by the Senate, sailed through the House with a 167-3 vote Tuesday.

Senate

Senate Bill 269: Under the state's water resources, change certain provisions related to cooperative efforts for abatement of pollution.
SB 270: Allow annexation of certain territory into the boundaries of Eton.
Senate Resolution 494: Support modernization of the federal Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976.
SR 498: Adopt amended Senate Rules to move points of personal privilege earlier in the legislative day.

House

House Bill 598: Modify the meetings schedule for the Jeff Davis County board of commissioners.
HB 599: Provide nonpartisan elections for the Cook County probate court judge.
HB 600: Change compensation for the Candler County solicitor.
HB 601: Allow the city of Cohutta to use the Redevelopment Powers Law to carry out community redevelopment, create tax allocation districts and issue tax allocation bonds.
HB 602: Change selection and appointment to the Bacon County board of elections.
HB 603: Provide appointment and terms of members for the Atlanta Board of Education.
HB 604: Create the Lower Chattahoochee Regional Transportation Authority.
HB 605: Abolish the Georgia Aviation Authority and transfer duties to the Department of Public Safety.
HB 606: Change provisions of public letting and bids for purchasing departments.
HB 607: Allow the DeKalb County Special Services Tax Districts Act to reflect the ad valorem taxes for district services separately on the real estate tax statement.
HB 608: Allow the Cobb County State Court to charge a technology fee.
HB 609: Require insurance policy coverage for telemedicine services.
HB 610: Provide nonpartisan elections for Emanuel County probate court judge.
HB 611: Provide elections for Stone Mountain city council members.
HB 612: Create the city of Cornelia Water and Sewerage Authority.
HB 613: Allow the city of Kingsland to use the Redevelopment Powers Law to carry out community redevelopment, create tax allocation districts and issue tax allocation bonds.
HB 614: Provide an exemption for ad valorem taxes for county purposes in Polk County. HB 615 is a similar bill.
HB 616: Provide an exemption for ad valorem taxes for educational purposes in Polk County. HB 617 is a similar bill.

Both chambers also passed various resolutions to recognize special days and people.