Daily report [Apr. 24, 2007]

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

TOMORROW'S FORECAST
* The House has adjourned "Sine Die" for the 1st Regular Session of the
149th Georgia General Assembly.

GGEEOORRGGIIAAHHOOUUSSEE OOFF RREEPPRREESSEENNTTAATTIIVVEESS

DAILY REPORT

TTuueessddaayy,,AApprriill 2244,, 22000077
TODAY ON THE FLOOR

4400tthh LLeeggiissllaattiivvee DDaayy

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT
HB 95 - General appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2008
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill provides appropriated sums of money for the State Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2007, and ending June 30, 2008. The funding will be used for the operation of the State government, its departments, boards, bureaus, commissions, institutions, and other agencies. Further, it provides funding for the university system, common schools, counties, municipalities, political subdivisions and for all other governmental activities, projects and undertakings authorized by law. - Authored By: Rep. Glenn Richardson of the 19th - House Committee: Appropriations - Yeas: 180; Nays: 0 - Adoption of the conference committee report represents final passage of this bill.
HB 219 - Certain local sales and use tax; motor fuels; prepayments; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 219 provides for local prepaid motor fuel taxes to be collected in the same manner as state prepaid motor fuel taxes. The bill provides that the same prices set out in the section on prepaid taxes at the state level shall be used to compute the prepaid tax rate for local jurisdictions by multiplying such price by the applicable rate imposed by the jurisdiction. This price is the statewide average retail price by motor fuel type as compiled by the Energy Information Agency of the US Department of Energy, the Oil Pricing Information Service, or a similar reliable published index less taxes impose by the first motor fuel tax. The bill also adds a new paragraph to the code section on refunds of motor fuel taxes which provides for a credit or refund in the case when a distributor purchases motor fuel that the prepaid tax was imposed on (pursuant to the code section that imposes the second local motor fuel tax), and then sells such fuel to a governmental entity that is totally or partially exempt from the tax. The amount of the credit is the prepaid sales tax rate multiplied by the gallons of motor fuel purchased by the exempt entity. - Authored By: Rep. Richard A Royal of the 171st - House Committee: Ways & Means - Yeas: 154; Nays: 2 - Adoption of the conference committee report represents final passage of this bill.
HB 225 - State income tax; certain college savings plans; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 225 removes certain requirements for deducting contributions to certain college savings plans, beginning in 2007. The bill removes the requirement that the beneficiary must be claimed as a dependent on the Georgia income tax return of the beneficiary's parents or guardians. It also removes the maximum federal adjusted gross income amounts, and the requirement that the parent or guardian be the account owner of the designated beneficiary's account. - Authored By: Rep. Richard A Royal of the 171st - House Committee: Ways & Means - Yeas: 153; Nays: 0 - Adoption of the conference committee report represents final passage of this bill.
HB 445 - Bona fide conservation use property; buffers adjacent to rivers; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: The purpose of HB 445 is to clarify the intent of legislation that was passed last year. This legislation

was passed to allow charitable institutions that are exempt from ad valorem taxation produce income on their property so long as that income is used for the operation of the charitable institution. This was to allow Goodwill and Salvation Army stores, for example, to have retail stores on their property which generate income. Private companies have begun transferring large amounts of timberland into charitable trusts to take advantage of this exemption, which was not the intent of the legislation. This bill will prohibit these companies from taking advantage of this exemption by limiting the acreage on which such properties are located to 15 acres. - Authored By: Rep. Richard A Royal of the 171st - House Committee: Ways & Means - Yeas: 126; Nays: 1 - Adoption of the conference committee report represents final passage of this bill.
MOTIONS TO INSIST
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 - House Committee: Appropriations - A motion to insist sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.
HB 148 - Sales and use tax; aquariums; provide exemption
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 148 changes the effective dates of the sales tax exemption on sales of tangible personal property to, or used in construction of aquariums in Georgia that are owned or operated by a non-profit organization. The current dates in the code are "from the effective date of this paragraph" until January 1, 2007. This bill changes the dates to June 4, 2003 through January 1, 2011. This bill also provides that the exempt construction related sales may include expansion related sales to aquariums. The bill adds language clarifying that the exemption will apply only to aquariums in this state, which would be the Georgia Aquarium, and not to out of state aquariums that may purchase materials in Georgia, such as the Tennessee Aquarium. The fiscal impact is expected to be a decrease of $4 million in state revenues over fiscal years 2007 through 2011, and a decrease of $4 million in local government revenues over the same period. - Authored By: Rep. Mark Burkhalter of the 50th - House Committee: Ways & Means - A motion to insist sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.
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 E. Martin of the 47th - House Committee: Ways & Means - A motion to insist sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.
HB 186 - Sales and use tax; certain alternative fuel facilities; five year exemption
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 186 creates a sales tax exemption for sales of tangible property to, or used in or for the new construction of, a new alternative fuel facility in Georgia which is dedicated to the production and processing of ethanol, biodiesel, and butanol, when such fuels are derived from biomass materials. Biomass materials may include agricultural products, animal fats, or the wastes of such products or fats. The term "used in or for the construction" means when tangible personal property loses its character of tangible personal property when it is incorporated into a new facility. The term does not mean tangible personal property that is temporary in nature, leased or rented, tools, or other items not incorporated into the facility. The exemption will apply to sales occurring during the period July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2009. The bill specifies that the exemption applies when construction of the facility has begun on or after the effective date of this bill. The bill will not apply to sales of tangible personal property that occur after the production and processing of biodiesel, ethanol, or butanol has begun at the facility. - Authored By: Rep. Jim Cole of the 125th

- House Committee: Ways & Means - A motion to insist sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.
HB 208 - School councils; parent members; majority; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends Code Section 20-2-86 of the O.C.G.A. relating to the operation of school councils. The bill changes the language so that the parent members make up a majority on the school council and that the chairman is to be a parent member. - Authored By: Rep. Jan Jones of the 46th - House Committee: Education - A motion to insist sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.
HB 214 - Jekyll Island - State Park Authority; renewal of property lease; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: A bill relating to Jekyll Island a State Park Authority and the renewal lease to the authority. This will extend the existence of the authority consistent with such lease renewal to provide for legislative oversight of the authority. The lease will be extended 50 years in addition to the remainder 42 years. Jekyll Island will be taken out of the Recreation Oversight Committee and put into its own oversight committee. The bill gives Jekyll Island Authority certain administrative procedures to follow. Lastly, the bill plans to give the Jekyll Island Authority sales tax exemption. - Authored By: Rep. Terry Barnard of the 166th - House Committee: State Institutions & Property - A motion to insist sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.
HB 233 - Long-term Care Facility Resident Abuse Reporting Act; change definition
- BILL SUMMARY: Adds to the definition of the term "exploitation" in Code Sections 30-5-3 and 31-8-81 to include the improper use of a disabled or elder person's resources and/or property through undue influence, coercion, harassment, duress, deception, false representation, false pretense, or other similar means - Authored By: Rep. David Ralston of the 7th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - A motion to insist sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.
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 - House Committee: Ways & Means - A motion to insist sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.
HB 451 - Georgia Tourism Development Act; enact
- BILL SUMMARY: The purpose of HB 451 is the promotion and development of tourism attractions in Georgia. The bill provides that companies seeking to undertake a tourism attraction project (real estate acquisitions, construction, utilities installation) may be granted a sales and use tax refund for state and local sales taxes generated by or arising at the tourism attraction. "Tourism attractions" may include cultural or historic sites, recreation or entertainment facilities, areas of natural phenomenon or beauty, convention hotels and conference centers, race tracks with lodging, and golf facilities with lodging. "Tourism attractions" may not include facilities primarily devoted to retail sales, shopping centers, restaurants, movie theaters, performing arts facilities, Georgia crafts and project centers, or recreational facilities that are not likely to draw overnight guests in commercial lodging facilities. The bill provides for the commissioner of economic development to establish standards for the filing of applications for tourism attraction projects by administrative regulations, and specifies what must be included in applications filed with this department. Such applications must include marketing plans, description and location of the project, capital and other anticipated expenditures and anticipated sources of funding, business plans indicating the average number of days per year the project will be in operation, and anticipated revenues to be generated. Approval may be granted if the project shall attract at least 50% of its visitors from out of state residents, will have approved costs in excess of $25 million, will have a positive impact on Georgia tax revenues (after refunds), will produce sufficient revenues and public demand to be operating at least 250 days per year, and will not adversely impact existing employment in Georgia. Upon approval of the application, the terms of the agreement between the company and the Department of Economic Development which grants the refund shall be ten years, and the total sales tax refund allowed over the term of the agreement is equal to the lesser of the total amount of sales tax liability of the approved company and its lessees or 25% of the approved costs for the project. The terms of such agreement must also include the projected amount of approved

costs and the date the company will have completed the project and begun operations. "Tourism attractions" may include cultural or historic sites, recreation or entertainment facilities, areas of natural phenomenon or beauty, convention hotels and conference centers, race tracks with lodging, and golf facilities with lodging. "Tourism attractions" may not include facilities primarily devoted to retail sales, shopping centers, restaurants, movie theaters, performing arts facilities, Georgia crafts and project centers, or recreational facilities that are not likely to draw overnight guests in commercial lodging facilities. - Authored By: Rep. Jeff Lewis of the 15th - House Committee: Ways & Means - A motion to insist sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.
HB 445 - Bona fide conservation use property; buffers adjacent to rivers; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: The purpose of HB 445 is to clarify the intent of legislation that was passed last year. This legislation was passed to allow charitable institutions that are exempt from ad valorem taxation produce income on their property so long as that income is used for the operation of the charitable institution. This was to allow Goodwill and Salvation Army stores, for example, to have retail stores on their property which generate income. Private companies have begun transferring large amounts of timberland into charitable trusts to take advantage of this exemption, which was not the intent of the legislation. This bill will prohibit these companies from taking advantage of this exemption by limiting the acreage on which such properties are located to 15 acres. - Authored By: Rep. Richard A Royal of the 171st - House Committee: Ways & Means - A motion to insist sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.
HB 463 - Soil erosion and sedimentation; exemptions; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill seeks to clarify certain provisions of the erosion and sedimentation education and certification requirements passed in HB 285 (Passed in 2003), which expanded the number of individuals required to take the new course and exam. The new education and certification requirements became effective January 1, 2007. This standard not only applies to the permitee (Prime Contractor), but also applies to all persons involved in land-disturbing activity on the site (plumbers, electricians, graders, and others) who are under contract and operational control of the prime contractor.
A segment of the contracting community appears to be unaware of these new education and certification requirements, and some subcontractors who have been advised of the new requirements may not have had adequate time to comply. Some local issuing authorities have used the subcontractor's lack of compliance with this new certification as a basis to issue a stop work order for the entire construction site, even though the prime contractor (the party that is held accountable for permit violations) had the appropriate certification. In addition, some local issuing authorities have interpreted minor land-disturbing activity, such as a basic plumbing repair (the digging of a small hole) for a leaking pipe on single family home, to be covered under this law.
This legislation proposes some relief by directing the DNR Board to prescribe by rule or regulation what constitutes a minor land-disturbing activity, and by clarifying that subcontractors are not required to meet the training and certification requirements if they are under the operational control of a prime contractor who meets the operator training and certification requirements. If the subcontractor is not under the operational control of a prime contractor who is certified and participating in land-disturbing activities on a covered site, then such subcontractor must meet the training and certification requirements. Additionally, beaver dam removal has been added among the items deemed to be a minor land-disturbing activity. Finally, the bill would allow persons authorized as instructors to also administer the certification exam. - Authored By: Rep. Tom McCall of the 30th - House Committee: Natural Resources & Environment - A motion to insist sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.
HB 486 - County tax commissioners; compensation; additional duties; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: Currently, county tax commissioners can be hired by municipalities to collect municipal taxes. A fee is given to the county for this service, and tax commissioners are compensated by the county for their service, but these county tax commissioners may also enter into a separate contract to receive compensation above what the county is being paid. HB 486 allows the county to set the compensation for that tax commissioner, so that there is only one contract between the county and the municipality rather than two contracts, by eliminating the possibility of another contract between the county tax commissioner and the municipality. - Authored By: Rep. Wendell Willard of the 49th - House Committee: Ways & Means - A motion to insist sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.
HB 559 - Health insurance; charter school teachers and employees; provisions

- BILL SUMMARY: This bill relates to health insurance plans for teachers and other school personnel in elementary and secondary education, so as to provide for teachers and employees of charter schools to be considered employees for purposes of participating in the health insurance plans for teachers and other school personnel. - Authored By: Rep. Margaret D. Kaiser of the 59th - House Committee: Education - A motion to insist sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.
HB 587 - Gas; public convenience and necessity certificates; provide for revocation
- BILL SUMMARY: Amends article 2 of Chapter 4 of Title 46 by adding a new subsection to Code Section 46-4-28. The new section (a.1) states that any certificate issued under this article shall be revoked or amended by the Public Service Commission upon application to the commission by a person to provided natural gas to customers who have requested natural gas service if the holder of the certificate has failed to begin construction or operation of any pipeline, or distribution system, or any extension thereof in substantially all of the territory covered by such certificate. The Commission shall determine whether the applicant shall be entitled to a certificate for the territory that has been excluded from the certificate or whether the territory should be re-issued to the person who held the certificate at the time of application. This determination shall be made within 90 days of the application and shall consider factors such as whether the applicant can offer service at less cost in accordance with a commission approved line extension policy and other factors the commission deems in the public interest. The newly certified area shall be designed by the commission to serve the customers in question while ensuring a boundary with safety and public welfare as the focus. - Authored By: Rep. Jeff May of the 111th - House Committee: Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications - A motion to insist sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.
MOTIONS TO RECEDE
HB 81 - Salt water fishing; charter fishing guide and pier fishing licenses; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill comes from the findings and recommendations of a saltwater fishing guide work group facilitated and conducted by the Coastal Resources Division in 2006. The bill would define "salt water fishing guide," and salt water fishing pier," as well as make it unlawful for anyone to engage in the occupation of salt water fishing guide without holding a valid annual salt water fishing guide license. The fees for the license are $25 resident and $50 nonresident. The bill also creates an optional customer license that is available only to a salt water fishing guide who holds a USCG passenger vessel operator's license. Fees for the optional customer license would be: Resident, six or fewer customers - $150; Resident, unlimited customers - $400; non-residents, regardless of number of customers - $400. Finally, the bill authorizes the Department to use rule and regulations to specify information reporting requirements for salt water fishing guides and salt water fishing pier operators. - Authored By: Rep. Cecily Hill of the 180th - House Committee: Game, Fish, & Parks - A motion to recede represents final passage of this bill.
MOTIONS TO AGREE
HB 24 - Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care Act; enact
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 24, also known as, an Advance Directive for Healthcare, provides for a combination in the current provisions of a living will and a durable power of attorney of healthcare in one form. The proposed bill calls for a stronger focus on a patient's right to choose various options concerning the type of treatment and care they receive in a healthcare facility. - Authored By: Rep. Steve Tumlin of the 38th - House Committee: Judiciary - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 109 - County and municipality; consolidation; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill allows counties without any incorporated cities to function as consolidated governments. - Authored By: Rep. Ellis Black of the 174th - House Committee: Governmental Affairs - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 171 - Motor vehicles; scrap metal or parts; certificates of title; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 171 addresses and clarifies several conflicts in the Code regarding titles for end of life vehicles. Based on an affidavit system utilized by the state of New York, HB 171 would allow persons without a title to recycle an end of life vehicle (12 years of age or older, and worth $750 or less) for parts or scrap by filling out an affidavit which auto recyclers would submit to the Department of Revenue. Falsification of this document would be a felony punishable by 1-

3yrs in prison and a $1000-$5000 fine. - Authored By: Rep. Tom Rice of the 51st - House Committee: Motor Vehicles - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 181 - Public safety and judicial facilities authorities; bond indebtedness; provide limitations
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill requires public safety and judicial facilities authorities to seek approval via referendum before issuing bonded indebtedness and to itemize project priorities. - Authored By: Rep. Mike Jacobs of the 80th - House Committee: Governmental Affairs - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 229 - Education lottery; book allowances; fee payments; impose certain limitations
- BILL SUMMARY: House bill 229 will establish a true measure of decreasing lottery reserve funds prior to eliminating student funding. Under current law, students are in jeopardy of losing their book allowances if there is any decline in lottery funds for education. The legislation requires there to be an actual trend of less than 90% of a previous year-end budget before removing any funding currently issued to Hope Scholarship recipients. Under the new formula, during the first year all scholarships and grants for book allowances may not exceed $150.00 per academic year. If the trend continues the next year, such book stipends will be suspended entirely. Further more, if lottery funds remain in a declined state, mandatory institution fees will no longer be covered by the Hope Scholarship. This legislation does not affect students eligible for the federal Pell Grant program. - Authored By: Rep. Ben Harbin of the 118th - House Committee: Appropriations - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 313 - Georgia Correctional Industries Administration; certain inmate work programs; clarify
- BILL SUMMARY: A bill related to voluntary inmate labor programs. This bill will clarify that the Georgia Correctional Industries Administration has authority to administer and manage certain inmate work programs, and to publicize and invite employers to participate in such inmate work programs. - Authored By: Rep. Terry Barnard of the 166th - House Committee: State Institutions & Property - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 351 - Georgia Council for the Arts; Georgia Arts Trust; create; provide tax credit
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill creates the Georgia Arts Trust to foster public-private partnerships to support arts and tourism in Georgia, and which will receive and distribute funds to do so. It provides procedures for appointment of a board of trustees, and provides for the duties and responsibilities for this board. The bill provides for income tax credits equal to 50% of a taxpayers aggregate contributions to Georgia arts organizations, with a cap of $5,000 per year for individuals and $10,000 per year for corporations. - Authored By: Rep. Ron Stephens of the 164th - House Committee: Ways & Means - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 362 - Garden City, City of; create new charter
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide for the election by the mayor and the city council of the City of Garden City of a president of council who shall assume the duties of the mayor in the event that the mayor and the mayor pro tem are unavailable. - Authored By: Rep. Bob Bryant of the 160th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
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 - House Committee: Judiciary - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.

HB 380 - Tax collectors and commissioners; bill or notice mailing; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill addresses the problem of tax commissioners sending notices of delinquent taxes to new owners in the records of the county board of tax assessors, only when it is "technologically feasible". In many instances the new owner is not getting a copy of this notice until after it is late, and interest and penalties are being assessed. There have been many instances of commissioners claiming it was not technologically feasible to notify the new owner in a timely manner. This bill removes this "if technologically feasible" language so that the new owner must be notified. - Authored By: Rep. Calvin Hill of the 21st - House Committee: Ways & Means - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 391 - Cemeterians State Board; members qualifications; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill changes one of the requirements for becoming or serving as a member of the State Board of Cementerians. It requires a member to have a minimum of 5 years of experience as a cemeterian instead of requiring a member to be registered as a practicing cemeterian in Georgia for at least 5 years immediately preceding the appointment to the Board. - Authored By: Rep. Carl Rogers of the 26th - House Committee: Regulated Industries - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 394 - Emergency 9-1-1 system; change provisions; Wireless Communications Security Act; enact
- BILL SUMMARY: Creates the crime of unlawful conduct during 9-1-1 calls and punishes it as a misdemeanor with a fine of not more than $500 and up to 12 months in jail or both. Provides and amends definitions to account for changes in communications systems to include wireless phones and voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) systems. Provides that the 9-1-1 Advisory Committee will meet at least three times per year to determine recipients of grants, study and evaluate statewide 9-1-1 systems, identify any changes necessary to make the system more effective, make recommendations as to training and to provide an annual report to the Georgia General Assembly by December 1 of each year. Authorizes telephone service suppliers to collect a $1.50 charge per service provided per month on behalf of local governments but this does not apply to wireless service subscribers or providers of such services. Creates a new Code section (OCGA 465-134.2) to authorize wireless service providers to charge a fee to each subscriber to support the Emergency 9-1-1 Assistance Fund The wireless fee will be assessed as follows: 3% of the wholesale price divided by 0.7 of each block of prepaid wireless service; or 3% of the suggested retail price of each block of prepaid wireless service; or divide the total wireless revenue earned in a calendar month by $50.00 and multiply that number by $1.50 whichever is greater. Requires uniform training of at least 16 hours for directors of public safety answering points. - Authored By: Rep. John Lunsford of the 110th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 419 - Commercial drivers' licenses; definitions; issuance; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: Clarifies the meaning of "fire-fighting or emergency equipment vehicle" to coincide with the definition at OCGA 40-1-1 and to require that the vehicle must be equipped with audible and visible signals and be subject to traffic regulations in accord with OCGA 40-6-6; adds to the definition of "drive" that it include operation of a vehicle in any other state or foreign jurisdiction; adds to the definition of driving under the influence that it include both commercial and noncommercial motor vehicles and that it includes a violation of Georgia DUI law as well as the laws of any other state or foreign jurisdiction; redefines "hazardous materials" to mean any material designated hazardous by federal regulations. Defines "major traffic violation" to mean a conviction for any of the following: DUI; hit and run or failure to report an accident; any felony in which a motor vehicle is used; driving a commercial vehicle with a revoked, suspended, canceled or disqualified CDL or operating a vehicle with a revoked registration; homicide by vehicle; racing on highways or streets; using a motor vehicle to flee an officer; fraudulent use of a license; theft of property engaged in commercial transportation of cargo; refusing to submit to a state administered chemical test requested by law enforcement. Revises the meaning of "serious traffic violation" to include conviction under the laws of any other state or foreign jurisdiction, excluding homicide as defined in OCGA 40-6-393 and excluding violations where the person's CDL is revoked or suspended. CDLs will expire every five years current law provides that they expire every four years. A person will be disqualified from driving a commercial vehicle for one year for a first violation of a major traffic violation; disqualified for three years for a first violation in the commission of a felony or a major traffic violation and disqualified for life for any second or subsequent violation. Adds that a person will also be disqualified for life from driving a commercial vehicle if he knowingly uses the vehicle in the commission of any felony involving the sale or traffic in marijuana current law provides for a disqualification for "controlled substances;" this includes marijuana. Disqualifies a person from operating a commercial vehicle for violations of railroad grade crossing offenses. - Authored By: Rep. Johnny L. Floyd of the 147th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.

HB 429 - Georgia HIV Pregnancy Screening Act of 2007; enact
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would require care providers to screen pregnant women for HIV during prenatal care or immediately following delivery, unless the woman declines the test. - Authored By: Rep. Sharon Cooper of the 41st - House Committee: Health & Human Services - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 448 - Retirement; term life insurance; certain eligible persons; establish two funds
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill requires the State Employees' Assurance Department to split the existing group term life insurance fund into two separate funds: the Retired and Vested Inactive Members Trust Fund and the Active Members Fund, in order to put the law in compliance with the new accounting requirements. - Authored By: Rep. Ben Bridges of the 10th - House Committee: Retirement - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 469 - Public Charter Schools Act; enact
- BILL SUMMARY: Would amend Chapter 2 of Title 20 (OCGA) to enact the "Public Charter Schools Act" to authorize the establishment of "public charter schools" by "public charter school authorizers" and to provide for intervention by the State Board of Education in such actions. Section 2 - Proposes allowing creation of charter schools "that can partner with colleges and universities under the supervision and authority of the Board of Regents of the university System of Georgia." This section establishes "that entities other than the local boards of education should be allowed to authorize public charter schools to establish competition and to encourage innovative methods of education." Section 3 - Code Section 20-2-161 regarding the QBE funding formula would be amended by adding a new subsection (e.1) to deduct the total funding provided for public charter schools authorized by a public charter school authorizer to be deducted from the allotment of the local school system. Section 4 - Code Section 20-2-2062 regarding the definitions related to charter schools would be amended as follows: Paragraph (1) regarding the definition of "charter" as a contract between a local board or the state board and a charter petitioner, to include new language to include contracts "between a public charter school authorizer and a charter petitioner, the terms of which are approved by the public charter school authorizer and the state board." A new Paragraph (11.1) would be added to define a "public charter school" as one operating under the terms of a charter between the charter petitioner and a public school charter school authorizer. A new Paragraph (11.2) would be added to define a "public charter school authorizer" as (A) the elected governing authority of a county or municipality; (B) the board of trustees of the University System of Georgia; or (C) the State Board of Education. Section 5 - Code Section 20-2-2063 regarding minimum requirements for charter petitions would be amended by adding a new subsection (d) to direct the state board to establish rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to petitions to establish "public charter schools" and provide for the submission of such petitions to a "public charter school authorizer." Section 6 - A new Code Section 20-2-2063.1 would be added to establish detailed procedures and timelines for "public charter school authorizers" to approve petitions for "public charter schools." Section 7 - Code Section 20-2-2065 regarding operating requirements, control, and management of charter schools would be revised to make "public charter schools" accountable to the "public charter school authorizer." Section 8 - Code Section 20-2-2066 regarding admission, enrollment, and withdrawal of students by charter schools would have a new subsection (e) to establish how "public charter schools" would deal with these issues. Provisions are included regarding: Prohibiting tuition and discrimination; Limiting enrollment to residents of Georgia except foreign exchange students; and Grade structure including adult basic education programs, adult high school completion programs, and GED programs. Section 9 - Code Section 20-2-2067.1 regarding amendment of terms of charters, initial term of charters, and annual reports would be amended to make the current provisions applicable to "public charter schools." Section 10 - Code Section 20-2-2068 regarding charter terminations would be revised to make the current provisions of the Code section applicable to "public charter schools." Section 11 - Code Section 20-2-2068.1 regarding to application of the QBE formula, grants, local tax revenue, and funds from local bonds, would add a new subsection (h) to establish that "public charter schools" would receive funding to include (A) all funds from local property taxes and any other local source that would have been earned or levied of behalf of a student if the student had remained in the local school system; and (B) all QBE formula earnings, applicable QBE grants, applicable non-QBE state grants, and applicable federal grants for each student. "Public charter schools" would be treated no less favorably than other public schools within the state with respect to the provision of funds for transportation and building programs. Section 12 - Code Section 20-2-2068.2 regarding facility funding for charter schools would be revised in subsections (a) and (h) to make the current provisions of the Code section applicable to "public charter schools." Section 13 - Code Section 20-2-2069 regarding responsibilities of the Office of Charter School Compliance would be revised to make the current provisions of the Code Section applicable to "public charter school petitioners" and "public

charter schools." - Authored By: Rep. Ed Setzler of the 35th - House Committee: Education - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
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 - House Committee: Human Relations & Aging - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
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 - House Committee: Game, Fish, & Parks - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 518 - Motor vehicles; commercial motor vehicle; define; license plates; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 518 is primarily a "house keeping" bill brought by the Georgia Department of Revenue. The bill simply brings the Georgia Code dealing with commercial motor vehicles into compliance with federal law. - Authored By: Rep. Tom Rice of the 51st - House Committee: Motor Vehicles - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 549 - Children with disabilities; basic therapy services; establish requirements
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would simplify the process of application and approval of medical therapy services for children with disabilities. Such services are entitled under the Medicaid Early Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment Program. Additionally, this bill would simplify the process and paperwork by which occupational, speech, and physical therapy services are applied for and received by eligible citizens. - Authored By: Rep. Mark Burkhalter of the 50th - House Committee: Health & Human Services - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 586 - Alternative attorneys; capital cases; counsel appointment and fees; change matters
- BILL SUMMARY: Provides that in death penalty cases where the Office of the Capital Defender is unable to defend any qualified indigent person the presiding judge shall appoint a maximum of two attorneys to serve as counsel who will be paid by the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council at an hourly rate established by the Council. Allows a county governing authority to provide supplemental compensation. Allows the presiding judge to appoint only one additional attorney and provides that the county governing authority will pay that attorney with county funds at a rate established by the Council - Authored By: Rep. David Ralston of the 7th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 626 - Physicians; retired; continuing education hours; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would limit the requirement for continuing education among practitioners providing uncompensated care to no more than 40 hours annually, provided the physician is retired. - Authored By: Rep. Tom Graves of the 12th - House Committee: Health & Human Services - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 655 - Georgia Commission on Hearing Impaired and Deaf Persons; create
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would provide for the Georgia Commission on Hearing Impaired and Deaf Persons. The

Commission would act as and advocate for the hearing impaired and deaf as well as serving as an advisory body to the various arms of the state in regards to the deaf and hearing impaired. - Authored By: Rep. Bob Smith of the 113th - House Committee: Health & Human Services - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 698 - Cartersville, City of; Redevelopment Powers Law; authorize
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to authorize the City of Cartersville to exercise all Redevelopment Powers under the State Constitution's Redevelopment Powers Law pending a local referendum to approve the authorization. - Authored By: Rep. Jeff Lewis of the 15th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 761 - Harris County; coroner; fix compensation
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide that the compensation of the coroner of Harris County shall be an annual salary in lieu of the fee system of compensation. - Authored By: Rep. Vance Smith of the 129th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
MOTIONS TO DISAGREE
HB 69 - Driver's records; online; Department of Driver Services; charging fee; prohibit
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill allows individuals to get a copy of their driving record from the Department of Driver Services' website, free of charge, once in any six month period. - Authored By: Rep. Bobby Franklin of the 43rd - House Committee: Motor Vehicles - A motion to disagree sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.
HB 314 - Persons convicted of certain sex offenses; probation; DNA analysis; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: Would provide that any person placed on probation after July 1, 2007, would be required to submit a DNA sample to determine identification characteristics specific to that person. The Division of Forensic Sciences of the GBI would be permitted to contract for the services and would store and maintain the information in a DA data bank, and the Department of Corrections would be responsible for collecting the sample. This Code sections would apply to the following crimes: Offenses in Chapter 5 of Title 16 crimes against persons; Rape; Sodomy or aggravated sodomy; Statutory rape; Child molestation or Aggravated child molestation; Enticing a child for indecent purposes; Sexual assault against persons in custody, detained or a patient in a hospital or sexual assault by a practitioner of psychology against a patient; Bestiality ; Necrophilia; Incest; Burglary; Robbery; Armed Robbery; Impersonating an officer; Obstruction of an officer; Offenses in Article 4 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 dangerous instrumentalities and practices; and Offenses in Chapter 13 of Title 16 controlled substances. - Authored By: Rep. Jay Neal of the 1st - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - A motion to disagree sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.
RULES CALENDAR
HR 49 - House Mental Health Professionals Study Committee; create
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution provides for the House Mental Health Professionals Study Committee, and charges it with examining methods to abate the shortage of Mental Health Professionals in Georgia. - Authored By: Rep. Richard A Royal of the 171st - House Committee: Health & Human Services - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 141; Nays: 0
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 - House Committee: Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 141; Nays: 0
HR 350 - Joint Study Committee on the State Health System; create
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution would create the Joint Study Committee on the State Health System. The Committee is tasked with investigating the structure of all aspects of healthcare delivery in the state, in order to determine the appropriateness of certain practices, financial arrangements, and allocation of state resources. - Authored By: Rep. Ben Harbin of the 118th - House Committee: Health & Human Services - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 141; Nays: 0
HR 352 - House Study Committee on Eyewitness Identification Procedures; create
- BILL SUMMARY: Creates a study committee to study the needs, conditions, issues and problems associated with eyewitness identification. The study committee will make recommendations regarding best practices for eyewitness identification procedures and evidentiary standards for admissibility of eyewitness identifications. The members of the committee will be five members of the House appointed by the Speaker. - Authored By: Rep. Stephanie Benfield of the 85th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 141; Nays: 0
HR 375 - House Study Committee on Prison System Terrorist Recruitment; create
- BILL SUMMARY: A resolution created to have the House Study Committee on Prison System Terrorist Recruitment. This committee will be composed of five members of the House of Representatives and will be appointed by the Speaker. The Speaker will designate one member as the chairperson on the committee. - Authored By: Rep. Martin Scott of the 2nd - House Committee: State Institutions & Property - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 141; Nays: 0
HR 412 - Joint Study Committee on Layperson Training in Automated External Defibrillators; create
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution would create the Joint Study Committee on Layperson Training in CPR and Automated External Defibrillators. The Committee would investigate possible means to increase the number of citizens trained to use such lifesaving equipment. - Authored By: Rep. Joe Wilkinson of the 52nd - House Committee: Health & Human Services - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 141; Nays: 0
HR 427 - House Self-employment Assistance Program; create
- BILL SUMMARY: Creates the House Self-Employment Assistance Program that would encourage and enable unemployed workers to start small businesses and would allow states to pay a self-employed allowance rather than regular unemployed benefits to these workers. - Authored By: Rep. Virgil Fludd of the 66th - House Committee: Industrial Relations - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 141; Nays: 0

HR 512 - Joint Study Committee on State Health Benefit Plan Design; create
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution creates the Joint Study Committee on State Health Benefit Plan Design. - Authored By: Rep. Austin Scott of the 153rd - House Committee: Governmental Affairs - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 141; Nays: 0
HR 662 - House Georgia Bioeconomic Development Study Committee; create
- BILL SUMMARY: Creates a Georgia Bioeconomic Development Study Committee. The committee will consist of five members representing the life science industry, government, and universities. The speaker of the house shall appoint the chairperson and meet no latter than June 1, 2007, submit a report before December 31, 2007, and stand abolished February 15, 2008. The committee shall make recommendations to the General Assembly, study the need for venture capital to expand technologies in Georgia, to study the need for facilities, and study the need for a permanent board to oversee Georgia's Bioeconomic Development Authority. - Authored By: Rep. Charlice Byrd of the 20th - House Committee: Special Rules - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 141; Nays: 0
HR 663 - House Study Committee on Pain Management; create
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution would create the House Study Committee on Pain Management. The Committee would be tasked with investigating the means of controlling severe pain with medication, and of ways to enhance the ability of providers to better manage patients pain and improve health outcomes. - Authored By: Rep. Earl Carter of the 159th - House Committee: Health & Human Services - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 141; Nays: 0
HR 666 - House Study Committee on a Flexible Work Week; create
- BILL SUMMARY: Creates the House Study Committee on a Flexible Work Week that would study the impact a flexible work week would have on traffic congestion and its resulting air pollution. - Authored By: Rep. Earl Ehrhart of the 36th - House Committee: Industrial Relations - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 141; Nays: 0
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 A Fleming of the 117th - House Committee: Higher Education - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 141; Nays: 0
HR 721 - House Study Committee to incentivize indigent health care by physicians; create
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution would set up the House Study Committee to incentivize indigent health care by physicians, and charge it with finding means to increase physician to indigent care by altering current incentives or creating new ones. - Authored By: Rep. Sharon Cooper of the 41st - House Committee: Health & Human Services - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 141; Nays: 0
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 - House Committee: Health & Human Services - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 141; Nays: 0
SB 10 - Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Act; provide public school students with disabilities to attend eligible private schools
- BILL SUMMARY: The "Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Act" provides scholarships for students with disabilities to attend other public or private schools. The student shall have one or more of the following disabilities: (A) Autism (B) Deaf/blind (C) Deaf/hard of hearing (D) Emotional and behavioral disorder (E) Intellectual disability (F) Orthopedic impairment (G) Other health impairment (H) Specific learning disability (I) Speech-language impairment (J) Traumatic brain injury (K) Visual impairment. Students must have spent the prior year in a public school and have an IEP Individualized Education Program written for them. The resident school systems will need to make state-wide assessments available to students who desire them.
Participating schools must provide information demonstrating fiscal soundness to the Department of Education. Participating schools must regularly report to the parent and the department on the students progress, including, but not limited to, the results of any annual assessment given to the student, in accordance with department guidelines. Also, schools must annually provide to the parents the relevant credentials of the teachers who will be teaching their students. A school intending to enroll scholarship students in the 2007-2008 school year shall submit an application no later than June 30, 2007. The maximum scholarship granted a scholarship student pursuant to this article shall be an amount equivalent to the costs of the educational program that would have been provided for the student in the resident school system as calculated under Code Section 20-2-161. - Authored By: Sen. Eric Johnson of the 1st - House Committee: Education - Rule: Modified-Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: N/A; Nays: N/A
SB 14 - Superior Court Clerks; personal property filing fees; collection/remittance; change sunset dates
- BILL SUMMARY: Bill amends O.C.G.A. 15-6-7 so as to change the sunset dates relating to filing fees for real or personal property as well as development and implementation of state-wide automated systems to July 1, 2014. Previous sunset date was July 1, 2012. - Authored By: Sen. Chip Rogers of the 21st - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 155; Nays: 1
SB 15 - Drivers' Licenses; suspended/revoke; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: Bill amends O.C.G.A. 40-5-20 so as to make the penalty for driving without a license the same as driving with a suspended license. Bill further makes the third or subsequent offense of driving with a suspended license a felony punishable by one to five years in jail with a fine of $2,500.00 to $5,000.00. SB 15 also requires that any individual arrested for driving without a license have their nationality determined. - Authored By: Sen. John J. Wiles of the 37th - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 94; Nays: 75

SB 19 - Transportation, Department of; pay costs of removal, relocation, or adjustment of utility facilities necessitated by construction of public roads
- BILL SUMMARY: Amends the Georgia Code relating to the authority of the Department of Transportation to pay the costs of removal and relocation of certain utility facilities necessitated by the construction of public roads without regard to whether such facilities were originally installed upon rights of way of the state highway system, a county road system, or a municipal street system, where the Department has made the determination that the payments are necessary to expedite the process or that the payments are part of the contract. The Department may also order the removal or relocation of utilities occupying any part of the public road system where improvements are going to be made. When such order is made, there will be at least 60 days' written notice. The Department and the utility will adhere to the Department's utility relocation procedures for public road improvements. If the utility does not begin removal, relocation, or adjustment within the time specified in the work plan, the Department may give the utility a final notice and the work shall commence no later than ten days from the receipt of the final notice. The owner of the utility may be responsible for and liable to the Department or its contractors for documented damages resulting solely from failure on the part of the utility to comply with requirements of the submitted and approved work plan. This bill also outlines the procedure for setting up a mediation board to hear any disputes that should arise between the utility and the Department. - Authored By: Sen. Jim Whitehead, Sr. of the 24th - House Committee: Transportation - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 162; Nays: 4
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 - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 107; Nays: 46
SB 84 - Insurance; protect members of United States armed forces; unscrupulous practices; marketing/sale of insurance
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill seeks to protect service members of the armed forces of the United States from unfair and deceptive trade practices surrounding the sales or marketing of insurance. There is much anecdotal evidence that many service members about to deploy are preyed upon by deceptive marketers; these service members believe they are doing something good for themselves and their families in preparation for their deployment when, in fact, they find themselves bound to payments not specified or receiving products not as presented. This bill seeks to thwart those practices. - Authored By: Sen. David Shafer of the 48th - House Committee: Agriculture & Consumer Affairs - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 161; Nays: 0
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 J. Wiles of the 37th - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 150; Nays: 0
SB 96 - Drug-Free Work Programs; provide for onsite/oral testing
- BILL SUMMARY: Would allow urinalysis conducted by laboratories, testing at the employer work-site with on-site testing kits or use of oral testing as acceptable forms of drug-free workplace employer drug testing. Adds to the list of qualified persons who may take a specimen for drug testing a person trained and qualified to conduct on-site testing or a person trained and qualified to conduct oral testing. - Authored By: Sen. Tim Golden of the 8th

- House Committee: Industrial Relations - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 160; Nays: 2
SB 100 - Crime; knowingly manufacturing, selling, or distributing false identification documents; increase certain penalties
- BILL SUMMARY: Changes penalties based on the age of the person for the crime of knowingly manufacturing, selling or distributing false identification documents. Any person 21 years of age or older who knowingly manufactures, sells, possesses or distributes false identification will be punished by imprisonment from one to five years, a fine or both. Any person under 21 who knowingly manufactures, sells, possesses or distributes false identification will be punished by a misdemeanor. - Authored By: Sen. Chip Pearson of the 51st - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 158; Nays: 0
SB 123 - Local Boards of Education; require twins placed in same classroom if parent requests
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill requires that twins or higher order multiples be placed in the same classroom if the parents request such placement. - Authored By: Sen. Chip Rogers of the 21st - House Committee: Education - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 92; Nays: 73
SB 135 - Criminal Reproduction/Sale of Recorded Material; increase penalties; provide forfeiture of certain items
- BILL SUMMARY: Increases penalties for reproducing certain recorded material. A first conviction carries a fine of $500.00 to $25,000.00, imprisonment of one to two years to serve at least 24 hours or both; a second conviction carries a fine of $1000.00 to $100,000.00, imprisonment of one to three years to serve at least 48 hours, or both; a third conviction carries a fine of $2,000.00 to $250,000.00 imprisonment from two to five years to serve at least six days, or both. Any equipment used to violate the Code section will be subject to forfeiture. Restitution damages will consider damages to the owner of the master recording and be based on an aggregate of wholesale value of the lawfully reproduced material; restitution damages will also take any investigative costs into account. - Authored By: Sen. William Hamrick of the 30th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 160; Nays: 0
SB 148 - Saving the Cure Act; create the Newborn Umbilical Cord Blood Bank for postnatal tissue and fluid; Georgia Commission for Saving the Cure
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would create and provide for the Newborn Umbilical Cord Blood bank. Under the provisions of this bill, the state (under the auspices of the Georgia Commission for Saving the Cure) would maintain a repository of postnatal tissue and fluid, donated by new mothers after childbirth, to use as a source for stem cells and other biological materials considered useful for research into new medical processes and treatments. The Commission shall establish such bank or network of banks by June 30, 2008. By June 30, 2009, all obstetrical patients shall be informed of the bank and the donation process. The bill stipulates that any publicly funded research must conform to federal law relating to stem cell research. Finally, the bill provides for a method whereby taxpayers may contribute to the operation of the bank via tax returns. - Authored By: Sen. David Shafer of the 48th - House Committee: Science and Technology - Rule: Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 158; Nays: 0
SB 188 - Foster Parents Bill of Rights; children who are privately placed; provide administrative hearing for aggrieved parties
- BILL SUMMARY: Bill amends the Foster Parents Bill of Rights, as contained in O.C.G.A. 49-5-281, so as to include all

foster parents who care for children in custody of the Department of Human Resources. Further provides that the Division of Family and Children Services incorporate said Bill of Rights into contracts when they place a child with a private agency. - Authored By: Sen. Steve Thompson of the 33rd - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 137; Nays: 0
SB 212 - Public Records; disclosure to the news media; public employees
- BILL SUMMARY: Bill amends O.C.G.A. 50-18-72(a)(11.3)(A) relating to information in public records which is exempt from public inspection so as to apply said exemption to all public employees. Previously these exemptions were only applicable to employees of the Georgia public school system. - Authored By: Sen. Don Balfour of the 9th - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 95; Nays: 53
SB 222 - Advanced Practice Registered Nurse; revise definition; licensed registered nurse
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would require that Advanced Practice Registered Nurses display their area of specialty and qualifications on a name tag while delivering care. - Authored By: Sen. Johnny Grant of the 25th - House Committee: Health & Human Services - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 157; Nays: 0
SB 236 - Georgia Personal Identity Protection Act; state agencies; breach of security; personal information
- BILL SUMMARY: Defines "data collector" to include any state agency or government entity but not any agency whose records are maintained primarily for traffic safety, law enforcement or licensing purposes. Changes provision for when substitute notice of a security breach may be given: If the cost of providing notice would exceed $50,000 or the class of affected individuals exceeds 100,000. Adds address and phone number to the definition of personal information. Changes the offense of fraud: A person commits the offense of identity fraud when he or she willfully and fraudulently uses or possesses without consent information on an individual, an individual under 18 years of age over whom he or she has custody, or an individual who is deceased ; creates a counterfeit i.d. using fictitious information or an i.d. using the information from a real person who is deceased with the intent to use such i.d.; receives fraudulent information which he or she knows to be fraudulent. The offense shall not merge with any other offense. When a person learns or believes that he or she has been the victim of identity fraud the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction shall make a report and, if that agency does not have jurisdiction, shall forward it to the agency with jurisdiction. A violation by a person who is less than 21 years of age will be punishable by a fine not to exceed $5,000.00, imprisonment for one to three years or both. - Authored By: Sen. Chip Rogers of the 21st - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 155; Nays: 0
SB 251 - Motor Vehicles; require establishment by Dept. of Revenue of internet website for stolen/towed motor vehicles
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill requires the establishment by the Department of Revenue of an Internet website for stolen and towed motor vehicles. Further, it requires that each tow truck or wrecker operator shall post the vehicle identification numbers and license plate numbers of certain motor vehicles that are towed by such operator on such website within twelve hours. - Authored By: Sen. Curt Thompson of the 5th - House Committee: Motor Vehicles - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 155; Nays: 0
SB 280 - Georgia Technology Authority; provide for construction/interpretation of the Code section

- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends Code Section 50-25-7.7 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to ethical standards for the executive director and employees of the Georgia Technology Authority. This will provide that an officer or employee of such authority shall not have greater than 1 percent ownership interest in entities doing business with the authority - Authored By: Sen. Dan Moody of the 56th - House Committee: State Institutions & Property - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 140; Nays: 2
SR 246 - Indigent Defense; create Joint Study Committee
- BILL SUMMARY: Resolution creates a Joint Study Committee on Indigent Defense. - Authored By: Sen. John J. Wiles of the 37th - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 153; Nays: 0
SR 365 - Transportation Funding; create joint study committee
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution creates the Joint Study Committee on Transportation Funding to be composed of eight members who will study the issues to determine alternative funding mechanisms for transportation projects and special funding sources. The eight members will be the chairperson of the Senate Transportation Committee, the chairperson of the House Transportation Committee, three members of the Senate appointed by the Lt. Governor, and three members of the House appointed by the Speaker. The Senate and House Transportation Chairs will serve as co-chairs of the study committee. The committee may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary. The committee will stand abolished on 31 December, 2007. - Authored By: Sen. Jeff Mullis of the 53rd - House Committee: Transportation - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 148; Nays: 0
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
COMMITTEE ON RULES
With the 1st Regular Session of the 149th General Assembly adjourned after today, the House Committee on Rules will no longer be meeting.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
CONTACT: BRENT CRANFIELD
(404) 656-0305 Brent.Cranfield@house.ga.gov