Busy Week
It was another busy week under the Gold Dome in Atlanta as the Georgia General Assembly completed legislative days 17-20. The pace of session has picked up drastically as we continue to do the people’s business and quickly approach the last, and 40th, legislative day on March 24.
In addition to passing common sense, conservative legislation and recognizing upstanding Georgians, committee meetings are meeting daily. I take pride in working with my colleagues to properly vet each bill during the committee process.
This week, February 9 was declared as University of Georgia Day at the State Capitol. As a graduate of UGA, it was an honor to stand with my fellow legislators as we celebrated this outstanding university and its many accomplishments. This is truly one of my favorite days at the State Capitol!
On Wednesday, the Senate unanimously passed House Bill 750, the Amended Fiscal Year (FY)16 Budget. As part of our state’s commitment to responsible budgeting and annual constitutional requirement to pass a balanced budget, the General Assembly revisits the budget for the current fiscal year before moving on to the next fiscal year. HB 750 increases the AFY 2016 budget by $1.16 billion, bringing the total funding amount to $22.99 billion.
Most of this funding increase is a result of the new proceeds from the passage of HB 170, the Transportation Funding Act of 2015. Since the Senate proposed adjustments to certain line items, HB 750 will now go back to the House for their review and approval.
On Wednesday, the Senate Education and Youth Committee unanimously passed Senate Bill 309. I sponsored SB 309 to allow student athletes to express their personal religious beliefs during sporting events. SB 309 also enables high schools, who receive state funding, to participate in athletic competitions with schools outside of their designated conference.
This important legislation allows student athletes to express their personal religious beliefs as long as the expression does not affect the safety of other participants or the conduct of the athletic event.
It also allows schools to organize sporting events with nonmember schools if both administrators agree in writing to participate in the event. Each school requesting to participate in the event must be in compliance with physical exams and management of concussions. All athletic events are limited to high school student athletes only. I’m grateful the committee was able to work together to pass this important legislation because it is the right thing to do. Allowing student athletes to compete with athletes outside of their conference will have a long-lasting and positive effect on them and their athletic careers.
Next week the legislature will be working diligently since we are fast approaching day 30. Also known as Crossover, Day 30 is the final opportunity for each chamber to vote on their respective bills and to decide whether it will pass and move to the other chamber to potentially become Georgia law. Please continue to stay in touch with me as we work through the legislative session.