Legislative Report: Session Nears End
By Rep. Alan Powell
This is the final week of the 2015 session of the Georgia General Assembly. With legislative day 40 scheduled for Thursday, April 2, the House of Representatives and the Senate are working to resolve several major issues, including transportation funding, the fiscal year 2016 state budget, insurance coverage for young autism patients, among others.
House members voted March 25 to give final legislative approval to a proposed constitutional amendment for the creation of an Opportunity School District, through which the state would intervene in the operation of Georgia schools that consistently fail to meet certain performance standards.
With SR 287 having already been approved by the Senate, the proposal will appear on the 2016 general election ballot. If a majority of voters vote yes, the constitutional amendment will become law.
House members also approved SB 133, the enabling legislation that would take effect if the constitutional amendment passes.
Under the legislation, initiated by Gov. Nathan Deal, failing schools are defined as those scoring below 60 for three years in a row on the College and Career Performance Index, which is Georgia’s current rating system for school performance.
The Governor would have the authority to appoint a Superintendent of the Opportunity School District, subject to the Senate’s confirmation. Four intervention models are outlined in the legislation, allowing the district to directly manage the schools, close them, partner with local school districts to run them or convert them into charter schools.
Medical Cannabis: The House also voted March 25 to give final approval to a Senate-amended version of legislation that would authorize the use of cannabis oil to treat certain medical conditions in Georgia. Senate changes to HB 1, known as the Haleigh’s Hope Act, included the addition of clinical trials of medical cannabis within the University System of Georgia.
The legislation, which now awaits the signature of Gov. Deal to become law, would legalize the use of cannabis oil consisting of no more than 5 percent THC would be authorized for the treatment of cancer, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), seizure disorders related to epilepsy or head trauma, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, mitochondrial disease, Parkinson’s disease and sickle cell disease.
Gov. Deal has already signed an executive order notifying state agencies to prepare for the law to take effect when he signs the legislation shortly after the end of the session.
Diploma Barrier Removed: On March 30, legislation that would retroactively provide former students who did not pass the Georgia High School Graduation Test with the opportunity earn a high school diploma was signed into law by Gov. Deal. The graduation test was phased out three years ago, but it remains a barrier for some students who attended high school when graduation was partly contingent on passing the exam.
HB 91 will allow students who had failed the test but met all other graduation requirements to petition their local school board to obtain a diploma from their high school. The legislation was approved overwhelmingly by the House and Senate.
Other House Action: Senate legislation receiving House approval includes:
- An amended version of SB 2, which would provide for the awarding of a high school diploma to a student who completes specified postsecondary coursework.
- SB 62, which would remove certain limitations on the jurisdiction of the probate courts over game and fish code misdemeanor violations.
- An amended version of SB 72, which would provide a measure of equivalency in the punishment of crimes committed against police dogs in the performance of their official duties.
- An amended version of SB 88, which would authorize the payment of employee wages by credit to a payroll card.
- An amended version of SB 94, which would require a procedure for enhancing witness identification accuracy.
- An amended version of SB 101, which would re-establish a 25-foot buffer zone to protect coastal Georgia’s saltwater marshes. The Senate has agreed to the House changes, sending the bill to the Governor.
- SB 112, which would prohibit the removal or transport of game animal or game bird carcasses, except in compliance with applicable harvest recording and report laws and Board of Natural Resources regulations.
- An amended version of SB 134, which would require all speeding fine amounts to be calculated to determine whether a law enforcement agency is using speed detection devices to raise revenue.
Casino Gambling: Legislation was introduced last week that would legalize casino gambling in Georgia, with proceeds to be used for educational programs and purposes, specifically to ensure the financial stability of the HOPE Scholarship. The General Assembly will not consider HR 807, the proposed constitutional amendment that would be required, or HB 677, the enabling legislation to authorize a limited number of casino resorts in the state, until the 2016 legislative session.
Please feel free to contact me with your thoughts on pending issues, or whenever I can be of service. My legislative office is located in 613 Coverdell Legislative Office Building, Atlanta, GA 30334; phone 404-463-3793 or email [email protected]. For more information, visit www.alanpowell.net.