Gold Dome Update 
Highlights from the House 
Friday, June 26, brought the official close to our 2020 legislative session as the General Assembly adjourned “Sine Die,” which is Latin for “without assigning a day for further meeting.” Sine Die traditionally fills the Capitol with guests as we celebrate the conclusion of our 40 legislative days on Capitol Hill. However, this annual celebratory event looked quite different due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the change in atmosphere, we did manage to push forward many measures that represent the best interests of Georgians. While this year’s session will remain one of the most unique in the history of our state, we were successful in addressing a variety of serious subject matters. 
Budget News
 

 The most important obligation of passing a balanced budget was fulfilled through House Bill 793 , which sets our state’s budget for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY 2021). This was quite an undertaking as our FY 2021 revenue estimate changed from more than $28.1 billion to approximately $25.9 billion. This reduction by $2.19 billion, or 7.8 percent also reflects a loss of more than $1.9 billion in state general funds, more than $233.6 million in motor fuel funds and more than $14.1 million in lottery revenues.

Despite these reductions, the General Assembly maintained its priorities by limiting cuts to the greatest extent possible to several essential areas. Below are highlights of the final FY2021 budget.

Education
Necessary cuts were made across the board, including cuts in the largest portion of the state’s budget—education. While there was no way to avoid this, we are pleased that in the budget that was adopted, some of the proposed cuts to many programs which serve our children and educators of Georgia were partially or fully restored. Further, responsible stewardship of our local school systems, since the Great Recession, has generated approximately $3.3 billion in reserves. The funding of K-12 education in our state is a 3-way partnership between the local, state and federal governments.

K-12 Public Education Highlights
  • $950 million cut from the Quality Basic Education program to reflect temporary reduction in revenue; expected offset from federal funding relief programs to soften cuts from the originally proposed 10% to roughly 6%.
  • $457 million through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund and $144.5 million through the Child Care and Development Block Grant.
  • $142 million added for enrollment growth, as well as teacher training and experience which fully funds these programs
  • $8.8 million added to the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement for programs like the Governor’s Honors Program and Growing Readers
  • $927,000 added to pupil transportation to account for enrollment growth

Higher Education
  • $157 million in CARES Act funding for the University System of Georgia and more than $37 million in such funds for the Technical College System of Georgia
  • $12 million in additional federal funds for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act
  • $1 million added to the REACH Georgia scholarship program, a needs-based mentoring and scholarship program
  • $54 million in additional funds in the FY 2021 budget to provide a projected 439,041 total awards across all HOPE scholarship and grant programs.
  • Restored $3.2 million to fully fund the Georgia Public Library System’s material grants

Public Safety
Our first priority is to ensure the safety of our citizens. Below is a look at funding for public safety initiatives.

  • Restored $1.7 million of proposed cuts to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s (GBI) Forensic Scientific Services program
  • $1 million to outsource chemistry testing which will reduce the backlog of evidence which needs testing
  • Restored $3.5 million of the proposed cuts to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council which includes $15 million to establish a law enforcement training grant program for state and local law enforcement agencies.
  • $2.65 million cut to accountability courts is restored to allow this program that diverts non-violent offenders from jails or prisons to successful rehabilitative programs within communities.

Healthcare Funding
We have been working extremely hard to make access to quality healthcare viable for every Georgian. Therefore, preserving healthcare funding was a top priority during our consideration of the FY 2021 budget.

  • $268.7 million appropriated for growth in the Medicaid programs to meet the projected need. 
  • Restored $13.9 million in reductions to public health grants to counties.
  • Appropriated $261.7 million dollars in federal funds for COVID-19 testing from the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act.
  • Restored $463,000 in cuts to the Rural Health Systems Innovation Center at Mercer University School of Medicine.
  • Added $12 million to the existing $3 million for the Rural Hospital Stabilization program
  • Restored $1.5 million in proposed cuts for maternal mortality prevention grants to Georgia hospitals.

Areas of Interests
  • Restored $53.5 million to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Department of Veterans Services.
  • Restored $46 million in the state’s Out of Home Care program and $1.4 million to DHS to prevent the closure DFCS offices statewide.
  • Restored $1.8 million in proposed cuts to the Department of Agriculture
  • $2.7 million to the State Forestry Commission for operations and personnel for the commission to keep and maintain necessary equipment that assists in disaster clean up.

As you can see, there are many moving parts to the state budget. We will continue to update you on areas of interest budget wise in the coming months.

Legislative Action

Over the course of our last week on Capitol Hill, we managed to pass a number of measures to benefit the citizens of our great state. Below you will find a quick highlight of what we accomplished the last few days of our 2020 legislative session. 

Legislative Salary Changes
In recognition of how these cuts will impact our state, the last days of session brought the passage of Senate Bill 416 . SB 416 cut our legislative salaries by 10%, the same percentage as state reductions to the budget, which began July 1st. This vote was very meaningful, as our General Assembly took action to recognize the sacrifice made by all citizens during this unprecedented time. I am also proud to say that our House Republican caucus stood in solidarity as we voted overwhelmingly in support of this measure, which was split among party lines within our chamber.

Education
Our final week under the Gold Dome also gave final passage to Senate Bill 367 which would lower the number of mandatory assessments required of our students. This is a critical piece of legislation that allows our teachers to focus less on mandated testing and more on promoting the educational growth of our youth.

Public Safety
The House and Senate passed a revised version of HB 838 which will protect police and other first responders from bias-motivated crimes. This legislation also allows officers to sue individuals who make false complaints against them. Our first response teams risk their lives every single day to protect us. This measure shows that we support their efforts.

 Healthcare
The health of our citizens is important now more than ever. We have worked diligently to improve healthcare policy and initiatives for the benefit of our Georgia citizens. The last week of session brought the passage of House Bill 1114 and Senate Bill 321 .

Sadly, Georgia has consistently ranked too high nationally where maternal mortality rates are concerned. To combat this, we passed the final version of House Bill 1114 . This bill will extend Medicaid for low-income mothers from two to six months after giving birth. We are hopeful that this measure will assist in providing quality care for Georgia mothers following the birth of their children, improving patient outcomes for mother and child. 

SB 321 works to increase the number of medical workers in hospitals across the state, especially in rural Georgia. This bill assists our ongoing efforts to expand access to quality healthcare through the following:

  • Increases the number of physician’s assistants and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (ARPN) who work underneath a doctor
  • Improve the scope of practice for APRNs by authorizing them to order radiographic imaging tests in non-life-threatening situations if directed to do so by a physician.

Business Protection Measure
To protect our small businesses from frivolous lawsuits, we passed Senate Bill 359 . This bill will protect businesses against COVID-19 related lawsuits except for cases of gross negligence. The Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the National Federation of Independent Businesses were both appreciative of these efforts.
Sponsored Legislation

Our delegation and House colleagues work hard to bring substantive and meaningful legislation forward for consideration. Below, please find a list of sponsored legislation which successfully passed and now awaits Governor Kemp's signature into law.

  • House Bill 337: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to provide for and regulate peer-to-peer vehicle sharing; to provide for definitions; to provide requirements for a peer-to-peer vehicle-sharing program; to establish safety recall and insurance requirements for such program; to prohibit the promulgation and enforcement of certain regulations by local governments as related to such program; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
  • House Bill 716: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 33-24-59.23 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to carrier issuing health benefit plans to pay insurance agent's commissions and regulation authority, so as to provide that carriers issuing a health benefit plan in this state through an agent shall file proposed commission rates with the department; to provide that carriers that do not pay commission during special enrollments shall upon policy renewals pay such commission along with renewal commission; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
  • House Bill 779: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5C of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to alternative ad valorem taxes on motor vehicles, so as to revise the distribution of the proceeds of such taxes among local governments; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
  • House Bill 799: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3A of Chapter 5 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to suspension of license for being in control of a moving vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance or marijuana, so as to repeal a prohibition regarding the eligibility of certain violators to receive early reinstatement of their driver's licenses and limited driving permits; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
  • House Bill 848: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 4 of Chapter 5 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to disposition of surplus property, so as to change certain definitions to provide the Department of Administrative Services additional options when disposing of surplus property in the best interest of the state; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

While we have officially finished the legislative session, our work is far from over as we will continue our efforts to recover and keep our citizens safe while combating COVID-19.

If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us any time. Also, be on the lookout for updates throughout the remainder of the year to keep you informed on what we are doing to ensure simple, smart and effective government within our great state of Georgia. 

Respectfully,
Shaw Blackmon
Representative of Georgia's 146th House District
Contact COVID-19 Hotline
The State of Georgia has a new COVID-19 hotline. If you believe that you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to the novel coronavirus, please contact your primary care doctor or an urgent care clinic. Please do not show up unannounced at an emergency room or health care facility.
Hotline: (844) 442-2681
Representative Shaw Blackmon
District 146

Phone: 404-463-7583
Address: 401-K State Capitol
Atlanta, Georgia 30334