SENATE FIRST READERS FRIDAY, MARCH 04, 2022 TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATIVE DAY SB 589. By Senators Dolezal of the 27th, Robertson of the 29th, Jones of the 25th, Summers of the 13th, Albers of the 56th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 20 of the O.C.G.A., relating to education, so as to provide for the establishment of educational scholarship accounts; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Education and Youth Committee. SB 590. By Senators Dolezal of the 27th, Robertson of the 29th and Summers of the 13th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 9-13-142 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the requirements of an official legal organ, so as to allow for the designation of a website as the official legal organ; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Judiciary Committee. SB 591. By Senators Hatchett of the 50th and Ginn of the 47th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 14 of Chapter 1 of Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to secondary metals recyclers, so as to provide that it shall be illegal for certain persons to purchase, possess, obtain, or sell or attempt to purchase, possess, obtain, or sell used, detached catalytic converters, used utility wire, or used communications copper; to provide for definitions; to regulate and limit the payment allowed by secondary metals recyclers; to provide that certain catalytic converters, used utility wire, and used communications copper and the vehicles transporting them are contraband; to provide for penalties; to provide for related matters; to provide for effective dates and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Natural Resources and the Environment Committee. - 1 - SB 592. By Senators Brass of the 28th, Anderson of the 24th, Dolezal of the 27th, Albers of the 56th and Robertson of the 29th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance, so as to change a definition regarding health care sharing ministries; to amend Article 2 of Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to imposition, rate, and computation of and exemptions from income taxes, so as to provide that a taxpayer may deduct the full amount paid for shares as a member of a health care sharing organization from Georgia taxable income; to provide a definition; to disallow related deductions; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Insurance and Labor Committee. SB 593. By Senator Robertson of the 29th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 7 of the O.C.G.A., relating to banking and finance, so as to enact the "Motor Vehicle Title Loan Act"; to require the Department of Banking and Finance to license and regulate title lenders; to amend Chapter 47 of Title 43 of the O.C.G.A., relating to used motor vehicle and used motor vehicle parts dealers; to amend Part 5 of Article 3 of Chapter 12 of Title 44 of the O.C.G.A., relating to pawnbrokers; to amend Article 8 of Chapter 14 of Title 44 of the O.C.G.A., relating to liens, so as to remove provisions relating to liens of pawnbrokers regarding motor vehicles or their titles; to make conforming changes; 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. SB 594. By Senators Anderson of the 43rd, Butler of the 55th, Hufstetler of the 52nd, Harrell of the 40th, Jackson of the 2nd and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 9 of Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to temporary assistance for needy families, so as to revise the definition of "cash assistance"; to increase access to benefits; to increase the lifetime maximum for benefits; to provide that assets are disregarded in determining eligibility; to repeal the drug felony ban for eligibility; to repeal the family cap on benefits; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Government Oversight Committee. - 2 - SB 595. By Senators James of the 35th, Davenport of the 44th, Tate of the 38th, Rhett of the 33rd, Orrock of the 36th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 4 of Title 28 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to legislative services generally, so as to provide for two designated handicap office suites, one for members of the Senate and one for members of the House of Representatives who have disabilities, in the state capitol building; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Government Oversight Committee. SB 596. By Senators Anavitarte of the 31st, Albers of the 56th, Dolezal of the 27th, Miller of the 49th, Robertson of the 29th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 3 of Title 38 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to emergency management, so as to provide for the creation of the Georgia Cyberforce; to provide for a definition; to provide for the purpose and duties of the cyberforce; to provide for an annual report; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committee. SB 597. By Senators Thompson of the 14th, Hatchett of the 50th, Rhett of the 33rd, Ginn of the 47th, Jones of the 10th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Department of Administrative Services, so as to provide for definitions; to provide for the certification of certain business enterprises as socially and economically disadvantaged business enterprises or women owned business enterprises; to provide for clarification and expansion of the supplier diversity programs of the Department of Administrative Services; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for lists of certified business enterprises; to authorize certain sole source contracts; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Insurance and Labor Committee. SB 598. By Senators Robertson of the 29th, Payne of the 54th, Jackson of the 41st, Hufstetler of the 52nd and Harbin of the 16th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 10-1-664.1 of the O.C.G.A., relating to restrictions on the ownership, operation, or control of dealerships by manufacturers and franchisors and competing unfairly with new dealers, so as to amend a prohibition on the ownership, operation, and control of motor vehicle dealerships by certain manufacturers, franchisors, and any parent, affiliate, or wholly or partially owned subsidiary thereof; to provide for legislative purpose; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Economic Development and Tourism Committee. - 3 - SB 599. By Senators Hickman of the 4th, Mullis of the 53rd, Albers of the 56th, Strickland of the 17th, Summers of the 13th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 4 of Chapter 5 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to reckless conduct, so as to provide for the offense of reckless conduct by discharging a firearm; to provide for penalties; to prohibit merger of offenses; to prohibit probation and other alternatives to incarceration; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Judiciary Committee. SB 600. By Senators Anderson of the 43rd, Sims of the 12th, James of the 35th, Jones II of the 22nd, Jones of the 10th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 28 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions for the General Assembly, so as to require the Office of Legislative Counsel to prepare demographic notes for certain proposed legislation that outline the potential effects of such legislation on disparities within the state; to provide for procedures and limitations regarding such notes; to require the legislative counsel to establish and report additional procedures; to require cooperation by state departments, agencies, and institutions; to authorize the use of funds for training; to provide for legislative findings and declarations; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Government Oversight Committee. SB 601. By Senators Miller of the 49th, Dixon of the 45th and Mullis of the 53rd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 20 of the O.C.G.A., relating to education, so as to provide for the establishment of promise scholarship accounts to be funded by the state in the amount of $6,000.00 per school year for each participating student, subject to appropriations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Education and Youth Committee. SB 602. By Senators Anavitarte of the 31st, Gooch of the 51st and Burke of the 11th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 33-1-24 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance requirements for transportation network companies and their drivers, so as to require minimum amounts of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage maintained by transportation network companies; 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. - 4 - SB 603. By Senators Rahman of the 5th and Hatchett of the 50th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 11 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to public school property and facilities, so as to provide for an outdoor learning spaces pilot program; to provide for a pilot program evaluation and report; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Education and Youth Committee. SB 605. By Senator Burke of the 11th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 5 of Chapter 8 of Title 34 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to contributions and payments in lieu of contributions relative to employment security, so as to provide for certain nonprofit organizations to have the option of making installment payments to finance unemployment benefits paid to its employees for certain time periods during the COVID-19 public health emergency; to provide for automatic repeal; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Insurance and Labor Committee. SB 607. By Senators Orrock of the 36th, Tippins of the 37th, Butler of the 55th, Parent of the 42nd, 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 a provision 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. SR 607. By Senators Davenport of the 44th, Tate of the 38th, Orrock of the 36th, Sims of the 12th, James of the 35th and others: A RESOLUTION recognizing March 3, 2022, as Spelman College Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 608. By Senators Jones of the 10th, Jackson of the 2nd, Anderson of the 43rd, Halpern of the 39th, Jackson of the 41st and others: A RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of Garron L. LaGrone; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. - 5 - SR 609. By Senators Rhett of the 33rd, Tippins of the 37th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Albers of the 56th and Thompson of the 14th: A RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of Colonel Michael H. Boyce; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 610. By Senators Jones of the 25th, Seay of the 34th, Jones of the 10th and Brass of the 28th: A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Kay Howard Pippin; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 611. By Senators James of the 35th, Rhett of the 33rd, Davenport of the 44th, Tate of the 38th, Orrock of the 36th and others: A RESOLUTION recognizing President Barack Obama and dedicating a road in his honor; and for other purposes. Referred to Transportation Committee. SR 612. By Senators James of the 35th, Davenport of the 44th, Tate of the 38th, Rhett of the 33rd, Orrock of the 36th and others: A RESOLUTION recognizing Mayor Maynard Jackson and dedicating an interchange in his honor; and for other purposes. Referred to Transportation Committee. SR 613. By Senators James of the 35th, Davenport of the 44th, Tate of the 38th, Rhett of the 33rd, Orrock of the 36th and others: A RESOULTION urging the Georgia Building Authority and the State of Georgia ADA Coordinator's Office to meet to develop a plan to make the Georgia State Capitol building more accessible for individuals with disabilities; and for other purposes. Referred to Rules Committee. SR 614. By Senators James of the 35th, Davenport of the 44th, Tate of the 38th, Rhett of the 33rd, Orrock of the 36th and others: A RESOLUTION honoring the life of Dr. Calvin Wayne McClarin; dedicating a bridge in his memory; repealing a certain resolution; repealing conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Transportation Committee. - 6 - SR 615. By Senators James of the 35th, Seay of the 34th and Rhett of the 33rd: A RESOLUTION creating the Senate Property Owners' Associations, Homeowners' Associations, and Condominium Associations Study Committee; and for other purposes. Referred to Rules Committee. SR 616. By Senators Halpern of the 39th, Orrock of the 36th, Harrell of the 40th, Butler of the 55th, Anderson of the 43rd and others: A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Morehouse College for its many contributions to Georgia and American history and celebrating its 155th anniversary; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 617. By Senators Halpern of the 39th, Orrock of the 36th, Harrell of the 40th, Butler of the 55th, Anderson of the 43rd and others: A RESOLUTION commending the Georgia Music Educators Association and recognizing March 2022 as Music in our Schools Month; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 618. By Senators Halpern of the 39th, Orrock of the 36th, Harrell of the 40th, Butler of the 55th, Anderson of the 43rd and others: A RESOLUTION celebrating Dr. Joyce Finch Johnson's 90th birthday; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 619. By Senators Halpern of the 39th, Orrock of the 36th, Harrell of the 40th, Butler of the 55th, Anderson of the 43rd and others: A RESOLUTION commending Clark Atlanta for its contributions to the city and the state and recognizing March 14-18, 2022, as Founders' Week at Clark Atlanta University; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 620. By Senators Anderson of the 43rd, Sims of the 12th, James of the 35th, Tate of the 38th, Davenport of the 44th and others: A RESOLUTION supporting efforts to invest in a statewide clean energy transition; and for other purposes. Referred to Rules Committee. - 7 - SR 621. By Senators Strickland of the 17th, Rhett of the 33rd, Hufstetler of the 52nd, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Butler of the 55th and others: A RESOLUTION commending the Boy Scouts of America and recognizing March 9, 2022, as Scout Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 622. By Senator Hatchett of the 50th: A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Mr. Winston Skip Johnston III; and for other purposes. Read and Adopted. SR 623. By Senator Tippins of the 37th: A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Georgia so as to provide for staggered, four-year terms of office for members of the Senate; to provide for the implementation of staggered terms of office for members of the Senate; to provide for related matters; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes. Referred to Ethics Committee. HB 508. By Representatives Carpenter of the 4th, Gaines of the 117th, Moore of the 95th, Reeves of the 34th and Frye of the 118th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to selling and other trade practices, so as to provide protections for commercial recordings, musical performances, and audiovisual works; to prohibit the deceptive practice of musical performance groups advertising and appearing as the recording group without the recording group's permission or denoting that it is a salute or tribute performance; to provide for definitions; to specify violations; to require certain websites or online services to properly identify third-party commercial recordings or audiovisual works; to provide for definitions; to provide for civil and criminal penalties and causes of action; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee. - 8 - HB 916. By Representatives Leverett of the 33rd and Wilensky of the 79th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 5 of the O.C.G.A., relating to appeal and error, so as to provide for a unified procedure for appealing decisions of a lower judicatory to a superior or state court; to repeal and reserve Chapter 4 of said title, relating to certiorari to superior court; to amend various titles of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, so as to provide for conforming changes; to correct cross-references and remove obsolete or improper references; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Judiciary Committee. HB 960. By Representatives Leverett of the 33rd, Barr of the 103rd, Oliver of the 82nd and Wilson of the 80th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 12 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Governor, so as to establish the Office of the Inspector General; to provide for definitions; to provide for duties; to provide certain powers; to provide procedures for the application of the duties and powers of such office; to provide a duty to report certain actions; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Government Oversight Committee. HB 1058. By Representatives Williamson of the 115th, Wiedower of the 119th, Knight of the 130th, Wilkerson of the 38th, Hatchett of the 150th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 48-7-21, relating to income taxation of corporations, so as remove the requirement that affiliated corporations file separate income tax returns with this state unless the Department of Revenue has requested or preapproved the filing of consolidated returns; to authorize Georgia affiliated groups to elect to file separate or consolidated income tax returns; to provide for the effect of such elections; to provide for tax liability, allocation, and apportionment; to make such election irrevocable for five years; to authorize affiliated groups that have filed consolidated returns to continue under the current law; to provide for 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. - 9 - HB 1150. By Representatives Dickey of the 140th, Watson of the 172nd, England of the 116th, Jasperse of the 11th, Pirkle of the 155th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 41-1-7 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to treatment of agricultural facilities and operations and forest land as nuisances, so as to provide for legislative intent; to remove a definition; to limit the circumstances under which agricultural facilities and operations may be sued for a nuisance; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee. HB 1175. By Representatives Pirkle of the 155th, Camp of the 131st, Campbell of the 171st, Jenkins of the 132nd and Carpenter of the 4th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 26 of the O.C.G.A., relating to standards, labeling, and adulteration of food, so as to authorize and regulate the production, handling, transporting, and sale of raw milk and raw milk products for human consumption; to provide standards for safety, cleanliness, and health for such products and animals producing them; to authorize the Commissioner of Agriculture to enforce such standards; to amend Article 7 of Chapter 2 of Title 26 of the O.C.G.A., relating to milk and milk products, so as to provide for conforming changes; to provide a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee. HB 1216. By Representatives McDonald of the 26th, Collins of the 68th, Powell of the 32nd, Hitchens of the 161st, Burns of the 159th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 15 of Chapter 6 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to serious traffic offenses, so as to provide for enhanced penalties for violations of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer; to provide for enhanced penalties for fleeing or eluding a police officer during the commission of certain crimes or under certain circumstances; to prohibit the use of a blue light to impersonate a law enforcement officer; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Judiciary Committee. HB 1324. By Representatives Camp of the 131st, Hawkins of the 27th, Newton of the 123rd, Taylor of the 173rd, Lumsden of the 12th and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 11 of Title 31 and Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to emergency medical services and insurance, respectively, so as to clarify that the prudent layperson standard is not affected by the diagnoses given; to provide for unfair claims settlement practices; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Insurance and Labor Committee. - 10 - HB 1348. By Representatives Rich of the 97th, Greene of the 151st, McLaurin of the 51st, Kausche of the 50th, Cooper of the 43rd and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the O.C.G.A., relating to offenses against public health and morals, so as to provide that vaping in restricted areas is a misdemeanor punishable by fine; to amend Chapter 1A of Title 20 of the O.C.G.A., relating to early care and learning, so as to provide that operators of early care and education programs shall post signs prohibiting vaping; to amend Chapter 12A of Title 31 of the O.C.G.A., relating to smoke-free air, so as to revise the short title; to prohibit vaping in designated smoke-free areas; to provide for exemptions; to provide that "No Smoking" signs may include the words "or Vaping"; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Judiciary Committee. HB 1349. By Representatives Ridley of the 6th, Rhodes of the 120th, Corbett of the 174th, Burchett of the 176th and Watson of the 172nd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 27-1-3 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to legislative declarations, ownership and custody of wildlife, preservation of hunting and fishing opportunities, promotion and right to hunt, trap, or fish, local regulation, and general offenses, so as to extend the date on which the Department of Natural Resources shall attempt to prevent net loss of land acreage available for hunting opportunities on department managed state owned lands; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Natural Resources and the Environment Committee. HB 1355. By Representatives Dempsey of the 13th, Cooper of the 43rd, Drenner of the 85th, Gambill of the 15th, Newton of the 123rd and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 41 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to lead poisoning prevention, so as to update provisions to comport with nationally recognized guidelines; to revise definitions; to revise provisions relating to abatement of lead poisoning hazards; to expand written advisement requirements; to expand applicability of provisions; to provide for related matters; to provide for a funding contingency; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Health and Human Services Committee. - 11 -