LEGISLATIVE REPORT
Jon Burns

The first week of the 2008 legislative session wrapped up this week. Committees went back to work immediately holding hearings on key pieces of legislation and the Governor joined us one day to deliver his annual State of the State address.

One of the key issues the General Assembly will address this year is water and planning for our state's future water needs. Georgia's water council has worked diligently for many years preparing a statewide water management plan that must now be approved by the legislature. House Resolution 1022 would ratify the plan as prepared by the Water Council and was passed by the House Natural Resources Committee.

In the Governor's State of the State address, he outlined his key priorities and budget recommendations for the legislative session. Governor Perdue continues to focus on education, transportation, economic development and public safety. The Governor is proposing funding for new school construction and expansion of Georgia's pre-K programs to include a greater number of our children. The Governor announced his desire to create and fund a State Transportation Infrastructure Bank to be a revolving loan fund helping rural communities build roads, bridges, transit, rail and airports. Governor Perdue spoke at length about Georgia's growing international presence, and the industry and jobs we are gaining as a result. To keep our highways and communities safe, the Governor has also proposed funding for an additional 3 trooper schools that will graduate an additional 205 state troopers by 2010. I look forward to working with the Governor on these and other proposals as the legislative session moves forward.

Two other bills of significance that were debated and passed in committee this week would strengthen Georgia's dog fighting laws and our sexual predator laws. House Bill 301 proposes additional criminal liability for anyone convicted of knowingly owning, possessing, training, transporting or selling a dog to fight; betting on a dog fight; being present as a spectator at a dog fight; and aiding or abetting such an action. House Bill 908 addresses specific areas of Georgia's current sexual predator law struck down by the Georgia Supreme Court and expands the definition of "areas where minors congregate" to include public libraries. This new legislation also expands current law to prohibit convicted sex offenders from volunteering within 1000 feet of a school, church, childcare facility, or area where minors congregate. I look forward to supporting both of these measures when they come before the full House for a vote.

The House will be in recess the week of Jan. 21 as we meet with our colleagues in the Georgia State Senate and hear testimony from state agencies on the Fiscal Year 2008 Amended State Budget and the Fiscal Year 2009 State Budget.

I will continue to keep you up to date on our actions as the legislative session progresses. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at my Capitol office at (404) 656-0213.