Go that? If you oppose bilingualism, illegal immigration and illegal employment…you are a “Gringo”

General Assembly 2008 – God, Guns & Gringo Rights
Written by GRUS
Posted on 2008-05-19

HERE

English-only constitutional amendment – HR 413 Would have asked voters to approve an amendment making English the official language of Georgia. Would prohibit laws that require the government to use other languages for documents. Included changing drivers license written test to English Only. Would allow lawsuits by anyone who speaks English and feels discriminated against when other languages are used. Sponsor: Rep. Timothy Bearden (R-Villa Rica) DEFEATED when floor vote failed to achieve a Constitutional Majority

No birthright citizenship – HR 127 Urged Congress to deny automatic citizenship to children born of illegal immigrants. This proposal would have just been sending a mean-spirited message because Congress would have to amend the U.S. Constitution to make this happen. Georgia legislators have no authority to act on this issue. Sponsor: Rep. Bobby Reese (R-Sugar Hill) DIED at end of session after multiple hearings delayed movement out of committee.

Urge Gwinnett County to Fund Training for Jail Staff to Speed Up Deportations (HR 1483) Introduced as a challenge to the Gwinnett County Commission, who at the time of introduction, had resisted approving a plan and allocation of budget for the jail training program. Sponsor: Rep. Bobby Reece (R-Sugar Hill) DIED at end of session without a committee hearing.
Out-of-state driver’s licenses – HB 971 It would be a misdemeanor for an undocumented immigrant to drive in Georgia using a license from another state. Would crack down on immigrants who go to other states to get a license because those states are not as strict as Georgia. Sponsor: Rep. Ben Bridges (R-Cleveland) DIED at crossover day.

Seize vehicles of illegal immigrants – HB 978 At any traffic stop or accident, if the police find that the vehicle driver is driving without a license, then police can impound the vehicle. The bill began as a vehicle seizure penalty for DWL and subsequently went through many changes. The final version mandated the impoundment (and possible sale of vehicle) in the hands of towing companies. Sponsor: Rep. James Mills (R-Gainesville) VETOED by the Governor.

Fees on wire transfers – HB 1028 Would have added a 2 percent fee on wire transfers. Allows a transfer company to keep a 20 percent fee to cover their record-keeping costs. To make the bill sound like a reasonable proposal, the bill proposed that the fees collected be spent on trauma care programs, such as Grady Hospital. The author of the bill stated that he thought this would be a good way to get money from undocumented residents who he thinks do not pay any taxes. Sponsor: Rep. Tom Rice (R-Peachtree Corners) DIED at end of session.

Proof of Citizenship Required for Voter Registration – HB 1175 Currently a person signs an oath that they are a citizen and eligible to vote. There have not been any cases where non-citizens have been found to be secretly conspiring to vote. This is a bill that just sends a mean message. A solution in search of a problem. Sponsor: Rep. Roger Williams (R-Dalton) DIED at crossover day, author failed to pursue.

Punishment for illegal immigrants applying for license plates – SB 25 Would have established jail time of one to five years and a fine of up to $5,000 for anyone who lies when applying for a license plate or anyone who helps them. Tag agencies sometimes fill out tag renewal forms for clients who are perhaps undocumented immigrants because there’s a loophole in current law that lets anyone renew their tag via mail. This bill may make tag agents and friends of someone getting a tag do the job of ICE without being trained. Good Samaritans could be in trouble. Sponsor: Sen. John Douglas (R-Social Circle) DIED at crossover day after multiple attempts to get a floor vote rescheduled after it was pulled from the Senate calendar.

No sanctuary – SB 240 Would cut money to public employers and welfare agencies that do not run a new worker or recipient through a federal database to make sure they are here legally. Cuts money to local governments that provide “sanctuary” to undocumented immigrants or who don’t cooperate with federal officials enforcing immigration laws. No one is aware of any Georgia city that has declared itself a sanctuary city, or plans to. Sen. Chip Pearson (R-Dawsonville) DIED on the last day when an additional amendment attached by Sen. Chip Rogers delayed the bill while it moved through the final hours.

English only – SB 325 Would have prohibited state agencies from requiring an employee to speak or take training in another language to get a job or a promotion. Employers could not favor those with additional language skills over those who speak only English. Police departments would not be able to require survival Spanish classes from officers or use such classes as a reason for promotion. Police agencies say officers need to interview crime victims, witnesses and criminals, and Spanish can help. Especially if they do undercover anti-gang or anti-drug investigations. Sponsor: Sen. John Douglas (R-Social Circle) DIED at crossover when multiple attempts to get a vote rescheduled failed after being pulled from calendar.

No license means jail – SB 350 Would make driving without a Georgia license a felony on the fourth conviction within five years. The offense would carry jail time of one to five years. A similar bill was vetoed last year over concern for unintended consequences. This replacement bill is worse than the vetoed bill because it adds arrest and fingerprinting on the first occurrence. This year’s version would dismiss the case against anyone who could get a license before their court date. But this does not help make the bill better because jailing comes first and those who already have three violations on their record would immediately become felons. Sponsor: Sen. John Wiles (R-Kennesaw) Signed by the Governor.

Other bills of interest that may benefit the immigrant, refugee or assylee communities:

HB 942 Temporary Professional Counselors Licenses – Rep. Pedro Marin (D-Gwinnett) Would provide for temporary permits for foreign-born professional counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists for whom English is a second language to practice as professional counselors for a period of one year (and possible renewal). This would allow people who need services get better help because a native speaker would be more effective. DIED without a hearing.

HB 1219 Tax Credit for Completing Citizenship – Rep. Pedro Marin (D-Gwinnett) Would give a person who became a citizen a tax credit of about half the costs of getting citizenship. This would help with the high costs. DIED without a hearing.

SB 488 Reduce Problems With International Drivers Licenses – Sen. Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) This proposal would make it easier for those who have an International license to retain it along with getting a Georgia license. Although this bill is an attempt to do something positive, it may not help much. It mainly allows a longer time before renewal and simplifies paperwork and processes necessary, but it has a disturbing requirement that those who take advantage of the bill are listed on a crime database. Not a good trade-off to get a process convenience but then have your name appear on a crime data base when you haven’t committed a crime. SIGNED by the Governor.