Weekly wrap-up 2003 March 24

Highlights of Major Senate Action
For the Week of March 24, 2003
After a two week recess so the Senate and House Appropriations Conference Committee could work on the Fiscal Year 2003 supplemental budget and the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee could work on the Fiscal Year 2004 budget, the Senate reconvened on Monday, March 24th, and subsequently voted to adopt the Conference Committee Report to House Bill 121 the supplemental budget for 2003 46 to 7. Conference Committee members from the Senate included Sen. Jack Hill of the 4th, Sen. Tom Price of the 56th, and Sen. Don Cheeks of the 23rd. President Pro Tem Eric Johnson of the 1st served in an advisory capacity.
On Monday, the legislation that will penalize persons for the possession of certain chemicals relating to methamphetamine manufacture passed 55-0. The measure is a part of Gov. Sonny Perdue's legislative package and was authored by Sen. Bill Stephens of the 51st and Sen. Dan Lee of the 29th, the governor's floor leaders.
Tuesday brought enhanced legislation to protect children; a new Senate district map; and a bill that addresses toll revenues.
Sen. Michael Meyer von Bremen of the 12th introduced Senate Bill 1, legislation to punish parents, guardians, and other caretakers of children who don't protect the children in their care. Sen. Meyer von Bremen riveted the members of the Senate as he related true circumstances where care givers could not be prosecuted under Georgia law for willful, wanton, and reckless disregard of a child's safety.
He advised his fellow Senators that Georgia is the only state in the Union without a child endangerment law. "The purpose of this law is to give prosecutors the tools necessary to bring forth charges in cases of egregious neglect," the Senator said from the Well of the Senate. The legislation, which passed the Senate 54-0, is part of Lt. Governor Mark Taylor's legislative package.
The Senate also passed a redrawn Senate District map brought to the floor by Sen. Lee. "The people of Georgia need to know who their State Senator is and this map accomplishes that," Sen. Lee told his colleagues. The legislation passed 33-21.
"You don't need a lawyer from Luthersville, Georgia, you don't need a Justice Department or the United State Supreme Court to tell you that the current map is
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wrong. All you have to do is look at it," Sen. Lee, who is chair of the Reapportionment and Redistricting Committee, concluded.
Little debate was needed on a measure to keep toll revenues for the maintenance and improvement on the road on which the toll is collected. Sen. Price authored the legislation after it was reported that the State would use $10 million from tolls collected on Georgia 400 to purchase land in midtown Atlanta for a MARTA transit station.
On Wednesday, ethics was the word, as two more parts of Gov. Perdue's four-part ethics package passed the Senate - - but not without "friendly amendments." Amendments to Senate Bill 168, relative to the Georgia Ethics Commission, included language to preserve attorney-client privilege; requests for requests of advisory opinions from the Ethics Commission; and full disclosure of campaign funds. Four of the amendments passed unanimously, one was withdrawn, and Amendment 6, by Sen. David Adelman, which added spouses and children to the ethics disclosure requirements, passed 47-7. The legislation, introduced by Sen. Lee, passed 53-0.
The second ethics bill, by Sen. Stephens, updates the gift disclosure requirements in the Georgia Code of Ethics. Sen. Vincent Fort of the 39th amended the proposed law to add the words "tell the truth at all times" to the requirements. No one voted against that amendment. Sen. Robert Brown of the 26th offered an amendment to extend standards of disclosure under the ethics legislation to relationships with local government entities. That amendment passed as well. Senate Bill 108 passed as amended, 53-0.
Lt. Gov. Taylor congratulated Governor Perdue, the governor's floor leaders, Sen. Lee and Sen. Stephens, and the members of the Senate for proposing and passing the comprehensive ethics package.
Freshman Sen. Brian Kemp of the 46th accepted some good natured "freshman hazing" from his colleagues when he attempted to pass his first piece of legislation a bill that exempts certain public safety and security planning meetings from open records requirements and public records requests. The bill passed the Senate 54-0.
Sen. David Adelman of the 42nd introduced the Family Violence Shelter Confidentiality Act of 2003 which requires telephone companies to keep the locations of family shelters confidential. Senate Bill 147 passed unanimously.
Tort Reform was the buzz word of the day on Thursday. After a much anticipated "fight" between the lawyers and the doctors, the debate was relatively calm. Sen. Price presented the Committee Substitute to Senate Bill 133, which establishes greater expert witness qualifications, amends the dismissal rule, adopts the principle of forum non-conveniens; reduces the pre/post judgment interest; and ties it to a rate that is more reflective of the market.
Two amendments were offered to the proposed legislation, and both were adopted. The bill passed the Senate 53-1.
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"This bill is a step in the right direction," Sen. Price said. "I will continue to fight for the patients of Georgia and for needed reforms including provisions for caps on noneconomic damages, comparative negligence, and limited liability exposure to individuals and facilities providing emergency care." Good news reigned at the Capitol this week as the Senators welcomed back their own Sen. Faye Smith of the 25th. Earlier this year, Sen. Smith suffered a brain aneurysm and was hospitalized in Macon for several weeks. After a miraculous recovery, she returned on Monday to represent her constituents.
. . . now here's more news
In Committee Action...
Agriculture and Consumer Affairs
Monday, March 24th, Sen. Bulloch called the meeting to order. Sen. Renee Unterman of the 45th presented a version of HB 347, sponsored by Rep. Ann Purcell of the 122nd. The bill had been reworked by Sen. Unterman's subcommittee and makes extensive modifications to the Georgia Veterinary Practice Act, providing for the regulation and licensing of veterinary technicians. Veterinary technicians are defined as persons performing animal care responsibilities that are not explicitly medical in nature, such as prescribing medication, performing surgery, and so forth. The bill was voted out of committee unanimously. Thursday, March 6th, the committee met to discuss HB 307 and 347. HB 307 was presented by Chairman John Bulloch of the 11th and relates to structural pest control operations and how their insurance information is to be presented. The bill was passed unanimously. HB 347 relates to the Georgia Veterinary Practice Act and was sent to a sub-committee.
Banking and Financial Institutions
Monday, March 24th, Chairman Don Cheeks of the 23rd opened the committee by introducing SB 157. This bill would make it unlawful for any person to engage in the practice of payday lending, deferred presentment services, advance cash services, and other similar activities. Commissioner John Oxendine and several lobbyists spoke to the bill. Following comments from several Senators, the bill passed out of committee by substitute.
Children and Youth
Gov. Sonny Perdue made a surprise appearance at the Senate Children and Youth Committee meeting on March 27, when the Committee held a hearing on Senate Bill 236, the Governor's legislation that allows foster parents a say in what happens to children in their care. Foster parents and foster children attended the meeting, and many spoke about their experiences in the foster care system. Alice Fox, a foster child for five years before she was returned to her biological mother for the next ten years, told the members of the Committee she believes that if her foster parents had been given a say, she would not have spent a decade in the "abusive" home of her mother. "Foster parents need to be heard," she said. Governor Perdue thanked the foster parents in the audience for their commitment to the children they foster, and told the members of the Committee that foster parenting is close to his heart and that of his wife, Georgia's First Lady, Mary Perdue. Gov. and Mrs. Perdue were foster parents for many years prior to living in the Governor's mansion. Senate Bill 236, authored by Sens. Bill Stephens of the 51st, Dan Lee of the 29th, and Sam Zamarripa of the 36th, passed the Committee unanimously. Sen. Seth Harp of the 16th will carry the legislation from this point forward.
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Wednesday, March 26th, Sen. Collins called the meeting to order to discuss and vote on SB 198, which authorizes, facilitates, but does not require qualified entities to obtain national background checks on providers of care to children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, as authorized by federal law. Norman Adams from the Georgia Association of Homes and Services spoke in favor of the bill. The bill passed unanimously. Sen. Collins further presented SR 281, creating a Senate Study Committee on the Implementation of Children and Youth Services Improvement Plans. The members will conduct a legislative study to identify barriers to implementation of plans for system improvement recommended in two reports by the Governor's Action Group for Safe Children and the Department of Human Resources. The resolution was adopted. Thursday, March 6th, Chairwoman Ginger Collins of the 6th called the committee to order to discuss SB 199, 200, and 201. SB 199, relating to prohibiting the disclosure of child abuse records, was tabled for further discussion and clarification. SB 200 relates to permitting the Department of Human Resources (DHR) to obtain incriminating information in regards to persons dwelling in households of abused children. Proponents of the bill were Deborah Elovich and Vivian Egan of DHR. The bill was passed by the committee. SB 201 relates to allowing flow of pertinent information from Department of Family and Children's Service to the Office of School Readiness. The bill was voted out of the committee with a do pass by substitute recommendation.
Economic Development and Tourism
Tuesday, March 25th, Chairman Jeff Mullis of the 53rd opened the committee by asking Sen. Hugh Gillis of the 20th to speak to his legislation. SB 150 prohibits any hotel operator from charging excessive room rates resulting in price gouging during the duration of a special sporting event held in Georgia. The bill specifically prohibits any hotel operator from providing rooms for compensation at rates in excess of 100 percent of the published room rates, during the period of a special sporting event, including the night before, whether in the form of room charges, special service charges, fees, or otherwise. The bill passed out of committee. Sens. Brian Kemp of the 46th and Dan Moody of the 27th spoke to SB 273, which creates the Georgia Public-Private Infrastructure Act of 2003. The bill is intended to allow public entities to provide much needed infrastructure improvements while minimizing the public funds needed for such projects by using alternative funding sources through contracts with private entities. The bill passed out of committee. Sen. Joey Brush of the 24th spoke to SB 131, which provides that the term fireworks will not include: wire or wood sparkles of not more than 100 grams of mixture per item: other sparkling items which are non-explosive and non-aerial and contain 75 grams or less of chemical compound per tube or a total of 200 grams or less for multiple tubes: snake and glow worms; and trick noise makers which include paper streamers, party poopers, string poppers, snappers, and drop pops each consisting of 0.25 grams or less of explosive mixture. In addition, this bill would prohibit any person, firm, corporation, association, or partnership from selling any item listed above to any person less than 16 years of age. The bill passed out of committee. Sen. Eric Johnson of the 1st spoke to HB 87, which would increase the compensation of any person who assists in conducting bingo games from $30 to $50 per day. The bill passed out of committee. In addition, the Senator spoke to HB 134, which would prohibit the awarding of bingo prizes in excess of $1,500 in cash or gifts of equivalent value during the calendar day or $3,000 in cash or gifts of equivalent value during any calendar week. Current law prohibits award prizes in excess of $1,300 a day or in excess of $2,600 a week. The bill passed out of committee. Sen. Mullis spoke to HB 225, which would authorize the Speaker of the House and the Senate Committee on Assignments to appoint members to the Georgia World Congress Center Authority Overview Committee. The bill passed out of committee. HB 279 expands the definition of "bingo game" and "nonprofit bingo game" by providing that a bingo game may be played manually or with an electronic or computer device that stores the numbers from a player's card or cards, tracks the numbers chosen by a lot when such numbers are entered by the player, and notifies the player of a winning combination. The bill passed out of committee.
Education
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Thursday, March 27th, the committee met to discuss and vote on SB 193, 143, and 294. Sen. Dan Moody of the 27th spoke on behalf of SB 193, the Fair Dismissal Act. Bob Cribbs of the Georgia Association of Educators and Tom Womack of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators spoke in favor of the bill. SB 193 was voted out of committee with a do pass recommendation. Donna Douglas, Education Aide to Sen. Mitch Seabaugh of the 28th, spoke to SB 294, which sets regulations for local school system's purchasing and contracts. Representative John Yates of the 85th, Post 1 spoke in favor of the bill. Don Rooks of the Georgia School Board's Association voiced concerns about the language in certain portions of the bill. SB 294 was voted out of committee with a do pass as amended recommendation. Sen. Brush tabled SB 143, the School Bus Safety Act, citing the need for further discussion on the bill. Tuesday, March 25th, the committee met to discuss and vote on SB 194, 210, 216, 223, 248, and 249. Sen. Dan Lee of the 29th spoke on behalf of SB 223, which addresses the issue of teacher contracts. Herb Garrett of the Georgia School Superintendent's Association spoke against the bill. SB 223 was voted out of committee with a do pass recommendation. Ben Scafidi, the Governor's education policy advisor and Steve Butler, policy advisor for the Georgia Department of Education spoke on behalf of SB 248 and SB 249. Both bills were voted out of committee with do pass recommendations. Sen. Tom Price of the 56th spoke to SB 216, which relates to the issue of charter schools, as well as its subsequent amendment. SB 216 was voted out of committee with a do pass by substitute recommendation. Sen. Valencia Seay of the 34th spoke to SB 194, which related to local board of educations and conflicts of interest. Jocelyn. Whitfield of GAE spoke against SB 194. SB 194 was voted out of committee with a do pass as amended recommendation. Sen. Mike Crotts of the 17th spoke on behalf of SB 210, which addresses the issue of home study students' participation in extracurricular activities in public schools. SB 210 was voted out of committee with a do pass by substitute as amended recommendation. The members of the Senate Education Committee heard from the education community when they held the second in a series of public hearings on Gov. Sonny Perdue's proposed education legislation on March 18. Policy advisors from the Georgia Department of Education as well as Gov. Perdue's Education Policy Advisor Ben Scafidi reviewed Senate Bill 249 with members of the Committee. Representatives from GAE, PAGE, Gwinnett County Schools, the Professional Standards Commission, the Muscogee School System, the Georgia School Boards Association, and others addressed concerns with the legislation. The bill is authored by Sen. Joey Brush of the 24th, Sen. Dan Lee of the 29th, and Sen. Bill Stephens of the 51st. A public hearing on SB 248, which is part of Governor Sonny Perdue's education legislation package, was held on March 11. Stuart Bennett and Steve Butler of the Department of Education were in attendance to speak on behalf of the bill and present a detailed examination of the legislation. Jocelyn Whitfield of the Georgia Association of Educators; Jill Hay of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators; Jim Puckett of the Georgia Association of Education Leaders; and Charles Topetzes of the Professional Standards Commission were in attendance to voice their support for SB 248.
Ethics and Government Reform
Thursday, March 27th, Sen. Crotts convened the meeting to discuss SB 338, which defines how campaign contributions may be spent by political candidates and public officers. The bill was voted out of committee with a do pass recommendation. Thursday, March 6th, Chairman Mike Crotts of the 17th convened the meeting to discuss Senate Bills 113, 125, and 168. Both Sen. Brian Kemp of the 46th and Sen. Ross Tolleson of the 18th presented SB 113, which creates an exception from the requirement of disclosure of public records which would compromise security against sabotage or terrorist acts. The bill passed by committee substitute. Sen. Jack Hill of the 4th presented SB 125, which requires any person who accepts a contribution of more than $101.00, or who makes an expenditure of more than $101.00 on behalf of a candidate to disclose the name of the candidate and the office of the candidate for whom the contribution was accepted or the expenditure made. The bill passed unanimously. Sen. Bill Stephens of the 51st presented SB 168, which provides that the State Ethics Commission must issue
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an advisory opinion within 60 days of receiving a written request. SB 168 passed unanimously by committee substitute.
Health and Human Services
Thursday, March 27th, Chairman Don Thomas of the 54th opened the meeting by asking Sen. Michael Meyer von Bremen of the 12th to speak to SB 266. This legislation would make a requirement for postsecondary educational institutions to provide information on meningococcal meningitis. Students would be required to receive a vaccination against meningococcal meningitis or present a signed waiver to the institution. Following comments, the bill passed out of committee. Sen. Connie Stokes of the 43rd introduced SB 264, which amends Code Section 31-2-6 of the O.C.G.A to provide for actions against community living arrangements, drug abuse treatment and education programs. The bill passed out of committee. SB 333 amends Chapter 35 of Title 31 of the O.C.G.A., relating to vaccinations for firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and public safety officers, by adding a new Article 2. The bill passed out of committee. SB 336 would provide that unless it is established that injuries or death were caused by gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct, no licensed hospital which participates in a smallpox vaccination and treatment program authorized by the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services or the United State Public Health Service of the State of Georgia or employees, agents, or health care workers of a hospital; and no licensed health care provider, health care worker, or other person who participates in a smallpox vaccination and treatment program, whether or not the provider, worker, or person is an agent or employee of said hospital, will be liable for damages or injuries alleged to have been sustained by an individual by reason of such individual's receipt of a smallpox vaccination or treatment; such individual's exposure to smallpox or its related infections; or any act or omission committed by said hospital, employee, agent health care provider, health care worker, or other person as a result of such individual's receipt of services form or related to the smallpox vaccination and treatment program. The bill passed out of committee. Sen. Carol Jackson of the 50th spoke to SB 170, which enacts the Georgia Independence Plus Act. Sen. Thomas assigned the legislation to a study committee.
Higher Education
Thursday, March 27th, SB 244 was presented. The bill relates to postsecondary education, in the area of grants to part-time students, residency requirements for HOPE scholarships, and grants for summer school. The bill further seeks to limit the number of semester hours in the summer with regards to grants. SB244 passed by committee substitute.
Tuesday, March 25th, Don Everson of the Office of Treasury and Fiscal Services presented HB 424, which pertains to the Georgia Higher Education Savings Plan and payroll deductions for public officers and employees. The bill passed unanimously. The committee then heard presentations by Georgia Research Alliance President C. Michael Cassidy and Vice President Susan G. Shows on Georgia's University System Intellectual Capital Partnership Program (ICAPP), which is an economic development program of the University System of Georgia. One of ICAPP's main goals is to create a more educated Georgia, while partnering with employers, and creating economic opportunities for Georgia's citizens. Tuesday, March 11th, Sen. Brian Kemp of the 46th presented SB 255, which relates to a general prohibition on doing business with the state for certain employees of the University System of Georgia. The committee substitute to SB 255 was unanimously adopted and passed out of committee. Subsequently, a presentation was made by President Beheruz Sethna of the State University of West Georgia on the benefits of higher education, and that it should be considered an investment rather than an expense, as a student who fails to obtain a college degree stands to lose thousands of dollars during their lifetime.
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Wednesday, March 5th, Chairman Bill Hamrick of the 30th, called the committee to order to discuss and vote on SR 220, which would create the Improvement of the HOPE Scholarship Joint Study Commission. The commission would study the conditions, needs, and issues related to assuring the continuing and future availability of sufficient funds for the HOPE Scholarship. SR 220 was passed out of committee.
Insurance and Labor
Thursday, March 27th, the committee met to discuss SB 280, 282, 237, 329, 344, and 350. SB 280 was presented by Sen. Rene Kemp of the 3rd and relates to armed forces personnel having the ability to suspend or terminate their insurance without penalty while on a tour of duty. Bobby Potter of State Farm Insurance, Emily Bagwell of the Georgia Association of Property and Casualty Insurance Companies, and Dick Dorsey of the USAA Insurance Company. The bill was voted out of the committee with a do pass recommendation. SB 237 was presented by Sen. Steve Thompson of the 33rd and relates to requiring insurance companies to publish specified financial information on a yearly basis. The bill was passed out of committee. SB 282 was presented by Sen. Lamutt and relates to state employees no longer being covered by a federal healthcare plan. Tarry Hodges of the Department of Community Health spoke to the bill expressing support. The bill was passed out of the committee with a do pass recommendation. SB 329 and 344 were presented by Sen. Mitch Seabaugh of the 28th. SB 329 relates to healthcare spending accounts and consumer-driven health plan advancements. SB 344 relates to providing a customer-driven health plan for the State of Georgia. Ms. Hodges expressed her support for this bill as well. The bill was passed out of committee. SB 350 was presented by Sen. Lamutt and relates to the processing of heath care claims electronically. Speakers to the bill were Kirk McGee from the Georgia Association of Health Plans and Joe Wood of the Medical Association of Georgia. The bill was assigned to a sub-committee for further research. Wednesday, March 5th, Chairman Robert Lamutt of the 21st presented SB 233, which relates to various reforms to the benefits process for state workers' compensation. After questions, the bill passed out of committee by substitute. Sen. Eric Johnson of the 1st presented SB 217, which revises provisions regarding class action suits and seeks to streamline the process of appealing these suits. Christopher Young of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, and Dwight Davis of the law firm King & Spalding spoke and in favor of the legislation. David Hagy, representing the Georgia Trial Lawyer's Association spoke against the bill. The bill was voted out of committee with a do pass recommendation.
Interstate Cooperation
Monday, March 24th, Chairman Chuck Clay of the 37th opened the committee by speaking to the committee rules. Following the adoption of the rules, SR 240, which urges the Governor to create a commission to cooperate with the Governor of South Carolina to study the feasibility of creating a Joint Port Authority for the Port of Savannah, passed out of committee.
Judiciary
Tuesday, March 25th, the committee met to discuss SB 16, 17, and 184. Due to time constraints, the committee was only able to address SB 16, which relates to the relocation of children of divorced families. Sen. Harp presented the bill to the members of the committee. Anthony Moore of the Georgia Bill Initiative Group and Cornell Driscoll spoke in favor of the bill. Elizabeth Appley of the Georgia Coalition of Domestic Violence, Julie Koob of the Governor's Council on Family
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Violence, and family lawyer Emily Bair spoke to the bill in regards to concerns about the legislation. The bill was voted out of committee with a do pass recommendation. Monday, March 24th, the following bills were presented to the committee: SB 133, 234, 235, and 119. SB 133, which is titled the Common Sense Civil Justice Reform Act of 2003, seeks to revise a number of areas, including post-judgment interest, venue, filing of dismissals, and expert witnesses. SB 133 passed out of committee by unanimous vote. SB 234 seeks to raise the number of superior court judges on Gwinnett Judicial Circuit from eight to nine. The bill was voted on unanimously and passed out of committee. SB 235 pertains to the Cherokee Judicial Circuit and remained in committee for a language change. Sen. Seth Harp of the 16th presented SB 225, which pertains to legislation entitled the Frivolous Litigation Act and will impose sanctions against an attorney or party who violates this act. The committee voted unanimously that the bill do pass out of committee. Sen. David Adelman of the 42nd presented SB 119, which pertains to post-conviction DNA testing for defendants in cases where the crime was a serious violent felony. DNA testing for indigent defendants will be paid out of the Fine Forfeiture Fund. The committee substitute received a unanimous vote and SB 119 was voted out of committee with a do pass recommendation. Thursday, March 6th, Sen. Jeff Mullis of the 53rd spoke to SB 214, which relates to the law governing the authority to disinter bodies and seeks to expand the scope of such authority to include certain county medical examiners and district attorneys, if granted by order of the judge of superior court of the county. SB 214 passed by committee substitute as amended. Wednesday, March 5th. Chairman Charles Tanksley of the 32nd convened the committee and reviewed SB 116, 174, 13, 55, 133 and SR 1. Sen. Bill Hamrick of the 30th presented SB 116, which would amend the regulation of discovery and inspection in juvenile proceedings. The bill passed unanimously. Sen. Michael Meyer Von Bremen of the 12th presented SB 174, which addresses the revision of the requirements for the periodic payment of damage claims under personal injuries, tort claims, and workers compensation. The bill passed unanimously. Sen. Don Balfour of the 9th presented SB 13, pertaining to DUI laws, including making it an offense if a driver refuses to submit to chemical testing. The bill passed unanimously by committee substitute. Sen. Regina Thomas of the 2nd presented SB 55, which seeks to amend the Juvenile Code in the area of adoptions and would also change the name of the Division of Family and Children Services Adoption Unit to the Office of Adoptions. The committee substitute to SB 55 was adopted unanimously and passed out of committee. Sen. Tanksley presented, for discussion purposes, SB 133, which revises Tort Reform Liability in a number of areas. SR 1, which seeks to allow the use of public funds to support public health, historic preservation, or social services programs provided to needy persons without regard to religious beliefs or religious affiliations, was moved to another calendar.
Natural Resources and Environment
Thursday, March 27th, Sen. Gloria Butler of the 55th presented SB 348, which would require governments and municipalities to dispose of old tires in an environmentally appropriate manner. After a question form Sen. Hudgens, the committee amendment was adopted and the bill passed out of committee as amended with a do pass recommendation. Sen. John Bulloch of the 11th presented SB 328, which would change statewide hunting regulations to allow the use of bait in hunting deer. After much discussion, the bill passed out of committee. Sen. Bulloch then presented SB 317, also pertaining to deer hunting. The bill would change the hunting season, antler restrictions, and bag limits for deer in 11 counties in southwest Georgia. The bill passed out of committee. Rep. Jim Stokes of the 72nd spoke to HB 285, which addresses regulation and fines regarding water quality issues from soil runoff and provides for uniform regulations and penalty fees across the state. Harold Reheis, Director of the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural Resources, spoke in favor of the bill. The bill passed out of committee with a do pass recommendation. Sen. Casey Cagle of the 49th also reported that progress was being made on House Bill 237, the Georgia state water management plan, in his subcommittee.
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Monday, March 24th, Chairman Hugh Gillis of the 20th referred SB 180, the Water Planning Act of 2003, to a subcommittee. Sen. Ralph Hudgens of the 47th presented a committee substitute to SB 172, which parallels HB 242. The bill would require detailed statements of rationale and cost-benefit analyses for any proposed environmental legislation. Bob Fletcher of the Sierra Club spoke relating the club's concerns with the bill. Erica Frank, President of Physicians for Social Responsibility, also spoke against the bill. The bill was passed out of committee by substitute. Sen. Brian Kemp of the 46th presented SB 246, which would prevent the state from taking control of condemned water reservoirs without paying fair and just compensation. The bill passed by substitute out of committee. Rep. Burke Day of the 126th presented HB 157, which extends the Coastal Management Act provisions through 2009. The bill passed out of committee by unanimous vote.
Public Safety and Homeland Security
Thursday, March 27th, Sen. Ralph Hudgens of the 47th spoke to SB 357, which would close a loophole in the licensing process for auto salvage and rebuilding businesses. The bill passed out of committee. Sen. Mullis presented SB 89, relating to drivers' licenses and indication of U.S. citizenship. Rep. David Casas of the 68th spoke to the bill. The bill passed by substitute out of committee. Sen. Mullis then presented SB 345, relating to the arrest powers for state fire marshals' staff. The bill passed out of committee. Sen. Harp spoke to SB 262, which would allow military ID cards to be used as proof of ID for receiving a driver's license. The bill passed out of committee with a do pass as amended recommendation. Sen. Steve Henson of the 41st presented SB 279, which would create a specialty license plate for Masons. The bill passed out of committee. Rep. Alan Powell of the 23rd presented HB 455, which would require the Department of Motor Vehicle Safety to require safety and mechanical inspections for limousines. The bill passed out of committee. Sen. Gloria Butler of the 55th read SB 283, which would provide for the issuance of special "Share the Road" license plates to encourage good relations between motorists and bicyclists. The bill passed out of committee. Sen. Butler then presented SB 301, which would allow a driver with a disabled parent to receive a special license plate for the disabled. Sen. Valencia Seay of the 34th moved that the bill be amended to limit the amount of plates issued to one per family. The motion carried and the bill passed out of committee as amended. Sen. Butler read SB 302, which would change state law to allow nondisabled people to monitor disabled parking spaces. The bill was moved to a subcommittee for further study. Tuesday, March 25th, Sen. Bill Hamrick of the 30th presented a substitute to SB 187. The original bill was drafted to update Georgia law with regard to homeland security and terrorism prevention. The substitute bill, drafted by request of several state public safety agencies, would eliminate the Organized Crime Prevention Council and replace its current director with a Director of Homeland Security. The bill was passed out of committee unanimously. Sen. Jeff Mullis of the 53rd presented SB 218, relating to indemnification of emergency medical service and 911 employees. The bill passed out of committee unanimously. Sen. Mullis also presented SB 243, which relates to a unified incident command system for the Georgia Emergency Operations Plan. Buzz Wise of the Georgia Emergency Management Association spoke in favor of the bill. The bill was voted out of committee with a do pass by substitute recommendation. Rep. Robert Ray of the 108th presented HB 166, relating to disability compensation for volunteer firemen who are injured in the line of duty. The bill passed out of committee unanimously. Sen. Dan Lee of the 29th presented SB 229, relative to court fees for driver's license transmittals. The bill passed out of committee unanimously. Sen. Seth Harp of the 16th presented SB 215, which would shift the expense of training peace officers from local communities to the hiring agencies that recruited the officers. The bill was passed out of committee.
Regulated Industries and Utilities
Wednesday, March 26th, SB 220, 272, and 34 and SR 276 were heard by the committee. Doug Everett of the Public Service Commission spoke to SB 220 and requested that it remain in committee for further study. Sen. Mitch Seabaugh of the 28th presented SB 272, which seeks to expand telemarketing regulations to include cellular phone customers. The bill passed as amended.
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Sen. Regina Thomas of the 2nd presented SB 34, which would amend the Natural Gas Competition and Deregulation Act allowing the Public Service Commission to declare an emergency, thus empowering the organization to regulate natural gas to retail customers in Georgia. The bill failed by a 3-2 vote. Sen. Don Balfour of the 9th presented SR 276, which urges the Federal Regulatory Commission from adopting its standard market design of electricity markets and further urges Congress to prohibit its adoption. The resolution passed unanimously.
Retirement
Thursday, February 27th, Sen. Sam Zamarripa of the 36th presented SR 107, which would create a Joint Study Committee on State Retirement Plan Options and would encourage retirees to explore their various options and allow the State Merit System to reduce expenses. In conjunction with SR 107, Sen. Zamarripa presented SB 159, which would authorize the development of these moneysaving options and alternatives in the State Retirement System. The resolution and the bill both passed out of committee, the bill passing as amended. HB 266, which relates to an increase in benefits for members of the public school employees' retirement fund, passed out of committee. HB 268, relative to a due increase for the Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund, passed out of committee. Finally, HB 270, which amends rules relating to the Judges of the Probate Courts Retirement Fund, passed out of committee.
Special Judiciary
Thursday, March 27th, Sen. Regina Thomas of the 2nd, with the assistance of Jim Outman, presented SB 263, which relates to vital records and birth certificates in legitimation, paternity, and adoptions. Action on the bill was delayed. Sen. Kemp presented SB 277, which provides that a conservation use covenant may be renewed in the ninth year of a covenant period and continued without a lapse in the agreement for an additional ten years. The bill passed unanimously. Sen. Kemp further spoke to SB 281, making it unlawful for any parent or guardian of a child to sell, offer to sell, or conspire with another to sell or offer to sell a child for money or anything of value. The bill passed unanimously. Sen. Mary Squires of the 5th presented SB 310, which relates to County and Municipal Ordinances Relating to Unfit Buildings. The bills adds a new provision stating that the presence of graffiti which is visible from adjoining public or private property may be used by a public officer to determine that a dwelling, building, or structure is unfit for human habitation or for commercial or industrial use. Representatives from the Georgia Realtors Association and Georgia Apartments Association spoke in opposition to the bill. The bill passed unanimously. Sen. Carol Jackson of the 50th presented SB 324, which increases penalties and requirements for persons involved with substances used in connection with manufacturing methamphetamine. The bill passed unanimously via committee substitute. Tuesday March 25th, Sen. Kemp called the committee to order to discuss Senate Bill's 151, 123, 254 and 139. Sen. Randy Hall of the 22nd presented SB 151, broadening the definition of a "Peeping Tom" to apply to any person to peep or otherwise observe by any unauthorized means, including observing through windows, doors, openings, or other similar places, the premises of another for the purpose of spying or invading the privacy of another person. The bill would also make it unlawful for any person to observe by any means, including, by not limited to, a telescope, binoculars, camera, etc. The bill passed unanimously. Sen. Steve Thompson of the 33rd presented SB 123, relating to family violence and stalking protective order registry. The bill deletes provisions that require the Georgia Crime Information Center to purge daily protective orders that have expired or been terminated. The bill further provides that the sheriff's department will now be responsible for the validation of all National Crime Information Center protective order entries. The bill passed unanimously by committee substitute. Sen. Kemp called on Bob Cribbs from the Georgia Association of Educators, who presented SB 254, which creates a new article to be cited as the Whistleblowers' Protection Act for Public School Employees. The bill passed unanimously by substitute as amended. Sen. Nadine Thomas of the 10th introduced SB 139, which provides that a person who owns or operates a public accommodation may not restrict an individual from access or admission to the accommodation solely because the individual operates a motorcycle. After much
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discussion among members of the Senate, action on the bill was delayed until the next committee meeting. Thursday March 6th, Chairman Rene' Kemp of the 3rd called the committee to order to discuss SB 147 and 192. Sen. David Adelman of the 42nd presented SB 147, which relates to family violence and provides for penalties for disclosing, publishing, or disseminating the location of a family violence shelter. The bill would further provide penalties for the relocation of the shelter if the information were disclosed. Representatives from the Georgia Commission on Family Violence and the Partnership against Domestic Violence spoke in favor of the bill, which passed unanimously via committee substitute. Sen. Regina Thomas of the 2nd presented SB 192, which changes provisions relating to the contents of new birth certificates issued after adoption, legitimation or paternity determinations, and provides that persons 21 years of age or older may request and receive a copy of their original birth certificate. The bill passed unanimously by committee substitute.
State and Local Governmental Operations
Thursday, March 27th, Sen. Renee Unterman of the 45th opened the committee by asking Sen. Gloria Butler of the 55th to speak SB 136. This piece of legislation would provide June 30, 2004, and only if expressly authorized by the board, interest earned on reserve funds set aside for rebuilding, repairing, or renovating facilities of the rapid transit system; for replacing, repairing, or renovating equipment or other capital assets; or from the sale or other disposition of real property, may, without regard to the original source of the funds so reserved, by used to pay the operating costs of the system. The bill passed out of committee as amended. Sen. Steve Henson of the 41st introduced SB 259, which would repeal Ga. L. 1978, p. 3677 (as amended by Ga. L. 1981, p. 3309), which provides for a board of registration and elections in counties having a population of not less than 350,000 and not more than 500,000. The bill passed out of committee. Sen. Mitch Seabaugh of the 28th introduced SB 292, which would provide that on and after January 1, 2004, each state, county, and local law enforcement agency that conducts emergency response and vehicular pursuits must adopt written policies that set forth the manner in which these operations will be conducted. The bill passed out of committee. SB 312 states that a governing authority of any county or municipality is authorized, but not required, to establish a program for compensation of the owners and operators of real property who are innocent victims of the offense of criminal damages to property or any other similar criminal offense where the criminal conduct consists of unauthorized damage to property by painting or marking graffiti. The bill passed out of committee. Sens. David Shafer of the 48th and Brian Kemp of the 46th spoke to SB 277, which amends the Georgia Constitution by providing that probate court judges be elected on a nonpartisan basis for a term of four years. This amendment is subject to voter approval in a state-wide election. The resolution passed out of the committee. Monday, March 24th, Chairwoman Renee Unterman of the 45th opened the meeting with discussions about SB 258 and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). SB 258 and HAVA, which recently passed into federal law, both address the issue of election reform. Secretary of State Cathy Cox briefly explained certain provisions of HAVA and its impact on Georgia's election process. SB 258 passed unanimously out of committee as amended.
Transportation
Wednesday, March 26th, the Transportation Committee met to discuss SB 257 and HB 457. Bob Vickery of The Washington Group presented a substitute to SB 257, which relates to the powers of the state road and toll way authority. Other speakers to the bill were Mark Woodall of the Association of General Contractors and Harold Linnenkohl, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Transportation. The bill was voted out of committee with a do pass recommendation. HB 457 was presented by Sen. Jeff Mullis of the 53rd and relates to uniform rules
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of the road in regards to respecting maintenance and similar vehicles on highways. The bill was voted out of committee with a do pass recommendation. Monday, March 24th, the committee met to discuss SB 250 and 256; SR 23, 66, 67, 69, 229 and HR 106 and 213. Sen. John Bulloch of the 11th presented SB 250, which relates to the enabling of the cross-referencing of DMV databases. The bill requires that those applying for an automobile title provide their full legal name and driver's license number. The bill passed unanimously out of committee. SB 256 was presented by Jim Ritchie, Executive Director of Georgia Regional Transit Authority, and relates to permitting the operation of buses on shoulders during peak hours of traffic on major highways. The bill passed unanimously. SR 23 was presented by Sen. Carol Jackson of the 50th and designates an intersection in Lumpkin County as the Dean Bryant Intersection. SR 66 was presented by Sen. Robert Brown of the 26th and designates a bridge in Macon as the William S. Hutchins Bridge. SR 67 was presented by Sen. Brown and designates another bridge in Macon as the Thelma "T-Lady" Ross Bridge. SR 69 was presented by Sen. Peg Blitch of the 7th and designates a highway in Echols County as the Dan J. DeLoach Highway. SR 229 was presented by Sen. Michael Meyer von Bremen and designates a highway in Baker County as The Charles F. Hatcher Highway. HR 106 was presented by Rep. Jill Chambers of the 53rd and designates a bridge on Glenwood Road as The Sheriff-Elect Derwin Brown Memorial Bridge. HR 213 was presented by Rep. Ron Stephens of the 123rd and designates an intersection in Chatham County as the Sonny Dixon Interchange. Each resolution presented was voted out of committee with a do pass recommendation. Thursday, March 6th, Chairman Tommie Williams of the 19th, called the committee to order to discuss several important bills and resolutions. Sen. Tom Price of the 56th presented SB 221, relating to general provisions of the State Road and Tollway Authority. The bill stipulates that tolls collected by the authority must be used only for construction, maintenance, or improvement of the project from which the toll was collected. The bill passed unanimously. Sen. Williams presented SB 228, providing for special license plates to be issued beginning in 2004 to promote the nonprofit foundations of the professional sports teams in Georgia. The bill passed unanimously. Sen. Williams further presented SB 228, designating certain public roads and highways in northwest Georgia and northern metro Atlanta as The Dixie Highway Auto Trail. The bill passed unanimously by committee substitute.
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Georgia State Senate First Readers (Thursday, March 6th through Thursday, March 27th)

Senate Resolutions:

SR 232

Missile Defense System; declare support Sens. Harp (16th), Johnson (1st), Price (56th), Mullis (53rd), and Squires (5th) Veterans and Military Affairs Committee

SR 234

Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund; Joint Study Committee; create Sens. Lamutt (21st), Golden (8th), and Thompson (33rd) Insurance and Labor Committee

SR 240

Savannah River; urge bilateral port commission; GA/SC interstate compact Sen. Clay (37th) Interstate Cooperation Committee

SR 262

CA: Special license plates promoting charitable organizations, foundations Sens. Henson (41st), Levetan (40th), and Unterman (45th) Rules Committee

SR 265 others

Estrada, Miquel A.; urge confirmation as judge on U.S. Court of Appeals Sens. Shafer (48th), Price (56th), Smith (52nd), Thomas (54th), Hudgens (47th), & Rules Committee

SR 266

Human Cloning Prohibition Act; urge passage by U.S. Senate

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SR 271 SR 273 SR 276 SR 277 SR 281 SR 293 SR 299

Sens. Shafer (48th), Williams (19th), Smith (52nd), Thomas (54th), Mullis (53rd), and others Rules Committee Savannah Rules; Joint Port Authority Study Committee Sens. Clay (37th) and Johnson (1st) Interstate Cooperation Committee Government Cost Control Commission; Private Sector Advisory Committee Sens. Price (56th), Johnson (1st), Balfour (9th), Seabaugh (28th), Williams (19th), and others Rules Committee Electric transmission system; urge not to adopt standard market design rules Sens. Balfour (9th), Bulloch (11th), Hamrick (30th), Thomas (54th), Mullis (53rd), and others Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee CA: Probate Court Judges; nonpartisan election Sens. Shafer (48th), Kemp (46th), Tanksley (32nd), Blitch (7th), Kemp (3rd), and Smith (25th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee (General) Children and Youth Welfare Services; improvement plans; study committee Sens. Collins (6th), Price (56th), Tate (38th), Johnson (1st), Fort (39th), and Stephens (51st) Children and Youth Committee Designate; Billy Jiles Memorial Highway; Carroll County Sens. Hamrick (30th), Dean (31st), and Lee (29th) Transportation Committee Designate; Michael B. Mundy Memorial Bridge; Pickens County Sen. Stephens (51st) Transportation Committee

SR 301
SR 303
SR 308 (37th) SR 311 others

Designate; John D. Smith Highway; Paulding County Sens. Dean (31st), Clay (37th), and Hamrick (30th) Transportation Committee Winecoff Hotel, Joint Study Committee on the Rehabilitation of; create Sens. Zamarripa (36th), Reed (35th), and Fort (39th) Rules Committee Electric Transmission Lines, Joint Study Committee on Location of; create Sens. Unterman (45th), Johnson (1st), Stephens (51st), Lamutt (21st), and Clay Rules Committee CA: Ad Valorem Taxes; freeze existing residential property values until sold Sens. Johnson (1st), Lamutt (21st), Balfour (9th), Price (56th), Williams (19th), & Rules Committee

Senate Bills:

SB 251

Warren County; board of education; nonpartisan election Sen. Hudgens (47th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee

SB 252

Hart County; board of education; members; compensation Sen. Hudgens (47th)
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SB 253 SB 254
SB 255 SB 256 SB 257
SB 258 SB 259 SB 260 SB 261 SB 262 SB 263 SB 264 SB 265 SB 266 SB 267 SB 268

State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Teachers Retirement; University System employees; optional plan Sens. Hudgens (47th) and Kemp (46th) Retirement Committee Whistleblowers' Protection Act for Public School Employees Sens. Kemp (3rd), Hamrick (30th), Meyer von Bremen (12th), Starr (44th), and Brush (24th) Special Judiciary Committee University System Employees; doing business with state Sens. Kemp (46th), Clay (37th), Hill (4th), Golden (8th), and Hudgens (47th) Higher Education Committee Highways; use of emergency lanes; transit buses; metro Atlanta area Sens. Williams (19th), Adelman (42nd), and Levetan (40th) Transportation Committee State Road and Tollway Authority; public-private initiatives proposals Sens. Williams (19th), Levetan (40th), Kemp (46th), Tanksley (32nd), Adelman (42nd), and others Transportation Committee Elections; conversion to direct recording electronic (DRE) voting systems Sens. Unterman (45th), Mullis (53rd), Hill (4th), and Meyer von Bremen (12th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee (General) DeKalb County; board of registration and elections Sen. Henson (41st) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee (General) Buford, City of; new charter Sen. Unterman (45th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Zoning procedures; land adjacent military base, installation, or airport Sens. Harp (16th), Tolleson (18th), Squires (5th), Brown (26th), and Collins (6th) Veterans and Military Affairs Committee Drivers' Licenses; applications; use of military identification card Sens. Harp (16th), Tolleson (18th), Squires (5th), Brown (26th), and Collins (6th) Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee Vital Records; birth certificate in legitimations, paternity, adoption Sens. Thomas (2nd), Squires (5th), Dean (31st), and Thomas (54th) Special Judiciary Committee Community living arrangements or drug abuse treatment facilities Sens. Stokes (43rd) and Balfour (9th) Health and Human Services Committee Emergency Medical; automated external defibrillators; registration requirement Sens. Thomas (10th) and Thomas (54th) Health and Human Services Committee College Students; vaccination against meningococcal meningitis Sens. Meyer von Bremen (12th) and Price (56th) Health and Human Services Committee Eminent domain; condemnation; electric power plants; power lines Sens. Unterman (45th), Stephens (51st), and Lamutt (21st) Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee Public school speech-language pathologists and audiologist; salaries
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SB 269 SB 270 SB 271 SB 272 SB 273 SB 274 SB 275 SB 276 SB 277 SB 278 SB 279 (45th) SB 280 SB 281 SB 282 (40th) SB 283

Sens. Jackson (50th), Bulloch (11th), Hooks (14th), and Butler (55th) Appropriations Committee Jail booking fees; operates a jail; imposition and collection in traffic court Sen. Tate (38th) Judiciary Committee Wrens, City of; mayor pro tem; provide for; vacancies Sen. Cheeks (23rd) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Transportation Department; peace officers as non-uniform investigators Sens. Lee (29th) and Bowen (13th) Transportation Committee Telemarketing; solicitation to cellular telephone subscribers; no call list Sens. Seabaugh (28th), Thomas (2nd), and Shafer (48th) Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee Pubic-Private Infrastructure Act; facilitate development of projects Sens. Moody (27th), Kemp (46th), Johnson (1st), and Mullis (53rd) Economic Development and Tourism Committee Revenue bonds; issuance of obligations; change certain provisions Sen. Seay (34th) Finance Committee Macon County; board of education; election of members; revise districts Sen. Hooks (14th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Macon County; board of commissioners; election of members; revise districts Sen. Hooks (14th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Ad valorem taxes; conservation use convenant; renewal period Sens. Kemp (3rd) and Johnson (1st) Special Judiciary Committee Telfair County; board of commissioners; reconstitute Sen. Williams (19th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee License plates; prestige/special; honoring Masons Sens. Henson (41st), Adelman (42nd), Levetan (40th), Clay (37th), and Unterman Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee Vehicle liability insurance; cancellation by active duty military personnel Sens. Kemp (3rd), Harp (16th), Hooks (14th), and Cheeks (23rd) Insurance and Labor Committee Children; prohibit the sale or offer for sale of a child Sens. Kemp (3rd), Tanksley (32nd), Harp (16th), Hooks (14th), and Cheeks (23rd) Special Judiciary Committee Health insurance; state employees no longer covered by federal insurance plan Sens. Cheeks (23rd), Harp (16th), Tolleson (18th), Harbison (15th) and Levetan Insurance and Labor Committee License plates; special; "Share the Road" message Sens. Adelman (42nd), Balfour (9th), Reed (35th), Henson (41st), Clay (37th), and Lamutt (21st)
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SB 284 SB 285 SB 286 SB 287 SB 288 SB 289 SB 290 SB 291 SB 292 SB 293 SB 294 SB 295 SB 296 SB 297 SB 298 SB 299

Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee Drug Trafficking Prevention Act Sen. Hamrick (30th) Judiciary Committee Death investigations; persons receiving "compensated care"; notification Sen. Hamrick (30th) Judiciary Committee Hope Scholarship tuition grants; change residency requirements Sen. Hamrick (30th) Higher Education Committee HOPE Scholarship tuition grants; change residency requirements Sen. Hamrick (30th) Higher Education Committee Jackson County; probate judge, chief magistrate; nonpartisan elections Sen. Hudgens (47th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Franklin County; probate judge, chief magistrate; nonpartisan elections Sen. Hudgens (47th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Franklin County; county attorney provisions; commission meetings Sen. Hudgens (47th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Property; historic grants funding; combat veteran's gravesites Sen. Hill (4th) Economic Development and Tourism Committee Law enforcement agencies; emergency response; vehicular pursuit policies Sens. Seabaugh (28th), Unterman (45th), Kemp (3rd), and Bowen (13th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee (General) Protection of the Victims of Domestic Violence Act Sens. Hamrick (30th) and Stokes (43rd) Judiciary Committee Public school systems; purchasing contracts and bid price regulations Sens. Seabaugh (28th), Lee (29th), Brush (24th), and Crotts (17th) Education Committee Newton County; board of commissioners; reconstitute districts Sen. Crotts (17th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee County jails; full-time dispatcher as full-time jailer under certain conditions Sen. Meyer von Bremen (12th) Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee Offense of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer; penalties Sens. Seabaugh (28th), Hamrick (30th), Mullis (53rd), and Smith (52nd) Judiciary Committee Divorce; grounds; extend time frame; effect of legal separation on children Sens. Seabaugh (28th), Collins (6th), Tanksley (32nd), and Starr (44th) Judiciary Committee Motor vehicle; certificate of title; fraudulent acts; penalties Sens. Hamrick (30th) and Tolleson (18th) Judiciary Committee
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SB 300 SB 301 SB 302 SB 303 SB 304 SB 305 SB 306 SB 307 SB 308

Alcoholic beverages; Sunday package sales Sens. Squires (5th), Mullis (53rd), and Zamarripa (36th) Economic Development and Tourism Committee License plates; special parents of persons with disabilities Sens. Levetan (40th), Adelman (42nd), Unterman (45th), Tate (38th), Jackson (50th), and Fort (39th) Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee Handicapped parking; enforcement; change provisions Sens. Levetan (40th), Adelman (42nd), Clay (37th), Henson (41st), Unterman (45th), and others Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee Wages paid by state contractors or subcontractors; living wage requirements Sens. Fort (39th), Reed (35th), and Thomas (10th) Insurance and Labor Committee Prescription Drugs; Georgia RX Plan for Seniors Act Sens. Fort (39th) and Levetan (40th) Health and Human Services Committee Employees Retirement; creditable service; prior temporary full-time employees Sens. Squires (5th), Smith (25th), and Butler (55th) Retirement Committee Courts Technology Advisory Board and Council; provide for Sen. Lee (29th) Science and Technology Committee Transportation Department; employment of investigators Sen. Lee (29th) Transportation Committee Cartersville-Bartow County, Joint Regional Development Authority; tax exemption Sen. Dean (31st) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee

SB 309 SB 310 SB 311 SB 312 SB 313

Street Gangs; graffiti; violent acts; weapons possession; prohibitions Sens. Jackson (50th), Levetan (40th), Zamarripa (36th), Adelman (42nd), Unterman (45th), and Squires (5th) Judiciary Committee
Graffiti visible from adjoining public or private property; nuisance abatement Sens. Squires (5th), Butler (55th), Unterman (45th), Henson (41st), Balfour (9th), and others Special Judiciary Committee
Criminal trespass and damage to property; crime of possession of tools Sens. Squires (5th), Butler (55th), Unterman (45th), Henson (41st), Balfour (9th), and others Special Judiciary Committee
Graffiti; criminal damage to property; programs for compensating owners Sens. Squires (5th), Butler (55th), Unterman (45th), Balfour (9th), Thomas (54th), and Jackson (50th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee (General)
Graffiti; compensation to property owners; use of inmate labor to remove Sens. Squires (5th), Butler (55th), Unterman (45th), Balfour (9th), Shafer (48th), and others
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SB 314 SB 315
SB 316 SB 317 SB 318 SB 319 SB 320 SB 321 SB 322

State and Local Governmental Operations Committee (General) Patient's right under managed health care plans; define terms Sens. Squires (5th), Price (56th), Thomas (10th), and Thomas (54th) Health and Human Services Committee Medicaid; managed health care; medically necessary health care pilot program Sens. Price (56th), Thomas (54th), Williams (19th), Unterman (45th), Golden (8th), and Meyer von Bremen (12th) Health and Human Services Committee Landlord and Tenant; dispossessory proceeding; abandoned tenant property Sens. Hall (22nd) and Cheeks (23rd) Judiciary Committee Deer Hunting; closed and open seasons; bag limits and antler restrictions Sens. Bulloch (11th), Meyer von Bremen (12th), and Bowen (13th) Natural Resources and Environment Committee Assistant District Attorneys; retirement; prior service credit Sens. Seabaugh (28th), Hudgens (47th), and Hamrick (30th) Retirement Committee Administrative law judge; contested cases; testimony Sen. Lee (29th) Judiciary Committee Troup County Public Facilities Authority; create Sen. Lee (29th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Meriwether County; probate judge; nonpartisan elections Sen. Lee (29th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Troup County; board of commissioners; reconstitute Sen. Lee (29th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee

SB 323 SB 324
SB 325 SB 326 SB 327 SB 328

Troup County; probate judge; nonpartisan elections Sen. Lee (29th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee
Property Involved with Illegal Drugs Activities; enhanced penalties Sens. Jackson (50th), Golden (8th), Brown (26th), Starr (44th), Dean (31st), and Gillis (20th) Special Judiciary Committee
Railroad Companies; shall not operate remote controlled locomotives Sens. Harp (16th) and Kemp (3rd) Transportation Committee
Child Custody; right of children; selection of custodial parent; certain ages Sen. Hamrick (30th) Judiciary Committee
Temple, City of; mayor and council members; election and terms Sens. Hamrick (30th), Dean (31st), and Lee (29th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee
Deer hunting; unlawful hunt within certain vicinity of feeds; certain counties Sens. Bulloch (11th), Williams (19th), Gillis (20th), Bowen (13th), and Golden (8th)
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SB 329 SB 330 SB 331 SB 332 SB 333 others SB 334 SB 335 SB 336
SB 337

Natural Resources and Environment Committee Health Care; Spending Account and Consumer Driver Health Plan Advancement Sens. Seabaugh (28th), Golden (8th), Lamutt (21st), Shafer (48th), and Dean (31st) Insurance and Labor Committee BROC; members; appointment and time of service Sens. Price (56th) and Johnson (1st) Rules Committee Powder Springs Downtown Development Authority; limit powers to levy taxes Sen. Thompson (33rd) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Hart County; probate judge; chief magistrate; nonpartisan elections Sen. Hudgens (47th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Vaccination program for emergency responders exposed to infectious diseases Sens. Thomas (54th), Lee (29th), Price (56th), Mullis (53rd), Kemp (46th), and Health and Human Services Committee Highway; billboards; repeal tree trimming permits; change other provisions Sen. Thompson (33rd) Transportation Committee Civil Actions; attorney's fees/expenses awarded to prevailing party Sens. Lee (29th), Jackson (50th), Shafer (48th), and Clay (37th) Judiciary Committee Tort Immunity; federal smallpox vaccination program providers Sens. Thomas (54th), Price (56th), Thomas (10th), Mullis (53rd), Moody (27th), and others Health and Human Services Committee Civil Actions; habeas corpus procedures; statue of limitations; filing petitions Sens. Hamrick (30th) and Williams (19th) Judiciary Committee

SB 338

Ethics; distribution of campaign contributions; ordinary, necessary expenses Sens. Hill (4th), Dean (31st), and Hooks (14th) Ethics Committee

SB 339

Family Violence Fatalities; provide review panels and local committees Sens. Henson (41st), Stokes (43rd), Clay (37th), Squires (5th), Adelman (42nd), and Levetan (40th) Judiciary Committee

SB 340

Voting; direct recorded electronic voting systems; paper vote summaries Sen. Thomas (10th) Ethics Committee

SB 341

Electrical sign contracting; licensure of contractors Sen. Hamrick (30th) Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee

SB 342

Local Government Contracts; bid opportunity advertisements; GA Procurement

Registry

Sens. Unterman (45th), Johnson (1st), Harbison (15th), Shafer (48th), and

Henson (41st)

State and Local Governmental Operations Committee

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SB 343 SB 344 SB 345 SB 346 SB 347 SB 348 SB 349 SB 350 SB 351 SB 352 SB 353 SB 354 SB 355 SB 356 SB 357

White County Board of Education; reconstitute districts Sen. Jackson (50th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee State Employees; consumer driver health plan option (CDHP) Sens. Zamarripa (36th), Golden (8th), Smith (25th), and Brown (26th) Insurance and Labor Committee State Fire Marshal and Staff; investigatory powers; arrests; search warrants Sens. Mullis (53rd), Bowen (13th), Jackson (50th), Smith (52nd), Hamrick (30th), and Shafer (48th) Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee Teen dating violence; prevention education program Sens. Collins (6th), Meyer von Bremen (12th), Lee (29th), Squires (5th), and Moody (27th) Education Committee Relating to exemptions from levy and sale Sens. Meyer von Bremen (12th) and Adelman (42nd) Special Judiciary Committee Tire scrape disposal and storage; county/municipality enforce ordinance Sens. Butler (55th), Thomas (10th), Stokes (43rd), Adelman (42nd), Thomas (54th), and Henson (41st) Natural Resources and Environment Committee Identity Fraud; definitions, investigations, add. Violations; change provisions Sens. Lee (29th), Stephens (51st), and Kemp (46th) Rules Committee Health insurance; filed electronically; timely payment; expedited processing Sens. Lamutt (21st), Zamarripa (36th), Shafer (48th), and Stephens (51st) Science and Technology Committee Public records; disclosure of certain personal information; exemption Sens. Lamutt (21st), Clay (37th), Mullis (53rd), and Shafer (48th) Judiciary Committee Alcoholic beverage; defective products; permit exchange or return Sens. Mullis (53rd), Zamarripa (36th), Squires (5th), and Johnson (1st) Economic Development and Tourism Committee Austell, City of; Facilities Authority; create Sen. Thompson (33rd) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Teacher; certification; provide pay level for doctorate degree Sen. Unterman (45th) Education Committee Medical malpractice Market Stability Sens. Meyer von Bremen (12th), Jackson (50th), Hooks (14th) and Smith (25th) Insurance and Labor Committee Carbon Sequestration Registry Sen. Meyer von Bremen (12th) Natural Resources Committee Motor Vehicle Dealers/Used Motor Vehicle Parts Dealers' Registration; redefine Sen. Hudgens (47th) Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee
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SB 358

Medical Malpractice Insurance Premium Reform Act Sens. Brown (26th), Thompson (33rd), and Thomas (10th) Insurance and Labor Committee

SB 359

Transmission Facility Sitting Act Sens. Clay (37th) and Thompson (33rd) Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee

House Resolutions:

HR 28

Sonny Kemp Intersection; designate in Hall County Reps. Amerson (9th), Reece (21st), Rogers (20th) and Mills (67th, Post 2) Transportation Committee

HR 81

Harold Mann Memorial Interchange; designate Reps. Williams (4th), Forster (3rd, Post 1), Joyce (2nd), Brock (5th), Chambers (53rd), and others Transportation Committee

HR 90

Veterans Memorial Highway; designate; Banks County veterans; commend Rep. Jamieson (22nd) Transportation Committee

HR 128

Lt. Col. Doyce Ariail Highway; designate Reps. Sholar (141st, Post 1), Broome (141st, Post 2), and Greene (134th) Transportation Committee

HR 146

Dean Bryant Intersection; designate
Rep. Amerson (9th)
Transportation Committee

HR 212

Charles F. Hatcher Highway; designate Rep. Dukes (136th) Transportation Committee

HR 213

Sonny Dixon Interchange; designate Reps. Stephens (123rd) and Purcell (122nd) Transportation Committee

HR 545

President Jimmy Carter; Nobel Laureate; address Joint Session Rep. Coleman (118th) Rules Committee

House Bills:

HB 32 HB 90 HB 117 (140th), HB 147

Estates; missing domiciliary; certain perilous exposure; death determination Rep. Willard (40th) Judiciary Committee State bar applicants; submit fingerprints to FBI for check Reps. Boggs (145th), Bordeaux (125th), and Moraitakis (42nd, Post 4) Judiciary Committee Unemployment benefits; eligibility; military transfer of spouse Reps. Birdsong (104th), Skipper (116th), Buck (112th), Smyre (111th), Royal and others Insurance and Labor Committee State Employees' health insurance; agricultural commodity commission employees Reps. Ray (108th), Royal (140th), Black (144th), and James (114th) Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee

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HB 185
HB 206
HB 215 HB 217 HB 236 HB 259 HB 289 Post 1) HB 293
HB 339 HB 351

Drivers' licenses; certain suspension; limited driving permits Reps. Black (144th), Parham (94th), Yates (85th, Post 1), Rice (64th), Rogers (20th), and others Transportation Committee Professional counselors; licensing; exempt disaster relief services Reps. Gardner (42nd, Post 3), Childers (13th, Post 1), Hembree (46th), and Drenner (57th) Health and Human Services Committee Insurance; credit and credit scoring; provisions Reps. Golick (34th, Post 3), Harbin (80th), and Maddox (59th, Post 2) Insurance and Labor Committee Seat belts; child restraints; change age Reps. Burkhalter (36th), Parham (94th), Powell (23rd), and Drenner (57th) Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee RICO Act; redefine racketeering activity; include insurance fraud Rep. Golick (34th, Post 3) Judiciary Committee Health benefits; failure to pay; penalty not applicable to cap Rep. Channell (77th) Insurance and Labor Committee Former state employees; return to service; forfeited sick leave restored Reps. Smith (110th), Coleman (65th), Barnard (121st, Post 1), and Dodson (84th, Retirement Committee Honeybees; inspection and registration of colonies; change provisions Reps. Purcell (122nd), Ray (108th), Oliver (121st, Post 2), James (114th), and Crawford (91st) Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee Probation system; confidential records; commission may declassify Reps. Greene (134th), Sholar (141st, Post 1), Reece (11th), and Buckner (109th) Judiciary Committee Income tax deduction; subscription paid for fire protection Reps. Harbin (80th), Fleming (79th) and Morris (120th) Ways and Means Committee

HB 352 HB 383 HB 385 HB 415

Licensing boards; complaints against licenses; cert notification Reps. Harbin (80th), Campbell (39th), Powell (23rd), and Boggs (145th) Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee
Taxable net income; exclude certain military pay Reps. Birdsong (104th), Royal (140th), Smyre (111th), Porter (119th), Buck (112th), and others Finance Committee
Debtor or creditor; debt adjustment; amend provisions Reps. Ashe (42nd, Post 2), Ehrhart (28th), Shaw (143rd), Oliver (56th, Post 2), Jackson (124th, Post 1), and others Special Judiciary Committee
Sheriffs engaging in certain businesses; violation of oath of office Reps. Snow (1st), Boggs (145th), Day (126th), Jenkins (93rd), Hill (81st), and others
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HB 422 HB 447 HB 455 HB 463 HB 470 HB 475 HB 502 HB 504 HB 512 Post 1) HB 517 HB 526 HB 544 HB 550 HB 551

Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee Income tax credit; certain businesses creating full-time jobs Reps. Richardson (26th), O`Neal (117th), Royal (140th), Parrish (102nd), and Stephens (123rd) Finance Committee Driver's licenses for minors; amend provisions; driver training schools Reps. Powell (23rd), Parham (94th), and Porter (119th) Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee Limousine carriers; annual inspection reports Reps. Powell (23rd) and Parham (94th) Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee Sex offender registry; amend provisions Reps. Boggs (145th), Westmoreland (86th), Skipper (116th), Bordeaux (125th), Rogers (20th), and others Judiciary Committee Juvenile courts; jurisdiction; everyone under age of 18 years Reps. Benfield (56th, Post 1), Westmoreland (86th), Crawford (91st), Gardner (42nd, Post 3) and Oliver (56th, Post 2) Judiciary Committee Defined contributions plans; employer and employee contribution Reps. Dukes (136th), Cummings (19th), Black (144th), Stephens (123rd), Martin (37th), and others Retirement Committee Juvenile court judges; compensation from state funds; adjustment Reps. Bordeaux (125th), Campbell (39th), and Benfield (56th, Post 1) Judiciary Committee Motor fuel tax; prepaid tax Reps. Royal (140th), Buck (112th), Parham (94th), Borders (142nd), Floyd (132nd), and others Finance Committee Glynn county; sheriff's office; appointment of undersheriff Reps. Keen (146th), Smith (129th, Post 2), Williams (128th), and Mosley (129th, State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Retail installment contracts and revolving account; fees Reps. Porter (119th), Powell (23rd), and Harbin (80th) Finance Committee
Nursing Home Provider Fee Act; enact Reps. Channell (77th), Shaw (143rd), and Buck (112th) Appropriations Committee Income tax; certain monthly returns; increase threshold Rep. Jamieson (22nd) Finance Committee State purchasing; benefits based funding projects; certain contracts Reps. O`Neal (117th) and Richardson (26th) Finance Committee Student Finance Commission and Authority; amend provisions Reps. O`Neal (117th) and Richardson (26th) Higher Education Committee
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HB 584 HB 596 HB 637 HB 638
HB 646 1), HB 649
HB 650 HB 652 HB 657 HB 659
HB 660
HB 661 1), HB 662 1), HB 665

Long County; probate judge; nonpartisan election Reps. Mosley (129th, Post 1), Smith (129th, Post 2), and DeLoach (127th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Oconee River Greenway Authority; amend provisions Rep. Parham (94th) Economic Development and Tourism Committee Darien, City of; council districts; elections Reps. Williams (128th) and Keen (146th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee State benefits plan; include employees of critical access hospitals Reps. Channell (77th), Shaw (143rd), Parrish (102nd), Purcell (122nd), Greene (134th), and others Insurance and Labor Committee Cobb County; expenditures; repeal certain referendum provision Reps. Stoner (34th, Post 1), Ehrhart (28th), Teilhet (34th, Post 2), Wix (33rd, Post Dooley (33rd, Post 3), and others State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Columbus county-wide government; probate court judge; compensation Reps. Buck (112th), Hugley (113th), Buckner (109th), Smith (110th), and Smyre (111th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Smithville, City of; mayor and council; staggered terms Rep. Hanner (133rd) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Polk County; board of education; election Reps. Cummings (19th) and Heath (18th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Spalding County; board of elections and registration Reps. Yates (85th, Post 1), Lunsford (85th, Post 2), and Howell (92nd) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Cobb County; tax commissioner; employees' compensation Reps. Ehrhart (28th), Richardson (26th), Manning (32nd), Franklin (17th), Cooper (30th), and others State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Troup county; board of education; nonpartisan elections Reps. Brown (89th), Epps (90th), and Smith (110th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee
DeKalb County; homestead exemption; base year assessed value Reps. Millar (52nd), Drenner (57th), Watson (60th, Post 2), McClinton (59th, Post Mobley (58th), and others State and Local Governmental Operations Committee DeKalb County; homestead exemption; base year assessed value Reps. Millar (52nd), Drenner (57th), Watson (60th, Post 2), McClinton (59th, Post Mobley (58th), and others State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Lowndes County; education districts; reapportion
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HB 667 HB 668 HB 669 HB 673 HB 674 HB 684 HB 690
HB 691
HB 692 HB 693
HB 694 (19th) HB 695 HB 698
HB 699

Reps. Black (144th), Shaw (143rd), and Borders (142nd) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Quitman County; homestead exemption; certain residents Rep. Greene (134th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Early County; state court; terms Rep. Greene (134th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Clay County; homestead exemption; certain residents Rep. Greene (134th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee City of LaGrange Gas Authority; create Reps. Epps (90th) and Brown (89th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Fannin County; board of commissioners; staggered terms Reps. Forster (3rd, Post 1), Ralston (6th), and White (3rd, Post 2) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Rabun County; board of commissioners; amend provisions Rep. Twiggs (8th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Cobb County; state court clerk and chief deputy; compensation Reps. Parsons (29th), Franklin (17th), Ehrhart (28th), Hines (35th), Teilhet (34th, Post 2), and others State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Cobb County; sheriff's employees; compensation Reps. Parsons (29th), Franklin (17th), Ehrhart (28th), Hines (35th), Teilhet (34th, Post 2), and others State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Moultrie, City of; council; reapportion Reps. Royal (140th) and Rynders (137th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Kennesaw, City of; corporate limits Reps. Manning (32nd), Parsons (29th), Hines (35th), Franklin (17th), Dollar (31st), and others State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Cartersville Building Authority; create Reps. Lewis (12th), Smith (13th, Post 2), Childers (13th, Post 1), and Cummings State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Dougherty County; tax commissioner; collecting school taxes Reps. Roberts (135th), Dukes (136th), and Rynders (137th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Cobb Judicial Circuit; judges; supplement Reps. Ehrhart (28th), Manning (32nd), Parsons (29th), Franklin (17th), Hines (35th), and others State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Dougherty County; board of commissioners; clerk Reps. Roberts (135th), Dukes (136th), and Rynders (137th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee
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HB 702 HB 704 HB 707 HB 710 HB 713 HB 730 HB 734

Cobb County; education districts; reapportion Reps. Manning (32nd), Ehrhart (28th), Parsons (29th), Hines (35th), Noel (44th), and others State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Bibb County; education districts; reapportion Reps. Lucas (105th), Birdsong (104th), Randall (107th), Ray (108th), Graves (106th), and others State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Elbert County; probate judge; nonpartisan election Rep. McCall (78th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Long County; board of education; compensation Reps. Mosley (129th, Post 1), Smith (129th, Post 2), and DeLoach (127th) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Evans County; board of education; nonpartisan elections Reps. Barnard (121st, Post 1) and Oliver (121st, Post 2) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Dacula, City of; amend charter Reps. Sheldon (71st, Post 2) and Walker (71st, Post 1) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee Newborn, Town of; new charter Rep. Douglas (73rd) State and Local Governmental Operations Committee

SENATE INFORMATION OFFICE STAFF
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Merri M. Brantley Director
Patrice R. Williams Media Specialist
Terry Ann Edwards Media Specialist Kristina Graves Office Manager Corey Bramblett Session Aide Marie Browning Session Aide Sri Digumarthi Session Aide Kathleen Lewis Session Aide Kathryn Pierce Session Aide Brooke Eldridge Intern
404-656-0028 or outside the Atlanta area, 1-800-282-5803
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