Daily report [Jan. 29, 2008]

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

TOMORROW'S FORECAST
* The House will reconvene for its 8th Legislative Day on Wednesday, January 30, at 10:00 AM. * 4 bills are expected to be debated on the floor.

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RULES CALENDAR
HB 908 - Certain sexual offenders; residency and employment restrictions; repeal certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: Amends the definition of "area where minors congregate" to add public libraries to the list of prohibited areas; amends 42-1-12 to provide a definition of the term "day care center;" amends 42-1-15 to provide that no registered sex offender or designated sexual predator shall volunteer within 1000 feet of a school, church, child care facility or area where minors congregate; amends 42-1-15 to provide that the 1000 foot measurement for the workplace will be measured from outer boundary to outer boundary of the location where the registered individual actually carries out the functions of his or her job; adds language to provide that a registered individual who owns real property or who has established employment before a school, child care facility, church or area where minors congregate locates itself within 1000 feet of the individual's home or place of employment will not be in violation of the 1000 foot regulatory requirement; the registered individual will have ten days within which to prove, through acceptable documentation, to the sheriff that his residence or employment was established prior to the location of the school, church, child care facility or area where minors congregate. - Authored By: Rep. David Ralston of the 7th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Modified-Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 141; Nays: 29
POSTPONED TO NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY
HB 130 - Identity theft; security freezes; definitions; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill adds new Code Sections 10-1-913 and 10-4-914 relating to protection from identity theft. This legislation allows a consumer to request a credit reporting agency not to release that consumer's credit report information by placing a "security freeze" on his or her credit report in order to prevent the extension of credit without the consumer's authorization. It, consequently, allows the consumer to temporary lift or remove a "security freeze" in order to make the credit report information available. This bill further: Permits a consumer to place a security freeze on his or her credit report by requesting it in writing via certified mail and requires a credit reporting agency to place a security freeze on a consumer's credit report, within 3 business days after receiving such request. Requires a credit reporting agency to send a written confirmation of the security freeze to the consumer and provide the consumer with a personal ID number or password within 10 business days of receiving consumer's request for security freeze. Requires a credit reporting agency to comply with the consumer's request to temporarily lift a freeze within 3 business days after receiving a written request or within 15 minutes after receiving a request electronically or by phone along with the consumer's proper identification and payment. Provides that a consumer credit reporting agency shall remove or temporarily lift a security freeze placed on a consumer's credit report only if the consumer requests it, or the consumer's credit report was frozen due to a material

misrepresentation of fact by the consumer. Requires a credit reporting agency to remove a security freeze within 3 business days of receiving a request from the consumer with the consumer's proper identification, unique personal ID number or password provided by the credit reporting agency and the applicable fee. Places a cap at a maximum of $10.00 on the amount a credit reporting agency can charge the consumer for each placement, temporary lift or removal of security freeze and at a maximum of $5.00 for each replacement of a personal ID number. Exempts victims of identity theft from such fees. Allows the person in violation of this code to be fined by the appointed administrator at a maximum of $100.00 for a violation concerning a specific consumer. - Authored By: Rep. Calvin Hill of the 21st - House Committee: Banks & Banking - House Committee Passed: 1/14/2008 - Rule: Modified-Open
HB 358 - Sheriffs' Retirement Fund; death benefits; increase amount
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill increases the amount of the death benefit paid under the Sheriffs' Retirement Fund of Georgia to beneficiaries of members from $7,000 to $15,000. If this legislation is enacted, the benefit increase will become effective on July 1, 2008. - Authored By: Rep. Willie Talton of the 145th - House Committee: Retirement - House Committee Passed: 1/16/2008 - Rule: Open
HB 875 - Employees' Retirement System; established benefit formula; provide continuation
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill sets the multiplier used to calculate retirement allowances under the Employees' Retirement System at 2 percent. Therefore, the total retirement allowance will equal 2% of the member's highest average monthly earnable compensation during a period of 24 consecutive calendar months while a member of the retirement system multiplied by the number of years of creditable service. - Authored By: Rep. Brooks Coleman of the 97th - House Committee: Retirement - House Committee Passed: 1/16/2008 - Rule: Open
* The House will reconvene Wednesday, January 30, at 10:00 AM, for its 8th Legislative Day
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COMMITTEE ON RULES
The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 8th Legislative Day, Wednesday, January 30, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker.
RULES CALENDAR FOR NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY
HB 578 - State court proceedings; first time; death sentence; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: Changes certain provisions related to first-time petitions challenging state court proceedings resulting in a death sentence. After the close of evidence the petitioner will have 90 days to file any brief, the respondent will have 60 days after the petitioner's brief to file a response, and the petitioner will have ten days after that to file any reply to respondent's brief. Upon a showing of good cause the court may grant either party an extension not to exceed 60 days. The judge will issue findings of fact within 180 days of the filing of respondent's brief or petitioner's reply, whichever is later. If the judge cannot issue findings of fact within 180 days he or she will provide an updated status report setting forth the reasons for the delay, and will update the report every 30 days. - Authored By: Rep. David Ralston of the 7th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - House Committee Passed: 1/28/2008 - Rule: Modified-Structured
* The Rules Committee will next meet on Wednesday, January 30, at 9:00 AM, to set the Rules Calendar for the 9th Legislative Day.

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COMMITTEE ACTION REPORT
Defense & Veterans Affairs
HR 1024 - Army and National Guard; priority units; receive WRESP; urge
- BILL SUMMARY: Urges the Surgeon General of the Army and the Commanding General of the National Guard Bureau to change existing policy regarding the ability of priority units within the National guard, who have a high probability of future deployment into a combat zone,l to receive Warfighter Refractive Eye Surgery Program (WRESP) benefits. - Authored By: Rep. Mark Hamilton of the 23rd - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Education
HB 881 - Georgia Charter Schools Commission; establish
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill establishes a Charter School Commission that would serve independently of the Department of Education, but under supervision of the State Board and in collaboration with DOE. The commission would be appointed by the State Board of Education and consist of three appointees by the Governor, two by the President of the Senate and two by the Speaker of the House. These members will not be compensated. The commission will have the power to authorize and serve as a sponsor commission of charter schools, including both approval and denial. The commission will be able to authorize municipalities, state universities, community colleges and RESA's to act as cosponsors of charter schools. In addition, the commission may conduct facilitiy and curriculum reviews of charter schools. The commission shall develop, promote and disseminate best practices for charter schools and their sponsors. They will monitor and review yearly the performance of cosponsors approved and hold them accountable for their performance. It addition, they will monitor and review the academic and financial performance. The commission will also actively seek supplemental revenue from federal and institutional grants. The commission will review and recommend to the General Assembly any necessary revisions to statutory requirements and necessary revisions regarding the qualification and approval of municipalities, counties, consolidated governments, universities and colleges of the board of regents, technical institutions of DTAE and RESA's as cosponsors for commission charter schools. The commission will act as a liasion for cosponsors and commission charter schools in cooperating with local boards of education that may choose to allow charter schools to use excess space within public school facilites. The commission will collaborate with cosponsors for the purpose of providing the highest level of public education to low income, low performing, gifted or underserved student populations for students with special needs. The commission will serve to provide maximum access to information regarding commission charter schools to all parents in Georgia. It shall maintain information systems, including a user-friendly Internet website, that will provide information and data necessary for parents to make informed decisions. Each year, the chair shall submit a report regarding the academic performance and fiscal responsibility of all commission charter schools and cosponsors. If a charter is not renewed or is terminated the commission charter school is responsible for all debts incurred. The department may retain up to 3% of the funding calculated for each charter school it has approved for use in administering duties. - Authored By: Rep. Jan Jones of the 46th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Higher Education
HB 920 - Hope Scholarships; eligibility; end-of-course assessments; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends Code Section 20-2-157 of the O.C.G.A. relating to the uniform reporting system for high school grades for purposes of determining eligibility for enrollment and scholarships for postsecondary edudcation to provide that certain scores on an end of course assessments will result in additional credit of .25 points for purposes of determining eligibility for HOPE scholarships. - Authored By: Rep. Bill Hembree of the 67th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Higher Education
HB 941 - Board of regents; senior citizens program; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends Part 1 of Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the O.C.G.A. relating to the board of regents to change certain powers of the board to establish a program for senior citizens at attend classes in the University System of Georgia without payment of fees. - Authored By: Rep. Bobby Franklin of the 43rd

- Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 995 - Haralson County; board of commissioners; staggered terms; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide staggered terms for the Haralson County Board of Commissioners. - Authored By: Rep. Howard Maxwell of the 17th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 998 - Rincon, City of; ad valorem tax; municipal purposes; provide homestead exemption
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a homestead exemption from City of Rincon ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes in an amount equal to the amount by which the current year assessed value of a homestead exceeds the adjusted base year assessed value of such homestead. - Authored By: Rep. Earl Carter of the 159th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1002 - Americus-Sumter County Parks and Recreation Authority Act; repeal
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to repeal the Act which created the Americus-Sumter County Parks and Recreation Authority. - Authored By: Rep. Mike Cheokas of the 134th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1003 - Cobb County; solicitor-general; change compensation
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide compensation for the Solicitor General and Assistant Solicitors General of the State Court of Cobb County. - Authored By: Rep. Rich Golick of the 34th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1004 - Cobb Judicial Circuit; judges; provide supplement
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide compensation for the judges of the Superior Court of the Cobb Judicial Circuit. - Authored By: Rep. Rich Golick of the 34th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Judiciary
HB 422 - Specialized land transactions; minimum amount for liens; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 422 amends O.C.G.A. 44-3-109 and O.C.G.A. 44-3-232 to establish $2,000.00 as the minimum amount for a lien at issue in a lawsuit seeking the judicial foreclosure of a condominium association or homeowners association assessment lien. The bill leaves the current provisions in these two statutes intact, and merely adds a sentence providing that a lien foreclosure cannot occur unless the lien is at least $2,000.00. Debts below $2,000.00 could still be collected by way of a lien or judgment, but not through a lien foreclosure. - Authored By: Rep. Wendell Willard of the 49th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Judiciary
HB 540 - Domestic relations; child support; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: Enacts new versions of O.C.G.A. 19-6-9 and O.C.G.A. 19-6-10 to allow a party to petition the court to order their spouse to provide for the support of a mentally or physically disabled child over the age of 18 who is incapable of self-support and requires substantial care and supervision due to the disability. The bill also allows a separated spouse to file a petition for such support even when no divorce action is pending, and also allows a child's guardian, custodian, or the child to file such a petition.

The bill also enacts replacements of O.C.G.A. 19-6-15 and O.C.G.A. 19-6-34 to provide for child support and life insurance in such circumstances.
The bill provides judges with discretion to award such additional support. HB 540 provides for support of the child in addition to, and not in lieu of, public assistance to the disabled child. - Authored By: Rep. Tommy Smith of the 168th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Judiciary
SB 113 - Insurance; appointment of agents by authorized insurer before licensing; background checks
- BILL SUMMARY: Amends O.C.G.A. 33-23-5 to require an agent to be appointed by an authorized insurer before receiving a license. SB 113 is also an Insurance Code housekeeping bill which amends other Title 33 code sections to provide forms for license applications, allow agents to file licensing applications electronically, outline procedures for background checks of agents, provide for the appointment of limited subagents, prohibit agents with inactive licenses from selling insurance, and provide regulations for adjusters performing emergency insurance adjustment work in Georgia.
Pursuant to requests from the Committee, the bill has been revised to define "limited subagent", and to revise the background check provisions to be consistent with other state agencies and the FBI background check system.
The bill has also been revised to allow mobile communications equipment businesses to be licensed on a company-level basis, rather than a per-office basis, similar to the way that rental car company licenses are currently being handled. - Authored By: Sen. David Shafer of the 48th - 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 SCHEDULE

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

8:00 AM

-

9:00

AM

AGRICULTURE AFFAIRS

&

CONSUMER

506 CLOB

8:00 AM

-

9:00

AM

Appropriations Subcommittee

General

606 CLOB

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

RULES

341 CAP

2:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Judiciary Civil Subcommittee One (Lindsey)

415 CLOB or upon adjournment, whichever is later

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Driver Safety & Services Subcommittee

515 CLOB

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Appropriations Public Safety Subcommittee

406 CLOB

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES 606 CLOB

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Appropriations Human Resources Subcommittee

341 CAP

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Ways and Means Sales Tax

133 CAP

Subcommittee

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM JUDICIARY NON- CIVIL

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Appropriations Education Subcommittee

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Appropriations Health Subcommittee

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM RETIREMENT

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM TRANSPORTATION

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Ways and Means Income Tax Subcommittee

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS

132 CAP or upon adjournmentwhichever is later 216 CAP
506 CLOB 403 CAP CANCELLED 606 CLOB 133 CAP 406 CLOB

* This schedule is accurate at the time of this report, but meeting dates and times are subject to change. To view the most up to date meeting schedule, please visit http://www.legis.ga.gov and click on 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