Columbus, Georgia

Legislative Update

Week 2

Days 6-9

Columbus Community Services

Overview

This week began the implementation of HR 944, which set the legislative session

schedule. This week, legislators met in session Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and

Friday. Wednesday served as a committee meeting day.



During the week, standing committees began meeting and assigning specific

legislation to subcommittees. We anticipate much more floor action beginning

next week. In addition, Appropriations subcommittees met to hear more about

specific agency requests in the FY04 and FY05 budget.



On the tort reform front, Monday, after a few stirring parliamentary maneuvers,

the Senate assigned two related pieces of legislation to the Judiciary

Committee. Legislators and advocates in the healthcare industry, who were

pushing for tort reform, deemed this a loss. They had hoped that the bills

would be assigned to the Senate Insurance committee where it might find more

support. Not to be dissuaded, Thursday, doctors held a rally to continue to

try to garner support and attention for their cause.



The General Assembly will reconvene for the 10th Legislative Day on Monday at 1

pm. On Tuesday, the 11th day, both House and Senate Rules Committees will begin

meeting daily to set their respective Calendars. The Legislature will again

recess on Wednesday for Committee Meetings.



Legislation of Interest

Attached, please find a tracking sheet illustrating all legislation of

interest.



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

bills on your tracking sheet.