This Week in the Senate March 8 - 11 , 2021 Nine Days Remaining Crossover Day has officially come and gone and the Sen- Georgia Senate ate is already hard at work considering the many bills that were passed over from the House. Crossover Day, Press Office Staff like in most other years, had us debating and passing leg- Andrew Allison islation well into the evening. When the gavel finally fell Director and signaled the end of our legislative day, the Senate had considered and passed more than 30 bills and resolutions. Kessarin Horvath Our work did not end on Monday, however, as we con- Communications Specialist tinued to advance proposals, both in the Senate Chamber and in our committees, for the benefit of Georgia and all Kami Briden who live here. Senior Communications Associate One of the main areas addressed by legislation on Mon- Cameren Rogers day was also one of the Senate’s key priorities: elections reform. Our goal this year was to 2021 Communications Aide enact meaningful changes as they relate to elections and voting in order to restore confi- dence in the elections process. Several of these measures were already passed and sent to Maia Schulte the House prior to this week, but many took longer to vet through the committee process 2021 Communications Aide in order to ensure that they effectively address the concerns of Georgia voters. The bills we took up on Crossover Day would further address ballot security, increase efficiency in the Sascha Stryker tabulation process so results are received in a more expedited manner, and clear up confu- 2021 Communications Aide sion over who can send out absentee ballots or ballot request forms. These bills still have a long way to go before becoming law, but are greatly needed in order for Georgians to trust the voting process again. We also passed several measures in support of our military veterans and our public safety community. Senate Bills 225 and 237 would allow for the creation of license plates that Edited by: recognize those who served alongside the United States as part of an allied country, and Steve Tippins, Chief of Staff our United States Army Rangers, respectively. While these military veterans deserve much Senate President Pro Tempore Office more, these license plates will serve as a reminder to all who see them of the sacrifices made [email protected] by our men and women in uniform. The Senate also passed House Bill 129, which would 321 State Capitol Building raise the salaries of sheriffs in several counties throughout the state. These sheriffs were left 404.656.6578 out of a raise that was intended to increase the pay of all sheriffs and this bill is needed 201 Coverdell Legislative Office Building urgently to ensure all sheriffs in Georgia are compensated fairly for their service. 18 Capitol Square S.W. Atlanta, GA 30303 This week also marked the beginning of Senate Appropriations Subcommittee meetings p: 404.656.0028 on the general budget for the 2022 fiscal year. The version of this budget that was sent over to the Senate, in the form of House Bill 81, totals $27 billion in state funds and represents the growing strength of our economy as we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. These meetings provided members with insight into how each state agency has weathered the impact of lower than expected revenues in the previous budget and how they intend to utilize additional funds given our enhanced economic position. We expect FOLLOW US the Senate to take up this vital piece of legislation in the upcoming days. fb.com/GeorgiaStateSenate With Crossover Day firmly behind us, our sights are now set on Sine Die. We have only nine legislative days remaining in order to finish the people’s business under the Gold Dome and many issues still to take up. Namely, passing the 2022 fiscal year budget will be out next primary goal, as it remains our only remaining constitutionally required mandate. @gasenatepress If you have any questions about any of the bills we passed on Crossover Day or about any bills sent over to the Senate, please do not hesitate to contact my office. @gasenatepress Senator Butch Miller GeorgiaStateSenate President Pro Tempore, Georgia Senate MONDAY, MARCH 8 (Crossover Day) The Jaye Mia Sanford Law Sen. Emanuel Jones (D – Decatur) sponsored Senate Bill 10, which would revise the penalties for drag racing so that anyone who pro- motes, advertises or knowingly attends and wagers on a race will be charged with a misdemeanor. The bill would add four points to the driver’s licenses of those caught laying drag on the first offense, six on the second offense and eight on the third offense. SB 10 passed with a vote of 49 to 2. – SB 10 Revising Absentee Ballot Design Senate Bill 62, sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Tippins (R – Marietta), would alter the way that absentee ballots are printed and present- ed to voters. The bill would require absentee ballots to display the name and designation of the voter’s precinct, as well as have the ballots contain embedded special elements for poll workers to be able to identify the ballot as legitimate. SB 62 also revises the storage and chain of custody for absentee ballots. SB 62 passed with a vote of 37 to 15. – SB 62 Keeping Voter Registration Records Updated Sen. Jeff Mullis (R – Chickamauga) sponsored Senate Bill 72, which would clarify the process for identifying voters who have passed away and purging their names from voter registration records. The bill would require county registrars to request updated death records from the county coroner, probate court judge and all county funeral homes monthly to ensure that voter registration is up to date. SB 72 passed with a vote of 48 to 5. – SB 72 Allowing Poll Watchers To Observe Ballot Counting Senate Bill 74, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Mullis (R – Chickamau- ga),would allow poll watchers to have access to election tabulating centers, as long as there is no interference by the watchers. Current law only allows poll watchers to serve in certain areas of polling plac- es, not including where ballots are counted. SB 74 passed with a vote of 36 to 18. – SB 74 Establishing the Georgia Commission on African American History and Culture Senate Bill 90, sponsored by Sen. Lester Jackson (D – Savannah), would create a Georgia Commission on African American History and Culture to be in charge of preserving, collecting and promoting Georgia’s African American Heritage through education. The commission would meet on a quarterly basis and would submit a report advising on the establishment and funding of a Museum of Georgia African American History and Culture. SB 90 passed with a vote of 54 to 0. – SB 90 Creating Differential Waivers for Out-of-State Tuition Sen. Lester Jackson (D – Savannah) sponsored Senate Bill 97, which would allow certain institutions within the Uni- versity System of Georgia to award out-of-state tuition differential waivers and to assess in-state tuition to students who do not qualify for in-state tuition. The bill would also specify that three historically black colleges and universities, Albany State University, Fort Valley State University and Savannah State University, may award these waivers to up to 4% of full-time students. SB 97 passed with a vote of 52 to 1. – SB 97 Reviewing Georgia’s Transportation Code Senate Bill 98, sponsored by Sen. Brandon Beach (R – Alpharetta), would make many revisions to the Georgia Transportation Code with the goal of improving the state’s infrastructure. Such revisions include expansion of the Georgia Freight Railroad Program and requiring the Georgia Department of Transportation to make a re- port to the State Transportation Board about ways the state can enhance mobility or promote economic development. SB 98 passed with a vote of 53 to 1. – SB 98 Providing Wraparound Services to Schoolchildren Sen. Gail Davenport (D – Jonesboro) sponsored Senate Bill 106, which would provide “wraparound services” to students in pre- school through third grade prior to out-of-school suspension for more than five cumulative days during a school year. Such services could include family support services, referrals to state social services, behavioral screenings and resource lists for parents about child development and school selection processes. SB 106 passed with a vote of 47 to 5. – SB 106 Creating an Office of Solicitor-General Emeritus Sen. Lindsey Tippins (R – Marietta) sponsored Senate Bill 120, which would create an honorary office of -so licitor-general emeritus for the state of Georgia. Any solicitor-general of Georgia who retires under honorable condition after serving as a state prosecutor for at least 20 years will automatically qualify and may apply to the Secretary of State for a special certificate. SB 120 passed with a vote of 54 to 0. – SB 120 Revising Areas of Operations for City Housing Authorities Senate Bill 144, sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Tippins (R – Marietta), would limit the area of operations for city housing authorities. Cur- rently, the areas of operation include the housing authority’s city and a ten mile radius surrounding the city. SB 144 would change the areas of operation to only include the city limits, but allows any current projects outside of these limits to be completed. SB 144 passed with a vote of 36 to 13. – SB 144 Creating a Chief Labor Officer Role Sen. Marty Harbin (R – Tyrone) sponsored Senate Bill 156, which would create a role of Chief Labor Officer for the Georgia Depart- ment of Labor. The Chief Labor Officer would oversee unemployment compensation, provide records to the public and provide reports concerning financial audits to the Department of Labor.