Senate action from Crossover Day

Instead of adjourning, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle called up SB 459. The bill earlier in the afternoon was moved to the bottom of the calendar. It would allow people to refuse so-called "smart" meters that measure utilities.

An amendment eliminated the bill's allowance for the state Public Service Commission to charge fees for opting out of the meters. The amended bill passed at 10:26 p.m. on a 37-13 vote.

Voucher bill tabled

Sen. Chip Rogers, R-Woodstock, asked at 10 p.m. to table SB 87, which would expand state-funded education vouchers for parents who want to send their children to private schools. He offered no explanation. He also moved, with no opposition, to table several other bills toward the end of the Senate's long calendar.

The chamber has now moved to several resolutions, and seems likely to try to wrap up soon. They started at 10 a.m. this morning, and everyone is tired.

Mass picketing restricted

SB 469 would limit mass picketing outside private residences and fine individuals $1,000 a day -- and organizations as much as $10,000 as day -- if they ignore court orders to stop their protests. The bill, drafted by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, passed at 9:53 p.m. on a 34-18 vote.

To sweeten the bill's chances for chances, its sponsor, Sen. Don Balfour, D-Snellville, amended it by exempting members of groups like the popular Professional Association of Georgia Educators from a mandate requiring them to put into writing every year they want to pay union dues or organizational fees through paycheck deductions. That mandate, however, would apply to most labor unions.

Martin Luther King III and 20 labor and community organizations had wanted lawmakers to drop the proposal. King said the law would have devastated the civil rights movement had it been enacted decades ago.

"The intent of this draconian and dangerous bill is to intimidate those who speak out against unfair labor and economic practices," state AFL-CIO President Charlie Flemming said before the vote. "As our state’s joblessness continues to linger at nearly 10 percent, it’s clear we need more discourse on how to get Georgia back to work, not less."

Drug tests for parents

SB 292 would require drug tests for parents who apply for the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. TANF provides temporary financial help to low-income families with children. It passed at 9:20 p.m. on a 35-18 vote, after a Democratic amendment to force state office holders to also take drug tests failed.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. John Albers, R-Roswell, said it would save the state money and help addicts by identifying those who need assistance. Albers based the proposal on Florida's drug-testing law, which a federal judge has temporarily blocked. Albers said he felt he had properly addressed confidentiality concerns.

State officials said it was hard to pinpoint the financial impact of the bill. They offered a range, saying the bill's impact could range from a net cost of about $84,500 to a savings of about $103,000 annually.

Abortion bill passes

SB 438, which earlier Wednesday prompted an impassioned debate about women's rights, passed the Senate.

The bill would ban state employee health insurance plans from offering coverage for abortion services. Sen. Mike Crane, R-Newnan, is the bill's sponsor.

It was the first bill passed after dinner, after an 80-minute debate. The 33-18 vote came at 7:44 p.m., and it clearly disgusted Democratic lawmakers -- several walked out of the chamber after voting. Sen. Fran Millar, R-Dunwoody, also stood in opposition, saying his no vote came because the bill did not have enough exemptions such as in the case of rape and incest.

"This is not a good day for women in Georgia," said Sen. Valencia Seay, D-Riverdale. "Come on, guys. We are not your property."

Sen. Judson Hill, R-Marietta, said his yes vote was personal. Two of his sons were born at 24-weeks-old and lived for a day, he said. "I'm standing for life. I'm going to stand for those babies who are 24-weeks-old."

Dinner Break

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle at 5:20 p.m. calls for a dinner break. They'll be back at it at 6:15 p.m.

Amendment bans sending public work overseas

Sen. Nan Orrock, D-Atlanta, successfully attached to a different bill an amendment that would ban state agencies from outsourcing work overseas except in limited circumstances.

Orrock earlier this year had proposed a separate bill to do the same, but it stalled in the Republican-dominated Senate.

Her amendment, which passed 27-25, is now part of Senate Bill 506, which mandates how local governments handle public works contracts involving heavy equipment.

The day's second gun bill

Senate Bill 493 would allow people as young as 18 years old the right to carry a gun, as long as he or she meets certain requirements including firearms instruction.

State law currently allows those who are at least 21 years old to be licensed to carry a gun. The bill's sponsor, Sen Barry Loudermilk, R-Cassville, said it was inspired especially by young military veterans returning from Iraq or Afghanistan who trained and used weapons they could not legally carry at home.

SB 493 passed at 4 p.m. on a 41-13 vote. An amendment that would have made it a misdemeanor for those under 21 who drank excessively while carrying a gun failed.

The day's first gun bill

Senate Bill 350 would make authorities return stolen guns used in a crime back to their rightful owners -- as long as, of course, those owners were not involved in the crime.

Sen. Don Balfour, D-Snellville sponsored the bill. It passed at 3:32 p.m. on a 49-4 vote.

Exemption for birth control coverage

Wading into a national debate, the Senate passed a proposal that Georgia exempt religiously affiliated businesses from having to provide birth control coverage.

Senate Bill 460 was sponsored by state Sen. Josh McKoon, R-Columbus. It passed at 3:24 p.m. on a 38-15 vote, despite objections especially from Democratic women.

"Here we are again, in 2012, with women's access to healthcare, women's health decisions and the contraceptives that play such an important roll...yet again on the chopping block," said Sen. Nan Orrock, D-Atlanta. "Birth control pills are used for other medical reasons besides contraception. This is one more example of us going in the wrong direction, fixing something that ain't broke."

The national controversy began earlier this year when the Obama administration issued a mandate requiring health insurers to offer birth control coverage. It included an exemption for churches and houses of worship, but not for other religious institutions such as hospitals, universities and charities.

The mandate caused a rift between the White House and the Roman Catholic Church, among others. Obama offered a compromise last month in which insurers, rather than religious groups, would pay for the contraceptive coverage.

McKoon called the Obama mandate "government coercion...conscripting unwilling people or groups that make this a matter of religious liberty."

‘Personal growth' for food stamps

People who apply for food stamps in Georgia would be required to take "personal growth" activities under a bill passed after lunch Wednesday by the Senate, although it would not likely go into effect soon even if it becomes law.

Democrats voted against Senate Bill 312, saying it was unnecessary and hurt people who already were struggling. It passed at 2:46 p.m. on a 40-14 vote, after an 85-minute debate. It was the first bill voted on by the Senate after its lunch break.

To get it passed, its sponsor, Sen. William Ligon, R-Brunswick, had agreed it could be implemented only once there was enough funding. Officials with the Department of Human Services have said they can't afford the program right now because of millions of dollars in state cuts to their budget.

Ligon agreed to only pilot the program in five counties to be selected later, with an expected cost to the state of about $11.5 million assuming federal grants kick in to help pay for the program. He had to add a host of exemptions, including for anyone who worked at least 30 hours a week, had a child under the age of 6, was a student enrolled at least part-time, was developmentally disabled or who received unemployment. He also dropped a proposal to require the same for parents who seek welfare.

Activities mandated by SB 312 would include working toward a GED or high school diploma, receiving technical training, attending self-development classes or enrolling in adult literacy classes. "This is a worthy bill and it certainly helps those who receive these benefits help themselves and train themselves," Ligon said.

Some progress, then lunch

After a morning of fits and starts, the Senate passed several noncontroversial bills before adjourning at 12:26 for lunch, a catered affair in the chamber anteroom.

Before the break, the chamber passed a bill requiring mail-order pharmacies to meet certain basic standards before registering with the state and another that would mandate that nurses take continuing education courses for nurses. A third bill would create the Georgia Sheriffs’ Cooperative Authority.

Each of the bills passed by overwhelming margins, more a testament to a calendar that puts the thorny bills off until later in the day.

The Senate reconvenes at 1:15 p.m.

New licensing requirements for nurses pass Senate

At 12:11 p.m., a bill requiring nurses to complete continuing education courses to renew their licenses passed the Senate 51-1.

The new requirements in Senate Bill 368 take effect in the 2015 license renewal cycle and require 30 hours of continuing education over a two-year period.

School grading system bill fails

At 12:03 p.m., the Senate voted down Senate Bill 364, which sought to prohibit “standards-based” grading in public schools in grades 4 through 12.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. William Ligon, R-Brunswick, said the system, which assigns grades based on mastery of concepts rather than a strictly numerical system, does not give an accurate picture of a child’s progress, moving high-flying students toward the middle.

Under questioning from his colleagues, Ligon said it is not clear how many school systems actually use such a system. He also said the legislation was not requested by the state school board.

Sen. Steve Thompson, D-Marietta, said the bill makes education policy without first determining whether it is needed.

“We’re shooting in the dark,” he said. “We’re not taking the time to do a study, get research or ask [the school board] to bring forward their ideas.”

Ligon said standards-based grading does not identify students who are struggling because “that slide [in grades] would not be as obvious.”

Taking up the traditionally Republican tactic of local control for schools, Senate Minority Leader Steve Henson, D-Tucker, complained the bill was too prescriptive, removing options for local school boards.

The bill failed 23-33.

Purple Heart license plate bill is first to clear Senate

At 11:14 a.m., the Senate has passed its first bill of the day, Senate Bill 473, which allows veterans who have received a Purple Heart medal to be issued a commemorative license plate while still serving in the military.

“It is an honorable thing for us to do to express our support for veterans who fight our wars,” said Sen. Ed Harbinson, D-Columbus, chairman of the Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committee and a Purple Heart recipient himself.

The bill passed 54-0 in what promises to be a rare display of bipartisan cooperation.

After the vote, the Senate applied the brakes, pausing to recognize visitors in the gallery.

Parliamentary move prompts impassioned debate on women’s rights

Sen. Vincent Fort, D-Atlanta, offered a fiery speech at 10:45 a.m. opposing a move to bar amendments to a bill prohibiting the state employees’ insurance plan from paying for abortions.

“I ought to have the opportunity to offer an amendment to that bill,” the Democratic Whip said of Senate Bill 438. “What scares you about an open and full debate? … This is an inauspicious way to begin the day, and in some way I think it will be a day of reckoning.”

In the end the Senate voted 34-19 to bar amendments.

Fort said it was a “slap in the face” to women senators who wish to debate the bill.

“Is it not true that I am a woman?” Sen. Valencia Seay asked Fort, picking up the thread and echoing suffragist Sojourner Truth.

Seay, D-Riverdale, said she had amendments to the bill “that, in my opinion, is attacking women.”

“It muzzles you,” Fort said. “That’s not fair."

Pastor of the day gives Senate its charge

At 10:30, Bishop Paul S. Morton Sr., pastor of New Orleans-based Greater St. Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church, urged the Senate to “work together for good.”

“You reap what you sow,” Morton said, lifting his arms skyward. “Take that home with you today, even as you work today.”

There’s been little sowing or reaping so far, as senators have lagged behind their House colleagues in getting started. But Crossover Day is a marathon, not a sprint.

A senate staffer said the office pool has the day adjourning shortly before 11 p.m.

Senate convenes

Operating with a bare quorum, the Senate convened Crossover Day Wednesday with its usual ceremonies at 10:07 a.m.

Now the clock starts ticking.

Legislation filed in the Senate has until the final gavel at the end of the day to pass and “cross over” to the House for consideration. Bills that do not make the cut are dead.

The agenda for crossover day is packed with red meat Republican issues, including legislation requiring drug tests for people getting food stamps and other forms of public assistance. The agenda also includes an assortment of gun, abortion and charter school bills