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Transportation / Infrastructure
As transportation and infrastructure are crucial to ensuring our states success, we passed two bills impacting these areas for the better. These proposals came in the form of HB 35 and HB 52.
House Bill 35, which protects our Georgia Ports infrastructure successfully passed out of our House chamber. This bill would give Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) security employees the ability to investigate criminal incidents and handle traffic offenses within one mile of their properties. We are hopeful this measure will ease the burden on local law enforcement that comes with having such a successful port system along our coast.
House Bill 52 works to protect the privacy of Georgians as it would exempt the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) from and open records request when a driver’s data on public roadways reveals personally identifiable information. Other highlights of the bill are as follows:
- Allows coroners or county medical examiners an avenue to ensure medical personnel arrives to the scene more quickly when traffic disruptions occur.
- Allows the state to provide permits to mobile home manufacturers to transport units that are up to 84 feet in length.
- Authorizes GDOT board election notifications to be sent via email instead of mail.
- Updates language to streamline GDOT’s process for public-private partnership.
Public Safety
Last week also saw passage of numerous bills which will impact our Georgia Drivers, now under review in the Senate.
House Bill 119 will update the current “Spencer Pass” law to require drivers move over for any disabled vehicle, such as another car or tow truck, that displays flashing hazard lights and/or yellow, amber, white or red lights if it is safe to do so.
House Bill 120 updates the list of individuals with a suspended, revoked, or canceled license who are eligible to apply for a limited driving permit.
Honoring a Hero
The House chamber also took time to recognize a member of our “Greatest Generation,” Mr. Louis Graziano. Mr. Graziano is the last surviving World War II veteran to witness Germany's surrender. Serving as a master sergeant, he fought in the third wave of the Omaha Beach invasion, the Battle of the Bulge, and took part in the June 6th invasion of Normandy. Mr. Graziano’s visit to the State Capitol coincided with his 100th birthday. It was honor to celebrate this American hero who serves as humbling reminder of sacrifices made to protect our great nation.
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