March 12, 2010
House approves water conservation measures
The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to approve legislation that calls for statewide water conservation measures. The sponsor of HB 1094 said the measure would help Georgia in its continuing negotiations with Florida and Alabama over the allocation of water from Lake Lanier.
The legislation would phase in by 2012 requirements for the installation of low-flow plumbing devices in new residential and commercial buildings and include an outdoor watering restriction similar to the statewide regulation in effect during recent drought conditions. Local governments would be prohibited from enacting stricter outdoor water restrictions unless they receive authorization from the state Environmental Protection Division.
The Senate passed similar legislation the same day, and the measure is expected to be signed into law relatively quickly.
Gwinnett Commission Districts: On Thursday, I introduced HB 1390, which would increase the number of Gwinnett County Commission districts from four to six, in order to recognize the county's growth and achieve closer and improved representation at the local level. I also am drafting legislation that would change Gwinnett County Board of Education elections from partisan to non-partisan.
Governor Slams Hospitals: In the wake of the February revenue report, which showed a decline in state tax collections for the 15th consecutive month, Gov. Perdue announced Thursday he is lowering his revenue estimate for the current fiscal year and transferring $342 million in federal stimulus funds from the fiscal year 2011 budget to help pay the bills for the remainder of the current year. To fill that 2011 budget hole, the governor is calling for $96 million in new fee increases and slashing Medicaid reimbursements to Georgia hospitals by 10.25 percent. Along with removing the sales tax exemption on purchases by non-profit hospitals, the governor's plan will cost the Georgia health care community a total of $274 million. These cuts will have a devastating impact on the delivery of health care in our state and likely slam the doors on some hospitals that are already in financial trouble.
State Fee Increases: The House Appropriations Committee chairman is promoting a proposal to authorize state departments that currently charge user fees to raise them without legislative approval. Such legislation would strip elected representatives of any oversight over the level of fees the state charges citizens for various services and placing that power in the hands of agency bureaucrats.
Local School Boards: House members voted Monday to approve legislation that would give the governor the authority to remove local school board members in systems that lose or are threatened with the loss of accreditation. SB 84 would also require local school boards to develop an ethics policy and prohibit members from using the office to get special privileges, advantages or employment for the board member or family members. The amended legislation now goes back to the Senate for final approval.
Food Safety: On March 9, the House approved legislation aimed at strengthening food safety. HB 883 would require food processing plants to have a written food safety plan and make it a misdemeanor to fail to report problematic test results. Under the bill, knowingly introducing a tainted substance into finished food or food ingredients at a plant would be a felony with penalties of up to 20 years in prison and a $20,000 fine for violations. HB 883 now goes to the Senate for its consideration.
Other legislation approved by the House and sent to the Senate last week included:
HB 180, which would change current law and allow tattooing around the eye socket, if the procedure is performed by a physician or appropriately licensed technician.
HB 706, which would require county governments to grant first rights of purchase to original owners or their next of kin before selling condemned property.
HB 984, which would repeal a provision in state law that allows county and city governments to adopt a local income tax.
HB 1002, which would increase penalties against those who commit aggravated assault against judges, attorneys, clerks of court, deputy clerks, court reporters and probation officers while they are performing their official duties.
HB 1015, which would add new offenses to be enforced under the Georgia Street Gang and Terrorism Prevention Act.
HB 1073, which would allow uniformed and overseas voters to request absentee ballots by electronic transmission.
HB 1135, which would authorize the Department of Transportation to enter into multiyear contracts.
Speaker Tom Murphy: The House chamber was full to capacity on March 10 for the unveiling of a portrait honoring the late Thomas B. Murphy, who served as Speaker of the House during Georgia's greatest years of progress, from 1974 through 2002. The portrait will remain in prominent display in the Capitol.
