2011 Georgia General Assembly Archives - Page 2 of 4

UPDATE: State House tackles celebratory gunfire

March 30, 2011 Express Telegraph

ATLANTA – The state House has taken a stand against celebratory gunfire. State representatives on Monday voted in favor of HR 341, which encourages governments and businesses “to promote an increased public awareness of the dangers of celebratory gunfire and further urges state and local governments and law enforcement agencies to better educate Georgians regarding the serious threat created by firing a weapon into the air during a celebration.” In passing the measure, lawmakers acknowledged

State House tackles celebratory gunfire

March 30, 2011 Express Telegraph

ATLANTA — The state House has taken a stand against celebratory gunfire. State representatives voted in favor of HR 341, which encourages governments and businesses to teach the public about the dangers of celebratory gunfire. “The loss of an innocent human life is always tragic, but it seems even more so when it is caused by a thoughtless random act,” state Rep. Michele Henson, D-Stone Mountain, said in a news release. “There are times we

State senate votes to streamline compensation process

March 22, 2011 Express Telegraph

The Georgia State Senate last week passed legislation proponents say will streamline compensation to families of public emergency workers who are killed in the line of duty. “Georgia’s emergency personnel put their lives on the line every day for the safety and security of the people of this state,” state Sen. Sen. John Albers, R-Roswell, said in a news release. “The least we can do is to ensure that their families receive compensation in the

Bill would require DNA samples from suspected felons

March 16, 2011 Express Telegraph

ATLANTA — Anyone arrested on a felony charge in Georgia would be required to submit a DNA sample to a database under a bill the state Senate passed on Wednesday. The measure now heads to the state House for consideration. Officials contend the DNA samples, which would likely be collected via oral swab, could be used to help solve future crimes and/or cold cases. A judge or magistrate would first need to determine probable cause

Lawmaker: No ‘nontax fees’ on tax bills

February 24, 2011 Express Telegraph

ATLANTA – A state lawmaker wants to ban “nontax fees” from appearing on property tax bills. Rep. Brett Harrell, R-Snellville, introduced HB 291, which would ban the non tax fees, such as waste removal and storm water fees, from appearing on tax bills. Harrell estimates 15-20 percent of some people’s tax bills come from nontax fees. “Too often citizens across Georgia experience increased property tax bills, higher month mortgage payments, and in some cases even

Ga. rolls out criminal justice reform council

February 18, 2011 Express Telegraph

ATLANTA — Citing disconcerting numbers about Georgia’s prison population, state leaders on Wednesday announced the 2011 Special Council on Criminal Justice Reform for Georgia. Georgia’s prison population, which has grown by 4.6 percent during the past two years, is the fourth largest in the country, according to state officials. “With this new commission in place, we hope to uncover new approaches to make Georgia communities safer while increasing offender accountability, improving rehabilitation efforts and lowering

Ga. senator wants to end Ga. 400 toll

February 17, 2011 The Travel Trolley

A state senator from Roswell wants to end the toll on Ga. Highway 400.

Legislator wants to ban abortions after 20 weeks

February 4, 2011 Express Telegraph

A Georgia state lawmaker wants to ban all abortions once an unborn child reaches 20 weeks.

Measure would require use of federal verification system

February 4, 2011 Express Telegraph

ATLANTA – A new measure introduced today in the state Senate would require Georgia businesses to use the federal government’s E-Verify system to determine whether someone is in the country illegally. Under SB 40, law enforcement officers in Georgia would also be allowed to ask for immigration documents from anyone stopped for probable cause of a crime. The proposed law is similar to one that Arizona authorities passed last year. “I do not want to

Committee gives nod to spending limit

January 28, 2011 Express Telegraph

A proposed amendment to the Georgia Constitution would limit how many tax dollars the state of Georgia can spend in any given year, state Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers, R-Woodstock, said.