Georgia House of Representatives Tag

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.

2018 Legislative Session Week Six

With the halfway mark behind us and “Crossover Day” only a few days away, week six was a substantially busy and productive time for my colleagues and I. Below are summaries of the bills discussed and passed during this legislative week.

Disaster Services

• House Bill 487 – This bill was overwhelmingly passed and seeks to give Civil Air Patrol disaster service volunteers the same flexibility and leave allowances as American Red Cross volunteers by granting paid leave for no more than 15 work days per year to participate in specialized emergency service operations. In doing so, Civil Air Patrol volunteers will no longer lose seniority, pay, vacation, compensatory time, sick time or earned accumulated overtime at work because of their emergency situation assistance.

Medical

• House Bill 678 – This bill strives to eliminate “surprise” hospital bills for Georgia citizens, which can sometimes be 10 to 12 times higher than in-network charges when an out-of-network doctor participates in their treatment team during an elective procedure. With this bill, patients will now be able to request and obtain information about other medical professionals and hospitals and potential care costs before care is given, file a dispute with an arbitrator from the insurance department, and give the patient 90 days to secure payment, negotiate or initiate a dispute after receiving a “surprise” bill.

Data Protection

• House Bill 79 – In an effort to protect citizen’s data, HB 79 would make it a requirement for law enforcement agencies to destroy unused data such as license plate information after 30 months. Information and data would only be allowed to be kept if it is part of an ongoing investigation or toll violation. There is no current law that restricts the amount of time law enforcement agencies can keep this data.

Military

• House Bill 749 – Unanimously passed, this bill would exclude military retirement income from Georgia income tax. It would also exclude military retirement income received by a deceased veteran’s surviving family member, regardless of the family member’s age.

Education

• House Bill 740 – By providing students with a multi-tiered system of support, this bill hopes to lessen the amount of students suspended each year. This bill would also prevent expulsion and suspension in public preschool through third grade for five or more days per school year without first attempting the aforesaid multi-tiered system of support, except students who are in possession of a weapon, drugs or any other dangerous item.

Elderly

• House Bill 635 – This bill would allow the establishment of an Adult Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation Multidisciplinary Team for investigations of elder/disabled adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Created by the district attorney or his or her designee and representatives from law enforcement agencies, these teams would work collaboratively to improve response procedures and policies on elderly or disabled adult abuse.

Transportation

• House Bill 930 – In an effort to improve Metro Atlanta transportation and traffic, this bill would provide a new regional governance and funding structure for that area. It would also create the Atlanta-region Transit Link (the ‘ATL’). The responsibilities of this link would include coordinating transit planning and funding and overseeing Metro Atlanta transit activity.

My colleagues and I are now only 17 working days away from our adjournment, “Sine Die.” In our remaining weeks, 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, and I can be reached via email at awelch@smithwelchlaw.com. Thank you for allowing me to serve as your representative.

Gov. Deal Signs Balanced Budget Compact, Co-Sponsored by Rep. Welch

PRESS RELEASE

Gov. Deal Signs Balanced Budget Compact,

Co-Sponsored by Rep. Welch

 ATLANTA—State Representative Andy Welch (R–McDonough) commented today on Governor Nathan Deal signing House Bill 794, otherwise known as the Compact for a Balanced Budget. Co-sponsored by Rep. Welch, HB 794 calls for an Article V constitutional convention with the intent of amending the United States Constitution to include a balanced budget requirement for Congress.

“I want to thank lead sponsor, Rep. Paulette Braddock, our colleagues in the House and Senate for supporting the Compact, and I want to thank the Governor for signing the legislation so that Georgia becomes the leader in the push for a Balanced Federal Budget,” said Rep. Welch. “The Compact for a Balanced Budget contains a constitutional amendment that will bring an end to Congressional fiscal irresponsibility and cap the Federal debt.  With nearly 17.6 trillion dollars in debt, 107% of our Gross Domestic Product, this measure is needed to stop Washington from continuing to borrow against the future financial liberty of our children and grandchildren.”

HB 794 proposes to enter the state of Georgia into a compact with other states as part of an effort to require the federal government to balance its budget. This compact will bind all participating states to an agreed upon convention agenda, which intends to prevent a “run-away convention.” HB 794 also creates a Compact Commission that will lobby other states to join the compact.

“The compact approach is, by far, the most transparent and secure approach to achieving a state-initiated amendment.  It provides the greatest protection against a run-away convention or a time and resource wasting ‘Do-Nothing’ constitutional convention,” added Rep. Welch.

The Compact’s approach and amendment language is the product of thoughtful drafting and extensive constitutional research spearheaded by Nick Dranias at the Goldwater Institute.  The Goldwater Institute is a non-profit organization whose mission is to protect freedom and prosperity.  Rep. Welch worked closely with Dranias to tailor fit the language of the Compact for Georgia.

“The amendment language in the Compact is exceptionally well-drafted,” said Rep. Welch. “If ratified by other states, the amendment would force Congress to balance its budget, establish a national debt limit, force the president to prioritize spending if spending comes within 98 percent of the debt limit, and require a two-thirds vote in Congress to raise any existing taxes.  The higher threshold for tax increases would ensure that the budget is balanced in a more preferable manner: such as through spending cuts, elimination of tax exemptions, or a shift to consumption-based taxes like the “Fair Tax” model.”

Article V of the U.S. Constitution provides states with the right to make amendments to the U.S. Constitution by means of a constitutional convention. In order for a constitutional convention to be called, at least two-thirds, or 34 states, must petition on the same subject.  Twenty states have already filed petitions on the subject of a balanced budget amendment.  The Compact for a Balanced Budget has been passed by the Alaska House of Representatives and awaits Governor Parnell’s signature. It is expected to be taken up by several other state legislatures this year.

Governor Deal signed HB 794 on April 12, 2014.

For more information about HB 794, please click here.

Representative Andrew Welch represents the citizens of District 110, which includes portions of Butts, Henry, and Newton Counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2010, and currently serves as the Vice Chairman on the Code Revisions Committee and the Appropriations Subcommittee on Economic Development. He also serves on the Judiciary, Juvenile Justice, and Regulated Industries committees.

###

Governor Signs HB 135, 494 Sponsored by Rep. Welch

PRESS RELEASE

 Governor Signs HB 135, 494 Sponsored by Rep. Welch

 ATLANTA—State Representative Andy Welch (R–McDonough) wrapped up a successful 2014 legislative session after Governor Deal signed into law two bills that Rep. Welch sponsored. House Bill 135 was signed into law on Tuesday, April 15 and 494 on Tuesday, April 29, 2014.

“I appreciate the Governor’s support and endorsement of these bills,” said Rep. Welch. “HB 135 works to eliminate ‘gotcha’ litigation tactics which waste municipal tax-dollars that could have been spent settling cases rather than litigating them.”

HB 135 requires that ante litem notices, or a notice of intent to sue, specify the amount of damages sought against a municipal corporation. According to the bill, the notice must be served to the mayor or to the chairperson of the city council or commission personally, by certified mail, or by overnight delivery.  HB 135 states that the amount of damages specified constitutes a settlement offer, but is not binding in a court case if the municipal corporation does not settle.

House Bill 494 allows any owner of a private airstrip to make a written notice to an owner of a nearby utility line to request the installation of safety markers.  This legislation gives the Department of Transportation the authority to create the fee schedule for installation, as well as the rules and regulations necessary to implement this new section.

“I would like to thank the bill co-sponsors for their support on this measure,” said Rep. Welch.  “HB 494 strikes the appropriate balance between the property rights of private airstrip owners and reasonably protections for the flying public and utility ratepayers.”

In addition to House Bills 135 and 494, House Bill 794, also sponsored by Rep. Welch, was signed by Governor Deal on April 12, 2014.

For more information about these bills, please click here.

Representative Andrew Welch represents the citizens of District 110, which includes portions of Butts, Henry, and Newton Counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2010, and currently serves as the Vice Chairman on the Code Revisions Committee and the Appropriations Subcommittee on Economic Development. He also serves on the Judiciary, Juvenile Justice, and Regulated Industries committees.

###

Weekly Newsletter February 22, 2013

 

Week Ending February 22, 2013 As your representatives, it is important for us to consider your views throughout the legislative process.  Please feel free to call our capitol office at 404-656-0109 or email us to tell us what you think about the issues facing our state.  Friday, February 22, 2013 marked the 22nd legislative day, which puts us more than half way through the 2013 legislative session. Now that we are in the last half of session, more bills are making their way out of committee to receive a vote from the entire House of Representatives. This week, we passed several bills that would help protect Georgians and make their lives easier.   House Bill 234, for example, would protect Georgia consumers from getting trapped in contracts with automatic renewal provisions. This legislation is necessary because businesses now frequently include provisions in service contracts that automatically renew the contract on the cancellation date without notice. HB 234 would require sellers to make sure consumers are aware of any automatic renewal provisions in a service contract before the consumer signs the contract. Additionally, the bill requires sellers to notify consumers one to two months before their contract’s cancellation date. This would give consumers a chance to prevent an unwanted automatic contract renewal. Several other states have already passed legislation similar to HB 234 in response to consumer complaints. If this bill is approved by the senate and then signed into law by the Governor, this legislation would give the state another tool to help protect consumers.   House Bill 254 would make it easier for Georgia drivers to prove that they have state required auto insurance when pulled over or involved in a car accident. Although most insurance companies now provide smart phone applications or other ways to electronically access policy information, current state law only recognizes printed policy information cards as valid proof of insurance. If a driver does not have a policy card, state law allows law enforcement to access state records to verify the driver’s insurance coverage. However, these records only confirm insurance coverage, and do not provide policy numbers and other information needed for accident reports. HB 254 would simplify this process for both drivers and law enforcement by allowing drivers the option of using an electronic proof of insurance, like a picture of their policy card or application on their phone, if they do not have a printed proof of insurance card.   House Bill 178 would protect Georgians from the practices of “pill mills” that can lead to prescription drug addiction problems.  Pill mills are set up as walk-in pain management clinics that accept cash only in exchange for prescription drugs. They often operate without a physician, and conduct fraudulent medical exams to “justify” unnecessary prescriptions. While pill mills may initially help Georgians with chronic pain, the type of drugs and dosages they prescribe has led many well intentioned patients to become addicts and has even resulted in death. HB 178 would combat this problem by allowing the Georgia Medical Composite Board to regulate the licensing of pain management clinics. It would also require pain management clinics to be owned and operated by either a licensed physician or hospital, because the risk of losing their medical license gives them a greater incentive to properly manage pain clinics than owners with non-medical backgrounds who have less to lose. Additionally, HB 178 would give law enforcement the tools it needs to shut down pill mills.   In addition to House Bills 234, 254, and 178, we also passed House Bills 68, 83, 122, 126, 160, 161, 179, 182, 208, 209, 232, 235, 246, 255, 264, 265, 274, 286, and 312.  Now that this legislation has been approved by the House, it has been sent to the Senate for consideration.  Senate Bill 26 also received final approval from the House, so it has been transmitted to the Governor for his review.   You can access this legislation by visiting our website at www.house.ga.gov.   We welcome you to visit us at the capitol during this legislative session. You can also reach out to us with your questions or concerns by contacting us at:   Dale Rutledge, District 109 404-B Coverdell Legislative Office Bldg. Atlanta, GA 30334         404.656.0109 – Office Andy Welch, District 110 404-F Coverdell Legislative Office Bldg. Atlanta, GA 30334         404.656.0109 – Office Brian Strickland, District 111 404-C Coverdell Legislative Office Bldg. Atlanta, GA 30334         404.656.0109 – Office Dale Rutledge District 109   Email Website Facebook Facebook -State Andy Welch District 110   Email Website Facebook Facebook -State Brian Strickland District 111   Email Facebook Facebook -State Join Our Mailing List Copyright © 2013. All Rights Reserved.