SENATE FIRST READERS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024 TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATIVE DAY SB 544. By Senator Harbison of the 15th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 4 of Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to arrest by law enforcement officers generally, so as to provide that arrested women submit to pregnancy testing protocols under certain circumstances; to amend Article 1 of Chapter 1 of Title 42 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to inmate policies, so as to revise provisions relating to the treatment of pregnant and postpartum female inmates; to revise a definition; to enact a provision regarding delayed sentencing for pregnant or postpartum female inmates; to provide for the reporting of certain information; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Public Safety Committee. SB 545. By Senator Harbison of the 15th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 9 of Title 19 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding child custody proceedings, so as to provide for judicial discretion in determining the right of a surviving parent to custody of a child when such surviving parent is criminally charged with the murder or voluntary manslaughter of the other parent; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Judiciary Committee. SB 546. By Senators James of the 35th, Harbison of the 15th, Butler of the 55th, Seay of the 34th and Jones of the 10th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health, so as to repeal provisions relating to the practice of midwifery; to amend Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to professions and businesses, so as to provide for the licensure and regulation of community midwives; to provide for a short title; to require written disclosures to clients; to provide for authorized acts and duties; to provide for statutory construction; to provide for conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee. - 1 - SB 547. By Senators Beach of the 21st, Dolezal of the 27th, Still of the 48th and Gooch of the 51st: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 40-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to safe operations of motor carriers, commercial motor vehicles, and drivers and safe transportation of hazardous materials, so as to update the reference date to federal regulations regarding the safe operation of motor carriers and commercial motor vehicles; to revise a definition; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Economic Development and Tourism Committee. SB 548. By Senators Mallow of the 2nd, Merritt of the 9th, McLaurin of the 14th, Islam Parkes of the 7th and Jackson of the 41st: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 2 of Article 15 of Chapter 1 of Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the "Fair Business Practices Act of 1975," so as to prohibit merchants from refusing to accept cash for purchases; to provide for a definition; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Banking and Financial Institutions Committee. SB 549. By Senators Mallow of the 2nd, Merritt of the 9th, Esteves of the 6th, McLaurin of the 14th and Islam Parkes of the 7th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 2 of Article 15 of Chapter 1 of Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the "Fair Business Practices Act of 1975," so as to prohibit retailers from conditioning the issuance of refunds on the buyer returning goods to any place other than the retail establishment where such goods were purchased; to provide a definition; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Banking and Financial Institutions Committee. SB 550. By Senators Mallow of the 2nd, Esteves of the 6th, Parent of the 42nd, McLaurin of the 14th and Merritt of the 9th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 20-1A-10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to regulation of early care and education programs, so as to provide for a minimum salary schedule for Georgia's Pre-K Program lead teachers, subject to appropriations; to provide for an effective date; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Education and Youth Committee. - 2 - SB 551. By Senators Halpern of the 39th, Anderson of the 43rd, Harbison of the 15th, Rhett of the 33rd, Jones of the 10th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 16 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to public property, so as to provide for priority parking spaces for veterans on state owned properties; to provide for definitions; to provide for required signage; to provide for a penalty; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committee. SB 552. By Senators Halpern of the 39th, Esteves of the 6th, Jones of the 10th, Anderson of the 43rd and Merritt of the 9th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 28 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions for the General Assembly, so as to require the Office of Legislative Counsel to prepare demographic notes for certain proposed legislation that outline the potential effects of such legislation on disparities within the state; to provide for procedures and limitations regarding such notes; to require the legislative counsel to establish and report additional procedures; to require cooperation by state departments, agencies, and institutions; to authorize the use of funds for training; to provide for legislative findings and declarations; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Rules Committee. SB 553. By Senator Halpern of the 39th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 4 of Title 1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to holidays and observances, so as to designate the Sunday following Veterans Day each year as "National Warrior Call Day" in Georgia; to provide for recognition of the tragically high rate of suicides among service members and veterans; to encourage community outreach to such persons; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committee. - 3 - SB 554. By Senators Anavitarte of the 31st, Robertson of the 29th and Albers of the 56th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 1 of Article 5 of Chapter 9 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to Georgia State Indemnification Fund, so as to create a presumption for the qualification for indemnification benefits based on a public safety officer having COVID-19 at the time of death, if certain requirements are met; to provide a definition; to allow applications for indemnification for such circumstances to be made during a certain time period; to authorize the Department of Administrative Services to purchase annuities for certain purposes; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Insurance & Labor Committee. SR 653. By Senator Hatchett of the 50th: A RESOLUTION honoring the life of Ms. Courtney Faith Zajdowicz and dedicating an intersection in her memory; and for other purposes. Referred to Transportation Committee. SR 654. By Senators Harbin of the 16th, Goodman of the 8th, Watson of the 11th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Hickman of the 4th and others: A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Quinton and Mittie King; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 655. By Senators Payne of the 54th, Goodman of the 8th, Hufstetler of the 52nd, Burns of the 23rd, Still of the 48th and others: A RESOLUTION recognizing Mr. Tim Howard and dedicating a bridge in his honor; and for other purposes. Referred to Transportation Committee. SR 656. By Senators Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Setzler of the 37th, Albers of the 56th, Rhett of the 33rd and Hickman of the 4th: A RESOLUTION honoring and commending Kennesaw State University upon its 60th anniversary and Southern Polytechnic State University upon its 75th anniversary; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. - 4 - SR 657. By Senators Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Robertson of the 29th, Halpern of the 39th, Payne of the 54th and Harrell of the 40th: A RESOLUTION recognizing the 25th Anniversary of Peer Support and the Associated Certified Peer Specialists Workforce; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 658. By Senators Anderson of the 43rd, Butler of the 55th, Esteves of the 6th, Davenport of the 44th, Sims of the 12th and others: A RESOLUTION recognizing April as Minority Health Month to encourage cholesterol screening; and for other purposes. Referred to Health and Human Services Committee. SR 659. By Senators Brass of the 28th, Walker III of the 20th, Goodman of the 8th, Watson of the 11th, Tillery of the 19th and others: A RESOLUTION recognizing March 7, 2024, as Nurses Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 660. By Senators James of the 35th and Rhett of the 33rd: A RESOLUTION urging the State of Georgia to designate areas of the City of Atlanta as Nobel Peace District No. 1; and for other purposes. Referred to State Institutions and Property Committee. SR 661. By Senators James of the 35th and Rhett of the 33rd: A RESOLUTION commending Delandra Vinson, Jasmine Bradfield, Nyasha Bonner, Sarah Henderson, Crystal Hanner, Tracy Goddard-Johnson, Rachel Hart, Rhonda Nar Sanders, Melissa Renae Burgess, Paige Beckett, Beverly Maria Cranford, Tamara Taitt, Anjli Hinman, Marsha Ford, Kaci Griffin, Bethany Erby, Janisa Camille Simmons, Teri Boles, Stephanie Crunk, Meka Hall, and Morgan Karaj and recognizing February 21, 2024, as Certified Community Midwife Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. - 5 - SR 662. By Senators Orrock of the 36th, Butler of the 55th, Islam Parkes of the 7th, Merritt of the 9th, Davenport of the 44th and others: A RESOLUTION congratulating and commending Gloria Jenkins for receiving the 2024 Yellow Rose Nikki T. Randall Servant Leader Award; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 663. By Senators Butler of the 55th, Parent of the 42nd, Jones II of the 22nd, Jones of the 10th and Orrock of the 36th: A RESOLUTION commending Whitney Green, Lithonia High School's 2023 Teacher of the Year; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 664. By Senators Butler of the 55th, Parent of the 42nd, Jones II of the 22nd, Jones of the 10th and Orrock of the 36th: A RESOLUTION commending Ashley Thomas, Stephenson High School's 2023 Teacher of the Year; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 665. By Senators Butler of the 55th, Parent of the 42nd, Jones II of the 22nd, Jones of the 10th and Orrock of the 36th: A RESOLUTION commending Nalini Babb, Miller Grove High School's 2023 Teacher of the Year; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 666. By Senators Halpern of the 39th, Beach of the 21st, Esteves of the 6th, Watson of the 1st and Jones of the 10th: A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. - 6 - SR 667. By Senator Mallow of the 2nd: A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Colonel Chris C. Wright on his outstanding public service; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. HB 472. By Representatives Crowe of the 118th, Blackmon of the 146th, Hitchens of the 161st, Lumsden of the 12th, Powell of the 33rd and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 47 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Employees' Retirement System of Georgia, so as to allow sworn law enforcement officers serving in and the commissioner and deputy commissioner of the Motor Carrier Compliance Division and the Capitol Police Division of the Department of Public Safety to be eligible for regular retirement benefits at the age of 55 years, certain disability benefits, and certain provisions for purchasing creditable service; to provide conditions for an effective date and automatic repeal; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Retirement Committee. HB 896. By Representatives New of the 64th, Lott of the 131st, Gullett of the 19th, Huddleston of the 72nd, Ballard of the 147th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 19 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to divorce, so as to provide for a process by which individuals may change their married surname to a prior surname or the given surname on their birth certificate following a divorce; to provide for applicability; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Judiciary Committee. - 7 - HB 904. By Representatives Vance of the 133rd, Jackson of the 128th, Campbell of the 171st, Mainor of the 56th and Washburn of the 144th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Titles 8, 10, 36, 43, and 46 of the O.C.G.A., relating to buildings and housing, commerce and trade, local government, professions and businesses, and public utilities and public transportation, respectively, so as change certain provisions relating to certain professions practicing in this state; to change certain provisions relating to electrical contractors, plumbers, conditioned air contractors, low voltage contractors, and utility contractors; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee. HB 907. By Representatives Franklin of the 160th, Smith of the 18th, Mathis of the 149th, Jasperse of the 11th, Collins of the 71st and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 4 of Chapter 6 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to right of way for operators of motor vehicles, so as to revise responsibilities of motor vehicle operators when encountering a funeral procession on a two-lane highway; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Public Safety Committee. HB 994. By Representatives Powell of the 33rd, Rhodes of the 124th, Leverett of the 123rd, Cox of the 28th, Barrett of the 24th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Titles 51 and 52 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating torts and waters of the state, ports, and watercraft, respectively, so as to revise liability for the negligent operation of a vessel; to require boat liveries to obtain and maintain certain insurance; to provide for notice of insurance coverage; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Insurance and Labor Committee. - 8 - HB 1001. By Representatives Pirkle of the 169th, Corbett of the 174th and Collins of the 71st: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to issuance, expiration, and renewal of drivers' licenses, so as to provide that presentation of a driver's license in a certain electronic format satisfies the requirement to possess a driver's license while operating a motor vehicle; to prohibit the compelling of a licensee to produce a wireless telecommunications device to a law enforcement officer; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Public Safety Committee. HB 1041. By Representatives Stephens of the 164th, Hitchens of the 161st, Petrea of the 166th, Westbrook of the 163rd, Jackson of the 165th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 50-7-55 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to creation of Savannah-Georgia Convention Center Authority, membership, and powers, so as to increase the maximum amount of bonded indebtedness of the authority; to authorize the authority to condemn public property; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Economic Development and Tourism Committee. HB 1054. By Representatives Neal of the 79th, Hitchens of the 161st, Vance of the 133rd, Holcomb of the 81st and Reeves of the 99th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 40-13-2.1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to signature on citations required, effect of failure to sign, exemption for out-of-state drivers, and electronic capture of signature, so as to provide for the issuance of refusal to sign citation; to provide for penalty; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Judiciary Committee. - 9 - HB 1069. By Representatives Cannon of the 172nd, Pirkle of the 169th, Corbett of the 174th, Rhodes of the 124th, Williams of the 148th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 48-5-7.5 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to assessment of standing timber, penalty for failure to timely report, effect of reduction of property tax digest, and supplemental assessment, so as to authorize the disclosure of records to the State Forestry Commission; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Finance Committee. HB 1072. By Representatives Cooper of the 45th, Newton of the 127th, Parrish of the 158th, Jackson of the 128th, Stephens of the 164th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 10 of Chapter 8 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the drug repository program, so as to revise definitions; to provide for pharmacist to pharmacy technician ratios in the program; to require reverse drug distributors to make and document diligent efforts to donate drugs rather than destroy them; to provide for substitution of drugs in some instances; to provide for the intent of the General Assembly with respect to settlement funds received by the state relating to prescription drugs; to amend Code Section 48-8-3 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to exemptions from sales and use taxes, so as to exempt sales to or by certain eligible recipients; to provide for related matters; to provide for legislative findings; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Health and Human Services Committee. HB 1077. By Representatives Cooper of the 45th, Newton of the 127th, Hawkins of the 27th, Silcox of the 53rd and Parrish of the 158th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 10 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce, so as to create a grant program to provide funding to eligible institutions for additional behavioral health workforce training positions; to provide for definitions; to provide for eligibility criteria; to provide for funding sources; to provide for applications; to provide for funding limitations; to create a behavioral health provider loan repayment program; to provide for definitions; to provide for written contracts with program participants; to provide for payment criteria; to provide for maximum amounts; to provide for prioritization of applications; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee. - 10 - HB 1150. By Representatives Collins of the 71st, Corbett of the 174th, Sainz of the 180th, Pirkle of the 169th and Crowe of the 118th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 40-8-73.1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to tinting of windows or windshields of motor vehicles, so as to provide that fingerprints shall not be obtained for offenses relating to operation of a motor vehicle with unauthorized levels of window or windshield tinting or unlawful installation of such; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Judiciary Committee. HB 1183. By Representatives Dempsey of the 13th, Cooper of the 45th, Hawkins of the 27th, Stoner of the 40th and Mathiak of the 74th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 3 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to student health in elementary and secondary education, so as to require local school systems to provide certain information to parents and guardians of students in grades six through 12 on Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes whenever other health information is provided; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Education and Youth Committee. HB 1193. By Representatives McDonald of the 26th, Hitchens of the 161st, Lumsden of the 12th, Hong of the 103rd and Collins of the 71st: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to require the operation of flashing or revolving amber lights upon certain vehicles; to provide for penalties; to provide for conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Transportation Committee. - 11 - HB 1235. By Representatives Meeks of the 178th, Corbett of the 174th, Smith of the 138th, Burchett of the 176th and Persinger of the 119th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to provide for vehicle registration of special mobile equipment that are self-propelled cranes in order to authorize operation of such upon public highways; to revise and provide for definitions; to provide for exceptions from certain federal requirements for certain vehicles and equipment; to authorize the issuance of certificates of title for selfpropelled cranes; to provide for an annual licensing fee for such equipment; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Transportation Committee. - 12 -