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Senate Committees:
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• Special Judiciary (Chairman 05-06)
reappointed Chair for 07-08
• Appropriations
• Natural Resources
• Ethics
• Judiciary
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Other Committees:
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• Joint Commission on Mental
Health, Mental Retardation and
Substance Abuse
• Southern Legislative Conference’s
Economic Development,
Transportation and Cultural Affairs
Committee
• Joint Comprehensive Water Plan
Study Committee
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Governor’s Appointments:
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• Workforce Investment Board
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Supreme Court Appointments:
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• Indigent Defense Commission
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How To Contact Michael:
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Campaign email:
mvbsen@bellsouth.net
In Albany:
Michael Meyer von Bremen
P.O. Box 72045
Albany, Georgia 31708
229-439-7504 or
229-436-4665
In Atlanta:
Michael Meyer von Bremen
121-F Legislative Office Building
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
404-656-0037
michael.meyer@senate.ga.gov
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Michael’s Legislative Accomplishments:
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TAXES
SB 177 (1999):
(Co-Sponsored). Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights. Requires appeals of property tax assessments to be conducted between 8 AM and 7 PM on business days, making process more available to those who work. One time rescheduling allowed. Tax assessors must prove the validity of their assessment value in appeals and taxpayers are allowed to recover court costs and attorney fees. Protects taxpayers from receiving back door tax increases through heightened property values when millage rate is lowered. If rates are raised, three public hearings must be held giving taxpayers an opportunity to be heard.
HB 553 (1999):
(Supported). Property Tax Cut Plan. Introduces mechanism for lowering what Georgia Homeowners must pay to satisfy property tax levied on his or her homestead. Also provides means for compensating local entities for lost revenue. Has resulted in savings of tens of millions of dollars to the Georgia Homeowner.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/ HIGHWAYS
SB 134 (2001):
(Co-Sponsored). This most significant legislation for Southwest Georgia enables Georgia to utilize federal funding to complete the Governor’s Road Improvement Project within approximately seven years instead of twenty (as it stood before the legislation was enacted). This means Highways 19 and 27 will be four laned at a rapid pace.
SB 398 (2000): (Supported). Creates the OneGeorgia Authority to promote the health, welfare and economic security of the citizens of SW Georgia.
CRIME
SB 316 (2000):
(Authored). Makes it a crime to use video cameras to record another without permission (gyms, locker rooms) and then post or sale the film (on the internet as an example). Deals with what one National Publication dubbed, “Video Voyeurism”.
SB 307 (2000):
(Co-Sponsored). Creates Felony Shoplifting Offense when a person takes property from three separate stores in one county within seven days when property of each theft exceeds $100.00.
SB 390 (2000):
(Co-Sponsored). Enhances sentences if a Judge or Jury determines beyond a reasonable doubt that a defendant intentionally selected his or her victim as the object of an offense based on bias or prejudice.
SB 22 (2001): (Authored). In response to problems relayed by the Office of the District Attorney from Dougherty County, this legislation enhances penalties for
tampering with evidence. Old law involved a misdemeanor penalty and, as a result, no true deterrent existed to prevent individuals from destroying evidence that could be critical
in major felonies.
ETHICS
SR 411 (2000):
(Co-Sponsored). Proposed Constitutional Amendment which passed subsequently on November 2000 Ballot. Allows for the election of a replacement for a General Assembly member who was suspended from office due to a felony conviction.
EDUCATION
HB 139 (2001): (Supported--on Education Appropriations subcommittee). Provided $468 million in cash for additional funding for school construction
needed due to smaller classroom ration passed in 2000.
SB 252 (2001-2002 pending): (Authored). Further reduces maximum class size for middle schoolteachers without
averaging and based on number of students in academic classes per day.
SB 291 (2001-2002): (Authored). Disciplinary procedures set up for physical violence against a
teacher or school employee. Includes alternative school and expulsion as penalties.
CONSUMERS
SB 130 (1999):
(Authored). Protects citizens from companies that buy up structured settlements for a fraction of the value of the settlement value. Disclosure of actual value and waiting periods before transaction takes place are required. Penalties for violations imposed.
SB 162 (2001):
(Authored). Abatement of Nuisances. If property is not in compliance with codes and is a nuisance (which could create danger to citizens), then renovation or demolition can take place, with local governments having the option of accomplishing the same and then asserting a lien against the owner of the property. Among others is one more step to help eliminate dilapidated buildings.
AGRICULTURE/NATURAL RESOURCES
HB 1362 (2000): (Introduced in Senate). Flint River Drought Protection Act. A drought protection program for the Flint
River Basin was established through this legislation authored by Reps. Royal and Hanner. Among others, it provides incentives to ensure that certain irrigated lands are
temporarily not irrigated during severe droughts. This landmark legislation helps maintain water levels and assists farmers who make sacrifices in regard to their irrigation
systems.
SB 331 (2000):
(Sponsored) Helps Cotton ginners who sustained losses while dealing with cotton buyers that declared bankruptcy. Is under the Cotton Producer’s Indemnity Fund.
MISCELLANEOUS
SB 149 (2000-2001 did not pass due to budget. Reintroduced with new number in 2003 and eligible for vote in 2004.): (Authored). This employee
retirement bill is targeted to State Law Enforcement officers in the GBI, State Patrol and Department of Natural Resources. Will increase benefits. Employees will also contribute
to help offset.
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