Sonny Perdue in GA legislative records
On Abortion:
Require information session 24 hours before abortion
Governor Sonny Perdue signed into law today the Woman's Right to Know Act (House Bill 197). This legislation updates Georgia's abortion requirements by ensuring that women are given the opportunity to make an informed decision about the procedure.
HB197 stipulates that women considering an abortion should receive accurate and adequate information 24 hours in advance of the procedure. This information is to include the medical risks of the procedure, probable gestational age of the unborn child,
medical risks of carrying the child to term, medical assistance available for prenatal care, childbirth, and neonatal care, and that the father is liable for child support. The bill also seeks to protect minors by requiring that an unemancipated minor
be accompanied by a parent or guardian, who must show proper identification and state that they are the lawful parent or guardian. Parents or guardians must also receive notice 24 hours before an abortion is performed.
Source: Press release: Georgia Legislative voting records on HB197
May 10, 2005
On Abortion:
Establish a stem cell tissue bank from fetal sources
[Governor Perdue issued an Executive Order to accomplish the objectives of SB596, which failed during the 2006 legislative session.]- WHEREAS: Over 100 million Americans suffer from diseases that may be treated or cured with stem cells; and
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WHEREAS: The umbilical cord, placenta, and amniotic fluid are rich in stem cells which may be used for scientific research and medical treatment without destroying embryos;
- NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED: The Governor's Commission for Newborn
Umbilical Cord Blood Research and Medical Treatment, shall be created, for the purpose of establishing a network of postnatal tissue and fluid banks in partnership with colleges, hospitals, or organizations.
- IT IS FURTHER ORDERED: The
Commission shall promote awareness and encourage donation of postnatal tissue and fluid to public or private umbilical cord blood banks, and develop a program to educate pregnant patients with respect to the banking of postnatal tissue and fluid.
Source: Georgia Legislative voting records on SB596
Apr 14, 2006
On Drugs:
Allow onsite testing for drug-free workplace program
SB96: A BILL relating to drug-free workplace programs, to provide for onsite testing & oral testing. Summary by eDrugTest.com: Georgia has a voluntary drug testing law. For companies that wish to qualify for a 7.5% discount on their
workers' compensation premiums they must comply with this law.
Legislative outcome:Passed House 160-2-18, Vote #429 on Apr/20/07; passed Senate 56-0-0, Vote #175 on Mar/27/07; Signed by Gov. Perdue on May/24/07
Source: Asbestos.com on Georgia legislative voting records: SB182
Apr 30, 2007
On Energy & Oil:
Commercial clean energy grants for solar, wind & geothermal
On Earth Day 2009, Governor Sonny Perdue signed House Bill 473, legislation creating a commercial clean energy grant program for solar, wind, energy efficiency and geothermal heat pump projects. The grant program will be administered by the Georgia
Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA) and is contingent upon the availability of federal stimulus dollars from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)."HB 473 provides Georgia companies with additional incentives for investing in
energy efficiency and renewable energy," said Governor Perdue. "These clean energy grants will also help the private sector meet the state's goal of reducing energy consumption by 15 percent."
Governor Perdue has committed all state agencies to reduce
energy consumption per square foot in state facilities 15 percent below FY2007 levels by 2020. The Governor also challenged Georgia's citizens, businesses and local governments to match the state's effort.
Source: Press release on Georgia Legislative voting records on HB473
Apr 22, 2009
On Families & Children:
Criminalize sex offenders photographing minors
Summary by Georgia State University Law Review: SB1 would make it illegal for persons required to register as sex offenders under Georgia law to record images of minors. Senator Eric Johnson stated, "whether it's just dirty thoughts, or
whether it could build up to some sort of obsession that could lead to a kidnapping or a rape or something else..." Rep. Stacey Abrams moved to incorporate "for indecent purposes." Rep. Abrams was concerned that the Senate version was overly broad.
For example, a professional photographer, who was required to register as a sexual offender, would have to obtain the consent of every minor's parent in order to lawfully take a picture of a high school sports team, thereby potentially
targeting protected speech.Legislative outcome:Passed House 131-22-27; Vote #1075 on Apr/04/08; passed Senate 41-8-7; Vote #961 on Apr/04/08; Signed by Governor Sonny Perdue on May/13/08
Source: GSU Law Review on Georgia legislative voting records: LD415
May 13, 2008
On Foreign Policy:
Lead business & trade delegation to Cuba
Governor Sonny Perdue will lead a 43-person delegation in a business mission to explore trade opportunities with Cuba, the Governor's office announced today. The group will leave for Havana Sunday, June 6 and return to Georgia Tuesday, June 8.
"Our intent with this mission is to develop relationships that can bring more business for our companies and for the state," said Governor Perdue. "The global accessibility we can provide through the Georgia Ports and
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport already position Georgia as a prime trade partner for Cuba, and open other economic development opportunities for us as well."
Governor Perdue will lead the group in a business roundtable with Alimport,
Cuba's primary purchasing agency for commodities, on June 7. The Governor will also meet with senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Relations and other Cuban government leaders.
Source: Georgia voting records: press release on Mission to Cuba
Jun 4, 2010
On Foreign Policy:
Lead business & trade delegation to China
Governor Sonny Perdue is pleased to announce details of the business mission to the People's Republic of China, March 30-April 5, 2008 that he mentioned in his State of the State speech. The Governor will participate in Delta Air Lines' inaugural
daily service between Atlanta and Shanghai. After business calls in Shanghai, the Governor will travel to Beijing to open Georgia's 11th economic development office outside the U.S. Joining Governor Perdue will be senior state officials and business
leaders from throughout the state."Our office in Beijing will join our global commerce teams in cities all over the world, making Georgia an even more desirable location for foreign direct investment and tourism while facilitating the entry of
Georgia businesses into foreign markets," said Governor Sonny Perdue.
China was Georgia's third-largest export destination at $1.1 billion in 2006.
Source: Georgia voting records: press release on Mission to China
Jan 18, 2008
On Free Trade:
Make Atlanta hub for Central America FTAA trade
Governor Sonny Perdue welcomed ambassadors and other senior government officials from Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras, the Dominican Republic and El Salvador. The purpose of their visit was to discuss trade relations between Georgia and Central America.
"During your visit, you will see that Atlanta is an important and growing hub for international trade. We've developed strong business ties with our neighbors in the Americas. We want to keep strengthening those relationships," said Governor Sonny
Perdue. "I understand the importance of this region to Georgia's future. Central America is one of the fastest growing markets for the U.S., and especially for Georgia."
During his remarks, Governor Perdue also asked the visiting officials for their support to locate the headquarters of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) in Atlanta.
Source: Georgia voting records: press release on ambassadorial visit
Mar 21, 2005
On Government Reform:
Require voter ID to ensure purity of elections
Legislative Summary: A BILL relating to form of proper identification at polls, so as to change the forms of identification that are acceptable at the polls. It shall be the duty of the State Election Board to
obtain uniformity in their practices and proceedings and legality and purity in all primaries and elections. Each voter shall present proper identification to a poll worker prior to admission to the polling place.
Proper identification shall consist of any one of the following: A Georgia driver's license; a valid Georgia voter identification card; or a valid United States passport. Legislative Outcome:
Passed Senate 32-22-0 on Jan. 24, vote #599; passed House 111-60-6 on Jan. 25, vote #564; signed by Gov. Perdue Jan. 26.
Source: Georgia legislative voting records: SB 84
Jan 24, 2006
On Health Care:
Require proof of physical impairment in asbestos lawsuits
SB182: A BILL to change provisions relating to asbestos claims and silica claims; to provide that physical impairment shall be an essential element of an asbestos claim or a silica claim; to provide for a limitations period for filing a claim.
Summary by the Mesothelioma Center: Georgia enacted a revised version of the Asbestos and Silica Litigation Reform law on May 1, 2007. Plaintiffs with asbestos-related cancers must provide evidence of physical impairment. Georgia also attempts
to limit the use of information obtained from mass asbestos screenings sponsored by personal injury lawyers to satisfy medical criteria.
Legislative outcome: [Voting YES establishes stricter rules to file lawsuit for asbestos damage.
Voting NO would keep the existing rules, allowing suing for asbestos before physical impairment is proven]. Passed House 156-1-23, Vote #321 on Apr/17/07; passed Senate 36-3-17, Vote #444 on Apr/20/07; Signed by Governor Sonny Perdue, Apr/30/07.
Source: Asbestos.com on Georgia legislative voting records: SB182
Apr 30, 2007
On Health Care:
Tax breaks for high deductible insurance; no aid for insured
SB383: A BILL to provide for the Commissioner of Insurance to adopt policies to promote, approve, and encourage health savings account eligible high deductible plans in Georgia; to provide for exemptions from certain unfair trade practices for certain
wellness and health promotion programs, condition or disease management programs, health risk appraisal programs, and similar provisions in such plans.Summary by the CBPP:Georgia created new tax breaks for high-deductible health plans.
Almost 1.7 million Georgians--20%t of all residents under age 65--are uninsured. Almost 2/3 of them have incomes below 200% of the poverty line. Georgia's plan does not attempt to help these low-income individuals obtain insurance. Instead the plan's
main target is uninsured people with incomes over $50,000.
Legislative outcome:Passed Senate 36-12-8, Vote #623 on Feb/26/08; Passed House 148-2-30, Vote #1070 on Apr/04/08; Signed by Gov. Perdue, May/7/08.
Source: CBPP on Georgia legislative voting records: SB383
May 7, 2008
On Homeland Security:
US military has kept America free for over 200 years
Governor Sonny Perdue issued the following statement in recognition of Veteran's Day: "The men and women of the United States military have kept America free for over 200 years. Through their sacrifice, they have earned our lasting gratitude and
inspired new generations of Americans with their time-honored virtues of patriotism, duty, honor, and courage. With our brave soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, we are reminded that these times test our resolve in upholding the enduring values
that our veterans risked their lives to defend. Each and every veteran is an inspiration to our troops fighting to defeat terrorism and advance peace around the world.
Mary and I join today in saying 'thank you' to our veterans. Thank you for your service to this nation and your fellow citizens. May God bless each veteran, their families, and may God bless the great state of Georgia."
Source: Georgia voting records: Recognition of Veteran's Day
Nov 10, 2004
On Immigration:
Check immigration status after minor offenses
Legislative Summary: When any person charged with a felony or with driving under the influence is confined in a county or municipal jail, a reasonable effort shall be made to determine the nationality of the person so confined.
Registration of Immigration Assistance Act: To establish and enforce standards of ethics in the profession of immigration assistance by private individuals who are not licensed attorneys.
OnTheIssues Interpretation:
Immigrants are allowed to get legal help, but those helping must register, and may offer only limited help. They must declare in writing that they are not an attorney, and cannot give legal advice. The purpose is to make the process harder for illegal
immigrants to get legal help, and hence to increase deportations.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 39-16-0 on March 27 vote #1037; passed House 119-49-8 on March 28 vote #1076; signed by Gov. Perdue April 17.
Source: Georgia legislative voting records: SB 529
Apr 17, 2006
Page last updated: Feb 13, 2023