|
Just Three Days Remain for the 2013 Legislative Session
Time is running out for legislation to pass as part of the 2013 legislative session. Just three days remain for legislators to get bills passed before the 40-day session comes to a close. Day 38 is scheduled for Monday, March 25, Day 39 is scheduled for Tuesday, March 26 and Day 40 is scheduled for Thursday, March 28. Legislators are expected to have three long days as they try to move their bills through the Rules Committees and get them to the House and Senate floors for consideration.
This week, legislators passed the Juvenile Justice reform legislation that ACCG has highlighted in previous legislative updates. ACCG will provide a detailed overview of this legislation following the close of the legislative session. In addition, the FY 2014 state budget was passed on the Senate floor and will head to a conference committee over the weekend to work out the differences between the House and Senate versions.
Expect legislators to push to the end on several key issues including gun control and ethics. This is also the time when harmless legislation can be completely stripped and replaced with language that could cause major concerns. Please monitor your email closely next week and watch for any action alerts from ACCG on bills that may need your quick input.
Gun Legislation Continues to Allow Guns in Government Buildings without Security
The language of HB 512 was substituted into SB 101, which has now become the major gun legislation for the session. It has myriad components, but important to counties is that the prohibition of allowing guns in courthouses will remain in place. However, guns would now be allowed in government buildings where ingress and egress is not restricted or screened by security personnel during business hours. ACCG opposes this provision, believing that this decision is best made by county governments.
Illegal Immigration Legislation to Address Streamlining Compliance Makes Progress
The two illegal immigration reform bills that ACCG has been working on have progressed this week. The Senate Judiciary Non-Civil Committee passed HB 125, but replaced the language with what was contained in SB 160. In return, the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee passed SB 160, but replaced the language with what was originally contained in HB 125. While all this is likely to get straightened out in a conference committee, both bills contain ACCG’s policy priorities of helping streamline compliance with the State’s illegal immigration reform mandates. Please see the bill summaries for a full update.
Get More of "The County Scoop"
Be sure to watch the County Scoop videos which provide additional details about legislation that is working its way thought the Capitol. To view the videos, click on the arrows in the boxes above. For a link to all of this week's videos, click here.
|