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AJC.com > Legislature > Georgia Beat > Archives > 2005 > February > 23
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Bill aims to block disclosure of cell phone numbers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Gov. Sonny Perdue’s measure to prevent wireless companies from disclosing the cell phone numbers of customers in a national directory without their consent cleared the Senate with no debate Wednesday.
The chamber voted 48-0 in favor of the measure sponsored by Sen. David Shafer (R-Duluth).
Under Senate Bill 46, wireless companies can not charge customers for refusing to have their number published in the directory. It also requires companies to clearly inform subscribers that if they agree to have their number published, they will be charged for both solicited and unsolicited calls under the terms of the wireless plan.
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Senate passes bill requiring video game retailers post ratings
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Senate Science and Technology Committee on Wednesday approved Senate Bill 106, a measure requiring retailers to post conspicuous signs explaining the rating system for video games.
The Entertainment Software Rating Board, a non-profit organization that reviews video game content, has five categories for games: Early Childhood, Everyone, Teen, Mature (17+), and Adults Only (18+).
The bill passed with two amendments; one would make retailers who violate the law guilty of a civil offense instead of a criminal one. The second amendment exempts arcade owners from having to post the ratings signs.
Sen. Doug Stoner (D-Smyrna), the bill’s sponsor, said parents are sometimes unaware of the graphic violent and sexual content of some of the most popular electronic games on the market.
Senate Bill 105, a related measure proposed by Stoner that would ban the sale or rental of violent video games to minors under age 17, is under review by a three-member Science and Technology subcommittee.
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Former governors, lawmakers pay tribute to Vandiver
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia’s former governors and current state lawmakers paid tribute today to late Gov. S. Ernest Vandiver Jr. at the Capitol, where the one-time segregationist helped clear the way for peaceful integration of state schools more than 40 years ago.
The body of Vandiver, who died late Monday, will lie in state at the Capitol from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. today. His funeral will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Lavonia First Baptist Church.
Vandiver’s flag-draped coffin was carried up the Capitol steps and into the rotunda this morning as a lone bagpiper played “Rowan Tree.”
State lawmakers lined both sides of the walkway, many with their hands over their hearts as Vandiver’s family followed in procession behind the casket.
Gov. Sonny Perdue and his wife, Mary, met the hearse carrying the late governor. Perdue was joined Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor and former Govs. Roy Barnes, Carl Sanders, Jimmy Carter, his wife, Rosalyn, and former U.S. Attorney General Griffin Bell, a Vandiver aide.
Vandiver was governor from 1959 to 1963, a turbulent time when he allowed the University of Georgia to be integrated.
“He did much to lift up Georgia and its people,” Perdue said of Vandiver during a brief Capitol ceremony. “He was very much an agent of progress and an example of moral courage during a difficult period in Georgia’s history.”
State Sen. Ed Harbison (D-Columbus), the former chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus echoed Perdue’s remarks in an interview before the service.
“Gov. Vandiver was a gentleman and he did facilitate intergration,” said Harbison. “It took a pretty good man to take a stand like that, especially in the face of so much pressure to go in the other direction.”
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Senate bill prohibits sales on public transportation
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Senate met for 90 minutes this morning before going into recess to honor late Gov. S. Ernest Vandiver Jr.
During the quick session, the Senate voted 47-0 in favor of a bill prohibiting people from selling goods and services to passengers on public transportation.
Sen. David Adelman (D-Atlanta) said the bill would not prevent community groups or individuals from handing out flyers or newsletters. He said the bill bans only the sale of unauthorized commercial literature. The bill also prohibits the solicitation of money on public buses and trains.
The Senate reconvenes Wednesday at 2 p.m. Several bills are on the calendar for debate, including Senate Bill 90, a measure to ban smoking in all indoor, public areas in Georgia. Senate Bill 35, a measure that pertains to charter schools and class size, also is scheduled for debate.
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