Georgia Senator Tyler Harper and Representative Amy Carter were asked to provide an overview of the 2016 legislative session and insight into what is on the horizon for 2017.
Senator Tyler Harper
During the 2016 legislative session and following months, I served on several key Senate committees, including Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, Natural Resources and the Environment, Retirement, and Public Safety.
As chairman of the Senate Public Safety Committee, a major issue this year involved reviewing House Bill 110, which passed in 2015. This bill establishes regulations regarding the sale and use of consumer fireworks in Georgia. In the past, Georgia citizens traveled to bordering states to purchase fireworks, and allowing the sale of consumer fireworks in Georgia provides an increase in tax revenue, additional employment opportunities, and overall convenience for Georgia citizens wanting to purchase consumer fireworks.
Last year, new businesses began opening throughout the state to sell consumer fireworks. However, it became apparent that there were issues associated with the law that needed further review, especially in regards to time and place for fireworks to be used in Georgia.
Members of the Senate Public Safety Committee, and other legislators talked with concerned citizens, local governmental officials, firework vendors, and emergency response personnel to gain insight and suggestions on how to make the personal use of fireworks safer and more accommodating for Georgia’s citizens.
With this information, I joined Senators Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga), Ben Watson (R-Savannah), John Albers (R-Roswell), Frank Ginn (R-Danielsville), and David Shafer (R-Duluth) in sponsoring Senate Bill 369, which provides clarification to several key issues within the existing law, including new requirements for the licensing of fireworks vendors, revised locations where fireworks can be ignited, and adjusted time periods when consumer fireworks can be ignited. At the same time, our friends in the House of Representatives worked on legislation with the same goals in mind, moving forward with House Bill 727.
As many of you may know, the legislative process is full of many changes, adjustments, and perfecting throughout the process. With that in mind, Senate Bill 369 did not gain final approval in its initial form as it was used as a vehicle for other legislative issues. However, most of SB 369 was placed in House Bill 727, which became the 2016 session fireworks bill and was passed, then signed by Gov. Nathan Deal, and officially took effect April 26, 2016.
In addition, a constitutional amendment will be on the Nov. 8, 2016, ballot in Georgia, that if passed will “provide that the proceeds of excise taxes on the sale of fireworks or consumer fireworks be dedicated to the funding of trauma care, firefighter equipping and training, and local public safety purposes.” I support this constitutional amendment and believe that the funds generated will impact these important agencies and programs throughout the state.
It has truly been a privilege to serve as chairman of the Senate Public Safety Committee and although I do not have a professional background in law enforcement, fire service, or EMA/EMS, I have an extreme interest and passion in supporting law enforcement, public safety, and emergency responders. These individuals support our citizens every day, and I respect what they do and want to help whenever possible. I am honored to do my part as chairman,making sure that the safety and security for all Georgia citizens and visitors are addressed and are at the forefront of our discussions in continuing to build a Georgia that will be the best place to live, work, and raise a family.
As we are preparing for the 2017 legislative session, law enforcement and issues surrounding public safety continue to emerge as a key topic. I will continue to work with the governor’s office and legislators to support funding that enhances public safety, law enforcement, fire, and all emergency services, so we can continue to provide the highest level of protection to all Georgia citizens. Other important topics that we hope to address are issues related to rural healthcare, rural broadband services, and a continued focus on economic development in South Georgia. I look forward to working with my colleagues on these and other important issues in the next few months and during the 2017 legislative session.
Representative Amy Carter
As the only active public school teacher represented in the General Assembly, I am committed to providing the classroom teacher’s and students’ perspectives. This has proven to be an important connection, especially as a member of the House Education Committee, which is responsible for legislative aspects within Pre-K and K-12 education. I also serve on the House Higher Education Committee, which is responsible for issues facing public universities, colleges, postsecondary education, and student financial aid.
Currently, I am focused on monitoring the impact of Senate Bill 364, which basically lessens the weight of standardized test scores in teacher evaluations, and lowers the total number of tests K-12 students take from 32 to 24.
This year, Gov. Nathan Deal appointed me to chair the newly formed Teacher Advisory Commission, which has the mission of reviewing recommendations from the 2015 Educational Reform Commission. Throughout the summer, 90 public school teachers from across the state participated in meetings, conference calls, and webinars to review the commission’s recommendations and present them to the governor this fall.
The teachers are carefully considering each proposal that includes recruitment and retention of teachers, teacher compensation, and competency-based education. The teachers are providing valuable feedback and working to refine some of the recommendations. Once we have completed gathering all the feedback and recommendations (early fall), we will begin compiling the information into a report to present to Gov. Deal, so he can review before the 2017 legislative session begins.
As we prepare for the 2017 legislative session, health care will continue to be a priority, as we will examine regulations associated with the Affordable Health Care Act and how it impacts families and businesses. Members of the General Assembly are looking for ways to help hospitals—large and small—as well as physicians/providers to ensure that they continue providing the highest quality medical care throughout Georgia.
This year the House established a Base Realignment and Closure Committee (BRAC), which is charged with identifying ways to protect military bases throughout Georgia. Here in South Georgia, Moody Air Force Base has an annual economic impact of more than $450 million. It is a high priority for Georgia to protect all of its bases for possible closure and realignment.
Within South Georgia, economic development remains an area we need to continue to promote. Not only is new industry a priority, but our existing industry must be nurtured. It is imperative we buy services and products locally and within our state whenever possible. We need to promote the thriving industries we have in the region and the growth many of them are experiencing. The South Georgia legislative delegation is committed to supporting each other in our endeavors to recruit and retain industry in our region.