SENATE FIRST READERS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2023 TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATIVE DAY

SB 239.

By Senators Merritt of the 9th, Jones of the 10th, Esteves of the 6th, McLaurin of the 14th, Islam of the 7th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 7 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to landlord and tenant, so as to require landlords to provide carbon monoxide detectors in rental units; to provide requirements therefor; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

SB 240.

By Senators Walker III of the 20th, Robertson of the 29th and Tillery of the 19th:

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 revise the minimum and maximum allowable benefit multiplier for current and future retirees; to require certain social security coverage for all employees of a political subdivision who are members of the Public School Employees Retirement System; to prohibit the approval of certain plans; to provide for reporting; 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 Retirement Committee.

SB 241.

By Senators Hickman of the 4th, Dixon of the 45th, Gooch of the 51st, Kennedy of the 18th, Summers of the 13th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 20-2-690.1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to mandatory education for children between the ages of six and 16, so as to lower the starting age for compulsory education attendance from six years to five years of age; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Education and Youth Committee.

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SB 242.

By Senator Dolezal of the 27th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 13 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to statute of frauds, so as to provide that agreements with a value in excess of $10,000.00 shall be in writing; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

SB 243.

By Senators Jones of the 10th, Harbison of the 15th, Rahman of the 5th, Merritt of the 9th, Butler of the 55th and others:

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 require a manufacturer to provide certain items necessary for the diagnosis, service, maintenance, or repair of a digital electronic product; to provide for a short title; to provide for definitions; to provide for statutory construction; to provide for enforcement, limitations, exclusions, and applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Science and Technology Committee.

SB 244.

By Senators Anderson of the 43rd, Butler of the 55th, Brass of the 28th, Jones II of the 22nd, Davenport of the 44th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to drivers' licenses, so as to authorize the use of fingerprint scans for the verification of identity and date of birth of applicants seeking a personal identification card or personal identification card for persons with disabilities; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Public Safety Committee.

SB 245.

By Senators McLaurin of the 14th, Parent of the 42nd and Strickland of the 17th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 8 of Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to conduct of proceedings in criminal trials, so as to provide for legislative intent; to provide that exceptions to rulings or orders of the court are not necessary; to provide for the preservation of errors; to provide that errors not affecting substantial rights shall be disregarded; to provide that errors affecting substantial rights may be reviewed without the necessity of a preserving objection; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

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SB 246.

By Senators Hodges of the 3rd, Watson of the 1st, Hatchett of the 50th, Kennedy of the 18th, Tillery of the 19th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 10 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce, so as to provide for student loan repayment for certain nursing faculty; to provide for definitions; to authorize the board to approve applications; to provide for eligibility requirements; to provide for continued eligibility requirements; to provide for student loan repayment agreements and conditions; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for an appropriations contingency; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Higher Education Committee.

SB 247.

By Senators McLaurin of the 14th, Payne of the 54th, Butler of the 55th, Cowsert of the 46th, Ginn of the 47th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 44-1-13 of the O.C.G.A., relating to removal of improperly parked cars or trespassing personal property, concurrent jurisdiction, procedure, automatic surveillance prohibited, and penalty, so as to prohibit a towing and storage firm from placing an instrument designed to restrict movement of a motor vehicle on a motor vehicle in an unauthorized location; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Public Safety Committee.

SB 248.

By Senators Merritt of the 9th, Jones of the 10th, Butler of the 55th, McLaurin of the 14th, Parent of the 42nd and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 36 of the O.C.G.A., relating to general provisions regarding counties, so as to revise provisions relating to ordinances for governing and policing unincorporated areas of counties; to amend Chapter 60 of Title 36 of the O.C.G.A., relating to provisions applicable to counties and municipal corporations, so as to authorize enhanced monetary penalties for repeated violations of certain county and municipal codes or ordinances; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations (General) Committee.

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SB 249.

By Senator Beach of the 21st:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 4 of Chapter 12 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to grand juries, so as to require secrecy and protection from unauthorized disclosure of grand jury proceedings, including special grand jury proceedings; to provide penalties for unauthorized disclosures by the foreperson, members of the grand jury or special grand jury, and court reporters; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

SB 250.

By Senators Dixon of the 45th, Goodman of the 8th and Watson of the 11th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 20-2-506 of the O.C.G.A., relating to definitions and authority to enter into multiyear lease, purchase, or lease purchase contracts, so as to revise the definition of "energy cost savings measures"; to amend Chapter 37 of Title 50 of the O.C.G.A., relating to guaranteed energy savings performance contracting, so as to revise definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Education and Youth Committee.

SB 251.

By Senators Esteves of the 6th, Hufstetler of the 52nd, Ginn of the 47th, Halpern of the 39th and Parent of the 42nd:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding ad valorem taxation of property, so as to provide for an additional method of proposing and adopting millage rates; 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 Finance Committee.

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SB 252.

By Senators Anavitarte of the 31st, Dixon of the 45th, Gooch of the 51st, Payne of the 54th, Harbin of the 16th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 14 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the O.C.G.A., relating to other educational programs under the "Quality Basic Education Act," so as to authorize the State Board of Education to establish a program to assist public schools, local school systems, and students in home study programs use interactive online learning modules for instruction of students in grades six through 12 in United States history based on content standards approved by the State Board of Education; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Education and Youth Committee.

SB 253.

By Senators Islam of the 7th, Parent of the 42nd, Esteves of the 6th, Merritt of the 9th and Orrock of the 36th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 16-11-172 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to transfers or purchases of firearms subject to the NICS, information concerning persons who have been involuntarily hospitalized to be forwarded to the FBI, penalties for breach of confidentiality, and exceptions, so as to prohibit the transfer or purchase of a firearm in proximity to a mental health care facility; to provide for a definition; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Judiciary Committee.

SB 254.

By Senator Brass of the 28th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 10 of the O.C.G.A., relating to selling and other trade practices, so as to provide requirements for earned wage access services; to provide for fees that may be charged for such services; to provide that earned wage access payments are nonrecourse and are not loans; to provide that permitted fees are not interest; to provide for definitions; to provide for applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Insurance and Labor Committee.

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SB 255.

By Senators Payne of the 54th, Robertson of the 29th, Albers of the 56th, Kennedy of the 18th, Hufstetler of the 52nd and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 1 of Article 2 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to gambling, so as to revise provisions relative to dogfighting; to prohibit fighting of dogs and game cocks; to prohibit possession or sale of fighting related objects; to provide for punishment; to provide for definitions; to amend Code Section 4-8-27 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to certificates of registration, requirements for issuance of certificate, individuals excluded from receiving registration, limitation of ownership, and annual renewal, so as to make conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Public Safety Committee.

SB 256.

By Senator Mallow of the 2nd:

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 authorize counties and municipalities to enter into certain long-term leases relating to affordable workforce housing projects or undertakings; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations (General) Committee.

SB 257.

By Senator Mallow of the 2nd:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 36-88-3 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to definitions relative to enterprise zones, so as to change the definition of "business enterprise" to include new workforce housing construction and workforce housing rehabilitation; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations (General) Committee.

SR 201.

By Senators Walker III of the 20th, Anavitarte of the 31st, Dugan of the 30th, Payne of the 54th, Harbin of the 16th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Major General John F. King upon the occasion of his military retirement; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

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SR 202.

By Senators Jones of the 10th, Harbison of the 15th, Rahman of the 5th, Merritt of the 9th, Butler of the 55th 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 Interstate Cooperation Committee.

SR 203.

By Senators Jones of the 10th, Harbison of the 15th, Rahman of the 5th, Merritt of the 9th, Butler of the 55th and others:

A RESOLUTION creating the Senate Safe Firearm Storage Study Committee; and for other purposes.

Referred to Rules Committee.

SR 204.

By Senators Tate of the 38th and Anderson of the 43rd:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Marjorie Harris Young; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 205.

By Senators Anderson of the 43rd, Butler of the 55th, Harbison of the 15th, Jones II of the 22nd, Sims of the 12th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Master Sergeant (Ret.) Endya Arnez Farris; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 206.

By Senators Hodges of the 3rd, Hatchett of the 50th, Gooch of the 51st, Kennedy of the 18th, Hickman of the 4th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing February 21, 2023, as Brunswick-Golden Isles Day at the Capitol; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

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SR 207.

By Senators Hodges of the 3rd, Hatchett of the 50th, Kennedy of the 18th, Hickman of the 4th, Still of the 48th and others:

A RESOLUTION memorializing the 30 Fallen Patriots of Thiokol; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 208.

By Senators Hodges of the 3rd, Hatchett of the 50th, Walker III of the 20th, Anderson of the 24th, Hickman of the 4th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Senator Sheila M. McNeill on her outstanding public service; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 209.

By Senators Walker III of the 20th, Goodman of the 8th, Anderson of the 24th, Watson of the 1st, Echols of the 49th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Gary W. Black on his outstanding public service; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 210.

By Senators Merritt of the 9th, Jones of the 10th, Seay of the 34th, Anderson of the 43rd, Davenport of the 44th and others:

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Kimberly A. Goodloe; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 211.

By Senators Kennedy of the 18th, Lucas of the 26th, Robertson of the 29th, Gooch of the 51st and Strickland of the 17th:

A RESOLUTION congratulating the Mercer Law Moot Court Board for winning the 73rd Annual National Moot Court Competition; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

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SR 212.

By Senators Esteves of the 6th, Anavitarte of the 31st, Islam of the 7th, Merritt of the 9th, Echols of the 49th and others:

A RESOLUTION commending the Latin American Chamber of Commerce of Georgia; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

SR 213.

By Senator Orrock of the 36th:

A RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of Mary Wilson Beazley; and for other purposes.

Read and Adopted.

HB 36.

By Representative Martin of the 49th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to ad valorem taxation of property, so as to revise the language required to be included in the notices of current assessment; to add hearing officer review for tax assessment of certain business personal property; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Finance Committee.

HB 95.

By Representatives Knight of the 134th, Blackmon of the 146th, Martin of the 49th, Newton of the 127th and Stephens of the 164th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to revenue and taxation, so as to revise the terms "Internal Revenue Code" and "Internal Revenue Code of 1986" and thereby incorporate certain provisions of the federal law into Georgia law; 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 138.

By Representative Crowe of the 118th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 48-5-40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to definitions for property tax exemptions, so as to update the population bracket and census date for a certain property tax exemption for certain leased property; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Finance Committee.

HB 142.

By Representatives Mainor of the 56th, Collins of the 71st, Jackson of the 128th, Lumsden of the 12th, Crowe of the 118th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 8 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to campus policemen, so as to provide for the establishment of unified campus police forces through agreements entered into by colleges and universities; to provide for definitions; to provide for arrest powers; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Public Safety Committee.

HB 162.

By Representatives McDonald of the 26th, Blackmon of the 146th, Gilliard of the 162nd, Meeks of the 178th, Barrett of the 24th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to income taxes, so as to provide for a one-time tax credit for individual taxpayers who filed income tax returns for both the 2021 and 2022 taxable years; to provide for a definition; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Finance Committee.

HB 165.

By Representatives New of the 64th, Rhodes of the 124th, Ridley of the 6th, Smith of the 70th, Hagan of the 156th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 50-18-72 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to when public disclosure not required relative to inspection of public records, so as to include certain documents from the Department of Natural Resources; 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.

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HB 222.

By Representatives Lumsden of the 12th, Tarvin of the 2nd, Williams of the 148th, Taylor of the 173rd and Hawkins of the 27th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance, so as to clarify, streamline, and make transparent the practices of the department of insurance; to provide that property insurance does not include service contracts sold or offered for sale to persons other than consumers; to allow the Commissioner of Insurance to issue a probationary license for a period not longer than 24 months; to allow, at the Commissioner of Insurance's discretion, an applicant whose application has been refused to reapply for a license after one year; to require specific language in public adjuster contracts; 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.

HB 319.

By Representative Martin of the 49th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to scholarships, loans, and grants, so as to abolish the Georgia Higher Education Assistance Corporation; to provide for the transfer of outstanding obligations and liabilities and assets of such corporation; to amend Titles 2, 7, 12, 20, 26, 33, 43, and 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to agriculture, banking and finance, conservation and natural resources, education, food, drugs, and cosmetics, insurance, professions and businesses, and revenue and taxation, respectively, so as to remove cross-references and make conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to Higher Education Committee.

HB 354.

By Representative Camp of the 135th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to authorize the assessment and collection of a technology fee by the Probate Court of Pike County; to identify the authorized uses of such technology fee; to provide for the termination of such technology fee and dedication of residual funds to technology uses; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

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HB 391.

By Representative Greene of the 154th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act providing a homestead exemption from Early County school district ad valorem taxes for educational purposes in the amount of $150,000.00 of the assessed value of the homestead for five years for residents of that school district who are 70 years of age or older, approved May 10, 2021 (Ga. L. 2021, p. 4267), as amended, so as to remove the expiration date of the exemption; to provide for a referendum, effective dates, and automatic repeal, mandatory execution of election, and judicial remedies regarding failure to comply; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

HB 395.

By Representative Huddleston of the 72nd:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act to provide for homestead exemptions from Heard County ad valorem taxes for county purposes and from Heard County School District ad valorem taxes for educational purposes for certain residents of that county and school district, approved April 13, 1992 (Ga. L. 1992, p. 6107), so as to provide an additional homestead exemption from school district taxes for educational purposes in the amount of $20,000.00 for residents of the school district who are 70 years of age or older; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements; to provide for a referendum, effective dates, and automatic repeal, mandatory execution of election, and judicial remedies regarding failure to comply; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

HB 422.

By Representatives Burchett of the 176th and Corbett of the 174th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act to create a board of elections and registration for Ware County and to provide for its powers and duties, approved May 4, 2006 (Ga. L. 2006, p. 4085), so as to revise provisions relating to the appointment of board members; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

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HB 519.

By Representative Parrish of the 158th:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to create the Emanuel County Public Facilities Authority; to provide that the authority is a body corporate and politic and an instrumentality of the State of Georgia; to authorize the authority to acquire, construct, equip, maintain, and operate certain projects, including buildings and facilities for use by Emanuel County, the Emanuel County School District, any municipality or other political subdivision located in Emanuel County, for its governmental, proprietary, and administrative functions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

HR 66.

By Representatives Gambill of the 15th, Blackmon of the 146th, Hong of the 103rd, McDonald of the 26th, Wade of the 9th and others:

A RESOLUTION ratifying Governor Brian P. Kemp's Executive Order Nos. 05.26.22.02, 07.01.22.02, 08.03.22.02, 09.01.22.02, 10.03.22.02, 11.04.22.02, and 12.08.22.02 suspending the collection of motor fuel and diesel fuel taxes; and for other purposes.

Referred to Finance Committee.

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