DAILY REPORT Thursday
March 28, 2024
House Budget & Research Office (404) 656-5050
Today on the Floor

40th Legislative
Day

Conference Committee Reports
HB 916 General appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025
Bill Summary: HB 916, the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, is set by a revenue estimate of $36.1 billion, an increase of $3.6 billion or 11.3 percent over the FY 2024 original budget. The bill and tracking sheet may be found on the House Budget and Research Office website.

Authored By: Rep. Jon Burns (159th)

Rule Applied:

Conference Committee Reports: The House adopted the Conference Committee Report with a vote of 175-1.

The Senate has adopted the Conference Committee Report.

(Adoption of the conference committee report represents final passage of the bill.)

Motions to Insist
HB 126 Appeal and error; judgments deemed directly appealable; change a provision
Bill Summary: Section 1-1 of HB 126 defines the term "final judgment" to include cases in which some counts are ordered "dead docketed", so that the case will not remain pending and unable to be appealed. This is a response to the Supreme Court of Georgia's decision in Seals v. Georgia (2021).
Section 1-2 provides the statutory authority for the applicable appellate courts to hear direct appeals from guilty pleas on appeal.
Section 1-3 allows a defendant who missed the deadline for filing a motion for a new trial or notice of appeal, but is still within 100 days of that deadline, to file an out-of-time motion for that new trial or notice of appeal, if they can meet certain requirements.
The requirements are: 1) The defendant must file an initial motion that would later allow for the outof-time motion, if approved; 2) The defendant must show the court one of the following rationales for missing the deadline: A) has the consent of the state, B) can show excusable neglect, C) can show that failure to timely file the motion for new trial or notice of appeal was due to the deficient performance of their counsel, or D) can show other good cause; and 3) If the judge grants the initial motion, then the defendant has 30 days to file the out-of-time motion for new trial or notice of appeal with that judge. The judge has discretion to allow for extensions of time on this motion.
Further, those who had their original out-of-time appeal dismissed due to the Supreme Court of Georgia's decision in Cook v. State (2022), or a case following its precedent, for leave to file another motion until June 30, 2025. An indigent defendant is entitled to representation for both the original motion and, if approved, the subsequent out-of-time motion for new trial or notice of appeal.
Section 2-1 clarifies that when a defendant substantially amends their motion for a new trial, then the prosecution will be given 10 days to respond and present evidence, although the court has discretion to provide a longer amount of time.
Section 3-1 allows a person to withdraw their guilty plea, that results in a conviction, after the term of the court ends so long as it is still within 30 days of the entry of the judgment, to address caselaw that

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 28, 2024

Today on the Floor

said the defendant lacked jurisdiction to allow the defendant to withdraw their guilty plea when the term of court in which that defendant was sentenced expired.

Authored By: Rep. Tyler Smith (18th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Insist: (A motion to insist sends the bill back to the Senate for consideration.)

Motions to Recede
HR 1022 Local government; option to offer a state-wide homestead exemption from ad valorem taxes when current year assessed value exceeds the inflation rate; provide - CA
Bill Summary: HR 1022 amends the Constitution to allow the General Assembly to provide statewide homestead exemption that is uniformly applicable to all counties and other local governmental entities by general law.

Authored By: Rep. Beth Camp (135th)

Rule Applied: Structured

Motions to Recede: (A motion to recede represents final passage of the bill.)

Motions to Agree
HB 82 Income tax; limit eligibility for rural physician tax credit to physicians who qualify on or before December 31, 2023
Bill Summary: HB 82 amends O.C.G.A. 48-7-29, relating to tax credits for rural physicians, limiting eligibility for the current tax credit to rural physicians who qualify on or before May 15, 2023 and repealing the credit on December 31, 2029.

The bill subsequently creates a tax credit of up to $5,000 for rural healthcare professionals, defined as physicians and dentists operating in a rural county. The tax credit may be claimed for up to five years, provided that the healthcare professional continues operating in a rural county. No healthcare professional practicing in a rural county on or before May 15, 2023 is eligible for the tax credit unless they have practiced in a non-rural county for at least three years. If a healthcare professional qualifies for less than the full 12 months in their first year, they will receive a prorated amount of the credit. The tax credit for this program shall not exceed $2 million for any calendar year.

Authored By: Rep. Mack Jackson (128th)

Rule Applied: Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 181

Controlled Substances; mitragynine and hydroxymitragynine are Schedule I; provide
Bill Summary: HB 181 adds metabolite 7-hydroxymtaboliteitragynine to the definition of "kratom" and defines a "kratom product" as any product containing any part of the leaf of the mitragyna plant. The bill makes it a crime to knowingly sell or transfer any kratom product or kratom extract to a person under the age of 21.

It is also unlawful for any person under the age of 21 to purchase or possess any kratom product or kratom extract. The bill bans: 1) ingestion of kratom in a manner that employs a heating element or other chemical, electronic, or mechanical means; or 2) selling, delivering, or assisting in the delivery of kratom that employs a heating element.

All kratom that is sold must be behind the counter or in a secured display in a store. A violation of these provisions carries a misdemeanor penalty. A first offense is punishable by a maximum fine of $250, while a second offense is punishable by a maximum fine of $500 and a third or subsequent is punishable by a fine of $1,000.

The bill requires all kratom products to be derived from the natural kratom plant. Any plants manufactured or processed cannot be modified to increase the levels of mitragynine and 7hydroxymitragynine beyond the following limits: 150 mg of mitragynine per serving; 0.5 7hydroxymitragynine per gram; or 1 mg 7-hydroxymitragynine per serving. No product can be sold or delivered in this state above those thresholds.

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A kratom processor cannot sell or distribute a kratom product that is adulterated or contains certain compounds or substances within it. An entity that manufactures, distributes, sells, or delivers kratom must maintain a registered agent in the state. All kratom products must also contain a warning statement on the label.

A processor who knowingly or with criminal negligence commits an act in violation of O.C.G.A. 1613-122 will be guilty of a high and aggravated misdemeanor as a first offense and a felony on a second or subsequent offense, with a penalty of imprisonment between one to 15 years; a maximum fine of $100,000; or both.

A processor who negligently commits an act in violation of O.C.G.A. 16-13-122 will be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a maximum fine of $1,000. A retailer who knowingly or with criminal negligence commits an act in violation of the Code section will be guilty of a high and aggravated misdemeanor for a first offense and a second offense will be a felony with imprisonment of between one and 15 years, a maximum fine of $100,000, or both.

A retailer who negligently commits a violation will be subject to a misdemeanor involving a maximum fine of $250, and a second offense will be subject to a $500 fine. A third offense is punished by a maximum fine of $1,000, with a subsequent offense after the third punished by imprisonment of between 10 days and 12 months and a fine of between $1,000 and $5,000. This bill is effective January 1, 2025.

Authored By: Rep. Rick Townsend (179th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 206

Local government; creation of Commercial Property Assessed Conservation, Energy, and Resiliency Development Authorities; provide
Bill Summary: HB 206 creates the 'Commercial Property Assessed Conservation, Energy, and Resiliency Cooperation Law'. The bill provides specified powers to development authorities related to financing for certain conservation, energy, or efficiency-related improvements.

Authored By: Rep. Steven Sainz (180th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 220

Property; means of enforcement of condominium and property owners' association instruments, rules, and regulations; provide
Bill Summary: HB 220 permits condominium associations to pursue injunctive relief without first pursuing other remedies after providing notice in accordance with terms of the instrument or 10 days' written notice if the instrument is silent. Notice will not be required in the event of a violation of the instrument or reasonable rules adopted by the association that presents a clear and imminent danger, or when injunctive relief would become moot if not granted before expiration of a notice period. Property owners in a planned subdivision containing no fewer than 15 individual plots will comply with all lawful provisions of covenants. Lack of compliance will be grounds for recovery of sums due, damages, injunctive relief, or any other remedy available at law or in equity.

Authored By: Rep. Rob Leverett (123rd)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 279 Insurance; discount for property owners who build a new property that better resists tornado, hurricane, or other catastrophic windstorm events; provide
Bill Summary: HB 279 provides an insurance premium discount or reduction for a home or commercial property built to fortified standards to better resist catastrophic wind events.

Authored By: Rep. Matthew Gambill (15th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

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HB 300 Solar Technology Trust Fund; fund within state treasury; establish
Bill Summary: HB 300 requires solar power facility agreements to provide procedures for the decommissioning of a solar power facility.

Authored By: Rep. Trey Kelley (16th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 409 Local government; authorize local authorities to dispose of real property in the same manner as county governing authorities
Bill Summary: HB 409 authorizes specified local authorities that operate public water or sewer systems to dispose of or grant easements in specified instances.

Authored By: Rep. Lauren Daniel (117th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 451

Public officers and employees; supplemental, illness-specific insurance for certain first responders with occupational post-traumatic stress disorder; require provision
Bill Summary: HB 451 requires a public entity to provide supplemental, illness-specific insurance to certain first responders diagnosed with occupational post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Coverage will be available once per one's lifetime, and include a $3,000 cash benefit and an income replacement disability benefit provided 90 days after diagnosis if needed.

Authored By: Rep. Devan Seabaugh (34th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 461

Revenue and taxation; proceeds to local government regulatory fees be used to pay for regulatory activity and not general operations; require
Bill Summary: HB 461 amends O.C.G.A. 48-13-9, relating to the imposition of regulatory fees by local governments, to require the proceeds of regulatory fees collected by a local government to be used for the related regulatory activity and not the general operations of the local government.

HB 461 eliminates the ability for a local government to impose a fee for construction projects classified as renovation based on the cost of the project and instead requires the use of square feet for the calculation of a fee for an "extensive renovation project", which is defined as a project valued at $75,000 or more to renovate an existing structure.

Authored By: Rep. Brad Thomas (21st)

Rule Applied: Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 499

Domestic relations; authorize child support and insurance policies for certain disabled children; provisions
Bill Summary: HB 499 provides a court the discretion to require either one spouse, or both spouses, to pay child support for a disabled child who has become an adult but lacks the ability to take care of themselves independently. The spouses can be in a divorce proceeding, living separately, or in a state of separation. A "disabled child" is defined to be an individual who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities and that meets a disability under state or federal law.

The bill allows for modification of the award for child support if there has been a substantial change in the child's or parent's ability to provide support for themselves. The court can direct one or both parents to maintain life insurance for the benefit of a disabled child who has become an adult but lacks the ability to take care of themselves independently.

Authored By: Rep. Bill Hitchens (161st)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

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HB 581

Audits and Accounts, Department of; revise deadlines, selection criteria, and required contents for certain annual economic analyses
Bill Summary: HB 581 amends O.C.G.A. 48-5-2, relating to ad valorem taxation, to add a definition for "estimated roll-back rate" to mean the current year's estimated millage rate minus the millage equivalent of the total net assessed value added by reassessments. Language is also struck that required using the most recent arm's length transaction amount in any year as the maximum allowable fair market value for the next taxable year.

The bill sets additional requirements for the ad valorem tax bill that is prepared annually by the county tax commissioner or collector to include the total amount of taxes levied on property owned by the taxpayer, the amount or property tax granted by Act of the 1973 Session of Georgia's General Assembly, and net amount of taxes due for the current year.

HB 581 amends O.C.G.A. 48-5-264, relating to duties of the chief appraiser, to require county chief appraisers to reappraise land parcels in their county every three years.

The bill amends O.C.G.A. 48-5-299, relating to changing real property values established by appeal, to change the length the value of real property is frozen following appeal from three total years to two total years, including the year the value of real property is challenged.

The bill amends O.C.G.A. 48-5-306, relating to annual notices of current assessment, to require notices to include the current year's estimated roll-back rate.

HB 581 amends O.C.G.A. 48-8-6, relating to limitations on local sales and use taxes, by eliminating the current limit of two percent on local sales tax, as well as exceptions that allow local government entities to go beyond the limit.

The bill provides for local sales tax to be levied up to two percent, with the following exceptions: an additional one percent each for an education-related special purpose local option sales tax, a transportation-related sales and use tax of up to one percent, and sales and use taxes allowed under Article 4 of Chapter 8 of Title 48, relating to the municipal option sales tax.

The bill creates a new local option sales tax to be titled a "flexible penny local option sales tax", or FLOST. Following an intergovernmental agreement and voter approval via a referendum, a one percent sales tax can be collected for the purpose of providing property tax relief, provided that all participating counties or municipalities have adopted an adjusted value homestead exemption.

The bill requires the commissioner of the Department of Revenue to not certify the tax digest of a political subdivision not in compliance with specified uses of taxes levied in this Code section.

Authored By: Rep. Shaw Blackmon (146th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

HB 825

Judicial Retirement System; require certain counties to supplement retirement benefits paid to the circuit's superior court judges and district attorneys; require
Bill Summary: HB 825 requires certain judicial circuits to pay a supplemental benefit to district attorneys who retire from the circuit. Any judicial circuit subject to these provisions must pay a supplemental benefit calculated by multiplying the benefit percentage the district attorney earned at retirement from the Judicial Retirement System of Georgia, together with the aggregate county salary supplement being paid to the active district attorney at the date they begin receiving retirement benefits or the supplement paid to the retiring district attorney on their last day of service, whichever is greater.

The bill allows certain state court judges of Fulton County to participate in a county's defined contribution plan in addition to the Georgia Judicial Retirement System. Currently, certain state court judges of Fulton County are prohibited from participating in other retirement systems. The bill is certified by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts as a non-fiscal retirement bill.

The bill is certified by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts as a fiscal retirement bill. The

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actuarial investigation determined there is no cost to this legislation.

Authored By: Rep. Barry Fleming (125th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 926 Second Chance Workforce Act; enact
Bill Summary: HB 926 adds the term "healthcare worker" and "emergency health worker" to the list of crimes included within the definition of "class B designated felony act" in the Juvenile Code.

The bill also allows a traffic court judge to reinstate an accused person's license when it was suspended because of a failure to appear, and they subsequently have scheduled a new date to appear before the court; have appeared in court for a hearing, arraignment, or waiver of arraignment and entry of plea; or when the charge has been fully adjudicated.

The bill strikes an exception to Class C drivers' licenses that provided for a combination of vehicles with a gross weight rating of 26,000 pounds or less that is controlled and operated by a farmer or used for agricultural purposes. Further, reports of incidents of family violence must now include the existence of any protective orders and the number and nature of prior complaints of family violence.

Authored By: Rep. Matt Reeves (99th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 974

Secretary of State; establish and maintain a state-wide system for the posting of scanned paper ballots; require
Bill Summary: HB 974 requires ballots to be printed on security paper that includes a visible watermark. The bill requires the secretary of state to maintain a state-wide program for the posting of digital images of election ballots. The bill requires a minimum scan resolution of 200 dots per inch (DPI) for scanned paper ballots and 600 DPI, or the highest resolution possible within the certified voting system, for scanned absentee ballots.

The bill sets the risk-limiting audit probability limit at a decreasing percentage beginning with eight percent in 2024 and concluding with a rate of five percent or less in 2028. The bill clarifies which contests, in addition to specified top of the ballot contests, must be selected for a risk-limiting audit and how they are selected.

HB 974 requires the secretary of state to create a pilot program for the auditing of paper ballot images using optical character recognition or related technology to verify the human-readable text portion of a ballot.

Authored By: Rep. John LaHood (175th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 994

Torts; negligent operations of a vessel; revise liability
Bill Summary: HB 994 will hold boat operators liable for injury or damage when negligence occurs on the part of the operator. A rented boat operator will be held liable for negligent operation. Boat livery owners will be required to carry insurance with coverage of at least $250,000 per person per occurrence and $500,000 per event.

Authored By: Rep. Alan Powell (33rd)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 1019 Revenue and taxation; statewide homestead exemption from certain ad valorem taxes; increase
Bill Summary: HB 1019 amends O.C.G.A. 48-5-44, relating to homestead exemptions, to increase the statewide homestead exemption from $2,000 to $4,000, provided the owner resides in the home as their primary residence.

Authored By:

Rep. Matt Reeves (99th)

Rule Applied:

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Structured

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Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

Today on the Floor

HB 1049 Insurance Business Transfer Act; enact
Bill Summary: HB 1049, also known as the 'Insurance Business Transfer Act', allows insurance companies to transfer lines of business to other parties. Required reviews will be conducted by the Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner and the Fulton County Superior Court.

Authored By: Rep. Bruce Williamson (112th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 1073 Local government; zoning; repeal additional hearing and notice provisions regarding halfway houses, drug rehabilitation centers, or other facilities for treatment of drug dependency
Bill Summary: HB 1073 repeals hearing and notice provisions relating to zoning decisions for halfway houses, drug rehabilitation centers, or drug dependency treatment centers.

Authored By: Rep. Dale Washburn (144th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 1105 The Georgia Criminal Alien Track and Report Act of 2024; enact Bill Summary: HB 1105 is the 'Georgia Criminal Alien Track and Report Act of 2024'.

The bill requires that Georgia law enforcement officials work in conjunction with federal immigration authorities and to send, receive, and maintain information relating to the immigration status of any individual as reasonably needed for public safety purposes. Any sheriff's office or law enforcement agency of a local governing body that acts in violation is subject to the withholding of state funding or state administered federal funding other than to provide services required in subsection (d) of 0.C.G.A. 50-36-1.

As a condition of funding, the Department of Community Affairs, the Department of Transportation, or any other state agency that provides funding to local governing bodies will require certification of compliance with requirements in Code Section 50-36-4 for submission of annual immigration compliance reports. Any funding withheld from a sheriff's office is remitted to the county.

The legislation provides standard procedures for booking of aliens and foreign nationals, and requires jailers to prepare quarterly reports outlining several categories of information for each jail jurisdiction. The bill provides that a first violation of the requirements in this Code section is a misdemeanor. Any second or subsequent violation is a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature.

Authored By: Rep. Jesse Petrea (166th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 1165 Criminal Justice Coordinating Council; replace chairperson of the Governor's Office of Children and Families with the commissioner of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
Bill Summary: HB 1165 replaces the chairperson of the Governor's Office for Children and Families with the commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities on the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.

Authored By: Rep. Mesha Mainor (56th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 1207 Elections; proofing of ballots by local superintendents in certain races; provide
Bill Summary: HB 1207 requires any person employed by a county election superintendent for election-related duties to be a United States citizen. It provides guidelines for reopening the candidate qualifying period in specified circumstances.

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The bill requires election superintendents to make a ballot proof available to any candidate appearing on the ballot in order for the candidate to verify the information within 24 hours. It allows election superintendents to take specified conditions into consideration when planning for the number of voting booths or enclosures to provide for each election.

HB 1207 provides access to poll watchers for specified voting locations and activities. The bill prohibits the use or threats of violence that would prevent or interfere with the ability of election officials or poll watchers to execute election duties.

Authored By: Rep. Tim Fleming (114th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 1231 Postsecondary education; allow academically successful students to use the full number of hours of HOPE scholarship eligibility
Bill Summary: HB 1231 allows students who are concurrently seeking a baccalaureate degree and a first professional degree, and students who meet achievement standards and commence a graduate program at an eligible institution within 18 months of earning a baccalaureate degree, to use the full number of hours of HOPE scholarship eligibility.

Authored By: Rep. Scott Holcomb (81st)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 1292 Property; clerks of superior courts obtain photographic identification cards of individuals who present deeds or other instruments for recording; require
Bill Summary: HB 1292 requires an individual presenting a deed or other interest in real property to produce a government-issued photographic identification card to a clerk of the superior court for recording. The clerk will make a photocopy of the card and document on the photocopy information relating to the specific deed or instrument. The photocopy and information will be treated as confidential and released only in response to a subpoena, to peace officers when investigating potential crimes, to an individual who holds a recorded interest in the real property in question, or to an individual named as a grantor or grantee on the instrument. This procedure is not applicable to a person licensed to practice law or to a licensed agent of a financial institution or credit union.

An owner of real property may bring an action against an individual who knowingly filed a false or forged deed or instrument. The owner can recover actual damages caused by the fraudulent filing or $5,000, whichever is greater, and reasonable attorney's fees.

Authored By: Rep. Gabe Okoye (102nd)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 1303 Special license plates; Shepherd Center; establish
Bill Summary: HB 1303 creates a specialty license plate honoring the Shepherd Center. Funds raised through the sale of this license plate shall be disbursed to the Shepherd Center, Inc. The bill further creates a special license plate supporting the promotion of the United States Constitution. Funds raised through the sale of this license plate shall be disbursed to the Foundation for Moral Law, Inc. A third special license plate is created honoring the Okefenokee Swamp with the funds raised by its sale disbursed to the Okefenokee Swamp Park. A fourth special license plate is created honoring Samford University alumni with the funds raised by its sale disbursed to the Samford University Alumni Association. The final special license plate created honors Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Funds raised through the sale of this license plate will be disbursed to the Delta Life Development Center.

Authored By: Rep. Patty Stinson (150th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Open

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HB 1407 Local government; establishing service delivery strategies; revise provisions
Bill Summary: HB 1407 provides guidelines and requirements for the development and implementation of local government service delivery strategies by counties and municipalities. The bill revises the mediation and arbitration processes related to service delivery strategy negotiations.

Authored By: Rep. John LaHood (175th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 1409 Torts; mental health care providers; limit liability under certain circumstances
Bill Summary: HB 1409 pertains to the legal liability of inpatient mental health providers in the delivery of care to individuals under the age of 21 and are in Department of Human Services.

Mental health care providers will not be held liable unless gross negligence. In such cases, the jury will be instructed to consider the patient's medical history, previous provider-patient relationships, and circumstances surrounding delivery and provision of services.

Authored By: Rep. Rob Leverett (123rd)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

HB 1450 Henry County Airport Authority; provide for ex-officio member Bill Summary: HB 1450 provides for an ex-officio member to the Henry County Airport Authority.

Authored By: Rep. El-Mahdi Holly (116th)

Rule Applied:

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 1504 Griffin-Spalding County Area Regional Airport Authority; create and establish Bill Summary: HB 1504 creates the Griffin-Spalding County Area Regional Airport Authority.

Authored By: Rep. Beth Camp (135th)

Rule Applied:

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HR 302

General Assembly; appropriation of funds received from certain legal judgments or settlements; provide - CA
Bill Summary: HR 302 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring all funds derived from any legal judgements or settlements awarded to or entered into by the state after January 1, 2025 to be appropriated by the General Assembly. Any excess, changed, or unanticipated federal funds in excess of $75 million received by the state will be continually appropriated by the General Assembly through a method or manner prescribed by general law or held in the state treasury to be appropriated by the General Assembly through supplementary appropriations.

Authored By: Rep. Beth Camp (135th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

HR 854 Keith Jackson Memorial Intersection "Whoa Nellie"; Carroll County; dedicate Bill Summary: 854 is the House road dedication package. The substitute to HR 854 includes 18 House dedications. The dedications included are:
HR 854, dedicating the intersection of U.S. Highway 27 and State Route 5 in Carroll County as the Keith Jackson Memorial Intersection "Whoa Nellie";
HR 919, dedicating the bridge on U.S. 82 East over the Little Ichawaynochaway Creek in Terrell County as the Charlie Curry Memorial Bridge;
HR 937, dedicating the portion of State Route 98 from Sunset Avenue to State Route 164 in Banks, Jackson, and Madison Counties as the Georgia Grown Trail:
HR 938, dedicating the interchange at Interstate 85 and Buena Vista Road Interchange in Muscogee County as the State Representative Maretta Mitchell Taylor Interchange;
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HR 939, dedicating the intersection of I-185 and Macon Road Interchange in Muscogee County as the State Representative Calvin Smyre Interchange;

HR 979, dedicating the bridge on State Route 260 over Interstate 20 in DeKalb County as the Reverend Dr. William E. Flippin, Sr. Bridge;

HR 996, dedicating the portion of State Route 30 from Mile Marker 7 to Mile Marker 8.7 in Crisp County, Georgia, as the Deputy Tyee Browne Memorial 1.7 Miles;

HR 1020, dedicating the interchange of Interstate 285 and Riverside Drive in Fulton County as the Representative Joe Wilkinson Interchange;

HR 1040, dedicating State Route 6 Business from U.S. Route 278 to Paris Road in Paulding County as the Sam Clark Memorial Highway;

HR 1067, dedicating State Route 282 from Old Highway 5 to Old Tails Creek Road in Gilmer County as the Mike Gibbs Memorial Highway;

HR 1084, dedicating the interchange of Interstate 20 and State Route 77 (Exit 138) in Greene County as the Clarence Lee "Mutt" Rhodes, Jr. Memorial Interchange;

HR 1109, dedicating the bridge on State Route 32 over Big Creek in Irwin County as the Neal "Waldo" McIntyre Jr. Memorial Bridge;

HR 1110, dedicating the bridge on State Route 32 over the Alapaha River in Irwin County as the Clyde Vernon Moore Memorial Bridge;

HR 1111, dedicating the portion of State Route 113 from Johnson Road to Langley Drive in Gwinnett County as the Percy Scott, Jr. Memorial Highway;

HR 1112, dedicating the interchange of State Route 316 and State Route 120 in Gwinnett County as the Stephen Day Memorial Interchange;

HR 1117, dedicating the intersection of State Route 13 and Thunder Road in Gwinnett County as the Logan Wade Memorial Intersection;

HR 1154, dedicating the portion of State Route 113 from Interstate 75 to U.S. Route 41 in Bartow County as the Gene Tilley Highway;

HR 1155, dedicating the intersection of U.S. Route 78 and Rose Avenue in Douglas County as the Scot Hudson Memorial Intersection;

SR 653, dedicating the intersection of U.S. 441/S.R. 23 and U.S. 76/S.R. 2 in Rabun County as the Courtney Faith Zajdowicz Memorial Intersection; and

SR 655, dedicating the bridge on State Route 52 over Town Branch River in Murray County as the Tim Howard Bridge.

Authored By: Rep. David Huddleston (72nd)

Rule Applied: Modified-Open

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HR 1042 Joint Study Committee on Judicial System Compensation; create
Bill Summary: HR 1042 creates the Joint Study Committee on Judicial System Compensation, which seeks to examine the current state of how public employees in the judicial system, such as state judges, county judges, prosecutors, and public defenders, are compensated and to discuss potential legislation on establishing a more uniform compensation system. The committee will consist of eight

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members: four senators and four representatives.

Authored By: Rep. Rob Leverett (123rd)

Rule Applied: Modified-Open

SB 37

Sheriffs; qualification requirements for the office of sheriff; revise
Bill Summary: SB 37 provides for a sheriff who serves in more than one court to receive salary for up to two courts, and that salary would not be increased by any state cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) or general performance-based increases.

The bill establishes the law enforcement unit within the Georgia Public Safety Training Center and charges the unit with preserving public order, protecting life and property, and preventing crime. This unit enforces laws on all properties controlled by the Georgia Public Safety Training Center and enforce state laws and protect life and property when ordered by the governor or requested by a sheriff or police chief in this state.

SB 37 authorizes jailers who have been certified by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and

Training Council as having successfully completed the course of training require by the Georgia

Peace Officer Standards and Training Act to arrest any person who is in violation of a criminal law

which occurs in the jail or within the perimeter of the guardlines of the jail. The jailer may also arrest

anyone who has a complaint or arrest warrant pending and surrenders themselves.

Authored By: Sen. Randy Robertson (29th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

SB 195 "Freedom to Work Act"; enact
Bill Summary: SB 195 requires that an expedited license by endorsement be issued by a board 30 days from the date of receipt of the application rather than 90 days.

Authored By: Sen. Larry Walker III (20th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

Motions to Disagree
HB 905 Zoning procedures; provisions authorizing administrative officers to exercise zoning powers; repeal
Bill Summary: HB 905 removes the authority for administrative officers and quasi-judicial officers to exercise zoning powers in specified circumstances. The bill removes the authority for quasijudicial boards or agencies to hear and render decisions on special administrative permits and conditional use permits.

Authored By: Rep. Matt Reeves (99th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Disagree: (A motion to disagree sends the bill back to the Senate for consideration.)

SB 469

"College Success 529 Expansion Act"; enact
Bill Summary: SB 469 revises the maximum account balance allowed related to contributions to savings trust accounts for higher education expenses. The bill increases the income tax deduction cap related to higher education savings trust account contributions.

Authored By: Sen. Jason Esteves (6th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Disagree: (A motion to disagree sends the bill back to the Senate for consideration.)

Rules Calendar
HR 473 House Study Committee on Safety and Consumer Protection in the Tree Care Industry; create
Bill Summary: HR 473 creates the House Study Committee on Safety and Consumer Protection in the Tree Care Industry to study the need for standards, regulations, and licensure for the tree care industry. The committee will be composed of five members of the House of Representatives that are
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appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, and will stand abolished December 1, 2024.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action:

Rep. Victor Anderson (10th) Agriculture & Consumer Affairs
Yeas: 169 Nays: 1 Adopted (Resolution)

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Open 02-09-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HR 1066 Iranian people; desire for a democratic, secular, and non-nuclear Republic of Iran; express support
Bill Summary: HR 1066 expresses support for the Iranian people's desire for a democratic, secular, and non-nuclear Republic of Iran, and recognizes the people of Iran that are defending their rights for freedom.

The resolution condemns state-sponsored terrorism by the Iranian government and the killing of Iranian protestors, as well as U.S. citizens. The resolution calls on U.S. government agencies to work with European allies to hold Iran accountable, and to prevent malign activities during the regime's diplomatic missions.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action:

Rep. Martin Momtahan (17th) Special Rules
Yeas: 164 Nays: 0 Adopted (Resolution)

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Open 02-27-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HR 1135 House Study Committee on Credit Card Fee on State Sales and Excise Tax and Their Impact on Georgia Merchants and Consumers; create
Bill Summary: HR 1135 creates the House Study Committee on Credit Card Fees on State Sales and Excise Tax and Their Impact on Georgia Merchants and Consumers. The committee shall be composed of ten members, all of which are appointed by the Speaker of the House: four members of the House of Representatives (one which shall serve as chairperson, one which is the chairperson of the House Banks and Banking Committee, and one which is the chairperson of the House Technology and Infrastructure Innovation Committee) and six non legislative members. The committee will stand abolished on December 1, 2024.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action:

Rep. Todd Jones (25th) Agriculture & Consumer Affairs
Yeas: 164 Nays: 3 Adopted (Resolution)

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Open 03-12-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HR 1166 House Study Committee on the Exchange, Storage, and Bond Coverage of Agricultural Products, Grain, and Livestock; create
Bill Summary: HR 1166 creates the House Study Committee on the Exchange, Storage, and Bond Coverage of Agricultural Products, Grain, and Livestock and shall be comprised of seven members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The committee will stand abolished on December 1, 2024.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action:

Rep. Steven Meeks (178th) Agriculture & Consumer Affairs
Yeas: 162 Nays: 0 Adopted (Resolution)

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Open 03-07-2024 Do Pass

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HR 1229 United States Department of Veterans Affairs; additional resources for elder care, nursing home access, and expanded disabled residential programs; urge; provide
Bill Summary: HR 1229 urges the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to address elder care, nursing home access, and residential programs for disabled veterans.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action:

Rep. Lynn Gladney (130th) Defense & Veterans Affairs
Yeas: 170 Nays: 0 Adopted (Resolution)

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-27-2024 Do Pass

HR 1283 House Study Committee on Safety and Consumer Protection of Nicotine Vapor Products; create
Bill Summary: HR 1283 creates a five-member study committee to review the conditions, needs, issues, and problems associated with the safety and consumer protection of nicotine vapor products. The bill authorizes five days for meetings, and the committee will stand abolished on December 1, 2024.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action:

Rep. Alan Powell (33rd) Regulated Industries
Yeas: 171 Nays: 0 Adopted (Resolution)

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Open 03-06-2024 Do Pass

HR 1360 House Study Committee on Alternatives to Opioids for Pain Management; create
Bill Summary: HR 1360 creates the House Study Committee on Alternatives to Opioids for Pain Management. This committee will be made up of 14 members, seven members of the House of Representatives, five non-legislative members, and two agency representatives. This committee will be abolished December 1, 2024.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action:

Rep. Katie Dempsey (13th) Health
Yeas: 170 Nays: 0 Adopted (Resolution)

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Open 03-18-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HR 1384 House Study Committee on Assessing the Semester and Quarter Systems at USG and TCSG Institutions; create
Bill Summary: HR 1384 creates the House Study Committee on Assessing the Semester and Quarter Systems at University System of Georgia (USG) and Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) Institutions.

The committee will be composed of five members of the House of Representatives, the USG chancellor, and the TCSG commissioner. The committee will stand abolished on December 1, 2024.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action:

Rep. Shaw Blackmon (146th) Higher Education
Yeas: 171 Nays: 0 Adopted (Resolution)

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Open 03-25-2024 Do Pass

HR 1432 House Disaster Mitigation and Resilience Study Committee; create
Bill Summary: HR 1432 creates the House Disaster Mitigation and Resilience Study Committee. The committee will be composed of four members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the speaker, including the chair of the Natural Resources and Environment Committee and the chair of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee. The committee will stand abolished on December 1, 2024.

Authored By: Rep. Clint Crowe (118th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Open

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House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action:

Daily Report for March 28, 2024

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Governmental Affairs
Yeas: 152 Nays: 16 Adopted (Resolution)

Committee Action: Amendments:

03-19-2024 Do Pass

HR 1435 Economic Development, Department of; support Vince Dooley Battlefield Preservation Fund; urge
Bill Summary: HR 1435 urges the State of Georgia and the Department of Economic Development to support the Vince Dooley Battlefield Preservation Fund as part of the Georgia US250 Committee's observance of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action:

Rep. Ron Stephens (164th) Economic Development & Tourism
Yeas: 170 Nays: 0 Adopted (Resolution)

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Open 03-25-2024 Do Pass

HR 1498 House Study Committee on Private Water Systems; create
Bill Summary: HR 1498 creates the House Study Committee on Private Water Systems. The committee will be comprised of eight members: one chairperson, four members appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, the chair of the House Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, the chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources and the Environment, and the chair of the Public Service Commission. This committee will stand abolished on December 1, 2024.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action:

Rep. Trey Rhodes (124th) Agriculture & Consumer Affairs
Yeas: 166 Nays: 0 Adopted (Resolution)

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Open 03-19-2024 Do Pass

HR 1554 House Study Committee on Navigable Streams and Related Matters; create
Bill Summary: HR 1554 creates the House Study Committee on Navigable Streams and Related Matters. The study committee will be composed of the following seven members: the chair of the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee; the majority whip of the House of Representatives; four members of the House of Representatives as appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives; and an attorney with experience in water rights and property rights as appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives. The study committee will stand abolished on December 1, 2024.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action:

Rep. Lynn Smith (70th) Natural Resources & Environment
Yeas: 167 Nays: 0 Adopted (Resolution)

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Open 03-21-2024 Do Pass

SB 12

"Protecting Victims and Dismantling Georgia Street Gangs Act"; enact Bill Summary: SB 12 revises various petitions to provide for additional licensees who can sign affidavits.
Section 2 modifies a petition for appointment of a guardian to allow a physician assistant, nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric or mental health, or a marriage and family counselor to sign an affidavit in support of the petition. If the proposed ward is a patient in a federal medical facility in which the licensed worker is not available, then a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric or mental health, marriage and family therapist, or professional counselor, who is authorized in that facility can sign the affidavit.
Section 3 revises who can be an evaluator for the appointment of guardians for adults to include a
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physician assistant, nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric or mental health, and marriage and family therapist or professional counselor. If the proposed ward is a patient in a federal medical facility in which the licensed worker is not available, then a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric or mental health, marriage and family therapist, or professional counselor, who is authorized in that facility can sign the affidavit, although it cannot be the same person that completed the affidavit attached to the petition pursuant to O.C.G.A. 29-4-10.
Section 4 modifies a petition for the appointment of an emergency guardian to allow a physician assistant, nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric or mental health, or a marriage and family counselor to sign an affidavit in support of the petition. If the proposed ward is a patient in a federal medical facility in which the licensed worker is not available, then a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric or mental health, marriage and family therapist, or professional counselor, who is authorized in that facility can sign the affidavit.
Section 5 revises who can be an evaluator, and who can sign an affidavit certifying that there is a need, for the appointment of an emergency guardian to include a physician assistant, nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric or mental health, and marriage and family therapist or professional counselor.
Section 6 modifies a petition for the modification of guardianship to allow a physician assistant, nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric or mental health, or a marriage and family counselor to sign an affidavit in support of the petition.
Section 7 modifies a petition for termination of guardianship to allow a physician assistant, nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric or mental health, or a marriage and family counselor to sign an affidavit in support of the petition.
Section 8 modifies a petition for appointment of an emergency guardian to allow a physician assistant, nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric or mental health, or a marriage and family counselor to sign an affidavit in support of the petition.
Section 9 modifies a petition for appointment of conservator to allow a physician assistant, nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric or mental health, or a marriage and family counselor to sign an affidavit in support of the petition. If the proposed ward is a patient in a federal medical facility in which the licensed worker is not available, then a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric or mental health, marriage and family therapist, or professional counselor, who is authorized in that facility can sign the affidavit.
Section 10 revises who can be an evaluator for the appointment of a conservator to include a physician assistant, nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric or mental health, and marriage and family therapist or professional counselor.
Section 11 modifies a petition for appointment of an emergency conservator to allow a physician assistant, nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric or mental health, or a marriage and family counselor to sign an affidavit in support of the petition. If the proposed ward is a patient in a federal medical facility in which the licensed worker is not available, then a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric or mental health, marriage and family therapist, or professional counselor, who is authorized in that facility can sign the affidavit.
Section 12 revises who can be an evaluator for the appointment of an emergency conservator to include a physician assistant, nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric or mental health, and marriage and family therapist or professional counselor. An emergency conservator will have only those powers and duties specifically enumerated in the letters of emergency conservatorship.
Section 13 relates to conservatorships and guardians and defines "gross settlement" as the present value of all amounts paid or to be paid in settlement of the claim, including: cash; medical expenses; expenses of litigation; attorney's fees; and any amounts allotted to a structured settlement or other similar financial arrangement.
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Section 14 modifies a petition for modification of a conservatorship to allow a physician assistant, nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric or mental health, or a marriage and family counselor to sign an affidavit in support of the petition.

Section 15 modifies a petition for termination of conservatorship to allow a physician assistant, nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric or mental health, or a marriage and family counselor to sign an affidavit in support of the petition.

Section 16 modifies who can sign an affidavit to appointment an emergency conservator for an appeal to include a physician assistant, nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric or mental health, and marriage and family therapist or professional counselor.

Section 17 modifies who can sign an affidavit for an evaluation, as provided in O.C.G.A. 29-5-110, to include a physician assistant, nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric or mental health, and marriage and family therapist or professional counselor.

Sections 18 through 20 authorize the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists and the Georgia Board of Nursing to establish a professional health program to provide for monitoring and rehabilitation of impaired healthcare professionals.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. John Albers (56th) Judiciary Non-Civil
Yeas: 168 Nays: 1

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-26-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 36

Pimping and Pandering; penalty provisions; increase
Bill Summary: SB 36 includes provisions related to pimping and pandering; detainment of people within Georgia by federal law enforcement officers; revisions to the crime of incest; computergenerated obscenity involving materials that appear to be of minors; and increased penalties for committing the crime of cruelty to children against a disabled minor.
Section 1-1 of SB 36 is known as the 'Colton-McNeill Act' and increases penalties for committing the crime of cruelty to children against a disabled minor. The first degree of the crime now carries a penalty of between 15 and 30 years, while the second degree of the crime now carries a penalty of between 10 and 30 years.
Section 2-1 makes the crimes of pimping and pandering a felony with a penalty of one to 10 years of imprisonment. A person who commits a second or subsequent offense of pimping, or who commits a second or subsequent offense of pandering, will be penalized by a felony, with imprisonment of one to 10 years, and a mandatory minimum of one year. The court can depart from either crimes' mandatory minimum if it deems in its discretion that the sentence is not in the interest of justice, although the court must state its findings on the record when doing so.
Section 2-2 adds a grandparent and step-grandchild relationship to O.C.G.A. 16-6-22(a)(4), which is a list of people whom it is prohibited to have sexual intercourse or sodomy with. Existing language applies to a grandparent and grandchild.
Section 2-3 adds the offense of computer-generated obscene material depicting a child. A person who knowingly distributes, solicits, or possesses with intent to distribute a visual depiction that is obscene, appears to be of a child, involves sexually explicit conduct, and was created through the use of artificial intelligence, will be subject to felony punishment of between one and 15 years and potential reporting requirements if the sentence is probated. This section applies to crimes committed on or after July 1, 2024.
Section 3-1 allows a federal law enforcement officer to detain an individual after a request by a state law enforcement officer with or without a warrant when the federal law enforcement officer is a fulltime employee, in good standing, and authorized to arrest others and carry a firearm. The request by
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the state law enforcement officer may be retracted at any time after which a federal officer would no longer be able to detain an individual.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Randy Robertson (29th) Judiciary Non-Civil
Yeas: 154 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-26-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 76

State Employees' Health Insurance Plan; state health benefit plans to cover insulin medication at a reduced rate; provide
Bill Summary: SB 76 limits the amount of cost sharing or co-pays allowed for a covered insulin medication under the state health benefit plan.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Nikki Merritt (9th) Health
Yeas: 155 Nays: 3

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-12-2024 Do Pass

SB 105

Public School Employees Retirement System; the minimum and maximum allowable benefit multiplier for current and future retirees; revise
Bill Summary: SB 105 increases the benefit multiplier for Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS) members from $16.50 to a minimum of $17.00 per month for each year of creditable service. This bill also removes the benefit multiplier for members, including those members who retired after August 1, 2012.

The bill has been certified by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts as a fiscal retirement bill. The actuarial investigation estimates the annual employer contribution rate will increase from $983.94 to $1,160.67 per active member, for a total state cost of $5,625,000.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Larry Walker III (20th) Retirement
Yeas: 163 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-19-2024 Do Pass

SB 138

Office of Sheriff; procedure for filling vacancies; revise
Bill Summary: SB 138 updates the salary schedule for the office of coroner and provides compensation guidelines for deputy coroners. The bill establishes certain conditions under which the coroner and deputy coroner would receive additional employment benefits from the county governing authority.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Rick Williams (25th)

Rule Applied:

Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee Action:

Yeas: 169 Nays: 1

Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-26-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 157

Professions and Businesses; preclearance process in the licensing of individuals with criminal records who make an application to or are investigated by certain licensing boards and commissions; create
Bill Summary: SB 157 provides for changes to existing licensing requirements for applicants to specified licensing boards, specifically pertaining to use of criminal history records, and also with records restrictions and petitions for the sealing of records.

Section 1-1 of SB 157 adds a definition of "covered misdemeanor" as a misdemeanor conviction in the last five years prior to the application and an offense listed in O.C.G.A. 35-3-37(j)(4)(B), which provides for family violence offenses, offenses against children, sexual offenses, and serious traffic offenses. The section also defines "conviction" and "felony".

Section 1-2 replaces the "crime of moral turpitude" standard and requires the professional licensing

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board to bear the burden of denying an applicant for a license due to their criminal record by the standard of "substantially more likely than not". An applicant is also entitled to a hearing before the professional licensing board per the 'Georgia Administrative Procedure Act'.
Section 1-3 makes a denial of a request for reinstatement of a revoked license and the refusal to issue a previously denied license a contested case under the 'Georgia Administrative Procedure Act'.
Section 1-4 permits license denial only if a direct relationship is found between a criminal record and the licensed occupation, and the applicant's licensure would pose a direct and substantial risk to public safety because they have not been rehabilitated to safely perform the licensed duties and responsibilities. This section clarifies what rehabilitation evidence will be considered and the disclosure of criminal records to those that are serious, recent, and relevant convictions that have not been expunged or pardoned. A list of specific crimes must always be disclosed, while others must be excluded.
Requirements related to character standards are modified to require individualized consideration of applicants, and boards are required to provide a procedure, including written findings that it uses to justify a license denial due to a criminal record. Further, the section requires boards to allow an applicant domiciled in the state for at least five years to apply for a predetermination procedure to determine whether their criminal history record will lead to a denial in the future.
Boards are also required to post public information on their websites and application about the criminal record consideration, including the legal standard, disclosure rules, predetermination process, and appeal. By March 31st of each year, the occupational licensing board will be required to file with the Office of the Secretary of State an annual report containing required information on licensing and criminal records, including the racial and ethnic distribution of applicants who were denied.
Section 1-5 changes a referenced definition for the term "felony".
Section 1-6 and 1-7 change references to be consistent with the new definitions, and they restrict records when there has been a conviction that has been restricted, sealed, annulled, dismissed, vacated, or pardoned. A plea in which someone is still fulfilling requirements as a first offender will still be visible to the Georgia Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors Board when making determinations. These sections add requirements for when the board can consider convictions in its determination, and provides for a predetermination procedure to determine whether a petitioner's conviction would disqualify them from obtaining a relevant license prior to applying for the license.
Parts II, III, IV, and VI replace the "crime of moral turpitude" standard, require the review of an applicant's criminal history to be directly related to the profession, require a denial on criminal history records grounds to be due to a substantial risk to public safety standards, and regulate disclosure of criminal records to serious, recent, and relevant convictions, for the following boards: Georgia State Board of Accountancy, Georgia Board of Dentistry, Georgia Composite Medical Board, Georgia Real Estate Commission and Appraisers Board, Structural Pest Control Commission, Professional Standards Commission, and Georgia Board of Pharmacy. Only some of the provisions are applied to requirements of the insurance commissioner due to conflicts with federal law.
Part V applies to long-term care facilities and modifies the definition of "criminal record" to exclude certain parties who received a general pardon from the State Board of Pardons and Paroles for their convictions, starting from the date of their conviction or adjudication rather than the completion of their sentence.
Part VII allows a person who plead guilty as a first offender and successfully completed the terms to be certified and employed as a firefighter, at the council's discretion, upon meeting the requisite qualifications.
Parts VIII and IX revise O.C.G.A. 35-3-37 to make those who commit the crime of theft eligible for a record restriction. The bill removes the limitation that only two misdemeanor convictions, or a series of misdemeanors arising from one incident, could be requested to be restricted through a petition. It
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increases eligibility for who can petition the court to seal records to those who have had records restricted pursuant to O.C.G.A. 17-10-21 (vacating of sentence for trafficking victim defendants), and an individual cited for a criminal offense that later had the charge dismissed, nolle prossed, or reduced to a violation of a local ordinance.

The court is required to order all records held by the clerk to be restricted and unavailable to the public if the record has been restricted through a pardon by the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

The bill allows restricted information to always be available to criminal justice agencies for law enforcement or criminal investigative purposes. It removes the requirement that the prosecutor must agree with a petition to the court for a retroactive grant of first offender status.

The bill does not allow a court to provide retroactive first offender status for a conviction that was used as the underlying conviction pursuant to 16-11-131 (possession of firearms by convicted felons and first offender probationers) or if the conviction was used to enhance a sentence pursuant to 1710-7 (punishment of repeat offenders).

Part X allows for occupational therapists to perform dry needling, with applicable requirements. A patient will need to sign an informed consent before an occupational therapist is authorized to perform dry needling on a patient.

Part XI makes Parts VIII through X of the bill effective on January 1, 2024. Parts I through VII are

effective on January 1, 2025 and apply to all applications for licensure submitted on or after that date.

Authored By: Sen. Brian Strickland (17th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

House Committee:

Judiciary Non-Civil

Committee Action:

03-18-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 149 Nays: 16

Amendments:

SB 189

Elections; text portions of ballots shall be counted for vote tabulation and recounts purposes; provide
Bill Summary: SB 189 allows counties, in certain instances, to utilize physical ballots for specified types of elections. The bill requires the official tabulation count of ballots to rely solely on the text portion or machine mark of a ballot rather than any QR code, bar code, or other machine coding.

The bill requires all verified and accepted absentee ballots, and all ballots cast during advance voting, to be tabulated, with the results reported no later than 8:00 p.m. or within one hour of polls closing, whichever is later, on election day.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Max Burns (23rd) Governmental Affairs
Yeas: 101 Nays: 73

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-20-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 198

Georgians with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Innovation Commission; create
Bill Summary: SB 198 requires pharmacy benefits managers in contract with the state health benefit plan to reimburse independent pharmacies at a minimum of the average reimbursement for retail chain pharmacies for the same drug on the same day. Pharmacy benefit managers are also required to provide annual compliance certification to the Department of Community Health and make records available to the department upon written demand.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Sally Harrell (40th) Public Health
Yeas: 165 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-20-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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SB 203 "Trucking Opportunity Act of 2023"; enact
Bill Summary: SB 203 requires that industry services training programs relating to operation of commercial motor vehicles be tuition free, for which honorably discharged veterans will be eligible.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Jason Anavitarte (31st) Defense & Veterans Affairs
Yeas: 168 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-25-2024 Do Pass

SB 237 Georgia Student Finance Authority; student loan repayment for peace officers; provide
Bill Summary: SB 237 provides College Completion Grant eligibility to students who have completed seventy percent of a four-year program or 45 percent of a two-year program.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Bo Hatchett (50th) Higher Education
Yeas: 169 Nays: 1

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-26-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 347

Tallapoosa Judicial Circuit; additional judge of the superior courts; provide
Bill Summary: SB 347 increases the number of superior court judges in the Douglas Judicial Circuit from three to four. The fourth judge will be appointed for a term beginning July 1, 2024, continuing through December 31, 2026. Their successor will be elected at the nonpartisan judicial election in 2026.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Jason Anavitarte (31st) Judiciary
Yeas: 166 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-26-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 349 Ad Valorem Taxation of Property; setting of millage rates; revise provisions
Bill Summary: SB 349 amends O.C.G.A. 48-7-40.26, relating to income tax credits for film, gaming, video, or digital productions, to make changes to the program's structure as follows:
The bill amends the definition of "base investment" as funds invested and expended by a production company on expenses incurred in the state, and directly used in a single state certified production.
SB 349 establishes an aggregate base investment of $5 million for all state certified productions for a production company to qualify for the credit, in addition to the existing base investment requirement of $500,000 for a single production. The bill changes requirements for an additional 10 percent credit to require a production to meet for four of the following criteria: at least 50 percent of a production's crew are Georgia residents; at least 50 percent of a production's vendors are Georgia vendors; the production incurs at least $30 million of production expenditures in Georgia; at least 50 percent of photography days occur in underutilized counties; at least 50 percent of studio principal photography days occur in Georgia studio facilities, and the production company makes capital improvements to Georgia studio facilities approved by the Department of Economic Development or enters into a long-term lease with a Georgia studio facility with at least 100,000 square feet of production space; the production company agrees to contract with Georgia vendors for 20 percent of postproduction expenditures or contracts with Georgia vendors for 20 percent of visual effects expenditures; the production company participates in a Georgia workforce development program such as a Georgia Film Academy program; the production includes a qualified Georgia promotion or approves alternative marketing opportunities with the Department of Economic Development; or the company contracts for the recording of at least one song or track in Georgia to be included in a certified productions music score or soundtrack, licenses music from a Georgia resident or company, or contracts with one or more Georgia residents for the composition or performance of music.
Conditions for which a credit may be transferred or sold are amended, including setting a maximum amount for transfers or sales to be limited annually to 2.5 percent of the governor's revenue estimate for the related fiscal year; provided, however, that the limit does not apply during a calendar that
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follows a fiscal year in which the Revenue Shortfall Reserve is equal to at least 10 percent of the previous fiscal year's net revenue. If the annual limit is exceeded, the commissioner of the Department of Revenue will allow any unused credit that may be transferred or sold to be utilized in the next calendar year.

The bill creates O.C.G.A. 48-7-40.37 to separate existing language related to the interactive entertainment industry, previously contained in Code sections related to film, gaming, video, or digital production, into a separate Code section.

SB 349 amends O.C.G.A. 33-1-18 and O.C.G.A. 48-7-29.6, relating to tax credits for qualified lowincome buildings, to revise the limit of the credit to 80 percent of the federal housing tax credit unless the related project is a targeted community project, in which the credit can equal 100 percent of the federal housing tax credit.

A "targeted community project" is defined as an affordable housing project that is at least one of the following: located in a rural area; reserves or prioritizes a majority of units for seniors or first responders; gives preference to persons with disabilities, veterans, or first responders; provides access to high frequency transportation; is a primarily rehabilitation or renovation project; or is owned by a housing authority.

The bill creates the Special Commission on Data Center Energy Planning, to be composed of 14 members. The commission will review existing electric grid and energy supply, and make recommendations for data center location and expanded grid capacity. The special commission shall stand repealed on June 30, 2026.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (52nd) Ways & Means
Yeas: 170 Nays: 1

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Structured 03-14-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 351 "Protecting Georgia's Children on Social Media Act of 2024"; enact
Bill Summary: SB 351 creates the 'Protecting Georgia's Children on Social Media Act of 2024' in Part I Section 1-1.
Part II Section 2-1 adds to the character education program relating to bullying a new requirement to teach "responsible digital citizenship and the safe and appropriate use of technology, the Internet, and social media" beginning in the 2025-2026 school year.
Section 2-2 requires the Department of Education to develop model programs regarding online safety for grades six through 12, and post on its website recommended curricula/instructional materials. The model programs should be re-evaluated periodically to reflect changes in Internet and social media use.
Section 2-3 revises O.C.G.A. 20-2-234 relating to Internet safety and requires local governing bodies to adopt an acceptable-use policy for Internet use by October 1, 2025. Schools should implement technology protection measures to block access to prohibited materials. The Department of Education will provide guidance and assistance to assist local schools and school systems to comply with these requirements. The State Board of Education will have the authority to withhold state funding if a local governing body fails to comply with this Code section.
Section 2-4 requires local governing bodies to adopt a social media policy by April 1, 2026. The Department of Education will assist in the creation of social media policies, and have the authority to withhold a portion of state funding if a local governing body fails to comply with this Code section or fails to enforce its social media policy.
Section 2-5 requires the Department of Education to include cyberbullying in its model policy regarding bullying by July 1, 2026. The department will post on its website resources for online and local in-person providers throughout the state available to families for students who have been found
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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 28, 2024

Today on the Floor

to be perpetrating bullying and those who have been targets of bullying.

Part III Section 3-1 requires providers of social media platforms to make commercially reasonable efforts to verify the age of account holders. Any person under the age of 16 will be treated as a minor by social media platforms, and the platform must obtain the express consent of such minor's parent or guardian for use of the platform. The attorney general has the exclusive authority to enforce Chapter 6 of Title 39.

Section 3-2 requires a commercial entity to use a reasonable age verification method before allowing access to a public website that contains a substantial portion of material that is harmful to minors. It holds that a commercial entity liable for damages and a fine of up to $10,000 per violation if it fails to perform reasonable age verification, namely that the individual is at least 18 years of age, of the individual attempting to access the material.

When performing a reasonable age verification, the commercial entity will not retain any identifying information after access to the material has been granted.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Jason Anavitarte (31st) Education
Yeas: 120 Nays: 45

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-18-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 494

'Georgia Hemp Farming Act'; hemp products; regulate
Bill Summary: SB 494 creates definitions for "attractive to children," "consumable hemp product," "contaminant," "Delta-9-THC," "Delta-9-THCA," "full panel certificate of analysis," "hemp grower license," "industrial hemp product," "manufacture," "manufacturer license," "measurement of uncertainty," "QR code," "registered laboratory," "retail consumable hemp establishment license," "total delta-9-THC concentration," and "wholesale consumable hemp license."

The bill outlines the way in which delta-9-THC concentration is established and allows for an applicable measurement of uncertainty when measuring this concentration. Furthermore, the bill makes it unlawful for anyone to process, handle, manufacture, or sell to consumers or to retailers hemp in the state without a processing permit granted by the Department of Agriculture.

In order to perform state tests or analyses of any plant with the Cannabis genus or any product derived from the plant, the individual must register with a one-time $250 fee with the Department. Criminal penalties in regards to violations of this sort shall be subject to a civil penalty of no more than $5,000 per violation. The annual price of hemp processor permits is decreased to be between $500 and $2,000 annually. Retail consumable hemp establishment licenses shall be issued for one calendar year at an annual fee of $250 and are applicable for single retail locations where consumable hemp products are sold. Wholesale consumable hemp licenses, likewise, shall be issued for one calendar year, but at an annual licensing fee between $500 and $10,000. Manufacturer licenses are also issued yearly and require an annual licensing fee of $5,000 unless the individual holds a hemp processor permit and is not required to pay the annual fee.

Consumable hemp products may only be sold or distributed if the processor or manufacturer has contracted a full panel certificate of analysis on the product. Random inspections by the Department are authorized to ensure compliance. SB 494 further prohibits consumable hemp products from resembling existing candy or snack products or from being attractive to children. Additionally, retail establishments selling consumable hemp products may not sell or distribute these products if located within 500 feet of any K-12 educational institution. It is further unlawful to knowingly sell directly, or indirectly, consumable hemp products to individuals under the age of 21. However, nothing prohibits individuals under the age of 21 from selling or handling consumable hemp products as part of their employment.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Sam Watson (11th) Agriculture & Consumer Affairs

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 03-07-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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Daily Report for March 28, 2024

Today on the Floor

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 168 Nays: 3

Amendments:

SB 495

Low THC Oil Patient Registry; term of validity of a registration card; provide
Bill Summary: SB 495 stipulates that a registration card for low THC oil is valid for five years from the date of issuance so long as the individual continues to remain eligible for a card based on the continued diagnosis of the condition. The Department of Public Health will deliver the registration cards through certified mail or by electronic means, such as email.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Sam Watson (11th) Regulated Industries
Yeas: 170 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-14-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 512

Victims of Human Trafficking Fund and the Victims of Human Trafficking Fund Commission; create
Bill Summary: SB 512 automatically restricts and seals the record of an offense by an individual after July 1, 2024, who was sentenced pursuant to Title 42, Chapter 8, Article 3 ('First Offenders Act'). If first offender status is revoked, then a court will unseal the records, and courts, law enforcement agencies, jails, and detention centers may disseminate the records as authorized by law, for criminal justice agencies for purposes of employment, pursuant to disclosure required by federal or state law, or for the purpose of a firearm determination pursuant to O.C.G.A. 16-11-129.

If a court that has jurisdiction determines that a defendant has violated their first offender sentence, that person's records will become unsealed and visible to the public. The parties that will have access to the records while a defendant is serving a first offender sentence, and prior to exoneration or discharge, are: judges, public defenders, prosecutors, the Judicial Qualifications Commission; the individual who is the subject of the records; the Department of Community Supervision; a party fulfilling a disclosure pursuant to federal or state law; a party making a determination related to the transfer or licensure of a firearm; and a party that has a court order for inspection, copying, and use of the records.

A person who has been exonerated of guilt and discharge without guilt or pursuant to a court order prior to July 1, 2024, can petition the court that granted the discharge to seal their records related to the criminal charge. Within 90 days of this petition, the court will order that the records be sealed, and within 60 days of exoneration and discharge or the filing of the court's order, the clerk of court will seal the records.

When a court orders the sealing of records, it will also order that the records maintained by law enforcement agencies, jails, and detention centers be sealed and restricted from the public, and those agencies will comply within 30 days of the receiving a copy of the order.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Shawn Still (48th) Judiciary Non-Civil
Yeas: 166 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-26-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 542

Water Rights; the public trust doctrine; remove references
Bill Summary: SB 542 revises the Code regarding transcripts of evidence and proceedings so that an appellant files the notice of appeal with the clerk of the court, the appellant requests the transcripts from the listed court reporter, and the court reporter files the transcripts with the clerk of the court.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Sam Watson (11th) Judiciary
Yeas: 173 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-26-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 28, 2024

Today on the Floor

SR 82

Tax Commissioner; waive certain delinquent ad valorem property taxes; procedures and conditions; provide- CA
Bill Summary: SR 82 amends Article VII, Section I, Paragraph III of the Georgia Constitution to require standing timber to be assessed at a rate that is equal to the same class of subjects in the territorial limits, per Subparagraph (a) of Paragraph III, for the first $100,000 of ad valorem taxes assessed within a county. The governor is granted authority to declare a disaster that would extend the rate assessment change beyond the limit of $100,000.

The General Assembly will appropriate the equivalent of 50 percent of the lost revenue for the first 3 percent of the taxing jurisdictions total timber harvest ad valorem tax revenue and 100 percent of lost revenue over 3 percent of the total timber ad valorem revenue.

SR 82 provides language for a statewide referendum question and requires approval from a twothirds majority of members of each chamber before receiving approval from a majority of voters.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action:

Sen. Carden Summers (13th) Ways & Means
Yeas: 170 Nays: 1 Adopted (Resolution)

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Structured 03-27-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SR 158

Northwest Georgia Logistics Corridor; designate as an official logistics growth corridor in Georgia
Bill Summary: SR 158 establishes the Northwest Georgia Logistics Corridor, composed of communities in all of Carroll, Chattooga, Douglas, Floyd, Haralson, Heard, Paulding, Polk, and Walker Counties.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action:

Sen. Jason Anavitarte (31st) Transportation
Yeas: 171 Nays: 0 Adopted (Resolution)

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Open 03-25-2024 Do Pass

SR 189

General Assembly; development impact fees for educational purposes; provide -CA
Bill Summary: SR 189 proposes an amendment to the Georgia Constitution to allow the General Assembly to authorize, by general law, local boards of education to impose, levy, and collect development impact fees, subject to approval by local referendum, and use the proceeds to pay for a share of additional educational facilities.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action:

Sen. Greg Dolezal (27th) Governmental Affairs
Yeas: 88 Nays: 84 Failed

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-19-2024 Do Pass

SR 583 Dr. Robert F. Sullivan Memorial Highway; Franklin County; dedicate Bill Summary: SR 583 is the Senate road dedication package. The substitute includes the following resolutions:
SR 583, dedicating the portion of State Route 145 from Athens Street to Hubbard Road in Franklin County as the Dr. Robert F. Sullivan Memorial Highway;
SR 612, dedicating the bridge on State Route 133 over Dry Creek in Worth County as the Lary Jack Moree Memorial Bridge;
SR 633, dedicating the intersection of U.S. 41 at Pine Mountain Court/Watts Drive in Cobb County, Georgia, as the "Coach" Jerry L. Waller, Sr. and Frances R. Waller Memorial Intersection;

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 28, 2024

Today on the Floor

SR 631, dedicating the intersection of State Route 9 and Deputy Bill Cantrell Memorial Road in Forsyth County as the Dr. Jim Morrow Memorial Intersection;
HR 1118, dedicating the intersection of State Route 400 and Setting Down Circle in Forsyth County as the Lawhorne Memorial Intersection;
HR 1162, dedicating the intersection of U.S. Route 19/State Route 3 at State Route 96 in Taylor County as the Michael Anthony Woodall Memorial Intersection;
HR 1227, dedicating the bridge on State Route 49 over Sweetwater Creek in Sumter County as the George R. Eusner Memorial Bridge;
HR 1228, dedicating the bridge on State Route 52 over the Alapaha River in Echols County as the US Army Cpl. Dewey E. Rewis Jr. Memorial Bridge;
HR 1250, dedicating the portion of State Route 204 from mile point 21.5 to 27.7 in Chatham County as the Chairman Pete Liakakis Memorial Highway;
HR 1251, dedicating the interchange at State Route 25/ U.S. Route 17 and State Route 204 in Chatham County as the Frances Bright Johnson Memorial Interchange;
HR 1253, dedicating the interchange of State Route 405 and State Route 204 in Chatham County as the Rev. Dr. Hosea Williams and Rep. Juanita T. Williams Memorial Interchange;
HR 1300, dedicating the portion of State Route 369 from Gravitt Road to State Route 400 in Forsyth County as the Bobby Thomas Highway;
HR 1325, dedicating the intersection of State Route 53 and Steve Tate Highway in Pickens County as the Jeff Downing Intersection;
HR 1326, dedicating the intersection of State Route 139 and Martin Luther King, Jr., Drive Southwest in Fulton County as the Maceo A. Brown Memorial Intersection;
HR 1327, dedicating the intersection of State Route 3 and State Route 9 in Fulton County as the Carolyn Long Banks Memorial Intersection;
HR 1328, dedicating the intersection of State Route 316 and State Route 53 in Barrow County as the Douglas "Doug" H. Garrison Memorial Interchange;
HR 1332, dedicating the intersection of State Route 112 and Abney Road/Willis-Howell Road in Bleckley County as the Ricky Dykes Intersection;
HR 1333, dedicating the overpass of U.S. Route 23/State Route 87 Bypass over Southern Railroad in Bleckley County as the Van Dykes Railway Overpass;
HR 1334, dedicating the bridge on State Route 54 over Whitewater Creek in Fayette County as the Colonel Ben Malcom Memorial Bridge;
HR 1335, dedicating the bridge on State Route 341 over Chattanooga Creek in Walker County as the Cameron Scroggins Memorial Bridge;
HR 1336, dedicating the interchange of U.S. Route 80 and Harry Truman Parkway in Chatham County as the Representative Edward "Mickey" Stephens Memorial Interchange;
HR 1355, dedicating the intersection of State Route 61 and State Route 8/US Route 78 in Carroll County as the J. Richard Smith Memorial Intersection;
HR 1357, dedicating the roundabout of State Route 36 and State Route 212 in Newton County as the LTC Benjamin Fred and Sandra Kitchens Christian Roundabout;
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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 28, 2024

Today on the Floor

HR 1358, dedicating the roundabout of State Route 219 and Bradley Park Drive in Muscogee County as the Medal of Honor Recipient Colonel Ralph Puckett, Jr. Roundabout;

HR 1415, dedicating the intersection of U.S. Route27/Turner McCall Boulevard and Avenue A in Floyd County as the C. Max Toles Intersection; and

HR 1434, dedicating the intersection of State Route 81 at Ozora Church Road in Walton County as the Ashley MacDonald Callahan Memorial Intersection.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action:

Sen. Bo Hatchett (50th) Transportation
Yeas: 171 Nays: 0 Adopted (Resolution)

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Open 03-25-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SR 609 Princess Trahlyta; dedicate a roundabout in her memory
Bill Summary: SR 609 dedicates the roundabout of State Route 60, State Route 9, and U.S. Highway 19 in Lumpkin County as the Circle of Princess Trahlyta at Stone Pile Gap.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action:

Sen. Steve Gooch (51st) Transportation
Yeas: 169 Nays: 0 Adopted (Resolution)

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Open 03-25-2024 Do Pass

Local Calendar
HB 1455 St. Mary's, City of; ad valorem tax for municipal purposes; provide homestead exemption
Bill Summary: HB 1455 provides a homestead exemption from City of St. Marys' ad valorem taxes for residents 65 years of age or older in the amount of $25,000 of the assessed value of the homestead.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action:

Rep. Steven Sainz (180th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: Nays: Recommit to Committee

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-08-2024 Do Pass

SB 574

Alcovy Judicial Circuit; counties that make up said judicial circuit to provide additional investigators to the district attorney; authorize
Bill Summary: SB 574 authorizes the counties within the Alcovy Judicial Circuit to provide additional investigators to the district attorney.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Brian Strickland (17th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 165 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-28-2024 Do Pass

SB 580

City of Madison; mayor's vote when the city council is electing a mayor pro tempore; revise provisions
Bill Summary: SB 580 revises the compensation of the mayor, mayor pro tempore, and city council of the City of Madison and to provide that the mayor will only vote for the mayor pro tempore in the case of a tie.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Brian Strickland (17th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 165 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

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03-28-2024 Do Pass

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 28, 2024

Today on the Floor

SB 584

City of Stockbridge; new homestead exemptions; ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes for residents, certain seniors, and residents with septic systems; provide
Bill Summary: SB 584 provides for a homestead exemption from City of Stockbridge ad valorem taxes in the amount of $10,000 for all residents and $15,000 for residents 62 years of age or older and residents residing on a property with a septic system.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Emanuel Jones (10th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 165 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-28-2024 Do Pass

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 28, 2024

Committee Actions

Committee Actions
Bills passing committees are reported to the Clerk's Office and are placed on the General Calendar.
Higher Education Committee
SB 386 State Government; regulation and taxation of sports betting in this state; authorize and provide Bill Summary: SB 386 creates the 'Georgia Sports Betting Act'.
Section 1-1: Authorizes the Georgia Lottery Corporation to carry out responsibilities related to the administration of sports betting in Georgia.
Section 1-2: Establishes a minimum reserve within the Lottery for Education Account of at least the greater of 50 percent of the average amount of the appropriations from such account for the preceding three fiscal years or 10 percent of net proceeds deposited into such account for the preceding fiscal year. If on the last day of a fiscal year, the total reserve fund balance exceeds the minimum reserve, 10 percent of the excess reserve funds must be appropriated for educational purposes.
Section 2-1: Part 1: Creates the 'Georgia Sports Betting Act' and provides definitions related to its implementation. Prescribes the powers, duties, and rule-making authority of the Georgia Lottery Corporation, in relation to the administration of sports betting.
Part 2: The Georgia Lottery Corporation will issue and renew licenses to offer, operate, and manage sports betting to qualified applicants who satisfy specified criteria. Specified application fees and annual fees are required, depending on the type of license issued. All licenses are valid for a period of five years unless suspended or revoked. Specified persons, including coaches or players, are not eligible to apply for or obtain a license.
The Georgia Lottery Corporation is authorized to issue not more than 16 Type 1 sports betting licenses to Type 1 eligible entities or their designated online sports betting service providers in order to offer online sports betting. Proposition wagers can only be offered by certain authorized licensees.
Part 3: An annual privilege tax of 25 percent of the adjusted gross income derived from online sports betting will be imposed on and paid monthly by online sports betting services providers. If a Type 1 sports betting licensee does not contract with a sports betting services provider, the Type 1 sports betting licensee must pay the privilege tax. The privilege tax will be paid to the Georgia Lottery Corporation and distributed to the state for constitutionally-approved educational purposes.
Each Type 1 licensee must report specified information to the Georgia Lottery Corporation by January 15 of each year.
Part 4: Any person who knowingly allows a minor to place a wager; offers, accepts, or extends credit to a bettor in the form of a marker; targets minors in sports betting advertising; offers or accepts wagers on high school sporting events; or accepts a wager from an individual who is prohibited from placing a wager will be subject to an administrative fine imposed by the Georgia Lottery Corporation.
Any individual who is not ineligible for specified reasons, is 21 years of age or older, and is physically located in this state may place a wager as part of the Georgia Lottery Corporation's game of sports betting. Specified individuals and categories of individuals are prohibited from placing a wager on sporting events or online sports betting platforms in this state.
The Georgia Lottery Corporation must establish rules and regulations to ensure individuals who are specifically prohibited from wagering on specified sporting events or online sports betting platforms are not permitted to collude with otherwise eligible individuals to directly impact the outcome of a sporting event. Any ineligible individual who places a wager will be guilty of a misdemeanor, indefinitely prohibited from placing a wager, required to forfeit the proceeds of any illegal wager, and
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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 28, 2024

Committee Actions

will be subject to specified fines.

Specified bets, including betting on injuries and penalties, are prohibited. A professional sport governing body or sporting events operator may request to the Georgia Lottery Corporation that certain types or categories of bets be restricted, limited, or prohibited.

Part 5: Before placing an online sports betting wager, each bettor must register and create a player account with an authorized online sports betting licensee. The licensee is responsible for ensuring minors and other ineligible individuals are not able to gain unauthorized access to betting platforms. A bettor is not permitted to create more than one account with a licensee. Licensees must utilize geofencing technology to ensure that online sports betting is only available to bettors who are physically located in this state.

Licensees must provide methods for bettors to self-impose limits on their betting activities. The Georgia Lottery Corporation is required to work with national and local organizations to provide services to individuals with problem gambling behaviors or gambling addiction issues. Sports betting advertisements must prominently include messaging related to problem gambling and access to gambling addiction resources. The Georgia Lottery Corporation is required to submit an annual report to the governor, lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the House of Representatives providing information related to problem gambling in the state.

Part 6: Licensees are not required to use official league data or official event data for determining the results of specified sports wagers in certain specified instances.

Part 7: Authorizes the Georgia Lottery Corporation to inspect the books and records of licensees to ensure compliance with state law. Licensees must report suspicious or corrupt betting activities to the Georgia Lottery Corporation and to the appropriate professional sports governing body or sporting events operator.

The Georgia Lottery Corporation is authorized to conduct investigations and hearings to ensure that licensees are in compliance with state law. The corporation is authorized to suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a license to any licensee in violation of state law or the corporation's established rules and regulations. The corporation must establish a schedule of fines related to licensee violations and specified fines are required for certain offenses, including accepting wagers from minors.

Sections 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3: Provide for exceptions and clarifications to several places in Code to allow for legal online sports betting.

Section 4-1: Exempts online sports betting wagers from state sales and use tax.

Section 5-1: Provides an effective date contingent upon the ratification of an amendment to the Georgia Constitution to allow sports betting in the state.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Clint Dixon (45th) Higher Education

Committee Action:

03-28-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SR 579

Sports Betting; Georgia General Assembly to provide by general law for sports betting in this state; authorize -CA
Bill Summary: SR 579 proposes an amendment to the Georgia Constitution to authorize the General Assembly to provide by law for sports betting in the state.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Bill Cowsert (46th) Higher Education

Committee Action:

03-28-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 28, 2024

Committee Actions

Intragovernmental Coordination - Local Committee

SB 574

Alcovy Judicial Circuit; counties that make up said judicial circuit to provide additional investigators to the district attorney; authorize
Bill Summary: SB 574 authorizes the counties within the Alcovy Judicial Circuit to provide additional investigators to the district attorney.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Brian Strickland (17th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-28-2024 Do Pass

SB 580

City of Madison; mayor's vote when the city council is electing a mayor pro tempore; revise provisions
Bill Summary: SB 580 revises the compensation of the mayor, mayor pro tempore, and city council of the City of Madison and to provide that the mayor will only vote for the mayor pro tempore in the case of a tie.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Brian Strickland (17th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-28-2024 Do Pass

SB 584

City of Stockbridge; new homestead exemptions; ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes for residents, certain seniors, and residents with septic systems; provide
Bill Summary: SB 584 provides for a homestead exemption from City of Stockbridge ad valorem taxes in the amount of $10,000 for all residents and $15,000 for residents 62 years of age or older and residents residing on a property with a septic system.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Emanuel Jones (10th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-28-2024 Do Pass

Rules Committee
HR 1643 House Study Committee on Atlanta's Historic Civil Rights Communities; create
Bill Summary: HR 1643 creates the House Study Committee on Atlanta's Historic Civil Rights Communities. The committee will be composed of three members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives. The speaker will designate a member of the committee as chairperson of the committee. The committee will stand abolished on December 1, 2024.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Mesha Mainor (56th) Rules

Committee Action:

03-28-2024 Do Pass

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