The session appears to be winding down as week eight came to close and lawmakers adjourned before sine die which is tentatively scheduled for midnight March 19th. One of the bills taken up today and receiving a great deal of media attention is S.B. 420, a measure that would allow Georgia to join the Southern Dairy Compact. The compact would be permitted to set milk prices higher than those now established by the federal government.
Supporters say small dairy farmers have no control over what they get for their milk.
They also say joining the compact could lead to stabilizing milk prices and allow Georgia dairy farmers to remain in business. There were 800 dairy farms in 1996, down from 1,200 in 1992, a 33 percent decrease. Those who have reservations over the bill are concerned with Georgia getting into the business of price fixing, and the measure leading to higher retail milk prices. The bill passed by a vote of 130 to 44. Another measure debated today was S.B. 39, which strengthens the sexual predator registration law.