2019 Legislative Session Week Seven
It was another productive week at the Georgia State Capitol. We have completed seven weeks and 25 legislative days, of the 2019 session thus far. This past week the House passed House Bill 31, the Fiscal Year 2020 budget. I have provided a brief summary of the FY 2020 budget for you below.
House Bill 31
House Bill 31, the FY 2020 budget, is set by a revenue estimate of $27.5 billion, which is a 3.95% increase over the FY 2019 current budget.
FY 2020 Budget Highlights:
- Provides $300,000 for the creation of the Blight Removal and Code Enforcement (BRACE) program, which gives grants to communities with a population of 2,500 or less to initiate a free, neighborhood-level cleanup for areas with the most code violations and blight.
- Includes a $2,775 pay raise for certified teachers and certified personnel.
- Upon recommendations of the 2018 House School Security Study Committee, $174,000 has been appropriated to hire two school safety threat assessment trainers to work with local school systems to develop threat assessment plans.
- Includes $78.4 million in the Department of Community Health for Medicaid growth
- Recognizes an increase of $38.6 million in new revenue for transportation, an increase of 7% over the current year budget.
- Includes $2.84 million to establish the initial budget for the ATL authority.
To learn more about House Bill 31 click here.
Stay Up-to-Date:
If you are interested in learning more about all that goes on during the Legislative session then the Georgia House of Representatives website has everything you need to stay up to date and informed. From press releases to live video broadcasts of the House Floor, you can experience your state government in action up close. Click here to learn more.
You can also stay up-to-date by liking the Georgia House Republican Caucus on Facebook and following them on Instagram, @gahouserepublicancaucus. You can also like my Facebook page for updates from me concerning the 2019 Legislative Session. Click here to learn more.
As the 2019 Session continues to move forward, I will uphold my promise to work diligently on your behalf to pass meaningful and helpful legislation. If you find yourself in Atlanta during session, I encourage you to visit me at my Capitol office, and please do not hesitate to call or email me if you have any questions or concerns regarding any current or upcoming legislation. My Capitol office is located at 220 State Capitol Atlanta, GA 30334, my office phone number is 404-656-5912. I can also be reached via email at andy.welch@house.ga.gov.
As always, thank you for allowing me to be your Representative.
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2019 Legislative Session Week Six
It was another great week at the Georgia State Capitol. We have completed Week Six, 21 legislative days, of the 2019 session. This past week the House passed HB 158, HB 59, and HR 37. I am looking forward to seeing all that the House will accomplish in the remaining weeks of Session.
House Bill 158
House Bill 158 passed unanimously and will require that persons who are on either Medicaid or the AIDS Drug Assistance Program formulary for HIV/AIDS medications will be able to stay on their regimen even if their economic status changes. An important component of this bill is the emphasis on single-tablet regimens because all studies show that patients are more likely to remain compliant if one pill is taken each day. Currently, each HIV/AIDS patient, if treated, costs Medicaid $338,000. If left untreated, each patient will cost the system $1.79 million.
To learn more about House Bill 158 click here.
House Bill 59
This bill also passed unanimously and will allow parents or guardians on active military duty to pre-enroll their children into school when official military orders are received that require them to transfer into or within Georgia. The children will be allowed to enroll in the same manner and time as children residing within the school system, in the public school of the attendance zone in which the children will be residing, or in a public school in a school system in which the military base or off-base housing is located.
To learn more about House Bill 59 click here.
House Resolution 37
House Resolution 37 passed with 169 votes yea and 1 vote nay and creates the Georgia Commission on Freight and Logistics. This is for the purpose of studying and determining the best course of action for the future funding and policy development of the freight and logistics industries
To learn more about HR 37 click here.
Stay Up-to-Date:
Once again, if you are interested in learning more about all that goes on during the Legislative session then the Georgia House of Representatives website has everything you need to stay up to date and informed. From press releases to live video broadcasts of the House Floor, you can experience your state government in action up close. Click here to learn more.
You can also stay up-to-date by liking the Georgia House Republican Caucus on Facebook and following them on Instagram, @gahouserepublicancaucus. You can also like my Facebook page for updates from me concerning the 2019 Legislative Session. Click here to learn more.
As the 2019 Session continues to move forward, I will uphold my promise to work diligently on your behalf to pass meaningful and helpful legislation. If you find yourself in Atlanta during session, I encourage you to visit me at my Capitol office, and please do not hesitate to call or email me if you have any questions or concerns regarding any current or upcoming legislation. My Capitol office is located at 220 State Capitol Atlanta, GA 30334, my office phone number is 404-656-5912. I can also be reached via email at andy.welch@house.ga.gov.
As always, thank you for allowing me to be your Representative.
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2019 Legislative Session Week Five
Week 5 of the 2019 came to a close Thursday, February 14th. We have completed 15 days of the 2019 Legislative Session and during week 5 the House passed House Bill 25 and 184, as well as Senate Bill 25. I am looking forward to seeing all that the House will accomplish in the remaining weeks of Session.
House Bill 25
HB 25 passed February 13th, with 173 votes yea and 1 vote nay. This bill builds on federal protections given to active duty service members through the Service Members Relief Act by allowing service members to opt out of certain contracts with TV and internet providers as well as health spas. To qualify, service members must be on active duty or receive orders of deployment to a region where identical services are not offered. The Georgia House Republican Caucus is committed to our men and women in uniform.
To learn more about House Bill 25 click here.
House Bill 184
HB 184 passed February 14th, with 170 votes yea and 1 vote nay. HB 184 is a long-overdue piece of legislation that provides the necessary framework for the deployment of “small cell” technology across our state. Small cells are the latest wireless transmitters that will enable the deployment of the next generation of wireless service – known as 5G – and assist telecommunications companies in boosting their capacity and service reliability. Beyond improving the reliability of our cell phone service, small cell technology will also enable the deployment of new technologies such as autonomous vehicles.
To learn more about House Bill 184 click here.
Senate Bill 25
SB 25 fixes an error in the code pertaining to school bus passing. Unless a driver of a vehicle is driving on a divided highway separated by a grass median, unpaved area, or physical barrier, the driver must stop when a school bus is stopped on the opposite side of the highway. This bill will make roads safer for Georgia children riding the bus to school each day!
To learn more about SB 25 click here.
Stay Up-to-Date:
Once again, if you are interested in learning more about all that goes on during the Legislative session then the Georgia House of Representatives website has everything you need to stay up to date and informed. From press releases to live video broadcasts of the House Floor, you can experience your state government in action up close. Click here to learn more.
You can also stay up-to-date by liking the Georgia House Republican Caucus on Facebook and following them on Instagram, @gahouserepublicancaucus. You can also like my Facebook page for updates from me concerning the 2019 Legislative Session. Click here to learn more.
As the 2019 Session continues to move forward, I will uphold my promise to work diligently on your behalf to pass meaningful and helpful legislation. If you find yourself in Atlanta during session, I encourage you to visit me at my Capitol office, and please do not hesitate to call or email me if you have any questions or concerns regarding any current or upcoming legislation. My Capitol office is located at 220 State Capitol Atlanta, GA 30334, my office phone number is 404-656-5912. I can also be reached via email at andy.welch@house.ga.gov.
As always, thank you for allowing me to be your Representative.
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2019 Legislative Session Week Four
Week 4 of the 2019 Legislative Session began Tuesday, January 5th and came to a close Friday, January 8th. We have completed 11 days of the 2019 Legislative Session and I am excited to be able to update you on what the House has accomplished so far.
Nathan Deal Judicial Center
On Wednesday, the House passed House Resolution 1, which names the new appellate judicial complex the “Nathan Deal Judicial Center.” Given our former Governor’s focus on criminal justice reform, it is only fitting that this new judicial center bears his name. The reforms that were championed by Deal saved Georgia taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars in additional prison spending, significantly reduced the minority prison population, and created innovative solutions to treat nonviolent offenders suffering from mental illness as well as substance abuse. The Resolution passed with 159 votes yea and 2 votes nay.
To learn more about House Resolution 1 click here.
2019 Budget Highlights
On Friday the House passed House Bill 30, the supplemental appropriations for the State Fiscal Year July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2019. The House Bill passed with 166 votes yea and 8 votes nay. I have listed for you below some highlights of the amended 2019 budget.
- $10 million for emergency disaster relief assistance to Georgia farmers in counties impacted by Hurricane Michael. This add builds upon the $55 million appropriated to the Georgia Development Authority to assist farmers during the 2018 Special Session.
- $69.4 million to provide school security grants of $30,000 each for 2,314 school facilities including charter schools, college and career academies, GNETS facilities, and the three state schools.
- $8.4 million in additional funding the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to expand the Georgia Apex Program, which provides support counselors in high schools for students suffering from mental health issues.
- $1 million for the Department of Community Health to craft state flexibility options for Georgia’s Medicaid Program under the federal waiver program.
To learn more about House Bill 30 click here.
Stay Up-to-Date:
Once again, if you are interested in learning more about all that goes on during the Legislative session then the Georgia House of Representatives website has everything you need to stay up to date and informed. From press releases to live video broadcasts of the House Floor, you can experience your state government in action up close. Click here to learn more.
You can also stay up-to-date by liking the Georgia House Republican Caucus on Facebook and following them on Instagram, @gahouserepublicancaucus. You can also like my Facebook page for updates from me concerning the 2019 Legislative Session. Click here to learn more.
As the 2019 Session continues to move forward, I will uphold my promise to work diligently on your behalf to pass meaningful and helpful legislation. If you find yourself in Atlanta during session, I encourage you to visit me at my Capitol office, and please do not hesitate to call or email me if you have any questions or concerns regarding any current or upcoming legislation. My Capitol office is located at 220 State Capitol Atlanta, GA 30334, my office phone number is 404-656-5912. I can also be reached via email at andy.welch@house.ga.gov.
As always, thank you for allowing me to be your Representative.
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2019 Legislative Session Week Two
The House reconvened Tuesday, January 22 for the second week of the 2019 Legislative Session. This week, the House and the Senate held joint Appropriations Committee hearings on this year’s budget. I have listed some key highlights of the AFY 2019 and FY 2020 budget and listed them below for you.
AFY 2019 and FY 2020 Budgets:
FY 2020 Budget Highlights:
- $3,000 permanent salary increase for teachers; the largest teacher pay raise in Georgia’s history. To enhance educational outcomes, we must invest in those who educate, inspire, and lead our students toward a brighter future!
- A 2% merit increase for all state employees.
- $500,000 in initial funds to create a gang task force within the GBI
AFY 2019 Budget Highlights:
- There is $69 million within the amended 2019 budget going to school safety measures in every public school in the state. Thanks to Governor Kemp’s recommendation. every school in Georgia will receive $30,000 for security improvements!
- $8.4 million in additional funding to expand the APEX program in public schools which allow mental health school counselors to work on early intervention, diagnoses, and treatment! This is budgeted in order to address the mental health issues that often lead to school violence.
- $1 million will be allocated to the Department of Community Health to craft state flexibility options for Georgia’s Medicaid Program. The Georgia House Republican Caucus is committed to improving outcomes and enhancing access to quality health care across Georgia!
Stay Up to Date:
Are you interested in learning more about all that goes on during the Legislative session? If so, the Georgia House of Representatives website has everything that you need to stay up to date and informed. From press releases to live video broadcasts of the House Floor, you can experience your state government in action up close. Click here to learn more.
My Committees:
I am honored to serve on many different committees as your House Representative. I am currently serving as the Chairman of the Public Safety Subcommittee as well as a member of the following committees.
- The Code Revision committee.
- The Judiciary Committee.
- The Juvenile Justice Committee.
- The Regulated Industries Committee
As the 2019 session continues I promise to work diligently to pass meaningful and helpful legislation for the citizens of Georgia. If you find yourself in Atlanta during session, I encourage you to visit me at my Capitol office, and please do not hesitate to call or email me if you have any questions or concerns regarding any current or upcoming legislation. My Capitol office is located at 220 State Capitol Atlanta, GA 30334, my office phone number is 404-656-5912. I can also be reached via email at andy.welch@house.ga.gov.
Thank you for allowing me to be your representative.
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2019 Legislative Session Week One
We kicked off the 2019 Legislative Session with the inauguration of Georgia’s new Governor, Brian Kemp. In Kemp’s State of the State, he correctly said the state of our great state is “rock solid.” Speaking to a joint session of the State House and Senate, he highlighted a few of the following budget initiatives:
1. A $3,000 pay increase for teachers.
2. A $69 million increase in school security grants that are to be equally apportioned among all of Georgia’s 2,000 plus public schools.
3. An additional $1 million for the state health department’s budget in order to expand access to Federal Medicaid waivers.
4. A recommendation to eliminate state support of the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District which totals to approximately $200,000.
We can expect to see a continued focus on transit and transportation solutions at the State Capitol which will be led by House Transportation Chairman Kevin Tanner and Council Board Member and State Senator Brandon Beach. As part of our Legislative Agenda, the Council will continue to advocate for legislation that funds multi-year transportation and infrastructure needs and measures to expand and streamline the operation of metro Atlanta’s transit system.
In his State of the State address, Governor Brian Kemp also recognized Officer Matt Cooper, who was wounded in a line-of-duty shooting on Labor Day last year, as well as six other law enforcement officers who were killed in the line of duty last year. These fallen officers included Locust Grove Police Officer Chase Maddox and Henry County Police Officer Michael Smith and told their families they remain in the state’s thoughts and prayers.
This week, as chairman of Appropriations-Public Safety, I will be busy reviewing the 2019 amended budget and the proposed 2020 budget. Our committee will hold hearings open to the public on portions of these budgets. A lot of work and attention goes into these hearings because passing a budget is the single most important legislative decision we must make annually.
I am honored to serve with so many thoughtful and hard-working men and women. Below is a list of the House Leadership for the 2019 Legislative Session:
Speaker of the House – David Ralston
Speaker Pro Tempore – Jan Jones
Majority Leader – Jon Burns
Majority Whip – Trey Kelley
Majority Caucus Chair – Matt Hatchett
Majority Caucus Vice Chair – Micah Gravley
Minority Leader – Robert Trammell
Minority Whip – William Boddie
Minority Caucus Chair – James Beverly
Minority Caucus Vice Chair – Erica Thomas
I will work diligently to pass meaningful and helpful legislation for the citizens of Georgia. If you ever find yourself in Atlanta during session, I encourage you to visit me at my Capitol office, and please do not hesitate to call or email me if you have any questions or concerns regarding any current or upcoming legislation. My Capitol office is located at 220 State Capitol Atlanta, GA 30334, my office phone number is 404-656-5912. I can also be reached via email at andy.welch@house.ga.gov.
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Vote in the 2018 General Election
Make sure your voice is heard on General Election Day, November 6th. Elections are an important way to contribute to your community and voice your opinion about your district. Research everyone running so that you can know the most about their platforms and what they believe in. If you don’t know where your voting location, go to this address www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do, input your information and find exactly where to vote.
Mark your calendar for these important voting dates that are coming up:
- October 9th: Last day to register and be eligible to vote in November General Election
- October 15th – November 2nd: Early Voting
- November 6th: Last day to vote
- Register to vote: bit.ly/VoterRegistrationGA
We have some great candidates running in the November election. Brian Strickland from District 17, Pete Peterson from District 4, and Dale Rutledge from District 109. I support all three of these candidates and I look forward to the great things they will do for their districts.
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Supreme Court of Georgia Appointments by Gov. Nathan Deal
I wish to extend my congratulations to three dear friends appointed by Gov. Nathan Deal to high office in our State’s Judiciary. I applaud the Governor’s choice, and I am very excited about the future of our High Court for decades to come. On August 22, 2018, Sarah Hawkins Warren of Atlanta was appointed as a justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia. On September 14, 2018, Gov. Nathan Deal appointed the Honorable Charlie Bethel as a justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia and Honorable Christian A. Coomer to the Court of Appeals of Georgia.
As former Solicitor General for the State of Georgia, Justice Warren is an exceptional candidate and person. She has served our state with intelligence and grace, and she will continue to do so in her new role as Justice on our Supreme Court. As former Judge on the Court of Appeals of Georgia, Justice Bethel is an intelligent, impartial and conservative person who will be a great addition to Georgia’s Highest Court. Justice Coomer is my dear friend, former suite-mate and House member representing District 14. He is a faithful Christian, strong leader, and discerning. I know both Justice Coomer and Justice Bethel to be strong family-men, loyal Georgians, good lawyers with a good sense of humor.
I look forward to their long service to the people of Georgia in the Judiciary.
Sources: gov.georgia.gov
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Pete Person for District 4 Commissioner
Please join me in supporting Pete Peterson for District 4 Commissioner on August 14. You can send your RSVP’s to pbrown@servpro8537.com. Any and all contributions are welcome!
Priorities
As an army veteran, business owner, and loyal resident of Henry County, Pete Peterson offers a lifetime of leadership skills. He and his wife, Anita, have lived in the Stockbridge area for 18 years and are truly dedicated to their community. Peterson’s top priorities as District 4 Commissioner will include:
- Improving Transportation
- Enhancing Infrastructure
- Public Safety/Crime Prevention
- Economic Development
- Attracting Jobs
- Developing Viable Education Programs
- Community Care Initiatives
Current Leadership
Peterson currently serves as a Zoning Advisory Board Member (County At Large) and Board of Elections Nominating Committee Member. He is also the owner and consultant with P&A Training Solutions in McDonough, Georgia, and his company is a proud member of the Henry Chamber.
I encourage you to cast your vote this November. Until then, there are plenty of other ways for you to get involved in Peterson’s campaign. Visit his website to learn more about hosting a house party, becoming a volunteer, or making a donation.
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Details About Georgia’s Hands-Free Driving Law
- Drivers will not be allowed to cradle or hold a phone or other electronic wireless device behind the wheel unless the driver is making an emergency call.
- Drivers will not be allowed to use more than one button to answer or use their mobile phone.
- Drivers will not be allowed to reach for a phone or other electronic wireless device if doing so requires them to undo their seat belt or stand.
- Drivers will not be allowed to text, answer emails, watch videos, or record from behind the wheel.
- Drivers are allowed to use GPS, voice-to-text features, and can make and receive phone calls as long as it is hands-free (via single-ear headphones or Bluetooth pieces).
- Drivers are allowed to use in-car navigation and entertainment systems.
- Drivers are allowed to use music streaming apps, but they cannot activate these apps or change music while driving. Music streaming apps that include video are prohibited.
- Law enforcement, emergency, and utility drivers are still allowed to use their phones.