S. 744, the Senate immigration reform bill, is waiting action by the full United States Senate. The bill is expected to be debated over the period June 10 through June 28. While the analysts at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) are generally happy with the bill, there are likely to be hundreds of amendments proposed, some of which would improve the bill in light of Catholic social doctrine but some of which would be detrimental and, indeed, destructive. Time lines are never certain but there is an expectation that a Senate bill will be voted on by the end of June.

Before a bill can be sent to the president for signature, the Senate and House of Representatives must adopt identical bills. While the S. 744 progresses in the Senate, there is as yet no bill in the House of Representatives. One or more reform bills are expected in the House but those bills are likely to be less favorable that the Senate bill. Nonetheless, there is an expectation that a House bill can be voted on by the end of July.

In as much as the Senate and House bills will be very different, a joint Senate House Conference Committee will be needed to resolve differences. The Conference Committee will likely meet in the fall. Assuming that the Conference Committee reaches agreement, the full Senate and House must then vote to approve the Conference version.

Lobbying Efforts Are Essential

While we are encouraged by the progress, there is no assurance that a final version of any bill will truly address the problems in the immigration system and, indeed, there is no assurance that there will be any reform legislation at all. Hence, lobbying for comprehensive immigration reform remains an essential priority for reform.

During the week of May 20, I joined about 220 of our Catholic colleagues in an advocacy day in Washington to support the Catholic message for immigration reform. Most Georgia legislators are not committed to a position but must be encouraged by emails and letters to support S. 744. Everyone cannot go to Washington but right now the most effective thing that can be done to support comprehensive immigration reform is to contact our Georgia senators and representatives through the USCCB Justice for Immigrants website at http://www.capwiz.com/justiceforimmigrants/issues/alert/?alertid=62312721&type=CO

I can provide additional information on request.

El S. 744 es el proyecto de ley de reforma migratoria del Senado de los Estados Unidos que actualmente está a la espera de una acción por parte de todos sus miembros. Se espera que el proyecto de ley se debata entre el 10 y el 28 de junio. El análisis de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos (USCCB por sus siglas en inglés) referente al proyecto de ley es en general alentador, sin embargo, es probable que se propongan cientos de enmiendas, algunas que mejorarán el proyecto de ley a favor de la doctrina social católica y otras que serán perjudiciales, y de hecho, destructivas. Los cronogramas nunca son definitivos pero se espera que el proyecto de ley del Senado sea sometido a votación a finales del mes de junio.

Tanto el Senado como la Cámara de Representantes deben tener proyectos de ley totalmente idénticos antes de que un proyecto pueda ser enviado al presidente para ser firmado. Mientras que el S. 744 avanza en el Senado, en la Cámara de Representantes no existe aún un proyecto de ley definido, sin embargo se espera que la Cámara presente uno o más proyectos de ley de reforma migratoria, pero lo más probable es que éstos sean menos favorables que los del Senado. Aún así, existe la esperanza de que éstos sean sometidos a votación para finales del mes de julio.

En caso de que los proyectos de ley del Senado y de la Cámara fueran muy diferentes entre sí, sería necesario establecer un comité integrado por miembros del Senado y de la Cámara para resolver las diferencias, el cual se reuniría muy probablemente durante el otoño. Asumiendo que el comité llegara a un acuerdo, todos los miembros del Senado y de la Cámara deberán votar entonces para aprobar la nueva versión.Mientras este avance es alentador, no existe garantía de una versión final de algún proyecto de ley que resuelva los problemas del sistema migratorio, de hecho, no existe garantía de que habrá alguna legislación sobre una reforma migratoria de cualquier tipo. Por lo tanto, el trabajo de persuasión a favor de una reforma migratoria integral continúa siendo una prioridad esencial para la reforma.

Durante la semana del 20 de mayo, me reuní con cerca de 220 de nuestros colegas católicos en Washington para apoyar la posición de la Iglesia Católica a favor de una reforma migratoria. La mayoría de los legisladores de Georgia aún no están comprometidos con una posición, pero deben ser motivados para apoyar el S. 744 a través de correos electrónicos y cartas. No todos pueden ir a Washington, pero ahora lo más efectivo que se puede hacer para apoyar una reforma migratoria integral, es contactar a nuestros senadores y representantes en Georgia a través de la página de Internet de Justicia para los Inmigrantes de la USCCB http://www.capwiz.com/justiceforimmigrants/issues/alert/?alertid=62312721&type=CO

Legislation related to parental choice in education passed to benefit our parents and schools as did legislation to combat human trafficking in Georgia. Unfortunately, the General Assembly increased burdens on Georgians so as to make it more difficult for immigrants and others to obtain State benefits. The General Assembly did not complete work on bills to restrict use of State funds for abortions, to restrict payment for abortions in health insurance exchanges, to study cloning or human – animal hybrids or to reduce restrictions on carrying weapons.

All the bills that have been adopted now go to the Governor who has forty (40) days to sign them, veto them or allow them to go into law without his signature. Bills that did not pass are available for continued consideration in the 2014 session.

Parental Choice in Education. Eventually denominated as part of HB 283, the General Assembly adopted changes to the Student Scholarship Organization (SSO) tax credit program to increase the state-wide cap on contributions to $58 million. The bill also rectifies some perceived abuses by requiring a student to attend a public school for at least six weeks before becoming eligible for a scholarship, requiring an SSO to consider a recipient family’s financial condition, requiring that a higher percentage of contributions be directed to scholarships, and requiring an SSO to report the aggregate average of recipient family adjusted gross income. SSO’s may not accept a donation designated for any recipient. We also support these changes as they improve the integrity of the SSO program and are consistent with current practices of G.R.A.C.E. Scholars. We actively supported the legislation and are pleased with the outcome for our students.

Special Needs Scholarship. HB 70 will improve the financial operation of the special needs scholarships to benefit students in some of our schools by allowing students to obtain expedited individual educational programs (IEP) on an expedited basis to facilitate transfer to a more suitable public or private school.

Immigration Restrictions. Originally intended to correct problems caused by HB 87 passed in 2011, in the final minutes of the session, both houses adopted provisions of SB 160 to impose new burdens on all Georgians in the continuing efforts to make life difficult on our undocumented brothers and sisters. As directly impacting individuals, the bill will require increased forms of proof of lawful presence for persons seeking grants, retirement benefits, and driver’s licenses and will require documentation in addition to passports as “secure and verifiable documentation” for identification purposes in Georgia. The bill will allow the provisions for some, but not all human services, without the increased levels of proof. The Conference opposed SB 160.

Abortion Funding for State Employees. The Senate adopted an amendment to HB 246 to prohibit State employee benefit plans from funding abortions. Research has shown that the State of Georgia has paid over $900,000 for abortions over the three most recent years available. The House did not take up the bill; however, the Governor’s office has agreed to make whatever changes can be made administratively to reduce use of public funds for abortions.

Human Trafficking. HB 141 was adopted to require posting of information about a toll free number for those seeking to escape from sexual and labor trafficking as a step toward ending such trafficking. The Conference supported the legislation which grew out of a study committee seeking ways to stop human trafficking in Georgia.

Guns in Churches and Private Schools. After much legislative and public discussion about authorizing the carrying of weapons in more places, a conference committee of the House and Senate were unable to resolve issues in time for action this session. The conference bill, however, can be considered as early as the first day of the 2014 session.

Amended versions of both the House and Senate bills would have allowed the “administrative boards” of churches to determine whether weapons were permitted in their houses of worship. With respect to non-public elementary and secondary schools, a duly authorized official could authorize the carrying of a weapon in a school safety zone, at a school function, or on a school bus of a public or private elementary or secondary school.

Elder and Disabled Person Abuse. HB 78 was adopted to protect the elderly and disabled adults, whether or not a resident in a facility, along many of the principles that have been adopted with respect to abuse of children. The bill specifically includes clergy members among those specified as mandatory reporters who must report possible abuse or neglect to adult protection agencies or to law enforcement. The bill does contain the same protection for matters revealed to a priest in the context of confession as was included in the child abuse bill but, in all other respects, priests and deacons will have the same responsibilities as other mandatory reporters.

In addition to clergy reporting, the elder and disabled bill also requires reporting from the same persons who are defined in the child abuse law as well as others who are identified as working with the elderly and disabled.

Adoption. The General Assembly passed HB 21 which will authorize post-adoption agreements for adopted children with respect to visitation and other rights of family members.

]]> http://www.georgiacc.org/2013/04/legislative-report-april-2-2013/feed/ 0 http://www.georgiacc.org/2013/03/legislative-report-march-25-2013/ http://www.georgiacc.org/2013/03/legislative-report-march-25-2013/#comments Mon, 25 Mar 2013 15:05:50 +0000 Gisella Cotter http://www.georgiacc.org/?p=627 [Read More... →]]]> The Georgia General Assembly is approaching the final days of the 2013 session, now scheduled to conclude sine die on March 28. The next three days will see intense efforts to pass or prevent important legislation.

Immigration Restrictions. As originally introduced, HB 125 and SB 160, in slightly different ways, were intended to correct problems caused by HB 87 passed in 2011 which had increased the processing requirements for obtaining business and professional licenses. Members of the House of Representatives have attempted to impose many new burdens on all Georgians in the continuing efforts to make life difficult on our undocumented brothers and sisters.

The expanded provisions of SB 160 contain a multitude of technical changes that will have a huge impact on the lives of many Georgians. As a few examples, rather than ease the bureaucratic burden on individuals and businesses, SB 160 proposes to make it more difficult for all Georgians to obtain grants, homestead exemptions, public and assisted housing, retirement benefits, tax credits and driver’s licenses. The bill will also limit the use of certain internationally accepted documents in Georgia for many services now permitted, including in many places limitations on the ability to marry or obtain human services necessary for human dignity.

We oppose SB 160 and have sent out a request that individuals who subscribe to the Georgia Catholic Conference website contact legislators to oppose the bill.

(Please note that the offensive provisions are currently contained in SB 160 rather than HB 125 which was amended in the Senate.)

Parental Choice in Education. We continue to support amendments to the Student Scholarship Organization (SSO) tax credit program to require a student to attend a public school for at least six weeks before becoming eligible for a scholarship and to require an SSO to consider a recipient family’s financial condition, donate a higher percentage of contributions to scholarships, and report the aggregate average of recipient family adjusted gross income. SSO’s may not accept a donation designated for any recipient. We also support the increase of the state-wide cap on contributions to $65 million. These changes improve the integrity of the SSO program and are consistent with current practices of G.R.A.C.E. Scholars. We are actively supporting the legislation although the number of the bill that will contain those provisions is not known at this time.

Human Trafficking. HB 141 will require posting of information about a toll free number for those seeking to escape from sexual and labor trafficking as a step toward ending such trafficking. The bill has passed both houses of the General Assembly and, with the expected agreement of the House to a technical correction, the bill will be sent to the Governor at the end of the session.

Special Needs Scholarship. HB 70 would improve the financial operation of the special needs scholarships which benefit students in some of our schools by allowing students to obtain expedited individual educational programs (IEP) on an expedited basis to facilitate transfer to a more suitable public or private school. The bill has passed the house and has been recommended by the Senate Education and Youth Committee. The bill is available for consideration by the Senate in the coming week.

Guns in Churches and Private Schools. There is a conflict between the positions of the House and Senate related to carrying weapons in churches and private schools. The Senate supports the provisions by which as a default position, weapons may not be brought into a house of worship unless the “administrative board” of the church has authorized such action.

With respect to on-public elementary and secondary schools, a duly authorized official may authorize the carrying of a weapon in a school safety zone, at a school function, or on a school bus of a public or private elementary or secondary school.

We support the Senate position for HB 101 but a conference committee is likely to resolve differences and we will continue to work to protect the people in our churches and schools.

Elder and Disabled Person Abuse. HB 78 is a long needed and widely supported reform of laws related to protection of the elderly and disabled adults, whether or not a resident in a facility, along many of the principles that have been adopted with respect to abuse of children.

The bill includes clergy members among those specified as mandatory reporters who must report possible abuse or neglect to adult protection agencies or to law enforcement. The bill does contain the same protection for matters revealed to a priest in the context of confession as was included in the child abuse bill but, in all other respects, priests and deacons will have the same responsibilities as other mandatory reporters.

We support the bill which has passed the House and has been recommended by the Senate Judiciary Non-civil Committee.

In addition to clergy, the elder and disabled bill also requires reporting from the same persons who are defined in the child abuse law as well as others who are identified as working with the elderly and disabled.

Immigration restrictions. The Georgia House of Representatives greatly expanded the scope of House Bill 125 which was intended to fix problems caused by HB 87 which had increased the processing requirements for obtaining business and professional licenses. As revised, the bill will impose many new burdens on all Georgians in the continuing efforts to make life difficult on our undocumented brothers and sisters.

The expanded bill contains a multitude of technical changes that have a huge impact on the lives of many Georgians. As a few examples, rather than ease the bureaucratic burden on individuals and businesses, HB 125 proposes to make it more difficult for all Georgians to obtain grants, homestead exemptions, public and assisted housing, retirement benefits, tax credits and driver’s licenses. The bill will also limit the use of certain internationally accepted documents in Georgia for many services now permitted, including in many places limitations on the ability to marry or obtain human services necessary for human dignity.

We oppose HB 125 and have sent out a request that individuals who subscribe to the Georgia Catholic Conference website contact legislators to oppose the bill.

Parental Choice in Education. SB 243 continues to slowly progress through the House Ways and Means Committee and we are encouraged that acceptable legislation will emerge. The bill proposes amendments to the Student Scholarship Organization (SSO) tax credit program to require a student to attend a public school for at least six weeks before becoming eligible for a scholarship and to require an SSO to consider a recipient family’s financial condition, donate a higher percentage of contributions to scholarships, and report the aggregate average of recipient family adjusted gross income. SSO’s may not accept a donation designated for any recipient. These changes improve the integrity of the SSO program and are consistent with current practices of G.R.A.C.E. Scholars. We are actively supporting the legislation.

Human Trafficking. HB 141which has passed the senate Judiciary Non-civil Committee and is ready for consideration by the full Senate. The bill would require posting of information about a toll free number for those seeking to escape from sexual and labor trafficking as a step toward ending such trafficking.

Abortion Funding under Insurance Exchanges.  While we continue to seek ways to prohibit payment for abortions by insurers operating under the health insurance exchanges that will be created as part of the implementation of the federal Affordable Care Act, it does not appear that there is sufficient support for such legislation this session.

Special Needs Scholarship. HB 70 would improve the financial operation of the special needs scholarships which benefit students in some of our schools. We anticipate a hearing in the Senate Education and Youth Committee in the near future.

Guns in Church. I have written to the members of the senate Judiciary Non-civil Committee asking that they continue the restrictions on weapons in houses of worship as set forth in current law. Current law prohibits a person carrying a weapon in a house of worship (as well as several other types of institutions); provided, that, a person holding a license to carry the weapon may approach the security or management personnel of the house of worship and follow the personnel’s instructions to remove, secure, store or temporarily surrender the weapon. Violation of this statute is a misdemeanor.

Parental Choice in Education. Inasmuch as the previously reported HB 140 became stalled in the House Ways and Means Committee, SB 243 was introduced in the Senate by Senator Charles Bethel as the Administration Floor Leader, meaning that the bill was supported by the Governor. SB 243 passed the Senate on “crossover” day and proposes to require students to attend a public school for at least six weeks before becoming eligible for a scholarship and to require an SSO to consider a recipient family’s financial condition, donate a higher percentage of contributions to scholarships, and report the aggregate average of recipient family adjusted gross income. SSO’s may not accept a donation designated for any recipient. These changes improve the integrity of the SSO program and are consistent with current practices of G.R.A.C.E. Scholars. We are actively supporting the legislation.

Pro-life / Biotechnology.  HB 481 (Neal) proposes to prohibit human cloning and creation of human – animal hybrids in Georgia. Since the bill was introduced very late in the 2013 session, a special subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee decided to postpone further consideration until after the session to resolve questions and ambiguities. We will work with legislators over the interim with the goal of developing legislation for consideration in the 2014 session.

Human Trafficking. We continue to support HB 141which has passed the House and is expected to get a hearing in the Senate. The bill would require posting of information about a toll free number for those seeking to escape from sexual and labor trafficking as a step toward ending such trafficking.

Abortion Funding under Insurance Exchanges. The Conference supports SB 98 which proposes to prohibit payment for abortions by insurers operating under the health insurance exchanges that will be created as part of the implementation of the federal Affordable Care Act. The Senate Insurance and Labor Committee did not take up the measure but we are exploring additional alternatives.

Special Needs Scholarship. HB 70 has passed the full House of Representatives  and would improve the financial operation of the special needs scholarships which benefit students in some of our schools. Having passed before crossover day, the bill is available for consideration by the Senate.

Guns in Church. Current law prohibits a person carrying a weapon in a house of worship (as well as several other types of institutions); provided, that, a person holding a license to carry the weapon may approach the security or management personnel of the house of worship and follow the personnel’s instructions to remove, secure, store or temporarily surrender the weapon. Violation of this statute is a misdemeanor. HB 512 eliminates houses of worship as locations where carrying a weapon is prohibited and obviates the need to disclose that the person is carrying a weapon or following instructions. It should be noted, however, that a church, as the owner of private property, may exclude any person from its property and, if the person fails to leave, contact law enforcement officials to bring charges of criminal trespass. In effect, though, the bill reduces the options houses of worship have in prohibiting carrying guns.

Parental Choice in Education. HB 140 is intended to increase the statewide maximum for donations to student scholarship organizations, such as GRACE Scholars as well as correct some deficiencies in operations of SSO’s. The bill is now stalled in the house Ways and Means Committee but we are working to have parts of the bill adopted prior to crossover day.

Pro-life / Biotechnology.  After weeks of refining details by Georgia Right to Life and its consultants, HB 481 (Neal) was introduced on February 26 to prohibit human cloning and creation of human – animal hybrids in Georgia.  A special subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee has been formed to consider the bill but the lateness of the introduction strongly suggests that there will be difficulty in passing the bill this session.

Human Trafficking. We continue to support HB 141which has passed the House but will impose requirements only until the end of 2018. The bill would require posting of information about a toll free number for those seeking to escape from sexual and labor trafficking as a step toward ending such trafficking.

Abortion Funding under Insurance Exchanges. The Conference supports SB 98 which proposes to prohibit payment for abortions by insurers operating under the health insurance exchanges that will be created as part of the implementation of the federal Affordable Care Act. The Senate insurance and Labor Committee has been reluctant to take up the measure.

Special Needs Scholarship. HB 70 has passed the full House of Representatives  and would improve the financial operation of the special needs scholarships which benefit students in some of our schools. Having passed before crossover day, the bill is available for consideration by the Senate.

Parental Choice in Education. Student scholarship organizations (SSO’s) are being widely discussed at the Capitol and in the press. GRACE Scholars has been an important source of funding for families who seek the benefits of a Catholic education for their children. Among a number of bills related to education choice, HB140 (Rep. Ehrhart, R – Powder Springs) currently includes provisions which would most enhance opportunities for our families; namely, an increased annual maximum donation amount from $50 million to $80 million; an increase in individual donation amounts up to 50% of one’s state tax liability; and restriction of corporate donations to 25% of the statewide maximum.

Human Trafficking. The House Judiciary Non-civil Committee recommended passage of HB 141 to require certain business, such as bars, etc., to post notices with a toll free number and other information to help people caught in sex or labor servitude trafficking.  The Conference supports the bill and has further encouraged adding reproductive services clinics as a location where women caught in trafficking could see the toll free number.

Abortion Funding under Insurance Exchanges. The Conference supports SB 98 which proposes to prohibit payment for abortions by insurers operating under the health insurance exchanges that will be created as part of the implementation of the federal Affordable Care Act.

Special Needs Scholarship. HB 70 was favorably reported by the House Education committee and to improve the financial operation of the special needs scholarships which benefit students in some of our schools. The bill is now ready for consideration by the full House of Representatives.

Parental Choice in Education. Student scholarship organizations (SSO’s) are being widely discussed at the Capitol and in the press. GRACE Scholars has been an important source of funding for families who seek the benefits of a Catholic education for their children. Among a number of bills related to education choice, HB140 (Rep. Ehrhart, R – Powder Springs) currently includes provisions which would most enhance opportunities for our families; namely, an increased annual maximum donation amount from $50 million to $80 million; an increase in individual donation amounts up to 50% of one’s state tax liability; and restriction of corporate donations to 25% of the statewide maximum.

Human Trafficking. HB 141 would require certain business, such as bars, etc., to post notices with a toll free number and other information to help people caught in sex or labor servitude trafficking.  The Conference supports the bill and has further encouraged adding reproductive services clinics as a location where women caught in trafficking could see the toll free number.

Abortion Funding under Insurance Exchanges. The Conference supports SB 98 which proposes to prohibit payment for abortions by insurers operating under the health insurance exchanges that will be created as part of the implementation of the federal Affordable Care Act.

Special Needs Scholarship. HB 70 was favorably reported by a subcommittee of the House Education committee and would improve the financial operation of the special needs scholarships which benefit students in some of our schools. We expect the bill to be heard by the full Education committee in the near future.