Daily report, 2024 February 13

DAILY REPORT Tuesday
February 13, 2024

20th Legislative
Day

House Budget & Research Office (404) 656-5050

The House will reconvene for its 21st Legislative Day on Thursday, February 15 at 11:00 a.m. Seven bills / resolutions are expected to be debated on the floor.

Today on the Floor

Rules Calendar
HB 814 Income tax credit; certain manufacturing and telecommunications facilities; qualified investment property; revise definition
Bill Summary: HB 814 amends O.C.G.A. 48-7-27, relating to computation of taxable net income, to exclude any grants for investments in broadband infrastructure received as part of 47 U.S.C. 1702, the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program, or the 'American Rescue Plan Act of 2021'. This change is applicable to all tax years beginning on January 1, 2022.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Beth Camp (135th) Ways & Means
Yeas: 162 Nays: 1

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Structured 02-08-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 873

Courts; juvenile treatment court divisions; create
Bill Summary: HB 873 codifies the ability of juvenile courts to establish a juvenile treatment court division as an alternative to the traditional judicial system for juvenile delinquency cases or child in need of services (CHINS) cases. A case may be assigned to these new courts: 1) if the prosecutor or other petitioner consents prior to the entry of adjudication or disposition; 2) as part of a disposition in a case; or 3) upon modification or revocation of probation or a new petition. Each new juvenile treatment court division must establish a planning group to develop a work plan. Planning groups are required to include: judges, prosecutors, sheriffs, public defenders, community supervision officers, and probation officers.

The Council of Accountability Court judges must establish standards and practices for these divisions taking into account current research and findings published by experts on children's health needs/treatment options. The council will also create and manage a certification/peer review process to ensure local divisions are adhering to standards/practices.

Further, they will create a waiver process that divisions will need to apply for if they want an exception to standards/practices. The council will also create a certification process to allow a court to demonstrate a need for additional state grant funds for one or more part-time judges to operate these divisions. Divisions established on and after July 1, 2026, will be certified or receive a waiver if they have good cause.

The council is also required to develop and manage an electronic system for performance measurement that accepts data in a consistent manner. On or around July 1, 2026, and every three years afterward, the council must conduct a performance peer review of the divisions to improve the polices/practices. The court that institutes the division can request that one or more prosecutors and one or more defense attorneys serve in the division, and the clerk of the juvenile court will serve as the clerk of the division.

House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 13, 2024

Today on the Floor

The act will become effective on July 1, 2024.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Stan Gunter (8th) Juvenile Justice
Yeas: 152 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 01-31-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 909

Georgia Bureau of Investigation; restriction and seal of First Offenders Act; provide
Bill Summary: HB 909 automatically restricts and seals the record of an offense by an individual after July 1, 2024 who was sentenced to Title 42, Chapter 8, Article 3 ('First Offenders Act'). If first offender status is revoked, then a court will unseal the records, and courts, law enforcement agencies, jails, and detention centers may disseminate the records.

Those who were exonerated of guilt and discharged as a first offender prior to July 1, 2024 may petition the court to have the records sealed, and those records will be automatically sealed.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Leesa Hagan (156th) Judiciary Non-Civil
Yeas: 155 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-06-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 925

Protecting Religious Assembly in States of Emergency (PRAISE) Act; enact
Bill Summary: HB 925 is the 'Protecting Religious Assembly in States of Emergency (PRAISE) Act'. The legislation establishes that any order, rule, regulation, or other directive issued by a governmental entity pursuant to an emergency or health or safety determination which requires closure of any business or facility otherwise open to public use or patronage but which exempts in whole or in part any particular entity or set of entities will exempt to the same extent any place of worship entitled to religious exemption found in Title 26 of U.S.C. Section 501(c)(3) or 508(c)(1)(A).

HB 925 provides for civil action for relief for any person or entity burdened or impaired by violations of this code section.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Steven Sainz (180th)

Rule Applied:

Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee Action:

Yeas: 112 Nays: 50

Amendments:

Modified-Structured 01-31-2024 Do Pass

HB 991 Hospital Medicaid Financing Program; extend sunset provision Bill Summary: HB 991 reauthorizes the Hospital Medicaid Financing Program until June 30, 2030.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Shaw Blackmon (146th) Appropriations
Yeas: 157 Nays: 1

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-08-2024 Do Pass

HB 1037 Georgia Commission on Maternal and Infant Health; create
Bill Summary: HB 1037 creates the Georgia Commission on Maternal and Infant Health to make policy recommendations regarding perinatal care programs and develop quality metrics. The commission will consist of 14 members with six appointed by the governor, three by the lieutenant governor, and three by the speaker of the House of Representatives.

The commissioner of the Department of Public Health and chief executive officer of the Georgia Research Alliance will also serve as members. A report of findings and recommendations is due on July 1, 2026 and the commission will be repealed.

Authored By: Rep. Lauren Daniel (117th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 13, 2024

Today on the Floor

House Committee: Floor Vote:

Public Health Yeas: 160 Nays: 0

Committee Action: Amendments:

01-30-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 1083 Community Health, Department of; adult residential mental health services licensing; extend grace periods
Bill Summary: HB 1083 extends deadlines for the implementation of updated adult mental health licensure rules and regulations.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Bruce Williamson (112th) Public Health
Yeas: 161 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-06-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 1162 Internal Revenue Code and Internal Revenue Code of 1986; revise terms and incorporate certain provisions of federal law into Georgia law
Bill Summary: HB 1162 amends O.C.G.A. 48-1-2, relating to income tax definitions, by providing an update to the definition of "Internal Revenue Code" to include provisions from the 'Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024' and the 'Veterans Auto and Education Improvement Act of 2022', which was signed into law on January 5, 2023.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. David Knight (134th) Ways & Means
Yeas: 161 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Structured 02-08-2024 Do Pass

HR 804

Local government; temporary loans are payable from end of calendar year to 12 months of initial funding date; change date - CA
Bill Summary: House Resolution 804 proposes an amendment to the Georgia Constitution to change the payable date of temporary loans for counties and municipalities from December 31 of each year to within 12 months of the initial funding.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action:

Rep. Chuck Martin (49th) Governmental Affairs
Yeas: 161 Nays: 0 Adopted (Resolution)

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-08-2024 Do Pass

HR 1019 America's borders; support increased protections
Bill Summary: HR 1019 establishes the Georgia House of Representatives' support for increased protection for America's borders in the pursuit of ending illegal immigration and smuggling that has long threatened Americans.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Steven Sainz (180th)

Rule Applied:

Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee Action:

Yeas: 98 Nays: 71

Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-09-2024 Do Pass

Postponed Until Next Legislative Day
HB 1010 Public officers and employees; increase number of hours permitted for paid parental leave
Bill Summary: HB 1010 increases the number of hours of annual paid parental leave for state employees from 120 to 240 hours. Paid parental leave can be used for the birth of a child or the foster and adoption placement of a child.

Authored By: Rep. Jan Jones (47th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 13, 2024

Next on the Floor

Next on the Floor from the Committee on Rules
The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 21st Legislative Day, Thursday, February 15, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker.

HB 53

State Board of Registration for Foresters; independent state agency; provisions
Bill Summary: HB 53 removes the State Board of Registration for Foresters from within the Secretary of State and establishes the board as a separate entity administratively attached to the State Forestry Commission, beginning on January 1, 2025. Individuals nominated to the board by the governor must be confirmed by the Senate.

The board may issue cease and desist orders as well as impose a fine of no more than $500 for violations. The bill sets the registration fee for a license at $200 and allows for the amount to be adjusted according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. John Corbett (174th)

Rule Applied:

Natural Resources & Environment Committee

Action:

Modified-Structured 02-08-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 282

Quality Basic Education Act; minimum course study in career readiness education for students in grades six through twelve; provide
Bill Summary: HB 282 clarifies that the career course that the State Board of Education must prescribe for grades six through 12 must be a career readiness course, focusing on instruction and training experiences. The bill requires the Department of Education to assemble and develop resources and materials regarding career readiness and employability, and to make those resources available to state public schools. The minimum course of study must be ready for implementation by July 1, 2024.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Mesha Mainor (56th) Industry and Labor

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 01-31-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 409 Local government; authorize local authorities to dispose of real property in the same manner as county governing authorities
Bill Summary: HB 409 authorizes specified local authorities that operate public water or sewer systems to dispose of or grant easements in specified instances.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Lauren Daniel (117th) Governmental Affairs

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 01-31-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 424

Courts; office of sheriff; revise qualification requirements
Bill Summary: HB 424 requires peace officers who want to qualify as candidates for the office of sheriff to be in good standing with the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Council. It requires that any person qualifying as a candidate for sheriff who is not a certified peace officer but is receiving retirement benefits, other than disability retirement benefits, as a former agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to satisfactorily complete requirements for certification within six months of taking office. The executive director of POST Council is required to create and provide for an affidavit attesting to the person's compliance with the new standard for qualifying. The director, or his designee, must sign the affidavit and the person seeking to qualify must present the affidavit to elections officials in order to qualify.

HB 424 allows for any person desiring to run for sheriff to attend the basic law enforcement training course for peace officers as a pre-service candidate and to be reimbursed for tuition expenses upon being elected. These expenses are paid by the office of sheriff to which the candidate is elected.

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 13, 2024

Next on the Floor

HB 424 provides for a sheriff who serves in more than one court to receive salary for up to two courts, and that salary would not be increased by any state cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) or general performance-based increases.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Kenneth Vance (133rd)

Rule Applied:

Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee

Action:

Modified-Structured 02-07-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 912

Motor vehicles; define multipurpose off-highway vehicle; subclassify for ad valorem tax purposes
Bill Summary: HB 912 amends O.C.G.A. 40-1-1, relating to the definitions of motor vehicles and traffic, to change the definition of "multipurpose off-highway vehicle" to mean any self-propelled, motorized vehicle originally intended for off-highway use and to not include any all-terrain vehicles, low-speed vehicles, passenger cars, or personal transportation vehicles.

Additionally, HB 912 creates O.C.G.A. 48-5-504.50 to exempt multipurpose off-highway vehicles from ad valorem taxation, beginning on January 1, 2025.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Victor Anderson (10th) Ways & Means

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Structured 02-01-2024 Do Pass

HR 449 Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Awareness Day; fourth Wednesday in February; designate
Bill Summary: HR 449 recognizes the fourth Wednesday in February as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Awareness Day.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Sharon Cooper (45th) Public Health

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Open 02-06-2024 Do Pass

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 13, 2024

Committee Actions

Committee Actions
Bills passing committees are reported to the Clerk's Office and are placed on the General Calendar.

Economic Development & Tourism Committee
HB 1041 Savannah-Georgia Convention Center Authority; maximum amount of bonded indebtedness of the authority; increase
Bill Summary: HB 1041 increases the maximum bond indebtedness of the Savannah-Georgia Convention Center Authority from $50 million to $400 million.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Ron Stephens (164th) Economic Development & Tourism Committee
Action:

02-13-2024 Do Pass

Game, Fish, & Parks Committee
HB 927 Game and fish; fluorescent pink hunting outer garments; authorize
Bill Summary: HB 927 revises restrictions relating to hunting feral hogs, bears, and deer. The bill makes the color fluorescent pink an acceptable outer garment color that can be worn while hunting these animals under specific circumstances.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Leesa Hagan (156th) Game, Fish, & Parks

Committee Action:

02-13-2024 Do Pass

HB 1173 Game and fish; authorize taking channel catfish and flathead catfish by bow and arrow state wide
Bill Summary: HB 1173 makes it unlawful to take any catfish species from state waters using a bow and arrow except under certain conditions. Restrictions were previously limited to channel catfish and flathead catfish anywhere in the Savannah River.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Jason Ridley (6th) Game, Fish, & Parks

Committee Action:

02-13-2024 Do Pass

Intragovernmental Coordination - Local Committee
HB 1189 Barwick, City of; municipal court to collect a technology fee; authorize Bill Summary: HB 1189 authorizes the municipal court of the City of Barwick to collect a technology fee.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Darlene Taylor (173rd) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-13-2024 Do Pass

HB 1217 Clayton County; limit power to deny county services to any resident on the basis of any private debts owed by the resident to another private party
Bill Summary: HB 1217 restricts and limits the powers of the governing authority of Clayton County.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Yasmin Neal (79th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-13-2024 Do Pass

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 13, 2024

Committee Actions

SB 339 Probate Court of Crisp County; assessment and collection of a technology fee; authorize Bill Summary: SB 339 authorizes the probate court of Crisp County to collect a technology fee.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Carden Summers (13th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-13-2024 Do Pass

SB 382 Gilmer County; board of elections and registration; create Bill Summary: SB 382 creates the Board of Elections and Registration for Gilmer County.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Steve Gooch (51st) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-13-2024 Do Pass

SB 388

Cherokee County School District; full value exemption for senior and disabled residents; provide
Bill Summary: SB 388 revises a homestead exemption from Cherokee County school district ad valorem taxes for senior and disabled residents with an added residency requirement.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (32nd) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-13-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 397 City of Locust Grove; corporate limits of such city; change Bill Summary: SB 397 changes the corporate limits of the City of Locust Grove.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Rick Williams (25th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-13-2024 Do Pass

SB 434 Glascock County; board of elections and registration; create Bill Summary: SB 434 creates the Board of Elections and Registration for Glascock County.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Max Burns (23rd) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-13-2024 Do Pass

Judiciary Committee

HB 628

Property; revise exemption for a debtor's aggregate interest in real property or personal property; provisions
Bill Summary: HB 628 revises the maximum values of property exempted for purposes of bankruptcy from $21,500 to $35,000 for an individual, and from $43,000 to $60,000 for a married couple where that property is the primary residence of both spouses.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Matt Reeves (99th) Judiciary

Committee Action:

02-13-2024 Do Pass

HB 896

Domestic relations; process by which individuals may change their married surname to previous surname following divorce; provide
Bill Summary: House Bill 896 permits a former spouse after divorce to petition the court by motion ex parte to restore their legal surname to the given surname on their birth certificate. The motion may be filed at any time after the judgment and decree of divorce is entered, with no publication in a legal

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 13, 2024

Committee Actions

organ required.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Kimberly New (64th) Judiciary

Committee Action:

02-13-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 1203 Dispossessory proceedings; authorize landlords to use certain off-duty sheriffs, constables, or marshals to execute writs of possession; provisions
Bill Summary: HB 1203 entitles a landlord to use an off-duty sheriff, sheriff's deputy, marshal, or POST (Peace Officer Standards & Training Council) certified officer with jurisdiction to execute a writ of possession at the landlord's sole cost and expense when an on-duty official is unable to execute the writ within 14 days of the landlord's application or request for execution. The landlord will have access to a list of authorized off-duty personnel, and provide written notice to the sheriff, constable, or marshal of the time of execution of the writ at last five calendar days in advance of the execution.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Trey Kelley (16th) Judiciary

Committee Action:

02-13-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Motor Vehicles Committee
HB 1054 Motor vehicles; issuance of refusal to sign citation; provide
Bill Summary: HB 1054 gives an individual the option whether or not they wish to sign a citation issued by an officer to appear for a trial. If the individual refuses to sign the citation, the officer will note the individual's refusal to sign said citation.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Yasmin Neal (79th) Motor Vehicles

Committee Action:

02-13-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 1058 Motor vehicles; federal regulations regarding safe operation of motor carriers and commercial motor vehicles; update reference date
Bill Summary: HB 1058 addresses federal regulations for safe operations for drivers and vehicles transporting hazardous materials, changing an effective date from January 1, 2023 to January 1, 2024.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Lauren McDonald (26th) Motor Vehicles

Committee Action:

02-13-2024 Do Pass

HB 1150 Motor vehicles; fingerprints shall not be obtained for offenses relating window tinting; provide
Bill Summary: HB 1150 makes it unlawful to obtain fingerprints for violations related to window tinting on motor vehicles.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. J Collins (71st) Motor Vehicles

Committee Action:

02-13-2024 Do Pass

Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee
HB 1117 Law enforcement officers; expand eligibility to serve as a peace officer to United States nationals Bill Summary: HB 1117 expands eligibility to serve as a peace officer to United States nationals from American Samoa or Swains Island.
Authored By: Rep. Bill Hitchens (161st)
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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 13, 2024

Committee Actions

House Committee:

Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee Action:

02-13-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 1188 Peace officers; extend time frame for which reimbursement of total training expenses by a subsequent employer may be sought
Bill Summary: HB 1188 requires that when any peace officer employed by one agency is hired by another agency within 36 months, the hiring agency is required to reimburse the training expenses to the agency which initially paid for the training of such officer.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Jodi Lott (131st) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee
Action:

02-13-2024 Do Pass

Retirement Committee

HB 472

Employees' Retirement System of Georgia; allow certain sworn law enforcement officers to be eligible for retirement benefits at age 55; provisions
Bill Summary: HB 472 expands enhanced disability benefits to sworn officers, commissioners, and deputy commissioners employed by the motor carrier compliance division of the Department of Public Safety. Currently, members in the uniform division of the Department of Public Safety, game wardens at the Department of Natural Resources, officers or agents of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, or alcohol or tobacco officers at the Department of Revenue already receive enhanced disability benefits.

The bill is certified by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts as a fiscal retirement bill. The actuarial investigation estimates the annual employer contribution rate will increase for Georgia State Employees' Pension and Savings Plan (GSEPS) members from 25.51 percent to 25.55 percent and for non-GSEPS members from 29.20 percent to 29.23 percent, for a total state cost of $6,000.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Clint Crowe (118th) Retirement

Committee Action:

02-13-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 643

Georgia Judicial Retirement System; certain state court judges of Fulton County participating in other retirement systems; repeal prohibitions
Bill Summary: HB 643 allows certain state court judges of Fulton County to participate in a county's defined contribution plan in addition to the Georgia Judicial Retirement System. Currently, certain state court judges of Fulton County are prohibited from participating in other retirement systems. The bill is certified by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts as a non-fiscal retirement bill.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Roger Bruce (61st) Retirement

Committee Action:

02-13-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 825

Judicial Retirement System; require certain counties to supplement retirement benefits paid to the circuit's superior court judges and district attorneys; require
Bill Summary: HB 825 requires certain judicial circuits to pay a supplemental benefit to district attorneys who retire from the circuit. Any judicial circuit subject to these provisions must pay a supplemental benefit calculated by multiplying the benefit percentage the district attorney earned at retirement from the Judicial Retirement System of Georgia, together with the aggregate county salary supplement being paid to the active district attorney at the date they begin receiving retirement benefits or the supplement paid to the retiring district attorney on their last day of service, whichever is greater.

The bill is certified by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts as a fiscal retirement bill. The actuarial investigation determined there is no cost to this legislation.

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 13, 2024

Committee Actions

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Barry Fleming (125th) Retirement

Committee Action:

02-13-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Committee Meeting Schedule
This meeting schedule is up to date at the time of this report, but meeting dates and times are subject to change. To keep up with the latest schedule, please visit www.legis.ga.gov to view all upcoming events.

Wednesday - February 14, 2024

9:00 AM Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government (House) 406 CLOB

9:00 AM AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS (House)

606 CLOB

10:00 AM Appropriations Subcommittee on Economic Development (House)
10:00 AM Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education (House)

341 CAP 415 CLOB

1:00 PM HIGHER EDUCATION (House)
2:00 PM Regulated Industries Subcommittee on Occupational/Professional Licensing (House)

606 CLOB HYBRID
515 CLOB

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