Columbus, Georgia

2004 Legislative Session

Week 1

Days 1-5

columbus consolidated Government



Overview

The second session of the 147th General Assembly began on Monday, January 12,

2004 with the usual pomp and circumstance. Members passed a Resolution

setting a schedule through the eighteenth day, February 16, 2004. The schedule

set Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays as ?in session? days and allows

an adjournment on Wednesdays for Committee work.



On Tuesday morning, the annual Eggs and Issues breakfast, sponsored by the

Georgia Chamber of Commerce, unveiled what are sure to be the critical issues

to be faced this session notably, Civil Justice and HOPE scholarship reform.



On Wednesday, January 14, the third legislative day, Governor Sonny Perdue

presented a combined State of the State and Budget address before a joint

session of the House and Senate. The Governor?s remarks generally surrounded

continued budget cuts. The Governor asked state departments to absorb a total

reduction of more than 7 percent from 2004 spending levels, and more than 12

percent since the beginning of FY 2003. Budget notables include: (1) a $1

billion bond package in the FY 2005 budget to fund economic development and

transportation, (2) a 2% increase in teacher salary, (3) $62 million for school

systems, and (4) $176 million in bonds for school construction and

improvements. Other notables within the Governor?s legislative package

include: (1) tying SAT scores to HOPE scholarships, (2) restructuring of the

Department of Family and Children's Services, (3) a constitutional amendment

which would allow state money to be paid to religious entities for services

rendered to Georgia citizens.



The legislature will be in adjournment all of next week to allow the House and

Senate to hold joint budget hearings on FY2005. The Legislature will reconvene

on Monday January 26th at 10:00 a.m.



Legislation of Interest



Legislation introduced this week included:



? HB 1060--limiting the rates/fees charged by local governments for water

utility services provided to customers outside their jurisdictions; changing

provisions for county utility service contracts.

? HB 1066--changes provisions regarding procedures for sales under tax levies

and executions

? HB 1067--changes definitions related to ad valorem property taxes

? HB 1071--changes provisions regarding issuance of tax executions

? HB 1072--changes definitions regarding taxes on rooms, lodging, and

accommodations

? HB 1119--provides that state agencies, municipal corporations, and political

subdivisions shall be prohibited from using or printing official documents

and forms or from transacting business in languages other than English

? SB 399--provides that any voluntary agency that assists with the resettlement

of refugees must make reports to the county and municipality in which the

agency is located

? SB 402--related to proceedings before a special master and provides for

inverse condemnation proceedings before a special master



We are in the process of building a tracking sheet which will compile all of

the carryover legislation from last year as well as ongoing new legislation.

We will email that out to you early next week.



Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns related to any of the

bills on your tracking sheet.