Legislative News for 2008

Please note that the news listed on this page is listed with the most recent first.

Well folks it has been a week since the final gavel sounded marking the end of the 2009 session of the Georgia General Assembly. The session was disappointing for almost everyone and particularly for ABATE of GA. We had aspirations to introduce four bills in the Senate and the same four bills in the House. What came to fruition were 2 house bills (HB-317 &HB-617) dealing with freedom of choice and red light proceed, respectively. In the Senate we had one bill that received a number (SB-196) dealing with increased penalties for right of way violations, repeat offenders.

HB-617---received a favorable report from the Motor Vehicle committee, but was not approved for vote on the House floor by the Rules Committee.

These two bills can be picked up next January and worked on during the 2^nd year of the 2009-2010 session.

SB-196---passed out of committee and was voted favorably on the floor of the Senate. Once it passed over to the house there was a struggle right down to the final day 40. On day 40 there several substitutions and amendments added. The final passage vote in the House was at 8pm on the last day 4 hours before the end of the session. A BIG THANX GOES OUT TO JOEY BRUSH FOR SPENDING DAY 40 AT THE CAPITOL ASSISTING SEN BILL JACKSON IN GETTING THIS BILL PASSED.

On April 25, 26 MOTOPAC (Motorcycle Political Action Committee) ABATE of GA is holding its 2^nd annual Rally for our Rights. Saturday there will be bike games followed by a Presentation of the Governor’s Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Proclamation by members of the GOHS (governor’s office of highway safety). Southern Pride band will be playing Saturday night with free primitive camping

On Sunday 4/26/09 there will be an escorted “Ride to the Capitol” where the Governor’s Awareness and Safety Proclamation will be presented again, along with some short speeches.

Today is crossover day in the General Assembly; day 30 of the 40 day session. All bills must be approved in the appropriate committees and pass on the floor of both the Senate and the House before they can become laws. If a bill has not passed from the side where it was introduced to the opposite side by day 30 it has little or no chance of being voted into law.

We have 3 bills that have been introduced; 2 House bills (HB-317 and HB-617) and 1 Senate bill (SB-196).

HB-317 is the freedom of choice bill and it was not even called up to be heard in committee. There is a GREAT deal of lobbying done against this issue. The Reps that signed on as sponsors for this bill complained to me that they were being overwhelmed with phone calls from medical and professional organizations arguing that modifying the present helmet law would be both expensive and medically traumatic. Our sponsors did not mention receiving any calls for pro FREEDOM supporters. So once again our Freedom of Choice bill is just a piece of paper!

We had a little better success with HB-617 proceed on Red light. It received a favorable review and passed out of the Motor Vehicles Committee. The last hurdle for HB-617 was the 39 member Rules Committee where all the bills are screened to be put on the Daily Calendar for a House vote. It was not recommended and missed being approved by crossover day. This bill (with a little enlightening of the Rules members) has an excellent chance to be ready in 2010 session to make it.

On a brighter note, Senate bill SB-196 enhanced penalties for ROW was passed in the Senate and has crossed over to the House and been assigned to the Motor Vehicles Committee. We have 10 days left to move SB-196 through the committees and onto the floor of the House for a vote.

Remember, we are in the 1^st year of a 2 year session so we still have next year to work on our bills. It is VERY important that you contact your Reps and Senators and mention our bills by number SB-196, HB-317&617. Besides your own legislators it is important to contact the committee members who will be hearing our bills. Spend a little time surfing this webpage you might be surprised at what you can find out.

MEMBERS OF RULES COMMITTEE---click on pictures or names for contact information.

MEMBERS OF MOTOR VEHICLES COMMITTEE—click on pictures or names for contact info

Red Light Proceed Bill. House Bill 617 (HB-617) was introduced in the House of Representatives on 3/3/2009 by Rep Martin Scott. It has been assigned to the Motor Vehicles Committee, chaired by Rep Tom Rice. Click on the following link to go directly to the Motor Vehicles Committee page and then click on each picture to get the committee member’s contact information.

We have 2 active bills in the House, HB-317 & HB-617, dealing with freedom of choice and red light proceed. Both are assigned to Motor Vehicles Committee. The next obstacle is to get them on the agenda to be heard and passed in motor vehicles followed by a favorable vote on the floor of the House so they can cross-over to the Senate before cross-over day next Thursday. Please contact them now!

Any active bills we have at the end of this 2009 session will be already established for 2010 and we will be able to pick them up where we left off in 2009. Our legislature has a 2 year session.

Our 1st bill was dropped in the House on Friday February 6. HB-317 FREEDOM OF CHOICE authored by Rep Billy Horne of Newnan and sponsored by an impressive group of Reps. On the downside, our bill is assigned to Motor Vehicles Committee and our nemesis Rep Tom Rice from Norcross. (Click on hyperlink (HB-317 above to go to Georgia General Assembly Website)

February 24, 2009

Was good to see everyone at the Swap Meet; a special thanks to all of you who showed your appreciation and took time to write thank you letters to the sponsors of HB-317. I had dental surgery and wasn't in shape to visit the Capitol but the Assistant Legislative Director, Linda Allen filled in for me. Thank you Linda!!

As you can see below, we have another bill on board, Enhanced penalties for repeat Right of Way Violators was introduced in the Senate by Sen Bill Jackson. 2 down 6 to!

Went to the Gold Dome today Delivered all of the letters from the SWAP meet. SB 196 ROW on the agenda for Senate First Read. (Click on SB 196 above to go directly to Georgia General Assembly Website)

HB-317 Click Here to see bill without going to other website

SB-196 Click Here to see bill without going to other website

HB-617 Click here to see bill without going to other website.

Now is the time for YOU to contact your legislators. You can find who your legislators are under the "Find & Contact Your Legislator" button. If you don't know your 9 digit zip code look on your address label of your newsletter. If you are not a member please join today!

State Legislative Director and Lobbyist - Ed "Yankee" Andross - email edandross@bellsouth.net. Contact Ed to be added to his Georgia Legislative Update List e-mail.

Assistant Legislative Director and Lobbyist - Linda Allen - email activist4u@hotmail.com

The legislators returned to the Gold Dome on January 12, to begin their 2009-2010 session. Since it is a new 2-year session we will need to re-introduce all our bills. That means finding Representatives and Senators to carry and sponsor our bills in the House of Representatives and the Senate. We have a new DC in district 8, Joey Brush, who has served as a member of both the House and Senate. He is providing invaluable coaching for our efforts and has offered his experience and many contacts. THANKS JOEY!!

I would thank all the people who stopped at the legislative table during the last two Swap Meets and signed up to be available to help in our efforts. We now have a data base of over 300 names from all over the state. These people who participated in Special Promotions have agreed to contact their Senator or Representative if necessary. CONGRATULATIONS TO RUSS MOUNTAIN , OF FRANKLIN , GA. WHOSE TICKET WAS DRAWN AT OUR LAST SWAP MEET; HE WON A FREE ABATE ONE YEAR MEMBERSHIP.

As soon as we have bill numbers for our legislation, I will post the information on the GALU (Georgia Abate Legislative Update). If you would like to be included on this email list, send me your email address.

Please note that the bills below were introduced last year and will be introduced again this year. The bill numbers WILL CHANGE.

An additional bill will be presented regarding Discrimination against Motoryclists.