House Bill 57 Solar Power Free Market Financing Act
On Monday, Feb. 9, we returned to Capitol Hill for the fifth week of the 2015 legislative session. Many bills are beginning to make their way out of committee to receive a vote from the entire House of Representatives. We quickly got to work voting on several pieces of legislation to help the citizens of Georgia.
We kicked off our fifth week of session by passing the Solar Power Free Market Financing Act, or House Bill 57. This legislation, which was passed unanimously by our body, will make it easier and more affordable for Georgians to put solar panels on their rooftops by allowing individuals to fund solar power installations through third-party financing plans. With the option to finance, more homeowners and small business owners can avoid financial barriers and pay for the use of these systems over time. If approved by the Senate and Governor Deal, this measure will provide our citizens with more energy options and the opportunity to take advantage of this innovative technology, while ultimately lowering their power bills.
House Bill 91 and House Bill 62 Georgia’s Education System
Georgia’s education system and its students has been a major focus this session. As I have written in previous weeks, education is a top priority in the General Assembly, and the unanimous passage of HB 91 in the House last week further speaks to that point. This legislation would make it easier for some deserving students to obtain high school diplomas.
HB 91 retroactively allows former high school students who failed the Georgia High School Graduation Test, an assessment that was phased out in the 2011-2012 school year, the chance to receive a diploma. Although the graduation test has not been used as a graduation standard for several years, it still remains a barrier for some who attended high school when graduation was partly contingent on the passage of this exam. HB 91 allows those students who met all other requirements for graduation to petition their local school board where they were last enrolled to obtain a degree from their high school. HB 91 will tremendously benefit these individuals by giving them the option to pursue postsecondary education and thus helping them succeed in Georgia’s workforce. I hope that this legislation can help many citizens across the state obtain the degree that they have rightfully earned. Just as HB 91 opens doors of opportunity for former high school students, legislation introduced in the Senate this week is aimed at providing improvement opportunities for schools in Georgia.
I was also able to present my first bill of the session on the House floor last week (pictured), House Bill 62, the Special Needs Scholarship legislation. This bill passed the House unanimously and now moves to the Senate. I also was able to get my GED employer tax credit bill and my Local Government Investment pool bill out of full committee. These bills are now in Rules, and I hope to get them on the House floor this week. The Pardon and Parole Transparency bill has been heard in sub-committee, and I am hopeful to have it in front of full committee this week.
House Bill 86 Georgia Adult and Aging Services Agency
The House has passed a measure to improve the quality of life for Georgia’s rapidly expanding aging population. House Bill 86 creates the Georgia Adult and Aging Services Agency, which will take on the responsibility of improving services, and ensuring that services are properly and effectively administered to meet the needs of older adults and people with disabilities. The bill would move the current Division of Aging Services out of the Department of Human Services, which is responsible for many other initiatives. Creating this new agency would also allow the state to better focus on its services for those individuals dealing with Alzheimer’s and dementia, which affects numerous individuals and families across the state. This move is being done without any increase in cost in our state budget. This important bill ensures that our seniors receive the full care and attention that they deserve, and I look forward to seeing this legislation make its way through the Senate.
Informational Breakfast
Saturday, Feb. 21, 9:00 am at Ryans in Dawsonville.
We have had great turnouts at our weekly informational breakfasts over the past several weeks. I encourage you to come join us to learn about what is happening with your state government and to discuss your thoughts and concerns.
Capitol Address
401-E Coverdell Legislative Office Bldg.
Atlanta, GA 30334
404.656.0152 – Office
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