The big news of week four was the House's unanimous passage of House Bill 159, legislation that would provide the first comprehensive update to Georgia's adoption laws in nearly thirty years. With the strong support of Governor Deal and Speaker Ralston, the House collaborated with the Senate and passed Rep. Bert Reeve's amended bill. Let me be clear, HB 159 as passed the House in no way harms faith-based adoption in Georgia. HB 159 reduces the time for a Georgia adoption, reduces cost, shortens the revocation period, and provides for the pregnancy care of the biological mother. All good things for Georgia's foster kids deserving of loving homes.

Efficiency improvements were unanimously supported in the House with passage of HB 661 that I co-sponsored with Rep Bruce Williamson and HB 694 that I authored. HB 661 creates a more efficient and transparent process for filing and removing tax liens. HB 694 updates monthly motor fuel filings requiring electronic reporting by distributors and wholesalers. Both measures streamline and modernize reporting while providing added transparency and improved auditing.