Senate first readers, 2024 February 26

SENATE FIRST READERS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2024 TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATIVE DAY

SB 555.

By Senators Williams of the 25th, Dixon of the 45th, Brass of the 28th, Burns of the 23rd, Anderson of the 24th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act 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 of clothing and school related supplies during the second week of August each year; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Finance Committee.

SB 556.

By Senator Halpern of the 39th:

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 for the State Board of Education to establish a three-year pilot robotics program for eligible public schools; to provide for eligibility; to provide for assessment and reporting on the impacts of the pilot program; to authorize the State Board of Education to promulgate rules and regulations to implement the pilot program; to provide for waivers and variances of state rules, regulations, policies, and procedures if necessary; to provide for automatic repeal; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Education and Youth Committee.

SR 668.

By Senators James of the 35th and Rhett of the 33rd:

A RESOLUTION recognizing February 22, 2024, as Law Enforcement Appreciation Day at the Capitol and commending law enforcement officers in Georgia; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

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SR 669.

By Senators James of the 35th and Rhett of the 33rd:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending the Fraternal Order of Police Inc. Fulton County Lodge No. 64; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 670.

By Senator Watson of the 11th:

A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to increase the maximum acreage to qualify for assessment and taxation as a bona fide conservation use property; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.

Referred to Finance Committee.

SR 671.

By Senators Still of the 48th, Dixon of the 45th, Dolezal of the 27th, Rahman of the 5th, Kennedy of the 18th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing October 2024 as Hindu Heritage Month; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 672.

By Senators Anderson of the 43rd, Butler of the 55th, Davenport of the 44th, Jones II of the 22nd, Harbison of the 15th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Dr. M. Brian Blake; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 673.

By Senators Jones of the 10th, Merritt of the 9th, Mallow of the 2nd, Harbison of the 15th and Rahman of the 5th:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Mrs. Mildred Schmelz, the 2024 Distinguished Older Georgian; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

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SR 674.

By Senators Jones of the 10th, Merritt of the 9th, Mallow of the 2nd, Harbison of the 15th and Rahman of the 5th:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and honoring the legacy and history of the 1955 Cannon Street Y.M.C.A All-Stars; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 675.

By Senator Sims of the 12th:

A RESOLUTION congratulating and commending the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 676.

By Senators Jones II of the 22nd, Burns of the 23rd and Anderson of the 24th:

A RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of Senator Donald E. Cheeks; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 677.

By Senators Dixon of the 45th, Goodman of the 8th, Halpern of the 39th, Gooch of the 51st, Echols of the 49th and others:

A RESOLUTION creating the Senate Credit Card Fees on State Sales and Excise Tax and Their Impact on Georgia Merchants and Consumers Study Committee; and for other purposes.

Referred to Rules Committee.

SR 678.

By Senators Rahman of the 5th, Jones II of the 22nd, Butler of the 55th, Orrock of the 36th, Parent of the 42nd and others:

A RESOLUTION supporting a state goal of 100 percent clean energy by 2050, the creation of thriving-wage green jobs, and an equitable clean energy transition; and for other purposes.

Referred to Rules Committee.

SR 679.

By Senator Rhett of the 33rd:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Dr. Maria Boynton; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

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SR 680.

By Senator Rhett of the 33rd:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Juandolyn Stokes; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 681.

By Senator Rhett of the 33rd:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Shyneka Maxwell; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 682.

By Senator Rhett of the 33rd:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Gwen Redding; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 683.

By Senator Rhett of the 33rd:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Lisa Nicholas; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 684.

By Senator Rhett of the 33rd:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Sharon L. Seay; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 685.

By Senators Halpern of the 39th, Esteves of the 6th, Goodman of the 8th, Jackson of the 41st, Orrock of the 36th and others:

A RESOLUTION congratulating Christopher Eubanks for his outstanding performance at Wimbledon; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

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SR 686.

By Senators Halpern of the 39th, Orrock of the 36th, Esteves of the 6th, Jackson of the 41st, Jones II of the 22nd and others:

A RESOLUTION celebrating the first anniversary of Black Art In America in East Point, Georgia; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 687.

By Senator Gooch of the 51st:

A RESOLUTION urging the University of North Georgia and the University System of Georgia Board of Regents to name a certain building after former Speaker David Ralston; and for other purposes.

Referred to Higher Education Committee.

SR 688.

By Senators Merritt of the 9th, Islam Parkes of the 7th, Rhett of the 33rd, Esteves of the 6th, Mallow of the 2nd and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Ms. Jenita Shorter for her three decades of outstanding service in education; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 689.

By Senators Jones II of the 22nd, Burns of the 23rd, Anderson of the 24th, Watson of the 1st and Orrock of the 36th:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Brooks A. Keel, PhD, for his dedicated service to advancing higher education in the State of Georgia, the University System of Georgia, Georgia Southern University, and Augusta University; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

HB 579.

By Representatives Barrett of the 24th, Jones of the 25th, Hilton of the 48th, Dempsey of the 13th, Jones of the 47th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 33 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the O.C.G.A., relating to the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Act, so as to revise the prior school year requirement; to revise provisions for expedited completion of a student's first Individualized Education Program; to revise the requirement that students who previously qualified for the scholarship have an Individualized Education Program or Section 504 plan; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Education and Youth Committee.

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HB 843.

By Representatives Stephens of the 164th and Evans of the 57th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 3 of Title 3 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to regulation of alcoholic beverages generally, so as to provide for Sunday sales of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises in locally designated special entertainment districts; to provide for a definition; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.

HB 934.

By Representatives Momtahan of the 17th, Mathis of the 149th, Gullett of the 19th, Cannon of the 172nd, Gunter of the 8th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 5 of Chapter 4 of Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to self-service storage facilities, so as to provide for enforcement of unsigned rental agreements under certain circumstances; to provide for the execution and delivery of a rental agreement via email; to provide for the vacating of and removal of personal property from selfstorage service facilities by occupants under certain circumstances; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

HB 986.

By Representatives Thomas of the 21st, Jones of the 25th, Jasperse of the 11th, Camp of the 135th, Gunter of the 8th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elections and primaries generally, so as to establish the criminal offense of election interference with a deep fake and solicitation of such; to provide for definitions; to provide for exceptions; to provide for punishment; to provide for the State Election Board to publish results of investigations into such offenses; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

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HB 993.

By Representatives Powell of the 33rd, Smith of the 18th, Ridley of the 6th, McCollum of the 30th, Collins of the 71st and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 2 of Article 3 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to offenses related to minors generally, so as to provide for the offense of grooming a minor for indecent purposes; to provide for a definition; to provide for a penalty; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

HB 1049.

By Representatives Williamson of the 112th, Lumsden of the 12th, Taylor of the 173rd and Werkheiser of the 157th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 52 of Title 33 of the O.C.G.A., relating to assumption reinsurance agreements, so as to enact the "Insurance Business Transfer Act"; to provide for a short title; to provide for legislative intent; to provide for definitions; to provide for court authority; to provide for notice requirements; to provide for an application procedure; to provide for court review of a petition; to provide for ongoing jurisdiction by the court; to provide for court approval; to provide for appeal; to provide for confidentiality; to provide for ongoing oversight by the Commissioner; to provide for certain fees and costs to be borne by the applicant; to provide for compensation, costs, and expenses of the independent expert and any consultants to be borne jointly by the transferring insurer and assuming insurer; to provide for dismissal of petition; to provide for construction; to make conforming changes; 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.

HB 1073.

By Representatives Washburn of the 144th, Cooper of the 45th, Oliver of the 82nd, Werkheiser of the 157th, Evans of the 89th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 36-66-4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to hearings on proposed zoning decisions, notice of hearing, nongovernmental initiated actions, reconsideration of defeated actions, and procedure on zoning, so as to repeal additional hearing and notice provisions regarding halfway houses, drug rehabilitation centers, or other facilities for treatment of drug dependency; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

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

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HB 1114.

By Representatives Wade of the 9th, Gambill of the 15th, Hong of the 103rd, McDonald of the 26th, Jones of the 25th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance, so as to enact the "Data Analysis for Tort Reform Act"; to provide for definitions; to provide for applicability; to provide for data collection from certain insurers, insurance rating organizations, and state agencies; to provide for confidentiality; to provide for data analysis; to provide for reports; to provide for automatic repeal; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Insurance and Labor Committee.

HB 1124.

By Representatives Martin of the 49th, Hilton of the 48th, Jones of the 47th, Silcox of the 53rd and Gaines of the 120th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Subpart 2A of Part 3 of Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the needs based financial aid program, so as to provide for a definition; to extend an automatic repealer; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Higher Education Committee.

HB 1170.

By Representatives Hawkins of the 27th, Mathiak of the 74th, Gaines of the 120th, Gambill of the 15th and Kennard of the 101st:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2A of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Department of Public Health, so as to require that certain state government buildings, courthouses, and university buildings maintain and make accessible opioid antagonists; to provide for definitions; to provide for the identification, development, and dissemination of educational materials and for the development of a model policy for training individuals on emergency opioid antagonist administration by the department; to provide that certain government entities shall establish and implement an internal policy; to provide for immunity; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Health and Human Services Committee.

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HB 1199.

By Representatives Pirkle of the 169th, Greene of the 154th, Jackson of the 128th, Corbett of the 174th and Jasperse of the 11th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 50-6-25 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to maintenance of statistics on architectural and engineering firms doing business with the state and ineligibility of firms, so as to replace the requirement that the state auditor produce certain monthly reports with the requirement that he or she produce annual reports; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Government Oversight Committee.

HB 1203.

By Representatives Kelley of the 16th, Silcox of the 53rd, Jones of the 25th, Reeves of the 99th, Roberts of the 52nd and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 7 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to dispossessory proceedings, so as to authorize landlords to use certain off-duty sheriffs, constables, or marshals to execute writs of possession in certain circumstances if a sheriff, constable, or marshal is not able to execute a writ within 30 days of the landlord's initial request; to provide for sheriffs, constables, and marshals to maintain lists of such authorized off-duty sheriffs, constables, and marshals in their jurisdictions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

HB 1207.

By Representatives Fleming of the 114th, Petrea of the 166th, Washburn of the 144th, Silcox of the 53rd, Cooper of the 45th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elections and primaries generally, so as to provide for proofing of ballots by local superintendents in certain races; to provide candidates the opportunity to review and verify such candidates' identifying information on such ballots prior to its printing or programming; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Ethics Committee.

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HB 1268.

By Representatives Hawkins of the 27th, Dubnik of the 29th, Dunahoo of the 31st, McCollum of the 30th, Clark of the 100th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide for a new homestead exemption from Hall County ad valorem taxes for county purposes in an amount equal to the amount by which the current year assessed value of a homestead exceeds the adjusted base year assessed value of such homestead; to provide for definitions; to specify the terms and conditions of the exemption and the procedures relating thereto; to provide for applicability; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements; to provide for a referendum, effective dates, and automatic repeal; to provide for mandatory execution of election and judicial remedies regarding failure to comply; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

HB 1269.

By Representatives Hawkins of the 27th, Dunahoo of the 31st, Dubnik of the 29th, McCollum of the 30th, Clark of the 100th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide for a new homestead exemption from City of Gainesville ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes in an amount equal to the amount by which the current year assessed value of a homestead exceeds the adjusted base year assessed value of such homestead; to provide for definitions; to specify the terms and conditions of the exemption and the procedures relating thereto; to provide for applicability; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements; to provide for a referendum, effective dates, and automatic repeal; to provide for mandatory execution of election and judicial remedies regarding failure to comply; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

HB 1270.

By Representatives Hawkins of the 27th, Dunahoo of the 31st, Dubnik of the 29th, McCollum of the 30th, Clark of the 100th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide for a new homestead exemption from Hall County School District ad valorem taxes for educational purposes in an amount equal to the amount by which the current year assessed value of a homestead exceeds the adjusted base year assessed value of such homestead; to provide for definitions; to specify the terms and conditions of the exemption and the procedures relating thereto; to provide for applicability; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements; to provide for a referendum, effective dates, and automatic repeal; to provide for mandatory execution of election and judicial remedies regarding failure to comply; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

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HB 1271.

By Representatives Hawkins of the 27th, Dunahoo of the 31st, Dubnik of the 29th, McCollum of the 30th, Clark of the 100th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide for a new homestead exemption from City of Gainesville independent school district ad valorem taxes for educational purposes in an amount equal to the amount by which the current year assessed value of a homestead exceeds the adjusted base year assessed value of such homestead; to provide for definitions; to specify the terms and conditions of the exemption and the procedures relating thereto; to provide for applicability; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements; to provide for a referendum, effective dates, and automatic repeal; to provide for mandatory execution of election and judicial remedies regarding failure to comply; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

HB 1273. By Representative Werkheiser of the 157th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to create a board of elections and registration for Evans County; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

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