By: Sen. Steve Gooch (R – Dahlonega)

Friday marked the end of a very busy week at the Capitol. The Senate picked up the pace with committee meetings running late into the night and Senators working hard to pass legislation before Crossover Day on Friday, March 3.

On Tuesday, I introduced Senate Bill 232, the “Facilitating Internet Broadband Rural Expansion (FIBRE) Act,” to address broadband access issues that affect citizens across the state. Greater access to this invaluable resource has proven to increase quality of life and serve as an economic development tool. SB 232 will address the ways Georgia can move forward and promote the availability and delivery of broadband services to citizens throughout the state. The FIBRE Act defines broadband service as internet access capable of transmitting data at a rate of 25 megabytes for downloading and at least 3 megabytes per second for uploading.

First, SB 232 will govern the ability of local authorities to regulate or charge for the collocation of small wireless facilities in public rights of way under certain circumstances. Any disputes between the local governing authorities and companies wishing to install the small wireless facilities will be handled by the Public Service Commission.

Second, a political subdivision maybe certified as a gigabit ready community if they enact an ordinance for reviewing applications and streamlining permits related to broadband network projects.

Third, service delivery strategies will include plans to promote the availability and delivery of broadband services. The strategies will be used to identify steps which will be taken to ensure that the population of a local government has reasonable and cost-effective access to broadband services.

Fourth, SB 232 redefines the Universal Access Fund to allow the Public Service Commission to fund the deployment of internet services in rural areas. It also reassures reasonably priced access to basic local exchange services.  The commission will ensure that the fund operates in a competitively neutral manner when it comes to competing telecommunication providers.

Fifth, Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs) will be authorized to provide and operate emerging communication technologies to include internet services. They currently serve electricity to approximately 4.2 million Georgians.

Sixth, SB 232 will address tax exemptions for deployment of broadband technology and how SPLOST proceeds are to be used and may be expended for broadband services in rural areas of the state.

Lastly, the Georgia Department of Economic Development will create the Georgia Gigabit Ready Community Site designation program. This designation will help identify sites in the state where business prospects will have access to internet speeds greater than 1 gigabit.

This legislation if passed could be the game changer for internet access in rural Georgia. I look forward to working with my colleagues on SB 232 as it moves through the legislative process. I hope you will reach out to my office if you have any questions, comments or concerns about SB 232 or any pending legislation.
Sen. Steve Gooch serves as Majority Whip of the Senate Majority Caucus. He represents the 51st Senate District which includes Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Union and White counties and portions of Forsyth and Pickens counties.  He may be reached at 404.656.9221 or via email at [email protected]

By: Sen. Steve Gooch (R – Dahlonega)

The Senate reconvened for legislative day five on Monday. Standing committees started meeting to adopt their rules in preparation for bill hearings starting next week. Several pieces of legislation were introduced this week and many more will be dropped as we progress through the session. In the next couple of weeks, I will be proposing legislation addressing the findings of the Joint Senate and House Study Committee on High Speed Broadband Communications Access for All Georgians.

The study committee held regional meetings around the state during the interim to hear from rural Georgians about the challenges and opportunities that exist with broadband access. After hearing from citizens and stakeholders, it is clear that broadband access is an issue that must be addressed across the entire state. Greater access to this resource has proven to increase quality of life and serve as an economic development tool.

The legislation I plan to propose is based on the committee’s recommendations and findings. As the legislation moves through the legislative process, I plan to meet with stakeholders, constituents and people around the state to ensure that any proposed legislation will benefit all Georgians.

For the full overview of the final report, please follow this link: http://www.senate.ga.gov/sro/Documents/StudyCommRpts/2016FinalReportBroadbandAccess.pdf

My work at the Capitol relies on your feedback, so please continue reaching out to discuss legislation with me. I am proud to serve over 200,000 constituents who reach out via email, phone calls and visits to provide feedback. My staff and I appreciate these efforts and want to reassure each and every one of you that every phone call, email or office visit is taken into consideration when casting my vote in the Senate chamber. Although we may not be able to respond immediately, your voices are heard. Please do not hesitate to call or email me at any time. I am in office to serve you!

Sen. Steve Gooch serves as Majority Whip of the Senate Majority Caucus. He represents the 51st Senate District which includes Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Union and White counties and portions of Forsyth and Pickens counties.  He may be reached at 404.656.9221 or via email at [email protected]

sos.ga.gov

State Senator, District 51 – REP
= County Reporting County STEVE GOOCH (I) JOHN WILLIAMSON Total Dawson 2948 1120 4,068 Fannin 3851 1177 5,028 Forsyth 99 53 152 Gilmer 2380 1561 3,941 Lumpkin 2580 1210 3,790 Pickens 1766 635 2,401 Union 3829 866 4,695 White 3122 941 4,063 Total: 20,575 7,563 28,138

By: Sen. Steve Gooch (R – Dahlonega)

Every bill passed by the Georgia General Assembly undergoes a careful and methodical vetting process before it is signed into law. Hundreds of bills are filed each year, but only a small number will make their way to Governor Deal’s desk at the end of the legislative session. This is why many bills sometimes take several years to become law—and while this may be frustrating to supporters of the bill, it is a good thing. We want to review every potential benefit and disadvantage in order to prevent the need for follow-up legislation.

An example of this multi-year process is House Bill 859. Also known as the “campus carry” bill, the legislation would allow anyone with a valid weapons carry license to legally carry a handgun on a college campus. The weapon must be concealed and cannot be carried onto property used for athletic events or student housing. This legislation has been fiercely debated for several years, with critics citing safety concerns. However, this is legislation that actually increases safety and allows responsible, competent college students to appropriately protect themselves.

The Senate fulfilled our constitutional obligation last week by passing House Bill 751. This is the Fiscal Year 2017 General Budget, which runs from July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2017. The budget allocates approximately $23.7 billion in state funding, and is the largest state budget since the 2008 recession. Although we continue to practice strict fiscal responsibility when establishing the budget, the increased total is a good sign of Georgia’s continued growth and prosperity. House Bill 751 includes more funding for road projects and maintenance, public safety improvements and a 3 percent salary increase for our hardworking school employees. This bill has now been transferred back to the House for approval of the Senate’s changes.

Two House bills that I carried in the Senate also received approval last week. House Bill 767 would require drivers to follow specific safety procedures when passing utility service vehicles that are stopped on the road with flashing lights. Under current law, these procedures must only be followed when passing stationary tow trucks or highway maintenance vehicles. House Bill 767 adds utility service vehicles to this list. The other bill, House Bill 172, would allow alcohol to be responsibly consumed on a homemade or inflatable raft. While this might seem like an insignificant bill, this has been a gray area for many years. This clarifies the legalities of enjoying a beverage while tubing or floating the river.

Please continue reaching out to me with any questions, comments or concerns about legislation during the 2016 legislative session. I always appreciate and encourage your feedback!

Sen. Steve Gooch serves as Majority Whip of the Senate Majority Caucus. He represents the 51st Senate District which includes Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Union and White counties and portions of Forsyth and Pickens counties.  He may be reached at 404.656.9221 or via email at [email protected]

By: Sen. Steve Gooch (R – Dahlonega)

The Georgia General Assembly is racing against the clock in order to meet a significant deadline—the 30^th legislative day, which is also more commonly known as Crossover Day. This is the last day that Senate bills can transfer to the House for consideration, and vice versa. This means that all Senate bills must be filed and favorably reported out of committee this week in order to still be eligible for consideration in 2016. Since this is the second half of a biennial legislative term, any bills that fail to meet these important deadlines are considered “dead” and must be re-introduced in 2017. Therefore, the pressure is on to make this a productive and effective legislative week.

Last week, the Senate approved legislation that protects Georgians most closely held religious beliefs. House Bill 757 prevents pastors, ministers and other religious clergy from being forced to step outside their religious beliefs when performing marriage ceremonies. The legislation was combined with a Senate bill commonly known as the First Amendment Defense Act, which added language further protecting the free exercise of religion. HB 757 now also prevents state or local governments from taking discriminatory action against individuals or faith-based organizations with a sincere religious belief about lawful marriage. The legislation will now go back to the House for final approval.

Governor Deal signed House Bill 750, the amended Fiscal Year (AFY) 2016 budget last week. With an additional increase of $1.23 billion, the funding amount for AFY 2016 now totals $23.06 billion. Our focus has now shifted to reviewing the FY 2017 budget, which must be finalized and approved by both the House and Senate before March 24. This is the 40^th—and final—day of the legislative session.

Other bills receiving Senate approval last week included:

• Senate Bill 309: This legislation prohibits public high schools from participating in sporting events that ban student athletes from expressing religious beliefs on his/her uniform. This bill was drafted after a high school student was disqualified from a cross-country race in 2015 because he wore a headband featuring a bible verse. SB 309 now transfers to the House for consideration.
• Senate Bill 282: Companies that provide credit or financial services would be banned from discriminating against any individual, business, public entity, or trade association who lawfully sell firearms or ammunition. SB 282 now transfers to the House for consideration.
• Senate Bill 270: This bill would exempt qualified retired law enforcement officers from certain restrictions on the licensing and carrying of firearms. The bill also extends these same benefits to former law enforcement officers who worked out-of-state but are now retired Georgia citizens. SB 270 now transfers to the House for consideration.
• Senate Bill 329: Students completing post-secondary dual credit coursework and who have earned certification for an “in-need” technical industry would be awarded a high school diploma if this bill receives final General Assembly approval. The bill also expands HOPE scholarship eligibility to these students. SB 329 now transfers to the House for consideration.

It was a pleasure to host Miss Apple Capital Katherine McCauley and Miss Apple Capital Outstanding Teen Kendall Chamberlain in the Senate chamber last week. McCauley and Chamberlain will both represent Ellijay and the North Georgia area at the 2016 Miss Georgia Pageant.

Please continue reaching out to me with any questions, comments or concerns about legislation during the 2016 legislative session. I always appreciate and encourage your feedback!
Sen. Steve Gooch serves as Majority Whip of the Senate Majority Caucus. He represents the 51st Senate District which includes Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Union and White counties and portions of Forsyth and Pickens counties.  He may be reached at 404.656.9221 or via email at [email protected]

News Release by: Sen. Steve Gooch (R – Dahlonega)

The Senate reconvened after a busy third week of budget hearings and committee meetings. It was also a very productive week in that we’ve finally got the ball rolling on a number of pieces of legislation that are sure to benefit the people of Georgia. We also heard the first two bills of the session on the floor last week, signaling that the 2016 legislative session is well underway.

Senate Bill 137 would expand current Georgia law to allow corporations to collect full property insurance payouts when a residence is completely destroyed by fire. The bill was unanimously adopted. A few days later, we also passed Senate Bill 263, which would allow police officers who are either retiring or have to leave police service due to on the job injury to be able to retain their badge and firearm as compensation. The brave men and women who serve as police officers in Georgia have my greatest admiration and believe I echo the sentiments of the entire General Assembly when I thank each and every one of you for your commitment to the state of Georgia and its people.

Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court Hugh P. Thompson presented the annual State of the Judiciary address to a joint session of the House and Senate last week. Chief Justice Thompson outlined a plan for modernizing Georgia’s highest court so that it will only hear the most critical cases in our state, especially ones with the potential to alter existing law. The change will bring Georgia in line with other southern states that have made similar transitions in recent years.

I was proud to recognize the University of North Georgia softball team for their 2015 NCAA Division II Championship. UNG is not only a strong academic institution producing some of the most qualified graduates in the state, but it also has become a formidable contender for sports as well.

Committee meetings also began last week. The committee process is essential because it provides the vetting of legislation, ensuring that it will be of benefit to the people of Georgia before receiving a vote on the floor of the Senate.

This week, budget subcommittee meetings for the AFY 2016 budget will begin. In these meetings, subcommittees will review the AFY 2016 budget for the agencies under their jurisdiction. This is done in order to make sure that all of the funds in the budget are allocated fairly and responsibly, and meets the needs of all the various agencies of the state.

We’re expecting the next few weeks to be fast paced and I am excited to begin moving forward with legislation that will benefit all of Georgia. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any questions, comments or concerns you may have with any legislation this session. I always appreciate and encourage your feedback!
Sen. Steve Gooch serves as Majority Whip of the Senate Majority Caucus. He represents the 51st Senate District which includes Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Union and White counties and portions of Forsyth and Pickens counties.  He may be reached at 404.656.9221 or via email at [email protected]