By Ashley Speagle
Correspondent
ATLANTA -- Out of about 54 resolutions in play this session to amend the state Constitution, a few might make it to the November ballots for a vote, lawmakers say.
PDF: Senate Resolution 510 PDF: House Resolution 206 PDF: Senate Resolution 277 PDF: Senate Resolution 1231 PDF: Senate Resolution 821
They won't include an amendment to exempt Georgia citizens from participating in federal health reform.
At least three resolutions for such an amendment failed when Republicans sponsors couldn't get a two-thirds votes to pass them. Lawmakers could adopt similar language as state law but it would be less durable than constitutional amendments, they say.
Other controversial resolutions to amend the Constitution to eliminate elections for certain state officials and raise tobacco taxes also failed.
But Georgia voters still may have a voice in some proposed changes.
* One resolution would allow the State Properties Commission and Board of Regents to enter into under multiyear leasing. Sen. Jeff Mullis, R-Chickamauga, said the state could get better deals than it can on single-year leases and save taxpayers about $37 million over 10 years.
* Another change would allow the Georgia Department of Transportation to enter into multiyear transportation projects even if it doesn't have the cash in hand to pay for the whole project. Supporters say the result could be to get more projects started and developed more quickly. But legislators disagreed when GDOT wanted to into multiyear contracts on its own. Instead, some legislators want the department to go through the General Assembly for such contracts.
RESOLUTIONS* Building leases: Allows the State Properties Commission and Board of Regents to enter into multiyear leasing contracts (SR 510).* Highway construction: Allows the Georgia Department of Transportation to approve multiyear contracts (SR821).* Going green: Allows state agencies to sign contracts up to 25 years for energy conservation projects (SR1231).* Funding ERs -- Approves a $10-per-year registration fee for vehicles, with proceeds going to trauma care (SR277).Source: Georgia General Assembly
* Lawmakers also hope voters will agree to let the state sign contracts for up to 25 years for energy conservation projects. The amendment includes a $10 annual fee on vehicles carrying 10 or more people and on motorcycles.
* Another proposed fee would tack an extra $10 a year on registration fees for vehicles carrying 10 or more people and motorcycles.
* A resolution appropriating sales and use tax to transportation projects still is in play from last session. House Resolution 206 went to conference committees again last month, so the House and Senate might resolve their disagreements on how to fund transportation.
When discussion on the resolution stopped last session, the Senate proposed a 1 percent regional local option sales tax in specially created transportation districts. The House wants to fund projects through statewide taxation.
Gov. Sonny Perdue's transportation plan stalled this session, but legislators say it's not over yet for transportation development.
Rep. Barbara Massey Reece, D-Menlo, said legislative leaders have appointed conference committees to work on two alternative proposals that passed the House and Senate in different forms last year.