Senate first readers, 2024 January 30

SENATE FIRST READERS TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2024 TWELFTH LEGISLATIVE DAY

SB 413.

By Senators Robertson of the 29th, Dolezal of the 27th, Summers of the 13th, Harbin of the 16th, Payne of the 54th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 21-2-540 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to conduct of special primaries and special elections generally, so as to revise provisions relating to dates for certain special elections related to sales and use taxes; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Ethics Committee.

SB 414.

By Senators Kennedy of the 18th, Gooch of the 51st, Robertson of the 29th, Anavitarte of the 31st, Albers of the 56th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 18 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state printing and documents, so as to prohibit the collecting of certain personal information; to prohibit the release of certain personal information; to create exceptions; to exclude certain information from state open records laws; to create the crime of improper collection or disclosure of personal information; to provide a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

SB 415.

By Senators Robertson of the 29th and Payne of the 54th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 40 of the O.C.G.A., relating to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to authorize the use of automated recognition technology for the issuance of a civil monetary penalty for the ownership of a motor vehicle operated without proper insurance or with an expired, revoked, canceled, or suspended registration; to amend Title 15 of the O.C.G.A., relating to courts, so as to authorize prosecuting attorneys, district attorneys, and solicitorsgeneral to enforce civil monetary penalties relative to the issuance of a civil monetary penalty for the ownership of a motor vehicle operated without proper insurance or with an expired, revoked, canceled, or suspended registration; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

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SB 416.

By Senators Moore of the 53rd and Beach of the 21st:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 16-14-4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to prohibited racketeering activities, so as to prohibit prosecution when the charging instrument alleges violation of certain offenses; to provide that pending prosecutions containing such offenses be discharged and dismissed; to provide for applicability; to provide for legislative intent; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

SB 417.

By Senators Albers of the 56th, Robertson of the 29th, Burns of the 23rd, Hufstetler of the 52nd, Still of the 48th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 8-2-106 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to reporting of accidents relative to elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, manlifts, and moving walks and removal from service of such equipment involved in accident; to amend Article 2 of Chapter 10 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to obstruction of public administration and related offenses; to amend Title 25 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to fire protection and safety; to provide for definitions; to amend Chapter 22 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to public employee hazardous chemical protection and right to know; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

SB 418.

By Senators Williams of the 25th, Anderson of the 24th, Albers of the 56th, Robertson of the 29th, Jackson of the 41st and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 35-8-7 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the powers and duties of the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council generally, so as to establish basic and inservice training courses on animal fighting and recognition of animal abuse; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Public Safety Committee.

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SB 419.

By Senators Walker III of the 20th, Hatchett of the 50th, Gooch of the 51st, Esteves of the 6th, Hodges of the 3rd and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 26 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to nurses, so as to revise a provision relating to the administration of anesthesia by certified registered nurse anesthetists; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Health and Human Services Committee.

SB 420.

By Senators Anavitarte of the 31st, Goodman of the 8th, Beach of the 21st, Cowsert of the 46th, Gooch of the 51st and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to agriculture, so as to prohibit the acquisition of possessory interest in certain land by certain foreign persons and entities; to provide for definitions; to provide for exceptions; to provide for civil actions; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for disclosures; to provide for penalties; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.

SB 421.

By Senators Dixon of the 45th, Albers of the 56th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Robertson of the 29th, Jackson of the 41st and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 10 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to obstruction of public administration and related offenses, so as to enhance penalties for the offense of transmitting a false public alarm; to revise restitution provisions for such offense; to provide for and revise definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

SB 422.

By Senators Dixon of the 45th, Gooch of the 51st, Summers of the 13th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Esteves of the 6th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 46 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to public utilities and public transportation, so as to modify the percentage limitation as to the amount of the investments an electric membership corporation may make and maintain in a gas affiliate; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.

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SB 423.

By Senators Halpern of the 39th, Jackson of the 41st, Jones II of the 22nd, Dixon of the 45th, Butler of the 55th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elementary and secondary education, so as to provide the maintenance and placement of one or more automated external defibrillators in certain public schools in accordance with such school's cardiac emergency response plan (CERP); to require such plans to incorporate evidence based core elements and standards; to provide for guidelines to be included in such plans; to provide for the involvement of local healthcare and emergency management agencies; to provide for public schools to seek funding assistance for the purchase of automated external defibrillators; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Education and Youth Committee.

SB 424.

By Senators Robertson of the 29th and Brass of the 28th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to create a new judicial circuit for the State of Georgia to be known as the West Georgia Judicial Circuit and to be composed of Carroll County and Heard County; to amend Article 1 of Chapter 6 of Title 15 of the O.C.G.A., relating to general provisions regarding superior courts, so as to revise the composition, terms of court, and number of judges of the Coweta Judicial Circuit; to provide for the composition, terms of court, and number of judges of the West Georgia Judicial Circuit; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

SB 425.

By Senators Tillery of the 19th, Albers of the 56th, Gooch of the 51st, Summers of the 13th and Anderson of the 24th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 19 of Title 15 and Article 1 of Chapter 17 of Title 45 of the O.C.G.A., relating to the regulation of the practice of law and general provisions regarding notaries public, respectively, so as to provide for the modernization of certain legal, notarial, and court services using electronic means; to provide for criminal penalties and civil liability, including compensatory and other damages; to provide for class action lawsuits; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

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SR 510.

By Senators Mallow of the 2nd and Sims of the 12th:

A RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of Melody Michelle Coburn; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 511.

By Senators Gooch of the 51st, Goodman of the 8th, Cowsert of the 46th, Dixon of the 45th, Albers of the 56th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing March 2024 as Georgia Wine Month; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 512.

By Senators Walker III of the 20th, Hatchett of the 50th, Watson of the 11th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Rhett of the 33rd and others:

A RESOLUTION honoring several cities upon their designation as Georgia PlanFirst communities; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 513.

By Senators Mallow of the 2nd, Harbison of the 15th, Sims of the 12th, Davenport of the 44th, Orrock of the 36th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Greenbriar Children's Center; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 514.

By Senators Merritt of the 9th, Sims of the 12th, Anderson of the 43rd, Lucas of the 26th, Butler of the 55th and others:

A RESOLUTION commending Ruby Freeman and Wandrea "Shaye" Moss; and for other purposes.

Referred to Rules Committee.

SR 515.

By Senators Kennedy of the 18th, Gooch of the 51st, Robertson of the 29th, Albers of the 56th, Anavitarte of the 31st and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing February 8, 2024, as Keep Georgia Beautiful Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

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SR 516.

By Senators Halpern of the 39th, Jackson of the 41st, Brass of the 28th, Jones II of the 22nd, Butler of the 55th and others:

A RESOLUTION honoring and recognizing Edwin Moses; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 517.

By Senator Dixon of the 45th:

A RESOLUTION recognizing January 31, 2024, as Licensed Professional Counselors Appreciation Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 518.

By Senators Goodman of the 8th, Dixon of the 45th, Hickman of the 4th, Payne of the 54th and Williams of the 25th:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Cathy Buescher; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 519.

By Senators Goodman of the 8th, Watson of the 11th, Anderson of the 24th, Walker III of the 20th, Williams of the 25th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing February 13, 2024, as Georgia Farm Bureau Federation Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

HB 881.

By Representatives Gullett of the 19th, Gaines of the 120th, Burchett of the 176th, Efstration of the 104th, Hatchett of the 155th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 15-18-32 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission, authority, membership, ex parte communications, governance, disciplinary actions, confidentiality, and privileged nature; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

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HB 950.

By Representatives Alexander of the 66th, Bruce of the 61st, Thomas of the 65th and New of the 64th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to authorize the assessment and collection of a technology fee by the Probate Court of Douglas County; to identify the authorized uses of such technology fee; to provide for the termination of such technology fee and dedication of residual funds to technology uses; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

HB 952.

By Representatives Anderson of the 10th and Erwin of the 32nd:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to authorize the assessment, collection, and distribution of a technology fee by the Magistrate Court of Habersham County; to identify the authorized uses of such technology fee; to provide for the maintenance of such technology fee funds; to provide for the termination of such technology fee and dedication of residual funds to technology uses; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

HB 958.

By Representatives Lott of the 131st, Leverett of the 123rd and Newton of the 127th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to authorize the Magistrate Court of Columbia County to impose and collect county law library fees as part of the court costs in the magistrate court; to provide for practices and procedures connected therewith; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

HB 961.

By Representative Lumsden of the 12th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act to provide a new charter for the City of Menlo, approved May 13, 2011 (Ga. L. 2011, p. 4132), so as to provide that future mayors and councilmembers shall be elected to four-year terms of office; to provide for municipal general elections in odd-numbered years; to provide for interim terms of office; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

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HB 972.

By Representatives Horner of the 3rd, Cameron of the 1st and Tarvin of the 2nd:

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

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

HB 989.

By Representatives Anulewicz of the 42nd, Stoner of the 40th, Wilkerson of the 38th, Campbell of the 35th, Cummings of the 39th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act providing for the election of members of the Board of Education of Cobb County, approved March 28, 1974 (Ga. L. 1974, p. 3516), as amended, particularly by an Act approved March 2, 2022 (Ga. L. 2022, p. 5274), so as to change the description of the education districts of such board; to provide for definitions and inclusions; to provide for continuation in office of current members; to provide for the manner of election; to provide an effective date; to repeal a specific Act; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

HB 1007. By Representative Leverett of the 123rd:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act to reconstitute and reestablish the board of elections and registration for Lincoln County, approved May 3, 2021 (Ga. L. 2021, p. 4161), so as to revise provisions relating to meetings of said board; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

HB 1008. By Representative Leverett of the 123rd:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act consolidating the offices of Tax Receiver and Tax Collector of Lincoln County into the office of Tax Commissioner of Lincoln County, approved December 17, 1953 (Ga. L. 1953, Nov.-Dec. Sess., p. 2604), as amended, particularly by an Act approved March 25, 1986 (Ga. L. 1986, p. 4478), so as to remove provisions relating to the compensation of the tax commissioner; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

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