Senate first readers, 2021 February 17

SENATE FIRST READERS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2021 EIGHTEENTH LEGISLATIVE DAY

SB 182.

By Senators Robertson of the 29th, Albers of the 56th, Payne of the 54th, Harper of the 7th and Anderson of the 24th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 60 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions applicable to counties and municipal corporations, so as to define the term "fence detection system"; to limit the ability of counties, consolidated governments, and municipalities to regulate or prohibit such systems; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations (General) Committee.

SB 183.

By Senators Robertson of the 29th, Anavitarte of the 31st, Payne of the 54th, Brass of the 28th and Anderson of the 24th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 16 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding sheriffs, so as to revise qualification requirements for the office of sheriff; to require certification as a peace officer at the time of qualifying as a candidate for sheriff; to require such candidate to be in good standing with the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council; to provide for a confirming affidavit; to provide for a definition; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Public Safety Committee.

SB 184.

By Senators Cowsert of the 46th, Miller of the 49th, Dugan of the 30th, Gooch of the 51st and Kennedy of the 18th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elections and primaries generally, so as to revise the time for inputting credit for voting data; to provide for sanctions for failure to meet deadlines; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Ethics Committee.

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SB 185.

By Senators Hatchett of the 50th, Kennedy of the 18th, Cowsert of the 46th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Hufstetler of the 52nd and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 48 of the O.C.G.A., relating to state administrative organization, administration, and enforcement of revenue and taxation, so as to require that all questions of law decided by a court or the Georgia Tax Tribunal on matters arising from the state board of equalization and matters arising from refunds and appeals of state administration of Title 48 be decided without deference to determinations or interpretations of the Department of Revenue except without any effect on the judicial standard of deference given to rules promulgated pursuant to Chapter 13 of Title 50, the "Georgia Administrative Procedure Act"; to amend Chapter 13A of Title 50 of the O.C.G.A., relating to tax tribunals; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

SB 186.

By Senators Parent of the 42nd, Jackson of the 2nd, Butler of the 55th, Orrock of the 36th, Jones II of the 22nd and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 28 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding the General Assembly, so as to provide certain procedures for redistricting of the General Assembly and congressional districts in this state; to provide for certain hearings, information availability, procedures, and notifications; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Reapportionment and Redistricting Committee.

SB 187.

By Senators Tippins of the 37th, Miller of the 49th, Jackson of the 2nd, Walker III of the 20th and Butler of the 55th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 20-3-519.2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to eligibility requirements for a HOPE scholarship, so as to establish a procedure for students with a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act to apply for a waiver from certain HOPE scholarship and grant eligibility requirements; to provide for responsibilities of the Georgia Student Finance Commission; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Higher Education Committee.

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SB 188.

By Senators Cowsert of the 46th, Miller of the 49th, Dugan of the 30th, Gooch of the 51st, Kennedy of the 18th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elections and primaries generally, so as to provide for an election results reporting system to be established and maintained by the Secretary of State; to provide for the submission of certain information to such reporting system by county superintendents; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Ethics Committee.

SB 189.

By Senators Cowsert of the 46th, Burke of the 11th, Watson of the 1st, Gooch of the 51st, Au of the 48th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 9 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to civil practice, so as to provide for separate trials for issues of liability and damages under certain circumstances; to provide considerations for making determinations as to whether to provide for separate trials; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

SB 190.

By Senators Cowsert of the 46th, Watson of the 1st, Gooch of the 51st, Kennedy of the 18th, Harbin of the 16th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 51 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to torts, so as to provide for the recovery and admissibility of special damages for medical and health care expenses; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

SB 191.

By Senators Cowsert of the 46th, Gooch of the 51st, Harbin of the 16th, Watson of the 1st and Kennedy of the 18th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to change certain provisions relating to insurance of motor carriers and to causes of actions involving motor carriers and insurance carriers; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Insurance and Labor Committee.

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SB 192.

By Senators Anavitarte of the 31st, Dolezal of the 27th, Payne of the 54th, Walker III of the 20th and Mullis of the 53rd:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elections and primaries generally, so as to provide for hearings and procedures when the right of a person to register to vote, vote, or remain on the list of electors is challenged; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Ethics Committee.

SB 193.

By Senators Mullis of the 53rd, Harper of the 7th, Harbison of the 15th, Jackson of the 2nd, Hatchett of the 50th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to ad valorem taxation of property, so as to grant counties the option of requiring that mobile homes procure and display decals; to revise the time for payment of related ad valorem taxes; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Finance Committee.

SB 194.

By Senators Mullis of the 53rd, Gooch of the 51st, Miller of the 49th, Harper of the 7th, Robertson of the 29th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 16-8-12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to penalties for theft in violation of Code Sections 16-8-2 through 16-8-9, so as to revise the monetary value of certain stolen property; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

SB 195.

By Senator Mullis of the 53rd:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 2-23-3 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to definitions regarding hemp farming, so as to revise a definition; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee.

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SB 196.

By Senators Jackson of the 2nd, Cowsert of the 46th, Miller of the 49th, Jones of the 10th, Gooch of the 51st and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 6 of Title 16, Article 1 of Chapter 10 of Title 17, Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 35, Title 42, and Article 1 of Chapter 2 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to sexual offenses, procedure for sentencing and imposition of punishment, the Georgia Crime Information Center, penal institutions, and general provisions regarding the Department of Human Services, respectively, so as to revise the offenses of improper sexual contact by employee or agent in the first and second degrees; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

SB 197.

By Senators Jackson of the 41st, Strickland of the 17th, Merritt of the 9th, Jordan of the 6th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 7 of Chapter 5 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to stalking, so as to revise the definition of "place or places"; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and for applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

SB 198.

By Senators Harper of the 7th, Albers of the 56th and Robertson of the 29th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Department of Public Safety, so as to provide for subsistence and per diem allowances; to provide for receipt of badge and duty weapon upon retirement; to provide for authority to grant salary increases upon completion of certain education courses; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Public Safety Committee.

SR 108.

By Senators Rahman of the 5th, Jones of the 10th, Butler of the 55th, Parent of the 42nd, Jackson of the 2nd and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Curt Blackburn Thompson II for his outstanding work in the State of Georgia; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

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SR 109.

By Senators Harrell of the 40th, Merritt of the 9th, Au of the 48th, Orrock of the 36th, Jordan of the 6th and others:

A RESOLUTION expressing support for employees of the University System of Georgia; and for other purposes.

Referred to Appropriations Committee.

SR 110.

By Senators Miller of the 49th, Butler of the 55th, Mullis of the 53rd, Jackson of the 2nd, Halpern of the 39th and others:

A RESOLUTION commending the restaurant industry of Georgia and recognizing February 17, 2021, as State Restaurant Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 111.

By Senators Anavitarte of the 31st, Payne of the 54th, Dugan of the 30th, Gooch of the 51st, Mullis of the 53rd and others:

A RESOLUTION commending Charles Bloodworth upon the grand occasion of his retirement from the United States Secret Service; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 112.

By Senators Mullis of the 53rd, Gooch of the 51st, Miller of the 49th, Dugan of the 30th, Harper of the 7th and others:

A RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of Sergeant Henry "Gene" Mullis and dedicating an intersection in his memory; and for other purposes.

Referred to Transportation Committee.

SR 113.

By Senators Rahman of the 5th, Au of the 48th, Butler of the 55th, Jackson of the 2nd, Merritt of the 9th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing February 21, 2021, as Shaheed Dibosh and International Mother Language Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

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HB 93.

By Representative Cooper of the 43rd:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health, so as to eliminate duplicative state licensure and regulation of clinical laboratories; to repeal provisions relating to examination of human specimens and methods for selection of blood donors and collection, storage, and processing of human blood; to eliminate state inspections of clinical laboratories; to amend Code Sections 26-4-172 and 42-1-10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to license requirements generally under the "Nuclear Pharmacy Act" and preliminary urine screen drug tests for inmates, respectively, so as to provide for conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Health and Human Services Committee.

HB 128.

By Representatives Williams of the 145th, Jackson of the 128th, Mathis of the 144th, McDonald of the 26th, Powell of the 32nd and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 31 of the O.C.G.A., relating to general provisions regarding health, so as to prohibit providers from discriminating against potential organ transplant recipients due solely to the physical or mental disability of the potential recipient; to amend Chapter 24 of Title 33 of the O.C.G.A., relating to insurance generally, so as to prohibit health insurers from discriminating against potential organ transplant recipients due solely to the physical or mental disability of the potential recipient; to provide for definitions; to provide for health benefit plans and collective bargaining; to provide for applicability; to provide for a short title; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Health and Human Services Committee.

HB 146.

By Representatives Gaines of the 117th, Cooper of the 43rd, Jones of the 47th, Wiedower of the 119th, Rich of the 97th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 20 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding personnel administration, so as to provide for paid parental leave for eligible state employees and eligible local board of education employees; to provide for definitions; to provide for eligibility; to provide for terms and conditions; to provide for certain prohibitions; to provide for rules; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Insurance and Labor Committee.

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HB 163.

By Representatives Cooper of the 43rd, Gaines of the 117th, Dempsey of the 13th, Frye of the 118th, Lumsden of the 12th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 7 of Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to medical assistance generally, so as to direct the Department of Community Health to submit a state plan amendment to implement express lane enrollment in Medicaid; to direct the Department of Human Services to automatically enroll and renew eligible children in Medicaid, based on application data received for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Health and Human Services Committee.

HB 200.

By Representative Powell of the 32nd:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to provide for the issuance of a Class C driver's license to operators of certain three-wheeled motor vehicles; to exempt operators of certain three-wheeled motor vehicles from headgear and eye-protective device requirements; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Public Safety Committee.

HB 207.

By Representatives Corbett of the 174th, Ridley of the 6th, Barton of the 5th, Watson of the 172nd and Rhodes of the 120th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to provide for electronic submission of certain documentation required of manufacturers, distributors, dealers, secondary metals recyclers, used motor vehicle parts dealers, and scrap metal processors by the Department of Revenue; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Public Safety Committee.

HB 254.

By Representatives Lumsden of the 12th, Williamson of the 115th, Taylor of the 173rd, Hugley of the 136th and Tarvin of the 2nd:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 23 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to licensing of agents, agencies, subagents, counselors, and adjusters, so as to increase the Insurance Commissioner's enforcement authority with regard to adjusters; to provide for allowable types of remuneration; to provide for proof of financial responsibility; to provide for record keeping; to provide for certain consumer protections; to provide for advertising requirements; to provide for certain prohibited acts; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Insurance and Labor Committee. - 8 -

HB 331.

By Representative Frazier of the 126th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide a new charter for the City of Sardis; to provide for incorporation, boundaries, and powers of the city; to provide for related matters; to repeal a specific Act; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

HB 357.

By Representative Campbell of the 171st:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act to provide a new charter for the City of Pelham, approved April 28, 2016 (Ga. L. 2016, p. 3859), so as to reduce the size of the city council; to revise the power of the mayor to vote at city council meetings; to revise when newly elected mayors or council members take office; to provide for election by plurality of votes; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

HB 361.

By Representative Greene of the 151st:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide a new charter for the City of Edison; to provide for definitions and construction; to provide for severability; to provide for related matters; to repeal a specific Act; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

HB 375.

By Representative Smith of the 18th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to authorize the governing authority of the City of Bremen to levy an excise tax pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 48-13-51 of the O.C.G.A.; to provide procedures, conditions, and limitations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

HB 376.

By Representative LaRiccia of the 169th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act to reconstitute the Board of Education of Bacon County, approved February 20, 1976 (Ga. L. 1976, p. 2713), as amended, so as to modify the compensation of the chairperson and members of the Board of Education of Bacon County; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

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