Dear Parents,
I would like to thank you for your support and service this past year on behalf of the children in Georgia. In addition, I wish you a Happy New Year as you continue your legislative and advocacy efforts in 2015. To help you kick-off the new legislative year, please find below some important i information:
Important Days During the Legislative Session
- On January 12, 2015, marks the first day of the 2015 Georgia Legislative Session . The General Assembly , consisting of 180 Georgia Representatives and 56 Georgia Senators , gathers inside the gold dome of the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta. These legislators will work vigorously to go over the 2015/16 state budgets, discuss proposed bills and resolutions and keep our state in the best shape possible. Each session lasts 40 days, but, keep in mind, that doesn't mean 40 consecutive days. Each day the General Assembly convenes, a day is officially notched in the calendar, but the two houses can remain in recess for several days or even a week at a time. Theoretically, those 40 days could stretch for five months and run all the way to May.
- Governor Nathan Deal's inauguration is scheduled January 12, 2015 at the State Capitol. Prior to this event, Gov. Deal will kick off a statewide volunteer day - called "With A Servant's Heart on Saturday, January 10, 2015.
- Crossover Day - This day typically occurs on the 30th day of the session. All bills in each chamber must be approved by this day so that they can then move to the other chamber for discussion and review. For example, a bill in the Senate must pass the Senate by this day in order to be considered by the House. If a bill does not pass its initial chamber, it can no longer move forward this year, but its hopes for passage may lie for another year .
- Sine Die - This is the very last day of session. "Sine Die" is Latin for "without day." In our context it means that we aren't going to assign a day for a further meeting. By declaring Sine Die, we are adjourning the General Assembly, indefinitely causing the 40-day legislative session to officially come to an end.
To find more events and the happenings of the Capitol, be sure to look at the calendar of events . You can also keep up with what's going on during the session with live broadcasts from the House , the Senate or both chambers at the same time .
House and Senate Prefiled legislation for 2015 Legislative Session
- HB 3 - Education; programs; person solicit transaction with student-athlete; provide sanctions
- HB 6 - Georgia Student Finance Commission; provide weighted grade point averages in excess of 4.0 for purposes of determining eligibility for HOPE; authorize
- HB 7 - Child Safety and Emergency Preparedness Act; enact
- HB 16 - Education; no high school which receives funding from Quality Basic Education Act shall participate in or sponsor interscholastic sports events unless students enrolled in magnet schools can participate under certain conditions; provide
- HB 17 - Hidden Predator Act; enact
- HB 22 - HOPE; grants cover full cost of tuition; provide
- HB 23 - HOPE; eligibility requirements; eliminate seven-year limitation from student's graduation from high school
- HB 24 - HOPE; eligibility as a Zell Miller Scholarship Scholar for students who do not qualify as freshmen; provide
- HB 25 - HOPE; Zell Miller Grant Scholars; provide that spouses and dependent children of military service members and veterans are eligible
- SB 7 - Crimes and Offenses: children who have been sexually exploited; make provisions; create Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Children Fund Commission (PF
- SR 7 - Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Children Fund; provide that General Assembly by law may impose additional penalties or fees for the offenses- CA (PF)
Georgia PTA Public Policy and Legislative Agenda for 2015
Georgia PTA serves to strengthen our collective voices to engage and empower families and communities to advocate on a broad range of state public policy issues that affect the lives of children. The Georgia PTA Board of Directors adopted the 2015 legislative agenda based on critical policy issues surveyed by the Georgia PTA membership. Georgia PTA agenda includes: legislative advocacy in the general assembly, executive and regulatory advocacy with administration and officials of state agencies, and legal advocacy through participation in state courts.To read 2015 Georgia PTA Public Policy, click: Georgia PTA Legislative Priorities
Save the Date: Georgia PTA Student Advocacy Day
Tuesday, february 5th, 2015 is Georgia PTA's Student Advocacy Day. This day is an opportunity for Georgia students to join Georgia PTA to learn about our legislation process and discuss important topics affecting their education and community. More information will be provided soon.
Save the Date: Georgia PTA Day at the Capitol
Tuesday, March 3rd, 2015 is Georgia PTA Day at the Capitol! This day is an opportunity for PTA leaders and members to join other advocates at Georgia State Capitol to speak with elected officials to advocate our legislative priorities for the children and families of Georgia. In addition, this will be an important opportunity to invite your legislator to the luncheon in appreciation for their hard work and commitment to our issues. More information will be provided.
Please contact me if you have any questions or need further assistance regarding Georgia PTA legislative and advocacy efforts.
Sincerely,
Tyler Barr
Georgia PTA
Legislative Policy Specialist/State Lobbyist
