Rep. Dan Gasaway (R-Homer) represents the 28th GA House District. His district includes Stephens and Banks Counties and the southern end of Habersham.
There are some specific legislative issues in the forefront of citizens’ minds this week, per the emails and phone calls I have received. Here is an update on these issues.
Lawmakers seeking alternatives to governor’s plan to do away with insurance benefits for non-certified school personnel
The Governor’s proposal to no longer provide insurance for non-certified school system personnel (bus drivers and cafeteria workers) continues to create much angst in the community. In the amended year budget, passed on January 29, the Georgia House of Representatives added the following statement:
“The Department of Community Health shall submit a study by June 30, 2015 to the General Assembly that examines why the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) costs are higher than other comparable government employee health plans and describe a variety of options for reducing costs without further diminishing the value of health benefits received by members. The General Assembly also finds that non-certified school employees are an essential part of the education delivery system and directs that any such report include an examination of options to provide health benefits to these workers.”
In summary, the House of Representatives is seeking a better solution to the health benefits cost issue than the one proposed.
House considers bill to improve access and use of solar energy in Georgia
On Monday, February 9, the House unanimously passed a bill to improve access to and use of solar energy in Georgia. HB 57, the Solar Power Free Market Financing Act, increases access to solar technology for energy consumers by removing the upfront cost of installing solar panels.
Since 2011, various forms of this legislation have been introduced and debated. It appears that this year, the authors of the legislation have found a compromise that Georgia Power and the EMCs find acceptable. This bill allows companies like Solar City (and many others) to move operations into Georgia. These companies install solar panels on homes and businesses and also provide financing. This business model is already flourishing in many states.
EMCs have been offering renewable energy for more than a decade. They worked with the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Mike Dudgeon, for months to craft this compromise with the solar industry. The bill includes language to protect our linemen, protect consumers from energy reliability problems and strengthen the Territorial Services Act. Habersham EMC supports this legislation.
The bill is now in the Senate.
House tackles Senate bill requiring insurance coverage for autistic children
Several people have contacted me regarding Senate Bill 1. SB 1, or Ava’s Law, was the first bill passed by the State Senate this year and is waiting committee assignment in the House. You may remember that this legislation died in the last hour of last year’s session because of a dispute between the House and the Senate. By addressing this bill early on in this year’s session, there will be more time to work out differences.
Thirty eight states have already passed this legislation, or legislation with similar language. SB 1 mandates that new types of therapy for children with autism spectrum disorders must be covered by insurance plans in Georgia. The idea is to allocate resources for promising therapies early on in a child’s life in order to reduce long term reoccurring costs. Currently, the cost of treating autism over a lifetime is tremendous. Although reductions in educational and medical expenditures are an important goal of this legislation, the most important goal is a better outcome for these children. I have been a supporter of this legislation for the previous two years and hope to see a vote on this legislation soon.
Things to keep your eye on
- HB 86 proposes to create the Georgia Adult and Aging Services Agency out of the department of Human Services. Because of the General Assembly finds that:
(1) Georgia has the eleventh fastest growing population in the United States of individuals 60 years of age and older;
(2) Georgia has the tenth fastest growing population in the United States of individuals 85 years of age and older;
3) Georgia’s population of individuals 60 years of age and older is expected to increase by 65 percent from 2010 to 2030.
- Lawmakers heard from the State Chancellor. We are being beaten by Alabama on professor salaries in the University System.
- The rural caucus on Wednesday heard from Hometown Health about the challenges facing rural hospitals.
Anyone with questions about these or other issues before the General Assembly may reach me at 404-656-0325 or [email protected].
