January 10, 2001

For more information contact:

Stanley S. Jones, Jr.

404-817-6133

          Legislators already have hectic schedules – many have stated they feel like they are in the middle part of the Session rather than on day three!  Two business-related events have taken place over the last two days. 

Last evening, the annual dinner meeting of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce was held at the Georgia World Congress Center.  Everyone in politics was in attendance!  It was a time for business leaders to meet and greet the Legislators.  The meeting’s ‘comic relief’ was presented by the “Capitol Steps.”   This included a great deal of satire involving recent political figures such as Bill and Hillary Clinton, Al Gore,  and George W. Bush. 

This morning, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s Eggs and Issues Breakfast was also held at the World Congress Center.  Speakers at the event included Gov. Roy Barnes, Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor, and Speaker Tom Murphy.  There were numerous discussions about education reform, construction of additional classrooms, clean water initiatives for all of Georgia, teen driving, transportation in urban and rural areas, forum non conveniens legislation, regional health boards, etc.  Concerns were expressed broadly about a slowing Georgia economy.  The Georgia Chamber of Commerce also unveiled its legislative agenda for 2001. 

Newly Introduced Legislation 

SB 8 – Sen. Burton and others have proposed this amendment to O.C.G.A. § 21-2-417 in an effort to eliminate the ability of a person to submit an affidavit in lieu of presenting a valid form of photographic identification.  This has been referred to State and Local Governmental Operations (General Committee). 

SB 18 and SB 19 – These two bills were dropped by Sens. Beatty, Cheeks, Cagle, Mullis and Seabaugh amending Title 16.  SB 18 proposes to provide that coin operated video games, which display images of ordinary playing cards, and video games, which operate in the manner of slot machines whereby the goal is to match two or more like images, shall not be considered to be designed and manufactured for bona fide amusement only and shall be considered “gambling devices.”  SB 18 also amends Chapter 17 of Title 48 relating to the coin operated amusement machines and definitions.  SB 19 proposes to provide that certain coin operated amusement games and devices shall be subject to local legislation.  Both of the bills have been forwarded to the Veterans and Consumer Affairs Committee. 

SB 20 – This is the Senate’s version of the ‘flag’ legislation.  Sens. Walker, Scott, Stokes, Harbison, Thomas and others introduced this to amend Article 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Code.  This proposes to change the design and description of the State’s flag.  SB 20 has been forwarded to the Economic Development, Tourism, and Cultural Affairs Committee. 

SB 23 – Sen. Brown and others have offered this amendment to O.C.G.A. § 45-7-4 in an effort to get reimbursed for certain membership dues.  This has now been forwarded to the Senate Rules Committee. 

SR 13 – Partially due in response to the public outcry over the costs associated with natural gas, this Resolution proposes to create the Senate Study Committee on Natural Gas.  Sens. Greg, Hecht, Dan Lee, Richard Marable, and Tim Golden have authored this piece of legislation.  It has been referred to the Finance and Public Utilities Committee. 

HB 5 – This bill authored by Reps. Franklin and Joyce has been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.  It proposes to exempt retirement income of taxpayers who are 65 and older from the State income tax. 

HB 12 – Reps. Franklin and Coan have authored this proposal to amend Chapter 7 of Title 28 concerning lobbying practices.  This would prohibit a unit of state government (such as a Department) from using public funds to pay for the services of a person to promote or oppose the passage of any legislation before the General Assembly (its Committees) or approval or veto of such legislation by the Governor.  This bill has now been referred to House Rules. 

HB 16 – Rep. Brooks’ bill relating to the State’s flag, amending Article 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 50 relating to the design and description, has now been sent to the House Rules Committee. 

HB 31 – Rep. Walker’s legislation amending O.C.G.A. § 9-13-140 relating to judicial sales and descriptions of real property sold at such, has now been forwarded to the House Judiciary Committee. 

HB 36 – This legislation, proposing to create the Georgia Commission on African Males in Chapter 12 of Title 50, has now been forwarded to the House Rules Committee. 

HB 40 – Reps. Shaw, Hudson, Royal, Hanner, and Ray have authored this proposal to amend O.C.G.A. § 45-18-1 concerning definitions in the State employees’ health insurance plan.  This would provide an inclusion in such plan State employees of the Georgia-Federal State Inspection System who are active or retired members of the Employees’ Retirement System of Georgia.  This bill has been sent to the House Insurance Committee. 

HR 10 – Rep. Walker has introduced this Resolution to create the Georgia State Flag Advisory Commission.  This Resolution has been referred to the House Rules Committee. 

HR 14 – Rep. Irvin and others have introduced this Resolution relating to the environment and  proposing to create a Constitutional amendment to require that the General Assembly provide by law for the creation of a Land, Water, Wildlife, and Recreation Heritage Fund.  From this fund, monies would be disbursed for local government recreational grants and acquiring, conserving, managing, or preserving Georgia’s natural and historic areas, water resources, and wildlife habitats.  This has been sent to the House Appropriations Committee. 

HB 102 – Reps. Mary Squires and Rene’e Unterman have introduced this proposal amending O.C.G.A. § 13-8-2 relating to contracts ‘contravening’ public policy.  This would declare as contrary to public policy certain contracts between an insurer and a hospital that is a sole provider of obstetric services within a one-mile radius of its facility.  This would apply to any renewal or amendment to such a contract.  This bill was introduced due to the differences between two Atlanta facilities:  Northside Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital (both of which are located on “Pill Hill”). 

Committee News 

          The House Health and Ecology Committee held its organizational meeting today in the Legislative Office Building.  Members assigned to this Committee, which is still chaired by Rep. Buddy Childers, include: 

Rep. Nan Grogan Orrock (Vice Chair)           Rep. Lester Jackson

Rep. Sharon Beasley Teague                          Rep. Tom Bordeaux

Rep. Jeff  Brown                                            Rep. Kathy Cox

Rep. Douglas C. Dean                                   Rep. Karla Drenner

Rep. David Graves                                        Rep. Bill Hembree

Rep. Michele Henson (Secretary)                   Rep. Sistie Hudson

Rep. Bob Irvin                                               Rep. Paul Jennings

Rep. John Lunsford                                       Rep. Warren Massey

Rep. Jo Ann McClinton                                 Rep. James “Billy” McKinney

Rep. Fran Millar                                            Rep. Bobby Eugene Parham

Rep. Don Parsons                                         Rep. Nikki Randall

Rep. Clint Smith                                             Rep. Rene’e Unterman

Rep. Len Walker                                           Rep. Jack West

Rep. Joe Wilkinson 

           This Committee is split almost evenly amongst Democrats and Republicans.  Rep. Childers encouraged members not to be partisan in considering legislation before the Committee.  As in the past, this Committee will use Subcommittees to review bills before bills are voted on by the entire Committee.  Each member will be assigned to two Subcommittees.  

Newly elected members present at this meeting included:  Rep. Karla Drenner (she holds two doctorate degrees and has worked with a large chemical company on environmental health and safety issues); Rep. John Lunsford (he is in chemical manufacturing and sales); Rep. Joe Wilkinson (he is a retired executive from The Coca-Cola Company and now is a consultant to e-commerce businesses).  Also present at today’s meeting was returning Rep. Warren Massey; this is his first service to this Committee. 

          This Committee plans to meet on Wednesdays in Room 606 of the Legislative Office Building at 2:00 p.m. or upon adjournment (whichever is later). 

          Rep. Orrock noted that there will be a couple of issues relating to the Governor’s Cancer Initiative.  These are the proposed tissue laboratory at Grady Hospital (cancer screening) and the Breast Cancer Center at Grady being done in conjunction with Avon. 

          The Senate Insurance and Labor Committee also met today for an organizational meeting.  Members of this Committee, chaired by Sen. Robert Brown, are: 

Sen. Tim Golden

Sen. Ed Harbison

Sen. Don Balfour

Sen. Susan Cable

Sen. Mike Crotts

Sen. Nathan Dean

Sen. Greg Hecht

Sen. Rene’e Kemp

Sen. Robert Lamutt

Sen. Mitch Seabaugh

Sen. Bill Stephens

Sen. Connie Stokes

Sen. Charles Walker 

          Jeff Lanier will serve as counsel to this Committee.  There were a couple of brief presentations made by Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine and Consumer’s Insurance Advocate Cathey Steinberg. 

          Commissioner Oxendine explained that his Department would be pursuing a couple of pieces of legislation this Session as a result of the federal legislation passed as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.  Specifically, there will be pursuit of Uniform Agent Licensing legislation and Privacy Law legislation.  Two model bills are available including one by the NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners) on privacy issues.  Commissioner Oxendine proposes to utilize Georgia’s progressive privacy law, which was passed in 1982, with technical amendments added to be in compliance with the new federal law.  As for the Uniform Agent Licensing, this will be basically a license reciprocity.  States will adopt uniform standards, keeping continuing education.  Each State will still issue a license to an agent.  A number of questions were raised including some by Sens. Dean, Harbison, and Crotts (all of these gentlemen are or have been in the insurance business).   Commissioner Oxendine pointed out that Georgia, along with a majority of states, must enact these provisions.  Otherwise, licensing would be done at the federal level. 

          Ms. Steinberg also told the Committee more about her Office’s activity.  Specifically, she pointed out that she and her staff, due to their charge as advocates for consumers, were reviewing insurance rate filings (along with the Department of Insurance).  She has seen several hundred such filings.  Her Office, which is tracking trends and complaints, has heard complaints from consumers about denials of coverage, claims issues, and dissatisfaction with rates, coverage, etc.  So far, her Office has had complaints from 140 counties with 400 companies having issues filed against them.   Small group insurance rates appear to be the number one problem.  Small group product rates have increased almost 200%.  Her Office is also trying to educate consumers about insurance.