Budget
The House and the Senate have passed the supplemental budget for fiscal year 2006. They must still act on the $18.6 billion budget proposal for fiscal year 2007, which begins July 1.

Education
Gov. Sonny Perdue's plan to require that 65 percent of education funds be spent in the classroom has passed the House and the Senate. It is awaiting the governor's signature.

A constitutional amendment requiring that state lottery funds be used only for the HOPE scholarship and prekindergarten failed to gather the needed two-thirds majority in the state Senate. It is scheduled to be reconsidered. Legislation still in House committee would cap the class sizes in elementary and middle schools.

Eminent Domain
Perdue has put forward a constitutional amendment to take the power of eminent domain from non-elected housing and development authorities. An exception is made for blighted property. Separately, legislation introduced prohibits the use of eminent domain for economic development or to boost tax revenue. It would also give private property owners stronger due process rights. The proposal is still in committee.

Natural Gas
Legislation reducing the state sales tax on natural gas and liquid propane from 6 percent to 3 percent was signed into law by Gov. Perdue on Jan. 26. The tax break lasts for three billing periods.

Religion
Gov. Perdue is again pushing a constitutional amendment that would permit religious and faith-based groups to receive state aid. Last year the measure fell short of the needed two-thirds majority in the state Senate.

Legislation allowing courthouses to display the Ten Commandments passed the House. The measure is pending in the Senate.

Legislation permitting Bible classes to be taught in public schools passed the Senate. The measure is pending in the House.

Immigration
The House has passed a bill that would place a 5 percent surcharge on wire transfers for those who cannot prove they are legally in the United States. The bill is in committee in the Senate.

In the Senate, legislation is pending to deny state-administered benefits to adults who cannot show they are legally in the United States. It would also require police officers to check the immigration status of those arrested for criminal activity and report those who are in the country illegally. The bill has not yet been introduced in the House.

Taxes
A bill that would provide tax credits for land conservation passed the House unanimously. It is set for a vote in the Senate when this week.

Legislation providing working families with a tax credit of between $50 and $150 has passed both the House and the Senate. Similar to a federal credit, the state credit is intended to offset childcare costs. The legislation was pushed by Perdue and he is expected to sign it into law.

Sexual Offenders
The House has passed legislation toughening penalties for those convicted of sex crimes and requiring continued monitoring for some violent offenders after their release from prison. The bill is pending in the Senate.

Voter ID
The House and Senate voted to amend the state's voter identification law to make government-issued photo identifications available for free to anyone who needs them. Gov. Perdue signed the law on Jan. 26. Under the Voting Rights Act, the U.S. Justice Department must clear the legislation before it becomes law in Georgia.

Source: AP - AP Wire Service