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AJC.com > Legislature > Georgia Beat > Archives > 2005 > February > 14
Monday, February 14, 2005
Legislature caps medical malpractice jury awards
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A controversial measure to cap medical malpractice awards passed the state Senate today by a 38-15 vote and needs only Gov. Sonny Perdue’s signature to become law.
The bill, which failed Thursday by one vote, needed 29 “yes” votes for a constitutional majority.
Introduced and approved in the Senate a few weeks ago, the measure was amended to cap pain and suffering awards at $350,000 and won approval in the House Thursday. But in a vote that surprised many, the amended measure failed when it came back to the Senate that day.
Several Democrats once again urged their colleagues not to support the bill in its current form and allow the measure to be fine-tuned in conference committee.
“All I’m asking is to slow down,” said Minority Whip David Adelman (D-Atlanta).
Sen. Preston Smith (R-Rome), the bill’s sponsor, told the chamber that some details of the bill still could be tinkered with. His promise won him the support of several senators who opposed the measure last week.
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Land conservation bill set to become law
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Gov. Sonny Perdue’s initiative to preserve Georgia’s green space — from fragile wetlands to Civil War battlefields — received overwhelming support Monday in the state Senate.
The bill passed by a 52-2 vote. The measure has already cleared the House, making it the first piece of legislation of the 2005 Legislative session to clear both chambers. Once the governor signs the measure it will become law.
The bill would make millions of dollars available to entice farmers, timber companies and other large landowners to permanently protect their pastures, forests and other landscapes from development.
The owners would still own their land and could continue to farm or timber it. They would not have to open it up for public access. The legislation also would encourage public-private land deals through a nine-member council that would evaluate projects based on ecological value.
Sen. Steve Thompson (D-Powder Springs) spoke against the measure. He argued that Georgia’s urban areas need greenspace protection and programs that target air and water pollution. His amendment to include cemeteries in the definition of greenspace failed.
Earlier in the afternoon, the Senate approved a motion to reconsider a resolution that would allow public funding of social service programs run by religious organizations. The resolution, backed by Gov. Perdue, failed on Thursday to receive the two-thirds majority approval necessary for passage by three votes.
Sen. Don Balfour (R-Snellville) made the motion to reconsider Monday. The motion passed 33-11. The resolution now returns to the Senate Rules Committee, where the members can vote on placing the measure back on the general calendar for another vote.
Several Democrats said last week that they could not support the bill unless it was amended to ensure public money could not be spent on private or parochial schools.
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House moves to create state accounting office
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Members of the Georgia House today logged another short day in formal session. The House convened at 1 p.m. and recessed for the day at 2:12 p.m.
House members voted to create a new agency of state government — the state accounting office.
They also passed legislation that allows the governor to appoint members of the Residential and General Contractors State Licensing Board.
Among the final pieces of legislation passed by the House was an extension of a pilot Family Court division of Fulton Superior Court. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Wendell Willard (R-Atlanta) said he has dropped legislation to allow other counties to establish similar programs.
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