MEMBER SERVICES Coverdell Legislative Office Bldg. Suite 609 Phone: (404) 656-0305 TOMORROW'S FORECAST * The House will reconvene for its 26th Legislative Day on Wednesday, February 28, at 10:00 AM. * 7 bills are expected to be debated on the floor. GGEEOORRGGIIAAHHOOUUSSEE OOFF RREEPPRREESSEENNTTAATTIIVVEESS DAILY REPORT TTuueessddaayy,, FFeebbrruuaarryy 2277,, 22000077 TODAY ON THE FLOOR 2255tthh LLeeggiissllaattiivvee DDaayy RULES CALENDAR HB 78 - Bona fide conservation use property; additional acts; provisions - BILL SUMMARY: HB 78 amends the code section relating to bona fide conservation use property to provide that agritourism is an act which shall not constitute a breach of a conservation use covenant. The bill defines "agritourism" as charging admission for persons to visit, view, or participate in the operation of a farm or dairy or production of farm or dairy products for entertainment or educational purposes, or selling farm or dairy products to persons who visit such farm or dairy. Bona fide conservation use property is assessed at 40% of its current use value (vs. fair market value) for ad valorem tax purposes, and no property can maintain its eligibility for current use assessment unless a valid covenant remains in effect and is not breached. - Authored By: Rep. Richard Royal of the 171st - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 167; Nays: 0 HB 128 - Sales and use tax exemption; certain school supplies; energy efficient products; provide - BILL SUMMARY: HB 128 provides for the 2007 sales tax holidays for school supplies and for energy efficient products. The bill amends the code section providing the sales tax exemption for school supplies and related objects, in 48-8-3 (75)(A), by changing the dates to August 2, 2007 through August 5, 2007. The products which will be exempt during this time are clothing and footwear with a sales price of $100 or less, computers and computer accessories with a sales price of $1500 or less, and general school supplies with a sales price of $20 or less. HB 128 amends the code section providing the sales tax exemption for energy efficient products, in 48-8-3 (82)(A), by changing the dates of the sales tax exemption to October 4, 2007 through October 7, 2007. The products which will be exempt during this time are energy efficient products with a sales price up to $1500 which are purchased for home or personal use. These products may include dishwashers, clothes washers, air conditioners, ceiling fans, fluorescent light bulbs, dehumidifiers, refrigerators, etc. - Authored By: Rep. Lynn Smith of the 70th - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 169; Nays: 0 HB 139 - Estates and wills; descent and distribution; provisions - BILL SUMMARY: HB 139 prohibits parents who have abandoned their child from all rights of inheritance and from administering the minor child's estate. This bill creates a new definition of "abandon" and "abandonment." - Authored By: Rep. Wendell Willard of the 49th - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 167; Nays: 0 HB 162 - Sales and use tax; performing arts amphitheater facilities; provide exemption - BILL SUMMARY: The purpose of HB 162 is to allow the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra a sales tax exemption in connection with construction of a performing arts facility in Alpharetta. HB 162 creates a sales tax exemption for sales of tangible personal property to or used in direct connection with the construction of a performing arts amphitheater facility owned or operated by a non-profit, for the time period of June 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008. Such a facility would be required to have costs in excess of $30 million and more than 60,000 square feet of space, and must have associated facilities including parking. This exemption applies only to facilities which are constructed after the effective date of this bill. - Authored By: Rep. Charles Martin of the 47th - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 165; Nays: 1 HB 202 - Transportation, Department of; contractors; eligibility; provisions - BILL SUMMARY: This bill will amend Chapter 10 of Title 13 of the OCGA by adding a new Article 4 to say that a contractor found to be more than 25% behind in the performance of any combination of state public works construction contracts or DOT construction or maintenance contracts based on final determination that the delay was the fault of the contractor will not be eligible to bid on any additional state public works or DOT contracts until the performance is brought current or completed. The determination of whether the contractor is behind and the cause of the delay were made in accordance with the applicable terms and provisions in such contracts. Before the final determination is made, the contractor may appeal the determination de novo in the applicable court. Article 4 of Chapter 2 of Title 32 will be amended by adding a new Code Section 32-2-66.1 to read the way the new Article 4 in Chapter 10 of Title 13 reads. - Authored By: Rep. Ben Harbin of the 118th - House Committee: Transportation - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 169; Nays: 0 HB 221 - Professional malpractice charges; affidavit; change certain provisions - BILL SUMMARY: HB 221 will require an affidavit for an entity being sued in a professional malpractice case. - Authored By: Rep. John Heard of the 104th - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 167; Nays: 0 HB 357 - Revenue and taxation; define certain terms; provisions - BILL SUMMARY: The purpose of HB 357 is to conform to certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code which were adopted by the federal government late in 2006. On December 20, 2006, the Federal Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 was signed into law. The bill extended certain provisions into 2006 that were previously set to expire at the end of 2005. Unless Georgia legislation on this Act is passed now, these tax provisions will not apply for Georgia 2006 tax returns, and taxpayers will be required to make a number of state-level adjustments to their federal AGI which is the starting point for the Georgia return. This will be a significant additional burden for taxpayers, preparers, and Department of Revenue administrators. The effect of passing this bill is to provide tax relief estimated at $7 Million over the period from 2007 to 2008. The following are the main provisions that will affect Georgia citizens and businesses for the 2006 tax year: oThe above-the-line deduction for higher education expenses was reinstated. oThe up-to-$250 above-the-line deduction for out-of-pocket educator classroom expenses was reinstated. oThe research and development tax credit was reinstated. oThe work opportunity tax credit (now combined with the welfare-to-work credit) was reinstated. oFifteen-year depreciation for qualified leasehold improvements and for qualified restaurant improvements (rather than 39 years) was extended for two years. oElection to expense qualified environmental remediation costs is reinstated. oArcher Medical Savings Account program is extended through 2007. - Authored By: Rep. Larry O`Neal of the 146th - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 172; Nays: 0 HB 368 - Public Safety, Department of; sell and purchase of motor vehicles; allow commissioner - BILL SUMMARY: This legislation allows the Commissioner of Public Safety to buy and sell used motor vehicles. Sale proceeds will go towards the purchase of new vehicles when deemed necessary by the Board of Public Safety. HB 368 exempts these sales from the Georgia Code relating to the sale of surplus state property, and therefore, does not need additional approval from the executive branch. - Authored By: Rep. Doug Collins of the 27th - House Committee: Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 168; Nays: 2 UNCONTESTED CALENDAR HR 14 - Walter E. "Eddie" Elder Interchange; Barrow County; dedicate - BILL SUMMARY: This resolution intends to honor the memory and accomplishments of Walter E. Elder by dedicating the interchange of Georgia Highway 8 and Midland Avenue in Barrow County as the Walter E. "Eddie" Elder Interchange. - Authored By: Rep. Terry England of the 108th - House Committee: Transportation - Rule: Structured * The House will reconvene Wednesday, February 28, at 10:00 AM, for its 26th Legislative Day of the 1st Regular Session of the 149th General Assembly. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ COMMITTEE ON RULES The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 26th Legislative Day, Wednesday, February 28, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker. RULES CALENDAR FOR NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY HB 127 - Prescription drugs; generic; change provisions - BILL SUMMARY: This bill would restrict pharmacists from substituting generic equivalents for anti-epilepsy drugs. - Authored By: Rep. Charlice Byrd of the 20th - House Committee: Health & Human Services - Rule: Modified-Structured HB 224 - State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors; change certain provisions - BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends Code Section 4-41-3 of O.C.G.A. relating to creation of the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors by adding one residential member to the Board, this way increasing the number of residential members from 7 to 8 and the total number of members from 14 to 15. This bill also provides for serving terms and requires all residential contractor and general contractor members of the Board to be licensed under this chapter effective January 1, 2008. - Authored By: Rep. Mark Burkhalter of the 50th - House Committee: Regulated Industries - Rule: Open HB 316 - Public Service Commission; towing of certain vehicles; provide - BILL SUMMARY: Gives concurrent jurisdiction to cities and counties to regulate tow trucks operating wholly within cities. The Public Service Commission (PSC) regulates tow trucks in counties, but if a truck operates wholly within a city's limits it is not subject to those regulations; this will eliminate loopholes and require city tow trucks to have insurance, register with the PSC and be subject to the same regulations (including maximum tariff rates) as tow trucks that operate in counties or cities and counties. - Authored By: Rep. David Ralston of the 7th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Open HB 317 - Public transportation; motor contract carrier; change definition - BILL SUMMARY: This bill changes the language of the definitions of "motor contract carrier" and "motor common carrier." It removes exceptions for vehicles engaged in the moving of household goods with passenger vans that have a capacity of ten people or more, vehicles conducting nonmetered transportation service that are not operated by a municipality (city, town, etc.), and vehicles which are engaged in private for-hire transportation within the limits of a municipality. The bill also states that tow trucks engaged in nonconsensual towing with a municipality shall remain subject to the jurisdiction of the municipality. - Authored By: Rep. David Ralston of the 7th - House Committee: State Planning & Community Affairs - Rule: Open HB 330 - Georgia State Board of Pharmacy; registry of pharmacy technicians; establish - BILL SUMMARY: This bill requires the Georgia State Board of Pharmacy to establish a process of maintaining a registry of pharmacy technicians. The updated information on the pharmacy technicians will be provided to the board by the pharmacist in charge of that pharmacy. The board will be allowed to collect fees from pharmacy technicians for maintaining the registry. - Authored By: Rep. Ron Stephens of the 164th - House Committee: Regulated Industries - Rule: Open HB 375 - Education; pages of General Assembly; provisions - BILL SUMMARY: This bill changes language in O.C.G.A. 20-2-692 to change the absence of a student serving as a Legislative Page from an excused absence to being counted present as in the same manner as a field trip. - Authored By: Rep. Doug Collins of the 27th - House Committee: Education - Rule: Open HB 443 - Employment security; employment; change definition; provisions - BILL SUMMARY: Adds to the exceptions for services deemed to be employment in subsection (f) of OCGA 34-8-35 that the services are the subject of an SS-8 determination by the IRS, which decided against employee status and to the exceptions in subsection (n) of the same Code section services performed for a common carrier or property, persons or property and persons; extends suspensions of the adjustments based upon the State-wide Reserve Ratio to December 31, 2009; changes the number by which weekly amount adjustments are calculated from 44 to 42 the two highest quarters of wages paid in the base period will be divided by 42; currently it is divided by 44, and the alternative computation number is lowered from 22 to 21. In benefit years beginning on or after July 1, 2007, if the weekly amount would be more than $26.00 but less than $44.00, the weekly amount will be $44.00 and no amount will be less than $44.00; for claims filed after July 1, 2007, the weekly benefit amount will not exceed $330.00. Appropriates an additional $1,885,551.11 to the Department of Labor to be used for expenses incurred in the administration of the Employment Security Law. - Authored By: Rep. Mike Coan of the 101st - House Committee: Industrial Relations - Rule: Open * The Rules Committee will next meet on Wednesday, February 28, at 9:00 AM, to set the Rules Calendar for the 27th Legislative Day. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ COMMITTEE ACTION REPORT Tuesday, February 27, 2007 Agriculture & Consumer Affairs HB 433 - Meat and dairy processing plants; licenses; change certain provisions - BILL SUMMARY: This bill addresses two issues related to meat processors. The first part provides that the Agriculture Commissioner may exercise concurrent jurisdiction with the secretary of agriculture of the United States and may enforce the article and any regulations promulgated thereto without regard to licensing agency. The second and third parts create a permanent meat processors license and remove the annual fees associated with the license. This would apply to both meat and poultry. - Authored By: Rep. Tony Sellier of the 136th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 522 - Public Service Commission; gas companies; interstate capacity assets; provisions - BILL SUMMARY: This bill is designed to increase competition among natural gas marketers which would ultimately lead to lower prices for consumers. The bill would require that Atlanta Gas Light release the excess capacity that it does not need to manage the system and maintain reliability, which is retained storage. When Atlanta Gas Light holds back that capacity it locks marketers into the same cost structure, thus reducing competition. This bill also has an opt-out clause which will allow natural gas marketers to opt-out of any portion of Atlanta Gas Light's capacity supply plan if they do not need it to serve their customers. - Authored By: Rep. Jay Roberts of the 154th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight HB 529 - General Assembly; budgetary functions; reflect changes - BILL SUMMARY: House bill 529 adds a new code section, 28-5-6, to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated which establishes both a House Budget Office and a Senate Budget Office to fulfill the duties formerly carried out by the Office of Legislative Budget Analyst. This new section gives these offices the authority to request information from all state departments, boards, bureaus, commissions, committees, and authorities. All information received from the House Budget Office will be made available to the House Appropriations Office, House Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight Committee, and any other officers of the House of Representatives designated by the Speaker of the House. - Authored By: Rep. Richard Royal of the 171st - Committee Action: Do Pass Children & Youth HB 280 - Controlled substances; sale of marijuana flavored products to minors; ban - BILL SUMMARY: This bill makes the sale of marijuana flavored products to minors illegal and subject to a $1,000 fine per offense. A 'Marijuana flavored product' means any product, including lollipops, gumdrops, or other candy, which is flavored to taste like marijuana or hemp. The term shall include, but is not limited to, 'Chronic Candy,' 'Kronic Kandy,' or 'Pot Suckers.' - Authored By: Rep. Judy Manning of the 32nd - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute Game, Fish, & Parks HB 418 - Wild animal licenses; water buffalo; add exemption - BILL SUMMARY: This bill would remove water buffalo from the wild animal permitting requirements of O.C.G.A. 27-5-5(b)(1)(Q), and moves it from being considered a 'wild animal' to being considered as a 'domesticated animal'. - Authored By: Rep. Howard Maxwell of the 17th - Committee Action: Do Pass HB 510 - Boating safety zones; Lake Oconee; certain vessels; change certain provisions - BILL SUMMARY: This bill was brought to repair an unintended consequence of prior legislation and relates only to maximum allowable vessel sizes on Lake Oconee. This allows a certain vessel to continue operation until such time as a replacement is necessary. This essentially grandfathers an existing vessel which, due to an oversight, was left out of the grandfathering provisions of prior legislation. - Authored By: Rep. Mickey Channell of the 116th - Committee Action: Do Pass Higher Education HB 458 - Universities; board of regents; teacher education program; require - BILL SUMMARY: This bill encourages universities to establish a teacher education program. The intent of this legislation to require the board of regents to increase the supply of quality teachers throughout this state by mandating teacher education programs at universities offering four-year degree programs. - Authored By: Rep. Lester Jackson of the 161st - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 467 - University system; international baccalaureate diploma program; provide course credit - BILL SUMMARY: This bill relates to the university system in Georgia, so as to provide for course credit for entering freshmen students who have successfully completed the international baccalaureate diploma program. - Authored By: Rep. Bill Hembree of the 67th - Committee Action: Do Pass HR 322 - Joint Study Committee on Continuing Education and Collegiate Sports Programs for Students with Disabilities; create - BILL SUMMARY: This resolution creates the Joint Study Committee on Continuing Education and Collegiate Sports Programs for Students with Disabilities. - Authored By: Rep. Ben Harbin of the 118th - Committee Action: Do Pass Human Relations & Aging HB 505 - Human Resources, Department of; adult day centers; licensure; authorize charge fees - BILL SUMMARY: Amends Article 7 of Chapter 5 of Title 49 of O.C.G.A. by adding a new Code section: 49-6-86. HB 505 authorizes the Department of Human Resources to charge application fees, license fess, and renewal fees. The amount per fee is to be established by the board of the Department of Human Resources in accordance with rules and regulations. The fees should be used to support the licensing, inspecting, and monitoring of adult day care centers. Fees may be refunded by the department as determined by the department. This act is only to become effective when funds are appropriated specifically for this act. - Authored By: Rep. Mark Butler of the 18th - Committee Action: Do Pass HR 55 - Family literacy; local communities; express support - BILL SUMMARY: This resolution is meant to help encourage literacy in the state of Georgia. It urges the legislature to present each newborn baby in Georgia with the gift of "baby's first book," and encourages the governor to send an accompanying message. - Authored By: Rep. Len Walker of the 107th - Committee Action: Do Pass Intragovernmental Coordination HB 191 - Colquitt County Board of Education; nonpartisan elections; provide - BILL SUMMARY: The Bill provides for the nonpartisan election of members of the Colquitt County Board of Education after January 1, 2008. - Authored By: Rep. Richard Royal of the 171st - Committee Action: Do Pass HR 351 - Joint Study Committee on Fulton County; create - BILL SUMMARY: The Bill provides for the creation of the Joint Fulton County Study Committee to undertake a study of the conditions, needs, issues, and uses of the Fulton County government structure and operations and the problems found by the Fulton County Blue Ribbon Commission, and, make recommendations for any actions or legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate. The Committee shall consist of 16 members, eight appointed by the Lieutenant Governor and eight appointed by the Speaker of the House. The Committee shall stand abolished on or before the convening of the 2008 Session. - Authored By: Rep. Edward Lindsey of the 54th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 312 - Braselton, Town of; Redevelopment Powers Law; authorize - BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to authorize the Town of Braselton to exercise all Redevelopment Powers under the State Constitution's Redevelopment Powers Law pending a local referendum to approve the authorization. - Authored By: Rep. Tommy Benton of the 31st - Committee Action: Do Pass HB 315 - Town of Braselton Community Improvement District Act; enact - BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to authorize the Town of Braselton to create community improvement districts. - Authored By: Rep. Tommy Benton of the 31st - Committee Action: Do Pass HB 511 - Gordon County; board of commissioners; districts; change description - BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to reapportion the districts of the Gordon County Board of Commissioners. - Authored By: Rep. John Meadows of the 5th - Committee Action: Do Pass HB 537 - Cobb County State Court; clerk and chief deputy clerk; change compensation - BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide compensation to the Clerk and Chief Deputy Clerk of the State Court of Cobb County. - Authored By: Rep. Earl Ehrhart of the 36th - Committee Action: Do Pass HB 538 - Cobb County; tax collector and receiver offices; certain employees; change compensation - BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide compensation to the Tax Commissioner of Cobb County and the Tax Commissioner's Chief Clerk, Executive Secretary, and Administrative Specialist. - Authored By: Rep. Earl Ehrhart of the 36th - Committee Action: Do Pass HB 539 - Cobb County; Board of Education; school attendance zones; revise procedures - BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to revise procedures relating to the establishment or revision of school attendance zones of the Cobb County Board of Education applicable to new schools opened on or after July 1, 2007. - Authored By: Rep. Earl Ehrhart of the 36th - Committee Action: Do Pass HB 543 - Effingham County Industrial Development Authority; subject to county zoning ordinances; provide - BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide that the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority shall be subject to all city and county zoning ordinances and procedures. - Authored By: Rep. Earl Carter of the 159th - Committee Action: Do Pass Judiciary HB 156 - Human Resources, Department of ; child support collections fees; authorize - BILL SUMMARY: HB 156 addresses the need to pay federal fees imposed upon states for child support recovery collections. This bill calls for the payment of the imposed federal fee through a $12.00 charge to the custodial parent to be paid in monthly installments of $1.00, as well as, a monthly $13.00 charge to the non-custodial parent. The fee is to be collected from both the custodial and noncustodial parent after the agency has collected $500.00 of child support annually, and will apply to "never TANF" recipients only. - Authored By: Rep. Wendell Willard of the 49th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 274 - Notaries; qualifications; application; change certain provisions - BILL SUMMARY: HB 274 sets forth to amend Code Section 45-17-2 relating to the qualifications of notaries public, as well as, adding additional requirements to be met in order to maintain one's status as a notary public. These requirements include: the applicant shall have an operating telephone, the applicant shall show proof that he/she resides in the county of application, and, for endorsement, the applicant must bring along an individual who has known the applicant for at least one month. This bill also amends the notary application form to comply with the revised code section. - Authored By: Rep. Edward Lindsey of the 54th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 369 - Domestic relations; child custody proceedings; provisions - BILL SUMMARY: HB 369 sets forth to provide for a shared parenting plan for divorced parents faced with child custody issues. This shared parenting plan will help parents to make joint decisions relating to the child's education, health, extracurricular activities, and religious upbringing. Furthermore, this bill provides for a direct appeal for child custody issues. - Authored By: Rep. Tom Rice of the 51st - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute State Planning & Community Affairs HB 541 - Clean and renewable fuels; certain vehicles operated by certain government entities; require use - BILL SUMMARY: Amends Title 20; title 36 and title 50 of the O.C.G.A. to require that after Jan 1, 2008 every school district, office, agency, department, board, bureau, commission, institution, authority, county, or municipal corporation of the state of Georgia should use renewable fuel in any gasoline or diesel motor vehicle equipment wherever applicable. The cost of the renewable fuel should be equal to or less than the current price of fuel and purchases should favor Georgia products. Also, there should be no purchase or lease of any motor vehicle that cannot operate on renewable fuel after Jan 1, 2008 unless the vehicle is unreasonably priced. - Authored By: Rep. Tommy Smith of the 168th - Committee Action: Do Pass Ways & Means HB 30 - Housing authorities; private enterprise agreement; redefine - BILL SUMMARY: HB 30 changes the definition of "private enterprise agreement" relating to housing authorities, to allow for more ways for housing authorities to be involved in low income housing developments. The new definition broadens what constitutes such agreement by changing "ownership of a housing project" to "ownership or operation" of such housing projects by a for profit entity in which the authority participates either directly or indirectly. The bill also adds language providing what activities may constitute such "participation" by an authority, which may include: ownership by a housing authority of an interest in the housing project through the for profit entity, or of the land on which the housing project is developed; or provision by the housing authority of a combination of funds to the for profit entity for construction costs of the housing project and funds to subsidize the operating costs of units for persons of low income. - Authored By: Rep. Jill Chambers of the 81st - Committee Action: Do Pass HB 182 - Property tax digest; positive tax allocation increments; prohibit use - BILL SUMMARY: HB 182 broadens the exclusions from the equalized adjusted property tax digest to also exclude the difference between the value of all taxable property within any tax allocation district and the tax allocation increment base of such tax allocation district. Currently, the digests exclude all real and personal property exempt from taxation. In tax allocation districts currently, increases revenues are pledged to pay bonds, however school boards have to pay in this increased value despite that the revenues are going to pay bonds. This bill will ensure that school boards will not have to pay in revenues they do not actually receive. - Authored By: Rep. Charles Martin of the 47th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 321 - Bona fide conservation use property; assessment; change certain eligibility requirements - BILL SUMMARY: HB 321 allows each person that owns an interest in a family owned farm entity to own 2,000 acres of conservation use property, rather than only allowing a family owned farm entity a maximum of 2,000 acres total. A person's percentage interest in the farm entity is to be the same as their percentage interest in the conservation use property, and the person may allocate the lesser of this percentage times the total conservation use property acreage or the unused portion of their allowed 2,000 so that more than 2,000 acres in total may be claimed as conservation use property. - Authored By: Rep. Richard Royal of the 171st - Committee Action: Do Pass HB 353 - Revenue and taxation; unclaimed property; provisions - BILL SUMMARY: This bill addresses various provisions of the tax code to enhance compliance with our tax laws. The bill allows for service of summons of garnishment and subpoena by registered or certified mail rather than requiring personal service, it clarifies that a taxpayer may waive confidentiality of tax data upon express authorization to the department of revenue, it provides that the department may offset unclaimed property of a taxpayer against such taxpayer's delinquent taxes, it provides for lien perfection in all counties of the state upon execution of a lien in a single county, and it provides for automation of the process of identifying and seizing funds of delinquent taxpayers held by banks. - Authored By: Rep. Larry O`Neal of the 146th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 354 - Local government; homeowner tax relief grant notification; provisions - BILL SUMMARY: This bill addresses various provisions in the ad valorem tax code to enhance compliance and clarify certain provisions. The bill requires local governments and school boards to notify the Department of Revenue of the total amount of credits given to qualified homesteads within one year from the date of final installment of taxes was due from the taxpayer, it requires tax collectors or commissioners to record tax executions within 30 days after notice provisions have lapsed, it clarifies the income qualifications for a property owner seeking an increased homestead exemption, it clarifies that resolutions setting the terms of members of county tax assessor boards be transmitted to the revenue commissioner, and provides that each parcel of real estate included in public utility returns must be identified by its physical address and adequate description so that such property can be identified. - Authored By: Rep. Larry O`Neal of the 146th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 410 - Municipal Option Sales Tax Act; enact - BILL SUMMARY: The purpose of HB 410 is to authorize the city of Richland to hold a referendum for citizens of the city to vote to allow the city to levy a Municipal Option Sales Tax of 1% in order to correct the problem of asbestos fibers in the water system and the problems with gas leakage. The bill is drafted narrowly to only apply to Richland by including language that the city imposing this tax must have received correspondence from the Department of Natural Resources on or after January 1, 2007 urging the city to "make distribution pipe replacement its highest priority as soon as possible to correct and eliminate the asbestos fiber health risk to its citizens." The bill also provides for the maximum proceeds from this tax to be collected, $1.8 million, which is equal to the estimates of eliminating the asbestos and gas problems, and for the maximum amount of time, which is to be nine years. So no future cities may use this statute to levy a MOST, the bill includes language repealing the article after nine years. - Authored By: Rep. Bob Hanner of the 148th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute Monday, February 26, 2007 Appropriations HB 48 - Georgia State Indemnification Fund; definitions; change terms - BILL SUMMARY: This legislation amends certain terms in the Georgia State Indemnification Fund. It redefines the meaning of "in the line of duty" for emergency medical technicians, on and off duty firefighters, law enforcement officers, prison guards, and state highway employees.The Board of the State Indemnification Fund will establish if the death of a firefighter was a result of the last fire he or she responded to. Law enforcement officers and fire fighters do not have to receive compensation for their services to be considered "on duty," extending the parameters of the fund to volunteer officers. It also edits the term "law enforcement officer" to include one that is enrolled in a basic training course in a school certified by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council. - Authored By: Rep. Jill Chambers of the 81st - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 311 - Georgia HERO Scholarship; qualifying term of service; change definition - BILL SUMMARY: This legislation changes the date for qualifying service under the Georgia HERO Scholarship. Under HB 311, persons deployed overseas on active duty on or after September 11, 2001 will qualify for grants under the Georgia HERO Scholarship. Additionally, this change will apply to eligible student scholarships distributed under the program. - Authored By: Rep. Barry A Fleming of the 117th - Committee Action: Do Pass HB 363 - HOPE grants; eligibility requirements; Georgia Military College students; provide - BILL SUMMARY: This legislation extends the eligibility of the HOPE grant to students attending Georgia Military College. - Authored By: Rep. Larry O`Neal of the 146th - Committee Action: Do Pass Intragovernmental Coordination - Local HB 493 - Doraville, City of; ad valorem tax; certain residents; provide homestead exemption - BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a homestead exemption from City of Doraville ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes for the full value of the homestead for residents of that city who are 70 years of age or over. - Authored By: Rep. Jill Chambers of the 81st - Committee Action: Do Pass HB 499 - Chatham County; certain judges; change compensation - BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to change the compensation in Chatham County of the judges of the recorders court, probate court, juvenile court, state court, magistrate court, to remove cost-of-living increases, and to establish minimum salaries for the tax commissioner, sheriff, clerks of the superior and state courts, and the coroner. - Authored By: Rep. Burke Day of the 163rd - Committee Action: Do Pass HB 501 - Hiawassee, City of; ad valorem tax; municipal purposes; provide homestead exemption - BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a homestead exemption from City of Hiawassee ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes in an amount equal to the amount by which the current year assessed value of a homestead exceeds the adjusted base year assessed value of the homestead. - Authored By: Rep. Charles F Jenkins of the 8th - Committee Action: Do Pass HB 502 - Towns County School District; ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption - BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a homestead exemption from Towns County School District ad valorem taxes for educational purposes in an amount equal to the amount by which the current year assessed value of a homestead exceeds the adjusted base year assessed value of the homestead. - Authored By: Rep. Charles F Jenkins of the 8th - Committee Action: Do Pass HB 506 - Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit; judges; provide compensation supplement - BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a salary supplement to the superior court judges of the Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit. - Authored By: Rep. Billy Mitchell of the 88th - Committee Action: Do Pass HB 508 - Rockdale County State Court; salary of the judge; change provisions - BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to change the the salary of the Judge of the Rockdale County State Court and to authorize the judge, if eligible, to participate in the Group Retirement Program, the Group Hospitalization Benefit Program, and any similar or related plan or program on the same basis as other officers and employees of Rockdale County. - Authored By: Rep. Robert Mumford of the 95th - Committee Action: Do Pass HB 509 - Young Harris, City of; ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption - BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a homestead exemption from City of Young Harris ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes in an amount equal to the amount by which the current year assessed value of a homestead exceeds the adjusted base year assessed value of the homestead. - Authored By: Rep. Charles F Jenkins of the 8th - Committee Action: Do Pass HB 513 - Eastern Judicial Circuit; salary of chief judge; provide additional supplement - BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide an additional county salary supplement to the Chief Judge of the Eastern Judicial Circuit. - Authored By: Rep. Burke Day of the 163rd - Committee Action: Do Pass HB 520 - Lawrenceville, City of; Redevelopment Powers Law; authorize - BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to authorize the City of Lawrenceville to exercise all Redevelopment Powers as permitted under the State Constitution's Redevelopment Powers Law pending a local referendum to approve the authorization. - Authored By: Rep. John Heard of the 104th - Committee Action: Do Pass SB 126 - Decatur County School Building Authority; create - BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to create the Decatur County School Building Authority and to establish its duties and responsibilities. - Authored By: Sen. John Bulloch of the 11th - Committee Action: Do Pass * Bills passing committees are reported to the Clerk's Office, and are then placed on the General Calendar. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ COMMITTEE BROADCAST SCHEDULE 8:00 AM 9:30 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 8:30 AM 9:30 AM 8:30 AM - Wednesday, February 28, 2007 Appropriations General Subcommittee Mtg. AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS Children and Health Issues Sub INSURANCE 506 CLOB 606 CLOB 132 CAP 406 CLOB 9:30 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 12:30 PM 1:00 PM 1:00 PM 2:00 PM 1:00 PM 2:00 PM 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 2:00 PM 5:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 2:00 PM 4:00 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM 3:30 PM 4:30 PM 3:30 PM 4:30 PM 4:00 PM 5:00 PM HOUSE RULES 341 CAP Ways and Means Income Tax Subcommittee 133 CAP EDUCATION 506 CLOB Ways and Means Tax Reform Subcommittee 133 CAP Environmental Quality Subcommittee of Natural Resource 606 CLOB STATE INSTITUTIONS & PROPERTY 406 CLOB House Education Subcommittee on School Choice 506 CLOB Science and Innovation Subcommittee of Economic Development 415 CLOB Elections Subcommittee of Governmental Affairs HOUSE APPOPRIATIONS TRANSPORTATION 605 CLOB 341 CAP (or upon adjournment) 406 CLOB Appropriations Health Subcommittee 403 CAP Ways and Means Sales Tax Subcommittee 133 CAP MOTOR VEHICLES 606 CLOB JUDICIARY (NON-CIVIL) 132 CAP ENERGY, UTILITIES & TELECOMMUNICATIONS 406 CLOB * This schedule is accurate at the time of this report, but meeting dates and times are subject to change. To view the most up to date meeting schedule, please visit http://www.legis.ga.gov and click on Meetings Notices. To view the live streaming video of the meeting, please visit the Georgia Legislative Network website. ____________________________________________________________________________ CONTACT: BRENT CRANFIELD (404) 656-0305 Brent.Cranfield@house.ga.gov