Legislative Update: Human Trafficking, Celebratory Gunfire and Harbor Deepening Efforts

A bill targeting criminals engaged in human trafficking went before Georgia lawmakers this past Tuesday.

House Bill 200 unanimously passed the Senate on March 29 by a vote of 50 to 0. The bill was introduced by State Rep. Edward Lindsey of Atlanta.

“I’m proud of the Senate for their unanimous support of HB 200,” said Rep. Lindsey in a released statement. “This is a loud and clear message to those engaging in human trafficking: not in our state!”

The bill defines various terms pertaining to sexual servitude, increases penalties for human trafficking, provides law enforcement with additional tools to combat the practice and expands Georgia’s forfeiture laws to apply to those convicted of human trafficking. Under HB 200, any real estate or personal property found to be used, or intended to be used, for human trafficking or sexual servitude purposes will be subject t forfeiture.

The bill also increases the penalties for prostitution, keeping a place of prostitution and pimping or pandering. Penalties are increased if the offense involves a person under the age of 16.  

Furthermore, any person who suffers a serious mental or emotional trauma as a result of being trafficked for labor will be eligible for victim compensation contingent upon their cooperation with authorities.

Assembly Endorses Harbor Deepening Efforts

Also on March 29, the Georgia House of Representatives passed Senate Resolution 312, a bill endorsing the harbor deepening efforts in Savannah and Charleston, as well as the proposed port in Jasper County, S. Car. The bill had previously passed the Senate by a unanimous vote.

“The Savannah Harbor Expansion Project is likely the most important economic development project in our state’s modern history,” said House Economic Development and Tourism Chairman Ron Stephens (R-Savannah), in a House Communications Office press release.  “As larger vessels continue to call on the East Coast, the increased global demand for trade through our ports necessitates increased efficiency, additional capacity and deeper harbors.”

Bill supporters say the harbor deepening efforts are necessary to accommodate the larger container ships that will be calling on the Eastern seaboard with the expansion of the Panama Canal in 2014.

Final approval for the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project is expected during the first quarter of 2012.

“We are working diligently with the Corps and our other partners in the deepening process to gain approval for this important project,” said Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Curtis J. Foltz. “Georgia stands united in its efforts to complete these projects and we appreciate the great deal of support we receive from our elected officials throughout the state.”

Resolution Aims to Increase Public Awareness of Celebratory Gunfire

On March 28, the Georgia House of Representatives passed House Resolution 341, introduced by State Rep. Michele Henson (D-Stone Mountain). The legislation is designed to increase public awareness of the dangers associated with celebratory gunfire.

 “The loss of an innocent human life is always tragic, but it seems even more so when it is caused by a thoughtless random act,” said Rep. Henson in a released statement. “There are times we all want to celebrate special occasions, but it is never right to celebrate in a way that endangers human life - it is never right to celebrate with random gunfire.” 

According to a House Communications Office press release, many Georgians fail to realize the danger of randomly firing a weapon into the air. HR 341 urges local governments and private entities to promote public awareness of the dangers associated with this illegal activity and calls for the adoption of tougher sanctions against individuals convicted of injuring or killing another person with celebratory gunfire.

HR 341 also introduces “Marquel’s Pledge,” named for 4-year-old Marquel Peters who was killed as he sat in church when a bullet believed to have been fired by a New Year’s Eve reveler penetrated the roof of the sanctuary and struck Peters in the head. Individuals taking “Marquel’s Pledge” promise to encourage members of their community to refrain from using gunfire to celebrate and businesses who sign the pledge promise to stop or limit ammunition sales in the two days leading up to Independence Day and New Year’s Day, the two days on which celebratory gunfire is most common.

Legislation Targets Prescription Drug Abusers

On Thursday, March 31, the Georgia House of Representatives passed legislation designed to help doctors and pharmacists identify prescription drug abusers.

State Rep. Tom Weldon (R-Ringgold), said the bill will help physicians and pharmacists share information that will allow for better patient care and better tracking of drug abusers and traffickers. 

SB 36 allows for the creation of an electronic database which tracks the prescribing and dispensing of Schedule II, III, IV, and V controlled substances in Georgia.  According to a House Communications Office press release, the database will only be accessible by doctors and pharmacists allowing them to better identify drug abusers.

House Democrats Oppose Bill to Increase Oversight of Atlanta Public Schools

In other state political news, a group of House Democrats voiced their opposition last week to SB 79, a bill that would allow Georgia’s governor to replace members of the Atlanta Public School Board. A press release by the House Democratic Caucus said the measure would “disenfranchise voters, infringe on due process and usurp local control.”

"This ill-timed legislation provides no guarantee to Atlanta parents and children that our schools won't lose our accreditation," said Rep. Rashad Taylor (D-55) in a released statement. "By all objective accounts, the Atlanta Board of Education is making significant progress and this legislation will only heighten the hysteria around the loss of accreditation with the threat of a state takeover."

The Atlanta public school system was placed on probation earlier this year by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

"If this legislation passes and Governor Deal removes duly-elected members, we'll have an appointed board that selects the next superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools," said Taylor. "This bill effectively ensures that our constituents will not have a voice in that important process."

Rep. Gloria Tinubu, whose district includes City of Atlanta, Fulton, DeKalb and Clayton counties, said the bill raises voting rights concerns.

"Citizens should be outraged at this blatant takeover of local governance by the state in collaboration with a privately held body such as SACS/AdvanceEd. The SACS agency is not charged with any oversight by the federal government or the state, said Tinubu.

SB 79 has passed the Senate and is currently in the House Education Committee.

Newton Honored by General Assembly for Winning Heisman

Auburn quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton was honored Friday by the Georgia legislature. Newton is the third Georgian to receive the trophy.

"Cameron is an exemplary Georgian, and the people of our great state are proud to call him a native son," said State Rep. Rashad Taylor (D-55) in a released statement. "We're thrilled by his accomplishments, and will continue uplifting him as he goes on to even greater heights."

Newton was born in College Park and has amassed an impressive record which includes becoming the first SEC player to ever throw for 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a single season. He is also the third player in college football history to pass for 20 touchdowns and rush for 20 touchdowns in a single season.

Newton played his junior year of high school at Westlake High School in Fulton County.