Legislative Update – Week One

2013 General Assembly is Underway

The 2013 session of the Georgia General Assembly convened on Monday, January 14 at 10:00 a.m.  All state representatives and state senators were sworn in during ceremonies in each chamber.  The legislative session will last 40 legislative days that are determined by the leaders in both legislative bodies.  In recent years, the 40 legislative day sessions have extended well into April taking over 60 calendar days to complete.  Due to the uncertainty of federal government funding for next year, this years session could potentially be extend into May or beyond.

Significant Number of Bills Already Introduced

After only 4 legislative days, over 240 bills and resolutions have been introduced.  Legislation to address the cost of funding Medicaid hospital patients (SB 24) has already passed the Senate and is headed to the House.  HB 41was introduced to limit local water and sewer authorities from charging neighboring communities more for these services than they charge their home customers.

Governor Recommends Increased Investments in Fiscal Year (FY) 2014

Governor Deal has recommended both increased investments in key programs throughout the state government as well as some budget cuts to other programs in FY14 which starts July 1, 2013.  The governor has set next years state budget at $17.4 billion, up 3% from $16.9 billion in FY13.  The governor is asking the legislature to fund K-12 education and the University System with an additional $300 million (+3.2%) while recommending technical college funding be reduced by $25 million (-7.5%).  The Department of Natural Resources is also looking at a proposed reduction in next years budget of $1 million.  GDOT funding would increase 2%, or $16 million if approved by the legislature.

On the revenue side, the governor is projecting modest yearly increases in lottery funds (+0.7%) and motor fuel tax funds (+0.6%) in FY14.

Metro Atlanta and RBC County Legislators Hold Key Leadership Positions

Legislators for metro Atlanta and RBC counties are increasing their clout at the Capitol.

In the House, 17 of 38 committees are chaired by metro Atlanta representatives.  The Speaker pro tempore, majority whip and minority leader are from metro Atlanta.

In the Senate, 11 of 29 committees are chaired by metro Atlanta senators.  The President pro tempore, majority leader, minority leader and governor’s floor leader are all from metro Atlanta.

Senate Takes First Stab at Limiting Lobbyists’ Spending

The Senate adopted internal rules that would limit expenditures on senators to $100 per occasion except under specific exceptions.  Because these new restrictions are part of the Senate’s internal rules, they have no impact on the House.  The Speaker of the House has indicated the House will consider other limitations more restrictive than the Senate rules.  Whether those restrictions are introduced as House rules or as legislation impacting both legislative bodies is yet to be seen.

Legislature in Recess for One Week for Budget Hearings

The legislature adjourned Thursday afternoon and will return on January 28 for their 5^th legislative day.  The coming week will be spent with joint House and Senate budget hearing on the amended fiscal year 2013 budget.  The primary purpose of the amended budget hearings is to determine how much additional funding local school systems will need in excess of their projected FY13 budget.  The increased funding is needed to pay for additional teachers in school systems that grew faster than expected.

Have a great week.