May 22, 2008

Governor Perdue Signs Bills Marking Conclusion of 2008 Session

The 2008 Legislative session officially ended on May 14th with Governor Perdue signing numerous bills and using his veto pen more sparingly than last year. The deadline for Georgia's governor to act on bills passed by the General Assembly is 40 days from when the House and Senate gavel out. All bills signed, as well as any bills not acted upon at all by the Governor, become effective on July 1, 2008, unless otherwise stated in the bill.

Good news for afterschool advocates is the $20.3 million in child care subsidy dollars did not fall victim to a veto and thus, will be available to fund additional subsidies for low-income parents who need financial assistance to pay for child care and afterschool while they work. The final update on bills tracked by GAIC can be found below.

Georgia Afterschool Legislation Tracking

Green bill numbers become law effective July 1, 2008 unless otherwise noted; red bill numbers did not pass this session.

Children and Youth

HB 1054 (Rep. Sharon Cooper - Marietta) passed the General Assembly on the final day of the session. The Children and Family Service Strengthening Act of 2008 will consolidate a number of child welfare and youth agencies in order to coordinate services for at-risk children and youth. Signed by the Governor.

SB 506 (Sen. Joseph Carter - Tifton): The Student Health and Physical Education Act (SHAPE) failed to pass the House on Day 40. The bill would have required schools to conduct fitness assessments for K-5 students and report the aggregated results to the Department of Education; also, schools would have been required to provide the physical education courses mandated by Georgia law. Passed the Senate; defeated in the House.

The Health and Human Resources Commission was established through an Executive Order. The Commission will study the Department of Human Resources and the divisions and departments under its purview and make recommendations on a restructuring plan to improve efficiency and effectiveness of services delivery by July 2, 2008.

Education

HR 791 (Rep. Jan Jones - Alpharetta) establishes the House Study Committee on Georgia's Pre-K Program to review the status and challenges of the Pre-K Program, including the possible inclusion of 3-year-olds in the program, and make recommendations by December 31, 2008. Passed the House. (This is the final action as it does not have to pass the Senate or be signed by Governor)

HB 881 (Rep. Jan Jones - Alpharetta) was passed by the legislature on Day 40. HB 881 establishes a third avenue for charter schools to be created in Georgia. In addition to local school boards and the state Board of Education, the Georgia Charter Schools Commission also will have authority to grant charters. Signed by the Governor.

HB 905 (Rep. Fran Millar - Dunwoody): the Building Resourceful Individuals to Develop Georgia's Economy (BRIDGE) ACT passed the House mid-session but was tabled by the Senate and therefore died. HB 905 would have provided grants for public schools to implement focused programs of study in high-demand career fields. Passed the House; tabled by the Senate.

HB 1209 (Rep. Brooks Coleman - Duluth) was signed into law on April 9^th (Act 394). The "IE2 bill" will allow school systems flexibility from certain regulations in exchange for increased academic accountability and consequences for not meeting accountability measures. Signed by the Governor.

SR 1213 (Sen. Dan Moody - Alpharetta) passed the Senate on the 40^th day. This resolution creates a study committee to review the school funding formula known as QBE, school equalization grants, virtual schools and capital outlay funds and make recommendations by December 31, 2008. Passed the Senate (final action).

Transportation

SB 402 (Sen. Tommie Williams - Lyons) died in the House Health and Human Services Committee. SB 402 would have established the Georgia Coordinating Council for Rural and Human Services Transportation to coordinate human service transportation in rural and urban areas of the state. Given that transportation is a critical challenge for many human service programs, including afterschool programs, this bill could have helped improve access to programs. Passed the Senate; died in the House Health and Human Services Committee.

Budget and Taxes

HR 1246 (Rep. Glenn Richardson - Hiram) & HB 1244 (Rep. Charles Martin - Alpharetta): While the talk of the 2008 session, House and Senate leaders could not reach a compromise on tax cut proposals. The myriad of proposed tax cuts including the House's car tag tax elimination, the Senate's income tax reduction, property tax assessment caps and elimination of the state portion of property tax, failed to make it out of conference committee. Died in conference committee.

HB 989/AFY08 budget (Rep. Ben Harbin - Columbia): The amended FY08 budget passed the House and Senate on March 20th and was signed by the Governor on March 21st. Signed by the Governor; in effect March 21, 2008.

HB 990/FY09 budget (Rep. Ben Harbin - Columbia): The House and Senate passed the FY09 Conference Committee budget on the last day of session and sent to the Governor for signature. The Governor has the authority to line-item veto the budget bill which means he can single out specific items to veto without vetoing the entire bill. Signed by the Governor with line-item vetoes.

If you have questions or would like more information, contact Korynn Schooley at 404.527.7280 or kschooley@afterschoolga.org.