Mark P. Williams - Georgia State House District 178

Legislative News

Capitol Update Feb. 16, 2010 through Feb. 18, 2010

Last week was a short one with the legislature convening only three days. We have reached the halfway point and twenty legislative days remain in the regular session. Ten days remain until Crossover Day, the last day bills can pass one chamber to be considered by the other chamber. Because this is the last term in the 2009-2010 session, any bill that does not pass both chambers becomes void and cannot become law. The sponsoring legislators must refile the bill for the next session if they still want to see it passed. This past week legislation concerning educational salaries, land conservation, and absentee voting passed the House. These bills and others will go to Senate committees for consideration before that chamber votes on them.

On Thursday, February 17, the House passed a bill to create a program for online voting for absentee ballots. House bill 665, authored by Representative Mark Hamilton of Cumming, would allow for electronic submissions of absentee ballots cast by military personnel and citizens living overseas during the 2012 primaries and general election. Because of the revenue shortfalls and tight budget, the bill makes the implementation of this program contingent on the state's having sufficient funds. Provided the funding is available, this program would help to increase participation in the political process.

The Forest Land Protection Act passed in 2008 allowed local governments a means of recovering fines for the breach of a forest land covenant. The act provided that when breach of a forest land covenant occurred after the transfer of all or part of the land, the breaching party was held liable for any penalties and interest. Department of Revenue rules and regulations that resulted from this act expanded liability to allow local governments to recover from the non-breaching party's interest in the property and to file a lien against the property. House Bill 1028, authored by Jay Roberts of Ocilla, clarifies this issue by allowing only the portion on which the breach occurred could be subject to penalties and liens.

In keeping with being frugal and fair with state dollars, the House unanimously passed a bill amending the Quality Basic Education Act on Thursday. House Bill 977, authored by Ed Rynders of Albany, stops state dollars from going to salary increases for school superintendents and administrators during years where the local boards of education have furloughed non-administrative positions. If the local school board intends to do so they must provide notice of a public hearing for full discussion and public input. Also, this bill would not prevent local revenues from going toward raises. It simply means that any year in which teachers, paraprofessionals, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, custodians, support staff or other non-administrative positions are furloughed, state money will not go toward raising administrative salaries. The step increases covered by the state salary schedule are not affected by this bill.

Lastly, the amended 2010 budget passed the Senate by a substitute on Thursday. It is almost certain the House will insist on the version passed in our chamber. In that event, the bill, House Bill 947, will go to a conference committee consisting of a few members from both chambers who are more experienced and knowledgeable about budgeting. As is usually the case, that committee will iron out the differences between the two versions so the bill can be passed and signed by the governor.

As always, I am honored to represent the people of Brantley, Pierce, and Wayne counties, and I take this responsibility seriously. I welcome your thoughts and recommendations, and I know that with hard work and cooperation, we will persevere through the good times and the tough times. Please visit www.markpwilliams.com, http://www.legis.state.ga.us/ , or contact my office at (404) 656-0188 for more information.