Moving the state border
By REP. CHARLES JENKINS
Because of a surveying mistake in 1818 the Georgia-Tennessee border is actually 1.1 miles south of where it should be located which is the 35th parallel. An accurate state border would take into account a portion of the Tennessee River in the North West corner of the state. HR 1206 creates the Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee Boundary Line Commission. The legislation directs the Governor of Georgia to communicate with the governors of North Carolina and Tennessee to have joint surveys and settlements of disputed boundary questions. Three members of the State House of Representatives would be appointed by the Speaker of the House and three members of the State Senate would be appointed by the President of the Senate to serve as members of the Commission. Additionally, the legislation

Charles Jenkins

requires the Commission to report its findings and recommendations to the 2009 General Assembly.

The House Transportation Committee has favorably reported legislation that would establish a statewide, 1 percent sales tax for transportation. HR 1226, if approved by two-thirds of both the House and Senate, would go to the voters for ratification this November.

The proposal addresses a serious revenue shortfall facing transportation projects across the state and is aimed at generating the funds for major steps to relieve traffic congestion in metro Atlanta. If the new sales tax is implemented, the current 7.5 cents-per-gallon motor fuel tax for transportation would be eliminated.

On Feb. 20, the House voted unanimously to require the Department of Transportation Commissioner to submit an annual report on the condition of Georgia's roads and bridges to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the House. The report must also include an analysis of whether the inspections of bridges already performed by the DOT have been adequate. HB 1123 now goes to the Senate for its consideration.

It was encouraging to hear members of the House Republican leadership this week announce plans to begin restoring the more than $1.5 billion in funding cuts to local school systems imposed by the administration the past six years. Even this year, the governor has proposed slashing another $141.5 million, shifting the state's responsibility for education onto the backs of local property taxpayers.

Legislation that passed the House Feb. 19 would combine the Children and Youth Coordinating Council and the Children's Trust Fund Commission into a new Governor's Office of Children and Families.

Some of the duties of the new agency, under HB 1054, would include serving as a statewide clearinghouse for child-related information and research; coordinating with all components of the children's service systems to develop legislative proposals and execute policy proposals related to child abuse injury prevention, treatment and juvenile justice systems; and reviewing and developing an integrated state plan for services provided to children and youth through state programs. The legislation also would create a 15-member advisory panel, appointed by the governor, to monitor the Office of Children and Families.

Fingerprinting Childcare Employees - On Friday, the House adopted HB 904 by a vote of 159-1. The legislation alters the definition of a "Records Check Application" for childcare employees to include a state fingerprint records check determination and a national fingerprint records check determination. Currently, the national fingerprint records check determination is not required.

Also Feb. 19, the House approved HB 1044, which would correct the overregulation of respite care services, which are programs for aging adults who can function in group settings, eat and use the restroom unassisted, but still require care. This proposal removes respite care services from the regulations governing adult day care centers.

Additionally, the bill requires respite care services be operated by a non-profit organization, provide a maximum of 25 hours of service per week, be staffed by volunteers and managed by a director approved by the state Department of Human Resources. HB 1044 now moves to the Senate for its consideration.

Specialty Tags - The House of Representative adopted legislation on Thursday that says when the State of Georgia issues a specialty license plate tag for a university, such as the University of Florida or Auburn University, the state where the university is located must do the same for Georgia. Or in more technical terms, HB 1165 which passed 142-0, authorizes the Commissioner of the Department of Driver's Services to enter into a reciprocity agreement with other states on behalf of the State of Georgia when issuing a specialty license plate tag.

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.