Monday was Day 27 of the legislative session and it was a busy one. Perhaps finally learning their lesson about waiting until the last minute to pass a horde of legislation, the last couple days leading up to Crossover Day on Wednesday have been long ones. Crossover Day will still almost assuredly last into the evening, but this year there may be a little less on the plate to chew on.
In the meantime, a rundown of what passed on Monday (besides the big Delta kerfuffle):
· HB 760: Sponsored by Rep. Eddie Lumsden (R- 12 Armuchee), the bill would require insurance companies to give advance notification of a reduction in coverage. It passed unanimously.
· HB 761: Allows for the electronic filing (timely) of certificates of title by car dealerships, passed 160-5.
· HB 392: Updates the Move on When Ready Act and allows students to take dual credit courses at eligible postsecondary institutions. It provides funding for up to five nonstandard terms per academic year. It also passed unanimously.
· HB 906: Closes records on foster parents or formers foster parents, that reveal personal information or the identification of immediate family members and dependants, passed unanimously.
· HB 886: Sponsored by Rep. Sam Watson (R- 172 Moultrie), 886 provides for the cooperation of the Department of Revenue and the Department of Agriculture regarding the use tax exeption for agricultural machinery and equipment. Passed almost unanimously, 165-3.
· HB 721: Changes the criteria by which the Department of Driver Services shall authorize licensed driver training schools to administer the on-the-road driving skills test, passed 105-57.
· HB 703: Creates the Governor’s Office of Public Safety Support which would provide counseling services or critical incident support services to all requesting public safety officers for incidents that include death or other tragedies, passed unanimously.
· SB 409: Passed with a vote of 46-0, it would make it illegal to cross a railroad crossing if there is any on-track equipment approaching the crossing.
· SB 446: Just in case you were thinking about leaving your car unattended on a public street, be aware the law may come snooping around after five days. You’ve also got 30 days if it is left at an automobile dealer, repairman or wreck service.
· SB 395: Passed unanimously , it creates the 18 member Georgia Joint Defense Commission. The JDC would bring together leaders from all levels and regional representatives from Georgia’s military institutions. The JDC would aim to connect federal and state officials and the affected communities to “better enhance” Georgia’s overall military footprint.
· SB 452: Passed along party lines, this bill would require all the information collected in a case involving an illegal alien to be sent to the prosecuting attorney. Additionally, an amendment to SB 452 would extend immunity under certain circumstances to employing governmental entities and would also require probation providers to notify U.S. Immigration services of the release of certain persons probation.
More to come Wednesday.
