State Senator Preston W. Smith, A Leader We Can Trust!

	Legislative Accomplishments: Bills Sponsored or Co-Sponsored By Senator Smith 1. A constitutional amendment requiring a “super-majority” of two-thirds of both the House and Senate before any tax increase may be levied on Georgians (SR12). 2. A bill requiring State agencies to engage in “zero-based budgeting.” Currently, state departments begin the budgeting process with a continuation of the previous year’s appropriation amount and make requests for any additional funds. The zero-based budgeting would require agencies to justify all spending beginning with the first dollar (SB8). 3. A bill calling for equal jury strikes between prosecutors and defense attorneys. Under the current system, criminal defense attorneys are allowed twice as many “strikes” of potential jurors than prosecutors, giving defendants a decided advantage in deciding the make-up of the jury (SB27). 4. A bill which makes the use of internet pornography to solicit or entice minors a criminal felony. Under the current code, such solicitation is a misdemeanor (SB51). 5. A bill which requires schools to develop internet safety policies to protect minors from pornography on school computers (SB52). 6. A bill calling for a reduction in the salary for all legislators as well as the Lt. Governor and Speaker of the House. The bill calls for a 10% reduction in pay which is estimated to save approximately one million dollars over a two year period (SB76). 7. A resolution urging Congress to adopt a prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients. Smith said, “Seniors are faced with an increasing crisis in the healthcare arena. Many of our senior citizens are forced to make decisions between whether they can buy groceries, medicine or their housing expense. We must begin working towards affordable access to quality healthcare. Part of the solution to that problem should be the adoption of a prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients.” (SR49) 8. A bill to confer jurisdiction to juvenile court judges to provide for temporary child support in deprivation hearings (SB80). 9. A constitutional amendment allowing for the funding of faith based initiatives for needy individuals without regard to religious affiliation (SR1). 10. A bill calling for a moment of silence in public schools (SB90). 11. A bill requiring that the drivers licenses of legal aliens be designated as “non-citizen” and expire upon the expiration of the holders’ citizenship (SB89). 12. A bill creating a commission to study the prescription drug needs of senior citizens (SR55). 13. A bill to repeal a portion of the homeland security act to remove the governors authority to restrict the sale, transfer or ownership of firearms (SB92). 14. A resolution of the Senate recognizing and honoring the brave astronauts who perished aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia on February 1, 2003 (SR63). 15. A bill to exempt homeland security records from the Open Records Act (SB113). 16. A bill to increase the state-wide standards for Georgia fire fighters (SB169). 17. A resolution honoring UGA Football Coach Mark Richt and the team on their successful season (SR80). 18. A bill establishing standards of redistricting to reduce split counties, precincts and communities of interest in election districts and legislative and congressional reapportionment (SB91) 19. A bill prohibiting sexually violent predators from residing within 1000 feet of schools and areas where minors congregate (SB101). 20. A bill providing for and regulating the discovery process in juvenile proceedings related to the production of evidence, documents, testimony, etc. (SB116). 21. A bill entitled, the “Common Sense Civil Justice Reform Act of 2003,” which provides for comprehensive revisions to the tort system related to medical malpractice, product liability and other claims (SB133). 22. A bill which provides for the transfer of filing of campaign contribution disclosure reports to the State Ethics Commission rather than the Secretary of State (SB144). 23. A bill relating to the definition of employment for purposes of the Employment Security Law which excludes services performed for a Subchapter “S” corporation by an owner of such corporation (SB160). 24. A bill entitled, “Patient Safe Prescription Drug Act,” which allows for the transmission of prescriptions through secure electronic means (SB179). 25. A bill providing for the creation of a felony of arson when a person commits a felony by use of fire or explosive which causes damage to certain property (SB184). 26. A bill to revise and increase the penalty for abandonment of a dependent child to a felony (SB186). 27. A bill relating to law enforcement officers and agencies, to revise a reference to the Organized Crime Prevention Council, to change its name, to revise the qualifications of the members of the council and to revise the powers and duties of the council (SB187). 28. A bill to revise and increase the penalty for the offence of fleeing a pursuing police officer to a felony (SB188). 29. A bill relating to certain law enforcement personnel under the Employees’ Retirement System of Georgia, so as to provide that certain members may elect to pay an additional employee contribution to such retirement system; to provide that any such person may retire at age 55 or after attaining at least 25 years of creditable service and receive an enhanced retirement benefit (SB212). 30. A bill entitled the “Internet Child Pornography Prevention Act,” which requires internet service providers in Georgia to remove or disable access to child pornography items residing on or accessible through its service (SB232). 31. A bill requiring that an unemancipated minor child have the consent of a parent or guardian prior to obtaining an abortion (SB240). 32. A bill requiring the adoption of a unified incident command system, the development of a Georgia Emergency Operations Plan and training for emergency response personnel for terroistic and other events requiring multi-jurisdictional cooperation (SB243). 33. A bill to establish a Georgia Greenspace Trust Fund and to provide for donations to the Georgia Greenspace Trust Fund by taxpayers through voluntary contributions on each taxpayer’s state income tax return (SB247). 34. A bill to revise and increase the penalties for fleeing or attempting to flee a pursuing police officer (SB297). 35. A bill relating to vaccinations for firefighters, emergency medical technicians and public safety officers, so as to provide for a vaccination program for emergency responders who may be exposed to infectious diseases when deployed to a disaster location (SB333). 36. A bill to provide immunity for certain hospitals, their agents or employees, health care providers, health care workers, and certain other persons participating in the federal smallpox vaccination and treatment program (SB336). 37. A bill relating to the power of the state fire marshal and staff who are certified peace officers to make arrests and carry weapons; to require that such personnel to be certified peace officers; to provide for the power to execute certain arrest and search warrants; and, to provide a prohibition on resisting arrest by and interfering with the duties of such persons (SB345). 38. A bill requiring the suspension of drivers’ licences and work permits for minors who have missed more than the maximum number of unexcused absences for truancy or unruly behavior (SB392). 39. A bill to exempt broadcasters from civil liability for the broadcast of “Levi’s Call” or “Amber Alert” emergency messages to aid in the recovery of abducted children (SB400). 40. A comprehensive education reform bill addressing school attendance requirements, and other measures for schools to address disciplinary and attendance problems (SB428). 41. A comprehensive education reform bill addressing student achievement, accountability standards and flexibility in funding, and rule compliance for local schools and systems (SB429). 42. A bill requiring that all legislative votes to elect members of the State Transportation Board be public rather than held in secret (SB438). 43. A bill strengthening penalties related to the purchase, possession, manufacture, distribution, and sale of illegal drugs, controlled substances and marijuana (SB440). 44. A bill strengthening certain sentence and punishment for crimes, requiring the superior court sentence review panel to provide an opinion or memorandum of decision when a sentence is reduced; to clarify sentences subject to review; and, to exempt sentences based on negotiated pleas from review (SB441). 45. A bill strengthening the sentence relating to murder and felony murder, so as to provide that persons convicted of murder who have three or more prior felony convictions shall be sentenced to life without parole under certain circumstances (SB442). 46. A bill granting taxpayers the right to be notified by their tax office of the renewal procedures applicable to the freeport personal property inventory exemption; and, providing for periods of limitation with respect to assessment of ad valorem taxes with respect to personal property (SB453). 46. A bill calling for the increase and expansion of certain personal property tax exemptions (SB454). 47. A bill creating the ‘Bright from the Start’, Department of Early Care and Learning as successor to the Office of School Readiness; to establish and provide for the duties and powers of such department; and to provide for licensing, commissioning, and registration of day-care centers, family day-care homes, child care learning centers, and group day-care homes (SB456). 48. A bill relating to “Child Protection”, defining criminal negligence; changing the definition of cruelty to children and providing for the crime of third degree cruelty to children; providing for penalties and definitions to make it unlawful for persons to engage in certain activities associated with manufacturing or possessing methamphetamine in the presence of children; and redefining the term "serious injury" to include sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 16 years (SB467). 49. A Bill relating to the application of marriage licenses from the State to provide for the establishment of the State Office of Vital Records within the Department of Human Resources; to revise certain powers of the state registrar; to revise certain provisions relating to registration of births; to require immediate transmittal of a death certificate to the state; to provide for certain changes relating to amendment of certificates or reports; to provide that temporary guardians may receive certified copies of vital records; to revise certain provisions relating to fees for copies and services related to vital records; and to change references to "vital records registration system" to "State Office of Vital Records” (SB478). 50. A bill relating relating to general provisions of motor vehicles and traffic, so as to amend the definition of "authorized emergency vehicle"; to amend Article 3 of Chapter 6 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to driving on the right side of the roadway, overtaking and passing, and following too closely (SB489). 51. A bill requiring the Department of Community Affairs to investigate and refer for prosecution cases of Section 8 housing fraud and abuse and providing for administrative and civil remedies (SB510). 52. A comprehensive Ethics reform bill strengthening the enforcement power and authority of the State Ethics Commission; increasing the disclosure requirements of public officials; placing limits on legislators ability to become lobbyists; limiting the amount of gifts that public officials may receive; prohibiting nepotism; requiring the State Ethics Commission to provide advisory opinions upon request and other provisions (SB517). 53. A bill requiring registration of sex offenders who are volunteers at an institution of higher learning; to include additional information requirements relating to registration of sex offenders at an institution of higher learning; and to provide for the establishment of an interactive data base within the state registry specifically for sex offenders at institutions of higher learning (SB537). 54. A bill entitles "The Campus Sexual Assault Information Act"; providing for the establishment of a written campus sexual assault policy at institutions of higher education (SB538). 55. A bill prohibiting lawsuits against manufacturers, packagers and distributors of food products on the basis of claims of obesity which results from the long-term consumption of food (SB540). 56. A bill called the “Sportsmen’s Voter Act” which allows Georgia citizens to register to vote at any location where they can obtain hunting and fishing licenses (SB541). 57. A bill entitled the “Georgia Massage Therapy Practice Act” creating a state board to regulate the examination and licensing of providers of those holding themselves out as massage therapists (SB551). 58. A bill to create economic development incentives by creating exemptions for ad valorem taxation of biotechnology property, facilities, and equipment when such exemption is approved by a referendum vote (SB556). 59. A bill relating to exemptions from state sales and use tax, so as to provide for an exemption with respect to sales for certain biotechnology research, product development, or manufacturing (SB557). 60. A bill creating an income tax credit with respect to qualified biotechnology businesses and providing for the transfer of such credits (SB558). 61. A bill providing for a job tax credit for qualified biotechnology businesses (SB559). 62. A bill prohibiting the use of a social security number by the Department of Motor Vehicle Safety as a driver’s license or identification card number (SB564). 63. A civil justice reform bill providing for a change of the provisions relating to venue involving joint or joint and several tort-feasors; to provide for higher standards in admitting expert testimony in professional malpractice actions; to change provisions relating to recovery against joint tort-feasors; to change provisions relating to comparative negligence (SB576). 64. A bill relating to lawsuits against providers of emergency medical treatment to establish and define the degree of care expected of medical professionals in an emergency room setting; to provide for the consideration by the jury or other trier of fact of certain factors affecting such care in determining whether such degree or standard of care was met (SB586). 65. A bill relating to the state flag and the protection of public monuments honoring the military, so as to provide for the protection of privately owned monuments honoring past or present military personnel (SB588) 66. A bill entitled the ‘Mandatory Professional Malpractice Mediation Act’ relating to civil practice, so as to mandate mediation in all professional malpractice civil actions; to provide for a short title; to provide for guidelines, time frames, and other issues related to mediation; to provide for an offer of judgment; to provide for matters relating to an offer of judgment, including time limitations, methods of service, withdrawal and acceptance of offers, admissibility of an offer, and court costs (SB593). 67. A resolution calling for a constitutional requirement that the apportionment of seats in the Georgia House of Representatives in elections from single-member districts (SR108). 68. A resolution authorizing the granting of nonexclusive easements for operation and maintenance of facilities, utilities, and ingress and egress, in, on, over, under, upon, across, or through property owned by the State of Georgia in certain designated counties (SR120). 69. A resolution honoring and commending 4-H member, Hillary Munro (SR133). 70. A resolution recognizing Breathe Georgia Day at the State Capitol related to asthma (SR158). 71. A resolution entitled, ‘Taxpayers Dividend Act,’ which calls for a two-thirds “super-majority” of both houses prior to any tax increase and also calling for a refund of excess budget funds to the taxpayers (SR160). 72. A resolution commending the tourism industry in Georgia and establishing March 12, 2003 as “Georgia Tourism Day” (SR208). 73. A resolution urging the State of Georgia to study a strategic business framework for increasing trade with China by creating a public private forum to analyze our current situation, establish the economic value of a strategy and recommend the best possible course of action for the future (SR225). 74. A resolution urging Georgia’s Congressional Delegation to pass President Bush’s 2003 Economic Growth and Tax Relief Plan (SR226). 75. A resolution directing the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission to issue a request for proposals for the transfer or securitization of all or part of the state’s rights to payments under the tobacco master settlement agreement (SR227). 76. A resolution expressing support and appreciation for President George W. Bush and the men and women of the armed forces of the United States in Operation Iraqi Freedom (SR258). 77. A resolution urging the United States Senate to confirm the nomination of Miguel A. Estrada to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (SR265). 78. A resolution urging the United States Senate to pass and the President of the United States to sign legislation that bans human cloning (SR266). 79. A resolution establishing the Senate Commission on Georgia State Government Cost Control and the Senate Private Sector Advisory Committee on Georgia State Government Cost Control (SR273). 80. A resolution urging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission not to adopt its proposed rules for Standard Market Design of electricity markets; urging Congress to take such steps as are necessary to assure that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission not to adopt its proposed rules for Standard Market Design (SR276). 81. A resolution celebrating the birth of Audrey Faith Owens and Abby Joy Owens (SR297). 82. A resolution commending Julianna S. Hunt as a University System of Georgia Outstanding Scholar on Academic Recognition Day (SR337). 83. A resolution commemorating Leonard Burge for his heroic and courageous actions (SR411). 84. A resolution recognizing and commending Britt Evans, Rodney Jones, Tony Eaton and the Chattooga County Rescue Squad for their heroic and courageous actions (SR 412). 85. A resolution urging the President of the United States and the presidents of thirty-three other democratic nations of the Western Hemisphere to locate the Secretariat of the Free Trade Area of the Americas in Atlanta, Georgia (SR414). 86. A resolution creating a Senate Hospital Indigent Care Funding Study Committee (SR416). 87. A resolution recognizing Prater's Mill Folklife Collection and Prater's Mill Foundation (SR437). 88. A resolution commending the Roper Corportion in Walker County, GA (SR496). 89. A resolution referred to as the ‘Faith and Family Services Amendment’ calling for a referendum vote to amend the Georgia Constitution to allow for religious organizations to contract with the State to help provide humanitarian services to the underprivileged (SR560). 90. A resolution providing for a state-wide referendum vote to amend the Georgia Constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman (SR595) 91. A resolution commending Corporal Stanley Elrod as Peace Officer of the Year for his meritorious service (SR631). 92. A resolution authorizing the granting of nonexclusive easements for operation and maintenance of facilities, utilities and ingress and egress, in, on, over, under, upon, across, or through property owned by the State of Georgia in Floyd and twelve other counties (SR651). 93. A resolution authorizing the conveyance of certain State owned real property located in Bartow, Floyd and eight other counties (SR652). 94. A resolution recommending the observance of the Academic Bill of Rights at public and private universities in Georgia (SR661). 95. A resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to remove capital outlay projects from inclusion in the educational purposes and programs for which lottery proceeds may be used (SR678). 96. A resolution creating the Senate Study Committee on the Scope of Chiropractic Practice (SR680). 97. A resolution urging the United States Congress to make the federal tax cuts permanent (SR728). 98. A resolution urging the United States Congress to permanently abolish the death tax (SR729). 99. A resolution requesting that the Congressional Delegation of the State of Georgia work to pass lifetime and retirement savings accounts (SR730) 100. A resolution urging the United States Congress to enact certain defense appropriations (SR731). 101. A resolution requesting the Congressional Delegation of the State of Georgia to support the President's effort to protect the United States from terrorists and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (SR732). 102. A resolution encouraging the display of the Ten Commandments and the acknowledgment of God by local governments and the State of Georgia (SR786). 103. A resolution designating November 2, 2004 as ‘Take Your Kids to Vote Day’ in Georgia (SR794). 104. A resolution urging the United States Congress to establish a domestic energy policy that will ensure an adequate supply of energy and the appropriate infrastructure (SR874). 105. A resolution commending Joy L. Cash as an outstanding scholar (SR919). 106. A resolution honoring Rome native, Admiral John Henry Towers, and authorizing the placing of his portrait in the state Capitol (SR942). 107. A resolution expressing condolences in memory of Grace Maloy Clay (SR944). 108. A resolution commending Reatha Dempsey for her outstanding service for 38 years as a teacher in Rome, Floyd County, community (SR 1057).