My colleagues and I only have five remaining work days until the completion of our session, otherwise known as “Sine Die.” We were extremely busy this week as we reviewed bills passed by the Senate. The following bills were passed this week.

Health

Senate Bill 357, “The Health Act,” would create the Health Coordination and Innovation Council of the State of Georgia under the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget. This council would include commissioners, directors, and health care professionals that would streamline and coordinate all components of our state’s health care system; bring together academic, industry and government experts and leaders to share information, coordinate the major functions of Georgia’s health care system and develop innovative approaches to stabilize costs and improve access to quality health care; serve as a research forum to identify our state’s greatest health issues and promote cooperation between private and public agencies to test new ideas; evaluate the effectiveness of previously enacted and ongoing health programs; determine how to best develop new approaches and promote innovation to improve Georgia’s health care system; maximize the effectiveness of existing resources, expertise and improvement opportunities; and establish an advisory board that would provide guidance to the council.

Senate Bill 118 seeks to help children with autism in Georgia and would take effect on January 1, 2019 if signed into law. This bill would increase the age of coverage for autism spectrum disorder treatments from six-years-old to 20-years-old, increasing the coverage limit from $30,000 to $35,000 per year, and require insurers to provide coverage for applied behavior analysis, which is recognized as a necessary medical treatment for autism.

Elderly Abuse

Senate Bill 406 would create the Georgia Long-term Care Background Check Program. This program would be responsible for the protection process of our senior citizens by providing comprehensive, fingerprint-based criminal background checks on elder care providers, personal care homes, or assisted living facilities, as well as a central caregiver registry where a family member or guarding is allowed access to that information.

Economic Development

House Resolution 1376 seeks to discover more information on the financial conditions (profitability, community benefit, cash revenue and viability projections) of rural Georgia hospitals experiencing a financial crisis by urging the House Rural Development Council to research this information.

Education

Senate Bill 330, the “Georgia Agricultural Education Act,” would require agricultural education programs to follow the three-component model. This model includes daily classroom and lab instruction, hands-on, experimental learning through a supervised agricultural experience program, and leadership and learning opportunities through participation in agricultural education programs, such the Georgia Future Farmers of America. This bill would also create an elementary agricultural education pilot program.

Military

Senate Bill 395 would establish the Georgia Joint Defense Commission, which would accomplish the following: advice to the governor and the Georgia General Assembly on state and national-level defense and military issues, recommendation of policies and plans to support the long-term sustainability and development of Georgia’s active and civilian military, development of programs to enhance communities’ relationships with military installations, service as a task force to prepare for potential base realignment or military installation closures in the state, submission of an annual report to the governor and the Georgia General Assembly on the state of Georgia’s military installations, as well as a tactical plan for navigating a possible base realignment or military installation closure, and establishment of the Defense Community Economic Development Grant Program to assist military communities with projects, events and activities that promote military installations.

Senate Bill 82 would give Georgia National Guard members and United States Armed Forces members eligibility for HOPE scholarships and grants if they are stationed in Georgia or list Georgia as their home of record.

Local Alcohol Sales

Senate Bill 17 would increase our state’s sales by $100 million by allowing local government authorities to authorize alcoholic beverage sales beginning at 11am on Sundays.

The last day of session is coming soon, and my colleagues and I will continue to pass legislation that impact our state. Until then please feel free to contact me to voice any concerns or questions you have on any legislation up for consideration in the House or the Senate. My office phone number is 404-656-5099, and I can be reached via email at david.knight@house.ga.gov. Thank you for allowing me to serve as your representative.