Day 13 - 2/01/2007

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Today, House Democrats ( Randall, Porter, Hugley, Smyre, and Gardner)  introduced HB 236, to allow state appropriations to be used for the PeachCare program even if matching federal funds are not available.  This bill would change current law which states that state funds cannot be the sole funding source for PeachCare.  If Congress does not act to fill the $131 million PeachCare shortfall, HB 236 provides one solution to the question of how to ensure that the 270,000 children currently enrolled the the PeachCare program do not lose their healthcare coverage.

Upcoming Meetings

Friday, February 2

9 a.m. House Special Rules meetings in Room 515 CLOB.

9 am Senate Convenes. SB 39, the Charter Systems Act, is on the Rules calendar

30 minutes upon Senate adjournment. Senate Rules Committee will meet in Room 450 CAP.  Senate Appropriations Subcommittee- General Government will meet in Room 125 CAP.

Reminder: The General Assembly will recess Friday afternoon and will NOT be in session on February 5, 6 or 7.  Committees will meet.

Tuesday, February 6

2:00 pm House Judiciary Committee will meet in Room 132 CAP. HB 156 which would authorize DHR to collect a user fee from custodial parents who do not receive TANF  is on the agenda.  This bill attempts to collect money that the state must pay the federal government under the deficit reduction act.  The committee discussed the bill today at its hearing and is trying to amend the bill to charge the non-custodial parents rather than to further penalize the child by taking money.  The Committee will also discuss HB 158 which allow a father to voluntarily make a claim of paternity.

15 minutes after House Judiciary Committee concludes, the House Judiciary (Civil) Subcommittee will meet in Room 132 Cap.  HB 153 which amends Part 6 of Article 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the deprivation of juveniles, so as to provide certain requirements when placing children with the Division of Family and Children Services is on the agenda.

Wednesday, Feb. 7

12:00 noon  Senate Appropriations Human Development Subcommittee meetings in Room 450 State Capitol. Agenda includes a review of the 07 Amended Budget for the Department of Human Resources as well as DHRs itemized federal funds spending plan for the remainder of the fiscal year.