Senate first readers, 2020 February 26

SENATE FIRST READERS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2020 NINETEENTH LEGISLATIVE DAY

SB 438. By Senator Tillery of the 19th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide for a nonbinding advisory referendum for the purpose of ascertaining whether the electors of Appling County desire to reduce the size of the board of commissioners by eliminating the position of the at-large commission chairperson; to provide for legislative purposes and findings; to provide for procedures and requirements relating thereto; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

SB 439.

By Senators Brass of the 28th, Thompson of the 14th, Mullis of the 53rd, Gooch of the 51st, Dugan of the 30th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Juvenile Code, so as to provide for enhanced notice to and improved participation of foster, preadoptive, and relative caregivers in certain hearings; to provide for the court's consideration of issues relevant to a child's placement, care, well-being, and permanency raised by such persons; to require certain findings be made by the court; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

SB 440.

By Senators Thompson of the 14th, Black of the 8th, Martin of the 9th, Albers of the 56th, Harbin of the 16th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elementary and secondary education, so as to provide that certain individuals between ages 21 and 35 may be eligible to enroll in a charter school that provides instruction only for over-age students; to provide for an exception to the maximum age of eligibility for enrollment; to authorize local boards of education or the State Charter Schools Commission to approve charter schools that serve only an over-age population; to provide for funding for such charter schools; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Education and Youth Committee.

SB 441.

By Senators Mullis of the 53rd, Albers of the 56th, Harper of the 7th and Parent of the 42nd:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to imposition, rate, computation, and exemptions from state income tax, so as to provide that all expenditures of a production company's state certified productions may be combined to meet spending thresholds; to lower spending thresholds; to increase the value of the tax credit; to lower the cap on credits for certain years; to provide for transferability of the tax credit; to provide for conditions and limitations; to revise definitions; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Finance Committee.

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SB 442.

By Senators Ligon, Jr. of the 3rd, Kennedy of the 18th, Tillery of the 19th and Cowsert of the 46th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to property, so as to prohibit amendments to property owners' association instruments and covenants that restrict rental of residential lots and plots; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

SB 443. By Senators Stone of the 23rd, Anderson of the 24th and Mullis of the 53rd:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 4 of Title 18 of the O.C.G.A., relating to garnishment proceedings, so as to revise procedures for garnishment proceedings; to provide for uniform procedures for garnishment actions; to provide definitions; to limit the maximum part of disposable earnings subject to garnishment in relation to certain educational or student loans; to provide a fixed time for continuous garnishments; to amend Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the O.C.G.A., relating to scholarships, loans, and grants, so as to provide for cross-references; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

SB 444.

By Senators Jones II of the 22nd, Rhett of the 33rd, Davenport of the 44th and Anderson of the 43rd:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 22 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding eminent domain, so as to provide for an alternative process for a county, municipality, or consolidated government to condemn certain blighted properties; to provide for definitions; to provide for procedures; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Government Oversight Committee.

SB 445. By Senators Kennedy of the 18th, Jones of the 25th and Lucas of the 26th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 7 of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to control of soil erosion and sedimentation, so as to authorize certain water and water and sewer authorities to be designated as local issuing authorities for land-disturbing activity permits; to revise a definition; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Natural Resources and the Environment Committee.

SR 815. By Senators Kennedy of the 18th and Sims of the 12th:

A RESOLUTION recognizing February 25, 2020, as Fort Valley State University Day at the state capitol in recognition of the university's 125th anniversary; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 816. By Senator Albers of the 56th:

A RESOLUTION recognizing February 25, 2020, as Afterschool Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

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SR 818.

By Senators Dolezal of the 27th, Brass of the 28th, Robertson of the 29th, Miller of the 49th, Gooch of the 51st and others:

A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Georgia so as to clarify that only citizens of the United States shall have a right to vote in elections in this state; to provide for related matters; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.

Referred to Government Oversight Committee.

SR 819. By Senators Williams of the 39th and Brass of the 28th:

A RESOLUTION recognizing March 28, 2020, as Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 820. By Senator Jordan of the 6th:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Neha Devineni upon receiving the Prudential Spirit of Community Award and being named one of the top two youth volunteers in Georgia for the year 2020; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 821. By Senators Jones of the 25th and Mullis of the 53rd:

A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Georgia so as to provide for sports betting in this state under certain circumstances; to provide for related matters; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.

Referred to Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.

SR 822.

By Senators Davenport of the 44th, Tate of the 38th, Williams of the 39th, Orrock of the 36th, James of the 35th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing February 27, 2020, as Spelman College Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 823.

By Senators Thompson of the 14th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Black of the 8th, Beach of the 21st and Rhett of the 33rd:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending the Kennesaw State University football team; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 824.

By Senators Martin of the 9th, Brass of the 28th, Black of the 8th, Dolezal of the 27th, Stone of the 23rd and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending the State School Superintendent's Teacher Advisory Council; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

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SR 825.

By Senators Wilkinson of the 50th, Martin of the 9th, Brass of the 28th, Sims of the 12th and Tippins of the 37th:

A RESOLUTION supporting the education of Georgia's gifted and talented students; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 826.

By Senators Walker III of the 20th, Miller of the 49th, Dugan of the 30th, Unterman of the 45th, Martin of the 9th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia on its day at the state capitol on March 3, 2020; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 827.

By Senators Miller of the 49th, Wilkinson of the 50th, Orrock of the 36th, Anderson of the 43rd and Beach of the 21st:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Thomas W. Dortch Jr. on his outstanding public service in Georgia's educational institutions and his contributions to Georgia's economic prosperity; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 828.

By Senators Miller of the 49th, Dugan of the 30th, Henson of the 41st, Ginn of the 47th and Orrock of the 36th:

A RESOLUTION commending the Atlanta Basketball Host Committee and welcoming the 2020 National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Men's Final Four to Atlanta and the State of Georgia; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 829.

By Senators Anderson of the 43rd, Butler of the 55th, Seay of the 34th, Williams of the 39th, Davenport of the 44th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women upon the grand occasion of its 35th anniversary; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

HB 664.

By Representatives Fleming of the 121st, Powell of the 171st, Trammell of the 132nd, Kelley of the 16th, Efstration of the 104th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 23 of Title 47 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Georgia Judicial Retirement System, so as to require membership in the system for certain persons employed in certain full-time positions requiring admission to the State Bar of Georgia as a condition of employment; to provide for an election for such current employees; to provide for transfer of funds; to require payment of actuarial costs; to provide for transfer of membership service; 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.

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HB 779.

By Representatives Blackmon of the 146th, Williamson of the 115th, Carson of the 46th, Frye of the 118th and Stephens of the 164th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5C of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to alternative ad valorem taxes on motor vehicles, so as to revise the distribution of the proceeds of such taxes among local governments; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Finance Committee.

HB 819.

By Representatives Hitchens of the 161st, Park of the 101st, Williams of the 168th, Glanton of the 75th, Nguyen of the 89th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to issuance, expiration, and renewal of licenses, so as to authorize the issuance of veterans' licenses to any person who is a United States citizen and resident of this state who served in the military for an ally of the United States during a time of war or other conflict; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committee.

HB 942.

By Representatives Dunahoo of the 30th, Hawkins of the 27th, Dubnik of the 29th and Barr of the 103rd:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to authorize the governing authority of the City of Flowery Branch to levy an excise tax pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 48-13-51 of the O.C.G.A.; to provide procedures, conditions, and limitations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

HB 943.

By Representatives Dunahoo of the 30th, Hawkins of the 27th and Dubnik of the 29th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to authorize the governing authority of the City of Oakwood to levy an excise tax pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 48-1351 of the O.C.G.A.; to provide procedures, conditions, and limitations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

HB 965.

By Representatives Bazemore of the 63rd, Bruce of the 61st, Boddie of the 62nd, Metze of the 55th and Jackson of the 64th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act to incorporate the City of South Fulton in Fulton County, Georgia, approved April 26, 2016 (Ga. L. 2016, p. 3726), as amended, so as to require review of ordinances by committees prior to adoption; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

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HB 975. By Representatives McCall of the 33rd and Powell of the 32nd:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide a homestead exemption from Madison County ad valorem taxes for county purposes in the amount of $8,000.00 of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that county who are 70 years of age or older in addition to existing senior exemptions; to provide for definitions; to specify the terms and conditions of the exemption and the procedures relating thereto; to provide for applicability; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements; 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.

HB 976.

By Representatives Tankersley of the 160th, Burns of the 159th and Parrish of the 158th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to create the Bulloch County Public Facilities Authority and to provide for the appointment of members of the authority; to provide for a short title; to confer powers upon the authority; to provide for purpose and scope of operations of the authority; to provide for definitions; to authorize the issuance of revenue bonds of the authority; to fix and provide the venue and jurisdiction of actions relating to any provisions of this Act; to provide for moneys received and trust funds; to provide for tort immunity; to provide for tax exemption, rates, charges, and revenues; to provide for effect on other governments; to provide for construction of act and severability; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

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