Senate first readers 2007 February 20

SENATE FIRST READERS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20,2007 TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATIVE DAY

SB 166.

By Senators Hawkins of the 49th, Goggans of the 7th, Murphy of the 27th, Pearson of the 51st, Whitehead, Sr, of the 24th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 9 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to regulation of rates, so as to add Department of Driver Services approved virtual courses as an option for certain named drivers under the age of 25; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Insurance and Labor Committee.

SB 167.

By Senators Meyer von Bremen of the 12th, Golden of the 8th, Hooks of the 14th, Brown of the 26th and Jones of the 10th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 18bof Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the state employees' health insurance plan, so as to create the State Health Benefit Advisory Committee; to provide for membership; to provide for quarterly meetings; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Insurance and Labor Committee.

SB 168.

By Senators Smith of the 52nd, Butler of the 55th, Moody of the 56th, Mullis of the 53rd, Seay of the 34th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 3 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to educational programs under the "Quality Basic Education Act," so as to enact the "Deaf Child's Bill of Rights Act"; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for a definition; to require that a school system will take into account the specific communication needs of a deaf student; to provide for the explanation of options to the parent or guardian of a deaf student; to provide that a deaf student shall not be denied the opportunity for instruction in a particular communication mode or language; to provide for statutory construction; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Education and Youth Committee.

SB 169.

By Senators Hamrick of the 30th, Harp of the 29th, Meyer von Bremen of the 12th, Adelman of the 42nd, Grant of the 25th and others:

A BILLto be entitled an Act to amend Part 3 of Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Georgia Student Finance Authority, so as to provide for direct loans to students for attendance at certain postsecondary institutions at the rate of 1 percent annually; to provide for definitions; to provide for the maximum amount of such loans; to provide for eligibility requirements; to provide for the random selection of recipients of such loans fiom eligible applicants; to provide for a fund for such loans that is separate fiom the general loan fund; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Higher Education Committee.

SB 170.

By Senators Smith of the 52nd, Moody of the 56th, Mullis of the 53rd, Butler of the 55th, Seay of the 34th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 3 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Gedrgia Annotated, relating to educational programs under the "Quality Basic Education Act," so as to provide that American Sign Language can be used to fulfill the foreign language requirements for a college preparatory diploma for any student; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Education and Youth Committee.

SB 171.

By Senators Mullis of the 53rd and Powell of the 23rd:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to professions, so as to repeal Chapter 41 of such title, relating to residential and general contractors, in its entirety; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.

SB 173.

By Senators Tolleson of the 20th, Hooks of the 14th, Moody of the 56th and Henson of the 41st:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 22-3-82 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to pipeline companies' rights to acquire property or property interests by eminent domain, notices to landowners, relocations, right of reasonable access, and compensation for damage incident to entry, so as to exempt certain acquisitions of additional pipeline rights of way from restrictions and conditions otherwise imposed on the exercise of such power; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.

SB 174. By Senators Grant of the 25th and Mullis of the 53rd:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to eligibility and qualifications for office, so as to provide for the development of medical and physical fitness standards for persons employed in positions in state government; to provide for the appointment of a medical review board; to provide for payment; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for the expenditure of funds; to provide for applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Retirement Committee.

SB 175. By Senators Grant of the 25th and Mullis of the 53rd:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 45-9-1 of the O.C.G.A., relating to general provisions relative to insuring and indemnification of state officers and employees, so as to clarifi the meaning of criminal action; to amend Part 12 of Article 4 of Chapter 3 of Title 46 of the O.C.G.A., relating to dissolution of electric membership corporations, so as to replace "Department of Administrative Services" with "Office of Treasury and Fiscal Services" where such term appears in certain Code sections; to amend Part 1 of Article 3 of Chapter 5 of Title 50 of the O.C.G.A., relating to general authority, duties, and procedures for state purchasing, so as to modifl certain duties and provisions relating to state purchasing; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State Institutions and Property Committee.

SB 176.

By Senators Tolleson of the 20th, Hill of the 4th, Grant of the 25th, Bulloch of the 1lth and Williams of the 19th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 6 of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the State Forestry Commission, so as to change certain provisions relating to reports to the General Assembly; to repeal conflicting laws; and for othbr purposes.

Referred to Natural Resources and the Environment Committee.

SB 177. By Senator Chance of the 16th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 15-6-3 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to terms of superior courts, so as to change certain terms of court in Pike County in the Griffin Circuit; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations (General) Committee.

SB 178. By Senators Balfour of the 9th, Unterman of the 45th and Shafer of the 48th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 26-4-60 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to grounds for suspension, revocation, or refusal to grant licenses by the State Board of Pharmacy, so as to provide that the use of the mails or other common carriers to sell, distribute, and deliver a prescription drug directly to a patient under certain circumstances shall not be considered grounds for sanctioning the license of a pharmacist; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Health and Human Services Committee.

SB 179.

By Senators Staton of the 18th, Powell of the 23rd, Unterman of the 45th, Hudgens of the 47th, Murphy of the 27th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to campaign contributions, so as to repeal the prohibition against persons acting on behalf of a public utility regulated .by the Public Service Commission contributing to political campaigns; to prohibit public utilities regulated by the Public Service Commission fkom contributing to Public Service Commission candidates or campaign committees for such candidates; to prohibit electric membership corporations from contributing to political campaigns; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Ethics Committee.

SB 180. By Senator Carter of the 13th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 10 of Title 13 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to contracts for public works, so as to enact the "Guaranteed Energy Cost Savings Act"; to define certain terms; to authorize governmental units to enter into guaranteed energy cost savings contracts; to provide for bid proposal procedures; to establish standards and procedures for awarding of guaranteed energy cost savings contracts; to impose certain requirements on qualified providers of energy cost saving measures; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.

SB 181. By Senator Carter of the 13th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 7 of Chapter 2 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicle license fees and classes, so as to provide for the imposition of a fee by motor vehicle rental companies with respect to certain motor vehicle fees and taxes; to provide for definitions; to provide for procedures, conditions, and limitations; to provide for applicability of sales and use taxation with respect to such fees; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Finance Committee.

SB 182. By Senators Wiles of the 37th, Unterman of the 45th and Hill of the 32nd:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 51 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to torts, so as to change provisions relating to asbestos claims and silica claims; to state legislative findings and purpose; to provide for applicability; to provide definitions; to provide that physical impairment shall be an essential element of an asbestos claim or a.silica claim; to provide for a limitations period for filing a claim; to provide for dismissal of pending claims under certain conditions; to provide for general rules applicable to new filings; to provide for forum non conveniens; to provide for venue; to provide for joinder and consolidation of claims; to provide an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

SB 183. By Senators Rogers of the 21st and Hill of the 32nd:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 23 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance agents, agencies, subagents, counselors, and adjusters, so as to authorize insurance agents to charge and collect certain fees under certain circumstances; to provide for the keeping of records of such fees charged and collected; to provide for separate receipts for such fees; to prohibit the collection of any fees not so authorized; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflict laws and for other purposes.

Referred to Insurance and Labor Committee.

SR 272.

By Senators Grant of the 25th and Douglas of the 17th:

A RESOLUTION remembering and honoring the life of Mrs. Annette Milliken; and for other purposes.

Read and adopted.

SR 273.

By Senator Davenport of the 44th:

A RESOLUTION honoring and remembering the life of Mrs. Louise Henderson Wright; and for other purposes.

Read and adopted.

SR 274.

By Senator Davenport of the 44th:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and congratulating the G. P. Babb Middle School Bulldogs girls' volleyball team on winning the 2006 Clayton County championship in volleyball; and for other purposes.

Read and adopted.

SR 276.

By Senators Hawkins of the 49th and Goggans of the 7th:

A RESOLUTION recognizing dental hygienists and Dental Hygienists' Appreciation Day; and for other purposes.

Read and adopted.

SR 277. By Senator Chapman of the 3rd:

A RESOLUTION recognizing add commending Carl Kimberl for outstanding service to the community of Brunswick, Georgia; and for other purposes.

Read and adopted.

SR 278.

By Senators Whitehead, Sr. of the 24th, Hudgens of the 47th, Schaefer of the 50th, Mullis of the 53rd, Grant of the 25th and others:

A RESOLUTION commending U.S. Representative Charles Whitlow Nonvood, Jr., D.D.S.; and for other purposes.

Read and adopted.

SR 279.

By Senators Douglas of the 17th, Harp of the 29th, Williams of the 19th Brown of the 26th, Staton of the 18th and others:

A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Georgia so as to provide for staggered, four-year terms of office for members of the Senate; to provide for the implementation of staggered terms of office for members of the Senate; to provide that members of the House of Representatives shall be elected to terms and in a manner as provided by general law; to provide for related matters; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.

Referred to Ethics Committee.

SR 280.

By Senators Johnson of the 1st, Smith of the 52nd, Thomas of the 54th, Staton of the 18th, Adelman of the 42nd and others:

A RESOLUTION creating the Senate Study Committee on Property Rights Relating to Reproductive and Genetic Technology; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

SR 281.

By Senator Tarver of the 22nd:

A RESOLUTION commending and congratulating Mr. Tracy Williams, Jr., on the occasion of his 75th birthday; and for other purposes.

Read and adopted.

SR 282.

By Senators Seabaugh of the 28th, Rogers of the 21st, Pearson of the 51st, Heath of the 31st, Hill of the 32nd and others:

A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to eliminate and prohibit the subsequent imposition of state ad valorem taxes and state income taxes and impose in lieu thereof a comprehensive consumption tax to be known as the Georgia One Tax; to provide for procedures and requirements; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.

Referred to Finance Committee.

SR 283.

By Senator Tolleson of the 20th:

A RESOLUTION creating the Joint Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Study Committee; and for other purposes.

Referred to Natural Resources and the Environment Committee.

SR 284.

By Senators Pearson of the 51st and Rogers of the 21st:

A RESOLUTION commending Angela Della Costanza Turner; and for other purposes.

Read and adopted.

SR 285.

By Senators Pearson of the 51st and Rogers of the 21st:

A RESOLUTION recognizing Italy Day at the Capitol; and for other purposes.

Read and adopted.

SR 286.

By Senators Pearson of the 51st, Grant of the 25th and Rogers of the 21st:

A RESOLUTION commending Tyler Hanis Yeomans; and for other purposes.

Read and adopted.

SR 287.

By Senators Pearson of the 51st, Grant of the 25th and Rogers of the 21st:

A RESOLUTION commending Michael Chrysosferidis; and for other purposes.

Read and adopted.

SR 288.

By Senators Pearson of the 51st, Grant of the 25th and Rogers of the 21st:

A RESOLUTION commending Daniel Porter; and for other purposes.

Read and adopted.

SR 289.

By Senators Pearson of the 51st, Grant of the 25th and Rogers of the 21st:

A RESOLUTION commending Christopher Porter; and for other purposes.

Read and adopted.

SR 290. By Senators Pearson of the 51st, Grant of the 25th and Rogers of the 21st:

A RESOLUTION commending Rico Turner; and for other purposes.

Read and adopted.

SR 291.

By Senators Pearson of the 51st, Grant of the 25th and Rogers of the 21st:

A RESOLUTION commending Matthew 0.Anderson; and for other purposes.

Read and adopted.

HR 257.

By Representatives Teilhet of the 40th, Richardson of the 19th, Manning of the 32nd, Cooper of the 41st, Turnlin of the 38th and others:

A RESOLUTION remembering and honoring the life of Dr. Robert Alan Lipson; and for other purposes.

Read and adopted.