Senate first readers, 2020 February 19

SENATE FIRST READERS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2020 FOURTEENTH LEGISLATIVE DAY

SB 379. By Senators Stone of the 23rd and Anderson of the 24th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 43 of the O.C.G.A., relating to professions and businesses, so as to change certain provisions relating to barbers and cosmetologists; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.

SB 380.

By Senators Albers of the 56th, Beach of the 21st, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd and Brass of the 28th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide for a new homestead exemption from Fulton County school district ad valorem taxes; to provide for related matters; to provide for a referendum, effective dates, and automatic repeal; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

SB 381.

By Senators Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Burke of the 11th, Black of the 8th, Walker III of the 20th, Wilkinson of the 50th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 2 of Title 26 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the "Georgia Food Act," so as to provide that certain information obtained by the Department of Agriculture from the federal Food and Drug Administration is deemed confidential and not subject to disclosure; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee.

SB 382.

By Senators Black of the 8th, Wilkinson of the 50th, Anderson of the 24th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd and Harper of the 7th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 4 of Title 1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state holidays and observances, so as to designate a Purebred Dog Day in Georgia; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Government Oversight Committee.

SB 383.

By Senators Davenport of the 44th, Jones of the 10th, Tate of the 38th, James of the 35th, Rhett of the 33rd and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 30 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to handicapped persons, so as to create the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired; to provide for a short title; to provide for definitions; to provide for the purpose of the commission and the policy of this state; to provide for the composition and appointment of commission members; to provide for an executive director; to provide for duties and powers; to provide for an annual report; to require the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency to consult with the commission; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Health and Human Services Committee.

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SB 384.

By Senators Ligon, Jr. of the 3rd, Miller of the 49th, Dugan of the 30th, Stone of the 23rd and Tillery of the 19th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 1 of Article 2 of Chapter 8 of Title 12 of the O.C.G.A., relating to general provisions relative to solid waste management, so as to prohibit the location of any municipal solid waste disposal facility or any coal combustion residual landfill within a certain distance of a blackwater river wholly contained within the borders of this state and originating on the coastal plain, and which flows directly into the ocean; to amend Part 3 of Article 2 of Chapter 7 of Title 16 of the O.C.G.A., relating to criminal trespass and damage to property relative to waste control; to amend Part 1 of Article 3 of Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the O.C.G.A., relating to county special purpose local option sales tax, so as to provide for conforming cross-references; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Natural Resources and the Environment Committee.

SB 385. By Senator Wilkinson of the 50th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 9 of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to prevention and control of air pollution, so as to prohibit the burning of certain chemically treated wood products for purposes of commercial energy generation; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.

SB 386.

By Senators Unterman of the 45th, Gooch of the 51st, Brass of the 28th, Robertson of the 29th, Martin of the 9th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 33 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Act, so as to revise the prior school year requirement; to expand eligibility for students; to revise the basis for calculating scholarship amounts; to require annual parent surveys and a complaint procedure for scholarship calculations; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Education and Youth Committee.

SB 387. By Senator Jordan of the 6th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 20-2-187 of the O.C.G.A., relating to state-wide school lunch program, instruction in nutrition, hygiene, etiquette, and social graces, and school food and nutrition personnel, so as to authorize the State Board of Education to promulgate rules and regulations for a course of instruction in nutrition, hygiene, etiquette, and social graces relating to the preparation of food; to provide for the promulgation of rules and regulations for the distribution of surplus prepared food to students, including, but not limited to, students dealing with hunger or food insecurity issues; to require such rules and regulations to meet or exceed federal and state food service standards; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Education and Youth Committee.

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SB 388.

By Senators Kennedy of the 18th, Miller of the 49th, Albers of the 56th, Walker III of the 20th, Hufstetler of the 52nd and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general income tax provisions, so as to increase the penalties imposed for certain actions relating to false or fraudulent material matter on returns, affidavits, claims, or documents; to provide that such actions must be taken knowingly to be unlawful; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

SB 389. By Senator Gooch of the 51st:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to provide for the issuance, use, and display of drivers' licenses and identification cards in electronic format; to provide for definitions; to provide for standards for issuance of drivers' licenses and personal identification cards; to provide that display of an electronic driver's license or identification card does not equate to consent to a search of a person's wireless telecommunications device; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Science and Technology Committee.

SB 390.

By Senators Gooch of the 51st, Kennedy of the 18th, Cowsert of the 46th, Wilkinson of the 50th, Jones of the 10th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend various titles of the O.C.G.A., so as to streamline the process of litigation and reduce costs for Georgia's industries, small businesses, and citizens; to amend Title 9 of the O.C.G.A., relating to civil practice; to amend Title 5 of the O.C.G.A., relating to appeal and error; to amend Title 15 of the O.C.G.A., relating to courts; to amend Title 24 of the O.C.G.A., relating to evidence; to amend Title 31 of the O.C.G.A., relating to health; to amend Title 36 of the O.C.G.A., relating to local government; to amend Title 40 of the O.C.G.A., relating to motor vehicles and traffic, to amend Title 44 of the O.C.G.A., relating to property; to amend Title 51 of the O.C.G.A., relating to torts; to provide for related matters; to provide for severability; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

SR 740. By Senator Martin of the 9th:

A RESOLUTION recognizing February 18, 2020, as the Professional Association of Georgia Educators, Georgia Association of Educational Leaders, and Georgia Association of Colleges for Teachers of Education Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 741. By Senator Sims of the 12th:

A RESOLUTION commending The Links, Incorporated, and recognizing March 3, 2020, as Links Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

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SR 742. By Senator Sims of the 12th:

A RESOLUTION commending and congratulating Rosa Mae Williams; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 744.

By Senators Harbin of the 16th, Harbison of the 15th, Martin of the 9th, Walker III of the 20th and Wilkinson of the 50th:

A RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of Reverend Dr. Randy Valimont; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 745.

By Senators Miller of the 49th, Wilkinson of the 50th, Ginn of the 47th, Gooch of the 51st and Unterman of the 45th:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Mr. Stan Brown on the occasion of his retirement; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 746.

By Senators Miller of the 49th, Wilkinson of the 50th, Unterman of the 45th, Gooch of the 51st and Ginn of the 47th:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Mr. Ron Quinn; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 747. By Senator Wilkinson of the 50th:

A RESOLUTION commending Habersham County and recognizing February 19, 2020, as Habersham County Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 748.

By Senators Jones of the 25th, Dolezal of the 27th, Black of the 8th, Robertson of the 29th and Anderson of the 24th:

A RESOLUTION commending and congratulating Kathleen Capes Hooper; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 749.

By Senators Miller of the 49th, Burke of the 11th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Watson of the 1st, Jackson of the 2nd and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing February 25, 2020, as YMCA Day at the state capitol and commending the YMCAs of Georgia for the important work they do in communities across the state to promote a healthy spirit, mind, and body; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 750. By Senator Harbison of the 15th:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Colonel Carol Veronia Hriczov on the occasion of her military retirement; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

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SR 751. By Senator Harbison of the 15th:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Michael Sapp for his years of service to the community and the radio and television industry; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 752. By Senators Harbison of the 15th and Robertson of the 29th:

A RESOLUTION congratulating and commending Dick McMichaels on being inducted into the Georgia Association of Broadcaster's Hall of Fame; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 753.

By Senators Wilkinson of the 50th, Anderson of the 24th, Black of the 8th, Burke of the 11th, Harper of the 7th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing March 2, 2020, as Peanut Butter and Jelly Day at the state capitol and commending the Georgia peanut industry; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 754.

By Senators Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Burke of the 11th, Watson of the 1st, Hufstetler of the 52nd and Butler of the 55th:

A RESOLUTION recognizing February 19, 2020, as Physician's Day at the state capitol and saluting the physicians of Georgia; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 755.

By Senators Ginn of the 47th, Mullis of the 53rd, Brass of the 28th, Anderson of the 24th, Jones II of the 22nd and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending the Georgia Studio & Infrastructure Alliance as the representative for the tens of thousands of hard-working citizens in the State of Georgia's film and television industry; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 756.

By Senators Davenport of the 44th, Tate of the 38th, Jones of the 10th, James of the 35th, Rhett of the 33rd and others:

A RESOLUTION commending and congratulating William Thomas Robie; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 757.

By Senators Parent of the 42nd, Jones of the 10th, Butler of the 55th, Davenport of the 44th, Henson of the 41st and others:

A RESOLUTION commending the L'Arche movement for its pioneering status as a community where people with disabilities find true belonging and invite others to find belonging with them and recognizing February 20, 2020, as L'Arche Atlanta Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

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SR 758. By Senators Tillery of the 19th and Hill of the 4th:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending the Vidalia Heritage Academy football team for their outstanding 11-0 record; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 759.

By Senators Parent of the 42nd, Butler of the 55th, Jordan of the 6th, Davenport of the 44th, Jackson of the 2nd and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing February 25, 2020, as Girl Scout Day at the state capitol and commending Girl Scouts as a national leader in providing the best leadership development experience in the world to American girls; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 760.

By Senators Black of the 8th, Robertson of the 29th, Hufstetler of the 52nd, Rhett of the 33rd and Henson of the 41st:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending the Employees' Retirement System of Georgia on the grand occasion of its 70th anniversary; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 761. By Senator Black of the 8th:

A RESOLUTION commending student leaders at Valdosta State University and recognizing February 12, 2020, as Valdosta State University Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 762. By Senators Jackson of the 2nd, Rahman of the 5th and Jones of the 10th:

A RESOLUTION commending Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and the Georgia District Chapters and recognizing February 20, 2020, as Alpha Phi Alpha Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 763. By Senators Jackson of the 2nd and Jones of the 10th:

A RESOLUTION recognizing February 26, 2020, as Community Midwives National Alliance Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 764. By Senators Jackson of the 2nd and Jones of the 10th:

A RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of Dr. Julius Samuel Scott Jr.; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 765. By Senators Jackson of the 2nd and Jones of the 10th:

A RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of Dr. Wesley James Ball; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

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SR 766.

By Senators Miller of the 49th, Wilkinson of the 50th, Gooch of the 51st, Unterman of the 45th and Ginn of the 47th:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending the extraordinary career of Wayne Alexander of Hardy Chevrolet and congratulating him upon the grand occasion of his retirement; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 767.

By Senators Miller of the 49th, Wilkinson of the 50th, Gooch of the 51st, Unterman of the 45th and Ginn of the 47th:

A RESOLUTION recognizing February as American Heart Month; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 768.

By Senator Butler of the 55th:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Dr. Kerwin B. Lee; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 769.

By Senators Stone of the 23rd, Payne of the 54th, Robertson of the 29th, Anderson of the 24th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd and others:

A RESOLUTION creating the Senate Domestic Violence Courts Study Committee; and for other purposes.

Referred to Rules Committee.

SR 770. By Senator Kennedy of the 18th:

A RESOLUTION commending Lynn Farmer for being named one of the Career Women's Network of Macon Women of Achievement for 2020; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

HB 195. By Representative Benton of the 31st:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 6 of Chapter 7 of Title 47 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to retirement, retirement allowances, disability benefits, and death benefits relative to the Georgia Firefighters' Pension Fund, so as to increase the benefit amount payable to beneficiaries after the member's death; to provide for related matters; to provide conditions for an effective date and automatic repeal; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Retirement Committee.

HB 538. By Representatives Jones of the 25th, Scoggins of the 14th and Harrell of the 106th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 2 of Title 48 of the O.C.G.A., relating to state administrative organization of revenue and taxation; to amend Article 2 of Chapter 2 of Title 48 of the O.C.G.A., relating to administration of revenue and taxation; to amend Chapter 13A of Title 50 of the O.C.G.A., relating to tax tribunals, so as to require that all questions of law decided by the Georgia Tax Tribunal be decided without deference to the rules, determinations, or interpretations of the Department of Revenue; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to provide for applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

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HB 759.

By Representatives Parrish of the 158th, Stephens of the 164th, Fleming of the 121st, Welch of the 110th and Burns of the 159th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 13 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to controlled substances, so as to change certain provisions relating to Schedule IV controlled substances; to change certain provisions relating to the definition of dangerous drug; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Public Safety Committee.

HB 781.

By Representatives Williamson of the 115th, Frazier of the 126th, Ridley of the 6th and Houston of the 170th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 7 of the O.C.G.A., relating to financial institutions, so as to clarify and remove superfluous language; to reduce the number of days for certain cease and desist orders to become final; to repeal Code Section 7-1-1003.1, relating to physical place of business; to eliminate the notification requirement for a change in ultimate equitable owner of mortgage brokers or mortgage lenders; to change advertising content requirements for mortgage lenders and mortgage brokers; to reduce the number of days for the process related to bond cancellation notice; to amend Chapter 6A of Title 7 of the O.C.G.A., relating to the Georgia Fair Lending Act, so as to update citations to federal regulations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Banking and Financial Institutions Committee.

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