Senate first readers, 2021 February 23

SENATE FIRST READERS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2021 TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATIVE DAY

SB 220.

By Senators Payne of the 54th, Anavitarte of the 31st, Mullis of the 53rd, Summers of the 13th, Dugan of the 30th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 14 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education accountability assessment programs, so as to create the Georgia Commission on Civics Education; to provide for membership, filling of vacancies, terms, officers, duties, meetings, and reimbursement of members of the commission; to provide for a short title; to provide for legislative intent; to provide for automatic repeal; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Education and Youth Committee.

SB 221.

By Senators Mullis of the 53rd, Miller of the 49th, Dugan of the 30th, Gooch of the 51st, Kennedy of the 18th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to ethics in government, so as to provide for a definition; to provide for leadership committees; to provide for chairpersons; to provide that such committees may receive contributions and make expenditures; to provide for disposition of assets in certain circumstances; to provide for filings and reports; to provide an exception from contribution limits; to provide for certain notices; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Rules Committee.

SB 222.

By Senators Summers of the 13th, Walker III of the 20th, Sims of the 12th, Harper of the 7th, Goodman of the 8th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state symbols, so as to designate the pecan as the official state nut; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee.

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SB 223.

By Senators Robertson of the 29th and Payne of the 54th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 8 of Title 42 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to probation management, so as to enact the "Community Rebound Act"; to provide a short title; to provide definitions; to provide for the allocation of funds; to provide for incentives; to provide for reporting requirements; to provide an effective date; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Public Safety Committee.

SB 224.

By Senators Harrell of the 40th, Butler of the 55th, Au of the 48th, Jackson of the 41st, Rahman of the 5th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 16 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions for public property, so as to require the distribution of paper based products at cafeterias operated by the Georgia Building Authority; to provide for an exception; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Natural Resources and the Environment Committee.

SB 225.

By Senators Harbison of the 15th, Rhett of the 33rd, Payne of the 54th, Dugan of the 30th, Anderson of the 43rd and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 2 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to prestige license plates and special plates for certain persons and vehicles, so as to provide for a veteran's license plate to individuals who served in the armed forces for an ally of the United States during active military combat; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committee.

SB 226.

By Senators Anavitarte of the 31st, Mullis of the 53rd, Miller of the 49th, Gooch of the 51st, Thompson of the 14th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 3 of Article 3 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to sale or distribution of harmful materials to minors, so as to provide that the provisions of Code Section 16-12-103 shall be applicable to libraries operated by schools; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

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SB 227.

By Senators Jones II of the 22nd, Jackson of the 2nd 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 Judiciary Committee.

SB 228.

By Senators Albers of the 56th, Hufstetler of the 52nd, Parent of the 42nd, Jones II of the 22nd and Thompson of the 14th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 2 of Article 15 of Chapter 1 of Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the "Fair Business Practices Act of 1975," so as to prohibit intentional misrepresentations by certain digital application distribution platforms with regard to the offering of applications and services used by residents of this state; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Science and Technology Committee.

SB 229.

By Senators Harrell of the 40th, Au of the 48th, Jordan of the 6th, Parent of the 42nd, Merritt of the 9th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 16-11-127.1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to carrying weapons within school safety zones, at school functions, or on a bus or other transportation furnished by a school, so as to repeal the authorization for the carrying and possession of handguns in certain manners by weapons carry license holders in certain buildings or on real property owned by or leased to public institutions of postsecondary education; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Public Safety Committee.

SB 230.

By Senators Jordan of the 6th, Au of the 48th, Merritt of the 9th, Orrock of the 36th, Davenport of the 44th and others:

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 provide for conditions for the issuance of a permit for solid waste or special waste handling for a coal combustion unit or landfill; to amend Part 3 of Article 2 of Chapter 7 of Title 16 of the O.C.G.A., relating to damage and intrusion on property relative to criminal trespass and damage to property; to amend Part 1 of Article 3 of Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the O.C.G.A., relating to county sales and use tax relative to county special purpose local option sales tax, relating to procedure for imposition of tax, resolution or ordinance, notice to county election superintendent, and election; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Natural Resources and the Environment Committee. - 3 -

SB 231.

By Senators Anavitarte of the 31st, Payne of the 54th, Parent of the 42nd, Albers of the 56th, Halpern of the 39th 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 for a pilot program to allow for certain adults to enroll in charter schools that provide instruction only for individuals between ages 21 and 35 residing in this state who have not attained a high school diploma; 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 individuals between ages 21 and 35 residing in this state who have not attained a high school diploma; to provide for funding for such charter schools; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to provide for a repealer; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Education and Youth Committee.

SB 232.

By Senators Harbin of the 16th, Miller of the 49th, Mullis of the 53rd, Thompson of the 14th, McNeill of the 3rd and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the O.C.G.A., relating to primaries and elections generally, so as to require unique bar codes on individual absentee ballots; to revise provisions regarding the preparation and mailing of absentee ballot envelopes; to provide an oath for registrars and absentee ballot clerks opening and verifying absentee ballots; to require voters to provide a copy of certain forms of identification with their absentee ballots; to require a witness signature to the elector's oath on absentee ballots; to provide for a period for a voter to cure a defect related to the identification provided by the voter; to revise provisions regarding the opening, review, and verification of absentee ballots; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Ethics Committee.

SB 233.

By Senators Jones of the 25th, Beach of the 21st, Harbin of the 16th, Brass of the 28th, Anavitarte of the 31st and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to primaries and elections generally, so as to provide for new voting systems for use in elections in this state; to provide for definitions; to provide for the qualifications of such systems; to provide for the reimbursement of certain costs; to provide for ballot marking devices; to provide for in-person voting by paper ballot; to provide for audits; to repeal provisions of law authorizing the use of voting machines; to provide for conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Ethics Committee.

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SB 234.

By Senators Kennedy of the 18th, Strickland of the 17th, Parent of the 42nd, Jones II of the 22nd and Watson of the 1st:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 9 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to civil practice, so as to provide for uniform laws governing mediation and participants in mediation; to provide for definitions; to provide for privileges against disclosure, admissibility, and discovery; to provide for waiver and preclusion of privilege; to provide for exceptions to privilege; to provide for confidentiality and mediator disclosure of conflicts; to provide for international commercial mediation and electronic signatures; to provide for uniformity of construction and severability; to provide for applicability; to provide a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

SB 235.

By Senators Watson of the 1st, Cowsert of the 46th, Harbison of the 15th, Kennedy of the 18th and Goodman of the 8th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to offenses against public order, so as to revise the offense of wearing a mask, hood, or device which conceals the identity of the wearer; to clarify application; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Health and Human Services Committee.

SR 136.

By Senators Anavitarte of the 31st, Mullis of the 53rd, Miller of the 49th, Payne of the 54th, Parent of the 42nd and others:

A RESOLUTION encouraging the Technical College System of Georgia, the Department of Education, the Department of Corrections, and the Department of Juvenile Justice to collaborate and develop programs to expand technical education, technical training, and workforce development training programs in order to address the growing economic and social needs created by individuals age 16 and older who have withdrawn from high school without completing course requirements for a high school diploma; and for other purposes.

Referred to Education and Youth Committee.

SR 137.

By Senators Tillery of the 19th, Walker III of the 20th, Burns of the 23rd, Hickman of the 4th and Lucas of the 26th:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and congratulating Christine Rathod upon the grand occasion of her retirement; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

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SR 138.

By Senators James of the 35th, Butler of the 55th, Seay of the 34th, Jones of the 10th, Jackson of the 2nd and others:

A RESOLUTION honoring Mr. Henry "Hank" Louis Aaron and dedicating a road in his memory; and for other purposes.

Referred to Transportation Committee.

SR 139.

By Senator Jones of the 25th:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and congratulating Bill Malone upon the grand occasion of his retirement; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 140.

By Senator Jones of the 25th:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and congratulating Belinda Davis upon the grand occasion of her retirement in 2018; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

HB 98.

By Representatives Lumsden of the 12th, Blackmon of the 146th, Fleming of the 121st, Oliver of the 82nd, Williamson of the 115th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state government, so as to provide conditions for meetings and public hearings to be held by teleconference in emergency conditions; to provide conditions for certain agency members to participate in nonemergency meetings by teleconference; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Science and Technology Committee.

HB 150.

By Representatives Williamson of the 115th, Hatchett of the 150th, Kelley of the 16th, Frazier of the 126th, Parsons of the 44th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 46 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to public utilities and public transportation, so as to prohibit governmental entities from adopting any policy that prohibits the connection or reconnection of any utility service based upon the type or source of energy or fuel; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.

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HB 156.

By Representatives Parsons of the 44th, Martin of the 49th, Kelley of the 16th, Smith of the 133rd, Nix of the 69th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Titles 38 and 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to military, emergency management, and veterans affairs and state government, respectively, so as to facilitate the sharing of information and reporting of cyber attacks; to require governmental agencies and utilities to report any cyber attacks to the director of emergency management and homeland security; to provide for definitions; to provide for the director to promulgate certain rules and regulations; to provide for proceedings related to cybersecurity to be held in executive session; to provide for certain information, data, and reports related to cybersecurity and cyber attacks to be exempt from public disclosure and inspection; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committee.

HB 234.

By Representatives Hawkins of the 27th, Lott of the 122nd, Smyre of the 135th, Gunter of the 8th, Newton of the 123rd and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance, so as to provide an option for self-funded healthcare plans, exempt from state regulation under federal law, to opt in to Georgia's Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act; to provide for definitions; to provide for a short title; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Health and Human Services Committee.

HB 268.

By Representatives Werkheiser of the 157th, Lott of the 122nd, Belton of the 112th, Bennett of the 94th, Hawkins of the 27th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 28 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to occupational therapists, so as to revise licensing provisions; to enter into an interstate compact known as the "Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact"; to authorize the State Board of Occupational Therapy to administer the compact in this state; to provide definitions; to provide for conditions; to provide for eligibility; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Health and Human Services Committee.

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HB 273.

By Representatives Ballinger of the 23rd, Carpenter of the 4th, Collins of the 68th and Dollar of the 45th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 4 of Title 3 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to local authorization and regulations for manufacture, distribution, and package sales of distilled spirits, so as to provide an additional method of initiating a referendum election for the authorization of the issuance of licenses for the package sale of distilled spirits; to change certain provisions relating to the procedures for calling and conducting certain referendum elections and the nullifications thereof; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.

HB 307.

By Representatives Cooper of the 43rd, Lott of the 122nd, Gaines of the 117th, Frye of the 118th, Hatchett of the 150th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 24 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance generally, so as to revise the "Georgia Telehealth Act"; to revise definitions; to authorize health care providers to provide telemedicine services from home; to authorize patients to receive telemedicine services from their home, workplace, or school; 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.

HB 362.

By Representatives Rhodes of the 120th, Watson of the 172nd, LaHood of the 175th, Petrea of the 166th and LaRiccia of the 169th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 12-2-2 of the O.C.G.A., relating to the Environmental Protection Division, Environmental Advisory Council, duties of council and its members and director, appeal procedures generally, permit applications, and inspections, so as to revise an effective date for standards, rules, and regulations; to amend Title 27 of the O.C.G.A., relating to game and fish, so as to revise a defined term; to amend Code Section 52-7-26 of the O.C.G.A., relating to penalty regarding registration, operation, and sale of watercraft, so as to revise the effective date of rules and regulations related to penalty; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Natural Resources and the Environment Committee.

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