Senate first readers, 2022 March 1

SENATE FIRST READERS TUESDAY, MARCH 01, 2022 TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATIVE DAY

SB 566.

By Senators Burke of the 11th, Hufstetler of the 52nd, Watson of the 1st, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Dugan of the 30th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 33 of the O.C.G.A., relating to insurance, so as to clarify that, under the Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act, a medical or traumatic condition, sickness, or injury includes a mental health condition or substance use disorder and that emergency medical services include post-stabilization services; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Insurance and Labor Committee.

SB 567.

By Senators James of the 35th, Seay of the 34th, Tate of the 38th, Butler of the 55th, Jones II of the 22nd and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 13 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to powers and duties of the Secretary of State, so as to establish the Department of Natural Resources Ombudsman office and the position of manager of said office; to provide powers and duties of said office and manager; to provide definitions; to require cooperation from the Secretary of State and Department of Natural Resources; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Natural Resources and the Environment Committee.

SB 568.

By Senators Merritt of the 9th, Butler of the 55th, Jones of the 10th, Jackson of the 2nd, Anderson of the 43rd and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state flag, seal, and other symbols, so as to provide for placement of a monument to honor Coretta Scott King; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Government Oversight Committee.

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SB 569.

By Senators Orrock of the 36th, Tippins of the 37th, Harrell of the 40th, Tate of the 38th, Hufstetler of the 52nd and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 2 of Title 46 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the general jurisdiction, powers, and duties of the Public Service Commission, so as to repeal certain provisions allowing for the recovery of financing costs for the construction of nuclear generation plants from Georgia's electric service customers; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.

SB 570. By Senator Sims of the 12th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act to revise and restate the law relating to the Sumter County board of education and school superintendent, approved February 26, 2014 (Ga. L. 2014, p. 3503), so as to provide for seven education districts; to change the description of the education districts; to provide for definitions and inclusions; to provide for the continuation in office of current members; to provide for related matters; to provide for effective dates; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

SB 571.

By Senators Merritt of the 9th, Jackson of the 41st, Halpern of the 39th and Harrell of the 40th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 13 of Title 16 of the O.C.G.A., relating to the regulation of controlled substances, so as to revise notification requirements for prescribers prescribing opioids; to require prescribers to discuss with patients, their parent, or guardian the risks of addiction, dependence, and fatal overdose associated with opioid use and all available alternative treatments; to require prescribers to document the notification in the patient's file; to exclude prescribers for certain patient groups from this Code section; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Health and Human Services Committee.

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SB 572.

By Senators Mullis of the 53rd, Kennedy of the 18th, Harbison of the 15th and Brass of the 28th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 11 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to taxes on tobacco and vaping products, so as to provide for the Attorney General to establish a vapor product directory; to require vapor product manufacturers to provide an attestation to the Attorney General; to provide for definitions; to prohibit illicit vapor products; to provide penalties for violations; 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.

SB 573. By Senators Brass of the 28th, Walker III of the 20th and Robertson of the 29th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 7 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to regulation and construction of hospitals and other health care facilities, so as to require hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to utilize surgical smoke evacuation systems during surgical procedures to protect patients and health care workers from the hazards of surgical smoke; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Health and Human Services Committee.

SB 580.

By Senators Dolezal of the 27th, Robertson of the 29th, Jones of the 25th, Beach of the 21st, Cowsert of the 46th 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 that no political action committee which is affiliated with or which coordinates with a member of the General Assembly or such member's campaign committee shall seek or accept a contribution or pledge of a contribution to such political action committee during a legislative session; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Ethics Committee.

SR 583. By Senators Jordan of the 6th, Jones II of the 22nd and Parent of the 42nd:

A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Georgia so as to revise the manner of filling vacancies in certain judicial offices and to provide for the terms of those persons filling such vacancies; 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.

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SR 584.

By Senators Jackson of the 41st, Merritt of the 9th, Au of the 48th, Butler of the 55th, Brass of the 28th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing May 4, 2022, as Maternal Mental Health Day in Georgia; and for other purposes.

Referred to Health and Human Services Committee.

SR 585.

By Senators Thompson of the 14th, Hufstetler of the 52nd, Tippins of the 37th, Miller of the 49th, Gooch of the 51st and others:

A RESOLUTION honoring Beth Tilley for her years of devotion towards positively impacting Bartow County and the lives of those who live there; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 586.

By Senators Thompson of the 14th, Watson of the 1st, Hatchett of the 50th, Dixon of the 45th, Hufstetler of the 52nd and others:

A RESOLUTION honoring Erin Brown for her outstanding courage and strength to overcome any odds that are set against her; and other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 587.

By Senators Thompson of the 14th, Hatchett of the 50th, Dixon of the 45th, Hufstetler of the 52nd, Miller of the 49th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Dr. Angela Evans for her over two decades of service in higher education to the students of Georgia and her years as a business development consultant; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 588.

By Senators Burns of the 23rd, Anderson of the 24th, Beach of the 21st, Jones of the 25th, Tillery of the 19th and others:

A RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of Dr. Arthur Linton "A.L." Freeland; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 589. By Senators Mullis of the 53rd and Miller of the 49th:

A RESOLUTION honoring the lives of Ralph and Beatrice Rumley and dedicating an interchange in their memory; and for other purposes.

Referred to Transportation Committee.

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SR 590.

By Senators Thompson of the 14th, Miller of the 49th, Gooch of the 51st, Albers of the 56th, Summers of the 13th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Billy Reed; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 591.

By Senators James of the 35th, Seay of the 34th, Tate of the 38th, Harrell of the 40th, Butler of the 55th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing March 11, 2022, as Child Rescue Crusade Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 592. By Senators Lucas of the 26th, Jones of the 25th and Anderson of the 24th:

A RESOLUTION commending the Hancock County 4-H Program; Randie Gray, Hancock County 4-H agent; Kamylah Lee, 4-H AmeriCorps; and Hancock Central High School students Alex Caldwell, Jamiya Ficklin, Tayla Huff, Jordyn Ingram, Vashon Justice, Dawson Lee, Rickevia Leslie, Angel Lewis, Alana McClain, Lauren McClain, Nikeria Morris, Saige Rhodes, Ka'Meisha Robinson, Janiya Watkins, and Jurnee Worthen, as well as recognizing February 9, 2022, as 4-H Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 593.

By Senators James of the 35th, Seay of the 34th, Tate of the 38th, Harrell of the 40th, Butler of the 55th and others:

A RESOLUTION congratulating and commending Y. Dyan Matthews for receiving the 2022 Yellow Rose Nikki T. Randall Servant Leader Award; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 594.

By Senators Anderson of the 24th, Miller of the 49th, Dixon of the 45th, Jones of the 25th, Lucas of the 26th and others:

A RESOLUTION commending and congratulating Ludell Garnett; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

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SR 595.

By Senators Orrock of the 36th, Tippins of the 37th, Harrell of the 40th, Tate of the 38th, Hufstetler of the 52nd and others:

A RESOLUTION urging the Public Service Commission to pursue actions that would prohibit the continued collection of the Vogtle surcharge resulting in immediate financial relief to current ratepayers; and for other purposes.

Referred to Rules Committee.

SR 597. By Senator Albers of the 56th:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Dr. David Remaley, DDS, for his dedicated service to the profession of dentistry and to the citizens of the State of Georgia; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

HB 1056. By Representatives Hill of the 3rd, Gravley of the 67th, Lumsden of the 12th, Hitchens of the 161st, Bonner of the 72nd and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 47 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to retirement and pensions, so as to repeal certain restrictions and requirements concerning the authority to make alternative investments for the Georgia Firefighters' Pension Fund; to increase the percentage of alternative investments allowable for the Georgia Firefighters' Pension Fund; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Retirement Committee.

HB 1064. By Representatives Petrea of the 166th, Smith of the 134th, Bonner of the 72nd, Newton of the 123rd, Blackmon of the 146th and others:

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 the imposition, rate, computation, exemptions, and credits from state income tax, so as to exclude from Georgia taxable net income certain retirement income received from certain military service; to provide for limitations; 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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HB 1182. By Representatives Taylor of the 173rd and Campbell of the 171st:
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 36-9-3 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to sale or disposition of county real property generally, right of certain counties to make private sale, and right of county to negotiate and consummate private sales of recreational set-asides, so as to provide that provisions regarding the disposition of property acquired for lake projects do not apply if any portion of such lake was constructed; to provide an effective date; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to Government Oversight Committee.
HB 1219. By Representatives Houston of the 170th, Jasperse of the 11th, Parrish of the 158th, Tankersley of the 160th and Newton of the 123rd:
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants, so as to revise the composition of the Georgia Board of Dentistry; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to Health and Human Services Committee.
HB 1271. By Representatives Burchett of the 176th, Corbett of the 174th, Ridley of the 6th, Sainz of the 180th and Scoggins of the 14th:
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 covenants for a planned subdivision and a property owners' association which infringe upon a lot owner's right to display the United States and Georgia flags; to provide for applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to Government Oversight Committee.
HB 1274. By Representatives Carson of the 46th, Wilensky of the 79th, Efstration of the 104th, Kausche of the 50th, Cooper of the 43rd and others:
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to state government, so as to provide for the definition of antisemitism; to require state agencies and departments to consider such definition when determining whether an alleged act was motivated by discriminatory antisemitic intent; to provide for limitations and construction; to provide legislative findings; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to Judiciary Committee.
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HB 1288. By Representatives Taylor of the 173rd, Williams of the 145th, Bentley of the 139th, Dempsey of the 13th, Collins of the 68th and others:
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 19 of Title 47 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the State Employees' Assurance Department, so as to provide for the assignment of certain group term life insurance benefits to pay for funeral services of a deceased individual who was a member of the Employees' Retirement System of Georgia, Georgia Legislative Retirement System, or Georgia Judicial Retirement System; to provide for a definition; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to Retirement Committee.
HB 1294. By Representatives Corbett of the 174th, Rhodes of the 120th, LaRiccia of the 169th, LaHood of the 175th and Ridley of the 6th:
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 44-7-113 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to government agent to assess abandoned mobile home, lien on intact mobile home, derelict mobile homes, notice, and governmental immunity, so as to provide for the timing of sending notice by a landowner when an abandoned mobile home has been determined to be derelict; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to Special Judiciary Committee.
HB 1308. By Representatives Williams of the 148th, Taylor of the 173rd, Gambill of the 15th, Houston of the 170th, Jones of the 25th and others:
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 24 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance generally, so as to allow a plan sponsor of a health benefit plan to consent on behalf of an enrollee to the electronic delivery of all communications related to the plan; to allow the enrollee an opportunity to refuse to agree to receive mailings electronically; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to Insurance and Labor Committee.
HB 1346. By Representatives Ballinger of the 23rd, Martin of the 49th, Thomas of the 21st, Smith of the 18th and Holcomb of the 81st:
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 6 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to clerks of superior courts, so as to provide for construction; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to Judiciary Committee.
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