Speaker presents reduced version of tax plan
By REP. CHARLES JENKINS

Charles Jenkins

Lawmakers reconvened on Monday, February 11th for the 15th legislative day of the 2008 session. The General Assembly was in recess Friday February 15th and Monday, February 18th and will reconvene on Tuesday, February 19th for the 19th legislative day.

House Speaker Glenn Richardson unveiled the long-awaited update to his GREAT (Georgia's Repeal of Every Ad Valorem Tax) plan, which received considerable publicity last fall, on Feb. 14. In testimony before the House Ways & Means Committee, the speaker acknowledged HR 1246 is a scaled-down version of his original idea.

The new and reduced proposal is a constitutional amendment that would eliminate ad valorem taxes on auto license tags and provide relief from school property taxes through a state grant equal to the amount of a home owner's taxes.

That part of the proposal sounds appealing, but the lost revenue would be

replaced by a new sales tax on lottery tickets and groceries, which are now exempt, plus numerous consumer services not presently taxed.

Whether HR 1246 is a truly "GREAT" plan will require further scrutiny by House members during the second half of this legislative session.

On Feb. 13, the House Government Affairs Committee favorably reported legislation that would impose a $10 per tag surcharge on all motor vehicle license plates to provide funds for the Georgia Trauma Trust Fund. HB 1158 is intended to generate revenues to support Georgia's trauma care network.

Keeping a check on Lottery Corporation Employees - Because of reports over the interim of excessive bonuses being paid to employees of the Georgia Lottery Corporation, the House took action and passed HB 919 on Tuesday by a vote of 119-32. The legislation expands the oversight of the Board of Directors of the Georgia Lottery Corporation. It increases the number of board members from 7 to 9 and the Speaker, Lt. Governor and Governor would have three appointments each. All appointments are now in the hands of the Governor. Some other provisions give the board the ability to approve, disapprove or veto any bonuses for employees recommended by the CEO and a detailed report on lottery employees salaries must be provided to the Legislative Oversight Committee.

The Chief Justice of Georgia's Supreme Court Leah Ward Sears came before a joint session of the House and the Senate to give the annual State of the Judiciary Speech on Wednesday. Along with lawmakers, joining her in the House chamber were over 200 judges from throughout the state and the Justices of Georgia's Court of Appeals. She thanked members of the House and Senate and Governor Perdue for everything they do to help the Judiciary and reported that the Georgia's Justice System is "sound, solid and strong." Before concluding, she noted that judges have not received a pay raise since 1999. She went on to ask lawmakers to remember them when the judicial pay raise legislation comes up.

In 2007, House members approved HB 119, and the measure is now under consideration in the Senate. The bill would provide a pay raise for Georgia's Superior Court and Court of Appeals judges and Supreme Court justices.

Also Feb. 13, House members approved HB 1041, by a vote of 155 to 1, which would require all nursing applicants to undergo a criminal background check by the Georgia Crime Information Center and the FBI. This legislation is intended to ensure that applicants meet nursing board standards.

HB 1027, which allows the Department of Driver Services to approve six hour defensive driving courses to be taken online was passed by the House. Under the bill, online classes could be used to lower points on one's driver's license but would not be applicable for driving under the influence offenses. Once classes are complete, then the student could get their license reinstated. Securing the online courses would be up to the Department of Driver Services and students would electronically sign and affidavit at the beginning of the course affirming their identity. Concerns were raised over the potential of fraud because there is no way to guarantee who is taking the test, and this is an easy way out for offenders. Offenders could avoid in-person driving courses where there is valuable teacher-pupil interaction. Others say that in the states that allow online courses completion rates have gone up and there would be less fraud and a more rigid test taken online. Technology rules the day supporters claimed and that the state already successfully allows all kinds of licensing courses online. HB 1027 passed in the House 103 to 56.

HB 494, which is legislation that sets up two new levels of cosmetology along with their requirements and certification. It allows persons desiring to perform advanced cosmetic skin care services or waxing services to obtain a certificate of registration at the master esthetics level or the wax technician level after completing the required number of hours of training. HB 494 passed in the House 136 to 18.

HB 953, which creates the War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, passed in the House by a vote of 141 to 7. The commission would be federally funded and charged with promoting and coordinating events about the War of 1812. They are required to meet at least three times annually between 2008 and 2011, and at least two times annually between 2012 and 2015.

HB 1105, passed in the House by a vote 151 to 9. Under this bill, annually between October 1 and March 1, prior to discharging any inpatient who is 65 years of age or older, a hospital shall offer the inpatient vaccinations for the influenza virus and the pneumococcal disease. Certain rules and regulations must be adhered to.

Rep. Charles Jenkins (DBlairsville) represents the 8th District (Rabun, Towns, Union and White counties) in the Georgia House of Representatives. Contact him at 411 Coverdell Office Building, Atlanta, GA 30334; by phone at 404-656-0126 or by e-mail at charles.jenkins@house.ga.gov.