Rep Brett Harrell’s Capitol Update – news from under the Gold Dome.

Two voting days remain (Tuesday and Thursday) in the 2017 Session of the Georgia General Assembly. We will conclude this Session on Thursday, March 30, 2017 likely at 12 midnight.

This past week, several important bills passed including:

House Bill 44, the Fiscal Year 2018 Budget, passed on Day 37 perhaps the earliest the budget has ever been adopted. The $24.9 billion budget is balanced and prioritizes education, transportation, and child welfare. The FY 2018 budget also includes raises for state law enforcement officers, teachers, and DFACS personnel. I voted – YES.

Senate Bill 206 authored by Gwinnett Senator P.K. Martin provides insurance coverage for hearing aids for children 18-years old and under. The cost of care with early intervention when hearing loss is diagnosed in children is significantly less than the alternative. I voted – YES.

House Resolution 462 is one of several measures passed by the House in support of Georgia’s military families and bases. Georgia has the fifth largest military population in the country, and with an annual impact of $20 billion, our military is one of our state’s biggest economic drivers. With over 750,000 veterans, Georgia ranks eighth nationally. I voted – YES.

Senate Bill 219 creates a framework for autonomous vehicles (AV) in Georgia. I was pleased to Chair the House Subcommittee on this measure and I appreciate Senator Steve Gooch for allowing a substitute to include the House version, HB 248, that gained the support of all parties within the AV industry including manufacturers, technology companies, insurers, and our legal community. A special thanks for the great work done on this issue by Reps. Trey Kelley, Ed Setzler, Meagan Hanson, Todd Jones, Spencer Frye, and Brian Prince.  I voted – YES.

On Monday, the House Rules Committee will meet to consider placing these bills on the floor.

The House streams most meetings live and you will find a broadcast schedule here.