A number of new laws that were passed during the 2010 legislative session and signed into law by Governor Perdue took effect on July 1. One law of particular interest is the law prohibiting texting or emailing while driving. Here is a summary of the new laws that went into effect. Please pass on this information to your family and friends so that they will be aware of the change in Georgia’s law.

 

  • Texting or reading e-mails while driving is now illegal for all motorists. Drivers under age 18 cannot use cell phones while driving.
  • All-terrain vehicles cannot be driven in a stream bed, except to cross it.
  • A disabled parent or guardian who has had a driver’s license can accompany a student driver.
  • State Patrol cars no longer have to have two-tone paint, a savings to taxpayers of $8,000 per vehicle. The cars do have to have a light and siren mounted on top.
  • Parents, children and siblings of anyone killed in action while serving in the military can now put a Gold Star license place on their vehicles.
  • Voters who are overseas, including those in military service, can now cast a write-in absentee ballot or request an official absentee ballot by e-mail.
  • Governors and former governors can now perform marriage ceremonies.
  • Crime victims will now be able to address juvenile court and state court proceedings to describe the impact of the crime that was committed against them.
  • Juvenile judges now have more options for probation management requirements, including added restrictions, increased reporting, community service, weekend programs, electronic monitoring and home confinement.
  • Local school boards can now use state funds to refurbish school buses rather than having to replace them.
  • Local school boards cannot give pay raises to the superintendent or other administrators during the same school year when they impose furloughs on teachers or other staff.
  • Family caregivers will be able to administer routine shots or perform other minor medical procedures on loved ones who are disabled, after required training and by following written orders.

 More Budget Cuts

Governor Perdue has instructed state government agencies to withhold 4 percent from their budget allotment requests starting in August and to plan for budget cuts of 4 percent, 6 percent and 8 percent in anticipation of a $375 million revenue hole. The state budget for fiscal year 2011, which started July 1, counted on $375 million in Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage funding. But so far, Congress has yet to authorize that funding. Unfortunately, both of Georgia’s U.S. Senators, Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss, are among those blocking a vote on the extension of Medicaid funding to the state.

 

A total of $400 million in federal stimulus/bailout money was shifted from the fiscal year 2011 budget to artificially balance the 2010 budget. For the year, state revenues declined by a net $1.42 billion, or 9.1 percent overall.

 Diabetes Task Force

Recently, I served on a Diabetes Task Force composed of 30 state representatives and senators from across the U.S.  State legislators play a vital role in supporting healthcare initiatives to prevent and treat diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association estimates there are 23.6 million people in the US living with diabetes.  Of those, 5.7 million are unaware that they have the disease.  Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in the nation.

In our area, it is estimated that 10 percent of our population is living with diabetes and illnesses caused by complications.  Legislative policies can assist patients and healthcare providers in diabetes prevention, management, and treatment to improve the quality of life for citizens.

 Fee Increases in Effect

During the 2010 legislative session, House leaders passed HB 1055, which included a new 1.45 percent tax on hospitals and raised registration, licensing and user fees on more than 80 services provided by the state. I voted against this legislation and have since heard from many of you on the additional fees on specialty car tags. The cost of filing appeals with the Georgia Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of Georgia was actually increased from $1.50 per page to $10 per page. Some of these documents are thousands of pages. The average citizen cannot afford tens of thousands of dollars to have their appeals heard in court. Fortunately, the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals adopted temporary rule changes until the legislature can fix this problem next year.

 HealthCare.gov

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has unveiled an innovative new online tool that will help consumers take control of their health care by connecting them to new information and resources that will help them access quality, affordable health care coverage.

 

Called for by the Affordable Care Act, HealthCare.gov is the first website to provide consumers with both public and private health coverage options tailored specifically for their needs in a single, easy-to-use tool. Visit www.HealthCare.gov today and take control of your health care coverage.

 

Rep. Reece may be reached at 404-656-7859 or barbara.reece@house.ga.gov.  Rep. Reece serves on the Education Committee, State Institutions and Properties Committee, Science and Technology Committee, and the Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Committee.  She is also Secretary of the Rural Caucus.