Daily report [Jan. 26, 2006]

HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS

TOMORROW'S FORECAST

Coverdell Legislative Office Bldg. * The House will reconvene for its 10th Legislative Day next Tuesday, January

Suite. 609

31, at 10:00 am.

(404) 656-0305 Phone

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

GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
DAILY REPORT

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2006

LEGISLATIVE DAY# 9

TODAY ON THE FLOOR

Speaker of the House Glenn Richardson gaveled the House into session today, at 10:00 am, for the 9th legislative day of the 2nd Session of the 148th General Assembly.

DEBATE CALENDAR

HB 895 - Judicial Retirement System; superior court judge or district attorney; creditable

service

- Bill allows that certain law enforcement officers who are currently members of the Peace Officers' Annuity

and Benefit Fund who were transferred to the Dept. Of Drivers Services or the Dept. of Public Safety into

certain positions shall be entitled to retain membership in the fund. These officers serve as non-uniformed

investigators for the Dept. of Motor Vehicle Safety and were transferred when the agency was replaced by

the Dept. of Driver Services.

- Authored by: Rep. John Yates

- House Committee: Retirement

- Rules Committee: Open

- Amendment(s): None

- Y: 168

N: 0

HB 999 - Veterinarians and veterinary technicians; certain requirements; change

provisions

- This bill defines the professions of Veterinary Technologist and Veterinary Assistant. 'Veterinary

technology' means the science and art of providing certain aspects of professional medical care and treatment

for animals and the practice of veterinary medicine as may be delegated and supervised by a licensed

veterinarian and performed by a person who is not a licensed veterinarian. Veterinary assistant means a

person who engages in certain aspects of the practice of veterinary technology but is not registered by the

board for such purpose. The bill also removes homeopathic and botanical medicine from the definition of

what constitutes the practice of veterinary medicine. The last section provides for certain veterinary

assistants to be grandfathered for a certain time period to allow for them to take the registration exam if they

have been practicing veterinary technology under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian for five years

prior to the enactment of this bill, and give them three years within which to take and pass their veterinary

technology registration exam.

- Authored by: Rep. Gene Maddox

- House Committee: Agriculture & Consumer Affairs

- Rules Committee: Open

- Amendment(s): None

- Y: 168

N: 0

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* The House will reconvene next Tuesday, January 31 at 10:00 am for its 10th 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 10th Legislative Day, Tuesday, January 31, as enumerated below, and can be called at the pleasure of the Speaker of the House.
DEBATE CALENDAR HB 494 - Notaries public; additional qualifications; applications; amend provisions
- Changes requirements for qualifications of notaries Notaries must be at least 18, a resident of the state, a resident of the county in which they are appointed, must have an operating telephone number, and be able to read and write the English language The language is changed from "must be at least" to "shall be" Except for persons applying under 47-17-7, applicants will be required to submit proof of residence in the county and must use his or her residential address Adds to requirements for endorsements that endorsers must have known the applicant for at least one year - Authored by: Rep. Ed Lindsey - House Committee: Judiciary - Civil - Rules Committee: Open
HB 950 - Public employees and students; celebration of holidays; prohibit restrictions
- House Bill 950 prohibits governmental entities in this state from restricting or prohibiting a public employee or public school student from verbal expressions relating to the celebrations or observance of any public or legal holiday. Sections 1 through 6 of the bill address the First Amendment rights to the United States Constitution and our freedom of speech rights. These rights have been interpreted by the Courts of the United States and are applicable to the states. The United States Supreme Court has held that minors possess First Amendment rights and that students are not freed of these rights at the schoolhouse gate. This bill was prompted by the recent assaults on the use of saying "Merry Christmas" in speech or otherwise. - Authored by: Rep. Clay Cox - House Committee: Special Rules - Rules Committee: Modified Structured
HR 1041 - J.T. Williams Honorary Bridge; designate
- A resolution honoring the accomplishments of JT Williams of Henry County by dedicating an honorary bridge in his name. - Authored by: Rep. Steve Davis - House Committee: Transportation - Rules Committee: Structured
SB 386 - Apportionment of House/Senate; provide for composition of state senatorial districts 46,47,49; elections
- This bill would tweak Senate districts 46, 47, and 49, by changing the Federal Court map to leave Madison county whole as well as increase the number of Senators representing Athens-Clarke County two 2. - Authored by: Sen. Ralph Hudgens - House Committee: Legislative & Congressional Reapportionment
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- Rules Committee: Structured
* The Rules Committee will next meet on Tuesday, January 31 at 9:00 am to set the Debate Calendar for the 11th Legislative Day.
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COMMITTEE ACTION REPORT
APPROPRIATIONS - GENERAL
`06 Supplemental Budget Hearings Worker's Compensation DNR and attached agencies
APPROPRIATIONS - HEALTH
`06 Supplemental Budget Hearings DCH & DHR answer questions from committee members relative to the Amended '06 budget. Also, present any parts of the '07 budget that could impact our decisions on the amended `06 Committee members input on amended `06 Review of requests for additions to DCH, DHR and/or DOL amended '06 budget. I need these requests in writing by the end of the business day Wednesday, January 25, 2006
APPROPRIATIONS - HIGHER EDUCATION
`06 Supplemental Budget Hearings
APPROPRIATIONS - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
`06 Supplemental Budget Hearings
APPROPRIATIONS - PUBLIC SAFETY
`06 Supplemental Budget Hearings - AOC - Court of Appeals - Defense - Indigent Defense
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
The Committee held a hearing on SB 109 (Untermann 49) and HB 1008 (Carter 159), which deal with palliative and hospice care. No action was taken.
HUMAN RELATIONS & AGING HB 728 - "Mattie's Call Act"; enact
- The staff of personal care homes shall call the local police department to report the elopement of any disabled person from the home within thirty minutes of the staff receiving actual knowledge that such person is mission from the home without appropriate supervision. - Authored by: Rep. Bobby Franklin - Committee Action: Do Pass as Amended
NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT
Joint House/Senate Meeting - The committee heard from David Word, Assistant Director of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division on the promulgation of agency rules and regulations.
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PUBLIC UTILITIES & TELECOMMUNICATIONS SB 209 - Public Service Commission; change time period for issuance; gas supply plan
- A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 46 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Public Service Commission, so as to change the time period for issuance of a commission order after a hearing regarding a gas supply plan and adjustment factors filed by a gas utility; to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes. - Authored by: Sen. Doug Stoner - Committee Action: Do Pass
SB 210 - Public Service Commission; superior court filing; provide venue, judgement
- A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 46 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Public Service Commission, so as to provide for superior court filing of certain commission orders; to provide for venue, judgment, and effect of judgment; to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes. - Authored by: Sen. Doug Stoner - Committee Action: Do Pass
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
The Committee took no action nor considered any legislation. Adopted new rules by unanimous consent to lower quorum by 1 to 5. Heard presentation from Georgia Research Council.
STATE INSTITUTIONS & PROPERTY
No legislative action was taken. John Howard - Prison Industries Enhancement Program Director for the Dept. of Corrections, addressed the committee on the Prison Industries Enhancement Program (PIE).
WAYS & MEANS HB 1080 - Income tax credit; qualified child and dependent care expenses; provide
- This bill provides for an income tax credit for qualified child and dependent care expenses in the following amounts: 1. 10% for all taxable years from January 1, 2006-December 31, 2006 2. 20% for all taxable years from January 1, 2007-December 31, 2007 3. 30% for all taxable years beginning on January 1, 2008 and thereafter. No unused credits are allowed to be carried forward or applied to prior years' tax liability. - Authored by: Rep. Rich Golick - Committee Action: Do Pass
HB 1042 - Annual accounting periods; treatment of taxable years; amend provisions
- This bill provides that a 52-53 week taxable year begin on the first day of the calendar month closest to the first day of that taxable year and end on the last day of the calendar month closest to the last day of that taxable year. This definition was needed in order to clarify the annual accounting period for certain corporations that did not have a traditional fiscal or calendar year. - Authored by: Rep. Roger Williams - 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
9:00 AM APPROPRIATIONS - GENERAL SUBCOMMITTEE
506 COB * 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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