By: Sen. Bill Hamrick (R-Carrollton)

The 2012 Legislative Session of the Georgia General Assembly adjourned at midnight on Thursday, March 29. It was a moment of celebration that closed months of hard work at the Capitol and one of the longest days of the 40 day period.

Although the Senate has adjourned until next January, our work as elected officials will not stop. Throughout the rest of the year, I will continue to research issues of importance and meet with constituents about their concerns in both the district and the entire state.

In January, the Senate Majority Party announced five areas of focus during the 2012 legislative session. These areas embodied the principles of responsible spending, putting Georgians back to work and providing students with a quality education. While not all of our efforts succeeded, I am very pleased with the number of bills that are now on the way to the Governor’s desk for his signature. This is legislation that will ultimately put Georgia on the road to economic recovery and contribute to the success of our state.

Limited Government

During this year’s session, the Senate worked hard to reduce the overall size and scope of state government, especially as it pertains to the overall productivity of Georgia’s state-run programs. To further support these goals, the Senate adopted HB 456, also known as the Georgia Government Accountability Act. Similar to the Senate’s version, this legislation provides a mechanism to determine the continued need of state-run programs through the creation of the Legislative Sunset Advisory Committee. The passage of this historic legislation provides a clear solution for efficient government operations and also helps maximize every taxpayer dollar.

 

Pro-Business Tax Reform

One of the most important things Georgia can do to attract businesses and promote job creation is revise our tax structure into one that spurs private-sector growth and welcomes investment in our state. In the final days of the 2012 Legislative Session, the Senate passed HB 386 – a comprehensive tax reform package projected to offer Georgia businesses and taxpayers nearly $262 million in tax savings over the next three years.

In order to see continued growth and get more Georgians back to work, it was imperative to revise Georgia’s antiquated tax code by removing the tax levied on manufacturing facilities, an estimated savings of approximately $150 million per year. As a result, Georgia will become even more attractive to businesses seeking to relocate or expand their operations.

This common sense legislation also kept Georgia families in mind by reducing the burden of the marriage penalty in the state income tax, eliminating the birthday tax, and bringing back the tax holiday for school supplies. The passage of HB 386 is a tremendous victory for both Georgia’s businesses and families, and is a clear indication that Georgia is moving forward with the times.

21 st Century Education Reform

21 st century education reform was one of our greatest legislative priorities this session.  Our classrooms and our communities are poised to thrive due in large part to a variety of bills passed dealing with how our children learn and how we support our valuable educators. With the passage of charter schools amendment, HR 1162, Georgians will have the opportunity to vote to approve this measure in November. HR 1162 defines a state charter school in the State Constitution, provides that a state charter school must be public, nonsectarian, nonreligious, and nonprofit, and regulates that the state is not allowed to divert funding from the local school district.

We also addressed the need for technological advancement in our classrooms. SB 289 requires local school systems to offer virtual instruction programs to enable students to use online and distance learning in nontraditional classrooms. The bill also requires high school students to complete at least one of these online learning courses.

Parents will be empowered with extensive knowledge on progress made by school system due to the passage of SB 410. The bill adopts indicators of quality of learning by students, financial efficiency, and school climate for individual schools and school systems. The legislation assigns a numerical score rating for individual schools and school systems based on student achievement, achievement gap closure, and student progress. It also requires that a letter grade be assigned to each school and school system, and that grades are included on each school system’s annual report card.

The Senate also took necessary steps to support our valuable educators. SB 184 prohibits local school boards from implementing a policy that allows length of teaching time to be a main factor when reducing staff. Similarly, SB 153 requires that written documentation be provided to teachers, administrators, and contract employees who have been terminated or suspended only for financial reasons, specifying such as the reason for their termination or suspension. Though economic times have reached into every community, every business, and effected every profession- especially our educators. It is an unfortunate circumstance when an educator must be terminated or suspended due to no fault of their own, and we are doing everything in our power to help clear the path for future employment.

 

Fiscal Responsibility

Now more than ever, the Georgia General Assembly must take great strides to eliminate government waste and reduce expenditures. Government operations are funded by taxpayer dollars, and the Senate Majority Party drafted legislation in 2012 to ensure the continued financial responsibility of our state and to urge the federal government to adopt more fiscally sound policy. The Georgia legislature concluded the 2012 session by passing a $19.3 billion dollar budget, keeping in line with the state’s commitment to pass balanced budget legislation each year. Georgia’s economy will be better positioned to grow, create more jobs and get more Georgians back to work.

In addition, the passage of SB 33 will assist in the legislature’s efforts to control state spending and maximize every taxpayer dollar. This zero-based budgeting bill will require the thorough re-evaluation of all line items in the budget every ten years, with state agencies being rotated so that not all are subject to review at one time.

Although the State of Georgia requires the General Assembly to pass a balanced budget that does not allow for deficit spending each year, this fiscally responsible measure is not required by the federal government. As a result, our national debt at record numbers and keeps climbing higher.

The Senate passed SR 673 to petition Congress to call a Constitutional convention for the purpose of proposing a balanced budget amendment. The resolution recommends that the total of all federal appropriations made by the Congress for any fiscal year may not exceed that total of all estimated federal revenue for that fiscal year.

In a great show of bipartisan support, the Senate passed HB 1176, a comprehensive sentencing and corrections reform bill that will save Georgia taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars, improve public safety and lower recidivism rates

Protecting Our Children

The children of Georgia are our state’s greatest asset, and their innocence and future potential needs to be fiercely protected. As adults, it is our responsibility to preserve the highest quality of life for all children—even those who are yet to be born. Under current law, some individuals are not ready to report a brutal crime against them as a child until he or she is well into adulthood. Therefore, the Senate introduced and passed SB 316 to extend the statute of limitations on reporting sexual crimes. The Senate also passed SB 355; legislation that extends the mandatory reporting requirement for child abuse beyond those directly responsible for the child’s care. These bills were ultimately incorporated into HB 1176—the criminal justice reform bill.

 

Although I will now be spending most of my time in District 30, I am still working on your behalf to ensure Georgia is a place for growth—for both business and families. Please be sure to keep up with me on my social media pages.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofSenatorBillHamrick

Twitter: www.twitter.com/SenatorHamrick

It has been a pleasure to serve as the voice of the 30 th Senate District at the Capitol during the 2012 legislative session. If there is anything I can do for you, please feel free to contact my office at any time.

ATLANTA (March 27, 2012) – In a great show of bipartisan support today, the Georgia Senate passed HB 1176 by a vote of 51 to 0. The comprehensive sentencing and corrections reform bill promises to save Georgia taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars, move low-level offenders permanently out of the system, and improve overall public safety. Sen. Bill Hamrick (R-Carrollton), a long-time supporter of criminal justice reform in Georgia, carried the bill.

 

“The common-sense solutions found in this bill are the result of months of work analyzing our state’s corrections system and consulting a wide range of stakeholders,” said Sen. Hamrick. “HB 1176 outlines much-needed reforms that will improve public safety, lower recidivism rates and bring real costs savings to Georgia taxpayers. Without action, taxpayers would have paid $264 million over the next five years to accommodate a rising prison population. I am pleased to see the Senate overwhelmingly support this bill.”

The overall intention of HB 1176 is to strengthen penalties for violent and career criminals, while providing more effective punishments for low-level drug users and property offenders. The creation of a rehabilitation-based system for low-level offenders will free up prison space in order to keep the most dangerous offenders behind bars.

Specific initiatives of HB 1176 include creating a tougher process for probation and parole supervision; expanding proven community-based sentencing options to reduce recidivism, such as accountability courts and substance abuse and mental health programs; and holding agencies accountable for better results by implementing systematic data collection and performance measurement systems.

If signed into law, the legislation will place Georgia in the company of more than a dozen states—including Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina, Arkansas and Kentucky—that are currently implementing criminal justice policies designed to improve public safety, hold offenders accountable, and control corrections costs.

This legislation is the product of more than six months of work by the Special Council on Criminal Justice Reform for Georgians. This bipartisan, inter-branch Council conducted an in-depth analysis of the state’s sentencing and corrections data and met with a wide range of stakeholders including victim advocates, sheriffs, prosecutors and county officials. Members of a special joint legislative committee approved this bill before sending it to the Georgia House of Representatives where the bill passed unanimously.

The next step will be final agreement by the Georgia House of Representatives and Governor Deal to sign the legislation into law.

 

ATLANTA (March 9, 2012) – Sen. Bill Hamrick (R-Carrollton), a longtime advocate for the reformation of Georgia’s criminal justice system, will be the driving force behind House Bill 1176 in the Georgia Senate. HB 1176 was introduced by Rep. Rich Golick (R-Smyrna) on February 27 after several months of bipartisan work by the Special Council on Criminal Justice Reform for Georgians. Sen. Hamrick served as a legislative member of the Council.

 

HB 1176 is currently being considered by the Special Joint Committee on Georgia Criminal Justice Reform. The Committee is comprised of eight Senate members and nine House members and is co-chaired by Sen. Hamrick and Rep. Golick.

“This bill is the result of many long hours spent analyzing data, conducting interviews with key stakeholders and researching other states pursuing similar reform measures,” said Sen. Hamrick. “By forming a Joint Committee, we are able to facilitate open discussions with the House and efficiently amend the bill to its best possible draft. Georgia is facing new costs of $264 million in the next five years if no action is taken, and we don’t have time to waste.”

The overall intention of HB 1176 is to strengthen penalties for violent and career criminals, while providing more effective punishments for low-level drug users and property offenders. By creating a rehabilitation-based system for low-level offenders, prison space will be freed up in order to keep the most dangerous offenders behind bars. Specific initiatives include creating a tougher process for probation and parole supervision; expanding proven community-based sentencing options, such as accountability courts and substance abuse and mental health programs, that reduce recidivism; and holding agencies accountable for better results by implementing systematic data collection and performance measurement systems.

 

If approved by the General Assembly, the legislation will place Georgia in the company of more than a dozen states—including Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina, Arkansas and Kentucky—that are currently implementing criminal justice policies designed to improve public safety, hold offenders accountable, and control corrections costs.

On March 1 and 2, the Special Joint Committee on Georgia Criminal Justice Reform heard testimony from superior court judges, county officials, victim advocates and prosecutors regarding HB 1176.

HB 1176 must now be voted out of the Joint Committee by a majority vote, and then pass the both the Georgia House and Senate before it can be enacted. There are 10 days remaining in the 2012 Legislative Session of the Georgia General Assembly.

By: Sen. Bill Hamrick (R-Carrollton)

 

ATLANTA (March 2, 2012) – Reforming Georgia’s juvenile justice code has long been a priority of mine. For many years, this system has operated under code provisions that are outdated and ineffective; hampering our state’s ability to move children out of the juvenile court system permanently.

 

Back in 2009, I drafted legislation that called for substantial changes and the modernization of the juvenile court provisions found in the Georgia Code of Law.  This legislation then became the foundation for the Child Protection and Public Safety Act, which was introduced this year as Senate Bill 127 and as House Bill 641.

Under existing state code, provisions dealing with abuse and neglect are combined with those relating to delinquency and criminal action. As you can see, this is problematic. These situations need and deserve very different courses of action, because the ultimate goal is to move children out of Georgia’s juvenile courts system—permanently. However, our state is in need of a more efficient system that rehabilitates and counsels both youth and families.

One of the most important components of the Child Protection and Public Safety Act asks for twelve well-defined articles outlining the child’s rights to procedural due process, family preservation, proper representation and available services; dependent on the reason for juvenile court intervention.

On February 29, the House of Representatives passed HB 641 with a vote of 172 – 0. HB 641 is sponsored by Rep. Wendell Willard (R-Sandy Springs), another longtime advocate for the reform of Georgia’s juvenile code. Approximately two weeks earlier, SB 127 passed the Senate Judiciary committee. I am pleased to see the House show such overwhelming support for HB 641, and I hope the bill receives the same reception in the Senate.

Provisions of certain Child Protection and Public Safety Act articles include:

• Providing general principles that would apply in all juvenile court proceedings and clear definitions of key terms; including abuse, child in need of services, dependency, and imminent danger
• Outlining procedures for the creation and administration of juvenile courts, along with the appointment of judges
• Reorganizing current law in regards to children abused or neglected by parents and/or guardians, and also classifies these cases as “deprivation”
• Creating a new set of provisions to ensure children in foster care are receiving the opportunity to learn skills for independence and plan for the future
• Developing a new approach for intervening with “unruly” children, i.e. those who have committed an act that is not unlawful but is still disobedient
• Clarifying provisions of current law for children who are considered delinquent and have committed criminal acts.

Like with any program implementation, there are always up-front costs. However, the long-term cost savings of the Child Protection and Public Safety Act are great. Providing children with life skills training, early intervention programs and treatment greatly reduces their chance of becoming a burden on the state later in life.

As you can see below, the long-term cost savings of the following initiatives are much higher than the initial costs:

• Placing children in juvenile facilities rather than adult facilities may save $3 for every $1 spent
• Prevention and early intervention programs may save a minimum of $5 for every $1 spent
• Community-based treatments such as multi-systemic therapy and functional family therapy could save up to $13 for every $1 spent

Right now, we are failing thousands of Georgia youth by perpetuating their existence in a broken system. Their experience in the juvenile courts needs to be a teachable moment, because there is a future outside of the courts system. With the proper rehabilitation, there is no reason as to why these children cannot become successful and happy adults.

RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

March 2, 2012

For Information Contact:

Natalie Dale, Director

Jennifer Yarber

jennifer.yarber@senate.ga.gov

404.656.0028

By: Sen. Bill Hamrick (R-Carrollton)

 

In January, Gov. Deal released his amended budget for FY 2012. It is specifically stated in Georgia’s constitution that our state cannot spend more than what it receives in revenue. This is a fiscally responsible requirement that permits Georgia to maintain a Triple-A bond rating—we are one of only eight states to hold this distinction—and prevents Georgia from perpetual debt.

 

Just like any household budget, Georgia’s state budget is dependent on revenue and has unanticipated expenses. Adjustments need to be made periodically, and this is the reason why we amend the current fiscal year budget every January. We cannot allow deficit spending, and therefore need to review the budget to ensure revenues will sustain the investments in state agencies, programs and infrastructure.

On Thursday, February 23, the Senate passed HB 741, the FY 2012 Amended Budget. The Senate has recommended an amended budget of $18.5 billion in total state funds. Because the House version of the bill includes line items different from than the bill passed by the Senate, members from both chambers will now determine a mutually agreed-upon bill.

A few days prior to the passage of HB 741 by the Senate, Gov. Deal lowered the revenue estimate by approximately $47.2 million from his originally introduced FY 2012 Amended Budget—a move triggered by the flat revenues of recent months.

In FY 2009 and FY 2010, the difference between the General and Amended budgets was a reduction of $2.3 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively. Four of the top 10 revenue declines in Georgia happened in the first decade of the millennium, and FY 2009 and FY 2010 were the toughest reductions.

Georgia’s FY 2012 Amended Budget of $18.5 billion is considerably smaller than FY 2008’s Amended Budget of $20.5 billion. This is a result of the General Assembly’s focus on spending reductions as revenues declined.

This is why it is imperative for the General Assembly to focus on initiatives that stimulate job creation and economic growth. We need to continue giving strong consideration to bills that reduce the financial burden on businesses and shift concentration towards hiring and expansion, not just during the 2012 legislative session but also in those to come.

Although there are signs of economic recovery, our state is still navigating through bumpy financial waters. As a result, our state must find the right balance between the needs of its people and our constitutional obligation to provide a balanced budget.

There will continue to be tough decisions made in the fiscal years going forward, but at no time will the basic necessities of Georgians be ignored. Just like in any household, personal or business budget, the most fiscally responsible decisions are also the most difficult ones. However, those decisions are also the ones that are the most likely to bring lasting financial stability.

I welcome constituents to contact my office at any time with questions and concerns about our state’s financial health or bills of interest. To receive frequent updates about the 2012 legislative session, please be sure to visit my social media pages via the links below.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofSenatorBillHamrick

Twitter: www.twitter.com/SenatorHamrick

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 28, 2012

Natalie Dale, Director

Jennifer Yarber, Deputy Director

jennifer.yarber@senate.ga.gov

404.656.0028

ATLANTA (February 9, 2012) – Senator Bill Hamrick (R-Carrollton) welcomed local students Caroline Conerly and Samantha Holland to the State Capitol on Tuesday, February 7,  as participants in the Senate Page Program for the 2012 Legislative Session.

 

“I encourage students, particularly those interested in civics and government, to take advantage of this excellent opportunity to experience the legislative process first hand,” said Sen. Hamrick.  “This is a chance for students to experience American politics and watch the state legislature at work.”

Conerly is in the ninth grade at Central High School and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Conerly.  Holland is a senior at Paulding County High School is the daughter of Ms. Kelly McCauley.

“When I was little, I wanted to be the President,” said Conerly, “By learning more about government and politics while I’m at the Capitol, this can still be a reality for me.”

“It was especially nice to be at the Capitol on 4-H Day because I am a 4-H member,” said Holland, “This was my second year as a Page and I enjoyed helping Senator Hamrick throughout the day.”

Pages are granted access to the Senate Chamber for the day and are responsible for delivering messages to the senators on the floor.  They may also be called on by senators to run special errands.

Each senator is limited to 20 pages and spots are filled on a first come first served basis. Those interested should contact Senate Page Program Coordinator Nancy Ray at nancy.ray@senate.ga.gov or by phone at 404-657-7004.

RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

February 9, 2012

Contact:

Natalie Dale, Director

Jennifer Yarber, Deputy Director

jennifer.yarber@senate.ga.gov

404.656.0028

Condominium Oversight Bill Passes Senate

ATLANTA (February 9, 2012) – The Georgia General Assembly is quickly approaching the halfway point of the 2012 legislative session. As a reminder, each legislative session in Georgia is 40 days long, and Thursday, February 9 marked Day 18. It should also be noted that we are only 12 days away from Crossover Day, which is the last day Senate bills are able to transfer to the House of Representatives, and vice versa.

 

There are many bills waiting to be debated in their respective committees. One of my bills, SB 383, was presented this week in the Judiciary committee. SB 383 aims to revise Georgia’s current laws regarding international arbitration and enhance the state’s visibility as a neutral location for commercial contract resolution.

Georgia boasts a strong legal community with an existing platform for international commercial arbitration, and our state is home to a large concentration of Fortune 500 headquarters. Amending Georgia’s current code to incorporate internationally recognized law is a step in the right direction towards becoming a prominent venue for this type of arbitration. It is also another measure to help create and keep jobs in Georgia. The infrastructure is in place, but we need to clarify and strengthen our existing laws regarding this process.

The Senate chamber was an exciting place to be this week, as several Senate bills hit the floor for a vote. The following bills will now transfer to the House of Representatives:

SB 343 removes the title of Comptroller General from the State Commissioner of Insurance and creates a new position in the State Accounting Office. This bill passed 47-4.

SB 339 transfers personnel, aircraft, and other assets from the Georgia Aviation Authority back to the Department of Natural Resources and the State Forestry Commission.  The bill passed with a 50-5 vote.

SB 351 requires training standards for judges of courts exercising municipal court jurisdiction.  The Georgia Municipal Courts Training Council will keep records of the judges’ training and the reasonable costs of the training will be paid by the city or county where the judge presides.  The bill passed 48-0.

SB 352 gives municipal courts and courts exercising municipal court jurisdiction—traffic courts, recorders courts, and mayor’s courts—the authority to employ prosecuting attorneys to represent the jurisdiction in criminal proceedings in such courts.  The bill passed with a 50-0 vote.

It was a pleasure to be on the campus of Georgia Tech this week as Gov. Nathan Deal launched the REACH (Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen) Scholarship program and alongside an aggressive fundraising campaign. It has long been a Senate priority to provide top students with the funding to attend Georgia colleges and universities, and I am excited to watch this program expand throughout the state over the next few years.

I am never too busy to speak with my constituents. Please feel free to contact my office at any time with your questions and concerns, or feel free to visit my social media pages:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofSenatorBillHamrick

Twitter: www.twitter.com/SenatorHamrick

RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

February 13, 2012

For Information Contact:

Natalie Dale, Director

Jennifer Yarber, Deputy Director

jennifer.yarber@senate.ga.gov

404.656.0028

ATLANTA (February 7, 2012) – Sen. Bill Hamrick (R-Carrollton) has filed SB 383, which aims to revise Georgia’s current laws regarding international arbitration and enhance the state’s visibility as a neutral location for commercial contract resolution. This legislation has received the support of the business community, local chambers of commerce, and the State Bar of Georgia.

“Amending Georgia’s current code to incorporate internationally recognized law is a step in the right direction towards becoming a prominent venue for international commercial arbitration,” said Sen. Hamrick. “Georgia boasts a strong legal community with an existing platform for this process, and our state is home to a large concentration of Fortune 500 headquarters. The infrastructure is in place, but we need to clarify and strengthen our existing laws in order for our state to be a leading center for dispute resolution.

“U.S. companies will be less hesitant to enter into international contracts, and foreign entities will be more agreeable to arbitrate in Georgia if they know it will be a fair process,” added Sen. Hamrick.

International arbitration is the leading method in solving disputes between companies entered into international commercial agreements. The process avoids the uncertainties of traditional litigation by allowing both parties to have wide liberties in the selection of the arbitrator(s) and the arbitration procedure. International arbitration also allows parties to be represented by the counsel of their choice, even if the attorney is not licensed in a U.S. jurisdiction, and provides a binding resolution along with a confidentiality not often received in the legal system.

Georgia stands to gain several benefits from revising its current international arbitration code. The state will receive an economic development and tourism boost through the presentation of an annual signature international arbitration conference, and international business costs for U.S. companies throughout the southeast will ultimately be reduced.

RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

February 7, 2012

Contact:

Natalie Dale, Director

Jennifer Yarber, Deputy Director

jennifer.yarber@senate.ga.gov

404.656.0028