STATE — Streamlining the state’s government, notifying victims earlier about when their attackers will be released on parole and recognizing Veterans Day in schools state wide are among the priorities for state Senators as they prepare to return to legislative session next month.

Senators pre-filed bills for consideration Wednesday, and legislators entered a total of 117 bills.

Sens. Glenn McConnell, Hugh Leatherman and Harvey Peeler are calling for the creation of a Commission on Streamlining Government, and their S.897 would lay out the procedures and budget for the commission.

McConnell has also filed a bill, S.904, that would prohibit criminals who have pleaded guilty or been convicted of a violent crime, once granted probation, from being given probation on any subsequent offense.

Pickens Senator Larry Martin has pre-filed a number of bills in the Senate.

S.931 would require the Board of Parole, Probation and Pardon Services or the Board of Juvenile Parole notify the victim be given written notice 270 days before a sexually violent predator is due to be released on parole.

Currently, state law requires victims to be notified in writing 180 days before their attacker is due to be released on parole or conditional release.

Martin’s bill would also require that parole or conditional release not take effect until 180 days after the order’s issuance.

This would allow the victim or victims, the Attorney General’s Office and the team tasked with reviewing the parolee’s records more time to review, or appeal, the parole order.

Current law allows for parole orders to take

effect 90 days after the order is issued.

Martin’s S.927 would amend laws relating to animal fighting and baiting to make it illegal to sell an animal with the intent to that the animal will be used in fighting and baiting.

A similar bill was pre-filed in the House last month.

Martin’s S.926 would impose penalties on non-residents who are caught operating a motor vehicle without a license.

A bill pre-filed by Sen. Thomas Alexander would require mopeds be equipped with strobe lights for increased visibility.

A bill from Sen. John Land would require all driver’s age 16 or under who have been issued a learner’s permit to hold that permit for one year become becoming eligible for a restricted license. Under Land’s bill, learner’s permits would be valid for 18 months.

Sen. Phil Leventis wants to amend the criminal domestic violence codes to include “those in a dating relationship” as household members in laws protecting household members from abuse.

The bill would also allow parents or legal guardians to petition the court for orders of protection on behalf of minors in dating relationships.

Sens. John Courson and Jake Knotts have filed legislation that would require all state school districts and public schools to recognize Veterans Day as a holiday.

Sen. Glenn Reese is calling for family courts, when reviewing domestic matters, to grant grandparents at least 72 hours of visitation every six months with grandchildren age 16 or younger, unless the court rules such visitation is not in the child’s best interest.

The last pre-filing date for the House ends at close of day Wednesday, Dec. 16