Daily report [Jan. 13, 2006]

HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS

TOMORROW'S FORECAST

Coverdell Legislative Office Bldg. * The House will reconvene for its 6th Legislative Day on Monday, January 23,

Suite. 609

at 1:00 pm.

(404) 656-0305 Phone

* 7 bills are expected to be debated on the floor.

GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
DAILY REPORT

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2006

LEGISLATIVE DAY# 5

TODAY ON THE FLOOR

Speaker of the House Glenn Richardson gaveled the House into session today, at 9:00am, for the fifth legislative day of the 2nd Session of the 148th General Assembly. Prior to adjournment, the Majority Leader, Rep. Jerry Keen, announced that the House would not be in session next week. Instead, the House will take a week of floor action, so that the Appropriations Committee can begin its budget hearings next week.

DEBATE CALENDAR

HB 978 - Capitol Art Standards Commission; create

- The bill creates the Capitol Arts Standards Commission. The commission would be comprised of nine

members who understand and appreciate art.

- Authored by: Rep. Calvin Hill

- House Committee: Special Rules

- Rules Committee: Open Rule

- Rep. presented the bill to the House

- Amendment(s): Increases the commission's membership from 9 members to 15 members, giving the

legislative and executive branches a majority vote on the commission.

- Y: 152

N: 6

* The House will reconvene Monday, January 23 at 1:00 pm for its 6th Legislative Day of the 2nd Regular Session of the 148th General Assembly.
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RULES COMMITTEE

The Committee on Rules today has fixed the calendar for the 6th Legislative Day, Monday, January 23, as enumerated below, and can be called at the pleasure of the Speaker of the House.
DEBATE CALENDAR HB 251 - Judges of the Probate Courts Retirement Fund; designating surviving
beneficiary
- Bill allows that a member who is unmarried at the time of retirement may designate a survivor. Bill allows a that a member who is married at the time of retirement may designate a survivor, other than the spouse, provided the spouse agrees in writing to such designation. Eelecting this retirement option will reduce the

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benefit for the member and the designated survivor. - Authored by: Rep. Ben Bridges - Committee: Retirement
HB 344 - Firefighters' Pension Fund; return to service after retirement; benefit
- Bill allows retired firefighters to return to service after retirement. Upon reemployment, the retirement benefit will be terminated; but, the member is eligible to begin drawing retirement benefit again after reemployment ceases and the member has added at least one year of creditable service. The retirement benefit will be recalculated to include the added creditable service. (Currently, the retirement benefit is not recalculated unless the member was reemployed for seven or more years.) - Authored by: Rep. Bill Cummings - House Committee: Retirement - Rules Committee: Open Rule
HB 357 - Class Nine Fire Department Pension Fund; increase maximum monthly retirement benefit
- Bill would increase the maximum monthly retirement benefit to $500 (currently $165). - Authored by: Rep. Bill Cummings - House Committee: Retirement - Rules Committee: Open Rule
HB 660 - Firefighters' and Class Nine Pension Funds; certain active military duty; creditable service
- Bill provides creditable service to any member of the fund who left active employment as a result of being called to active duty as a member of the Armed Services and who returned to employment as a firefighter upon being released. Within one year of returning to service, the member must make application to the board and pay the normal monthly dues for each month of the break in service. The board is authorized to calculate creditable service on a monthly basis. - Authored by: Rep. Bill Cummings - House Committee: Retirement - Rules Committee: Open Rule
HB 749 - Firefighters' Pension; certain active military duty; creditable service
- Bill provides for the merger of the Georgia Firefighters' Pension Fund and the Georgia Class Nine Fire Department Pension Fund and provides for a transfer of membership and assets. Bill redefines firefighter to include volunteers with a class nine fire department and meet standards specified solely by the Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council. - Authored by: Rep. Bill Cummings - House Committee: Retirement - Rules Committee: Open Rule
HB 809 - Superior Court Clerks' Retirement; survivors benefits; amend provisions
- Bill provides for a postretirement benefit adjustment for members receiving a benefit on July 1, 2006, who elected a survivors benefit and whose spouse predeceased him or her. The retirement benefit shall be equal to the maximum retirement benefit he or she would have received if they had not elected survivors benefits. - Authored by: Rep. David Knight - House Committee: Retirement - Rules Committee: Open Rule
HB 821 - Judicial Retirement; certain judges or district attorneys; creditable service
- Bill provides that a superior court judge or district attorney who is an active member of the Judicial System may obtain creditable service for certain prior service. Must have served as a circuit-paid assistant district
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attorney who was not eligible to participate in a local retirement system. Members can obtain up to five years of creditable service and pay the full actuarial cost. Payment must be made to the Board by Dec. 31, 2006 or within 6 months of first or again becoming a member of the Judicial System, whichever is later. - Authored by: Rep. John Yates - House Committee: Retirement - Rules Committee: Open Rule
* The Rules Committee will next meet on Monday, January 23 at 11:00 am to set the Debate Calendar for the 7th Legislative Day.
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COMMITTEE ACTION REPORT
Rules Committee (Standing) HB 713 - Ronald Reagan Day in Georgia; designate February 6 annually
- This bill would designate February 6 of each year as 'Ronald Reagan Day' in Georgia. - Authored by: Rep. Bobby Franklin - Committee Action: Do Pass * Committee action reports are edited for this report. For full content, please contact the House Committee Services Office at 404-656-3206. Bills passing committees are reported to the Clerk's Office and are then placed on the General Calendar for Rules Consideration.
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COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE
Only Appropriations subcommittees are expected to meet next week to hold the first round of budget hearings.
* For full agendas, please visit the General Assembly website, select House Committees. This meeting schedule is set as of 5:00pm today. Times and locations may change at the request of the Committee Chairman.
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Contact: Brent Cranfield
House Communications (404) 656-0305 Brent.cranfield@house.ga.gov
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