Daily report [Feb. 28, 2007]

MEMBER SERVICES
Coverdell Legislative Office Bldg. Suite 609 Phone: (404) 656-0305

TOMORROW'S FORECAST
* The House will reconvene for its 27th Legislative Day on Thursday, March 1, at 10:00 AM. * 17 bills and 1 resolution are expected to be debated on the floor.

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CALENDAR
HB 127 -

Prescription

RULES CALENDAR

drugs; generic; change

provisions

HB 127 - Prescription drugs; generic; c-hBaILnLgSeUpMrMoAvRisYi:ons

- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would restrict pharmacTihstiss bfriollmwosuulbdsrtietusttirnicgt generic equivalents for anti-epilepsy drugs.

- Authored By: Rep. Charlice Byrd of the 20th pharmacists from

- House Committee: Health & Human Services substituting generic

- Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 157; Nays: 0

equivalents for antiepilepsy drugs. - Authored By: Rep.

HB 224 - State Licensing Board for Res2Ci0dhtahernlicteiaBlyardndof Gtheeneral Contractors; change certain

provisions

- House Committee:

- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends Code SectionH4e-a4l1th-3&oHf Oum.Ca.nG.A. relating to creation of the State Licensing Board for

Residential and General Contractors by adding onSeerrevsicideesntial member to the Board, this way increasing the number of residential members from 7 to 8 and the total num-bReruolef:mMeomdbifeierds-from 14 to 15. This bill also provides for serving terms
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- Yeas: 144; Nays: 0

Licensing Board

for Residential

HB 316 - Public Service Commission; taonwdinGgeonfecraelrtain vehicles; provide

- BILL SUMMARY: The Public Service

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cities. limits

it is not subject to those regulations; this will elimincahtealnoogpehocleesrtaanidnrequire city tow trucks to have insurance, register

with the PSC and be subject to the same regulatiopnrso(ivnicsluiodingsmaximum tariff rates) as tow trucks that operate in

counties or cities and counties.

- BILL SUMMARY:

- Authored By: Rep. David Ralston of the 7th This bill amends

- House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 159; Nays: 0

Code Section 4-41-3 of O.C.G.A. relating to creation of the State Licensing

Board for Residential

HB 317 - Public transportation; motor caondntGreancetraclarrier; change definition

- BILL SUMMARY: This bill changes the languageCoofntthreacdtoerfisnibtiyons of "motor contract carrier" and "motor common

carrier." It removes exceptions for vehicles engagaedddiinngthoenme oving of household goods with passenger vans that have a

capacity of ten people or more, vehicles conductinrgesnidoennmtieatlemreedmtrbaenrsportation service that are not operated by a

municipality (city, town, etc.), and vehicles which municipality. The bill also states that tow trucks subject to the jurisdiction of the municipality.

eatwnoreagtyahegeinnegBcdaroegianaersddni,onintnghcpitsohrinevsaetensfoura-lhtiorewtinragnwspitohrtaamtiounnwiciitphainlittyhsehlaimll irtsemofaain number of residential

members from 7 to 8

Floor amendment Rep. Ralston Line 14 Page 1 replace the word "term" with the word "exception". - Authored By: Rep. David Ralston of the 7th - House Committee: State Planning & Community Affairs - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): Ralston AM: Adopted without objection - Yeas: 161; Nays: 0
HB 330 - Georgia State Board of Pharmacy; registry of pharmacy technicians; establish
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill requires the Georgia State Board of Pharmacy to establish a process of maintaining a registry of pharmacy technicians. The updated information on the pharmacy technicians will be provided to the board by the pharmacist in charge of that pharmacy. The board will be allowed to collect fees from pharmacy technicians for maintaining the registry. - Authored By: Rep. Ron Stephens of the 164th - House Committee: Regulated Industries - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 160; Nays: 0
HB 375 - Education; pages of General Assembly; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill changes language in O.C.G.A. 20-2-692 to change the absence of a student serving as a Legislative Page from an excused absence to being counted present as in the same manner as a field trip. - Authored By: Rep. Doug Collins of the 27th - House Committee: Education - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 163; Nays: 1
HB 443 - Employment security; employment; change definition; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: Adds to the exceptions for services deemed to be employment in subsection (f) of OCGA 34-8-35 that the services are the subject of an SS-8 determination by the IRS, which decided against employee status and to the exceptions in subsection (n) of the same Code section services performed for a common carrier or property, persons or property and persons; extends suspensions of the adjustments based upon the State-wide Reserve Ratio to December 31, 2009; changes the number by which weekly amount adjustments are calculated from 44 to 42 the two highest quarters of wages paid in the base period will be divided by 42; currently it is divided by 44, and the alternative computation number is lowered from 22 to 21. In benefit years beginning on or after July 1, 2007, if the weekly amount would be more than $26.00 but less than $44.00, the weekly amount will be $44.00 and no amount will be less than $44.00; for claims filed after July 1, 2007, the weekly benefit amount will not exceed $330.00. Appropriates an additional $1,885,551.11 to the Department of Labor to be used for expenses incurred in the administration of the Employment Security Law. - Authored By: Rep. Mike Coan of the 101st - House Committee: Industrial Relations - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 164; Nays: 0
SUPPLEMENTAL RULES CALENDAR
HB 30 - Housing authorities; private enterprise agreement; redefine
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 30 changes the definition of "private enterprise agreement" relating to housing authorities, to allow for more ways for housing authorities to be involved in low income housing developments. The new definition broadens what constitutes such agreement by changing "ownership of a housing project" to "ownership or operation" of such housing projects by a for profit entity in which the authority participates either directly or indirectly. The bill also adds language providing what activities may constitute such "participation" by an authority, which may include: ownership by a housing authority of an interest in the housing project through the for profit entity, or of the land on which the housing project is developed; or provision by the housing authority of a combination of funds to the for profit entity for construction costs of the housing project and funds to subsidize the operating costs of units for persons of low income. - Authored By: Rep. Jill Chambers of the 81st - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 148; Nays: 2

HB 107 - Municipal government; additional requirements; certain franchise fees; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 107 will amend the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to general powers regarding administration of municipal government and additional requirements with respect to certain franchise fees. The power to grant franchise fees to or make contracts with railroads, street railways, or urban transportation companies, electric light or power companies, gas companies, steam-heat companies, and other public utilities for the use and occupancy of the streets of the city, for the purpose of rendering utility services will be up to the governing authority of the municipal corporation and the Constitution and general laws of the state. Fees paid by the utilities or companies as a result of franchise agreements will not be included in the system wide rate base of any utility or company. The fees will be charged exclusively to the customers located within the municipal corporations imposing fees and shall be itemized on the bills or invoices given to municipal customers for utility services rendered. - Authored By: Rep. Jan Jones of the 46th - House Committee: Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications - Rule: Modified-Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 141; Nays: 0
HB 182 - Property tax digest; positive tax allocation increments; prohibit use
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 182 broadens the exclusions from the equalized adjusted property tax digest to also exclude the difference between the value of all taxable property within any tax allocation district and the tax allocation increment base of such tax allocation district. Currently, the digests exclude all real and personal property exempt from taxation. In tax allocation districts currently, increases revenues are pledged to pay bonds, however school boards have to pay in this increased value despite that the revenues are going to pay bonds. This bill will ensure that school boards will not have to pay in revenues they do not actually receive. - Authored By: Rep. Charles E. Martin of the 47th - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 146; Nays: 0
HB 225 - State income tax; certain college savings plans; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 225 removes certain requirements for deducting contributions to certain college savings plans, beginning in 2007. The bill removes the requirement that the beneficiary must be claimed as a dependent on the Georgia income tax return of the beneficiary's parents or guardians. It also removes the maximum federal adjusted gross income amounts, and the requirement that the parent or guardian be the account owner of the designated beneficiary's account. - Authored By: Rep. Richard A Royal of the 171st - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 152; Nays: 0
HB 274 - Notaries; qualifications; application; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 274 sets forth to amend Code Section 45-17-2 relating to the qualifications of notaries public, as well as, adding additional requirements to be met in order to maintain one's status as a notary public. These requirements include: the applicant shall have an operating telephone, the applicant shall show proof that he/she resides in the county of application, and, for endorsement, the applicant must bring along an individual who has known the applicant for at least one month. This bill also amends the notary application form to comply with the revised code section. - Authored By: Rep. Edward Lindsey of the 54th - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Modified-Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 154; Nays: 0
HB 311 - Georgia HERO Scholarship; qualifying term of service; change definition
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation changes the date for qualifying service under the Georgia HERO Scholarship. Under HB 311, persons deployed overseas on active duty on or after September 11, 2001 will qualify for grants under the Georgia HERO Scholarship. Additionally, this change will apply to eligible student scholarships distributed under the program. - Authored By: Rep. Barry A Fleming of the 117th - House Committee: Appropriations - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 141; Nays: 0

HB 354 - Local government; homeowner tax relief grant notification; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill addresses various provisions in the ad valorem tax code to enhance compliance and clarify certain provisions. The bill requires local governments and school boards to notify the Department of Revenue of the total amount of credits given to qualified homesteads within one year from the date of final installment of taxes was due from the taxpayer, it requires tax collectors or commissioners to record tax executions within 30 days after notice provisions have lapsed, it clarifies the income qualifications for a property owner seeking an increased homestead exemption, it clarifies that resolutions setting the terms of members of county tax assessor boards be transmitted to the revenue commissioner, and provides that each parcel of real estate included in public utility returns must be identified by its physical address and adequate description so that such property can be identified. - Authored By: Rep. Larry O'Neal of the 146th - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 137; Nays: 0
HB 386 - Superior court fees; instrument recordings; provide additional fees
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 386 creates 15-6-77(o) which provides for an additional $2.00 fee for cross-indexing entries when filing with the Clerk of Superior Court. - Authored By: Rep. Roger B. Lane of the 167th - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 142; Nays: 9
UNCONTESTED CALENDAR
HR 14 - Walter E. "Eddie" Elder Interchange; Barrow County; dedicate
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution intends to honor the memory and accomplishments of Walter E. Elder by dedicating the interchange of Georgia Highway 8 and Midland Avenue in Barrow County as the Walter E. "Eddie" Elder Interchange. - Authored By: Rep. Terry England of the 108th - House Committee: Transportation - Rule: Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 154; Nays: 0
* The House will reconvene Thursday, March 1, at 10:00 AM, for its 27th Legislative Day of the 1st Regular Session of the 149th General Assembly.
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COMMITTEE ON RULES
The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 27th Legislative Day, Thursday, March 1, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker.
RULES CALENDAR FOR NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY
HB 69 - Driver's records; online; Department of Driver Services; charging fee; prohibit
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill allows individuals to get a copy of their driving record from the Department of Driver Services' website, free of charge, once in any six month period. - Authored By: Rep. Bobby Franklin of the 43rd - House Committee: Motor Vehicles - Rule: Open

HB 144 - Motor vehicles; used; sale or advertising; change certain exceptions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill relocates the substantive provisions of O.C.G.A. 43-47-8.1 with some minor modifications from Title 43 (Professions and Businesses) to Title 40 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic) in order to make it accessible by law enforcement officers from their mobile computers. Modifications include: Corrections of references to the chapters. Language to ensure that persons with "For Sale" signs on their vehicles who pay and park in commercial parking facilities for legitimate reasons unrelated to the sale of such vehicles are not punished. Language that imposes misdemeanor punishment for violations of the Code section which is the same as in existing law under O.C.G.A. 43-47-22 - Authored By: Rep. Bobby Reese of the 98th - House Committee: Regulated Industries - Rule: Open
HB 148 - Sales and use tax; aquariums; provide exemption
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 148 changes the effective dates of the sales tax exemption on sales of tangible personal property to, or used in construction of aquariums in Georgia that are owned or operated by a non-profit organization. The current dates in the code are "from the effective date of this paragraph" until January 1, 2007. This bill changes the dates to June 4, 2003 through January 1, 2011. This bill also provides that the exempt construction related sales may include expansion related sales to aquariums. The bill adds language clarifying that the exemption will apply only to aquariums in this state, which would be the Georgia Aquarium, and not to out of state aquariums that may purchase materials in Georgia, such as the Tennessee Aquarium. The fiscal impact is expected to be a decrease of $4 million in state revenues over fiscal years 2007 through 2011, and a decrease of $4 million in local government revenues over the same period. - Authored By: Rep. Mark Burkhalter of the 50th - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Structured
HB 183 - Motor vehicles; certificates of title; definitions; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill changes the term to describe a motor vehicle that has been damaged and subsequently restored to an operable condition by replacement of two or more major component parts from "Salvaged-Repaired" to "Rebuilt Motor Vehicle", within the definitions of OCGA 40-3-2. Further, it requires the term "Rebuilt" to be placed on the title of those motor vehicles meeting the definition described above. - Authored By: Rep. Tommy Benton of the 31st - House Committee: Motor Vehicles - Rule: Open
HB 191 - Colquitt County Board of Education; nonpartisan elections; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: The Bill provides for the nonpartisan election of members of the Colquitt County Board of Education after January 1, 2008. - Authored By: Rep. Richard Royal of the 171st - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Rule: Open
HB 193 - Sales and use tax; jet fuel; additional exemption
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 193 extends the existing sales tax exemption for sales or use of jet fuel to or by qualifying airlines. Currently, qualified airlines operating in Georgia pay the first $15 million in state sales tax plus applicable local sales taxes on purchases or use of jet fuel. Thereafter, the purchase or use of jet fuel is exempt from state and local sales tax except for local option sales taxes for educational purposes which become effective before July 1, 2005. This exemption is currently set to expire on July 1, 2007. HB 193 would extend this exemption to July 1, 2009. GSU Fiscal Research Center estimates the revenue impact on state revenues to be $22.6 million per year, and local impact is expected to be $11.3 million. Based on their research, it appears that only Delta has fuel expenses that would clearly be capped by this provision. "Qualifying airline" is defined as any person which is authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration or appropriate agency of the US to operate as an air carrier under an air carrier operating certificate and which provides regularly scheduled flights for the transportation of passengers or cargo for hire. - Authored By: Rep. Mark Burkhalter of the 50th - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Structured
HB 208 - School councils; parent members; majority; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends Code Section 20-2-86 of the O.C.G.A. relating to the operation of school councils. The bill changes the language so that the parent members make up a majority on the school council and that the chairman is to be a parent member. - Authored By: Rep. Jan Jones of the 46th - House Committee: Education - Rule: Open

HB 243 - HOPE scholarships; eligible postsecondary institution; revise definition
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill revises the definition of "eligible postsecondary institution" by eliminating institutions controlled by local boards of education. Additionally, the bill provides that enrollment in postsecondary courses at a branch of the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education will not count against the hourly caps for HOPE grants. - Authored By: Rep. Bill Hembree of the 67th - House Committee: Higher Education - Rule: Open
HB 247 - Local government; water and sewer systems; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill prohibits counties, municipalities, and local authorities from requiring connection with or use of water supplied by a public water system except when other water is unfit. - Authored By: Rep. Bob Smith of the 113th - House Committee: Governmental Affairs - Rule: Open
HB 270 - Juvenile proceedings; appointment of guardian ad litem; change provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: Revises definitions related to a Court Appointed Special Advocate or "CASA" to provide that a CASA will be a community volunteer who is trained, screened and supervised by the court, and has been appointed a guardian ad litem by the court in a juvenile deprivation proceeding. The CASA will be sworn in by a juvenile court judge and will not be assigned a case before being sworn in. CASAs will be appointed as early as possible in the proceedings by a signed order and his or her duties will be to advocate for the best interests of the child. As an advocate for the child the CASA will be notified of all court proceedings and will have access to all records and information relevant to the child's case; the CASA's right to access those records will be as broad as any attorney's rights. CASA's will be immune from liability and can be removed by the court for nonparticipation or for acting in a manner contrary to the child's best interest or if the court deems further service unnecessary. - Authored By: Rep. David Ralston of the 7th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Open
HB 313 - Georgia Correctional Industries Administration; certain inmate work programs; clarify
- BILL SUMMARY: A bill related to voluntary inmate labor programs. This bill will clarify that the Georgia Correctional Industries Administration has authority to administer and manage certain inmate work programs, and to publicize and invite employers to participate in such inmate work programs. - Authored By: Rep. Terry Barnard of the 166th - House Committee: State Institutions & Property - Rule: Open
HB 353 - Revenue and taxation; unclaimed property; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill addresses various provisions of the tax code to enhance compliance with our tax laws. The bill allows for service of summons of garnishment and subpoena by registered or certified mail rather than requiring personal service, it clarifies that a taxpayer may waive confidentiality of tax data upon express authorization to the department of revenue, it provides that the department may offset unclaimed property of a taxpayer against such taxpayer's delinquent taxes, it provides for lien perfection in all counties of the state upon execution of a lien in a single county, and it provides for automation of the process of identifying and seizing funds of delinquent taxpayers held by banks. - Authored By: Rep. Larry O`Neal of the 146th - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Structured
HB 374 - Hotel motel tax; definitions; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 374 seeks to provide clarification to hotel/motel tax provisions. The bill moves certain definitions related to the hotel motel tax from later sections into the code section with other definitions on this tax at the beginning of the Article. These definitions include "private sector nonprofit organization", "state authority", "charitable trust", "functionally related business", "fund" or "funding", and "local authority". - Authored By: Rep. James Mills of the 25th - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Structured

HB 410 - Municipal Option Sales Tax Act; enact
- BILL SUMMARY: The purpose of HB 410 is to authorize the city of Richland to hold a referendum for citizens of the city to vote to allow the city to levy a Municipal Option Sales Tax of 1% in order to correct the problem of asbestos fibers in the water system and the problems with gas leakage. The bill is drafted narrowly to only apply to Richland by including language that the city imposing this tax must have received correspondence from the Department of Natural Resources on or after January 1, 2007 urging the city to "make distribution pipe replacement its highest priority as soon as possible to correct and eliminate the asbestos fiber health risk to its citizens." The bill also provides for the maximum proceeds from this tax to be collected, $1.8 million, which is equal to the estimates of eliminating the asbestos and gas problems, and for the maximum amount of time, which is to be nine years. So no future cities may use this statute to levy a MOST, the bill includes language repealing the article after nine years. - Authored By: Rep. Bob Hanner of the 148th - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Structured
HB 424 - Workers' compensation; claim filings; benefits; examinations; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: Claims filed with the Worker's Compensation Board for which no benefits have been paid after July 1, 2007, will be dismissed with prejudice by operation of law if no hearing has been held within five years of the alleged date of injury; this change will not apply to claims filed for an occupational disease as defined by OCGA 34-9-280; the form used by the Board for filing claims will contain notice of this new provision. In cases where rehabilitation is required, employers will now have 20 days from the date of notification of the requirement to select a rehabilitation supplier; Current law provides for 15 days. Injured employee examinations may now include physical, psychiatric and psychological exams; charges for prescriptions and other items will be subject to Board approval; charges by physicians and hospitals are currently subject to Board approval. The total maximum compensation rate per week is raised from $450.00 to $500.00 and the total minimum is raised from $45.00 to $50.00; the minimum under which the employer shall pay the total weekly wage is raised from $45.00 to $50.00; the rate at which employers shall make disability payments is raised from $300.00 per week to $334.00 per week; the length of time (350 weeks) is not changed. - Authored By: Rep. Mike Coan of the 101st - House Committee: Industrial Relations - Rule: Open
HB 448 - Retirement; term life insurance; certain eligible persons; establish two funds
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill requires the State Employees' Assurance Department to split the existing group term life insurance fund into two separate funds: the Retired and Vested Inactive Members Trust Fund and the Active Members Fund, in order to put the law in compliance with the new accounting requirements. - Authored By: Rep. Ben Bridges of the 10th - House Committee: Retirement - Rule: Open
HB 510 - Boating safety zones; Lake Oconee; certain vessels; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill was brought to repair an unintended consequence of prior legislation and relates only to maximum allowable vessel sizes on Lake Oconee. This allows a certain vessel to continue operation until such time as a replacement is necessary. This essentially grandfathers an existing vessel which, due to an oversight, was left out of the grandfathering provisions of prior legislation. - Authored By: Rep. Mickey Channell of the 116th - House Committee: Game, Fish, & Parks - Rule: Modified-Structured
HR 246 - Board of Regents; urge to establish intercollegiate wrestling programs
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution urges the Board of Regents to establish programs for intercollegiate wrestling. - Authored By: Rep. James Mills of the 25th - House Committee: Higher Education - Rule: Open
* The Rules Committee will next meet on Thursday, March 1, at 9:00 AM, to set the Rules Calendar for the 28th Legislative Day.
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COMMITTEE ACTION REPORT
Agriculture & Consumer Affairs
HB 297 - Recreational vehicle dealers; conventions; provide certain exemptions
- BILL SUMMARY: Currently, it is unlawful for any dealer to sell or distribute any new recreational vehicle in Georgia unless the dealer has a franchise dealership agreement with a grantor with the express right to sell or distribute recreational vehicles in Georgia and meets certain requirements and definitions. This bill would allow dealers from outside Georgia to sell or distribute recreational vehicles at certain conventions or rallies involving more than 2500 recreational vehicles which are registered with the sponsor of such an event. In cases where a manufacturer intends to participate by inviting an out-of-state dealer to attend the convention or rally, that manufacturer must also invite all franchise Georgia dealers to said event. - Authored By: Rep. Allen G. Freeman of the 140th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Appropriations
HB 229 - Education lottery; book allowances; fee payments; impose certain limitations
- BILL SUMMARY: House bill 229 will establish a true measure of decreasing lottery reserve funds prior to eliminating student funding. Under current law, students are in jeopardy of losing their book allowances if there is any decline in lottery funds for education. The legislation requires there to be an actual trend of less than 90% of a previous year-end budget before removing any funding currently issued to Hope Scholarship recipients. Under the new formula, during the first year all scholarships and grants for book allowances may not exceed $150.00 per academic year. If the trend continues the next year, such book stipends will be suspended entirely. Further more, if lottery funds remain in a declined state, mandatory institution fees will no longer be covered by the Hope Scholarship. This legislation does not affect students eligible for the federal Pell Grant program. - Authored By: Rep. Ben Harbin of the 118th - Committee Action: Do Pass
HR 102 - Clark, Mr. Robert; compensate; provide for state income tax exclusion
- BILL SUMMARY: HR 102 is a compensation resolution for Robert Clark. This is provided as compensation for wrongful detention for a crime he did not commit. Mr. Clark spent over 23 years in prison and was later found innocent of the crime based on DNA evidence. The 1st annuity of $1 million shall be paid in equal monthly installments over 15 years with an initial lump sum of $100,000. A 2nd annuity shall be paid in the amount of $200,000 over 15 years with no lump sum. The total sum of $1.2 million will be paid by funds available or appropriated to the Department of Corrections. - Authored By: Rep. Larry O`Neal of the 146th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Code Revision
HB 605 - Public office; prohibited employment; aliens; repeal certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 605 sets forth to repeal code sections 45-2-7 and 45-2-8; which the courts have found to be unconstitutional. Code sections 45-2-7 and 45-2-8 relate to the eligibility and qualifications for public office and employment, specifically prohibited employment of aliens. - Authored By: Rep. Greg Morris of the 155th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications
HB 288 - Public utilities and transportation; certain utilities; return consumer deposits
- BILL SUMMARY: Requires each retail supplier of electricity, natural gas, water, and telephone service, and each natural gas marketer which requires the payment of a deposit from residential customers to return the deposit, along with legally required interest, when the customer has satisfactorily paid their charges on time for up to 24 months unless a shorter time period for the return of such deposit is provided by law or regulation. - Authored By: Rep. Tom Graves of the 12th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 389 - Public transportation; limousine carrier; change definition; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: Amends code section relating to public utilities and public transportation. This bill will change the definition of `motor common carrier' to include every person owning, controlling, operating, or managing any motor propelled vehicle, and the lessees, receivers, or trustees of such person, used in the business of transporting for hire of persons or property, or both, on the public highways of Georgia as a common carrier. This term also includes, but is not limited to limousine carriers. New code sections added include: 46-7-85.18 All advertisements have to include an authorization number from the Public Service Commission. 46-7-85.9 Each limousine carrier must have insurance with a company authorized to do business in Georgia. The policy will provide for the protection of passengers and property against injury caused by the carrier's negligence. The commission determines and fixes the amounts, provisions, and limitations of the insurance for the carriers. 46-7-85.20 The commission is authorized to enforce the new code sections. Further authorization is granted to the commission to hear petitions from third parties who assert that the carrier has violated either section and may impose the penalties set out in Code Sections 46-7-90 and article 5 of Chapter 2 of this title. 46-7-85.21 Authority of the Public Service Commission granted herein applies to all vehicles listed in paragraph 5 of Code Section 46-7-85.1 that are managed, operated, owned, leased, rented or controlled by a carrier. - Authored By: Rep. Jeff Lewis of the 15th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Insurance
HB 390 - Board of Community Health; health insurance for certain persons; authorize
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill grants the option to Community Service Boards to offer continued health care coverage upon retirement. The retiree must pay the monthly premium and if they fail to do so, the CSB can stop coverage. There is no cost to the state-only the CSB. - Authored By: Rep. Ben Harbin of the 118th - Committee Action: Do Pass
HB 396 - Community Health, Department of; PeachCare; eligibility verification services; require
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill requires that the Department of Community Health enter into one or more contracts with an appropriate entity or entities for the verification of eligibility for the PeachCare for Kids program with regard to income verification and verification of residency. - Authored By: Rep. Mickey Channell of the 116th - Committee Action: Do Pass
HB 472 - Insurance; policies; languages other than English; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill allows an insurer to conduct business in languages other than English through an agent, an interpreter, or through print. This can include policies or any other printed material. In the event of a dispute between languages, the English version shall control resolution of the dispute. - Authored By: Rep. John Meadows of the 5th - Committee Action: Do Pass
HB 498 - Motor vehicles; change definitions; drivers' licenses; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill is a modification to the Georgia Electronic Insurance Compliance System (GEICS). Since the system's inception, errors in the database have been constant. This bill attempts to correct those errors as well as change the applicable Code sections to properly reflect the transfer of authority to the Department of Revenue from the now defunct Department of Motor Vehicle Safety. - Authored By: Rep. Tom Knox of the 24th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 496 - Arlington, City of; provide new charter
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a new charter for the City of Arlington. - Authored By: Rep. Gerald Greene of the 149th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 523 - City of Johns Creek Public Buildings and Facilities Authority; create
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to create the City of Johns Creek Public Buildings and Facilities Authority and provide for its powers and duties. - Authored By: Rep. Mark Burkhalter of the 50th - Committee Action: Do Pass
HB 524 - City of Johns Creek Parks and Recreation Authority; create
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to create the City of Johns Creek Parks and Recreation Authority and provide for its powers and duties. - Authored By: Rep. Mark Burkhalter of the 50th - Committee Action: Do Pass
HB 555 - Clinch County; board of elections and registration; create
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to create the Clinch County Board of Elections and Registration and provide for its powers and duties. - Authored By: Rep. Jay Shaw of the 176th - Committee Action: Do Pass
HB 573 - Lyons, City of; ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a homestead exemption from City of Lyons ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes in an amount equal to the amount by which the current year assessed value of a homestead exceeds the base year assessed value of such homestead. - Authored By: Rep. Greg Morris of the 155th - Committee Action: Do Pass
HB 574 - Vidalia, City of; ad valorem tax; school district; provide homestead exemption
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a homestead exemption from City of Vidalia independent school district ad valorem taxes for educational purposes in an amount equal to the amount by which the current year assessed value of a homestead exceeds the base year assessed value of such homestead. - Authored By: Rep. Greg Morris of the 155th - Committee Action: Do Pass
HB 575 - Santa Claus, City of; ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a homestead exemption from City of Santa Claus ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes in an amount equal to the amount by which the current year assessed value of a homestead exceeds the base year assessed value of such homestead. - Authored By: Rep. Greg Morris of the 155th - Committee Action: Do Pass
HB 576 - Vidalia, City of; ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a homestead exemption from City of Vidalia ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes in an amount equal to the amount by which the current year assessed value of a homestead exceeds the base year assessed value of such homestead. - Authored By: Rep. Greg Morris of the 155th - Committee Action: Do Pass
HB 580 - Pierce County; Board of Education; members; salary and expenses; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide for the salary and expenses of the members of Pierce County Board of Education. - Authored By: Rep. Mark Williams of the 178th - Committee Action: Do Pass
HB 582 - Lanier County; probate judge serves as chief magistrate; January 1, 2009; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide that the probate judge of Lanier County shall serve as chief magistrate of the Magistrate Court of Lanier County and to provide that the appointment and number of magistrate judges shall be determined by the county commission. - Authored By: Rep. Jay Shaw of the 176th - Committee Action: Do Pass

Motor Vehicles
HB 77 - Motor vehicles; traffic-control signal monitoring devices; repeal provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill will change certain provisions in Title 40 of the Code, dealing with traffic control signal monitoring devices (red light cameras). Primarily it provides that only certified peace officers may review and issue citations based on camera photos. Further, it provides for a split of the fees derived from a violation that exceed the operating costs of the cameras of 25% to the local government issuing the citation and 75% to the state trauma fund. Other provisions include the requirement of an engineering study to be performed at intersections containing cameras, and a loss of revenue to local governments that do not send their annual report by the February 1st deadline. - Authored By: Rep. Bobby Franklin of the 43rd - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
HB 518 - Motor vehicles; commercial motor vehicle; define; license plates; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 518 is primarily a "house keeping" bill brought by the Georgia Department of Revenue. The bill simply brings the Georgia Code dealing with commercial motor vehicles into compliance with federal law. - Authored By: Rep. Tom Rice of the 51st - Committee Action: Do Pass
HB 218 - Georgia Ports Authority; employees; power of arrest; peace officers; require
- BILL SUMMARY: A bill related to the Georgia Ports Authority. This bill intends on changing certain provisions for the application of traffic laws and enforcement by security guards employed with the Georgia Ports Authority. It will change the designation of security guard to peace officer. This will require that those employees of the authority who are authorized to exercise the powers of arrest shall be certified peace officers subject to the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council. - Authored By: Rep. Burke Day of the 163rd - Committee Action: Do Pass
State Institutions & Property
HR 369 - Baldwin, Charlton, Chatham, Coffee, and Columbia counties; convey property; authorize
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution authorizes the conveyance of certain state owned real property located in the following Counties in Georgia: Baldwin, Charlton, Chatham, Coffee, Columbia, Forsyth, Fulton, Hall, McDuffie, Pulaski, Stephens, Tattnall, Treutlen, Troup, Wayne, and Whitfield. - Authored By: Rep. Terry Barnard of the 166th - Committee Action: Do Pass
HR 370 - Bibb, Cobb, Dougherty, Mitchell and Troup Counties; lease property; authorize
- BILL SUMMARY: A resolution authorizing the leasing of certain state owned real property in Bibb County Cobb County, Dougherty County, Mitchell County, and Troup County, Georgia. - Authored By: Rep. Terry Barnard of the 166th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Transportation
HB 426 - Railroad grade crossings; active warning devices; define; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: Code section 32-6-200 relating to the installation of protective devices at railroad grade crossings is amended by inserting at the end thereof a new subsection (d). This subsection says that each local school district in the state shall survey its established school bus routes annually and submit to the Department of Transportation a list identifying each rail crossing that does not have active warning devices. This information shall be submitted no later than September 1. Each local school district shall exercise best efforts to minimize the number of established bus routes that rail crossings do not have active warning devices. The department shall use the information as an important factor in selecting which rail crossings to upgrade with the warning devices. - Authored By: Rep. Sheila Jones of the 44th - Committee Action: Do Pass
HB 536 - Vehicles and loads; fines for excess weight; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: Article 2 of Chapter 6 of Title 32 of the OCGA is amended in Code Section 32-6-26, relating to weight of vehicle and load, by revising subsection (g). Weight limitations provided in this subsection may be exceeded on any public road of this state that is not an interstate highway, or when making a pickup or delivery on any public road of a county road system, without a permit only when the load on any single axle does not exceed 23,000 pounds, the load on any tandem axle does not exceed 46,000, and the maximum total gross weight of the vehicle and load does not exceed 80,000 pounds when: 1. hauling forest products from the forest to the first point of marketing or processing; hauling live poultry or cotton from farm to processing plant; hauling feed from feed mill to

farm; hauling granite, or any other naturally occurring raw ore or mineral for further processing; hauling solid wasted or recovered materials from points of generation to a solid waste handling facility; or hauling concrete that is in a freshly mixed and unhardened state for delivery to a customer in the same or adjoining county. No lift axle may be used in the computing of the total gross weight authorized for any vehicle or load under this paragraph. Any vehicle hauling the above items or agricultural or farm product from a farm to the first point of marketing or processing shall be permitted a 5% variance from the weight limitations in the above paragraph within a 100 mile radius of the farm or point of origin. Any violators will be fined on the basis of the weight limitations of paragraph (1) of the code section, including the variance granted. Any vehicle carrying a load permitted in this subsection at night shall have lights that are clearly visible for a distance of not less than 300 feet from the rear of the vehicle. The article is further amended in Code Section 32-6-27 relating to the enforcement of load limitations by revising paragraph (1) of subsection (a) to include applicable variances to the fines for excess weight over limitations set forth by Georgia law. - Authored By: Rep. Johnny Floyd of the 147th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
HB 610 - Outdoor advertising signs; highways; certain height limitations; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: No Summary Available - Authored By: Rep. Vance Smith of the 129th - Committee Action: Do Pass
HR 195 - Hospitality Highway; dedicate GA 400
- BILL SUMMARY: Resolution designating the GA 400 corridor as the Hospitality Highway. - Authored By: Rep. Amos Amerson of the 9th - Committee Action: Do Pass
HR 201 - Georgia's High Tech Corridor; certain portion; remove designation
- BILL SUMMARY: Removes the designation of a portion of Georgia's High Tech Corridor and amends Part II of a Resolution Act approved May 16, 2002. The portion of Highway 341 from the corporate limits of the City of Perry to the corporate limits of the City of Brunswick shall no longer be designated as Georgia's High Tech Corridor. The portion of US Highway 441 from the corporate limits of the City of Dublin to the point at which it connects with US Highway 341 is designated as Georgia's High Tech Corridor. - Authored By: Rep. Roger Lane of the 167th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
HR 321 - Edward Sidney "Dick" Chambers Memorial Highway; dedicate
- BILL SUMMARY: Resolution dedicating the portion of SR 37 within the city limits of Funston, Georgia in Colquitt County as the Edward Sidney "Dick" Chambers Memorial Highway. - Authored By: Rep. Richard A Royal of the 171st - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
* Bills passing committees are reported to the Clerk's Office, and are then placed on the General Calendar.
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COMMITTEE BROADCAST SCHEDULE

8:00 AM 9:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM -

Thursday, March 01, 2007 NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Ways and Means Ad Valorem Tax Subcommittee Meeting HOUSE RULES

606 CLOB- CANCELED 506 CLOB 133 CAP 341 CAP

10:00 AM 9:30 AM 10:00 AM 12:30 PM 2:00 PM 1:00 PM 2:30 PM 1:30 PM 5:00 PM 1:30 PM 2:00 PM 2:00 PM 4:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM 3:00 PM 5:00 PM 4:00 PM 5:00 PM

State Highways Subcommittee of Transportation Subcommittee on Academic Support WAYS AND MEANS Appropriations Special Projects Subcommittee General Subcommittee of Governmental Affairs EDUCATION HIGHER EDUCATION GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS JUDICIARY CIVIL HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL REGULATED INDUSTRIES

403 CAP 406 CLOB 506 CLOB (or upon adjournment) 403 CAP 415 CLOB 406 CLOB 606 CLOB- CANCELED 415 CLOB 132 CAP 606 CLOB 506 CLOB 515 CLOB

* This schedule is accurate at the time of this report, but meeting dates and times are subject to change. To view the most up to date meeting schedule, please visit http://www.legis.ga.gov and click on Meeting Notices. To view the live streaming video of the meeting, please visit the Georgia Legislative Network website.
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CONTACT: BRENT CRANFIELD
(404) 656-0305 Brent.Cranfield@house.ga.gov