First readers in House, 2024 February 26

FIRST READERS IN HOUSE MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2024 TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATIVE DAY
*Rules Suspended
HB 858. By Representative Bell of the 75th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to drivers' licenses, so as to provide for the issuance of an alternative state identification card by the Department of Driver Services; to provide for application standards and required documentation for issuance of such identification cards; to provide for contents and format for such identification cards; to provide for conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on MOTOR VEHICLES
HB 1372. By Representative Smith of the 138th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide a new charter for the Town of Pine Mountain; to provide for related matters; to repeal specific Acts; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 1373. By Representatives Rhodes of the 124th and Crowe of the 118th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act creating the Board of Commissioners of Putnam County, approved September 8, 1879 (Ga. L. 1879, p. 334), as amended, particularly by an Act approved April 20, 2011 (Ga. L. 2011, p. 3619), so as to revise provisions relating to the compensation of the chairperson and commissioners; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 1374. By Representatives Campbell of the 35th, Ridley of the 22nd, Ehrhart of the 36th, and Seabaugh of the 34th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act to reincorporate and provide a new charter for the City of Acworth, approved February 17, 1989 (Ga. L. 1989, p. 3512), as amended,
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particularly by an Act approved May 1, 2023 (Ga. L. 2023, p. 4052), so as to adopt by reference a certain map; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 1375. By Representatives Neal of the 79th, Douglas of the 78th, Tarvin of the 2nd, Horner of the 3rd, Ridley of the 22nd, 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 the sale or use of materials used in construction of capital outlay projects for educational purposes that were approved and funded through a constitutionally authorized education special purpose local option sales tax; to provide for conditions and limitations; to provide for a sunset date; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
HB 1376. By Representatives Smith of the 18th, Seabaugh of the 34th, Scoggins of the 14th, and Ridley of the 6th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to primaries and elections generally, so as to provide that certain individuals challenging an elector's name appearing on the list of electors shall not be liable for such challenge; to provide for exceptions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
HB 1377. By Representatives Holcomb of the 81st, Beverly of the 143rd, Park of the 107th, Hugley of the 141st, Au of the 50th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to health, so as to repeal the prohibition on expenditure or use of state resources to advocate for or intend to influence citizens in support of Medicaid expansion under the federal Affordable Care Act; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on HEALTH
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HB 1378. By Representatives Burchett of the 176th, Corbett of the 174th, and Draper of the 90th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 40-2-86 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to special license plates promoting or supporting certain worthy agencies, funds, or nonprofit corporations with proceeds disbursed to the general fund and the agency, fund, or nonprofit corporation, so as to establish a specialty license plate honoring the Okefenokee Swamp; to provide for the disposition of funds to the Georgia River Network; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on MOTOR VEHICLES
HB 1379. By Representatives Buckner of the 137th and Hagan of the 156th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state flag, seal, and other symbols, so as to provide for placement of a Revolutionary War Patriots marker upon the grounds of the state capitol building and upon the grounds of the state archives building; to provide for the approval, placement, and procurement of such markers; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on STATE PROPERTIES
HB 1380. By Representatives Mughal of the 105th, Reeves of the 99th, Okoye of the 102nd, Marin of the 96th, and Clark of the 100th: 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 the operation of a motor vehicle upon approach by a law enforcement vehicle for purposes of a traffic stop; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on MOTOR VEHICLES
HB 1384. By Representatives Cox of the 28th, Hilton of the 48th, Erwin of the 32nd, Dubnik of the 29th, Townsend of the 179th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 4 of Article 17 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to sick, personal, and maternity leave for teachers and other school personnel, so as to increase from three to five the number of
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accumulated sick leave days teachers and other school personnel may take each school year for personal or professional reasons; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on EDUCATION
HB 1385. By Representatives Momtahan of the 17th, Camp of the 135th, New of the 64th, Ridley of the 22nd, and Chastain of the 7th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 7 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to kinds of insurance, limits of risks, and reinsurance, so as to provide for an insurer under a liability insurance policy to pay a third party and the senior lienholder under certain circumstances; 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 INSURANCE
HB 1386. By Representatives Adesanya of the 43rd, Willis of the 55th, and Draper of the 90th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 10-1-393.3 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to prohibited use of purchaser's credit card information by merchant, so as to limit the amount of surcharges charged by merchants for purchasers' use of credit cards; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on BANKS & BANKING
HB 1387. By Representatives Adesanya of the 43rd, Bruce of the 61st, Olaleye of the 59th, Cannon of the 58th, and Bazemore of the 69th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the "Quality Basic Education Act," so as to provide for coursework and educational programs and activities on the history of Black Americans through the history of the United States and their contributions to American society; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on EDUCATION
HB 1388. By Representatives Frye of the 122nd, Romman of the 97th, and Cannon of the 58th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to drivers' licenses, so as to authorize the use of fingerprint
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scans for the verification of identity and date of birth of applicants seeking a personal identification card or personal identification card for persons with disabilities; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on MOTOR VEHICLES
HB 1389. By Representative Thomas of the 65th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 4 of Title 38 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to veterans benefits, so as to authorize the Department of Veterans Service to establish processes and procedures for the administration of certain state benefits for veterans and members of a veteran's immediate family, subject to appropriation by the General Assembly; to provide for a definition; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on APPROPRIATIONS
HB 1390. By Representative Bell of the 75th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 16-12-191 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to possession, manufacture, distribution, or sale of low THC oil and penalties, so as to revise penalties; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL
HB 1391. By Representatives Bell of the 75th and Sharper of the 177th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 8 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Department of Community Affairs, so as to establish the Creating Hope and a New Georgia for Everyone or CHANGE Task Force for the purpose of examining the complex issues facing urban, suburban, and rural communities in this state and finding solutions focused on labor and community development; to provide for definitions; to provide for such task force's membership, duties, and powers; to provide for a grant program, subject to appropriation; to provide for reporting; 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 the Committee on STATE PLANNING & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
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HB 1392. By Representative Bell of the 75th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 33-1-24 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance requirements for transportation network companies and their drivers, so as to revise the minimum amounts of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage to be maintained by transportation network companies; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to provide for applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INSURANCE
HB 1393. By Representatives Bell of the 75th and Sharper of the 177th: 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 the Committee on EDUCATION
HB 1394. By Representatives Bell of the 75th and Jackson of the 68th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to revenue and taxation, so as to exempt honorably discharged military veterans from income taxes; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
HB 1395. By Representative Bell of the 75th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 21 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state tort claims, so as to remove immunities from certain actions of law enforcement officers; to provide that officers alleged to have committed misconduct or a violation of law while acting within the scope of official duties shall be subject to lawsuit or liability; to provide for a definition; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
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HB 1396. By Representatives Bell of the 75th, McClain of the 109th, Sharper of the 177th, and Holly of the 116th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 2 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to competencies and core curriculum, so as to require public schools to implement an English and Spanish dual language immersion program for students in kindergarten through grade five; to require the State Board of Education to adopt content standards; to provide for the Department of Education to provide guidance and technical assistance; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on EDUCATION
HB 1397. By Representatives Burchett of the 176th and Anderson of the 10th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 8 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to water rights, so as to provide for a list of streams presumed to be navigable; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT
HB 1398. By Representatives Bell of the 75th, Sharper of the 177th, and Mitchell of the 88th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 4 of Article 3 of Chapter 1 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to ride share network services and transportation referral services, so as to provide for additional requirements upon transportation referral service providers and ride share network services relative to driver safety and hiring and the privacy of personal information for drivers and passengers; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on MOTOR VEHICLES
*HB 1406. By Representative Parsons of the 44th: 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 require certain electric suppliers to provide certain information on customer billing notices; 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 1407. By Representatives LaHood of the 175th, Burchett of the 176th, Corbett of the 174th, Anderson of the 10th, and Prince of the 132nd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 70 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to coordinated and comprehensive planning and service delivery by counties and municipalities, so as to revise provisions for establishing, negotiating, reviewing, revising, and filing local government service delivery strategies; to require the development of state-wide mapping standards; to revise the dispute resolution process; to revise provisions related to sanctions; to require and limit the promulgation of certain rules and regulations; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
*HB 1408. By Representatives Lott of the 131st, Jasperse of the 11th, Clark of the 100th, Hawkins of the 27th, and Paris of the 142nd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 31-2A-18 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Low THC Oil Patient Registry, so as to add ulcerative colitis as a condition for which low THC oil may be used for treatment; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on PUBLIC HEALTH
*HB 1409. By Representatives Leverett of the 123rd, Newton of the 127th, and Burns of the 159th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 51 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to torts, so as to limit liability for mental health care providers under certain circumstances; to provide for definitions; to limit liability for punitive damages; to provide for applicability; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on PUBLIC HEALTH
*HB 1410. By Representative Efstration of the 104th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 3 of Title 8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to housing generally, so as to establish a stable housing accountability program; to provide for an application process and minimum standards; to provide for the use of certain funds; to provide for disbursements; to require contracts and assurances; to revise means of appointment to the commission; to provide for definitions; to amend Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state
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government, so as to provide for a performance audit by the state auditor on public spending on homeless programs; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on BUDGET AND FISCAL AFFAIRS OVERSIGHT
HR 1227. By Representatives Stinson of the 150th and Cheokas of the 151st: A RESOLUTION honoring the life of Mr. George R. Eusner and dedicating a bridge in his memory; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on TRANSPORTATION
HR 1228. By Representatives Corbett of the 174th, Cannon of the 172nd, Bonner of the 73rd, Gladney of the 130th, and Hitchens of the 161st: A RESOLUTION honoring the life of Corporal Dewey E. Rewis, Jr., and dedicating a bridge in his memory; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on TRANSPORTATION
HR 1229. By Representatives Gladney of the 130th, Bonner of the 73rd, Gambill of the 15th, Mathiak of the 74th, Cannon of the 172nd, and others: A RESOLUTION urging the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to provide for additional resources to address elder care, nursing home access, and expanded disabled residential programs for veteran community populations; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on DEFENSE & VETERANS AFFAIRS
HR 1230. By Representatives Campbell of the 35th, Olaleye of the 59th, Gilliard of the 162nd, and Howard of the 129th: A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide by law for the creation of a Children First Trust Fund; to provide for the appropriation of moneys into such fund, including a one-time appropriation from the Revenue Shortfall Reserve; to provide that returns on such investments shall be used for financial assistance for child care services; 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 RULES
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HR 1231. By Representatives Newton of the 127th, Hatchett of the 155th, Knight of the 134th, Taylor of the 173rd, Buckner of the 137th, and others: A RESOLUTION creating the House Study Committee on Maternal, Prenatal, and Pediatric Care Access and Funding; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on HEALTH
HR 1232. By Representatives Campbell of the 35th, Beverly of the 143rd, Stoner of the 40th, and Mitchell of the 88th: A RESOLUTION urging the State of Georgia to take swift actions including enabling legislation as may be indicated to import some prescription drugs from Canada to lower the cost of drug prices in Georgia; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on HEALTH
HR 1250. By Representatives Gilliard of the 162nd, Stephens of the 164th, Petrea of the 166th, Hitchens of the 161st, and Westbrook of the 163rd: A RESOLUTION honoring the life of Mr. Peter "Pete" Liakakis and dedicating a road in his memory; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on TRANSPORTATION
HR 1251. By Representatives Gilliard of the 162nd, Stephens of the 164th, Jackson of the 165th, and Westbrook of the 163rd: A RESOLUTION honoring the life of Mrs. Francis Bright Johnson and dedicating an interchange in her memory; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on TRANSPORTATION
HR 1252. By Representatives Bell of the 75th, Sharper of the 177th, and Mitchell of the 88th: A RESOLUTION creating the House Study Committee on Reducing Georgia's Dependence on BRICS States; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM
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HR 1253. By Representatives Gilliard of the 162nd, Stephens of the 164th, Jackson of the 165th, and Westbrook of the 163rd: A RESOLUTION honoring the lives of Rev. Dr. Hosea L. Williams and Rep. Juanita T. Williams and dedicating an interchange in their memory; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on TRANSPORTATION HR 1254. By Representatives Bell of the 75th, Hutchinson of the 106th, Reese of the 140th, and Holly of the 116th: A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Georgia so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide by law for the legalization and regulation of marijuana; to permit persons 21 years of age or older to purchase marijuana for personal use; to provide for the dedication of fees and taxes from the production, sale, or personal use of such marijuana; to provide a procedure to vacate previous convictions; to provide for submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL HR 1255. By Representatives Bell of the 75th, Sharper of the 177th, and Mitchell of the 88th: A RESOLUTION creating the House Study Committee on Combating Human Trafficking in Major Transportation Areas; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on TRANSPORTATION
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SENATE FIRST READERS IN HOUSE MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2024
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATIVE DAY
SB 376. By Senators Tillery of the 19th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Burns of the 23rd, Payne of the 54th, Strickland of the 17th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Juvenile Code, so as to clarify requirements of parents, DFCS, and court in order to improve timely permanent placement of a child removed from their home; to provide for a hearing to be held prior to a dependent child's fifteenth month in foster care to review a determination of the Division of Family and Children Services of the Department of Human Services not to petition to terminate parental rights; 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 JUVENILE JUSTICE
SB 387. By Senators Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Hatchett of the 50th, Payne of the 54th, Robertson of the 29th, Jackson of the 41st, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 5 of Chapter 5 of Title 40 of the O.C.G.A., relating to identification cards for persons without drivers' licenses, so as to provide that personal identification card applications of certain applicants who are either homeless or in the legal custody of the Division of Family and Children Services do not require signatures by the applicant's parent, guardian, or responsible adult; to amend Article 1 of Chapter 5 of Title 49 of the O.C.G.A., relating to children and youth services, so as to authorize the Department of Human Services to establish programs that will provide a child or youth entering foster care with a photograph; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUVENILE JUSTICE
SB 401. By Senators Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Payne of the 54th, Kennedy of the 18th, Jackson of the 41st, Robertson of the 29th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the O.C.G.A., relating to the juvenile code, so as to implement the recommendations of the Senate Foster Care and Adoption Study Committee; to provide for annual reporting to the General Assembly of certain de-identified data from juvenile court clerks relating to foster children who are in need of services or delinquent; to remove the service of summons by publication requirement at the adjudication phase in dependency proceedings; to repeal Code Section 15-11-163, relating to interlocutory order of disposition when summons served by
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publication; to provide that the petition to terminate parental rights be immediately filed and docketed without delay when presented to the juvenile court clerk; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUVENILE JUSTICE SB 427. By Senators Tillery of the 19th, Setzler of the 37th, and Burns of the 23rd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Titles 10 and 26 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to commerce and trade and food, drugs, and cosmetics, respectively, so as to provide for disclosure requirements for advertisements for legal services and for drugs; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SB 483. By Senators Hatchett of the 50th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, and Tillery of the 19th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 39 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to minors, so as to enter into the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children; to provide for a short title; to provide for definitions; to provide for the provisions of the compact; to provide for the present compact to remain in effect until the effective date of the new compact and to provide for automatic repeal; to amend the Official Code of Georgia Annotated so as to provide for conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and contingent effectiveness; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUVENILE JUSTICE
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