First readers in House, 2024 February 15

FIRST READERS IN HOUSE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024 TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATIVE DAY
HB 1262. By Representative Mainor of the 56th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the O.C.G.A., relating to elementary and secondary education, so as to provide for a cause of action by aggrieved students against local education agencies for breach of the duty to provide for an adequate public education; to provide for definitions; to amend Title 36, Chapter 21 of Title 50, and Code Section 5-6-34 of the O.C.G.A., relating to local government, waiver of sovereign immunity as to actions ex contractu and state tort claims, and judgments and rulings deemed directly appealable, respectively, so as to provide for a limited waiver of sovereign immunity for breach of the duty to provide for an adequate public education; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
HB 1263. By Representatives Schofield of the 63rd, Drenner of the 85th, Davis of the 87th, Scott of the 76th, and Evans of the 89th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to conservation and natural resources, so as to require all state entities to consider and report on environmental justice concerns prior to taking certain state actions; to create the Environmental Justice Commission; to provide a short title; to provide for definitions; to provide that governmental agencies shall consider the disproportionate effect of environmental hazards on people of color or people from lowincome families in implementing certain environmental policies; to provide that no person in this state shall be excluded from any state funded program or activity because of race, color, or national origin; to provide for an effective date; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT
HB 1264. By Representatives Stephens of the 164th, Jones of the 47th, Jones of the 25th, Erwin of the 32nd, Clark of the 100th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to professions and businesses, so as to authorize the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists to establish a professional health program to provide for monitoring and rehabilitation of impaired healthcare professionals; to authorize the Georgia Board of
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Nursing to establish a professional health program to provide for monitoring and rehabilitation of impaired healthcare professionals; to provide for funding or gifts in kind; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on HEALTH
HB 1265. By Representatives Westbrook of the 163rd, Stephens of the 164th, Jackson of the 165th, Willis of the 55th, and Carpenter of the 4th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to tax returns and furnishing of information, so as to authorize Georgia taxpayers to make certain voluntary contributions through the income tax payment and refund process to the Georgia Council for the Arts; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
HB 1266. By Representatives Washburn of the 144th, Powell of the 33rd, Stephens of the 164th, Crowe of the 118th, Camp of the 135th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Titles 12, 32, and 50 of the O.C.G.A., relating to conservation and natural resources, highways, bridges, and ferries, and state government, respectively, so as to provide for a system whereby certain local governments may seek certifications from the Department of Community Affairs upon the enactment of certain policies that can be used to receive priority in grant and loan applications submitted to state agencies; to provide for related matters; to provide a short title; to provide legislative findings; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
HB 1267. By Representatives Martin of the 49th, Gunter of the 8th, Blackmon of the 146th, Buckner of the 137th, Stoner of the 40th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 50 of the O.C.G.A., relating to state government, so as to repeal Chapter 13A, relating to tax tribunals; to amend Title 15 of the O.C.G.A., relating to courts; to provide for the application of Chapter 11 of Title 9, the 'Georgia Civil Practice Act,' discovery, and attendance of witnesses; to amend Title 5 of the O.C.G.A., relating to appeal and error; to amend Chapter 4 of Title 9 of the O.C.G.A., relating to declaratory judgments; to amend Chapter 4 of Title 23 of the O.C.G.A., relating to equity procedure; to amend Code Section 45-7-4 of the O.C.G.A., relating to annual salaries of certain state officials and cost-of-living adjustments; to
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amend Code Section 15-21-209 of the O.C.G.A., relating to state operation assessment against adult entertainment establishments, determination of obligation, use of funds, and administration, Title 48 of the O.C.G.A., relating to revenue and taxation, and Chapter 13 of Title 50 of the O.C.G.A., relating to administrative procedure; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
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 the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
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 the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
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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 the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
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 the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 1272. By Representatives Martin of the 49th, Parsons of the 44th, Drenner of the 85th, and Houston of the 170th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 4 of Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 46 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the emergency telephone number 9-1-1 system, so as to clarify language related to fees; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
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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 the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 1274. By Representatives Huddleston of the 72nd, Frye of the 122nd, Dickey of the 145th, Pirkle of the 169th, Thomas of the 65th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend part 6A of Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state veterinary education, so as to provide for limits on the student loan forgiveness program; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on HIGHER EDUCATION
HB 1275. By Representatives Jasperse of the 11th, Smith of the 18th, Tarvin of the 2nd, Powell of the 33rd, Lott of the 131st, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 28 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the General Assembly, so as to repeal provisions relating to the prefiling of proposed bills and resolutions; to make conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on RULES
HB 1276. By Representatives Cox of the 28th, Rhodes of the 124th, Kelley of the 16th, Cannon of the 172nd, Scoggins of the 14th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Titles 20 and 39 of the O.C.G.A., relating to education and minors, respectively, so as to provide for high school student athletes and prospective student athletes to receive name, image, or likeness compensation; to provide for applicability; to provide a short title; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on EDUCATION
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HB 1277. By Representatives Clark of the 100th, Hitchens of the 161st, Bonner of the 73rd, Barrett of the 24th, Crowe of the 118th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 6, Chapter 80 of Title 36, Article 2A of Chapter 3 of Title 38, and Part 1 of Article 3 of Chapter 5 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to aviation; provisions applicable to counties, municipalities, corporations, and other governmental entities; general authority, duties, and procedure for state purchasing; and the Board of Homeland Security, respectively, so as to provide for the development of a list of approved unmanned aircraft systems by the Board of Homeland Security; to exempt records relating to the development of an approved unmanned aircraft system list from the Open Records Act; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on PUBLIC SAFETY & HOMELAND SECURITY
HB 1278. By Representative Moore of the 91st: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to other state symbols, so as to designate collard greens as the official state greens, with "potlikka" as the official state dipping sauce of the official state bread; to provide legislative findings and declarations; to provide for related matters; to provide for contingent repeal; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on SPECIAL RULES
HR 1109. By Representative Pirkle of the 169th: A RESOLUTION honoring the life of Mr. Neal "Waldo" McIntyre, Jr., and dedicating a bridge in his memory; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on TRANSPORTATION
HR 1110. By Representative Pirkle of the 169th: A RESOLUTION honoring the life of First Lieutenant Clyde Vernon Moore and dedicating a bridge in his memory; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on TRANSPORTATION
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HR 1111. By Representatives McClain of the 109th, Okoye of the 102nd, Clark of the 108th, Mughal of the 105th, Park of the 107th, and others: A RESOLUTION honoring the life of Mr. Percy Scott, Jr., and dedicating a road in his memory; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on TRANSPORTATION
HR 1112. By Representatives McClain of the 109th, Okoye of the 102nd, Clark of the 108th, Mughal of the 105th, Park of the 107th, and others: A RESOLUTION honoring the life of Mr. Stephen Day and dedicating an interchange in his memory; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on TRANSPORTATION
HR 1113. By Representatives Dunahoo of the 31st and Greene of the 154th: A RESOLUTION authorizing the granting of nonexclusive easements for the construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of facilities, utilities, roads, and ingresses and egresses in, on, over, under, upon, across, or through property owned by the State of Georgia in Appling, Barrow, Clarke, Colquitt, Cobb, Dade, Douglas, Fulton, Laurens, Newton, Paulding, Stewart, Sumter, Tattnall, Telfair, Troup, and Walton Counties; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on STATE PROPERTIES
HR 1114. By Representative Mainor of the 56th: A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to provide that sales tax for educational purposes may be used and expended for the benefit of public charter schools located within local school systems; to provide for related matters; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on EDUCATION
HR 1115. By Representatives Blackmon of the 146th, Crowe of the 118th, and Leverett of the 123rd: A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to provide that qualified low-income building projects may be classified as a separate class of property for ad valorem property tax purposes, and different rates, methods, and assessment dates
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may be provided for such building projects; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
HR 1116. By Representatives Pirkle of the 169th and Greene of the 154th: A RESOLUTION authorizing the lease of certain state owned property located in Chatham County; authorizing the conveyance of certain state owned property located in Houston County; authorizing the lease of certain state owned property located in Paulding County; authorizing the conveyance of certain state owned property located in Walker County; and authorizing the conveyance of certain state owned property in White County; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on STATE PROPERTIES
HR 1117. By Representatives Clark of the 100th, Hong of the 103rd, McCollum of the 30th, Efstration of the 104th, and Mughal of the 105th: A RESOLUTION honoring the life of Mr. Logan James Wade and dedicating an intersection in his memory; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on TRANSPORTATION
HR 1118. By Representatives Cox of the 28th, Jasperse of the 11th, McDonald of the 26th, Jones of the 25th, Barrett of the 24th, and others: A RESOLUTION honoring the lives of Kristi Jayne, Karolyn "Karri" Marie, and Tabbatha Rene' Lawhorne and dedicating an intersection in their memory; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on TRANSPORTATION
HR 1133. By Representative Mitchell of the 88th: A RESOLUTION urging the United States Congress to pass the Kidney Patient Access to Technologically Innovative and Essential Nephrology Treatments Act of 2023 or the "Kidney PATIENT Act of 2023" (H.R. 5074); and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on HEALTH
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SENATE FIRST READERS IN HOUSE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024
TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATIVE DAY
SB 334. By Senators Albers of the 56th, Robertson of the 29th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Dixon of the 45th, Still of the 48th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 25-3-23 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to minimum requirements, equipment and clothing, and insurance relative to local fire departments generally, so as to revise qualifications for insurance coverage for firefighters diagnosed with cancer; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INSURANCE
SB 340. By Senators Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Albers of the 56th, Hufstetler of the 52nd, Robertson of the 29th, Anavitarte of the 31st, 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 firearm safes and firearm safety devices; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
SB 389. By Senators Payne of the 54th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Hodges of the 3rd, Albers of the 56th, Hatchett of the 50th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 4 of Article 3 of Chapter 2 of Title 38 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to rights, privileges, and prohibitions, so as to provide for the adjutant general to be the official sponsor of the state sponsored life insurance program for the Georgia National Guard; to provide a definition; to provide for duties for the adjutant general regarding the program; to provide for the National Guard Association of Georgia to select the insurer for the program; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INSURANCE
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SB 412. By Senators Kennedy of the 18th, Cowsert of the 46th, Summers of the 13th, Harbison of the 15th, and Rhett of the 33rd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to professions and businesses, so as to change certain provisions relating to administrative and civil sanctions against charitable organizations, paid solicitors, and solicitor agents for certain violations; to provide for suspension and revocation of registrations; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on REGULATED INDUSTRIES
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 the Committee on JUDICIARY
SB 426. By Senators Tillery of the 19th, Setzler of the 37th, Burns of the 23rd, Walker III of the 20th, Albers of the 56th, and others: 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 revise requirements for joining of a motor carrier and motor carrier's insurer to a cause of action; to provide for subrogation for unpaid final judgments relative to causes of action involving motor carriers; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and for applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
SB 439. By Senators Esteves of the 6th, Orrock of the 36th, Halpern of the 39th, Parent of the 42nd, McLaurin of the 14th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide a homestead exemption from City of Atlanta independent school district ad valorem taxes for educational purposes in the amount of $100,000.00 of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that city who are 65 years of age or older and whose income does not exceed $100,000.00; to provide for
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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, automatic repeal, mandatory execution of election, and judicial remedies regarding failure to comply; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
SB 453. By Senators Payne of the 54th and Hufstetler of the 52nd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to transfer probation and intake services of the Juvenile Court of Gordon County to the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice pursuant to Code Section 15-11-69 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
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