[February 04, 2013] | Your legislature is in full swing now. During the last week the members of the Legislature have been getting settled with their new Office and Committee Assignments. We have been having organizational meetings of our committees, which traditionally include an introduction of members, the chairman?s goals and a vote on committee rules. I have been appointed to the Education Appropriations Committee, which I really wanted to be a member of. How we spend our money in the budget has been an area I have spent a lot of time learning about in the past two years.
Back in the House Chambers, bills and resolutions created by house members are being read and assigned to the appropriate committee as determined by the Speaker. Once assigned to a committee, it is the responsibility of the author of the legislation to meet with the Committee Chair to request a hearing. That?s when the real work begins. Each committee and its members carefully listen to each bill and evaluate it and may make amendments to improve it. Some bills are voted out of the committee to move forward and some are not. You had better be prepared when you present a bill to a committee if you want it to succeed.
I am also on three other committees that have great importance to our region. I am the only member from North Georgia on the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs committee. This is a busy committee that has great impact on the State?s largest business. I am also on the Health & Human services and on the committee on Human Relations and Aging. Each of these committees mirror what is important to the region. We can also attend other meetings as we have time, too, and learn and find out more about the business of our State.
During the past two weeks we have had many groups and individuals come to the Capitol. This past Monday the Youth Leadership group from Pickens County spent some time with us. It was fun to see these great kids and their leaders and to get to know them. Thanks to Amberle Godfrey for organizing this event. Those students in Nursing school filled the Capitol one day. I met with students from Pickens, Gilmer, Gordon, Murray, and Cherokee counties and listened to their excitement about their schools and futures in their field. We honored our Georgia National Guard members and our fellow legislator, a real hero, Mr. John Yates who is a WWII veteran. Our Librarians were in town to visit with us and brought Varsity hot dogs. One afternoon the members of our local conveniences stores and Grocery stores met with us. In a bipartisan moment I clapped for the GA Tech folks as we recognized that great university. The Tech team Chaplain Derrick Moore was the Pastor of the day. He brought a great message.
On Thursday, Jan. 31, we had two measures on the Debate Calendar come before us for a vote. First was HB 55 by Rep. Rich Golick, which passed 164-1. The purpose of this bill is to allow superior court judges jurisdiction over a particular crime under investigation to issue a warrant with statewide application. Next came HB 57 by Rep. Matt Ramsey. This will expand the list of substances that are considered illegal by the state of Georgia to include the most recently developed components of synthetic marijuana. It passed 167-1.
Any of the bills we look at are easily looked up on the web by going to www.legis.ga.gov and in the top left corner you will see a HB and a blank besides it. Put your bill number in, hit enter and it will take you right to it.
Please don't hesitate to call my House office 404/ 656-0188 if you have any questions about bills that may be entered or debated. I will be glad to talk with you.
Thank you for choosing me to represent you in Atlanta at the State Capitol.