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The 2010 Legislative session began in January 2010. The State Advisory Council and the Public Policy Committee have been busy between sessions defining MADD Georgia’s Legislative Agenda.
On February 5, 2010, MADD Georgia hosted "MADD Under the Dome Day". The one issue that MADD Georgia is taking the lead role for this session: Ignition Interlocks
MADD Georgia has secured a sponsor for legislation that would mandate the use of ignition interlocks for first time people convicted of drunk driving.
See Action Alert Below.
Updates will be provided through e-mail and updates here as we make progress is made on our legislative agenda. If you would like to be included on the e-mail distribution list please contact the state office at ga.state@madd.org.
As a member of MADD you may be asked to either voice support for or opposition to legislation. MADD is selective about which bills are supported or opposed. Bills that will be supported must support at least one prong of MADD’s mission (stop drunk driving, support victims of drunk driving crashes, and prevent underage drinking). If you are approached abut a bill that is not listed on the MADD Georgia Bill Watch List, please take the following steps:
1. Obtain the bill number
2. Refer the individual or organization to either the State Executive Director or the Vice-Chair Public Policy
3. Contact the State Executive Director or the Vice-Chair Public Policy with the bill number and the name or organization requesting MADD’s involvement
4. DO NOT make any comments that may be construed as either support for or opposition to the bill.
There are five possible positions that MADD Georgia will take on legislation. These positions are:
1. Priority Support – Those issues that MADD Georgia is actively involved in drafting and having introduced.
2. Support – Those issues that advance MADD’s mission that other organizations or individuals have the lead role in drafting and introducing.
3. Neutral – Those issues that MADD neither supports nor opposes.
4. Oppose – Those issues that MADD opposes either in part or in total.
5. Priority Oppose – Those issues that do not advance the mission of MADD and that MADD Georgia is taking a lead role in opposing.
MADD Georgia Bill Watch List
House Bill 1107 – Requiring Ignition Interlocks for First Time Convicted Drunk Drivers
Sponsor: Representative Tom Knox, District 24
Summary: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 42-8-111 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to court ordered installation of ignition interlock devices, so as to require installation of such devices upon a first conviction of violating Code Section 40-6-391 within five years; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Status: House Hopper
MADD Georgia’s Position: Priority Support
ACTION ALERT! Letter to take action in support of this legislation: https://secure2.convio.net/madd/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=965&JServSessionIdr004=ducn98ory7.app43b
House Bill 567 – Crime Victims' Bill of Rights; rights of crime victims; change certain provisions
Sponsor: Representative Don Parsons, District 42
Summary: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 17 of Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the "Crime Victims' Bill of Rights," so as to change certain provisions relating to the rights of crime victims; to clarify the rights of crime victims and the method for notifying victims in certain proceedings; to provide for proceedings for the enforcement of such rights; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes
Status: Passed in the House
Senate Special Judiciary Committee will meet Thursday, April 1, 2010, at 9am, or in Room 310 CLOB (Coverdell Office Building-not in the capitol)
MADD Georgia’s Position: Support
Senate Bill 337 - Motor Vehicle; provide driving under influence of alcohol/drugs with a child is felony
Sponsor: Senator Lester Jackson, 2nd, Senator Donzella James, 35th, and Senator Freddie Sims, 12th
Summary: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 40-6-391 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicating substances, penalties, publication of notice of conviction for persons convicted for the second time, and endangering a child, so as to provide that driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs with a child in the motor vehicle is a felony; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Notes: It will increase the Child Endangerment age from 14 to 16.
Status: Senate Hopper
MADD Georgia’s Position: Support
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