Senate Rules advances referral of House bills, sends SR 323 to standing committee

ATLANTA — The Georgia Senate Rules Committee met March 18 and unanimously approved procedural referrals that will send a set of House bills to committee and move Senate Resolution 323 to a standing committee.

Committee Chair Senator Walker called the meeting to order and asked that SR 323 be referred to a standing committee; the chair said the referral included a small amendment changing the number of days attached to the resolution. "All in favor, say aye," the chair said; committee members responded, and the chair announced, "Motion carries unanimously." The committee scheduled the SR 323 standing-committee hearing for Thursday.

The committee then heard concise presentations from House members and state executive-branch representatives on a broad slate of measures. Speakers described policy changes, budgetary figures and program adjustments but most bills were presented for committee placement rather than for debate or final action. Representative Hall, speaking for the governor, described House Bill 111 as a measure to accelerate a planned income-tax rate cut "from 5.39 to 5.19 percent." Representative McBride summarized changes to a college completion grant (HB38), saying the program provides up to $2,500 per student, that the bill adjusts completion thresholds (70% for four-year programs and 45% for two-year…