Legislative Day 37 .... from the Senate

INTERNET WINE SALES
The state Senate today signed onto a pair of House bills designed to support Georgia's growing wine industry. The first allows wineries to sell their product in Georgia, over the Internet. The other allows Georgia's winery tasting rooms to also sell beer and liquor. If signed by the Governor, Georgia will join more than three dozen other states which already allow direct sales online from wineries. Currently, there are ten wineries in Georgia. And, according to the Georgia Wine Grower's Association, a single winery can produce an average 200,000 bottles each year. Both bills have already been passed by the House of Representatives. However, there are limits ... particuarly to the internet wine sales bill. Consumers are limited to 12 cases per year. And, wine cannot be shipped to a business licensed to sell alcohol. Both bills were sponsored by Representative Renee Unterman of Gwinett County. The measures now go to the Governor for his signature.

CONSUMER CREDIT FREEZE
Legislation passed today in the state Senate, helps consumers protect themselves by freezing their credit reports. Consumers could pay up to $3 for each security freeze, or, a total of $9 for the three major credit reporting agencies. The measure passed unanimously in the Senate by a vote of 44 to zero. The bill allows residents to either remove the freeze permanently or lift it temporarily when shopping for credit. Like when buying a car or new furniture. The bill requires that consumers give creditors written permission to obtain their credit history. So, far more than three dozen other states have adopted similar versions of the credit freeze protection measure. The House approved the same measure passed by the Senate Monday, with one difference. House leaders have so far resisted exempting seniors from having to pay the $3 fee. The two chambers must meet to come to an agreement senior citizen's charge, before sending the bill to Governor Perdue for his signature.

TAX BREAK FOR FOSTER CARE PARENTS WHO ADOPT
The Senate today approved a approved a bill that would give a tax break to parents of some of the state's most vulnerable children. The measure provides for an annual 2-thousand dollar tax credit per child, to parents who adopt a foster child. There are currently twenty-two hundred foster children eligible for adoption in Georgia. The measure now goes to Governor Sonny Perdue for his signature.

TIGHTER RESTRICTIONS FOR P-CARD USES

Today, the state Senate approved a bill which tightens restrictions on the use of those so-called P-cards issued to some state employees.  The Senate version of the bill goes further than that adopted by the House, to punish those who abuse the P-cards.  P-cards or purchasing cards are issued by the state to make it easier for agencies to pay for things like office supplies or travel. Here's some of what both bills have in common:  if an employee is prosecuted for p-card abuses, his or her supervisor could also face prosecution, if the supervisor's behavior is found to be intentional or even   reckless. And, anyone assigned a p-card must also sign an ethical behaviour agreement. They're also subject to a credit and criminal background check.  Now, here's where the Senate version of the bill goes further than that adopted by the House: any state employee convicted of a felony for p-card abuse, will have their retirement benefits garnished until the amount is paid in full. They'll also have to re-pay three-times the amount of any purchases, and could face up to 20 years in prison. But sides will now have to get together to iron out their differences before the bill goes to Governor Perdue for his signature.