SOP_NUMBER: 102.02
TITLE: Legislative Services
REFERENCE_CODE: IL01-0001
DIVISION: Executive
TOPIC_AREA: Policy & Legislative Services
EFFECTIVE_DATE: 2001-09-01
WORD_COUNT: 686
POWERDMS_URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/105671
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/102.02/

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<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**`Functional Area: `**<br>`Policy & Executive`<br>`Procedures`|**`Reference Number: `**<br>`IL01-0001`|**`Revises`**<br>**`Previous`**<br>**`Effective Date:`**<br>`10/01/96`|
|**`Subject:`**<br>`Legislative Services`|||
|**`Authority:`**<br>`Wetherington/Light`|**`Effective Date:`**<br>`9/01/01`|`Page`**`1`**` of`<br>**`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:<br>POLICY & EXECUTIVE<br>POROCEDURES/LEGISLATIVE SERVICES|Prev. Eff. Date:<br>10/01/96|Page 2 of<br>3|
|---|---|---|
|`FUNCTIONAL AREA:`<br>`POLICY & EXECUTIVE`<br>`POROCEDURES/LEGISLATIVE SERVICES`|`Effective Date:`<br>`9/01/01`|`Reference Number:`<br>`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:<br>POLICY & EXECUTIVE<br>POROCEDURES/LEGISLATIVE SERVICES|Prev. Eff. Date:<br>10/01/96|Page 3 of<br>3|
|---|---|---|
|`FUNCTIONAL AREA:`<br>`POLICY & EXECUTIVE`<br>`POROCEDURES/LEGISLATIVE SERVICES`|`Effective Date:`<br>`9/01/01`|`Reference Number:`<br>`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.

```