Senate first readers, 2023 February 16

SENATE FIRST READERS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2023 NINETEENTH LEGISLATIVE DAY

SB 165.

By Senators Goodman of the 8th, Sims of the 12th, Walker III of the 20th, Brass of the 28th, Mallow of the 2nd and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 6 of Title 32 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to dimensions and weight of vehicles and loads, so as to provide for an allowable variance for weight limitations upon a vehicle or load; to repeal certain exceptions which allow for excess weight for vehicles and loads; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Transportation Committee.

SB 166.

By Senators Merritt of the 9th, Islam of the 7th, Orrock of the 36th, Harrell of the 40th, Jackson of the 41st and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 19 of Title 45 of the O.C.G.A., relating to labor practices of public officers and employees; to amend Code Section 16-8-16 of the O.C.G.A., relating to theft by extortion; to repeal and reserve Code Section 20-2-989.10 of the O.C.G.A., relating to collective bargaining not permitted or fostered; to repeal and reserve Chapter 5 of Title 25 of the O.C.G.A., relating to resolution of wages, hours, and working conditions of firefighters; to amend Code Section 45-7-54 of the O.C.G.A., relating to voluntary contributions by state employees through payroll deductions to certain not for profit organizations; to amend Chapter 19 of Title 45 of the O.C.G.A., relating to labor practices of public officers and employees; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Insurance and Labor Committee.

SB 167.

By Senators Robertson of the 29th, Hufstetler of the 52nd, Ginn of the 47th, Summers of the 13th, Payne of the 54th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 46 of the O.C.G.A., relating to public utilities and public transportation, so as to exclude the provision of electricity to propel motor vehicles through electric vehicle charging equipment from the regulatory authority of the Public Service Commission; 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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SB 168.

By Senators Williams of the 25th, Summers of the 13th, Still of the 48th, Echols of the 49th and Harbin of the 16th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 8 of Article 8 of Chapter 14 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to liens of hospitals and nursing homes, so as to allow a chiropractic practice to have a lien on a cause of action accruing to an injured person for the costs of care and treatment of injuries arising out of the cause of action; to revise definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Health and Human Services Committee.

SB 169.

By Senators Payne of the 54th, Dixon of the 45th, Robertson of the 29th, Anavitarte of the 31st, Hickman of the 4th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 20-2-754 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to procedures to be followed by disciplinary officer, panel, or tribunal in public schools, and review, so as to provide for limits on the extension of hearing dates for student discipline tribunals; to require local school systems to provide appropriate grade-level instructional materials to any student subject to in-school suspension, short-term suspension, or long-term suspension pending completion of the student discipline tribunal; to provide for construction; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Education and Youth Committee.

SB 170.

By Senators Albers of the 56th, Dixon of the 45th, Robertson of the 29th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Still of the 48th 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 the qualification and selection of students to advise the State Board of Education and local boards of education; to provide for the Georgia Teacher of the Year to be invited to advise the State Board of Education; to provide for a definition; to provide for compensation; to provide for restrictions; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for construction; to provide for a short title; to provide for an effective date; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Education and Youth Committee.

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SB 171.

By Senators Burns of the 23rd, Gooch of the 51st, Rhett of the 33rd, Parent of the 42nd and Dixon of the 45th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 62 of Title 36 of the O.C.G.A., relating to development authorities, so as to limit the length of a director's hold-over period following expiration of term of office; to amend Code Section 36-62A-21 of the O.C.G.A., relating to required training on development and redevelopment programs, so as to require directors to do yearly continuing education; to amend Part 3 of Article 8 of Chapter 14 of Title 44 of the O.C.G.A., relating to mechanics and materialmen liens, so as to provide that such liens may attach to the usufruct interest of properties owned by or titled in a development authority or downtown development authority; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Economic Development and Tourism Committee.

SB 172.

By Senators Cowsert of the 46th, Butler of the 55th, Beach of the 21st, Parent of the 42nd, Summers of the 13th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 50 of the O.C.G.A., relating to state government, so as to authorize and provide for the regulation and taxation of sports betting in this state; to provide for additional powers and duties of the Georgia Lottery Corporation; to amend Title 48 of the O.C.G.A., relating to revenue and taxation, so as to exempt wagers placed as part of sports betting; to provide for related matters; to provide for a contingent effective date and automatic repeal; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.

SB 173.

By Senator Watson of the 1st:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 11 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to emergency medical services, so as to provide that hospital authorities may transfer its ambulance service license to its local governing body directly if the governing body is eligible for such a license; to provide for definitions; 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 174.

By Senators Dixon of the 45th, Harbison of the 15th, Beach of the 21st, Ginn of the 47th, Hickman of the 4th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 27 of Title 50 of the O.C.G.A., the "Georgia Lottery for Education Act," so as to provide that administrative procedures and actions regarding bona fide coin operated amusement machines shall be subject to Chapter 13 of Title 50; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Economic Development and Tourism Committee.

SB 175.

By Senators Halpern of the 39th, Butler of the 55th, Mallow of the 2nd, Beach of the 21st, Jackson of the 41st and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to searches with warrants, so as to provide for additional requirements for the issuance and execution of search warrants and no-knock warrants; to provide for limitations on certain arrest and asset seizure procedures; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Public Safety Committee.

SB 176.

By Senators Esteves of the 6th, Strickland of the 17th, Butler of the 55th, Brass of the 28th, Parent of the 42nd and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 4 of Chapter 18 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to inspection of public records, so as to protect the personal phone numbers, personal or governmental issued cell phone numbers, and home addresses of judges, law enforcement officers, prosecuting attorneys, and public defenders; to provide for injunctive relief; to provide for a misdemeanor; to provide for civil relief, attorney's fees, and costs of litigation; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Government Oversight Committee.

SB 177.

By Senators Jones II of the 22nd, Goodman of the 8th, Butler of the 55th, Hickman of the 4th and Sims of the 12th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to agriculture, so as to enact the "Food Insecurity Eradication Act"; to provide for definitions; to create the Georgia Food Security Advisory Council; to provide for duties; to provide for appointments and reimbursements; to provide for reporting requirements; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and automatic repeal; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee.

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SB 178.

By Senators Kennedy of the 18th and Lucas of the 26th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act known as the "Macon Water Authority Act," approved March 23, 1992 (Ga. L. 1992, p. 4991), as amended, so as to provide a code of conduct for board members, officers, and employees; to provide for prohibited actions; to provide for punishments; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

SB 179.

By Senators McLaurin of the 14th, Butler of the 55th, Merritt of the 9th, Esteves of the 6th, Islam of the 7th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 21-2-216 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to qualifications of electors generally, reregistration of electors purged from list, eligibility of nonresidents who vote in presidential elections, retention of qualification for standing as elector, evidence of citizenship, and check of convicted felons and deceased persons databases, so as to provide restrictions of voting rights for judicially incompetent persons; 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 Ethics Committee.

SB 180.

By Senators Setzler of the 37th, Brass of the 28th, Anavitarte of the 31st, Gooch of the 51st, Payne of the 54th 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 for the preservation of religious freedom; to provide for legislative findings and determinations; to provide for the granting of relief; to provide for definitions; to provide for construction; to provide for a short title; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

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SB 181.

By Senators Payne of the 54th, Kennedy of the 18th, Butler of the 55th, Dugan of the 30th and Islam of the 7th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 25 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Georgia Technology Authority, so as to require such authority to conduct certain fingerprint criminal background checks of all current and prospective employees, contractors, and subcontractors with access to state or federal filed tax documents; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for definitions; to provide an effective date; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Science and Technology Committee.

SB 182.

By Senators Halpern of the 39th, Jones II of the 22nd, Jackson of the 41st, Jones of the 10th, Dixon of the 45th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 7 of Chapter 5 of Title 16 of the Official Georgia Code Annotated, relating to stalking, so as to provide for the offense of doxxing; to provide for definitions; to provide for penalties; to provide for construction; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

SB 183.

By Senators Dolezal of the 27th, Beach of the 21st, Anavitarte of the 31st, Brass of the 28th, Gooch of the 51st and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 4B of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to ticket brokers, so as to remove an exception permitting certain resale restrictions; to provide that resale restrictions are void and against public policy; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Economic Development and Tourism Committee.

SR 136.

By Senators Butler of the 55th, Parent of the 42nd, Jones II of the 22nd, Orrock of the 36th, Jackson of the 41st and others:

A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to provide that every individual has a fundamental right to reproductive freedom and such right shall not be denied, burdened, or infringed upon unless justified by a compelling state interest; to limit the purpose of a compelling state interest; to provide that the state may regulate the provision of abortion care after fetal viability; to provide for a definition; to provide for severability; to provide for related matters; to provide for submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.

Referred to Rules Committee.

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SR 137.

By Senators Robertson of the 29th, Ginn of the 47th, Summers of the 13th, Williams of the 25th and Burns of the 23rd:

A RESOLUTION urging electric membership corporations and municipalities that furnish electric service in this state to develop a tariff for the provision of electricity for purposes of electric vehicle charging; and for other purposes.

Referred to Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.

SR 138.

By Senators Butler of the 55th, Islam of the 7th, Parent of the 42nd, Jackson of the 41st, James of the 35th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing March 15, 2023, as Human Rights Day in the State of Georgia; and for other purposes.

Referred to Rules Committee.

SR 139.

By Senators Watson of the 1st, Echols of the 49th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Hatchett of the 50th, Setzler of the 37th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing February 9, 2023, as Dental Hygienists Appreciation Day; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 140.

By Senators Cowsert of the 46th, Butler of the 55th, Beach of the 21st, Parent of the 42nd, Summers of the 13th and others:

A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Georgia so as to authorize the Georgia General Assembly to provide by general law for sports betting in this state; to provide for the regulation and allocation of revenues of such activities; 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 141.

By Senators Rhett of the 33rd, Setzler of the 37th, Esteves of the 6th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Albers of the 56th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending the Senior Citizen Council of Cobb County upon its 50th anniversary; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

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SR 142.

By Senators Halpern of the 39th, Merritt of the 9th, Jones II of the 22nd, Orrock of the 36th, Esteves of the 6th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Reverend Dr. Gerald L. Durley, recipient of the John Lewis & C.T. Vivian Legacy Award; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 143.

By Senators Halpern of the 39th, Merritt of the 9th, Jones II of the 22nd, Orrock of the 36th, Esteves of the 6th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Xernona Clayton as the first recipient and namesake of the General Assembly Appreciation Reception; and for other purposes.

Referred to Rules Committee.

SR 144.

By Senators Esteves of the 6th, Dixon of the 45th, Halpern of the 39th, Parent of the 42nd, Still of the 48th and others:

A RESOLUTION creating the Senate Expanding Early Childhood Education Study Committee; and for other purposes.

Referred to Rules Committee.

SR 145.

By Senators Esteves of the 6th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Rhett of the 33rd, Setzler of the 37th and Albers of the 56th:

A RESOLUTION commending Ludwidg Louizaire, Miss Cobb County 2023; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 146.

By Senators Esteves of the 6th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Rhett of the 33rd, Setzler of the 37th and Albers of the 56th:

A RESOLUTION commending Charlie Key, Miss Cobb County's Outstanding Teen 2023; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 147.

By Senators Mallow of the 2nd, Watson of the 1st, Anderson of the 43rd, Beach of the 21st and Esteves of the 6th:

A RESOLUTION creating the Senate Local Option Sales Tax Study Committee; and for other purposes.

Referred to Rules Committee.

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SR 148.

By Senators McLaurin of the 14th, Butler of the 55th, Merritt of the 9th, Esteves of the 6th, Islam of the 7th and others:

A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to remove a conviction of a felony involving moral turpitude as an exception to the right to register and vote; 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.

SR 149.

By Senators Dugan of the 30th, Harbison of the 15th, Payne of the 54th, Brass of the 28th, Rhett of the 33rd and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing the 50th anniversary of the return of prisoners of war during Operation Homecoming from February 12, 1973, to April 4, 1973, as a result of the Paris Peace Accords, to remember those still missing and to honor all Vietnam era and Vietnam War veterans and their families; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 150.

By Senators Brass of the 28th, Kennedy of the 18th, Gooch of the 51st, Robertson of the 29th, Anavitarte of the 31st and others:

A RESOLUTION commending the restaurant industry of Georgia and recognizing February 22, 2023, as State Restaurant Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 151.

By Senators Brass of the 28th, Kennedy of the 18th, Gooch of the 51st, Robertson of the 29th, Dixon of the 45th and others:

A RESOLUTION commending Mrs. Barbara Andrews Landreth's retirement and service as Georgia's longest serving teacher; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 152.

By Senators Rahman of the 5th, Anderson of the 43rd, Harrell of the 40th, Jones II of the 22nd and Davenport of the 44th:

A RESOLUTION recognizing February 23, 2023, as Egyptian American Day in Georgia; and for other purposes.

Referred to Rules Committee.

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HB 76.

By Representatives Powell of the 33rd, Oliver of the 82nd, Ehrhart of the 36th, Bennett of the 94th, Hawkins of the 27th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 10A of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to licensing provisions regarding professional counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists, so as to revise provisions relating to education, experience, and training requirements for licensure in marriage and family therapy; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Children and Families Committee.

HB 176.

By Representatives Gunter of the 8th, Smith of the 18th, Leverett of the 123rd, Burchett of the 176th, Reeves of the 99th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 14 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding court reporters, so as to increase the amount of court reporters' monthly contingent expense and travel allowance; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

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