Georgia Legislature Today: Senate tackles adoption bill

Tim Mauldin and Matt O'Donnell of the Georgia Building Authority shovel sidewalks outside the state Capitol in 2011. CHRIS QUINN / CHRISTOPHE.QUINN@AJC.COM

Tim Mauldin and Matt O'Donnell of the Georgia Building Authority shovel sidewalks outside the state Capitol in 2011. CHRIS QUINN / CHRISTOPHE.QUINN@AJC.COM

The Georgia General Assembly at a glance for Thursday, Day 5 of the 2018 legislative session:

Canceled committees: Winter weather threw the week's agenda off a bit, causing lawmakers to cancel budget presentations scheduled for Wednesday. Presentations from the Georgia departments of community supervision, human services, transportation and planning and budget have yet to be rescheduled.

Session resumes: Lawmakers planned to take Tuesday and Wednesday to get through budget hearings before coming back for days five and six of the 40-day session. But because of the slick roads, in addition to canceling Wednesday's hearings, they bumped the start of floor session to the afternoon instead of gaveling in at 10 a.m. The Senate will return at 1:30 p.m. and the House will begin at 2 p.m.

In the Senate: Senate leaders plan to discuss and potentially vote on a bill designed to make adoption easier in Georgia. A Senate panel approved an amended version last week that inserted a provision that grants temporary powers of attorney for children in foster care. Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed a similar measure last year. Senate Republican leaders plan to hold a press conference discussing the outlook of the adoption bill. The media event will take place at 2 p.m. or upon adjournment of the Senate.

Thursday meetings: The Joint Budget Committee still is expected to meet to hear block grant requests at 1 p.m. Thursday.  The House Judiciary Committee for civil issues and the House Motor Vehicles Committee both are scheduled to begin upon adjournment of the House. The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to meet at 4 p.m.

Business days remaining in the 2018 legislative session: 36