Day 29: Parent Trigger Bill Passes House11882 on 3/5/2013
This was quite the day for tying up some loose ends as well as seeing forty plus bills pass one chamber or the other.  One of those was the education bill that has received the most publicity this session. 
 
The House passed HB 123, the parent trigger bill, 97-74. House Majority Whip and sponsor of the bill Ed Lindsey explained that this bill just puts teeth in the fundamental right to redress, and that's what this is about. Now, there's a new explanation for this one. Who knew a first amendment right under the U.S. Constitution needed Georgia to put teeth into it?
 
There were many questions, particularly on the provisions for the meetings in which a secret ballot would be cast. There were also some complaints that the bill is not strong enough. Rep. Margaret Kaiser amended the bill with a provision that the process could be used in a charter school unless the charter contract prohibited it. The bill goes on to the Senate.
 
Supplemental Budget Passes
Both chambers adopted the conference committee report on the supplemental budget, so it is finished.  Click here to see the document tracking the differences throughout the process-- education starts on page 36.  Here are some of the highlights:
  • The reduction in the sparsity grant was eliminated.
  • The reduction to the school nutrition program was eliminated.
  • Charter system funding was increased to include the new districts.  The  budget language includes a cap on the amount any district would get after the austerity reduction is taken.
Overall, the total in education looked closer to the Senate version than the House.  Although the news is filled with stories of budget cuts due to the federal impasse, this budget still includes the same $11.6 billion in federal funds.
 
We will probably see the House version of the 2014 budget next week.   

Title Tax Fight Settled
The disagreement over the title tax was settled tonight as both chambers adopted the conference committee report on HB 266.  Instead of defining "buy here, pay here" dealers and deciding on the title tax for them in statute, the Department of Revenue will do so.  Sen. Bill Heath challenged this as an abdication of their duty.  After Lt. Governor Casey Cagle ruled it acceptable, Sen. Heath challenged the ruling.  The Senate upheld the Lt. Governor's decision.  A little chamber drama is good for keeping everybody awake.
 
Also Passing 
The Senate passed SB 181, moving Georgia History Month to September, and SB 212, requiring CPR training be a part of the required health and PE class. The American Heart Association, the organization behind the legislation, says it has a 30 minute video that will suffice for this training. Both these bills now go to the House.
 
 
Still On Hold 
The House Governmental Affairs Committee heard HB 436, allowing local legislation to set a residency requiremnt for local offices, and held it in committee.
 
HB 382, relating to joint-use agreements between schools and other entities, was on the House calendar but was sent back to the Judiciary Committee.
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
 
Thursday, March 7th
The General Assembly will convene at 10 AM