UPDATE: 12:41 P.M. The House has approved legislation added stiff new penalties to so-called superspeeders and promising the money for improved trauma care.

House Bill 160, one of Gov. Sonny Perdue’s key agenda items, was approved by a vote of 113-53.

The bill would add a $200 fine to those who get busted for doing 85 mph or above on highways and interstates and 75 mph on two-lane roads.

Rep. Jim Cole (R-Forsyth), one of Perdue’s floor leaders, told his colleagues the bill would raise about $23 million that the governor wants to spend on improved trauma care in the state.

Of that $23 million, $7 million would come from the higher fines and another $16 million from higher reinstatement fees for people who get their license suspended.

The outcome of this bill was in doubt. Cole got several unfriendly questions and Rep. Doug Collins (R-Gainesville), questioned the need for the bill before proposing an amendment that was would allow Georgia Highway Patrol troopers to run radar in unmarked cars during daylight hours.

Collins said that would do more to stop speeders than the threat of higher fines.

House Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram) urged colleagues to back the bill. It was just the second time this session the big man visited the well to address the House on a bill.

“These aren’t people who care about the law,” Richardson said, referring to people who have had their licenses suspended and would have to pay the higher fee to get the privilege back.

Moments later, Richardson ruled Collins’ amendment to be non-germane, meaning the amendment is not related enough to the bill.

And a motion to table the bill failed as well.

HB 160 now goes to the Senate.

View this blog post from the March 9, 2009 Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Gold Dome Live.