Deal to get bill limiting school board defense funds
The House voted Tuesday to prevent school boards facing ouster over accreditation challenges from using tax dollars to fund their legal challenge.
The House voted 122-45 on House Bill 115, which now goes to Gov. Nathan Deal’s desk. The bill originally dealt only with meetings of the State Board of Education but was amended in the Senate to include the ban on public funds for legal fees.
That language originated in another House bill, itself a reaction to efforts by former DeKalb County school board members to fight their removal.
— Aaron Gould Sheinin
Technical colleges will remain technical colleges
The state House on Tuesday said “no thanks” to a Senate measure that would allow technical colleges to refer to themselves as community colleges.
The House voted to re-amend House Bill 372, which most notably would lower the GPA threshold for technical college students to qualify for HOPE Grants to 2.0. That language survives, while the House stripped the Senate’s attempt to add the school naming measure.
The bill now goes back to the Senate.
The 2.0 threshold is down from the current 3.0 rule but a return to the requirement that had existed before lawmakers overhauled the lottery-funded scholarship in 2011.
Students in the University System of Georgia would still need a 3.0 to qualify for the HOPE Scholarship.
— Aaron Gould Sheinin
Legislation threatening suit over boundary, water advances
Georgia could sue Tennessee if a long-running boundary dispute isn’t resolved under legislation given final approval Tuesday.
The state House voted 157-13 to approve House Resolution 4, which seeks to tap the Tennessee River as a source of drinking water for Georgia.
Georgia’s disputed claim to the river dates to 1818, when some say a surveyor erred by more than a mile in setting the boundary with Tennessee — in essence marking the boundary of Georgia’s northwest corner just south of the river, out of reach to the Peach State.
Tennessee officials have rebuffed attempts since then to make any changes.
The resolution is Georgia’s second attempt in five years to stake a claim on land north of the state line, providing access to the river. The 1.5 square miles wanted by the state is home to no residents but is just large enough to put a pipe through to the river.
The House passed HR 4 in February, but without a threat of litigation. The state Senate added that piece Monday.
— Aaron Gould Sheinin
Senate moves to make DeKalb CEO nonpartisan office
DeKalb County’s CEO would be a nonpartisan office under a bill approved Tuesday by the state Senate.
House Bill 87 was amended by the Senate Ethics Committee to include the DeKalb language at the urging of Sen. Fran Millar, R-Dunwoody. Millar’s argument is that because Democrats make up the political majority in DeKalb, they neglect Republican-led areas of the county, including Dunwoody, when campaigning.
Other DeKalb senators opposed the bill, including Senate Minority Leader Steve Henson, D-Tucker. Henson said the county, which is also majority-minority, had not been consulted by Millar, who is white. “This is a racist, partisan political act you should not be proud of, given our past,” said Henson, who is also white, using unusually strong language on the chamber floor.
The 31-20 vote sent HB 87 back to the House for consideration.
— Kristina Torres
House approves committee to study health agency
The Georgia House of Representatives passed legislation Tuesday that would create a joint legislative committee to examine the state Department of Community Health’s practices and find potential savings.
Under Senate Bill 62, sponsored by Sen. Judson Hill, R-Marietta, the group would present an annual report of its findings and recommendations for the department.
The bill passed the House 126-27 and now returns to the Senate.
— Misty Williams
Capitol gathering puts focus on childhood obesity
More than 30 organizations converged Wednesday on the state Capitol for the “United Against Childhood Obesity” campaign.
Government officials, business executives and nonprofit leaders discussed programs and initiatives aimed at putting children on the path to a healthier life.
Georgia ranks 49th among the 50 states in childhood obesity, with 40 percent of its children, ages 10-17, overweight or obese.
— Nancy Badertscher
Bills set in motion work next year on 2 new DeKalb cities
State lawmakers filed two bills late Monday that could pave the way for at least two new cities in DeKalb County.
State Sen. Fran Millar’s placeholder bill for Lakeside includes a new map, the third, for that proposed city in north DeKalb. The latest version removes most of Tucker from the would-be city after residents there protested against earlier drafts that gobbled up half but not all of their community.
State Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver’s placeholder calls only for a new city in DeKalb to be defined and named later. The bill would allow residents in the Druid Hills area to create their own city, as some have begun researching in response to Lakeside extending into that community’s commercial areas.
Filing the proposals this year allows the Legislature to take up both cities for consideration during next year’s session.
— April Hunt
Pauper cremation bill awaits Deal’s signature
Local governments would be given the option of cremating dead paupers under legislation headed for Gov. Nathan Deal’s desk.
Senate Bill 83 received final approval Monday.
Cities and counties now must provide burial for deceased indigents. SB 83 would give them another, often cheaper, option.
— Aaron Gould Sheinin
