February 2020 Newsletter – Part 2

As Promised: Officially Introduced Pre-filed Bills

The prefiling of a measure shall not constitute the official introduction of a bill or resolution, and a bill or resolution may be officially introduced only during a legislative session. O.C.G.A. § 28-1-17(b)

The January edition of Georgia Insight covered select pre-filed bills that would need attention if they were introduced, officially. Each bill in that issue ended with a promise that contact numbers for committee members would be provided for bills that were introduced and assigned to committee. Although committee chairmen may allow discussions or public hearings for bills, they also may, arbitrarily, “sit on” (pocket veto) bills or resolutions to prevent passage. The following bills, reported in the January issue, were introduced and are in committees.

S.B. 281 Georgia Firearms and Weapons Act introduced January 15th by Senator James puts automatic or semi-automatic weapons and large capacity magazines on Georgia’s list of illegal dangerous weapons. Gun show vendors would have to comply with National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NCIS) conditions, but could contract with a licensed dealer to do so. It, also, amends the Juvenile Code and the reporting of students by adding automatic or semi-automatic guns to current weapons laws affecting minors and students.

ACTION – Oppose. Contact Judiciary Committee members to vote NO on S.B. 281. Call Senators Stone Ch., 404 4631314; Cowsert, V-Ch., 463-1366; Tillery, Sec., 656-0089; Heath, 656-3943; Jones II, 463-3942; Kennedy, 656-0045; Ligon, Jr., 463-1383; Parent, 656-5109; Rhett, 656-0054; Strickland 656-7454.

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January 18, 2019 Weekly Commentary

Will Georgia Legalize Pot?

Georgia Insight’s Weekly Commentary, January 11, 2019 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Although the Georgia General Assembly passed laws authorizing the medical use of low potency THC for patients on the state registry, folks who want marijuana grown in the state are not satisfied.

Since the 2018 legislature adjourned last spring, two special study committees have met to find ways to accomplish two goals: (a) in-state cultivation of marijuana to provide retail sales of THC oil, and (b) in-state cultivation of hemp-grade marijuana for manufacturing multiple retail products.

Whether it’s grown for hemp or THC oil, marijuana is a dangerous, addictive, hallucinogenic product when it’s smoked.  Also, there is noproven medical benefit for THC oil that’s taken by mouth or injected.  The tension in this debate is between scientific fact and emotional need.

Scientists say the medical benefits of cannabis have been debated globally for 150 years.  After a hundred years of listing cannabis extracts as sleep aids and treatment for convulsions, the British and U.S. Pharmacopeia took cannabis extracts off the list for the same reasons debated today. Continue reading

April 6, 2018 Radio Commentary

When “Dying in Committee” Is a Good Thing

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, April 6, 2018 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

You might think bills and resolutions that die are defeated by House or Senate votes, but whether good or bad, most bills die in committee. The committee system is necessary to handle the 2500 bills and resolutions introduced every session.

This year, committees stopped two bills that would have weakened Georgia laws protecting monuments and state symbols. So, state monument laws remain as they were and so do local laws. A local law that remains in effect originated on September 14, 2017 when the Atlanta City Council established an Atlanta advisory committee to recommend the replacing or removal of confederate monuments and street names. The committee’s working list of Atlanta street names includes the twelve that have already been renamed and eighteen under consideration for change.

Committees, also, stopped two resolutions that proposed marijuana amendments to the state constitution. One resolution authorized in-state cultivation of marijuana and the other would have legalized the cultivation of hemp. Hemp is marijuana that has a very low level of THC, the hallucinogenic substance in all marijuana plants. Continue reading

March 23, 2018 Radio Commentary

H.B. 118 Offers Kids an Addiction

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, March 23, 2018 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Since next Tuesday and Thursday are the last two days of the session, several critical bills need your immediate attention. If the following four bills aren’t favorably reported out of the Rules Committee and onto the floor for a vote, they will die, along with many others.

H.B. 118, the Fantasy Contest Act of 2017 was carried into this session to create beginner gambling for kids. The bill requires “fantasy contest operators [to] develop fantasy contests that are limited to [18-year-old] beginners … and [prevent] non-beginner players from participating.” If this passes, and kids use their iPhones to gamble on Fantasy Sports, it would be almost impossible to deny access to kids under 18.

Two years ago, the Georgia Attorney General’s office notified the Lottery Commission that “fantasy sports constitutes illegal gambling and are not allowed under Georgia law.” Also, fantasy sports expert Arnie Wexler called daily Fantasy Sports online gambling, that can be as addictive as crack cocaine. The question is: How many legislators are willing to allow the lure of big bucks to expose teenagers to addictive behavior. H.B. 118 passed the House and is in the Senate Rules Committee. Continue reading