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DEL.ICIO.USSenate quickens the pace on legislation
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Georgia Senate quickened its pace today, approving five different bills that range from defying the federal Real ID Act approved by Congress in 2005 to increasing penalties for voter fraud.
The Senate voted 51-1 in favor of Senate Bill 5, a measure that would authorize Georgia’s governor to delay compliance with the Real ID Act until the federal government guarantees it will not compromise the privacy of any Georgian.
Under the Real ID Act, everyone in the country would have to provide extensive proof of his or her identity to get a driver’s license. Some of that information could include a digital fingerprint or retinal scan.
Georgia is among more than two dozen states rebelling against the Real ID Act, which goes into effect May 11. State lawmakers across the country are concerned the federal bill could lead to more identity fraud. In Georgia, the cost of implementing the act could be as much as $85 million.
Sen. Mitch Seabaugh (R-Sharpsburg), the bill’s sponsor, said Congress approved the Real ID Act without examining how it would be implemented or its consequences.
“Most disturbing is that there is no provision in the Real ID Act that requires or even mentions information privacy or data security,” Seabaugh said.
Sen. Steve Thompson (D-Powder Springs) voted for the bill after criticizing his colleagues for being hypocritical. He said Republican lawmakers expressed no concerns about privacy when they passed legislation that would create a state-issued voter identification card. That measure is tied up in the courts.
Senate President Pro Tem Eric Johnson (R-Savannah) countered that Georgia’s proposed voter ID card was dramatically different in scope from the federal Real ID Act.
“The photo ID card for voting had nothing to do with it because it would not have had digital fingerprints, social security numbers, retinal scans and whatever else on it.,” Johnson said.
The measure now heads to the House for approval.
In addition, the Senate today approved Senate Bill 54, a measure that would change Georgia law to make the definition of incest gender-neutral.
The law currently on the books defines incest as sexual intercourse between an adult and a family member of the opposite gender. The law did not contemplate same-sex incestuous acts.
“It’s a bill I wish did not have to be brought,” said Sen. Preston Smith (R-Rome), the bill’s sponsor. “I wish these things didn’t happen, but they do.”
The Senate approved the measure 50-0.
Senate lawmakers also passed a measure that increases the penalties for several kinds of election fraud.
For example, if a Georgian registers to vote under a false name and is convicted, he or she could face between one and 10 years of imprisonment or a fine of up to $100,000, or both.
The same penalty could apply to a person who is convicted of tampering with ballot cards, threatens other voters or poll workers, tries to influence the vote of other electors as well as several other offenses.
Senate Bill 40, sponsored by Sen. Cecil Staton (R-Macon) passed by a vote of 52-0. The bill, along with the measure on incest, both go to the House for approval.
The Senate and House meet next Saturday at 10 a.m. for Family Day.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: politics
Comments
By Katie
February 9, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this
How about taking care of Peachcare? Sheesh
By mimimtz
February 9, 2007 03:38 PM | Link to this
How about inceasing paid maternity leave to 12 weeks?? I cant believe this is the only 1st world country that only offers 6 weeks. Canadians get 52 weeks of maternity leave of which 12 are paid.
By Hunter
February 9, 2007 03:53 PM | Link to this
Maternity Leave? you bleeding heart liberals are whining about maternity leave on a column about federal ID standards? Does it not concern you that this constanternation and grandstanding by the state of Georgia could impact your ability to travel? If Georgia fails to comply with the real ID act, Georgians could be denied access to planes, trains…anything regulated by the federal government. This is a grave concern and you are whining about how long a new mom gets to stay at home and steal money from her employer just because she had a baby? Why should employers pay you to stay home and nurse? Liberals…I swear.