Author: calendar

Your Georgia Desk

From Senator Jeff Mullis

Sen. Jeff Mullis: Update from the Gold Dome

More bills are making their way out of committees and onto the Senate floor as we approach the halfway point of the legislative session. The Senate continues its work to pass sound policies that ensure a better future for the people who our great state “home.”

In 2014, the Georgia General Assembly passed SB 65, a measure allowing licensed professional counselors (LPCs) to perform emergency examinations on individuals who are mentally ill or drug or alcohol dependent. These examinations are used to determine whether an individual requires involuntary treatment. Previously, the only people able to authorize these emergency examinations were medical doctors and psychologists. This bill included a sunset clause repealing the act in its entirety if is not extended through legislative action by March 15, 2015.

Last week, the Georgia Senate passed SB 53 to extend the sunset clause to June 30, 2018.  This extension will allow the state to collect enough data to determine if it is beneficial for LPCs to continue conducting these examinations. SB 53 now goes to the House for consideration.

The Senate also approved several bills focused on protecting family structure and the safety of children last week. Senate Bill 3, the “Supporting and Strengthening Families Act,” will allow parents to temporarily transfer custodial oversight to another adult during times when extenuating circumstances impact the ability to properly care for a child. Companion bills SB 8 and SR 7 aim to bring more severe punishments to those who capitalize on the innocence of a child and establishes a fund that provides support services to these victims.

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Your Georgia Desk

From Secretary of State Brian Kemp 

Secretary Kemp Alerts Georgia Corporations About Solicitations

Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp is alerting corporations today that his office has received recent complaints about solicitations sent from a firm called “Georgia Council for Corporations.” The firm offers to complete corporate meeting minutes on behalf of Georgia corporations for a fee of $125. Georgia corporations are not required by law to file corporate minutes with the Secretary of State’s Corporations Division.

Secretary Kemp said, “Georgia’s corporations should be cautious regarding any suspicious solicitation, and practice their due diligence to prevent corporate fraud and identity theft.”

Although the solicitation from the Georgia Council for Corporations contains language from various Georgia Code sections and a disclaimer stating, “Georgia Council for Corporations is not a government agency and does not have or contract with any government agency to provide this service.  This does not fulfill the Georgia annual report filing requirement,” some corporate officers have been understandably confused by the official-looking documents. It is important to remember that any official statement or request from the Secretary of State will clearly indicate its origin by displaying the State Seal and the name of Secretary of State Brian Kemp.

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Your Washington – GA 3 – Desk

From Congressman Lynn Westmoreland

80,000 ‘Lost’ Lerner Emails Recovered By IRS Watchdog

Last week some 80,000 emails to and from former IRS executive Lois Lerner were recovered by the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) watchdog agency, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. Both the former IRS Exempt Organizations Division Director Lois Lerner and current IRS Commissioner John Koskien have testified before Congress that these emails were “permanently lost” and they went to “great lengths” to recover them. The newfound emails that were previously said to be “destroyed” raise serious questions and concerns about the truthfulness of the IRS throughout the investigation. Below is Congressman Westmoreland’s statement.

“It’s time for the administration to come clean,” stated Westmoreland. “It is very obvious the IRS is attempting to cover something up. Their definition of ‘great lengths’ must be vastly different than mine, and fits in the pattern of the administration’s constant inability to produce documents to Congress. The American people deserve to know the truth about this targeting scandal and I hope that these 80,000 emails will provide answers to two year old questions.

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Your Georgia Desk

From The Senate Press Office and Senator Michael Williams 

Senate in a Minute: Day 16

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Your Georgia Desk

From Governor Nathan Deal

Deal: Comcast to create 300 jobs in Fulton, Gwinnett counties

Gov. Nathan Deal announced today that Comcast will expand its business in greater Atlanta, creating 300 new jobs in Fulton and Gwinnett counties and relocating to a new, more modern regional headquarters in Peachtree Corners as part of the company’s overall effort to enhance the customer experience.

“With approximately 4,000 employees in Georgia, Comcast has long been a strong corporate partner of our state,” said Deal. “Not only has the company created high-quality jobs, but Comcast has also continued to invest in technology infrastructure statewide. With our competitive business climate that includes a solid logistics infrastructure and some of the best and brightest minds in technology, I have no doubt that Comcast will continue to flourish in Georgia.”

Comcast has selected Peachtree Corners in Gwinnett County for the location of its new regional headquarters, which will house the company’s existing 532 full-time local employees. The new 88,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility will feature four floors, a high-tech demonstration lab and a Comcast University space for employee training and continuing education. The company will add 150 positions at its new headquarters and 150 additional employees to its existing facility in Alpharetta on North Point Parkway.

“By bringing 300 new jobs to Atlanta, Comcast continues to support Georgia’s economic development by building a strong, highly skilled workforce, deploying innovative products and services, and investing in the most advanced broadband network in the state,” said Comcast Regional SVP Doug Guthrie. “Our new regional headquarters in Peachtree Corners puts us in a larger, more contemporary environment, allowing us to better meet the needs of our customers across our service area. I want to thank Governor Deal, Economic Development Commissioner Chris Carr, Fulton Chairman John Eaves, Gwinnett Chairman Charlotte Nash, our partners from the state, and those from Fulton and Gwinnett counties for their terrific support.”

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Your Washington – GA 1 – Desk

From Congressman Buddy Carter

Carter Statement on Federal Judge’s Ruling to Halt President’s Overreach on Immigration

Congressman Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (GA-01) released the following statement after United States District Judge Andrew Hanen granted a preliminary injunction to block President Obama’s executive overreach on immigration. The decision allows a lawsuit from twenty-six states, including Georgia, aimed at permanently stopping the executive orders to move through the courts.

“This is a welcome announcement as the President himself said he did not have the authority to move forward with his executive orders. This is yet another warning to the President that he will not get away with his blatant overreach on amnesty and I look forward to watching this case as it progresses.

“House Republicans have already acted to stand up to the President and restore the balance of powers.

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Your Washington Desk

From Senator Johnny Isakson

Isakson Statement on Federal District Court Issuing Temporary Stay of Obama Immigration Executive Order

‘Time to act on Homeland Security funding’

U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today issued the following statement after a federal district court in Texas issued a temporary stay of President Obama’s executive order on immigration:

“The Senate has voted multiple times on the House-passed Homeland Security appropriations bill that would hold the president accountable for his unconstitutional executive amnesty. The U.S. District Court in Texas has now affirmed that the president’s executive action on immigration may be illegal. It’s time to act on the Homeland Security funding bill and to stop this executive overreach.”

The legal challenge against President Obama’s executive overreach was brought by 26 states, including Georgia.

Funding for the Department of Homeland Security is set to expire on Feb. 27, 2015. The Senate voted on whether to begin debate on a U.S. House of Representatives-passed Homeland Security appropriations bill on Feb. 2, Feb. 3, and Feb. 4, 2015. The motion needed 60 votes to pass, but failed each time because of Democratic opposition.

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Your Georgia Desk

From Senator Gloria Butler

Sen. Gloria Butler Elected Chairwoman of DeKalb County Senate Delegation

Sen. Gloria Butler (D-Stone Mountain) has been elected Chairwoman of the DeKalb County Senate Delegation. The DeKalb Delegation will play an integral role in the decision-making process when determining what local legislation goes forward for a vote in the Senate Chamber.

“I look forward to working in collaboration with the members of the Senate Delegation as well as members of the House delegation,” said Sen. Butler. “The constituents of DeKalb County are the inspiration behind every decision I make and they remain my top priority. It is an honor to have their support and I am very blessed to represent them in this position.”

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Your Georgia Desk

From Senator Jesse Stone

Week Four Updates From the Capitol

Another eventful week has passed at the Georgia State Capitol, and the Senate has been hard at work passing meaningful legislation that will continue to improve our state. This week, my colleagues and I spent much time discussing, and then passing five very important bills that will help create a better life for Georgia’s children and families and encourage critical economic development. After a busy fourth week, I know that week five promises to be another productive one for the Georgia State Senate.

The passing of Senate Bill 8, or Safe Harbor/Rachel’s Law, was a big step toward ending child sex trafficking in Georgia. SB 8 establishes the Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Children Fund and Commission, which will offer medical treatment, counseling and other assistance programs to victims of child sex trafficking. This legislation will extend the statute of limitations for actions relating to childhood sexual abuse, provide state regulation of certain adult entertainment businesses and will require anyone found guilty of sexually exploiting a child to be registered in the State Sexual Offender Registry. As chairman of the Judiciary Non-Civil Committee, I heard Rachel, the inspiration behind Rachel’s Law, address the committee and express the importance of SB 8.

On Monday, Feb. 9, the Senate passed SB 53, which would allow licensed professional counselors to perform certain emergency examinations of individuals who are mentally ill, or alcohol or drug dependent. I see this bill as an opportunity to diagnose and aid these patients as early as possible to protect them and the public.

SB 3, the Supporting and Strengthening Families Act, was passed by the Senate on Tuesday. It provides that parents may delegate power of attorney and authority regarding the care and of a minor child to another adult for up to one year.

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Your Georgia Desk

From Senator Ed Harbison

Bill Allowing Military Experience to Count for Technical College Academic Credit Gains Senate Approval

Sen. Ed Harbison (D – Columbus) sponsored Senate Bill 18, a bill that allows the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) to accept prior work experience and skills learned through the Military for academic credit. SB 18 passed the Georgia Senate today by a vote of 53-0. SB 18 ensures that members of Georgia’s military have the opportunity to apply the knowledge gained through their service to their academic careers.

“Georgia must provide every opportunity for the men and women who serve in our military to advance their academic careers,” said Sen. Harbison. “Georgia’s military members have received world class training and education in their respective fields. These men and women who have made immense sacrifices for our country deserve to be given the opportunity to put these valuable skills to use in our workforce. Allowing Technical Colleges to grant academic credit for knowledge gained through military service gives deserving veterans in Georgia an additional pathway to a successful future.”

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