Notes from the Georgia Senate
By STATE SEN. CHIP PEARSON

Chip Pearson

In the 2008 session, Senate and House members deliberated hundreds of bills and resolutions. In my previous columns, I have expressed the goals of the Senate majority. We have continuously stated that we are here to improve education in Georgia, promote smaller government at every level and ensure the well-being of our families. If a bill did not meet these principals, it fell under much more scrutiny. Here are some of the initiatives we approved in 2008 that offer further protections for our constituents. These will become law upon Governor Perdue's signature.

This year, we passed strong measures to protect citizens from the ongoing problem of illegal immigration. Senate Bill 350 increases penalties for those who drive without a license. The legislation comes in response to a growing number of auto accidents, injuries and fatalities in Georgia caused by individuals who have never obtained a driver's license. A similar bill, House Bill 978, also passed on the final day of the session. HB 978 requires law enforcement officials to impound any motor vehicle whose driver is not licensed to drive. The vehicle would only be released to the owner, the owner's spouse, child or a parent upon proof of relationship and a current driver's license. It is my hope that these new policies will put a halt to driving without a license in our state, and save lives in the process.

A bill that I've been working on since 2006 also received final passage and goes to the Governor's desk. Senate Bill 421 increases the existing penalties for those who knowingly manufacture, sell or distribute false IDs and documents. The new penalties would be based upon the age of the individual found to be in possession of a false ID, incorporating a certain amount of leniency for underage citizens. We need to curb the illegal manufacture and sale of fake IDs to those who use them to stay in the U.S. illegally, and SB 421 does this.

In 2005, the General Assembly passed one of toughest sexual predator laws in the nation. Our goal was to stop those who abuse our children, attack our wives, daughters and loved ones and prevent them from ever harming another person. HB 1059 increased penalties for certain sexual crimes to a minimum of 25 years imprisonment and in some cases, a maximum of life imprisonment. The bill established the "1,000-foot rule", which stated that a registered offender could not live or work near child care facilities, churches, schools or other areas where minors congregate. To the consternation of many state legislators, the Georgia Supreme Court struck down this portion of the law last year, basically sending the message to sexual predators: "You can go wherever you want to." I am happy to report that the General Assembly has reinforced our laws on sexual offenders in 2008 with Senate Bill 1. SB 1 restores the 1,000- ft. rule for those who rent property or work near a child care facility, church, school or area where minors congregate. In addition, SB 1 prohibits convicted sex offenders from photographing minors without parental consent.

HB 89 expands the right to bear arms for those who possess a concealed carry permit in our state.

The bill allows those who lawfully possess a concealed weapon to carry it in a public park, on public transportation, or in a historic site or recreation area under certain circumstances. The bill goes on to protect the state against "straw purchasers" who come to Georgia to buy guns. Members of the Senate feel the current version of the bill strikes a fair balance between private property rights and the Second Amendment right to

bear arms. I think that if an individual has met the stringent requirements set forth by Georgia law to hold a concealed weapons permit, he/she is responsible enough to safely carry that firearm with them wherever the law permits.

Some other measures passing this session that offer new protections include HB 130, which will allow consumers to freeze their credit for a $3 fee, and SB 474, which aims to shield children from harmful online activity by monitoring the Internet activity of registered sexual offenders.

As always, please contact me in my office on the issues that are affecting you and your area.