The longest General Assembly session in modern state history finally coming to a close Thursday night. State lawmakers passed a $17.9 billion budget that includes cuts to many programs and state agencies, higher user fees, a hospital revenue tax, and restoration of arts funding.

Other ‘big ticket’ issues and measure were approved by lawmakers. A happy House Speaker David Ralston summed-up the Session’s close last night.

"We had some important things we wanted to get done. We wanted to pass a balanced budget without raising taxes, we wanted to do ethics and water and transportation, so I've gone down the checklist and we've checked them all off. I think it's been a good Session."

Topping the session's 40 days--the budget. The full Assembly last night OK'd the $17.9 billion plan. The mix includes cuts of up to $600 million to K-through-12 education and the University System ; higher user fees to bring in revenue; a tax on hospital revenue ; arts funding was restored--$790,000 worth ; and more than a couple dozen bond projects were added.

Of some of the action from the final, Day-40 of the Session:

- The measure to ban texting while driving, and an overall ban on cell phone use for teens was approved. Teresa Hilldebrand with AAA says with the bill’s passage, Georgia gets ahead of the curve on this issue.

"It's very important because we normally wait years and years after many years of fatalities from drunk drivers or seat belts were enacted. In this case we're ahead of the curve, we're now putting this law into effect so many many lives can be saved, particularly the young children that have started this texting."

- Lawmakers passed a gun bill meant to allow guns in more places. Carry permit holders had hoped for legislation vastly extending the type of places they can bring their weapons. Instead, the bill spells out the places no guns can be carried. Those places include government buildings, churches, schools and polling places.

Gun owners would be able to take their weapons to more parking lots, but not necessarily out of their cars. Bars owners could allow guns in their establishment. Senator Mitch Seabaugh says it makes carry laws very clear.

"Law enfocement will know how to properly enforce the law. And law abiding citizens will know more clearly where they can carry and where they can’t carry."

The National Rifle Association was not in favor of the final bill. They wanted to include the Atlanta airport as a place to carry guns, but it was stricken from the bill.

- Lawmakers want to fund a statewide trauma care network through an annual 10 dollar charge on the tag fee.

Georgia voters would need to approve the idea in a constitutional amendment. The 10 dollars would be used to establish more trauma care centers especially in South Georgia.

Representative Mickey Channell says the state needs more high level hospitals.

“We have only four Level One trauma centers and none south of Macon...none south of Macon. Not a good idea to have a car crash south of Macon.”

The fee would raise about $80 million dedicated to trauma centers. Lawmakers have tried for years to find a consistent funding stream for a statewide care network. Georgia’s super speeder law is expected to add another $23 million to trauma care.

- A bill was passed to clear the way for more private reservoirs to be built in Georgia.

- A measure was approved that would prohibit mandatory participation in any type of federal healthcare system.

Also passing in the Session -- a funding mechaism for transportation, tougher ethics laws, and a water conservation bill.

Tags: Georgia, lawmakers, transportation, General Assembly, water conservation, Governor Sonny Perdue, guns, state Capitol, David Ralston, ethics, legislative session, trauma care