Daily report [Feb. 26, 2008]

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

TOMORROW'S FORECAST
* The House will reconvene for its 24th Legislative Day on Wednesday, February 27, at 10:00 AM. * 11 bills are expected to be debated on the floor.

GGEEOORRGGIIAAHHOOUUSSEE OOFF RREEPPRREESSEENNTTAATTIIVVEESS

DAILY REPORT

TTuueessddaayy,, FFeebbrruuaarryy 2266,, 22000088
TODAY ON THE FLOOR

2233rrdd LLeeggiissllaattiivvee DDaayy

RULES CALENDAR
HB 111 - Delayed birth certificates; petitions in probate and superior court; permit
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 111 amends O.C.G.A. 31-10-12 to allow a petition for the issuance of a birth certificate to be filed in probate court, when a delayed certificate of birth is rejected. Currently, the petition must be filed in superior court, and the bill proposes to allow the petitions to be filed in either superior or probate court. - Authored By: Rep. Austin Scott of the 153rd - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 163; Nays: 0
HB 228 - HOPE scholarships; remove hourly caps
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill removes hourly caps at public and private postsecondary institutions and branches of the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education. - Authored By: Rep. DuBose Porter of the 143rd - House Committee: Higher Education - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: N/A; Nays: N/A
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 - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 155; Nays: 1
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 - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 149; Nays: 8

HB 984 - Children's transition care centers; definitions; revise and add new
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill relates to children's transition care centers and defines them as a temporary, home-like environment for medically fragile children, technology dependent children, and children with special health care needs, up to age 21, who are deemed clinically stable by a physician but dependent on life-sustaining medications, treatments, and equipment and who require assistance with activities of daily living to facilitate transitions from a hospital or other facility to a home or other appropriate setting. These centers are designated sites that provide nursing care, clinical support services, and therapies for a period of one to 14 days for short-term stays and up to 12 months to facilitate transitions to a home or other appropriate setting. The centers may not serve more than 16 children at a time. Childrens transition care center services shall be available to all families in Georgia, including those whose care is paid for through the Department of Community Health or the Department of Human Resources or by insurance companies that cover home health care services or private duty nursing care in the home. - Authored By: Rep. Clay Cox of the 102nd - House Committee: Children & Youth - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 148; Nays: 1

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 - House Committee: Transportation - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 162; Nays: 1
HB 1043 - Childhood Lead Exposure Control Act; confirmed lead poisoning; revise definition
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill changes the article in relation to 'confirmed lead poisoning' from single-family dwelling or multifamily residence, building, or structure designed to contain not more than 12 single-family dwellings, dwelling units, or residential housing units so long as the whole complex comprised of such residences, buildings, or structures does not contain more than 12 single-family dwellings, dwelling units, or residential housing units, and to just apply to (1) Owners of residential rental property; and 2) Landlords that accept compensation for the use of residential property by another. - Authored By: Rep. Sharon Cooper of the 41st - House Committee: Children & Youth - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 123; Nays: 30

HB 1051 - Child abuse; county multiagency child fatality review committee; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 1051 amends O.C.G.A. 19-15-3's multi-agency child fatality review committee provisions to require an annual report to be issued which contains certain information. The bill also requires the Georgia Child Fatality Review Panel to submit a report to the Governor, Lt. Governor, Speaker of the House, and House and Senate Judiciary Committees, which contains information concerning a number of child fatality issues. - Authored By: Rep. Wendell Willard of the 49th - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 160; Nays: 0
HB 1065 - Sales tax; local charter schools; capital outlay projects; authorize
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 1065 provides that local charter schools, state chartered special schools, or both may constitute capital outlay projects, for which revenues from local sales taxes for educational purposes may be used. - Authored By: Rep. Richard A Royal of the 171st - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 112; Nays: 0
HB 1086 - Court bailiffs; 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 - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 159; Nays: 0
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 - House Committee: Higher Education - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): Mills Amendment; Hembree Amendment 33 0620 - Yeas: 155; Nays: 3
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 - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): Rice Amendment 28 0855 - Yeas: 163; Nays: 0
HR 413 - English; official language of the State of Georgia; declare - CA
- BILL SUMMARY: Provides that English is the official language of the State of Georgia; Requires that official actions of the state be in English and that no law, ordinance, decree, program or policy of the state be required to be in any other language than English including driver examinations; A person who speaks only English will be eligible to participate in all programs, benefits and opportunities, including employment and no law will penalize any person solely because that person speaks only English; Another language may be used in the following instances; To teach a language other than English; To protect public health and safety; To teach English to those not fluent; For use of American Sign Language or to comport with any other applicable federal law; To protect the rights of criminal defendants and victims of crime and to provide equal access to courts of competent jurisdiction; To promote diplomacy, trade, commerce and tourism; In state mottos or other acts that customarily use languages other than English; To use terms of art from other languages with are commonly used in communications; The declaration of English as the official language is not intended to infringe upon the rights of any person to use a different language in private communications including the right of government officials to communicate with others while not performing official actions of the state; Gives any resident of the state or any person doing business standing to sue any state agency or official to seek injunctive relief; A qualified person or the Attorney General may file suit on behalf of all citizens of the state; A person who prevails shall be entitled to costs including reasonable attorney's fees. - Authored By: Rep. Timothy Bearden of the 68th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 103; Nays: 61
- This bill failed because it did NOT receive a constitutional majority.
HR 1103 - Joint Study Committee on Teacher Training and Certification; create
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution creates a Joint Study Committee on Teacher Training and Certification. - Authored By: Rep. Brooks Coleman of the 97th - House Committee: Education - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 159; Nays: 0
SB 352 - Government; legislative override; change certain exemptions
- BILL SUMMARY: Currently, the legislature does not have oversight authority regarding the Dept. of Natural Resources' Environmental Protection Division regarding state statutes. With the creation of the "Statewide Water Management Plan" and future legislation regarding water supply in the State of Georgia, the legislature feels that oversight is necessary as the Department begins implementing and executing laws, rules, and regulations. This bill does NOT grant the legislature oversight on federal issues, just state ones. - Authored By: Sen. Bill Cowsert of the 46th - House Committee: Natural Resources & Environment - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 164; Nays: 0

LOCAL CALENDAR
HB 1279 - Emanuel County; Board of Education; members; change compensation
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide compensation for the members of the Emanuel County Board of Education. - Authored By: Rep. Butch Parrish of the 156th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 133; Nays: 0
* The House will reconvene Wednesday, February 27, at 10:00 AM, for its 24th 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 24th Legislative Day, Wednesday, February 27, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker.
RULES CALENDAR FOR NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY
HB 188 - Jury duty; primary caregiver of certain persons; provide exemption
- BILL SUMMARY: Committee substitute LC370459S to HB 188 adds an exemption from jury duty to O.C.G.A. 15-12-1's list of exemptions, for a person who is a primary, unpaid caregiver for a person over age 6 who has physical or cognitive limitations. The individual seeking the exemption must sign an affidavit and present a statement from a physician or medical provider. - Authored By: Rep. Ed Rynders of the 152nd - House Committee: Judiciary - House Committee Passed: 2/1/2008 - Rule: Modified-Structured
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 - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - House Committee Passed: 2/20/2008 - Rule: Open
HB 958 - Magistrate court; certain judgments; clarify appeal procedure
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 958 amends a number of provisions in the Magistrate Court statutes codified in Title 15, Chapter 10. Section 1 amends O.C.G.A. 15-10-41 to provide that a party does not have appeal rights from a dismissal for want of prosecution or due to nonappearance at trial, and that a post-judgment motion to vacate a judgment shall be by certiorari.
Section 2 amends O.C.G.A. 15-10-43 to require the plaintiff to provide more information in the plaintiff's complaint, and allows certain procedural motions by a defendant to be considered by the Magistrate Court. Section 3 requires a counterclaim by a defendant to contain the same amount of additional information that Section 2 requires of plaintiffs. Section 4 revises the form for a plaintiff's complaint. Section 5 removes the 30-day time limit for propounding postjudgment discovery. - Authored By: Rep. Tom Rice of the 51st - House Committee: Judiciary - House Committee Passed: 2/21/2008 - Rule: Open

HB 981 - Weight of vehicles and loads; concrete haulers; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: Amends Code Section 32-6-26 relating to weights of vehicles and loads by taking out the words "located in the same or an adjoining county" when referring to trucks hauling mixed concrete for delivery. This change makes it legal for trucks hauling unhardened concrete to customers to travel the routes necessary to get to the customer. - Authored By: Rep. Mark Butler of the 18th - House Committee: Transportation - House Committee Passed: 2/13/2008 - Rule: Open
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 - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - House Committee Passed: 2/20/2008 - Rule: Modified-Structured
HB 1124 - Design-build contracts; standard for award; change
- BILL SUMMARY: -This legislation amends Code Section 32-2-81 relating to the procedure for awarding design build contracts. Paragraph 7 of subsection (d) and subsection (f) is revised to provide for the selection to consist of a minimum THREE components, instead of two. From the list of qualified bidders used in the selection process, the department shall now select the bidder whose proposal best satisfies the evaluation criteria contained in the request for the proposal. The third, and new, component states that from the list of qualified firms, the department shall make every reasonable effort, without sacrificing the integrity of the process, to award contracts to Georgia based firms. - Subsection (f) states that beginning in FY 2009, the department shall annually report to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House, and the Chairpersons of the House and Senate Transportation Committees on the progress in identifying suitable projects for using the design build procedure. By FY 2010 the department should be using the design build procedure to award at least 5 percent of the monetary value of its construction contracts. By FY 2012 this percentage should be increased to at least 10 percent. - Authored By: Rep. James Mills of the 25th - House Committee: Transportation - House Committee Passed: 2/13/2008 - Rule: Open
HB 1160 - Transferable development rights; severance; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 1160 makes two minor amendments to the transfer of development rights statutes codified in O.C.G.A. 36-66A-1, et seq. Section 1 of the bill makes two minor changes, and defines "transfer ratio." Section 2 adds language concerning transfer ratios. - Authored By: Rep. Len Walker of the 107th - House Committee: Judiciary - House Committee Passed: 2/21/2008 - Rule: Open
HB 1169 - Early care and learning programs; day-care center; revise definition
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill excludes K-12 private schools from regulation as day-care centers. - Authored By: Rep. Alisha Thomas Morgan of the 39th - House Committee: Education - House Committee Passed: 2/21/2008 - Rule: Open
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 - House Committee: Higher Education - House Committee Passed: 2/20/2008 - Rule: Open

HB 1222 - 'Health Share' Volunteers in Medicine Act; definitions; revise certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would update the Healthshare Volunteers in Medicine Act to allow the program to refuse participation by any provider who is under sanction, restriction, or penalty as determined by the appropriate professional licensing or standard board. - Authored By: Rep. Mickey Channell of the 116th - House Committee: Health & Human Services - House Committee Passed: 2/21/2008 - Rule: Modified-Structured
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 - House Committee: Transportation - House Committee Passed: 2/20/2008 - Rule: Structured
* The Rules Committee will next meet on Wednesday, February 27, at 09:00 AM, to set the Rules Calendar for the 25th Legislative Day.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
COMMITTEE ACTION REPORT
Agriculture & Consumer Affairs
HB 649 - Georgia Blueberry Commission; create
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill, known as the "Georgia Agricultural Commodities Promotion Act," crates the Georgia Blueberry Commission. It provides for membership, appointment, election, terms, and compensation for members to the commission. - Authored By: Rep. Tommy Smith of the 168th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Agriculture & Consumer Affairs
SB 418 - Georgia Fire Safety Standard and Firefighter Protection Act; definitions; provide for standards for testing cigarettes; written certification
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill prohibits the sale of cigarettes unless the manufacturer of those cigarettes certifies to the Safety Fire Commissioner that the cigarettes have been tested by the manufacturer and meet certain standards. - Authored By: Sen. Don Balfour of the 9th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Defense & Veterans Affairs
HB 1187 - State parks and recreation areas; active and retired military personnel; free admission; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: Amends Part 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia. Allows any active or retired member of the armed services, including the reserve and national guard components, and any disabled veteran and any person in possession of a veterans driver's license to have free admission to any state park, historic site, memorial, or recreational area. - Authored By: Rep. Margaret D. Kaiser of the 59th - Committee Action: Without Recommendation
Education
HB 1209 - State Board of Education; local school systems; contracts; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill codifies the partnership between the state and local school systems by setting up a system of performance contracts levying flexibility for accountability. Local school systems may voluntarily enter into a contract ultimately approved by the State Board of Education. Under this legislation, the contracts will be enacted for a 3 year time period during which the local school system will agree to certain performance goals for its schools. If the performance goals are not met, negotiated consequences will be enacted. In return for the increased accountability and swift consequences, the school system will earn negotiated flexibility from state laws and regulations. - Authored By: Rep. Brooks Coleman of the 97th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Game, Fish, & Parks
SB 382 - Game/Fish; license, permit, tag and stamp fees; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill seeks to change the licensing and fee requirements for licensed hunters and gamers when renewing their license. It lowers the fee for renewal so that Georgia residents receive the same financial benefit as non-residents who purchase a temporary license. The committee substitute added language regarding online purchases of licenses, since the state has now entered into a contract for an online licensing system. The substitute also give gamers, who apply for a renewal, a discount of $ 2. 75 on their fee, since that will be the additional cost for online purchases. - Authored By: Sen. Bill Heath of the 31st - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Governmental Affairs
SB 82 - Dunwoody, City of; incorporation, boundaries, and powers of the city
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill allows for a referendum to create the city of Dunwoody. - Authored By: Sen. Dan Weber of the 40th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1282 - Glynn County; ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a homestead exemption from Glynn County ad valorem taxes for county purposes in an amount equal to the amount by which the current year assessed value of a homestead exceeds the base year assessed value of such homestead may continue to be received if the homestead is destroyed but repaired or rebuilt in similar size and value within two years. - Authored By: Rep. Jerry Keen of the 179th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1285 - Glynn County School District; ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a homestead exemption from Glynn County School District ad valorem taxes for educational purposes in an amount equal to the amount by which the current year assessed value of a homestead exceeds the base year assessed value of such homestead may continue to be received if the homestead is destroyed but repaired or rebuilt in similar size and value within two years. - Authored By: Rep. Jerry Keen of the 179th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1304 - Kennesaw, City of; corporate city limits; change provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to annex territory into the corporate limits of the City of Kennesaw. - Authored By: Rep. Ed Setzler of the 35th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1308 - Cobb County State Court; clerk and chief deputy clerk; change compensation
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide compensation for the Clerk and Chief Deputy Clerk of the State Court of Cobb County. - Authored By: Rep. Earl Ehrhart of the 36th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1309 - Brantley County; board of commissioners; chairperson; change salary
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide compensation for the Chairperson of the Brantley County Board of Commissioners. - Authored By: Rep. Mark Williams of the 178th - Committee Action: Do Pass

Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1312 - Bleckley County School Building Authority; create
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to create the Bleckley County School Building Authority and to provide for its powers and duties. - Authored By: Rep. Jimmy Pruett of the 144th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1313 - Pulaski County School Building Authority; create
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to create the Pulaski County School Building Authority and to provide for its powers and duties. - Authored By: Rep. Jimmy Pruett of the 144th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Judiciary
HB 1093 - Liquidated damages; demand; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: Substitute LC-29-3261-S to HB 1093 amends O.C.G.A. 44-14-3, which requires lenders to release a security deed within sixty (60) days of payoff or face damages in at least the amount of $500.00, to require the property owner to send a written demand to the lender prior to filing suit based upon the statute. The bill has been amended to require a lender to send either confirmation of the release or a notice of the borrower's right to damages for the lender's failure to release the security deed, within sixty (60) days of when the security deed is paid off. - Authored By: Rep. Wendell Willard of the 49th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Judiciary
HB 1132 - Uniform Environmental Covenants Act; enact
- BILL SUMMARY: The Substitute to HB 1132 enacts the Uniform Environmental Covenants Act, which allows the owner of a contaminated property to record a restrictive covenant which the Georgia EPD signs off on, which outlines the remediation requirements for the property. The covenants would allow a property owner to sell contaminated property with more certainty about which party is responsible for future environmental cleanup efforts. Whether to enter into the environmental covenant would be a completely voluntary decision on the part of the property owner; the Act provides a potential tool for owners of contaminated property to use to make their property marketable. HB 1132 has been amended to grant standing to abutting landowners to enforce the covenants. - Authored By: Rep. Edward Lindsey of the 54th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Judiciary
HR 1364 - Community redevelopment; funding; authorize - CA
- BILL SUMMARY: The Substitute to HR 1364 is a proposed constitutional amendment in response to Woodham v. City of Atlanta, __ Ga. __ (Case Nos. S07A1309 and S07A1566, February 11, 2008), which held that no education ad valorem taxes could be used to fund the Atlanta BeltLine TAD. The City's school system had agreed to participate in the funding of the BeltLine TAD and a citizen's intervention in opposition to the TAD's bond validation proceeding yielded the Woodham decision.
HR 1364 proposes to amend Article IX, Section II, Paragraph VII of the Georgia Constitute in two ways. First, HR 1364 proposes to add a Section (a.1) to Paragraph VII, which will provide explicit authority for counties, cities, or housing authorities to undertake and carry out community redevelopment projects. Second, Section (b) of Paragraph VII is amended to authorize the use of county, municipal, and school tax funds, or any combination thereof, to fund redevelopment programs, notwithstanding the constitutional restriction concerning the expenditure of education funds. - Authored By: Rep. Charles E. Martin of the 47th - Committee Action: Do Pass

Judiciary Non-Civil
HB 1020 - Civil and criminal cases; minors; certain sexually explicit or obscene evidence; restrict access
- BILL SUMMARY: Requires that any property or material prohibited under Chapter 12 of Title 16 Offenses Related to Minors will remain in the custody of a law enforcement agency, prosecuting attorney's office or the court in both criminal and civil cases; This includes obscene material and computer or electronic pornography; A court will not allow a defendant to copy the material but will permit the defendant to inspect the materials no later than ten days prior to trial; In civil cases the materials will not be subject to copying; Amends the Open Records Act to provide that these materials will not be subject to public inspection unless approved by the judge in writing designating where the evidence may be inspected. If inspection is permitted the materials will not be permitted to be copied or otherwise reproduced; Copying or reproduction will be carry a felony penalty of 5-20 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000.00, or both. - Authored By: Rep. Rich Golick of the 34th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Ways & Means
HB 237 - Sales and use tax; water pollution eliminating machinery exemptions; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 237 changes language providing a sales tax exemption for the sale of certain manufacturing machinery to clarify what the exemption will include and to broaden this exemption. Currently, an exemption is allowed for sales of machinery "used directly in" the manufacture of tangible personal property when the machinery is bought to replace or upgrade machinery in a plant, when the machinery is incorporated for the first time in a new plant, or when the machinery is incorporated as additional machinery for the first time into a presently existing plant. This "used directly in" language makes auditing very difficult for Revenue. This bill would change the exemption language to the sale of machinery "and equipment" which is "necessary and integral to" the manufacture of tangible personal property. Regarding the exemption for the sale of machinery and equipment which is incorporated and used for the primary purpose of reducing or eliminating air or water pollution, this bill broadens the exemption to include the sales of any repair, replacement, or component parts for such machinery and equipment. This bill also removes the provisions phasing in the exemption from 2001 to 2005 to clean up the code section. - Authored By: Rep. Charles E. Martin of the 47th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Ways & Means
HB 851 - Income tax credit; historic structures rehabilitation; change calculation method
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 851 provides for an increase in the amount of the income tax credits for certified rehabilitation of historic homes from 10% of expenditures to 25% of expenditures. An additional 5% credit will still be allowed for historic homes located within certain target areas. For other certified historic structures, the credit is increased from 20 to 25% of expenditures. The bill increases the caps in the credit amount for any 120 month period from $5,000 to $100,000 for homes and $300,000 for other structures. HB 851 also provides that these credits may be transferred or sold in whole or in part to another Georgia taxpayer. The transferor must submit written notification of any transfer or sale to the Department of Revenue within 30 days. The transferee may carry forward any unused credit against subsequent year's tax liability, provided that the credit does not extend the time in which the credit can be used. The carry-forward period for a sold or transferred credit begins on the date on which the credit was originally earned. - Authored By: Rep. Allen Peake of the 137th - 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

7:30 AM 8:00 AM 7:30 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:30 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 8:00 AM 10:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 8:30 AM 9:30 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 9:00 AM 9:30 AM 9:30 AM 10:00 AM 1:00 PM 3:00 PM 1:00 PM 2:00 PM 2:00 PM 4:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 2:00 PM 4:00 PM 2:00 PM -

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Environmental Quality Subcommittee of Natural Resources

406 CLOB

Resource Management of Natural Resources

415 CLOB

NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT 406 CLOB

Appropriations General Subcommittee

506 CLOB

Subcommittee of Public Safety & Homeland Security

605 CLOB

Academic Support Subcommittee of Education 515 CLOB

General Government Subcommittee of Governmental Affairs Ways & Means Public Finance and Policy Subcommittee

606 CLOB 133 CAP

State Highways Subcommittee of Transportation 216 CAP

RULES
Interstate Highways Subcommittee of Transportation
Resolution Subcommittee of Transportation

341 CAP 415 CLOB 415 CLOB

Appropriations Higher Education Subcommittee 415 CLOB

Judiciary Non-Civil Subcommittee Two (Mumford)

132 CAP or upon adjournmentwhichever is later

TRANSPORTATION

606 CLOB

MOTOR VEHICLES

506 CLOB

Judiciary Civil Subcommittee One (Lindsey)

216 CAP CANCELED

STATE PLANNING & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS 515 CLOB

3:00 PM 2:00 PM 4:00 PM 2:30 PM 4:30 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM 4:00 PM 6:00 PM 4:00 PM 5:00 PM

JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER AFFAIRS

132 CAP or upon adjournmentwhichever is later
514 CLOB

RETIREMENT

403 CAP

PUBLIC SAFETY & HOMELAND SECURITY 506 CLOB

INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
Academic Achievement Subcommittee of Education
INTERSTATE COOPERATION

406 CLOB 415 CLOB 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