Daily report [Feb. 15, 2006]

HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS

TOMORROW'S FORECAST

Coverdell Legislative Office Bldg. * The House will reconvene for its 20th Legislative Day on Thursday,

Suite. 609

February 16, at 10:00 am.

(404) 656-0305 Phone

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

GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
DAILY REPORT

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2006

LEGISLATIVE DAY# 19

TODAY ON THE FLOOR

Speaker of the House Glenn Richardson gaveled the House into session today, at 10:00 am, for the 19th legislative day of the 2nd Session of the 148th General Assembly.

DEBATE CALENDAR

HB 560 - Ad valorem tax; county tax assessors; property valuation appeal; change certain provision

- This bill prohibits errors in the description and characterization of real property, determined by review of

the board of tax assessors, from being the sole basis for increasing the valuation of such property during the

two year period following an appeal in which the value of the real property was established.

- Authored by: Rep. Charles Martin

- House Committee: Ways and Means

- Rules Committee: Structured

- Amendments: None

- Y: 163

N: 0

HB 724 - Sewage management systems; licensed plumbers; allow certain work

- This bill adds a new subsection (d) to 31-2-7 to allow for any plumber licensed by the State Construction

Industry Licensing board to access and repair any onsite sewage management system for the purposes of

repairing or servicing any plumbing system or connection to the onsite sewage management system.

- Authored by: Rep. Tom McCall

- House Committee: Natural Resources & Environment

- Rules Committee: Open

- Amendments: None

- Y: 163

N: 0

HB 955 - MARTA; public records relating to fare payment system; exempt from disclosure; provide

- This bill provides an exemption to the Georgia Open Records Act for records of MARTA that relate to the

TransCard or SmartCard fare payment system and reveal a rider's transportation history and personal and

financial information. It is modeled after the current exemption for the State Tollways Authority.

- Authored by: Rep. Harry Geisinger

- House Committee: Judiciary - Civil

- Rules Committee: Open

- Amendments: None

- Y: 165

N: 0

HB 1032 - Licenses to carry pistol or revolver; temporary renewal permit; provide for restrictions - Amends Code section 16-11-129 regarding licensing exceptions for pistols or revolvers to prevent a pistol
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or revolver license from being granted to a person who: is under indictment; is addicted to or using illegal

drugs; has been adjudicated as a mental defective or committed to a mental institution; is an illegal alien

with exceptions for persons admitted to the United States for hunting, or for foreign officials or law

enforcement officers has been dishonorably discharged from the armed services; has renounced his or her

United States citizenship; is subject to a restraining order; has been convicted of misdemeanor domestic

violence. Would also require fingerprints of any person not a United States citizen to be sent to GCIC for a

search of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement records.

- Authored by: Rep. John Lunsford

- House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil

- Rules Committee: Structured

- Amendments: None

- Y: 165

N: 1

HB 1157 - Income tax credit; employers providing retraining programs; change provisions

- This bill broadens the existing employer retraining credit and states that if a qualifying airline has income

tax credits that are available to be carried forward, then instead of carrying forward to offset against future

years income tax liability, the airline can take these same credits as a credit against their withholding taxes.

- Authored by: Rep. Mark Burkhalter

- House Committee: Ways & Means

- Rules Committee: Structured

- Amendments: None

- Y: 167

N: 0

HB 1182 - Sales and use tax exemption; certain hall of fame attractions; provisions

- This bill provides for a sales tax exemption on the sale of tangible personal property for the construction of

the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The exemption will expire on December 31, 2008.

- Authored by: Rep. Mark Burkhalter

- House Committee: Ways & Means

- Rules Committee: Structured

- Amendments: None

- Y: 151

N: 0

HB 1211 - Southern Appalachian brook trout; official state cold water game fish; designate

- This bill would designate the Southern Appalachian brook trout as the official Georgia cold water game

fish and also raise awareness of the importance of this game fish. Analogous to the canary used in mining,

the Southern Appalachian brook trout is a good indicator of stream health.

- Authored by: Rep. Bobby Reese

- House Committee: Game, Fish & Parks

- Rules Committee: Structure

- Amendments: None

- Y: 161

N: 1

HR 1226 - Georgia Quail Trail; Dept. of Natural Resources; initiate

- This resolution would create and initiate the "Georgia Quail Trail" program, which would link hunters to

quail hunting opportunities in this state by identifying, showcasing and promoting quail hunting venues.

- Authored by: Rep. Bob Lane

- House Committee: Game, Fish, Parks

- Rules Committee: Open

- Amendments: None

- Y: 169

N: 0

LEGISLATION POSTPONED FROM PREVIOUS DAY
HB 661 - School clubs; local boards provide information to parents; policies and procedures
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- The bill would require local boards of education to allow parents/guardians to opt their child out of clubs or

organizations. A yearly description of these must be given. The student handbook can give these

descriptions.

- Authored by: Rep. Bobby Reese

- House Committee: Education

- Rules Committee: Open

- Amendments: None

- Y: 143

N: 25

* The House will reconvene Thursday, February 16 at 10:00 am for its 20th 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 20th Legislative Day, Thursday, February 16, as enumerated below, and can be called at the pleasure of the Speaker of the House.
DEBATE CALENDAR
HB 57 - State ordered executions; protect physicians and medical professionals licensure - Protects doctors and other medical professionals who participate in death penalty executions from losing their licenses because of such participation. - Authored by: Rep. David Raltston - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rules Committee: Open

HB 1112 - Speech-language pathologists and audiologists; licensing; change provisions - This bill changes certain provisions relating to licensing of speech-language pathologists and audiologists requiring audiologists to have a PhD in order to practice. - Authored by: Rep. Bob Smith - House Committee: Governmental Affairs - Rules Committee: Structured

HB 1151 - Deferred compensation plan; Board of Trustees; administer - Bill states that the Board of Trustees of ERS shall administer any deferred compensation plan provided to state employees. Presently, these plans are administered by the Employee Benefit Council (State Merit System). These plans include 401 (k), 403 (b), and 457. - Authored by: Rep. Jim Cole - House Committee: Retirement - Rules Committee: Open

HR 1175 - Georgia's licensed vineyards and wineries; fine wines; urge restaurants to list - This resolution urges the Department of Economic Development and the state Department of Natural Resources to work with state owned resorts and facilities to ensure that Georgia fine wines are listed with the fine wines. - Authored by: Rep. Amos Amerson - House Committee: Economic Development & Tourism - Rules Committee: Open

HR 1258 - Appalachian Studies Center; Dahlonega; Georgia's official center; establish - This resolution establishes the Appalachian Studies center at North Georgia College and State University in

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Dahlonega, as Georgia's official Appalachian Studies Center. - Authored by: Rep. Amos Amerson - House Committee: Higher Education - Rules Committee: Open
* The Rules Committee will next meet on Thursday, February 16 at 9:00 am to set the Debate Calendar for the 21st Legislative Day.
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COMMITTEE ACTION REPORT
GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS HB 924 - Milton, City of; incorporate
- This bill would incorporate the City of Milton in Fulton County, Georgia. - Authored by: Rep. Jan Jones - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
HB 1321 - Johns Creek, City of; incorporate - This bill would incorporate the City of Johns Creek in Fulton County, Georgia - Authored by: Rep. Mark Burkhalter - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS Met to assign bills to subcommittee.
JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL HB 1031 - Incest; gender neutrality; provisions
- Makes Code section 16-6-22 gender neutral with respect to incest. Currently incest is defined as father and daughter, mother and son, etc. This bill would define incest as father and child, mother and child, etc. Also adds sodomy as an act of incest currently incest is only defined as sexual intercourse. - Authored by: Rep. Ron Dodson - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
PUBLIC SAFETY HB 465 - Loitering on school premises; failure to leave when requested; penalty
- During official school hours, all visitors are required to check in at the designated location (stated on posted signs) and provide a reason for his/her presence at the school. Persons exempt from check in are: law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical and public safety officials; persons entering schools that serve as official polling place for the purpose of voting day; persons attending or participating in an academic or athletic event while remaining in the authorized area. - Authored by: Rep. Pete Marin - Committee Action: Do Pass
PUBLIC UTILITIES & TELECOMMUNICATIONS HB 1325 - Natural gas; distribution; provisions
- HB 1325 is a bill that provides project guidelines for the building of a liquefied natural gas pipeline from Elba Island in Savannah to Atlanta. The goal is to eventually have this pipeline in place so that eventually there will be two lines for distribution thus putting downward pressure on gas prices for consumers. - Authored by: Rep. Jeff Lewis - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
REGULATED INDUSTRIES
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HB 1170 - Cosmetologists; examination fees; change certain provisions - HB 1170 would eliminate the State Board of Cosmetology's division director from receiving the fee charged to cosmetologists upon application for certificate of registration, examination, work permit, reciprocity, study at college or school, and other eligibility requirements. HB 1170 would further outsource the national exam; currently the board creates and administers the exam. Board members may attend and observe all written and practical examinations under HB 1170. - Authored by: Rep. Don Parsons - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
HB 1248 - Alcoholic beverages; comprehensive revision of provisions; provide - HB 1248 repeals the outdated "tax stamp" on alcoholic beverages, and requires a licensed bond for distillers/manufacturers, wholesale dealers/importers, and brokers for the sale of wine, beer, and liquor. Retailers will be exempt from the surety bond requirement for the sale of any alcoholic beverages under HB 1248. Relating to local government licensing powers, HB 1248 requires that applicants only need to furnish fingerprints to the GBI once as a prerequisite of receiving an initial permit or license. HB 1248 also strengthens the ability of law enforcement to issue a citation or summons for a person who does the following: knowingly purchases alcohol for a person under 21 years of age, misrepresents his/her age to purchase alcohol, acts as an agent to purchase alcohol, or uses false identification for purchasing alcohol. - Authored by: Rep. Roger Williams - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
TRANSPORTATION HB 1177 - Dept. of Transportation; certain projects; bonding amounts; provisions
- This bill will add a new subsection (e) to say that any construction contract that exceeds 300 million dollars, performance and payment bonds will be required in the amount of at least the total amount payable by the terms of the contract unless the department makes a written recommendation to the board, supported by specific findings, and the board by vote in a public approved meeting, that single bonds in such amount are not reasonably available in the surety industry. If the amount of the value of the construction portion of the contract, excluding right of way acquisition and engineering, shall be guaranteed by combinations, as determined by the board, of performance and payment bonds, letters of credit and corporate guaranties, but in no case shall such aggregate assurances be composed of less than 300 million dollars of performance and payment bonds; and equal less than 100 percent of the contractor's obligation under the construction contract, and shall be in accordance with 13-10-1 (part 4) for the purposes of Code section 13-10-61. - Authored by: Rep. Vance Smith - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
HB 1180 - Vehicles; live poultry; certain circumstances; prohibit hauling - Law enforcement officers or employees of the Department of Public Safety are prohibited from stopping any truck with a gross vehicle weight of at least 18,000 pounds that is hauling live poultry upon a public road of this state when the temperature is above 80 (changed from 85) degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity is above 50%. If criminal activity is suspected, law enforcement officers or employees of the Department of Public Safety may make an investigatory stop of any truck hauling live poultry. Any such stop will last no longer than 15 minutes (changed from 10 minutes) unless an arrest has been made. - Authored by: Rep. Carl Rogers - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
HB 1190 - State Road and Tollway Authority; collection of unpaid tolls; amend - House Bill 1190 offers the opportunity for the State Road and Tollway authority to collect on lost revenue for violators who pass through the GA 400 toll booths without paying the $.50. They will have the authority to charge a $25 administration fee per violation. The office of State Administrative Hearings of multiple failures to pay by a registered owner to imposition of, in addition to any unpaid tolls and administrative fees, a civil monetary penalty payable to the authority of not more than $70 per violation. If the payment is not submitted to the authority within 30 days of the date of the notice, the motor vehicle registration of that
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registered owner will be immediately suspended by operation of the law. Suspension will continue until the proper toll, administrative fee, and civil monetary penalty as have been determined by the Office of State Administrative hearings are paid to the authority. - Authored by: Rep. Joe Wilkinson - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
HR 413 - Warren V. Johnson Bridge; designate - Substitute which includes HR 1301, and HR 1236 all of which are resolutions to name a bridge, interchange, etc after particular Georgians. - Authored by: Rep. Bob Hanner - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
* 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 BROADCAST SCHEDULE
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2006
8:00 am Science & Technology
506 CLOB
9:00 am Rules Committee 341 CAP
1:30 pm Governmental Affairs Committee
406 CLOB
2:00 pm State Institutions & Property
506 CLOB
2:00 pm Appropriations - Public Safety
415 CLOB
2:00 pm Joint House/Senate Health & Human Services
341 CAP
3:00 pm Human Relations & Aging
506 CLOB
4:00 pm Insurance
406 CLOB
4:00 pm Judiciary Non-Civil
606 CLOB
* For full agendas, please visit the General Assembly website, select House Committees. This meeting schedule is
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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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