As Crossover Day looms in Ga. Senate, much remains to be accomplished

We have completed 26 days of the 2008 session and Senate committees have been working late into the evening, as we try to pass as many Senate bills as possible by the 30th legislative day, which is otherwise known as “Crossover Day.”

Crossover Day is the final day a piece of legislation can move from one chamber to the next. If a Senate bill does not pass the Senate at the end of the 30th day, it will be sidetracked and most likely dead for the session. This is the time in the session when the big issues start to move onto the floor for debate in both chambers, and the pace is fast and hectic.

As the joint Conference Committee on House Bill 989 (the amended FY 08 budget), continued to negotiate a final agreement, senators worked to push forth their bills to meet the “crossover” deadline.

Here is an update on some of the major legislation we’ve seen pass this [past] week.

• SB 366 prohibits a prison inmate from possessing a cell phone or any telecommunications device.

• SB 383 requires the Commissioner of Insurance to develop flexible guidelines for coverage and approval of health savings accounts. These are high-deductible plans that are designed to qualify under federal and state requirements.

• SB 433 establishes “Destination Cancer Hospitals” under Certificate of Need that will provide diagnostic, therapeutic, treatment and rehabilitative care services to cancer patients.

• SB 437 allows titling of “kit” automobiles and motorcycles.

• SB 440 provides that certain veterans’ organizations may sell pull tab games. Winnings are limited to $500 per person per 24-hour period.

• SB 474 requires registered sex offenders to provide their email addresses and user names to the state and their Internet connections may be monitored or limited.

• HB 967 exempts Department of Corrections’ hospitals from the state’s Certificate of Need program.

As always, please contact me in my office and let me know your opinions, your thoughts and your concerns.

[Sen. Ronnie Chance (R-Tyrone) represents the 16th Senate District, which includes Lamar and Pike counties and portions of Fayette, Monroe and Spalding counties. He may be reached by phone at 404-651-7738 or via email at ronnie.chance@senate.ga.gov.]