UPDATES SENATE REPORT
UPDATES SENATE REPORT
Sen. Ligon Appointed to Serve
on the Jekyll Island Legislative Oversight Committee
January 13, 2012
Sen. William Ligon (R-Waverly) was recently appointed by the Lieutenant Governor to serve on the Jekyll Island Legislative Oversight Committee. The Jekyll Island Legislative Oversight Committee was established in 2007 by HB 214 to review the ongoing initiatives and activities undertaken by the Jekyll Island Authority. As one of its main functions, the Jekyll Island Authority provides periodic updates to members of the Legislative Oversight Committee, including financial information and updates on major projects.
“The accessibility and beauty of Jekyll Island continues to be an important goal of mine,” said Sen. Ligon. Jekyll Island is one of Georgia’s coastal gems and is known as one of the top tourist destinations in the state,” said Sen. Ligon. “As a member of the Jekyll Island Legislative Oversight Committee, I look forward to the continued stewardship of Jekyll Island’s abundant resources while also creating a more sustainable community for future generations.”
The Jekyll Island Legislative Oversight Committee is composed of three members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House and three members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate. The members of the committee will serve two-year terms concurrent with their terms as members of the General Assembly.
on the Jekyll Island Legislative Oversight Committee
January 13, 2012
Sen. William Ligon (R-Waverly) was recently appointed by the Lieutenant Governor to serve on the Jekyll Island Legislative Oversight Committee. The Jekyll Island Legislative Oversight Committee was established in 2007 by HB 214 to review the ongoing initiatives and activities undertaken by the Jekyll Island Authority. As one of its main functions, the Jekyll Island Authority provides periodic updates to members of the Legislative Oversight Committee, including financial information and updates on major projects.
“The accessibility and beauty of Jekyll Island continues to be an important goal of mine,” said Sen. Ligon. Jekyll Island is one of Georgia’s coastal gems and is known as one of the top tourist destinations in the state,” said Sen. Ligon. “As a member of the Jekyll Island Legislative Oversight Committee, I look forward to the continued stewardship of Jekyll Island’s abundant resources while also creating a more sustainable community for future generations.”
The Jekyll Island Legislative Oversight Committee is composed of three members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House and three members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate. The members of the committee will serve two-year terms concurrent with their terms as members of the General Assembly.
Sen. William Ligon in the News
Featured Articles from the Florida/Georgia Times Union
Senator from Brunswick wants Georgia School Courses to Focus on American’s Founding Principles
Posted: February 17, 2012 / Updated: February 18, 2012
By Walter C. Jones
ATLANTA | A Senate bill introduced this week by Sen. William Ligon, R-Waverly, would specify that history and civics courses focus on America’s founding principles.
The 15-page measure, Senate Bill 426, lists topics to be included, such as the accomplishments of the first six presidents, the key debates of the Constitutional Convention, the first Supreme Court chief justices and the role private property ownership played in the Jamestown settlement.
The bill by the Brunswick Republican spells out the reasoning behind it.
“The survival of the republic depends upon our nation’s people acquiring a clear understanding of the founding philosophy and the founding principles of a government for a free people, and that, as citizens, they should remain vigilant to maintain those freedoms recognized in our founding documents of the Declaration of Independent, the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights,” it said.
Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/news/georgia/2012-02-17/story/senator-brunswick-wants-georgia-school-courses-focus-americas-founding#ixzz1mkRyCSo4
Assembly Needed to Approve
Georgia Land Grant to Tribes for Gaming Sites
Posted: February 22, 2012 / Updated: February 22, 2012
By Walter C. Jones
ATLANTA | A super majority of the General Assembly would have to approve any land transfer to an Indian tribe wanting to open a casino under legislation that passed Tuesday in a House Judiciary subcommittee.
Two-thirds of the House and Senate would have to go along with any transfer, noted Sen. William Ligon, R-Brunswick, the sponsor of Senate Bill 62.
“This is a high burden, but this is a very serious law because you’re talking about removing land from the jurisdiction of the state of Georgia,” he said.
Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/news/georgia/2012-02-22/story/super-majority-general-assembly-needed-approve-georgia-land-grant#ixzz1n8iKYZ2V
Featured Articles from the Florida/Georgia Times Union
Senator from Brunswick wants Georgia School Courses to Focus on American’s Founding Principles
Posted: February 17, 2012 / Updated: February 18, 2012
By Walter C. Jones
ATLANTA | A Senate bill introduced this week by Sen. William Ligon, R-Waverly, would specify that history and civics courses focus on America’s founding principles.
The 15-page measure, Senate Bill 426, lists topics to be included, such as the accomplishments of the first six presidents, the key debates of the Constitutional Convention, the first Supreme Court chief justices and the role private property ownership played in the Jamestown settlement.
The bill by the Brunswick Republican spells out the reasoning behind it.
“The survival of the republic depends upon our nation’s people acquiring a clear understanding of the founding philosophy and the founding principles of a government for a free people, and that, as citizens, they should remain vigilant to maintain those freedoms recognized in our founding documents of the Declaration of Independent, the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights,” it said.
Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/news/georgia/2012-02-17/story/senator-brunswick-wants-georgia-school-courses-focus-americas-founding#ixzz1mkRyCSo4
Assembly Needed to Approve
Georgia Land Grant to Tribes for Gaming Sites
Posted: February 22, 2012 / Updated: February 22, 2012
By Walter C. Jones
ATLANTA | A super majority of the General Assembly would have to approve any land transfer to an Indian tribe wanting to open a casino under legislation that passed Tuesday in a House Judiciary subcommittee.
Two-thirds of the House and Senate would have to go along with any transfer, noted Sen. William Ligon, R-Brunswick, the sponsor of Senate Bill 62.
“This is a high burden, but this is a very serious law because you’re talking about removing land from the jurisdiction of the state of Georgia,” he said.
Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/news/georgia/2012-02-22/story/super-majority-general-assembly-needed-approve-georgia-land-grant#ixzz1n8iKYZ2V
Halfway Point Reached in the Session
February 17, 2012
This week marked the halfway point of the 2012 Legislative Session. As Crossover Day quickly approaches, the momentum around the Capitol has steadily increased as legislators work to pass legislation prior to day 30 - the final day a piece of legislation can transfer to the opposite chamber.
One piece of legislation in particular that I would like to highlight this week is Senate Bill 381. SB 381 passed out of the Senate Education and Youth Committee on Thursday and will soon head to the Senate floor for a vote. If passed, this legislation would amend the definition of “budget” as it relates to local governments and the electronic submission of budgets by local school districts.
This bill requires school districts to produce an annual financial report, which is required by the Department of Education and statute, for the purpose of an annual audit by the Department of Audits and Accounts. The detailed report must break down the districts financial operations by fund, revenue source, function, program, object class, and school. This information is already required to go to the Department of Education; this bill just requires that it also go to the Carl Vinson Institute.
SENATE BILL ACTION
Passed in the Senate
SB 286 - Prohibits Future Tax Commissioners from Joining the ERS
Senate Bill 286, sponsored by Sen. Bill Heath, passed the Senate on Wednesday to prohibit future tax commissioners from joining the Employees’ Retirement System. After July 1, 2012, any newly hired tax commissioner, tax collector or tax receiver will not be eligible to participate in the state retirement system. The Bill passed the Senate by a vote of 47-5.
SB 246 - Contributions for Public School Employees’ Retirement System to Change
Sen. Jack Hill (R-Reidsville) sponsored SB 246 to increase employee contributions for Public School Employees’ Retirement System members hired on or after July 1, 2012. Specifically, this bill would increase the employee contribution for all persons who become members of the System on or after July l, 2012 from $4.00 per month to $10.00 per month. The bill was passed Wednesday by a vote of 52-0.
SB 331 - Insurance Bill Passes Senate
Sen. David Shafer (R-Duluth) sponsored legislation which authorizes only insurers who issue title insurance policies and who are also responsible for disbursing settlement funds to issue closing protection letters. A closing protection letter is a document which protects the buyer or lessee against fraud. The bill passed Thursday with a vote of 50-0.
SB 358 - Bill Mandates Local Governments Give Preference to Georgia Contractors
Under legislation authored by Sen. John Bulloch (R-Ocklocknee), local governments in Georgia would be required to reciprocate the preferences granted by out-of-state local governments for vendors in their own states to Georgia’s vendors. This bill pertains to local governments awarding bids for goods and services produced in Georgia. The bill passed Thursday with a vote of 51-0.
SB 366 - Bill to Reduce Violence among Department of Juvenile Justice Inmates
Sen. Johnny Grant (R-Milledgeville) authored a bill which will ban potentially dangerous items from Juvenile Detention Centers (JDC) and Youth Development Centers (YDC) throughout the state. This legislation would help eliminate violence among detainees of Georgia’s JDCs and YDCs. Sen. Grant stated before the Senate that the legislation has received approval from defense attorneys, advocates of the youth detainees, and the law enforcement community. It passed 52-0.
SB 107 - Bill to Increase Contempt of Court Fines
The maximum fine for contempt of court in a Georgia Superior Court would be increased from $500 to $1000, according to legislation authored by Sen. Jesse Stone (R-Waynesboro). The last time this fine had been updated was approximately 30 years ago. The bill passed Friday by a vote of 45-5.
SB 362 - “Deadhead Logs” Bill Passes Senate
In the 19th and 20th centuries, numerous quantities of lumber were deposited in Georgia’s river systems. Some logs were lost while being transported down the river, and others were intentionally left for storage purposes. Over time, these logs were protected from biodegradation due to the low oxygen content in parts of these rivers. These preserved logs are known as “deadhead logs” and are often valued for their use in furniture. Sen. Tommie Williams (R-Lyons) proposed legislation which would authorize the state to auction off sections of Georgia’s rivers to harvest these logs. The bill passed the Senate on Friday with a vote of 37-12.
SB 369 - Bill would extend expiration date of Georgia Geospatial Advisory Council
The Georgia Geospatial Advisory Council is an agency established to provide the general public with reliable geospatial data, including flood map modernization. The maps are especially useful for FEMA and other emergency relief organizations. The Georgia Geospatial Advisory Council is set to expire on June 30, 2012; however, legislation proposed by Sen. Buddy Carter (R-Pooler) would extend the deadline to June 30, 2015. The bill passed the Senate 50-0.
SB 395 - Bill should change SPLOST Revenue Collection
Legislation proposed by Sen. Bill Heath (R-Bremen) would authorize the collection of SPLOST revenues to be fractionally collected up to a full one percent after January 1, 2013. If enacted, voting referendums may ask to collect just a fraction of the single penny that is typically requested. The bill passed with a 47-1 vote.
February 17, 2012
This week marked the halfway point of the 2012 Legislative Session. As Crossover Day quickly approaches, the momentum around the Capitol has steadily increased as legislators work to pass legislation prior to day 30 - the final day a piece of legislation can transfer to the opposite chamber.
One piece of legislation in particular that I would like to highlight this week is Senate Bill 381. SB 381 passed out of the Senate Education and Youth Committee on Thursday and will soon head to the Senate floor for a vote. If passed, this legislation would amend the definition of “budget” as it relates to local governments and the electronic submission of budgets by local school districts.
This bill requires school districts to produce an annual financial report, which is required by the Department of Education and statute, for the purpose of an annual audit by the Department of Audits and Accounts. The detailed report must break down the districts financial operations by fund, revenue source, function, program, object class, and school. This information is already required to go to the Department of Education; this bill just requires that it also go to the Carl Vinson Institute.
SENATE BILL ACTION
Passed in the Senate
SB 286 - Prohibits Future Tax Commissioners from Joining the ERS
Senate Bill 286, sponsored by Sen. Bill Heath, passed the Senate on Wednesday to prohibit future tax commissioners from joining the Employees’ Retirement System. After July 1, 2012, any newly hired tax commissioner, tax collector or tax receiver will not be eligible to participate in the state retirement system. The Bill passed the Senate by a vote of 47-5.
SB 246 - Contributions for Public School Employees’ Retirement System to Change
Sen. Jack Hill (R-Reidsville) sponsored SB 246 to increase employee contributions for Public School Employees’ Retirement System members hired on or after July 1, 2012. Specifically, this bill would increase the employee contribution for all persons who become members of the System on or after July l, 2012 from $4.00 per month to $10.00 per month. The bill was passed Wednesday by a vote of 52-0.
SB 331 - Insurance Bill Passes Senate
Sen. David Shafer (R-Duluth) sponsored legislation which authorizes only insurers who issue title insurance policies and who are also responsible for disbursing settlement funds to issue closing protection letters. A closing protection letter is a document which protects the buyer or lessee against fraud. The bill passed Thursday with a vote of 50-0.
SB 358 - Bill Mandates Local Governments Give Preference to Georgia Contractors
Under legislation authored by Sen. John Bulloch (R-Ocklocknee), local governments in Georgia would be required to reciprocate the preferences granted by out-of-state local governments for vendors in their own states to Georgia’s vendors. This bill pertains to local governments awarding bids for goods and services produced in Georgia. The bill passed Thursday with a vote of 51-0.
SB 366 - Bill to Reduce Violence among Department of Juvenile Justice Inmates
Sen. Johnny Grant (R-Milledgeville) authored a bill which will ban potentially dangerous items from Juvenile Detention Centers (JDC) and Youth Development Centers (YDC) throughout the state. This legislation would help eliminate violence among detainees of Georgia’s JDCs and YDCs. Sen. Grant stated before the Senate that the legislation has received approval from defense attorneys, advocates of the youth detainees, and the law enforcement community. It passed 52-0.
SB 107 - Bill to Increase Contempt of Court Fines
The maximum fine for contempt of court in a Georgia Superior Court would be increased from $500 to $1000, according to legislation authored by Sen. Jesse Stone (R-Waynesboro). The last time this fine had been updated was approximately 30 years ago. The bill passed Friday by a vote of 45-5.
SB 362 - “Deadhead Logs” Bill Passes Senate
In the 19th and 20th centuries, numerous quantities of lumber were deposited in Georgia’s river systems. Some logs were lost while being transported down the river, and others were intentionally left for storage purposes. Over time, these logs were protected from biodegradation due to the low oxygen content in parts of these rivers. These preserved logs are known as “deadhead logs” and are often valued for their use in furniture. Sen. Tommie Williams (R-Lyons) proposed legislation which would authorize the state to auction off sections of Georgia’s rivers to harvest these logs. The bill passed the Senate on Friday with a vote of 37-12.
SB 369 - Bill would extend expiration date of Georgia Geospatial Advisory Council
The Georgia Geospatial Advisory Council is an agency established to provide the general public with reliable geospatial data, including flood map modernization. The maps are especially useful for FEMA and other emergency relief organizations. The Georgia Geospatial Advisory Council is set to expire on June 30, 2012; however, legislation proposed by Sen. Buddy Carter (R-Pooler) would extend the deadline to June 30, 2015. The bill passed the Senate 50-0.
SB 395 - Bill should change SPLOST Revenue Collection
Legislation proposed by Sen. Bill Heath (R-Bremen) would authorize the collection of SPLOST revenues to be fractionally collected up to a full one percent after January 1, 2013. If enacted, voting referendums may ask to collect just a fraction of the single penny that is typically requested. The bill passed with a 47-1 vote.
GEORGIA STATE SENATOR
WILLIAM LIGON
Third District
WILLIAM LIGON
Third District
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Sen. Ligon Named Ex-Officio Member of the Senate
Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee
January 10, 2012
Sen. William Ligon (R-Waverly) has been named ex-officio member of the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee for the 2011-2012 term by the Senate Committee on Assignments.
“I consider it a great honor to serve alongside my fellow colleagues as part of the Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee,” said Sen. Ligon. “As Ex-Officio member of the Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee, I will work tirelessly to reduce unnecessary regulations and provide incentives for new businesses to make Georgia their home.”
Sen. Ligon will continue as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Education and Youth Committee and as a member of the Senate Ethics Committee, Senate Health and Human Services Committee, Senate Judiciary Committee, and Senate Public Safety Committee.
"Sen. Ligon's experience as a businessman will prove to be an outstanding asset to the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee as we begin the 2012 legislative session,” said Sen. David Shafer (R-Duluth), Chairman of the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.
Gas, telecommunications, electric, and other related industry areas are among the legislative concerns handled by the Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.
Sen. Greg Goggans (R-Douglas), a fellow member on the committee noted, "Sen. Ligon has proven to be an outstanding legislator. We felt that he would be a great addition to the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.”
Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee
January 10, 2012
Sen. William Ligon (R-Waverly) has been named ex-officio member of the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee for the 2011-2012 term by the Senate Committee on Assignments.
“I consider it a great honor to serve alongside my fellow colleagues as part of the Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee,” said Sen. Ligon. “As Ex-Officio member of the Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee, I will work tirelessly to reduce unnecessary regulations and provide incentives for new businesses to make Georgia their home.”
Sen. Ligon will continue as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Education and Youth Committee and as a member of the Senate Ethics Committee, Senate Health and Human Services Committee, Senate Judiciary Committee, and Senate Public Safety Committee.
"Sen. Ligon's experience as a businessman will prove to be an outstanding asset to the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee as we begin the 2012 legislative session,” said Sen. David Shafer (R-Duluth), Chairman of the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.
Gas, telecommunications, electric, and other related industry areas are among the legislative concerns handled by the Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.
Sen. Greg Goggans (R-Douglas), a fellow member on the committee noted, "Sen. Ligon has proven to be an outstanding legislator. We felt that he would be a great addition to the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.”