The 2014 Legislative Session of the Georgia General Assembly adjourned at midnight on March 20. It was a moment of celebration that closed months of hard work at the State Capitol.
The last day of the legislative session, on Day 40, is also known as Sine Die. On Sine Die, the House and Senate remain in their respective chambers to deliberate and vote on important pieces of legislation until midnight.
Prior to Sine Die, members of the Senate and the House came together on Day 30 in a conference committee to agree to the $20.8 billion Fiscal Year 2015 budget. This represents a 4.6 percent increase from last year's budget, which will run from July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2015. Georgia maintains a balanced budget and no deficit, and I am proud of our fiscal responsibility.
On Sine Die, a bill that would have required insurers to provide coverage for children diagnosed with Autism failed to reach passage. I am deeply saddened the House could not come to a consensus and pass this important legislation. Providing insurance coverage for children suffering with Autism has been two years in the making, and I intend to continue to push for it during the next biennial term.
I try to focus my legislative efforts on families, business and public safety. In the final days of the 2014 session, several of the bills I authored achieved final passage and are headed to the Governor:
SB 207 adds private home care providers to the list of long-term care facilities that fall under the purview of the Georgia Long-Term Care Ombudsmen Program.
SB 235 allows firefighters who perform at least 1,040 hours of annual service to be eligible for membership in the Georgia Firefighters' Pension Fund.
SB 325 clarifies the process for regulating fire protection sprinkler contractors and fire suppression contractors that operate in Georgia. Under this legislation, contractors that violate laws may be denied an application for a license, certificate or permit.
SB 358 expands who can file a missing child report with the Missing Children Information Center (MCIC) to include individuals and institutions charged with the care of foster children. This bill will allow for a more streamlined, efficient process for foster care providers in the event a child is abducted or runs away from their foster care home or facility.
SB 386 protects sensitive information, such as Social Security numbers, taxpayer ID numbers and financial account numbers, included in court filings.
SR 788 authorizes the transfer of specific state-owned real property throughout the state for local development purposes. This bill will help create jobs and opportunities for Georgians.
SR 868 allows for the construction, operation and maintenance of facilities or utilities that go through or intersect property owned by the State of Georgia in the following counties: Appling, Barrow, Bibb, Bryan, Fulton, Gordon, Jasper, Laurens, McIntosh, Monroe, Toombs, and Troup. This bill will help Georgians in their local communities.