In session for two days this week, the Georgia General Assembly completed the week on Wednesday, the thirtieth day of session. With thirty of forty session days complete, legislators are closing in on the marathon and almost to the finish line of the 2011 session. Wednesday was Crossover Day and our time was devoted toward debating legislation for a extended period of time that day. Crossover Day is the last day a bill must pass one chamber in order to be considered by the other. The legislation which crossed over, now goes to the other chamber where it will follow a similar committee process. The House of Representatives debated 41 bills on Crossover Day and concluded the day around 9:30pm. With only 10 legislative session days left, the end of the 2011 legislative session is in sight.

On Monday, the House passed several pieces of legislation and a few are highlighted. One bill of significant importance involved zero-based budgeting and would require all state departments and agencies to periodically justify their spending. A similar bill was passed last year and was vetoed by former Governor, Sonny Perdue. House Bill 33 passed 126 to 45 and would begin in January of 2012 by providing zero-based budgeting in the State of Georgia. It authorizes the Joint Fiscal Affairs Subcommittee to determine certain departments and agencies to submit a zero-based budgeting at least once every six years. The information submitted and reviewed includes: an analysis of the two previous fiscal years, fiscal spending plans, purpose statements, and the efficiencies of the programs within the agency. Under this legislation, it also combines budget offices of the House and Senate into a Joint Legislative Budget Office for a proposed savings of $1 million. The goal of this legislation is increased accountability and transparency within the agencies and departments of the State of Georgia. House Bill 275 passed 160 to 1 and would clarify which health care providers are allowed to honor do-not-resuscitate orders from patients and would now include nursing homes. If passed, the 9-1-1 centers in communities throughout the state could receive millions of dollars, which would be split based on population. House Bill 256 passed 161 to 2 and would allow the fees on prepaid wireless purchases (75 cents per transaction) be split among the 911 centers in the state.
Although the General Assembly was not in session on Tuesday, committee meetings were held throughout the day as some legislators tried to get their bills out of the various committees and into the Rules Committee (which is the last committee before a bill goes to the full House chamber for a vote). To be potentially passed this session, legislation must be passed out of the Rules Committee and debated and passed by Crossover Day, the last day a bill must pass one chamber and "cross over" into the other chamber.

As discussed above, Crossover Day was on Wednesday and legislators were at the Capitol for an extended period of time that day and into the late hours of the evening debating legislation. Crossover day was the thirty day of the 2011 session. Some bills debated took longer than others; however, it is the last day that a bill must be passed in one chamber in order to be considered and debated by the other chamber and potentially passed this session. Below is a summary of some of the legislation passed on Wednesday, Crossover Day.

In regard to healthcare, the House passed House Bill 461 by a vote of 108 to 63. The legislation is a Healthcare Compact Bill. The concern is the federal mandated health care law and if that law is proven valid and upheld in the Supreme Court, the states need options. This legislation would allow an alternative to Georgia residents and is part of a national effort across our country to promote the rights of the states. It would allow the state of Georgia to form a compact with other states in regard to healthcare and the rules of it.

Hunting in the state of Georgia is a very enjoyable hobby for some of our citizens. Especially in the Southern part of our state, the deer population has continued to rise. Many vehicle accidents are caused every year simply due to the overpopulation of deer (approximately 43,000) and many farmers have a difficult time keeping deer out of their crops. This legislation would apply to the southern zone of the state, below the fall line. House Bill 277 passed 122 to 48 and would allow hunters in the southern region to aim at a deer at any distance that is near a supplemental feeding source. This bill would remove the restriction that hunters in the southern zone must be at least 200 yards away and out of sight. This would reduce the number of auto related accidents due to deer and would decrease the herd of deer that frequently enjoy grazing on crops.

Voting is a right and a privilege of citizens in the United States; however, many people across our world are not given the choice to elect the people that represent them. House Bill 454 passed 153 to 21 and would allow some flexibility in regard to voting by allowing the Secretary of State to set the date for the 2012 Presidential Primary. As long as the parties agree, this legislation would allow the Presidential Primary date to be moved earlier than the current date, which is known as Super Tuesday.

In an effort to save money, the House passed 133 by a vote of 165 to 7. This legislation could save the state millions of dollars. Tax refunds of less than $1 would not be sent out unless requested by the taxpayer. The savings is estimated to be in the millions, including savings on postage and printing.

Numerous bills passed without little debate, these were non-controversial pieces of legislation, and a few are discussed below. Passed unanimously was House Bill 503 and it would allow the funding of medical exams for sexual assault victims. Also passed was House Bill 415 which would establish the Jury Composition Reform Act of 2011. Recommended by the Supreme Court's Jury Composition Committee, this legislation passed 171 to 1 and would allow the Council of Superior Court Clerks to establish and maintain a master jury list.

The members of the General Assembly will continue our work at the State Capitol on Monday, March 21st for our thirty first day of session. I will continue to keep all of you informed throughout the 2011 legislative session. It is a honor to continue serving you in the Georgia General Assembly. Please do not hesitate to let me know your position or thoughts on issues that concern you. If you would like to reach me, please call me at (404) 656-7153 or write me at: State Rep. Jay Roberts, 218 CAP, State Capitol, Atlanta, GA 30334 or e-mail me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.