Daily report [Apr. 16, 2007]

MEMBER SERVICES
Coverdell Legislative Office Bldg. Suite 609 Phone: (404) 656-0305

TOMORROW'S FORECAST
* The House will reconvene for its 38th Legislative Day on Tuesday, April 17, at 10:00 AM. * 23 bills are expected to be debated on the floor.

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MOTIONS TO INSIST
HB 366 - Guide or service dog; certain persons; equal public accommodations; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would allow for persons who are training guide or service dogs for use by blind or deaf citizens to enjoy the same rights of accommodation as blind or deaf citizens for the purposes of training such animal. - Authored By: Rep. Timothy Bearden of the 68th - House Committee: Health & Human Services - A motion to insist sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.
MOTIONS TO DISAGREE
HB 247 - Local government; water and sewer systems; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill prohibits counties, municipalities, and local authorities from requiring connection with or use of water supplied by a public water system except when other water is unfit. - Authored By: Rep. Bob Smith of the 113th - House Committee: Governmental Affairs - A motion to disagree sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.
RULES CALENDAR
SB 42 - Child Support Recovery; authorize Dept. of Human Resources to impose fees on child support collections
- BILL SUMMARY: Bill 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 non-custodial parent after the agency has collected $500.00 of child support annually, and will apply to "never TANF" recipients only. - Authored By: Sen. Seth Harp of the 29th - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 122; Nays: 20
SB 61 - Child-Placing Agency; require petitioner to submit to a criminal history records check
- BILL SUMMARY: Bill requires petitioners for child placement submit to a criminal records check. This will include a submission of fingerprints to the GCIC who will then transfer said search over to the FBI so that a federal criminal records search can be performed. - Authored By: Sen. Jeff Mullis of the 53rd - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Open

- Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 141; Nays: 0
SB 81 - Special Licenses; 100 years of scouting; Boy Scouts of America
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill changes the administrative process for the issuance of special license plates. It requires the following to be presented to the Department of Revenue before being sent to the General Assembly for authorization: 1. Sponsor must have all of the following: Commissioner's approval of application and design Post a $50,000.00 bond Have 1000 completed license applications with paid fees 2. Upon presentation of the above, Commissioner issues a letter of certification to Sponsor. 3. Sponsor goes to legislature with letter of certification to seek appropriate legislation. It becomes effective July 1, 2007. Further, it creates several special license plates including ones for 100 years of Scouting, Garden Club of Georgia, Autism Trea7ment, Georgia Municipal Clerks, and Cobb County Schools. - Authored By: Sen. Chip Pearson of the 51st - House Committee: Motor Vehicles - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 139; Nays: 0
SB 95 - Cigarettes/Tobacco; minors; unlawful to attempt purchase; vending machines; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: Clarifies existing law to provide that the attempt to buy tobacco by a minor is a violation; amends the vending machine statute related to the dispensation of tobacco products to make it clear that it is not permissible to put non-tobacco products (except for matches) in vending machines that dispense any tobacco products. - Authored By: Sen. Joseph Carter of the 13th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 95; Nays: 50
SB 156 - Retirement; counties, municipal corporations; post-employment benefits; define certain terms
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends provisions relating to minimum funding standards for public retirement systems. Specifically, this bill would authorize political subdivisions to create retiree health benefit plans for the purpose of providing for the payment of covered post-employment health care expenses for eligible, present and future retirees. This bill would require that the plan and assets of any trust or fund be under the governance and investment authority of a retirement system maintained by the political subdivision or other board of trustees established for such purpose. - Authored By: Sen. Don Balfour of the 9th - House Committee: Retirement - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 129; Nays: 0
SB 190 - Pretrial Proceedings; insanity/mental incompentency; definitions; evaluation
- BILL SUMMARY: Would allow the committing court the court with jurisdiction over the criminal charges against the defendant at its discretion to allow an evaluation of mental incompetence to be done on an outpatient basis by the Department of Human Resources if the defendant is charged with a misdemeanor offense or a nonviolent offense. If any defendant is found incompetent to stand trial and there is not a substantial probability that the person will attain competency . The person may be returned to the custody of law enforcement or remain in DHR custody. The committing court may order an independent evaluation of the defendant and may refer the case to probate court for commitment proceedings or conduct a hearing and consider all reports and determine whether the defendant meets criteria for involuntary civil commitment as an inpatient or outpatient. If the defendant does not meet criteria for in or outpatient commitment the he or she shall be released. If the defendant does meet the criteria he or she may be committed if the offense is a misdemeanor the defendant will only be committed for up to one year at which point all charges will be dismissed if the offense if a felony the defendant may only be released by order of the committing court. DHR will report annually on whether the defendant meets the criteria for involuntary commitment. Would allow a defendant who is an outpatient and found to be mentally competent to stand trial by DHR may remain in the community until his or her trial. - Authored By: Sen. Seth Harp of the 29th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 129; Nays: 3

SB 209 - Augusta Judicial Circuit; judges of Superior Court; supplement; change provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: Bill allows superior court judges in the Augusta Judicial Circuit to receive an annual supplement of $20,000.00 per year from Columbia County funds beginning on July 1, 2007. The current supplement from Columbia County is $10,000.00 annually. - Authored By: Sen. Jim Whitehead, Sr. of the 24th - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 130; Nays: 0
SB 235 - Corrections, Dept. Of; certified correctional employees; leave under certain conditions may retain their badges
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends Code Section 42-5-35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the conferral of police powers by the commissioner of the Department of Corrections. This will provide that certified correctional employees of the Department of Corrections who leave the department under certain conditions may retain their badges. - Authored By: Sen. Johnny Grant of the 25th - House Committee: State Institutions & Property - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 152; Nays: 0
* The House will reconvene Tuesday, April 17, at 10:00 AM, for its 38th Legislative Day of the 1st Regular Session of the 149th General Assembly.
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COMMITTEE ON RULES
The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 38th Legislative Day, Tuesday, April 17, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker.
RULES CALENDAR FOR NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY
SB 34 - Penal Institutions; possession of photograph of victims by certain persons confined; prohibit
- BILL SUMMARY: Defines "inmate" to include anyone confined in a penal institution. Prevents inmates imprisoned for Title 16 Chapter 5 crimes against the person and inmates imprisoned for Title 16 Chapter 6 sexual crimes from possession of any picture, photograph or depiction of any victim of the offense for which he or she is serving time. Possession of a photograph, picture or depiction of a victim would be punished as a misdemeanor. - Authored By: Sen. Tommie Williams of the 19th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Open
SB 38 - Motor Vehicles; registration of a vehicle; require driver's license/identification card
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill requires an individual to show a valid Georgia driver's license, or ID card, in order to get a tag for a motor vehicle. - Authored By: Sen. Chip Rogers of the 21st - House Committee: Motor Vehicles - Rule: Open
SB 49 - Labor, Dept. of; transfer of Rehabilitation Services; provide delivery of certain services/techniques to deaf-blind individual
- BILL SUMMARY: Provides that the Division of Rehabilitation Services under the Department of Labor will oversee services to the deaf and the blind by an organization knowledgeable on deaf-blind issues. The funding for this organization will be subject to appropriations by the General Assembly. The organization will provide comprehensive training to division staff on services required by deaf and/or blind customers to lead them to maximum independence and employment. - Authored By: Sen. Regina Thomas of the 2nd - House Committee: Industrial Relations - Rule: Open

SB 62 - Georgia Crime Information Center; provide certain conditions for requesting criminal history records
- BILL SUMMARY: Would allow criminal records checks of fingerprints to be done electronically. Applies to existing Code sections that allow background checks. - Authored By: Sen. Jeff Mullis of the 53rd - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Open
SB 72 - Quality Basic Education Act; authorize the employment of school administrative managers to conduct the financial/business affairs
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill allows the employment of "school administrative managers" in lieu of or in addition to assistant principals. The school administrative managers will not be required to be certificated by the Professional Standards Commission but will have such qualifications as determined by the local board with a minimum requirement of a bachelors degree. The duties of school administrative managers will be to oversee and manage the financial and business affairs of the school. The principal shall retain authority over the curriculum and instructional areas. The school administrative manager shall report directly to the principal. - Authored By: Sen. Tommie Williams of the 19th - House Committee: Education - Rule: Open
SB 79 - Criminal Attempt; increase maximum punishment for convictions; felonies punishable by death/life imprisonment
- BILL SUMMARY: Changes the maximum sentence for criminal attempt to commit a crime that, if committed, would be a felony punishable by death or life imprisonment from a maximum of 10 years to a maximum of 30 years in prison. Those felonies that, if committed, would carry a sentence that is neither death nor life imprisonment would carry a maximum of no more than one-half the maximum period of time for an attempt this penalty provision is current law. - Authored By: Sen. William Hamrick of the 30th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Modified-Structured
SB 87 - Highway System; Dept. of Transportation; RV friendly markers on specific service signs for business establishments
- BILL SUMMARY: Part 2 of Article 3 of Chapter 6 of Title 32 of the OCGA relating to the state highway system. This bill directs the Department of Transportation to seek approval from the Federal Highway Administration to incorporate the use of "RV friendly" markers on specific service signs for business establishments that cater to the needs of persons driving recreational vehicles. - Authored By: Sen. Chip Pearson of the 51st - House Committee: Transportation - Rule: Open
SB 98 - Crimes/Offenses; Georgia Bureau of Investigation investigate certain offenses against minors, including subpoena power
- BILL SUMMARY: Creates the "Computer or Electronic Pornography and Child Exploitation Prevention Act of 2007 current law contains at OCGA 16-12-100.2 the "Computer Pornography and Child Exploitation Prevention Act of 1999." Adds to the Act the definition of "electronic device" so as to punish those who would seek to communicate with a child for sexual purposes with an electronic device other than a computer such as a cell phone, video game system, or any other electronic device that could be used in furtherance of exploiting a child for sexual purposes. Would subject to prosecution a person within this state who seeks to exploit a child within or outside this state. Authorizes the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to investigate violations of the "Computer or Electronic Pornography and Child Exploitation Prevention Act." - Authored By: Sen. William Hamrick of the 30th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Open
SB 101 - Agricultural Facilities; redefine a term
- BILL SUMMARY: Bill amends the definition of "forest product processing plant" so as to include a plant that "manufactures, packages, labels, distributes, or stores any building material made from gypsum rock." Code section relates to the treatment of forest products not being a nuisance. - Authored By: Sen. Ross Tolleson of the 20th - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Open

SB 116 - State Forestry Commission; qualifications of the director; change provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill seeks to broaden the pool of candidates who may be considered for the position of director of the Georgia Forestry Commission. Under current law, the scope of qualifications is so narrow that few candidates could be considered for the position. This bill would provide for a larger candidate pool by allowing persons with, "significant experience in forest management," to also be considered. - Authored By: Sen. Ross Tolleson of the 20th - House Committee: Natural Resources & Environment - Rule: Open
SB 131 - Subsequent Injury Trust Fund; payment of assessments; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: Requires that, with regard to the Subsequent Injury Trust Fund, an employer who has ceased to be a self-insurer will still be liable for assessments so long as payments are made on any worker's compensation claims made while that employer was self-insured. - Authored By: Sen. Ralph Hudgens of the 47th - House Committee: Industrial Relations - Rule: Open
SB 139 - Georgia Public Defender Standards Council; transfer from judicial branch to executive branch
- BILL SUMMARY: Moves the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council under the aegis of the Executive branch of state government; currently it is under the Judiciary - Authored By: Sen. John Wiles of the 37th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Modified-Structured
SB 146 - Public Works Bidding; provide definitions; advertisement of contract opportunities
- BILL SUMMARY: A bill that amends Chapter 91 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to public works bidding. The bill provides for definitions, advertisement of contract opportunities, and specifications of such notices and advertisements. - Authored By: Sen. Mitch Seabaugh of the 28th - House Committee: State Institutions & Property - Rule: Open
SB 149 - Probate Court of Floyd County; office of judge; nonpartisan elections
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide for the nonpartisan election of the Probate Judge of Floyd County after January 1, 2008. - Authored By: Sen. Preston Smith of the 52nd - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Rule: Open
SB 157 - Gasoline Additives; provide for grants; E-85 gasoline for retail sale; define certain terms
- BILL SUMMARY: Current owners of E-85 (an ethanol/gasoline mixture composed of between 70-85% ethanol and between 30-15% gasoline that is used inflexible fuel vehicles) flexible fuel vehicles have very limited availability of E-85 at the pump in Georgia; further, those who are considering the purchase of an E-85 flexible fuel vehicle may base their decision, in part, on the availability of fuel at the pump. This bill facilitates and promotes the installation of E-85 motor fuel storage and dispensing equipment around the State of Georgia by establishing a grant program that would provide incentives of up to $20,000 or 33.3% of the planned cost of the project, whichever is less, to retail sales establishments to install such equipment, subject to the satisfaction of certain criteria. If such criteria are not satisfied, the grant would default to a loan. The program would return a substantial benefit to the state by promoting the investment of private capital to install pumping equipment that would ultimately provide improved air quality through the reduction of combustion of gasoline in motor vehicles and reduced dependence on foreign petroleum supplies. Finally, with two planned large ethanol production facilities coming to Georgia, this program would enable Georgians to utilize Georgia-produced ethanol. - Authored By: Sen. Ross Tolleson of the 20th - House Committee: Natural Resources & Environment - Rule: Open

SB 165 - Agricultural Commodity Commissions; ratification of commissions; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill codifies certain agricultural commodity commissions (soybeans, canola, pecans, corn and vegetables) formerly created by rulemaking of the Georgia Department of Agriculture under the Agricultural Commodity Commission Act. In doing so, those commodity commissions would become public corporations under this bill. - Authored By: Sen. John Bulloch of the 11th - House Committee: Agriculture & Consumer Affairs - Rule: Open
SB 177 - Superior Courts; Pike County in Griffin Circuit; change certain terms of court
- BILL SUMMARY: Bill changes the term of the Pike County Superior Court to the third Monday in April and October. The current term is April and November. - Authored By: Sen. Ronnie Chance of the 16th - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Open
SB 182 - Torts; asbestos/silica claims; change provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: Defines "Asbestos claim" as any claim for damages, losses, indemnification, contribution, loss of consortium, or other relief related in any way to the health effects of exposure to asbestos, including but not limited to: Any claim for personal injury or death; mental or emotional injury; risk or fear of disease or other injury; the costs of medical monitoring or surveillance; or damage or loss caused by the installation, presence, or removal of asbestos; and Any claim made by or on behalf of an exposed person, or based on that person's exposure to asbestos, including a representative, spouse, parent, child or other relative of the exposed person. An asbestos claim shall NOT mean a claim brought under: A worker's compensation law administered by this state to provide benefits for occupational diseases or injuries or for disability or death caused by such occupational diseases or injuries; The Federal Employers' Liability Act; The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act; or The Federal Employees Compensation Act. The level of prima facie evidence required differs depending on when the injury occurred; either before April 12, 2005, or after May 1, 2007. The prima facie evidence requirements are much more stringent for those claims filed on or after May 1, 2007. All asbestos and silica claims filed on or after May 1, 2007, must include identifying information for the person filing the claim, the specific location of the alleged exposure, the product to which the person was exposed and beginning and ending dates of each alleged exposure. This bill does NOT allow class action lawsuits in asbestos or silica cases. Civil actions alleging asbestos or silica injuries or diseases may only be brought in a Georgia court if the plaintiff is a Georgia resident at the time of filing the action or if the exposure to the asbestos or silica on which the claim is based occurred in Georgia. Code Section 51-15-4 states that the cumulative successor asbestos related liabilities of a corporation are limited to the fair market value of the total gross assets of the transferor determined at the time of the merger or consolidation. Section 1 of this bill will become effective on May 1, 2007, and will apply to certain accrued or future accruing asbestos or silica claims where trial has not yet begun as of that date, in accordance with its terms. Section 2 of this bill will become effective on May 1, 2007, and will apply to asbestos claims that accrued or may accrue on or after that date. - Authored By: Sen. John Wiles of the 37th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Modified-Structured
SB 203 - Secondary Metals Recyclers; public utilities/transportation; increased penalties
- BILL SUMMARY: A secondary metals recycler can be convicted of theft by taking, theft by conversion, or theft by receiving stolen property; the person who sold the recycler the metals can be convicted of theft by taking, theft by conversion, or theft by receiving stolen property, or criminal damage to property in the first degree The court shall order either person so convicted to make restitution including attorney's fees, court costs and other expenses to the recycler or lawful owner as appropriate. A person selling secondary metals or a secondary metals recycler in violation of OCGA 10-1-357 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor unless the value of the metal in its original and undamaged condition plus any costs incurred, or which would be incurred, in repairing the damaged property exceeds $500 in the aggregate then that person would be punished as for a felony. Conviction would carry a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment from 1-5 years or both. Adds to the penalties for theft by taking, deception, conversion, of services, lost or mislaid property, receiving stolen property, receiving stolen property from another state or bringing stolen property into this state to provide that if the property was ferrous metal or regulated metal property and the aggregate amount exceeds $500 the punishment will include imprisonment for 1-5 years and/or a fine of up to $5000 or both - Authored By: Sen. Seth Harp of the 29th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Open

SB 220 - Warehousemen; agricultural warehouse receipt requirements, obtaining printed forms, electronic receipts; change provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill proposes to modernize the way printed receipts are handled with respect to warehousemen. Under current law, a printed copy of a warehouse receipt is required. With the advent of technology, the process of printing warehouse receipts has been made obsolete, yet the requirement still exists and warehousemen find compliance with existing law overly burdensome. This bill would eliminate such burden and allow for receipts to be processed with electronic devices. - Authored By: Sen. John Bulloch of the 11th - House Committee: Agriculture & Consumer Affairs - Rule: Open
SB 237 - Architecture; establish minimum training requirements to qualify for certification; Georgia State Board of Architects and Interior Designers
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill: Requires the Georgia State Board of Architects to post all current laws, rules, regulations and standards of conduct relating to the practice of architecture in this state on the board's website as well as to provide notification and individual notices of recent changes. Amends qualifications necessary for obtaining a certificate of registration so as to enable architects licensed in other states to be recognized in Georgia. Increases the penalty for practicing architecture without a proper license. - Authored By: Sen. Eric Johnson of the 1st - House Committee: Regulated Industries - Rule: Open
SB 275 - Agriculture Commissioner; provide a date certain for rules/regulations to establish criminal violations
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill will add a new code section 2-2-9.2, to provide a date certain for rules and regulations for criminal violations within the Department of Agriculture. By adding a date for January 1, 2007, the rules and regulations pertaining to criminal violations will limit the possibility of loop holes in the current code section. - Authored By: Sen. John Bulloch of the 11th - House Committee: Agriculture & Consumer Affairs - Rule: Open
SB 282 - Highway System; alternative tourism routes; creation
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill provides for the creation of alternative tourism routes that are a part of the state highway system that traverse the state and pass through or in close proximity to historic sites or tourist attractions in the state. Interstate highways, that traverse the state, will not be eligible for such designation. The initial alternative routes will be U.S. Highway 27 and U.S. Highway 441. The State Board of Transportation will consult with the Department of Economic Development (department), county governing authorities, and historical sites and tourist attractions in the selection of additional routes. The department will promote such routes and attractions along such routes to the motoring public. The department will, within five years of the designation of an alternative tourism route, construct within 20 miles of the state line on each end of such route a welcome center. - Authored By: Sen. Jeff Mullis of the 53rd - House Committee: Transportation - Rule: Open
SR 68 - William H. "Sonny Boy" Skipper Maintenance Headquarters; dedicate
- BILL SUMMARY: A resolution dedicating the Georgia Department of Transportation Long County Maintenance Headquarters to William H "Sonny Boy" Skipper in memory of the outstanding public service he made. The Long County Maintenance Headquarters shall be known as the William H "Sonny Boy" Skipper Maintenance Headquarters. - Authored By: Sen. Tommie Williams of the 19th - House Committee: State Institutions & Property - Rule: Open
SR 87 - Human Resources, Dept.; urged to name district health office building at Northwest Georgia Regional Hospital in honor of Dr. Raymond F. Corpe
- BILL SUMMARY: A resolution that urges the Georgia Department of Human Resources to name the district health office building to be built at Northwest Georgia Regional Hospital in honor of Dr. Raymond F. Corpe. - Authored By: Sen. Preston W. Smith of the 52nd - House Committee: State Institutions & Property - House Committee Passed: 3/29/2007 - Rule: Open

SR 357 - Major Byron S. McGuire, Sr. Memorial Bridge; dedicating
- BILL SUMMARY: Dedicates the Major Byron S. McGuire, Sr. Memorial Bridge. - Authored By: Sen. Jim Whitehead, Sr. of the 24th - House Committee: Transportation - Rule: Open
* The Rules Committee will next meet on Tuesday, April 17, at 09:00 AM, to set the Rules Calendar for the 39th Legislative Day.
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COMMITTEE ACTION REPORT
Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications
HR 205 - House Study Committee on Cellular Phone Contract, Billing, and Rebate Practices; create
- BILL SUMMARY: Creates the House Study Committee on Cellular Phone Contract, Billing, and Rebate Practices. The committee would be charged with investigating the contract, billing, and rebate practices of the cellular industry in Georgia, how it affects the citizens of this state, and other related issues. The committee would be composed of five members of the House of Representatives presently serving on the House Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications all of whom would be appointed by the Speaker of the House. The chair of the committee would be designated by the Speaker and the chair would call all meetings. The committee would be allotted 5 meeting days. If the committee makes a report of its findings and recommendations with suggestions for legislation, the report shall be made on or before December 31, 2007. The committee stands abolished on December 31, 2007. - Authored By: Rep. Bob Smith of the 113th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Governmental Affairs
SB 71 - Special Elections; questions to the voters shall be held on certain dates
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill establishes the times a special election can be held to present a question to the voters. Those times are as follows: (A) In odd-numbered years, any such special election shall only be held on: (i) The third Tuesday in March; or (ii) The Tuesday after the first Monday in November; and (B) In even-numbered years, any such special election shall only be held on: (i) The date of and in conjunction with the presidential preference primary if one is held that year; (ii) The date of the general primary; or (iii) The Tuesday after the first Monday in November. - Authored By: Sen. Tommie Williams of the 19th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
SB 83 - Municipalities; change certain local government provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill provides for an orderly process for the transfer of county property used for municipal services to a newly incorporated city. - Authored By: Sen. Dan Weber of the 40th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
SB 174 - Public Officers/Employees; development of medical/physical fitness standards; appointment of medical review board
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill provides for the development of medical and physical fitness standards for persons employed in positions in state government. These standards will be established by a medical review board comprised of five doctors appointed by the commissioner of personnel management. - Authored By: Sen. Johnny Grant of the 25th - Committee Action: Do Pass
SB 175 - State Government; clarify meaning of criminal action; replace Dept. of Administrative Services with Office of Treasury/Fiscal Services
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill changes certain general provisions relative to insuring and indemnification of state officers and employees, so as to clarify the meaning of criminal action; to amend Part 12 of Article 4 of Chapter 3 of Title 46 of the O.C.G.A., relating to dissolution of electric membership corporations, so as to replace "Department of Administrative Services" with "Office of

Treasury and Fiscal Services" where such term appears in certain Code sections; to amend Part 1 of Article 3 of Chapter 5 of Title 50 of the O.C.G.A., relating to general authority, duties, and procedures for state purchasing, so as to modify certain duties and provisions relating to state purchasing. - Authored By: Sen. Johnny Grant of the 25th - Committee Action: Do Pass
SB 193 - Local Government; employment benefits for county employees; general provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill provides that if a county governing authority provides group health, life, disability, and liability insurance, retirement or pension coverage, social security and employment security coverage, and other similar or related employment benefits for county employees, such benefits must be offered to the sheriff, judge of probate court, clerk of superior court, full time magistrate judge, tax receiver, tax collector, and tax commissioner on the same terms and conditions as other county employees. - Authored By: Sen. Jeff Mullis of the 53rd - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
SB 264 - Elections/Primaries; qualify for a party's nomination/run for public office; provide certain requirements
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill provides that an individual that was sentenced to incarceration for more than 30 days in a proceeding resulting in a dishonorable or bad conduct military discharge shall not be qualified for public office. - Authored By: Sen. John Wiles of the 37th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Health & Human Services
HR 790 - House Study Committee on Chronic Kidney Disease; create
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution would create the House Study Committee on Chronic Kidney Disease. The measure provides for composition and duties, and tasks the Committee with determining appropriate measures to combat chronic kidney disease. - Authored By: Rep. Gene Maddox of the 172nd - Committee Action: Do Pass
SB 60 - Georgia Trauma Commission; establish
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would set up the Georgia Trauma Commission, a key recommendation of the Joint Comprehensive Trauma System Study Committee (2006). The bill provides for the composition, duties, and powers of the Commission as well as mandating the Commission's mission of coordinating and improving the state's existing trauma systems, and eventually creating an integrated trauma network. The Commission would have the authority to devise a means to reimburse providers for trauma care as well as appropriate money from the Trauma Fund to achieve various ends, with the long term goal of bringing deaths from traumatic injuries to parity with the national average in this state. - Authored By: Sen. Cecil Staton of the 18th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Higher Education
HR 668 - House Study Committee on Medical Education; create
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution creates a House Study Committee on Medical Education to study the medical education system and identify ways to expand residency and clinical training as well as increase the number of medical students in Georgia. - Authored By: Rep. Barry Fleming of the 117th - Committee Action: Do Pass
SR 125 - Lottery Funds; reserved only for the HOPE Scholarship Program CA
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution proposes a Constitutional amendment to protect lottery funds for the use of HOPE scholarship and Pre-K only. - Authored By: Sen. Joseph Carter of the 13th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 776 - Floyd County; Hospital Authority; filling vacancies; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide for the filling of vacancies in the membership of the Floyd County Hospital Authority. - Authored By: Rep. Katie Dempsey of the 13th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 827 - Pickens County; board of elections and registration; change provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide for the appointment and terms of the members of the Pickens County Board of Elections and Registration. - Authored By: Rep. Tom Graves of the 12th - Committee Action: Do Pass
HB 828 - Banks County; North Georgia Technical College; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide that Banks County shall cease to be located within the Lanier Technical College service delivery area and shall be located within the North Georgia Technical College service delivery area. - Authored By: Rep. Jeanette Jamieson of the 28th - Committee Action: Do Pass
HB 830 - Buford, City of; Redevelopment Powers Law; authorize
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to authorize the City of Buford to exercise all Redevelopment Powers under the State Constitution's Redevelopment Powers Law pending a local referendum to approve the authorization. - Authored By: Rep. Bobby Reese of the 98th - Committee Action: Do Pass
HB 834 - Forsyth County Civil Service System Act; application; exempt certain employees
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to exempt employees of the Probate Court of Forsyth County and Forsyth County Pre-Trial Services from the Forsyth County Civil Service System. - Authored By: Rep. Tom Knox of the 24th - Committee Action: Do Pass
HB 847 - Oconee County; Board of Commissioners; members; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide staggered terms for the members of the board of commissioners of Oconee County pending a local referendum. - Authored By: Rep. Bob Smith of the 113th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Judiciary
SB 94 - Dispossessory Proceedings; clarify the process for judgments by defaults
- BILL SUMMARY: Bill amends Chapter 7 of Title 44, relating to default judgments in dispossessory proceedings, by removing the requirement that a default judgment be awarded in open court. Bill further defines non-refundable fee so as to separate it from a security deposit. - Authored By: Sen. John Wiles of the 37th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Judiciary Non-Civil
SB 1 - Sexual Offenders; unlawful to photograph minors; provide penalties
- BILL SUMMARY: Makes it unlawful for a sex offender registered pursuant to OCGA 42-1-12 to photograph a minor with an indecent purpose. Punishes a violation as a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature. - Authored By: Sen. Eric Johnson of the 1st - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
SB 40 - Elections; fraudulent acts; increase penalties
- BILL SUMMARY: Punishes as a felony any fraudulent activity related to absentee voting. Any person convicted of false registration, fraudulent entries, interference with primaries and elections generally, intimidation of electors, influencing an elector while assisting, voting by an unqualified elector, voting in more than one precinct, voting by an unqualified elector, or frauds by poll workers including permitting unqualified or unregistered persons to vote shall be guilty of a felony and subject to one to ten years in prison, a fine not to exceed $100,000.00 or both. - Authored By: Sen. Cecil Staton of the 18th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 249 - Sexual Offender Registration Review Board; register with sheriff of any county where offender resides
- BILL SUMMARY: Changes definitions related to the requirement for sex offender registration. Disallows registration of a vehicle as an address. Adds to the definition of "child care facility" that it shall not include private in-home day care which is not licensed by the state. Reinstates the requirement that sex offenders register with the sheriff of their home county and the county where they work and/or are enrolled at an institution of higher education. This is a federal requirement per the "Adam Walsh Child Protection Safety Act of 2006." Requires that sex offenders' palm prints be included in identifying information. Requires that the Department of Corrections notify the sheriff of the county where the offender intends to reside that the offender will reside in that county at least 30 days prior to the offender's release. Allows the sheriff to electronically submit and update information regarding sexual offenders in their counties. Any identifying information of victims of sexual crimes will not be subject to disclosure by the Sexual Offender Registration Review Board but will be subject to subpoena by a court of competent jurisdiction. The Sexual Offender Registration Review Board may close a meeting related to risk classification if it determines that receiving the information in an open meeting would post a risk to a witness all votes will be taken in open meetings and recorded in the minutes of the Board. Would prevent any registered sex offender from volunteering within 1000 feet of a school, church or area where minors congregate and would measure the 1000 foot restriction with regard to work restrictions based upon the area where the offender is actually working. - Authored By: Sen. Jim Whitehead, Sr. of the 24th - Committee Action: Do Pass
SB 258 - Controlled Substances; ban sale of marijuana/hemp flavored candy; provide for penalties
- BILL SUMMARY: Prohibits the sale, distribution, delivery, or display of marijuana or hemp flavored candy. Punishes the sale, distribution, delivery or display as a misdemeanor for a first offense and as a felony with one to five years imprisonment or a fine from $1000.00 to $5000.00 or both. - Authored By: Sen. Vincent Fort of the 39th - Committee Action: Tabled
SB 272 - Agricultural/Forest Products; limited liability for owners/operators of farms offering agritourism under certain circumstances
- BILL SUMMARY: Limits the liability for owners and operators of farm offering agritourism activities. Does not limit liability if: Equipment used by the "tourist" is faulty; The owner/operator does not make reasonable efforts to determine the ability of the "tourist" to participate in activities or exercise ordinary care for the participant's safety; Allowed a "tourist" to interact with an animal without first making reasonable efforts to determine that the "tourist" knew the risks of such interaction. Requires agritourism owner/operators to post signs with warnings as to the issues of equipment, abilities of "tourists" to participate safely, and animal handling. Failure to comply will result in the owner/operator losing the privilege of immunity. - Authored By: Sen. John Bulloch of the 11th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
SB 295 - Controlled Substances; active chemical ingredient in hallucinogenic plant Salvia divinorum A; unlawful to knowingly produce and manufacture
- BILL SUMMARY: Makes it unlawful to knowingly produce, manufacture, distribute, possess or possess with intent to produce the chemical Salvinorin A. This does not apply to any dosage legally obtainable without a prescription as recognized by the Food and Drug Administration as a homeopathic drug. This also does not prohibit possessing, planting, cultivating, growing or harvesting the plant Salvia divinorum for landscaping or decorative purposes. The Code section does not apply to employees or contractors of a college or school or medicine or pharmacy while performing medical or pharmacological research. A violation will be punished as a misdemeanor. - Authored By: Sen. John Bulloch of the 11th - Committee Action: Tabled
Legislative & Congressional Reapportionment
SB 232 - Court Reports; remove requirement of publishing a volume of rules from the definition of reports
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would allow for the rules of various courts (GA Supreme, Court of Appeals, Unified Appeals, Uniform Transfer Rules, Judifical Qualifications Commission, the Code of Judicial Conduct, Rules of the Bar, Sentence Review Panel, Bar Admissions, ect.) to be published on the internet in electronic form. - Authored By: Sen. Preston Smith of the 52nd - Committee Action: Do Pass

Public Safety and Homeland Security
SB 202 - Mattie's Call Act; revise/redesignate Article 7
- BILL SUMMARY: A bill that amends Chapter 3 of Title 38 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to emergency management. This will revise and redesignate Article 7. Article 7 relates to state-wide alert systems for missing disables adults and for unapprehended murder or rape suspects. New articles will be added in Chapter 3 of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The new article will be known as "Mattie's Call Act". - Authored By: Sen. Chip Rogers of the 21st - Committee Action: Do Pass
SB 290 - Georgia Aviation Authority Act; create
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill will amend Title 6 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to aviation, so as to create the "Georgia Aviation Authority". The bill will provide for a short title, definitions, membership, governance, powers, duties, and administrative attachment of the authority. The general purpose of the authority shall be to acquire, operate, maintain, house, and dispose of all state aviation assets. Also, the bill will amend Code Section 32-2-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the powers and duties of the Department of Transportation. This will remove provisions relative to the authority of the department with respect to the state aircraft. Lastly, the bill will amend Chapter 19 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state government transportation services, so as to repeal Article 2, the "Air Transportation Act", relating to the powers and duties of the Department of Transportation with respect to state air transportation. - Authored By: Sen. Bill Heath of the 31st - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Regulated Industries
HR 720 - House Study Committee on the Funeral Service Profession; create
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution creates a House Study Committee to undertake a study of the issues present in the funeral services such as facility operations and management, compliance with federal standards and other regulations. - Authored By: Rep. Chuck Sims of the 169th - Committee Action: Do Pass as Amended
SB 178 - Pharmacy, State Board of; mails/common carriers; prescription drug; shall not be grounds for sanctioning license of pharmacist
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill allows the sale, distribution and delivery of prescription drugs under certain circumstances to patients, their guardians or physicians via mail or career services. Some of the circumstances in which this service is allowed involve: Prescription drugs for complex, terminal or rare conditions, Prescription drugs that require special administration, patient training, or safety monitoring requirements, Special packaging and shipping requirements or temperature sensitive storage and handling, Drugs that are not generally carried by regular retail pharmacies, Prescription drugs that have a yearly retail value to the patient of more than $6,000, The patient's consent to the delivery of the prescription drugs by the expedited overnight career to the specialty pharmacy to be accepted on patient's behalf. This bill also requires the specialty pharmacies to properly utilize temperature tags, time temperature strips and insulated packaging as well as to establish and notify the patient or the appropriate party of the policies and procedures that address problems with delivery of drugs and consequent provisions of such medications. - Authored By: Sen. Don Balfour of the 9th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Retirement
SB 161 - Retirement; disability benefits; physical exam done at convenient place of beneficiary; delete provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill revises provisions relating to the handling of medical examinations for individuals who are receiving disability benefits under the Employees' Retirement System but who have not yet attained retirement age. This legislation also changes the method for calculating disability retirement benefits for individuals who first or again become members of the ERS on or after July 1, 2007 and become eligible for the disability retirement and workers' compensation benefits. Under this method, the disability benefits will be adjusted so that the combined benefits do not exceed the member's salary at the time of the disability. - Authored By: Sen. Bill Heath of the 31st - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute

* Bills passing committees are reported to the Clerk's Office, and are then placed on the General Calendar.
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COMMITTEE BROADCAST SCHEDULE

9:00 AM 10:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 1:00 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM 5:00 PM

RULES

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Environmental Quality Subcommittee - CANCELLED

Health Professions Subcommittee

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

341 CAP 506 CLOB 506 CLOB or Upon Adjournment 403 CAP

* 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 Meeting Notices. To view the live streaming video of the meeting, please visit the Georgia Legislative Network website.
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CONTACT: BRENT CRANFIELD
(404) 656-0305 Brent.Cranfield@house.ga.gov