Daily report, 2024 March 5

Tuesday March 5,
2024

DAILY REPORT 30th Legislative Day

House Budget & Research Office (404) 656-5050

The House will reconvene for its 31st Legislative Day on Thursday, March 7 at 10:00 a.m. Six bills / resolutions are expected to be debated on the floor.

Today on the Floor

Motions to Insist
HB 196 Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission; subject to Administrative Procedure Act and laws governing open meetings and records; provide
Bill Summary: Part I of HB 196 abolishes the Access to Medical Cannabis Commission, effective May 10, 2023, and transfers its employees and contracts to a newly-created Medical Cannabis Division of the Department of Agriculture.
The division is subject to the 'Administrative Procedures Act' (Chapter 13 of Title 50), state purchasing laws (Article 3 of Chapter 5 of Title 50), open and public records (Chapter 14 of Title 50), and inspection of public records (Article 4 of Chapter 18 of Title 50). Any appeal of a fine levied by the division will be made to the Georgia State-wide Business Court (Business Court). The commission has the ability to issue an additional dispensing license to registered patients at the premises of each Class 1 or Class 2 production facility. Dispensaries are also permitted to sell low THC oil and products from any production licensee in the state.
The current joint legislative oversight committee is revised to be composed of the chairmen of the House Regulated Industries Committee, House Committee on Agriculture, House Committee on Health, the Senate Economic Development Committee, the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, and the Senate Agriculture Committee. Both the speaker and the lieutenant governor can appoint a member each from their respective legislative body. The committee is authorized to conduct an independent audit or investigation of the department regarding medical cannabis.
The department is authorized to issue up to nine additional Class 1 production licenses and up to 12 additional Class 2 production licenses. The required study of the participation of minority and women-owned businesses as licensees will begin on January 1, 2026, and review from January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2025. All working papers, documents, and copies produced by, obtained by, or disclosed to, the department will be subject to state open records laws.
By May 31, 2023, the commissioner of the Department of Agriculture is required to engage in mediation with the applicants that protested and appealed the Access to Medical Cannabis Commission's previous awarding of licenses. The commissioner will be authorized to issue additional Class 1 and Class 2 production licenses provided that the contract for a license will be deemed to be a waiver and release of any further to right to sue. The extra licenses must be awarded by December 31, 2023.
After that deadline, the department will be authorized to issue one additional Class 2 license for every increase of 25,000 patients in the Low THC Oil Patient Registry ("the registry") and one additional Class 1 license for every increase of 50,000 patients in the registry. The number of patients will be based on the number of patients registered as of January 1, 2024. The Georgia State-wide Business Court will have exclusive jurisdiction over any appeals of final decisions by the commission

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 5, 2024

Today on the Floor

regarding the issuance of new licenses. Each commission member will be required to file an annual financial disclosure statement for the previous calendar year. Ulcerative colitis is added to the list of eligible conditions for patients to obtain low THC oil.

Part II amends O.C.G.A. 2-32-2 relating to hemp farming licensure, permitting, and product analysis. To sell hemp products in a retail setting, the establishment must be licensed annually by the Department of Agriculture. Consumable hemp products must have a QR code visible to allow customers to access the certificate of analysis conducted on the product. The department will randomly test consumable hemp products to ensure compliance with this Code section. The bill prohibits retailers from selling hemp products to any individual under the age of 21.

Authored By: Rep. Alan Powell (33rd)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Insist: (A motion to insist sends the bill back to the Senate for consideration.)

Rules Calendar
SB 332 Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission; promulgate standards of conduct and rules for the commission's governance; provide
Bill Summary: SB 332 removes the requirement that the rules of the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission be approved by the Supreme Court of Georgia.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Randy Robertson (29th) Judiciary Non-Civil
Yeas: 97 Nays: 73

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-28-2024 Do Pass

SB 375 Behavioral Health Coordinating Council; add commissioner of veterans service
Bill Summary: SB 375 adds the commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services to the Behavioral Health Coordinating Council.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Brian Strickland (17th) Public Health
Yeas: 167 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-27-2024 Do Pass

SB 443

Abatement of Nuisances; inclusion of claims against promoters and organizers for costs incurred by local governments due to unpermitted events: provide
Bill Summary: SB 443 allows for a district attorney, solicitor general, city attorney, or county attorney to file a public nuisance under O.C.G.A. 41-2-2, and seek to recover from a promoter or organizer of an un-permitted event the expenses incurred by a local government for public safety.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Ben Watson (1st) Judiciary Non-Civil
Yeas: 163 Nays: 4

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-22-2024 Do Pass

Local Calendar
HB 1330 Mableton Development Authority Act; enact
Bill Summary: HB 1330 changes the name of the South Cobb Development Authority to the Mableton Development Authority.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Doug Stoner (40th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 157 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-04-2024 Do Pass

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 5, 2024

Today on the Floor

HB 1372 Pine Mountain, Town of; provide new charter Bill Summary: HB 1372 provides a new charter for the Town of Pine Mountain.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Vance Smith (138th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 157 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-04-2024 Do Pass

HB 1399 White, City of; provide new charter Bill Summary: HB 1399 provides a new charter for the City of White.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Mitchell Scoggins (14th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 157 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-04-2024 Do Pass

HB 1400 Damascus, City of; provide new charter Bill Summary: HB 1400 provides a new charter for the City of Damascus.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Gerald Greene (154th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 157 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-04-2024 Do Pass

HB 1401 Blakely, City of; provide new charter Bill Summary: HB 1401 provides a new charter for the City of Blakely.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Gerald Greene (154th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 157 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-04-2024 Do Pass

HB 1403 Chatsworth, City of; certain territory into boundaries of city; provide annexation Bill Summary: HB 1403 annexes territory into the boundaries of the City of Chatsworth.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Jason Ridley (6th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 157 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-04-2024 Do Pass

HB 1411 Screven, City of; change corporate limits
Bill Summary: HB 1411 changes the corporate city limits and revises city council meeting dates for the City of Screven.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Steven Meeks (178th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 157 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-04-2024 Do Pass

HB 1412 Warner Robins Convention and Visitors Bureau Authority Act; enact Bill Summary: HB 1412 creates the Warner Robbins Convention and Visitors Bureau Authority.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Shaw Blackmon (146th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 157 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-04-2024 Do Pass

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 5, 2024

Today on the Floor

HB 1414 City of Peachtree Corners Community Improvement Districts Act; enact
Bill Summary: HB 1414 provides for the creation of community improvement districts within the City of Peachtree Corners.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Scott Hilton (48th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 157 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-04-2024 Do Pass

HB 1419 Pike County Public Facilities Authority Act; enact Bill Summary: HB 1419 creates the Pike County Public Facilities Authority.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Beth Camp (135th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 157 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-04-2024 Do Pass

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 5, 2024

Next on the Floor from the Committee on Rules
The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 31st Legislative Day, Thursday, March 7, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker.

SB 144

Adjutant General; include a roster of all commissioned officers in the organized militia in the annual report to the Governor; remove the requirement
Bill Summary: SB 144 removes the requirement for a roster of all commissioned officers in the organized militia be included in the adjutant general's annual report to the governor.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes (7th) Defense & Veterans Affairs

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-20-2024 Do Pass

SB 337

Georgia Colonel; appoint honorary title for life; authorize the Governor
Bill Summary: SB 337 authorizes the governor to appoint honorary Georgia colonels and the General Assembly to appoint Georgia lieutenant colonels for the lifetime of the honorees. The rank of aide-de-camp is removed.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (32nd) Special Rules

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-28-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 352

Motor Vehicle Equipment and Inspection; standards for the alteration and operation of motor vehicles with modified suspension systems; provide
Bill Summary: SB 352 revises Code Section 40-8-6, no longer making it unlawful to alter the suspension system of a motor vehicle by more than two inches above or below the factory recommendation of said vehicle.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Lee Anderson (24th) Motor Vehicles

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-20-2024 Do Pass

SB 369

Motor Vehicles; issuance of license plates commemorating the United States of America's semiquincentennial; provide
Bill Summary: SB 369 creates a license plate celebrating the United States' semiquincentennial. The design will be selected from designs submitted by students through their civics education class.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Max Burns (23rd) Motor Vehicles

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-16-2024 Do Pass

SB 377 Courts and Social Services; licensing of qualified residential treatment programs; provide
Bill Summary: SB 377 defines and clarifies qualified residential treatment programs as a type of licensed child-caring institution.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Blake Tillery (19th) Public Health

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-15-2024 Do Pass

SB 410

Licensing of Veterinarians; certain sterilization services performed by out-of-state veterinarians from licensing requirements; exempt
Bill Summary: SB 410 requires the State Board of Veterinary Medicine to adopt rules and regulations to implement the process in which an individual with an active veterinary license or veterinary technician license from another state may have the ability to acquire a one-time, six-month

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 5, 2024

temporary license to practice in certain shelters or clinics.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (32nd) Agriculture & Consumer Affairs

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-21-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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

Appropriations Committee

HB 916

General appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025
Bill Summary: HB 916, the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, is set by a revenue estimate of $36.1 billion, an increase of $3.6 billion or 11.3 percent over the FY 2024 original budget. The bill and tracking sheet may be found on the House Budget and Research Office website.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Jon Burns (159th) Appropriations

Committee Action:

03-05-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Defense & Veterans Affairs Committee

SB 398

Georgia Joint Defense Commission; commission's operations; revise
Bill Summary: SB 398 revises operations related to the Georgia Joint Defense Commission. The number of members is increased from 19 to 22 with the addition of the chancellor of the University System of Georgia, a representative of a defense industry contractor designated by the President of the Senate, and a representative of an organization engaged in military or defense research designated by the Governor. The director of the Governor's Defense Initiative is also replaced by the commissioner of the Department of Economic Development, who will serve as the committee chairperson.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (32nd) Defense & Veterans Affairs

Committee Action:

03-05-2024 Do Pass

Motor Vehicles Committee
SB 436 Farm Use Vehicles; define a term Bill Summary: SB 436 revises the definition "implement of husbandry" and adds a definition in the Code section for "operator" as it relates to the operation of farm use vehicles.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Sam Watson (11th) Motor Vehicles

Committee Action:

03-05-2024 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 5, 2024

Committee Meetings

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 - March 6, 2024 9:00 AM Education Curriculum Subcommittee (House)

9:00 AM INSURANCE (House)

10:00 AM SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (House)

10:00 AM EDUCATION (House)

11:00 AM JUVENILE JUSTICE (House) 1:00 PM HIGHER EDUCATION (House)

1:30 PM Leverett Subcommittee of Judiciary Non-Civil (House) 3:00 PM REGULATED INDUSTRIES (House)

3:00 PM RETIREMENT (House) 3:00 PM INDUSTRY AND LABOR (House)

3:00 PM 3:30 PM

CANCELED-Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Energy Subcommittee (House)
JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL (House)

406 CLOB

VIDEO Agenda

506 CLOB

VIDEO Agenda

606 CLOB

VIDEO Agenda

406 CLOB

VIDEO Agenda

403 CAP VIDEO Agenda

606 CLOB

VIDEO Agenda

132 CAP VIDEO Agenda

606 CLOB

VIDEO Agenda

403 CAP VIDEO Agenda

506 CLOB

VIDEO Agenda

341 CAP VIDEO Agenda

132 CAP VIDEO

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