Senate first readers, 2021 March 1

SENATE FIRST READERS MONDAY, MARCH 01, 2021 TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATIVE DAY

SB 269.

By Senators Harrell of the 40th, Butler of the 55th, Orrock of the 36th, Halpern of the 39th, Parent of the 42nd 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 elections and primaries generally, so as to change the manner of selection of the members of the State Election Board; to provide for terms of office; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Ethics Committee.

SB 270.

By Senators Davenport of the 44th, Jordan of the 6th, Au of the 48th, Jones II of the 22nd, Merritt of the 9th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health, so as to provide for a pilot program to fund rural birthing centers associated with hospitals with emergency departments; to define a term; to provide for the solicitation of grants of funding; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for a report; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Health and Human Services Committee.

SB 272.

By Senators James of the 35th, Harbison of the 15th, Davenport of the 44th and Halpern of the 39th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 8 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Department of Community Affairs, so as to create the Racial Equity and Reconciliation Commission of Georgia; to provide for membership and operation; to provide for an executive director; to provide for an advisory committee; to provide for duties; to provide for reporting; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Government Oversight Committee.

SB 276.

By Senators Kennedy of the 18th, Strickland of the 17th, Mullis of the 53rd, Harper of the 7th and Dugan of the 30th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 15 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to county law libraries, so as to allow county governing authorities to authorize the charging and collection of law library fees in county recorders' courts and magistrate courts; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee. - 1 -

SR 166.

By Senators Jones of the 10th, Seay of the 34th, Harbison of the 15th, Anderson of the 43rd, Rhett of the 33rd and others:

A RESOLUTION urging members of the United States Congress to enact federal legislation granting statehood to the people of Washington, D.C.; and for other purposes.

Referred to Rules Committee.

SR 167.

By Senators Beach of the 21st, Cowsert of the 46th, Tillery of the 19th, Mullis of the 53rd and Payne of the 54th:

A RESOLUTION commending Taiwan for its relations with the United States and the State of Georgia; and for other purposes.

Referred to Rules Committee.

SR 168.

By Senators Butler of the 55th, Jordan of the 6th, Au of the 48th, Orrock of the 36th, Parent of the 42nd and others:

A RESOLUTION to ratify an Amendment to the United States Constitution; equal rights not abridged on account of sex; and for other purposes.

Referred to Rules Committee.

SR 169.

By Senators Butler of the 55th, Orrock of the 36th, Harrell of the 40th, Jackson of the 41st, Davenport of the 44th and others:

A RESOLUTION creating the Senate Shoreline Protection Study Committee; and for other purposes.

Referred to Rules Committee.

SR 170.

By Senators Jones of the 10th, Butler of the 55th, Cowsert of the 46th, Harbison of the 15th, Strickland of the 17th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Harold Melton for his 30 years in state government; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 171.

By Senator Harbison of the 15th:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Patricia and James Gant; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

- 2 -

SR 172.

By Senators Jordan of the 6th, Merritt of the 9th, Au of the 48th, Parent of the 42nd, Hickman of the 4th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing March 28, 2021, as Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 173.

By Senators Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Tippins of the 37th, Rhett of the 33rd, Jordan of the 6th and Thompson of the 14th:

A RESOLUTION commending Mr. Joseph Gavalis as the Distinguished Older Georgian for 2021; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

HB 152.

By Representatives Wiedower of the 119th, Gaines of the 117th, Crowe of the 110th, Barton of the 5th, Anderson of the 10th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 1A of Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the O.C.G.A., relating to nonpublic postsecondary educational institutions, so as to revise provisions regarding the exemption applicable to certain institutions operating on military installations or bases; to provide for biennial review of institutions rather than programs; to provide for awards of costs and reasonable attorney's fees in favor of the Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission; to provide for alternative review of renewal applications by institutions in good standing with recognized accrediting agencies; to provide for filing a surety bond in the event of a change of ownership of an institution; to provide for the remittal of surety bonds; to provide for assessment of investigation costs incurred by the commission; to provide for a definition; to provide for conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Higher Education Committee.

HB 253.

By Representative Holmes of the 129th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to create the Jones County Public Facilities Authority; 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 this 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.

- 3 -

HB 271.

By Representatives Reeves of the 34th, Cooper of the 43rd, Newton of the 123rd, Lott of the 122nd and Sharper of the 177th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 11 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to licenses for emergency medical services, so as to authorize the Department of Community Health to assess one or more provider matching payments on ambulance services for the purpose of obtaining federal financial participation for Medicaid; to provide for definitions; to provide for payment into the Indigent Care Trust Fund; to provide for penalties; to provide for the use of funds; to provide for inspection of records; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for statutory construction; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Finance Committee.

HB 275.

By Representatives McDonald of the 26th, Hatchett of the 150th, Powell of the 32nd, Collins of the 68th, Smyre of the 135th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 4 of Title 25 and Article 3 of Chapter 11 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to firefighter standards and training and to emergency medical services personnel, respectively, so as to require random drug tests for certain firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, paramedics, and cardiac technicians; to provide for licensure and certification of emergency medical services personnel, paramedics, and cardiac technicians previously convicted of a felony; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Public Safety Committee.

HB 289.

By Representatives Belton of the 112th, Corbett of the 174th, Powell of the 32nd, Hitchens of the 161st, Barton of the 5th 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 drivers' licenses, so as to provide for requirements for the issuance of Class C drivers' licenses; to provide for exemptions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Public Safety Committee.

HB 336.

By Representatives Corbett of the 174th, Dickey of the 140th, Pirkle of the 155th, Jasperse of the 11th and Watson of the 172nd:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 23 of Title 2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to hemp farming, so as to provide for compliance with federal laws and regulations; to provide for history reports; to provide for disposal of lots of hemp; to provide for sampling and random testing of hemp; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee. - 4 -

HB 338.

By Representatives DeLoach of the 167th, England of the 116th and Williams of the 168th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 40-5-36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to veterans' licenses, honorary licenses, and other distinctive drivers' licenses, so as to revise qualifications for issuance of veterans' driver's licenses; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committee.

HB 370.

By Representatives Jones of the 47th, Schofield of the 60th, Oliver of the 82nd and Martin of the 49th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 4 of Chapter 7 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to county and municipal hospital authorities, so as to provide for term limits for members of joint hospital authorities; to provide that joint hospital authorities that lease certain hospitals are subject to limitations on utilization of revenues; to provide for applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Health and Human Services Committee.

HB 384.

By Representatives Dollar of the 45th, Barr of the 103rd, Pirkle of the 155th, Carpenter of the 4th and Jackson of the 128th:

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 of a traffic citation to a vehicle owner in lieu of the individual operating the motor vehicle in certain instances; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Special Judiciary Committee.

HB 395.

By Representatives Belton of the 112th, Werkheiser of the 157th, Corbett of the 174th, Lumsden of the 12th, Holcomb of the 81st and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 10A of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to professional counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists, so as to revise certain licensing provisions; to enter into an interstate compact known as the "Professional Counselors Licensure Compact"; to authorize the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists to administer the compact in this state; to authorize the board to conduct national background checks; to provide for conditions; to provide for eligibility; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Health and Human Services Committee.

- 5 -

HB 409.

By Representatives Gunter of the 8th, Fleming of the 121st, Efstration of the 104th, Reeves of the 34th, Kelley of the 16th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 4 of Chapter 15 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to counsel for public officials and agencies, so as to provide for a process for state-funded representation of certain judges in legal actions resulting from performance or nonperformance of their official duties; to provide for a definition; to establish the Judicial Legal Defense Fund; to establish the Judicial Legal Defense Fund Commission; to provide for appointments and duties; to provide for requirements; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Government Oversight Committee.

HB 437.

By Representatives Howard of the 124th, Beverly of the 143rd, Schofield of the 60th and Cooper of the 43rd:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 60 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions applicable to counties and municipal corporations, so as to require attendants at self-service motor fuel establishments to dispense motor fuel to individuals with special disabilities; to provide for related decals on pumps; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.

HB 445.

By Representatives Bruce of the 61st, Bazemore of the 63rd, Boddie of the 62nd, Dollar of the 45th, Thomas of the 65th and others:

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 change the corporate boundaries of the municipality; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

HB 449.

By Representatives Smith of the 133rd, Parsons of the 44th, Burns of the 159th and Frazier of the 126th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 9 of Title 25 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to blasting or excavating near utility facilities, so as to revise the "Georgia Utility Facility Protection Act" to enhance the processes for locate requests and to require that 9-1-1 be contacted if an excavator damages a gas or hazardous liquid pipeline; to change and provide for certain definitions; to provide for certain procedures in extraordinary circumstances; to provide limitations on the recovery of costs of damages; to establish a statute of limitations on enforcement; to amend Code Section 46-3-34, relating to utilities protection center, funding of activities, notice of work delay, and responsibility for completing safety requirements, so as to correct a cross-reference; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee. - 6 -

HB 458.

By Representatives Cooper of the 43rd, Holcomb of the 81st, Gaines of the 117th, Newton of the 123rd and Hawkins of the 27th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 34 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to physicians, physician assistants, and others, so as to require certain training relating to sexual misconduct for members of the Georgia Composite Medical Board; to amend Chapter 34A of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to patient right to know, so as to provide for annual reporting to the General Assembly of the number of physicians investigated or disciplined for the sexual assault of patients; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Health and Human Services Committee.

HB 488.

By Representatives Scoggins of the 14th, Kelley of the 16th, Leverett of the 33rd, Lumsden of the 12th, Gambill of the 15th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to courts, so as to provide for an increase in the minimum compensation for chief magistrates; to provide for the calculation of future increases in the minimum compensation for chief magistrates; to provide for an increase in the minimum compensation for other magistrates; to provide for an increase in the minimum compensation for clerks of magistrate courts; 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 (General) Committee.

HB 509.

By Representatives Gaines of the 117th, Kelley of the 16th, Cooper of the 43rd, Wiedower of the 119th, Lumsden of the 12th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 30 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to group or blanket accident and sickness insurance, so as to require certain insurers to make at least one reasonably priced comprehensive major medical health insurance policy available to residents in this state without limitation or exclusion based on preexisting conditions; to condition such requirement on the repeal or judicial invalidation of certain provisions of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Insurance and Labor Committee.

HB 535.

By Representative Yearta of the 152nd:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act to provide a new charter for the City of Sylvester, approved May 13, 2008 (Ga. L. 2008, p. 4219), so as to authorize the city to provide extraterritorial utility services; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

- 7 -

HB 546.

By Representatives Stephens of the 164th and Petrea of the 166th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide a new charter for the City of Richmond Hill; to provide for incorporation, boundaries, and powers of the city; to provide for related matters; to repeal a specific Act; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

HB 560.

By Representatives Taylor of the 173rd, LaHood of the 175th and Watson of the 172nd:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act creating the Board of Commissioners of Thomas County, approved December 1, 1898 (Ga. L. 1898, p. 378), as amended, so as to modify the compensation of the commissioners on the Thomas County Board of Commissioners; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

HB 595.

By Representative Greene of the 151st:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act reconstituting the Board of Education of Clay County, approved January 15, 1993 (Ga. L. 1993, p. 3576), as amended, particularly by an Act approved April 4, 1997 (Ga. L. 1997, p. 3554) so as to change the compensation of the members of the board of education; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

HB 600.

By Representatives Dreyer of the 59th and Schofield of the 60th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act to provide a new charter for the City of Hapeville, Georgia, approved March 25, 1980 (Ga. L. 1980, p. 3769), as amended, so as to revise provisions related to quorums of the mayor and council; to revise procedures for filling vacancies on the city council; to revise provisions related to the city attorney; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

HB 603.

By Representative Meeks of the 178th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act creating the board of commissioners of Brantley County, approved July 21, 1927 (Ga. L. 1927, p. 500), as amended, so as to authorize the chairperson of the board of commissioners to make and second motions and vote on all matters that come before the board for a vote; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

- 8 -

HB 610.

By Representatives Dickey of the 140th, Washburn of the 141st, Beverly of the 143rd, Mathis of the 144th and Paris of the 142nd:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act to provide for the restructuring of the City of Macon, the City of Payne City, and Bibb County, approved April 20, 2012 (Ga. L. 2012, p. 5595), as amended, so as to revise provisions regarding eligibility for the office of mayor; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

HB 613.

By Representatives Blackmon of the 146th, Dickey of the 140th, Clark of the 147th and Williams of the 148th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to authorize the governing authority of the City of Perry 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 614.

By Representatives Mathiak of the 73rd, Knight of the 130th, Singleton of the 71st, Bonner of the 72nd, Camp of the 131st and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to revise certain provisions governing the Griffin Judicial Circuit; to revise the method for the assignment of cases; to revise the method for the selection of one or more qualified persons as judge of the juvenile courts of the circuit; to revise the method of selection of the chief judge; to revise the method for filling a vacancy in the office of chief magistrate of Fayette County; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

HR 264.

By Representative Burns of the 159th:

A RESOLUTION relative to meetings and adjournments of the General Assembly; and for other purposes.

Adopted.

- 9 -