LYNN'S LIST
LYNN’S LIST FOR FEBRUARY 15, 2021
Another long list for this week. Lots of issues for us to tackle so please bear with us. When the session ends, our lists will shorten. All the advocacy is under the Gold Dome.
Access to Affordable Healthcare
State
Good news! HB163, Express Lane Eligibility, which was on last week’s list, passed out of committee. This bill would allow Georgia to use data from other federal or state programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)) to identify and enroll eligible children in Medicaid/CHIP. THE BILL IS UP FOR A FULL HOUSE VOTE ON TUESDAY SO MAKE YOUR CALLS ON THIS ISSUE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!
Call your OWN Representative with the suggested script: My name is ---- and I am your constituent from ----. Please vote YES on House Bill 163 when it comes to the floor for a vote Tuesday, February 16th. I am fully supportive of efforts to efficiently and effectively reduce the number of uninsured children in our state. HB 163 is an excellent way to do that, by streamlining enrollment, and could result in coverage for 60,000-70,000 children who currently are receiving SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits but who have no health insurance. Thank you for being a voice for Georgia's children.
Protection of Civil Liberties
State
Another bill that is up for a vote on Tuesday is HB272. This bill pertains to raising the age of Juvenile Court jurisdiction from 17 to 18 “so as to clarify provisions regarding juveniles; to amend Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to law enforcement officers and agencies, so as to provide for a uniform misdemeanor citation for certain juvenile offenses; to provide for implementation; to provide for implementation committee; to provide for the powers, composition, and appointment of such committee; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.”
CALL THE BELOW LISTED COMMITTEE MEMBERS BEFORE TUESDAY with the suggested script: My name is ---- and I am from ----. Please support House Bill 272, which raises the age of juvenile court jurisdiction to encompass non-violent 17-year-old’s, when the issue comes before you in the House Juvenile Justice Committee. The juvenile justice system does a better job than the adult system of holding young people accountable when they commit minor offenses by requiring youth to attend school, make restitution to victims, and attend community-based rehabilitative programs that focus on the causes of the problem behavior. By raising the age of juvenile court jurisdiction to cover non-violent 17 year old’s, Georgia can improve public safety, save taxpayer dollars and strengthen Georgia’s economy. Please note that this bill does NOT affect serious offenders of all ages, who will continue to be tried in adult court.
Mandi Ballinger, Chairman, mandi.ballinger@house.ga.gov (404) 656-7153
Bert Reeves, Vice Chairman bert.reeves@house.ga.gov (404) 651-7737
J. Collins j.collins@house.ga.gov (404) 657-1803
Shaw Blackmon shaw.blackmon@house.ga.gov (404) 656-5103
Wes Cantrell wes.cantrell@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0152
Matt Dubnik matt.dubnik@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0213
Chuck Efstration chuck.efstration@house.ga.gov (404) 656-5125
Houston Gaines houston.gaines@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0298
Micah Gravley micah.gravley@house.ga.gov (404) 656-5025
Joseph Gullett joseph.gullett@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0178
Scott Holcomb scott.holcomb@house.ga.gov (404) 656-6372
Wayne Howard wayne.howard@house.ga.gov (404) 656-6372
Shelly Hutchinson shelly.hutchinson@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0287
Sheila Jones sheila.jones@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0126
Dar'shun Kendrick darshun.kendrick@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0109
Jodi Lott jodi.lott@house.ga.gov (404) 651-7737
Yasmin Neal yasmin.neal@house.ga.gov (404) 656-6372
Mary Oliver mary.oliver@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0265
Dexter Sharper dexter.sharper@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0126
Rhonda Taylor rhonda.taylor@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0265
Erica Thomas erica.thomas@house.ga.gov (404) 656-7859
Bill Werkheiser bill.werkheiser@house.ga.gov (404) 656-5132
David Wilkerson david.wilkerson@house.ga.gov (404) 656-5059
Quality Public Education
State
Both of the below anti-trans bills have been referred to the House Committee on Education, although they are also a Civil Liberties issue.
HB276, is attempting to make it against the law for any Georgia public school sports team to compete against a school that allows transgender students to compete in sports according to their gender identity; “so as to provide that it shall be unlawful for a public school, an institution of the University System of Georgia, or a private school whose students or teams compete against a public school to operate, sponsor, or facilitate athletic programs or activities that permit a person whose gender is male to participate in an athletic program or activity that is designated for females; to provide for a definition; to provide for remedies for violations; to waive certain immunities; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.’
HB372 is another anti-transgender bill seeking to define students’ genders as the one on their birth certificate “so as to provide a definition for the term "gender"; to provide for the classification of athletic events or activities based on gender; to provide for a waiver process; to provide for remedies; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.”
Contact the below listed Committee members with the suggested script: My name is --- and I am from ----. HB 276 & HB 372 would force an already vulnerable group of young people in Georgia onto the sidelines. For transgender youth, many of whom experience high rates of depression and suicidality, access to sports can be lifesaving. Sports teach invaluable, lifelong lessons about teamwork, discipline and hard work, and every young person deserves equal access and opportunity. Further, all studies suggest that transgender youth have no more athletic advantage than non-transgender youth.
Matt Dubnik, Chairman matt.dubnik@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0213
Chris Erwin, Vice Chairman chris.erwin@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0188
Dave Belton dave.belton@house.ga.gov (404) 656-3947
Tommy Benton tommy.benton@house.ga.gov (404) 656-5126
Wes Cantrell wes.cantrell@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0152
Doreen Carter doreen.carter@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0220
Mike Cheokas mike.cheokas@house.ga.gov (404) 463-7853
Terry England terry.england@house.ga.gov (404) 463-2247
Becky Evans becky.evans@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0109
Mike Glanton mike.glanton@house.ga.gov (404) 657-1803
Dewayne Hill dewayne.hill@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0325
Wayne Howard wayne.howard@house.ga.gov (404) 656-6372
Rick Jasperse rick.jasperse@house.ga.gov (404) 656-7153
Jan Jones jan.jones@house.ga.gov (404) 656-5072
Todd Jones todd.jones@house.ga.gov (404) 463-2246
Dominic LaRiccia dominic.lariccia@house.ga.gov (404) 651-7737
Mesha Mainor mesha.mainor@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0126
Bee Nguyen bee.nguyen@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0314
Randy Nix randy.nix@house.ga.gov (404) 656-5146
Miriam Paris miriam.paris@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0109
Bonnie Rich bonnie.rich@house.ga.gov (404) 656-5087
Ed Setzler ed.setzler@house.ga.gov (404) 656-5143
Will Wade will.wade@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0188
Matthew Wilson matthew.wilson@house.ga.gov (404) 656-6372
Access to Affordable Healthcare
A third anti transgender bill is HB401, called the Vulnerable Child Protection Act. This bill does nothing to protect vulnerable transgender children. HB 401 would ban doctors from providing gender confirming care to young trans people.
Contact the below listeds House Health and Human Services Committee members with the suggested script: My name is ---- and I am from -----. The government must stop dictating medical care. Medical care is decided by the patient, the family, and the physician. It is not the business of the government. Vote NO on HB401.
Sharon Cooper, Chairman sharon.cooper@house.ga.gov (404) 656-5069
Mark Newton, Vice Chairman mark.newton@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0254
Houston Gaines houston.gaines@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0298
Timothy Barr timothy.barr@house.ga.gov (404) 656-7857
Matt Barton matt.barton@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0325
James Beverly james.beverly@house.ga.gov (404) 656-5058
Mike Cheokas mike.cheokas@house.ga.gov (404) 463-7853
Katie Dempsey katie.dempsey@house.ga.gov (404) 463-2248
Demetrius Douglas demetrius.douglas@house.ga.gov 404) 656-7859
Karla Drenner karla.drenner@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0202
Spencer Frye spencer.frye@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0265
Matt Hatchett matt.hatchett@house.ga.gov (404) 656-5025
Lee Hawkins lee.hawkins@house.ga.gov (404) 656-7855
Don Hogan don.hogan@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0178
Wayne Howard wayne.howard@house.ga.gov (404) 656-6372
Shelly Hutchinson shelly.hutchinson@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0287
Rick Jasperse rick.jasperse@house.ga.gov (404) 656-7153
Sheila Jones sheila.jones@house.ga.gov 404) 656-0126
Trey Kelley trey.kelley@house.ga.gov 404) 656-5024
John LaHood john.lahood@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0188
Jodi Lott jodi.lott@house.ga.gov (404) 651-7737
Karen Mathiak karen.mathiak@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0298
Billy Mitchell billy.mitchell@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0126
Don Parsons don.parsons@house.ga.gov (404) 463-7853
Jesse Petrea jesse.petrea@house.ga.gov (404) 656-7857
Dexter Sharper dexter.sharper@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0126
Mickey Stephens mickey.stephens@gmail.com (404) 656-0265
Jan Tankersley jan.tankersley@house.ga.gov (404) 656-7855
Protection of Civil Liberties
State
HB15 Requires training on de-escalation techniques for peace officers, including non lethal and communication tactics, the use of the lowest level of force first and re-evaluation as threat progresses, mental health and substance abuse awareness, and crisis intervention strategies. Contact the below listed House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee members with the suggested script: My name is ---- and I am from -----. I support HB15 requiring training on de-escalation techniques for peace officers. Too often, lethal force is used when lower level interventions will de-escalate a situation.
J. Collins, Chairman j.collins@house.ga.gov 404) 657-1803
Danny Mathis, Vice Chairman danny.mathis@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0152
Jodi Lott jodi.lott@house.ga.gov (404) 651-7737
Heath Clark heath.clark@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0213
Clint Crowe clint.crowe@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0325
Becky Evans becky.evans@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0109
Gloria Frazier gloria.frazier@house.ga.gov (404) 656-02654
Mike Glanton mike.glanton@house.ga.gov (404) 657-1803
Micah Gravlery micah.gravley@house.ga.gov (404) 656-5025
Gerald Greene gerald.greene@house.ga.gov (404) 656-9210
Bill Hitchens bill.hitchens@house.ga.gov (404) 656-7855
Scott Holcomb scott.holcomb@house.ga.gov (404) 656-6372
Mack Jackson mack.jackson@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0314
Rick Jasperse rick.jasperse@house.ga.gov (404) 656-7153
David Jenkins david.jenkins@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0188
Eddie Lumsden eddie.lumsden@house.ga.gov (404) 656-7850
Yasmin Neal yasmin.neal@house.ga.gov (404) 656-6372
Jesse Petrea jesse.petrea@house.ga.gov (404) 656-7857
Alan Powell alan.powell@house.ga.gov (404) 463-3793
Darlene Taylor darlene.taylor@house.ga.gov (404) 656-7857
Bill Werkheiser bill.werkheiser@house.ga.gov (404) 656-5132
Rick Williams rick.williams@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0254
The below House bills are being heard in the House Judiciary and Non-Civil Committee.
HB145 Changes the law regarding law enforcement officers' use of deadly force. Requires that an officer use non deadly force before resorting to lethal force. Specifies certain instances in which deadly force is allowed (such as to make an arrest, only when all other means of apprehension are unreasonable and other certain circumstances apply). Orders officers to give a clear verbal warning prior to use of deadly force. Prohibits the use of chokeholds by officers.
HB233 Prohibits use of no-knock search warrants.
Contact the below listed Committee members with the suggested script: My name is ---- and I am from ----. After the numerous events of deadly force used on Black Georgians and residents of other states, it is time to update our laws. No-knock warrants and the use of chokeholds should be prohibited. Peace officers should be required to give a clear verbal warning prior to the use of deadly force. Vote yes on HB145 and HB233.
James Burchett, Chairman james.burchett@house.ga.gov (404) 656-5105
Bert Reeves, Vice Chairman, bert.reeves@house.ga.gov (404) 651-7737
Micah Gravley micah.gravley@house.ga.gov (404) 656-5025
Mandi Ballinger mandi.ballinger@house.ga.gov (404) 656-7153
William Boddie william.boddie@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0287
Charlice Byrd charlice.byrd@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0213
Sharon Cooper sharon.cooper@house.ga.gov (404) 656-5069
Chuck Efstration chuck.efstration@house.ga.gov (404) 656-5125
Dar'shun Kendrick darshun.kendrick@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0109
Zulma Lopez zulma.lopez@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0298
Josh McLaurin josh.mclaurin@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0202
Martin Momtahan martin.momtahan@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0178
Steven Sainz steven.sainz@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0178
Ed Setzler ed.setzler@house.ga.gov (404) 656-5143
Tyler Paul Smith tyler.smith@house.ga.gov (404) 657-1803
Fair and Representative Elections
State
HB406 is another election bill. This bill requires a 100% audit after every primary election, general election, special election, and runoff election. It also mandates a 100% signature audit on absentee ballots in the 20 most populous counties and 20 other random counties. Quoting from the summary: “so as to provide for audits of certain primaries and elections; to provide for procedures; to provide for access to election records for such auditors; to provide for public access to the results of such audits; to provide for the audit of specific elections; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.”
Contact the below House Special Committee on Election Integrity members with the suggested script: My name is ---- and I am from ----. I oppose HB406. Committee members have already said that there is an undue burden on election officials having to process so many absentee ballots for no cause. This is a much bigger burden on election officials than processing absentee ballots and, based on the recent election, the most secure in recent history, there is no need. Who will pay for this when we already have so many areas in the budget that need funding?
Barry Fleming, Chairman barry.fleming@house.ga.gov (404) 656-5105
Alan Powell, Vice Chairman alan.powell@house.ga.gov (404) 463-3793
Kimberly Alexander kimberly.alexander@house.ga.gov (404) 656-7859
Shaw Blackmon shaw.blackmon@house.ga.gov (404) 656-5103
Rhonda Burnough rhonda.burnough@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0116
Buddy DeLoach buddy.deloach@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0178
Demetrius Douglas demetrius.douglas@house.ga.gov (404) 656-7859
Houston Gaines houston.gaines@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0298
Jan Jones jan.jones@house.ga.gov (404) 656-5072
Chuck Martin chuck.martin@house.ga.gov (404) 656-5146
Bonnie Rich bonnie.rich@house.ga.gov (404) 656-5087
Lynn Smith lynn.smith@house.ga.gov (404) 656-7149
Calvin Smyre calvinsmyre@synovus.com (404) 656-0109
Rick Williams rick.williams@house.ga.gov (404) 656-0254
The link to your legislators is here. The list is incomplete until all the contact information is available.
Stay safe and wear your mask.
|
