On Sunday the 10th of next week, legislators, officials, lobbyists, journalists and general hangers-on will gather in downtown Atlanta to eat barbecue, drink sweet tea, reminisce and enjoy the last bit of non-partisan fellowship for at least a few months. The Wild Hog Supper has opened Georgia’s legislative session for 54 straight years and is a major fundraiser for the Georgia Food Bank Association.
The legislature will get into gear the following week but some legislators could not wait and have pre-filed legislation already for consideration.
Representative Keisha Waites (D-Atlanta) was the winner this year for earliest pre-filed bills. She filed two bills related to driving rules and driver education back on November 16th. In an effort to combat a problem of street drag racing in Atlanta, Rep. Waites first pre-filed bill, HB 707, would change the rules of the road to make the offense of racing on highways or streets from a misdemeanor to a felony. HB 708 also relates to driving and would provide education “to ensure teenage drivers are equipped for driving on public roads” and “to require public schools with grades nine through 12 to offer an elective driver education and training course” and the bill would “provide for related matters”, presumably, funding.
Rep. Waites was the winner overall but the Senate winner was Senator Michael “Doc” Rhett (D-33) with SB 250 that would prohibit the purchase of a firearm by any person who is currently involved in a divorce proceeding without the permission of a presiding judge. In a legislature with many gun rights supporters such as Georgia, this bill is sure to spark a debate, if it even gets that far.
Rep. Waites, in addition to driving related and other bills, has also filed gun related legislation. The bill would require the completion of firearms safety training in order to receive a weapons carry license. Considering the subject, expect a lot of attention to be paid to the bill if it makes it out of committee.
Another House member, Rep. Brad Raffensperger (R- Johns Creek), has been busy with his pre-filing. HB 713 would change the rules regarding offenses resulting in the termination of parental rights. HB 719 would require persons running for public office to be a legal resident of Georgia and also be registered to vote. HB 720 is similar to 719 and would require individuals appointed to authorities and boards be United States citizens.
HR 964 could make a lot of news. Raffensperger’s proposed resolution would propose an amendment to the state constitution to allow for the re-creation of a previously existing county which was merged into another county. A quick glance around the state finds approximately one instance where this is an issue – Fulton County. Many voters in northern Fulton County are pushing for the re-creation of the former Milton County in order to break off from Atlanta. There is a lot of tax money at stake regarding this issue and will surely spark a lot of debate. Influential House member Jan Jones is a supporter of Milton County but the bill may have trouble due to just how large is this potentially upset apple-cart.
Other pre-filed bills in the House include a bill to limit fireworks sales from Rep. Waites, another bill from Rep. Raffensperger that would change the Ad Valorem tax and a bill from Representatives Pat Gardner (D- Atlanta) and Mary Margaret Oliver (D- Decatur) that would change the responsibility for redistricting from the legislature to an independent commission.
To read the full text of the bills mentioned here and others, click HERE
