SOP 102.02: Legislative Services
Summary
This policy establishes the Georgia Department of Corrections' procedures for managing interactions with the Georgia General Assembly. It designates a legislative liaison as the primary contact point for legislators and outlines procedures for responding to constituent requests, resolving legislative issues, coordinating facility visits, developing proposed legislation, monitoring bills affecting the Department, and keeping legislators informed of significant departmental events and changes.
Key Topics
- legislative liaison
- legislator requests
- constituent assistance
- legislative services
- facility tours
- proposed legislation
- bill monitoring
- legislative impact statement
- inmate-related inquiries
- General Assembly communication
Full Text
| GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS Standard Operating Procedures | ||
|---|---|---|
| `Functional Area: ` `Policy & Executive` `Procedures` | `Reference Number: ` `IL01-0001` | `Revises` `Previous` `Effective Date:` `10/01/96` |
| `Subject:` `Legislative Services` | ||
| `Authority:` `Wetherington/Light` | `Effective Date:` `9/01/01` | `Page``1`` of` `3 ` |
I. POLICY:
It is the policy of the Department to provide a primary
contact point for members of the Georgia General assembly.
II. APPLICABILITY:
All facilities, center, units, and office operating under GDC
management.
III. RELATED DIRECTIVES:
Commissioner's Directive/Board Approval
IV. DEFINITIONS:
NONE
V. ATTACHMENTS:
NONE
VI. PROCEDURE:
A. Responses to Requests for Information - Frequently,
legislators receive constituent requests for information
or assistance which involve the Georgia Department of
Corrections. Each legislator should be encouraged to
contact the legislative liaison for assistance with these
requests. Such requests shall be handled in a timely
manner which ensures the provision of accurate and
current information to the legislator. Legislative
requests concerning a specific inmate shall be properly
documented on an office contact form which shall then be
placed in the inmate's file in accordance with O.C.G.A.
Section 42-5-13.| FUNCTIONAL AREA: POLICY & EXECUTIVE POROCEDURES/LEGISLATIVE SERVICES | Prev. Eff. Date: 10/01/96 | Page 2 of 3 |
|---|---|---|
| `FUNCTIONAL AREA:` `POLICY & EXECUTIVE` `POROCEDURES/LEGISLATIVE SERVICES` | `Effective Date:` `9/01/01` | `Reference Number:` `IL01-0001` |
B. Problem Resolution - All requests from legislators
regarding the operations of the Georgia Department of
Corrections should be referred to the legislative
liaison, who will respond as appropriate. The
legislative liaison may refer the request to the
appropriate Division Director for investigation or
response. Should an issue appear to have further impact
on the Department, the liaison shall advise the Assistant
Commissioner or the Commissioner.
C. Coordination of Legislators' Visits to GDC Facilities The legislative liaison may schedule and accompany
legislators on tours of the Department's facilities in
order to acquaint legislators with the needs and concerns
of the Department.
D. Research and Development of Potential Legislation -The
legislative liaison shall assist Division Directors in
identifying issues or legislation to be addressed by the
General Assembly. The liaison shall work with the
Commissioner in the development of a final package of
proposed legislation. The liaison shall ensure that all
proposed legislation is submitted to the Governor by the
prescribed deadline preceding the start of the
legislative session. Once the session has begun, the
liaison shall seek sponsors for the legislation and shall
provide appropriate committee chairpersons in each house
with copies of the same for placement on the committee's
agenda. The liaison shall attend committee meetings at
which relevant legislation is to be discussed and shall
provide any necessary information to the committee. The
liaison shall monitor legislation affecting the
Department throughout the session.
1. After the close of the legislative session, the
liaison shall prepare a letter from the Commissioner
to the Governor seeking his signature of approval on
all appropriate legislation. Once a bill has been
signed into law, the liaison will notify appropriate
staff within the Department.
E. Monitoring Legislation Introduced by others - Each
morning following the start of the legislative session,
the liaison will review the first readers from both
houses to identify bills which may impact upon the| FUNCTIONAL AREA: POLICY & EXECUTIVE POROCEDURES/LEGISLATIVE SERVICES | Prev. Eff. Date: 10/01/96 | Page 3 of 3 |
|---|---|---|
| `FUNCTIONAL AREA:` `POLICY & EXECUTIVE` `POROCEDURES/LEGISLATIVE SERVICES` | `Effective Date:` `9/01/01` | `Reference Number:` `IL01-0001` |
Department. A copy of any bill identified as having potential impact shall be forwarded to the appropriate Division Director for analysis. The Division Director or his designee shall complete and return a legislative impact statement to the liaison within 24 hours of receipt. The liaison will monitor the progress of all bills impacting upon the Department. F. Provision of Updated Information to Legislators - The liaison, at his discretion, shall provide legislators with current information surrounding events such as escapes, violent acts, or potential problem situations occurring in departmental facilities. Notification may be given as appropriate to the chairperson of each committee, as well as to local legislators of the area where the event occurs. The liaison will also keep key legislators advised of major changes within the Department, and shall provide them with updated information on the status of programs or events.