MEMBER SERVICES Coverdell Legislative Office Bldg. Suite 609 Phone: (404) 656-0305 TOMORROW'S FORECAST * The House will reconvene for its 21st Legislative Day on Thursday, February 21, at 10:00 AM. * 4 bills are expected to be debated on the floor. GGEEOORRGGIIAAHHOOUUSSEE OOFF RREEPPRREESSEENNTTAATTIIVVEESS DAILY REPORT WWeeddnneessddaayy,, FFeebbrruuaarryy 2200,, 22000088 TODAY ON THE FLOOR 2200tthh LLeeggiissllaattiivvee DDaayy RULES CALENDAR HB 1015 - Special districts divided into noncontiguous areas; certain excess funds; provide additional requirements - BILL SUMMARY: HB 1015 gives a county direction and authority to transfer tax revenues paid to a Special Service District, by formerly unincorporated residents for city-like services, to the newly incorporated city. Under current law, the Special Service District dollars exist in limbo, unable to be spent by the county. - Authored By: Rep. Jan Jones of the 46th - House Committee: Governmental Affairs - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 159; Nays: 0 HB 1016 - Commissioner of Natural Resources; blue crabs; manage certain aspects; provide - BILL SUMMARY: This bill provides the Commissioner of Natural Resources with the ability to close all or any portion of the salt waters of Georgia to commercial and recreational fishing for blue crabs. This bill resulted from the sunset of the current statute prohibiting the harvest of the sponge crab. - Authored By: Rep. Bob Lane of the 158th - House Committee: Game, Fish, & Parks - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 142; Nays: 21 HB 1026 - Transportation, Department of; utility facilities; provisions - BILL SUMMARY: Amends Code Section 32-6-171 relating to the authority of the DOT to order the removal, relocation, or adjustment of utility facilities. The bill will add to the code section language that will now include utility facilities that are adjacent to any part of the public road which the department intends to improve or is improving. The bill also provides language making the utility exempt from the eminent domain requirements in Code Section 22-1-10 and 22-1-10.1 in the event that the Department has notified the utility in writing that the facility is a hindrance to the construction, use, or safe operation of the roadway. - Authored By: Rep. Vance Smith of the 129th - House Committee: Transportation - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 155; Nays: 0 HB 1123 - Transportation, Department of; commissioner; file reports to General Assembly; require - BILL SUMMARY: This legislation adds a new Code section to Chapter 2 of Title 32 relating to the Department of Transportation. This Code section 32-2-41.1 says that beginning on December 1, 2008, and annually thereafter, the commissioner shall prepare a report for a report for the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House, and the chairpersons of the House and Senate Transportation Committees detailing the progress the department has made in certain areas. These areas are: - Disposal of county maintenance barns and surplus equipment. The report shall detail the location and amount of property and equipment sold and remaining unsold - Road maintenance. Report shall include the commissioner's plans for maintaining existing roads in this state. It shall also detail the amount of money to be spent on maintenance and the money's source. Analysis of the overall condition of roads in Georgia and the possible effect a lack of maintenance may have shall be in the report. - Bridge maintenance. . Report shall include the commissioner's plans for inspecting and maintaining existing bridges in this state. It shall also detail the amount of money to be spent on inspecting and maintaining existing bridges and the money's source. Analysis of the overall condition of bridges in Georgia and the possible effect a lack of maintenance may have, as well as an analysis of whether the inspections already performed were adequate shall be in the report. - Authored By: Rep. Jay Shaw of the 176th - House Committee: Transportation - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 164; Nays: 0 HR 1081 - Legislative Service Awards; presentation; authorize and provide - BILL SUMMARY: Authorizes the creation of the Legislative Service Award. This award is given by Representatives to individuals who have contributed to the public good. The award shall: consist of a certificate and pin. The House may accept financial donations or may expend appropriated funds. Each member of the House can award one (1) person each year. - Authored By: Rep. John Lunsford of the 110th - House Committee: Special Rules - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 161; Nays: 0 HR 1206 - Georgia-North Carolina and Georgia-Tennessee Boundary Line Commission; create - BILL SUMMARY: HR 1206 provides a number of references to the history of the Georgia-Tennessee and Georgia-North Carolina border and the survey of the 35th parallel, and proposes the creation of a Georgia-Tennessee Boundary Line Commission and Georgia-North Carolina Boundary Line Commission. The Commissions would each have three members of the Georgia House and three members of the Georgia Senate, and would have the ability to employ consultants and contractors to study the boundary line issue. The Commissions would report back to the General Assembly by the beginning of the 2009 legislative session. - Authored By: Rep. Harry Geisinger of the 48th - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 136; Nays: 26 LOCAL CALENDAR HB 1208 - Gwinnett County; Redevelopment Powers Law; authorize - BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to authorize Gwinnett County 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 C Reese of the 98th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 140; Nays: 0 * The House will reconvene Thursday, February 21, at 10:00 AM, for its 21st Legislative Day of the 1st Regular Session of the 149th General Assembly. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ COMMITTEE ON RULES The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 21st Legislative Day, Thursday, February 21, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker. RULES CALENDAR FOR NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY HB 611 - State Construction Industry Licensing Board; Class I; provide changes - BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends Code Section 43-14-6, relating to the powers and duties of the divisions of the State Construction industry Licensing Board. This legislation restricts Class I licenses to electrical contracting involving multifamily structures of up to two levels or single family dwellings of up to three level. It also allows Class I licensees to work on structures that have single phase electrical installations of up to 400 amperes. - Authored By: Rep. Howard Maxwell of the 17th - House Committee: Regulated Industries - House Committee Passed: 2/14/2008 - Rule: Open HB 656 - Teachers Retirement System; survivor's benefits; provisions - BILL SUMMARY: This bill affects members of TRS who, upon retirement, elect survivor's benefits for his or her spouse and for one or more other persons, then subsequently divorce the spouse. Such members would be authorized to revoke the election of benefits to a spouse upon the final judgment of divorce. After revoking the election, the member would be authorized to elect one of the following options: The member may allocate the spouse's percentage of benefits among the beneficiaries other than the spouse. The member's retirement benefits would then be recalculated to compensate for the remaining survivor's benefit as determined by an actuary; or The beneficiaries, other than the spouse, will continue to be entitled to receive the same percentage of the member's retirement allowance. The member's retirement allowance would then return to the allowance which would otherwise be payable to him or her if the member had not elected such option, except there would be a reduction to compensate for the remaining survivor's benefit as determined by an actuary. - Authored By: Rep. Earnest Williams of the 89th - House Committee: Retirement - House Committee Passed: 2/6/2008 - Rule: Open HB 1040 - Juvenile courts; deprived child; permanent guardian; grant jurisdiction - BILL SUMMARY: HB 1040, as amended, revises O.C.G.A. 15-11-30.1, to vest juvenile courts with jurisdiction to appoint a permanent guardian for a child whose custody is the subject of controversy due to an adjudication that the child is a deprived child. The bill allows the juvenile court to enter an order of support against the child's parent(s), and outlines notice and other procedures for the proceedings which propose to appoint a permanent guardian. A visitation provision has been added to HB 1040. HB 1040 was approved by Subcommittee One. - Authored By: Rep. Edward Lindsey of the 54th - House Committee: Judiciary - House Committee Passed: 2/14/2008 - Rule: Modified-Structured HB 1165 - Special license plates; reciprocity agreements between states; provide - BILL SUMMARY: This bill allows the commissioner of Department of Revenue to enter into reciprocity agreements with other states on special license plates recognizing an institution of higher education or its affiliated athletic program or logo located outside the borders of this state. In regards to existing specialty plates, until a reciprocal agreement has been executed with the appropriate agency of the other state, the department shall not issue or renew special license plates recognizing an institution of higher learning or its affiliated athletic program or logo located outside the borders of this state. - Authored By: Rep. Barry A Fleming of the 117th - House Committee: Motor Vehicles - House Committee Passed: 2/19/2008 - Rule: Modified-Structured * The Rules Committee will next meet on Thursday, February 21, at 09:00 AM, to set the Rules Calendar for the 22nd Legislative Day. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ COMMITTEE ACTION REPORT Agriculture & Consumer Affairs HB 278 - Funeral service contracts; plat marked with location of grave space; provide - BILL SUMMARY: This bill adds a requirement to the "Georgia Cemetary and Funeral Services Act of 2000", that the written contract must also disclose that a plat marked with the location of a grave space be attached to the contract. - Authored By: Rep. Mable Thomas of the 55th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute Agriculture & Consumer Affairs SB 364 - Livestock; remove ratites/reclassify as poultry for certain purposes; definitions; brand or tattoo registration certificates; provisions - BILL SUMMARY: This bill changes the classification and location of references to ratites. Ratites are flightless birds, including, but not limited to, ostriches, emus and rheas. Ratites fall under the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) with USDA Food Safety and Inspection Services (USDA FSIS). Currently, ratites are classified as livestock under the Georgia Code. This bill strikes ratites from several code sections defining and dealing with livestock. Under this bill, ratites are defined as poultry within the Code and are regulated as poultry for agriculture inspection purposes. Comments: In 1995, the Georgia Code was amended to include ratites as livestock, rather than poultry. Recently, the USDA FSIS transferred ratites to fall under the PPIA. Due to this change, the Federal State Audit Branch of the USDA has requested that the Georgia Department of Agriculture work to update the appropriate Georgia Code sections to accurately reflect federal guidelines. - Authored By: Sen. John Bulloch of the 11th - Committee Action: Do Pass Higher Education HB 1091 - Postsecondary education; attaining residency status; revise requirements - BILL SUMMARY: This bill would redefine residency for Georgia colleges and universities. This bill also requires that a student graduate from an eligible high school in Georgia or a home study program in Georgia before that student can be eligible for a HOPE scholarship or grant, whether applying freshman, sophomore, junior or senior year. - Authored By: Rep. Bill Hembree of the 67th - Committee Action: Do Pass Higher Education HB 1183 - University system; certain provisions; delay repeal - BILL SUMMARY: This bill revises Code Section 20-3-86 to add tuition to the list of areas where revenue collected shall not lapse. Other areas include departmental sales or services, continuing education fees, technology fees, or indirect cost recoveries. The amount of revenue from tuition that shall not lapse under this Code section shall not exceed 3 percent of the tuition collected. - Authored By: Rep. Bob Smith of the 113th - Committee Action: Do Pass Higher Education HB 1184 - Georgia Student Finance Authority; educational assistance programs; physical disabilities; authorize - BILL SUMMARY: This bill relates to the Georgia Student Finance Authority and authorizes the authority to establish two pilot educational assistance programs for collegiate sports for students with physical disabilities. The authority is authorized to establish and administer a five-year pilot program to provide competitive sports opportunities for students with physical disabilities at the collegiate level and provide scholarships to student athletes with disabilities. In order to implement the pilot program, the board of regents shall select two state schools to be pilot institutions. The selected institutions shall have programs in place that serve to create meaningful social change to promote human rights for people with disabilities. The scope to the pilot program shall include goals of : (1) Ten full scholarships that may be subdivided as partial scholarships consistent with other collegiate sports; and (2) Twenty to 25 student athletes with physical disabilities by year three of the pilot program with an emphasis upon recruiting veterans with disabilities. The General Assembly will review the program after three years of operation. - Authored By: Rep. Allen G. Freeman of the 140th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute Intragovernmental Coordination - Local HB 1223 - Marietta, City of; school board; provide compensation - BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide compensation for the board members of the Marietta City Schools. - Authored By: Rep. Rob Teilhet of the 40th - Committee Action: Do Pass Judiciary Non-Civil HB 250 - Local boards of education; reports of criminal offenses; revise certain provisions - BILL SUMMARY: The bill adds (1) the manufacture, distribution, trafficking, sale or possession of controlled substances or marijuana and (2) criminal sexual offenses to the list of complaints that upon receipt of a written request the Professional Practices Commission will investigate. - Authored By: Rep. Howard Maxwell of the 17th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute Judiciary Non-Civil HB 255 - Public retirement systems; public employment related crime; expand definition - BILL SUMMARY: Adds to the definition of "public employee related crime" any felony offense related to an officer or public employee's public employment as provided by Georgia law, the laws of any other state or the laws of the United States. This definition will only apply to employees who become members of the public retirement system on or after July 1, 2007. - Authored By: Rep. Ben Bridges of the 10th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute Judiciary Non-Civil HB 257 - Firearms; public gatherings; allow constables to carry weapons - BILL SUMMARY: Changes provisions related to carrying deadly weapons at public gatherings to allow constables to lawfully carry pistols in publicly owned or operated buildings. Allows constables to carry weapons within school safety zones. - Authored By: Rep. John P Yates of the 73rd - Committee Action: Do Pass Judiciary Non-Civil HB 455 - Georgia Prescription Monitoring Program Act; enact - BILL SUMMARY: The Georgia Prescription Monitoring Program Act establishes a program for monitoring prescribed and dispensed Schedule II, III, or IV controlled substances. The Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency would be authorized to monitor prescriptions and promulgate rules and regulations in compliance with the proposed law. Dispensers of Schedule II, III, or IV drugs will be required to submit specific information regarding when the prescription was filled, the quantity dispensed and the amount dispenses as well as the patient's social security number, name, address, and date of birth, and other information about the drug, the prescriber and the patient. "Dispenser" is a defined term in the bill, and includes anyone who delivers the drug to the ultimate user, but does not include a licensed hospital pharmacy, a practitioner or other authorized person who administers the drug or a wholesale distributor of the drug. The required information must be submitted electronically. Those dispensers who cannot submit the information electronically may apply for a waiver to send the information via paper. The information must be submitted at least weekly. The information will not be subject to open records requests except under the following circumstances: 1.The information will be available to persons authorized to prescribe; 2.The information will be available to the person it concerns or upon request of his attorney; 3.The information will be available to the Composite State Board of Medical Examiners or any other licensing board whose members have the authority to prescribe; 4.The information will be available to law enforcement and the Department of Community Health and upon the lawful order of the courts and to personnel of the Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency. The Agency would also be allowed to provide data for statistical research and other purposes after removing any identifying information about individual patients. Dispensers who knowingly fail to submit information, any person who knowingly discloses information or uses the information in violation of the Act will be guilty of a misdemeanor and punished by up to 12 months in prison and/or a $1000 fine or both. - Authored By: Rep. Ron Stephens of the 164th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute Judiciary Non-Civil HB 1086 - Court baliffs; maximum per diem; eliminate - BILL SUMMARY: Eliminates the maximum per diem allowed to court bailiffs. Current law provides that the per diem can be as low as $5.00 or as high as $70.00. This bill removes the $70.00 cap. - Authored By: Rep. David Ralston of the 7th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute Judiciary Non-Civil HB 1090 - Controlled substances; Schedule I, II, III and IV; change certain provisions - BILL SUMMARY: Updates and changes provisions related to Schedule I, II, III, and IV controlled substances. - Authored By: Rep. Ron Stephens of the 164th - Committee Action: Do Pass Judiciary Non-Civil HB 1113 - State purchasing; definitions; provisions - BILL SUMMARY: This bill restricts the use of purchasing cards used by state agencies, and will only allow the issuance of purchasing cards to state employees. It will only allow those employees whose job duties require the use of a purchasing card to be issued one, and will require each employee who receives a purchasing card to sign an ethical agreement for the use of the card. The legislation will require each department or agency to review all purchases and maintain receipts for each purchase. Purchases made will be reviewed by supervisors at least quarterly. Purchases must be accompanied by a receipt or other documentation listing each item purchased, the price, and any applicable taxes, fees or other amounts paid in connection with the purchase. Employees who do not provide the required documentation will be held personally responsible for the purchase. Purchases over $500.00 will be restricted unless the items are purchased pursuant to a valid state contract and purchased in compliance with state procurement policy. Any rebates or refunds will become the property of the state and be turned in to the state treasury. Employees who demonstrate consistently low use of purchasing cards will have theirs eliminated, and departments and agencies will review, at least annually, all cards issued to their employees. Purchasing cards should, to the extent necessary, not be used to purchase gift cards, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products or personal items that are not job related. Employees hired for positions which require the use of a purchasing card will be required to submit to a criminal background check and a credit check, and cards will only be issued to those employees whose positions are state funded. Any employee who knowingly uses a purchasing card for personal gain or purchases unauthorized items or purchases items in violation of the Code section, or retains a refund or rebate will be subject to (1) immediate termination of employment, (2) restitution for the amount of the purchase, and (3) criminal penalties. Any supervisor of an employee who intentionally, knowingly, willfully, wantonly or recklessly allows or who conspires with an employee to purchase unauthorized items will be subject to (1) immediate termination of employment, (2) restitution for the amount of the purchase, and (3) criminal penalties. Criminal Penalties: If the aggregate value of the items is less than $500.00 the offender will be guilty of a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature if the aggregate value of the items is less than $500.00. If the value is greater than $500.00 the punishment will be for a felony with a prison sentence of up to 20 years and a fine not to exceed $50,000.00. - Authored By: Rep. John Heard of the 104th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute Public Safety and Homeland Security HB 1201 - Georgia Emergency Management Agency Nomenclature Act of 2008; enact - BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends Chapter 3 of Title 38 of the O.C.G.A, relating to emergency management, so as to require permission for use of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency's nomenclature and symbols; to provide a short title; to provide for liabilities and penalties; to provide that a willful violation shall be a misdemeanor. Chapter 3 of Title 38 of the O.C.G.A, relating to emergency management is amended by inserting a new article. 38-3-140 shall be known as the Georgia Emergency Management Agency Nomenclature. 38-3-141 defines terms like badge, director, emblem, person, seal, and willful violator. 38-3-142 outlines what written permission from the director when using the words Georgia Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Management Agency, or GEMA in reference to Georgia Emergency Management Agency in connection with any advertisement, circular, book, pamphlet, or other publication, play, motion picture, broadcast, telecast, or other production in a manner reasonably calculated to convey the impression that such advertisement, circular, book, pamphlet, or other publication, play, motion picture, broadcast, telecast, or other production is approved, endorsed, or authorized by or associated with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency shall be in violation of this article. 38-3-143 any person who uses or displays any symbol, including any emblem, seal, or badge, current or historical, used by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency without written permission from the director shall be in violation of this article. 38-3-144 any person seeking permission to use or display the nomenclature or symbols of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency may request such permission in writing to the director. The director shall serve notice on the requesting party within 15 calendar days after receipt of the request of his or her decision on whether the person may use the nomenclature or the symbol. If the director does not respond within the 15 day time period, then the request is presumed to have been denied. The grant of permission under this article shall be at the discretion of the director and under such conditions as the director may impose. 38-3-145 whenever there shall be an actual or threatened violation of this article, the director shall have the right to apply to the Superior Court of Fulton County or to the superior court of the county of residence of the violator for an injunction to restrain the violation. 38-3-146 in addition to any other relief or sanction for a violation of this article, the director shall be entitled to collect a civil penalty in the amount of $1,000.00 for each violation from a willful violator. Further, the director shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorney's fees for bringing any action against a willful violator. 38-3-147 any person who has given money or any other item of value to another person due in part to such person's use of agency nomenclature or symbols in violation of this article may maintain a suit for damages against the violator. Where it is proven that the violation was willful, the victim shall be entitled to recover treble damages, punitive damages, and reasonable attorney's fees. 38-3-148 any willful violator shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be subject to a fine of not more than $5,000.00 or to imprisonment for not more than 12 months, or both. Each violation shall constitute a separate offense. - Authored By: Rep. Burke Day of the 163rd - Committee Action: Do Pass Public Safety and Homeland Security HB 1202 - Georgia Ports Authority; traffic laws; change certain provisions - BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends Chapter 2 of Title 52 of the O.C.G.A, relating to the Georgia Ports Authority, so as to change certain provisions for the application of traffic laws and enforcement by security guards employed with the Georgia Port Authority; to change the designation of security guard to peace officer; to require that those employees of the authority who are authorized to exercise the powers of arrest shall be certified peace officers subject to the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council. *Code Section 52-2-10 is amended and related to the application of traffic laws and enforcement by security guards employed with the Georgia Ports Authority. - Authored By: Rep. Burke Day of the 163rd - Committee Action: Do Pass Public Safety and Homeland Security SB 388 - Identity Fraud; provide Georgia Bureau of Investigation authority to investigate certain offenses; subpoena power - BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends Article 8 of Chapter 9 of Title 16 and Chapter 35 of the O.C.G.A, relating to identity fraud and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, respectively, so as to provide the Georgia Bureau of Investigation with the authority to investigate certain offenses involving identity fraud, including subpoena power; to change provisions relating to investigations in identity fraud cases. *Code Section 16-9-123 is revised and relates to investigations in identity fraud cases. The first change in this section strikes through the Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs and adds the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. "Copies of any and all complaints received by any law enforcement agency of this state regarding potential violations of this article shall be transmitted to the Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs Georgia Bureau of Investigation shall maintain a repository for all complaints in the State of Georgia regarding identity fraud. Information contained in such repository shall not be subject to public disclosure." In this same code section the Georgia Bureau of Investigation or local law enforcement is added after the Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs. "Consumer victims of identity fraud may file complaints directly with the Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, or with local law enforcement. *Code Section 35-3-4 is amended in subsection (a), relating to the powers and duties of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, by striking "or" at the end of paragraph (9), by replacing the period with "; or" at the end of paragraph (10), and by adding a new paragraph (11) that reads, Identity and investigate violations of Article 8 of Chapter 9 of Title 16. *Code Section 35-3-4.1, relating to subpoena for production of electronic communication service records for computer or electronic devices in furtherance of certain offenses against minors. The revision of paragraph (1) of subsection (a) shall read: "(a)(1) In any investigation of a violation of Code Section 16-12-100, 16-12-100.1, or 16-12-100.2 involving the use of a computer or an electronic device in furtherance of an act related to a minor, or any investigation of a violation of Article 8 of Chapter 9 of Title 16, the director, assistant director, or deputy director for investigations shall be authorized to issue a subpoena, with the consent of the Attorney General, to compel the production of electronic communication service or remote communication service records or other information pertaining to a subscriber or customer of such service, exclusive of contents of communications." - Authored By: Sen. Joseph Carter of the 13th - Committee Action: Do Pass Retirement HB 545 - Georgia Judicial Retirement System; creditable service; superior court judges and district attorneys; provisions - BILL SUMMARY: This bill provides that a superior court judge or district attorney who is an active member of the Georgia Judicial Retirement System may obtain up to 5 years of creditable service for prior service as a circuit-paid assistant district attorney. Members wishing to obtain such creditable service would be required to pay the full actuarial cost to the Board by December 31, 2008 or within six months of becoming a member of the System, whichever is later. - Authored By: Rep. John P Yates of the 73rd - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute Retirement HB 732 - Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund; certain persons; provide membership - BILL SUMMARY: This bill provides for certain persons employed by the Composite State Board of Medical Examiners as investigators to be eligible for membership in the Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund. - Authored By: Rep. Ron Stephens of the 164th - Committee Action: Do Pass Retirement HB 873 - Employees' Retirement System; court administrators; creditable service; provisions - BILL SUMMARY: This bill provides that a person who is a member of the Employees' Retirement System and is employed as a court administrator may obtain up to 4 years of creditable service for prior service as a full-time law assistant for a judicial circuit. Members wishing to obtain such creditable service are required to pay the full actuarial cost to the Board of Trustees no later than July 1, 2009 or within six months of becoming a member of the ERS, whichever is later. - Authored By: Rep. Roger B. Lane of the 167th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute Retirement HR 1271 - Joint Public Retirement System COLA Study Committee; create - BILL SUMMARY: This resolution creates the Joint Public Retirement System COLA Study Committee which will study the issues related to the cost-of-living benefits adjustments of different retirement systems. The committee will consist of ten members, five of whom will be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and another five by the President of the Senate. - Authored By: Rep. Pat Gardner of the 57th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute State Planning & Community Affairs HB 1200 - Georgia Local Government Public Works Construction Law; certain development authorities; exempt - BILL SUMMARY: No Summary Available - Authored By: Rep. Wendell Willard of the 49th - Committee Action: Tabled Transportation HB 1019 - Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank Act; enact - BILL SUMMARY: Amends Code Section 32-10-2 relating to the State Road and Tollway Authority to enact the "Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank Act." Section 1: Defines `revenue' or `revenues' as any and all money received from the collection of those tolls authorized by Georgia Code, any federal highway or transit funds or reimbursements, any other federal highway or transit assistance received by the authority, any other money pledged for such purpose, and any other money received by the authority pursuant to the Georgia Infrastructure Bank. Section 2: This Section creates a new Part 3 and shall be known and cited as the `Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank Act'. Code Section 32-10-121: creates within the State Road and Tollway Authority an instrumentality of the state to be known as the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank. The Bank will be governed by the board of the State Road and Tollway Authority as provided in this chapter. The Bank serves the corporate purpose of assisting in the financing qualified projects by providing loans and other financial assistance to government units for constructing and improving highway and transportation facilities necessary for public purposes, including economic development. This Code Section also states that the Bank shall maintain at least the four following accounts in the authority fund: (1) State and local roadway account; (2) State and local nonroadway account; (3) Federal roadway account; and (4) Federal nonroadway account. Code Section 32-10-122: lists and defines certain terms used throughout the legislation. Code Section 32-10-123: The Board of the State Road and Tollway Authority may, in administering the affairs of the Bank, exercise any or all powers granted in Parts 1 and 2 of said article. The board is specifically authorized to issue bonds for the purposes of the Bank, in the same general manner provided in Part 2 of this same article. Code Section 32-10-124: provides other powers granted to the board but notes that the authority of the board is not limited to those expressly granted in this section. The Bank is not a bank or trust within the jurisdiction or under the control of this state or an agency of it or the Treasury Department of the United States. Deposits are not FDIC insured. Code Section 32-10-125: gives sources that may be used to capitalize the Bank. They include General Assembly appropriations, Federal funds (subject to DOT approval), Contributions, donations, deposits from government units, private entities, and any other source as may become available to the Bank, moneys from payments on loans and interest, proceeds from bonds, and other lawful sources not earmarked for other purposes. Code Section 32-10-126: outlines the regulation for earnings on the balances in each of the four mandatory accounts and their investment. Such activity must comply with state and federal law. Code Section 32-10-127: The Bank may issue loans to pay for all or part of the eligible costs of a qualified project. The term of the loan shall not exceed the useful life of the project. Terms and conditions of the loan or financial assistance are up to the board. The board will also determine which projects are eligible and can give preference to those that have local financial support. Code Section 32-10-128: Borrows may do what is necessary to carry out contracts or agreements reached by both parties. Borrowers can pledge security interests in project revenues to secure obligations. They may also change the amounts of fees and charges for the operation of the project in any part of the system where they receive revenue to meet the obligation. Code Section 32-10-129: There will be no taxes levied on the Bank as it is performing an essential governmental function. Code Section 32-10-130: Failure to pay on the loan will result in funds being withheld and applied as payments. Code Section 32-10-131: Neither the board or any officer is to be held liable for anything resulting from carrying out any of the powers given in this part. Code Section 32-10-132: No act of the Bank shall be subject to any referendum. No notice, proceeding, or publication, except those required in this part shall be necessary to the performance of any act authorized in this part. Code Section 32-10-133: The Bank shall submit an annual report to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, the General Assembly, and the appropriate federal agency. Section 3: This Act is effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. - Authored By: Rep. John Lunsford of the 110th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute Transportation HB 1139 - Sales and use tax; transportation purposes; implement increase - BILL SUMMARY: This legislation will amend Chapter 8 of Title 48 relating to sales and use taxes so as to implement a 1 percent increase in the state-wide sales and use taxes to be used for transportation. The legislation does not exempt motor fuels from such increase. The legislation also amends Chapter 13 of the same Title relating to specific, business, and occupation taxes to reflect the 1 percent increase in the sales and use tax. This Act would become effective on January 1, 2009 if the resolution at the November, 2008, state-wide general election is ratified. Said resolution would amend the Georgia Constitution so as to authorize the use of 1 percent of the sales and use tax for transportation services. If the resolution is not ratified, this Act would stand abolished. - Authored By: Rep. Vance Smith of the 129th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute Transportation HR 1023 - Tuskegee Airmen Parkway; dedicate - BILL SUMMARY: Dedicates Camp Creek Parkway in Fulton County from its intersection with Fulton Industrial Boulevard to its intersection with Interstate Highway 85 as the Tuskegee Airmen Parkway. - Authored By: Rep. Bob Holmes of the 61st - Committee Action: Do Pass Transportation HR 1226 - Sales and use tax; 1 percent increase; transportation purposes; allocate funds - BILL SUMMARY: This resolution proposes an amendment to the Constitution so as to provide that funds derived from an additional 1 percent increase in the general state-wide sales and use tax shall be appropriated for any and all transportation purposes. The amendment would authorize General Assembly to allocate and specify and direct the use of such funds by general law. Under such amendment, 90 percent of the funds are to be expended for transportation purposes in the regional commission area where the funds were collected. 10 percent of the funds shall be expended for state-wide transportation projects. This amendment will appear on the ballot at the November, 2008 general election where voters will ratify or reject it. - Authored By: Rep. Vance Smith of the 129th - 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. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 8:30 AM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 1:00 PM 3:00 PM 1:30 PM 4:30 PM 1:30 PM 2:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:30 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 2:00 PM 4:00 PM 2:00 PM 4:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM Thursday, February 21, 2008 NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY INSURANCE Judiciary Non-Civil Subcommittee One (Knox) Ways and Means Sales Tax Subcommittee RULES Appropriations High Education Subcommittee Appropriations Special Projects Subcommittee Inmate Issues Subcommittee of State Institutions HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES STATE INSTITUTIONS & PROPERTY WAYS & MEANS Judiciary Non-Civil Subcommittee Two (Mumford) Appropriations Health Subcommittee 2:00 PM 4:00 PM JUDICIARY CIVIL 3:00 PM 3:30 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS APPROPRIATIONS 606 CLOB 506 CLOB 406 CLOB 132 CAP 133 CAP 341 CAP 415 CLOB 403 CAP 515 CLOB 606 LCOB 515 CLOB 406 CLOB 605 CLOB 506 CLOB CANCELED 132 CAP or upon adjournment- whichever is later 506 CLOB 341 CAP 3:30 PM 5:30 PM 3:30 PM 4:30 PM 4:00 PM 6:00 PM EDUCATION General Government Subcommittee of Governmental Affairs REGULATED INDUSTRIES 606 CLOB 506 CLOB IMMEDIATELY following Full Committee 515 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. ____________________________________________________________________________ CONTACT: BRENT CRANFIELD (404) 656-0305 Brent.Cranfield@house.ga.gov