Daily report [Feb. 28, 2008]

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

TOMORROW'S FORECAST
* The House will reconvene for its 29th Legislative Day on Friday, February 29, at 9:00 AM. * 4 bills are expected to be debated on the floor.

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RULES CALENDAR
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 - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 105; Nays: 0
HB 278 - Funeral service contracts; plat marked with location of grave space; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill adds a requirement to the "Georgia Cemetery 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 - House Committee: Agriculture & Consumer Affairs - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 68; Nays: 79
HB 393 - Farm wineries; licensing; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill revises provisions of Chapter 6 of Title 3. This legislation: Redefines `farm winery' as a winery that: - makes at least 40% of its annual production from agricultural produce grown in the state in which the winery is located - is located on premises, a substantial portion (determined by the commissioner) of which is used for cultivating agricultural produce utilized in the manufacture or production of wine by the winery. - is owned and operated by persons who are engaged in the production of a substantial portion (determined by the commissioner) of the agricultural produce used in its annual production. Defines "Georgia farm winery" as a farm winery licensed by the commissioner to manufacture wine in Georgia. Allows the commissioner to authorize any Georgia farm winery to offer wine samples and make retail sales of its wine and the wine of any other Georgia farm winery in tasting rooms at the winery and at five additional locations in the state for consumption on the premises and in closed packages for consumption off the premises. Allows the commissioner to authorize any farm winery licensee to sell any farm and non-farm wine for consumption on premises or in facilities adjacent to and owned by the winery where permitted by law. Takes out the provisions of Code Section 3-6-29, relating to rules, regulations and the content requirements for wines manufactured by domestic and farm wineries. - Authored By: Rep. Ron Stephens of the 164th - House Committee: Regulated Industries - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 116; Nays: 3

HB 544 - Multiple employer self-insured health plans; certain institutions; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 544 allows private colleges and universities to create risk pool arrangements between two or more institutions for the purpose of providing self-funded health insurance plans. The purpose is to provide cheaper premiums and better benefits in order to gain and maintain quality employees. - Authored By: Rep. Bill Hembree of the 67th - House Committee: Insurance - Rule: Modified-Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 129; Nays: 0
HB 798 - Pharmacy Consumer Protection and Transparency Act; enact
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill adds a new article to be known as "Georgia Pharmacy Practice Act" to Chapter 4 of Title 26. This legislation provides that pharmacy benefit managers must be regulated and licensed by the Department of Insurance. It further identifies licensing criteria and procedure as well as provides for rules and regulations. - Authored By: Rep. Austin Scott of the 153rd - House Committee: Regulated Industries - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): Scott Amendment - Yeas: 150; Nays: 0
HB 887 - Tobacco Prevention Master Settlement Agreement Oversight Committee; create
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill is designed to amend chapter 13 of title 10 of the official code of Georgia Annotated, which will provide for the creation of an oversight committee dedicated for tobacco prevention. The board would be established by individuals from the dept. of health, the dept. of human resources, groups dedicated to health and smoking prevention, as well as appointed officials by the Governor, Speaker of the House, and Lt. Governor. The committee will aim to establish tobacco use prevention programs, give recommendations to the governor, review current programs, and report progress. - Authored By: Rep. Mark Butler of the 18th - House Committee: Appropriations - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 138; Nays: 13
HB 962 - Local boards of education; budget deficit; require public notice
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends Article 3 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the O.C.G.A. to require local boards of education to make public notice of a budget deficit or irregularities within 3 business days. - Authored By: Rep. Allen G. Freeman of the 140th - House Committee: Education - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): Rice Amendment - Yeas: 146; Nays: 0
HB 978 - Traffic accidents; illegal immigrants; seize vehicle; allow law enforcement
- BILL SUMMARY: Adds a new Code section (40-6-279) to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. This new section declares that any motor vehicle involved in an accident while being operated by a person who is not legally in this country is declared to be contraband and subject o forfeiture to the state once, and if, the defendant is convicted of the offense charged.
The law enforcement agency that makes the arrest shall deliver the motor vehicle to the District Attorney. Within 60 days from the date of the seizure, the District Attorney, or their designee, shall file cause in the superior court of the county in which the motor vehicle is seized. The owner, lessee, or any person having a duly recorded security interest in or lien on such motor vehicle shall be notified. A copy of this notification to the title holder shall be sent to the firm, person, or corporation who holds the current registration for said vehicle.
The owner may defend by showing that the motor vehicle seized was not subject to forfeiture. Any party at interest may appear, by answer under oath, and file an intervention or defense within 30 days from the date of service on the condemnee of the action. Any party that does come to claim the vehicle may give bond and take possession of the vehicle at the discretion of the court.
If the owner is unknown or resides out of the state or departs the state or cannot be found after due diligence, notice of the proceedings shall be published once a week for two weeks in the newspaper in which the sheriff's advertisements are published. If no defense is filed within 30 days from the date of service on the condemnee, judgment will be entered by the court and the vehicle sold. The proceeds from such sale shall be deposited into the general treasury of the state or

any other governmental unit whose law enforcement agency it was that originally seized the vehicle. Before making this deposit, the following claims must be satisfied: costs incurred in the seizure; costs of the court and its officers; and costs of storage, maintenance, care... A rented or leased vehicle shall not be subject to forfeiture unless it can be proven by a preponderance of evidence that the owner knew or should have known of or consented to the use of the vehicle by the illegal alien. The court may also order the title to the vehicle transferred to a family under financial hardship if it is deemed that the forfeiture and sale outweighs the benefit to the state. - Authored By: Rep. James Mills of the 25th - House Committee: Special Rules - Rule: Modified-Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 104; Nays: 51
HB 983 - Out-of-state law enforcement officers; arrest certain offenders; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill creates a new Code section to provide for the arrest of certain offenders by out-of state law enforcement officers. If a law enforcement officer from Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina or Florida is in fresh pursuit (a defined term in the bill) of a person who enters this state, he will have the same authority to arrest and hold that person in custody as if they were in the officer's state. When the out-of-state officer makes the arrest in Georgia he will then be required to go to a judicial officer in the local jurisdiction for a hearing. The law would only apply to crimes which are crimes under Georgia law and felonies in the pursuing state. The bill provides for a hearing before a judicial officer without unnecessary delay and for extradition of the arrestee to the state in which the criminal offense was committed. The law will only apply to those states which have similar pursuit and arrest provisions in their Code. Currently only Alabama is the only of the five border states that does not have a reciprocal agreement with Georgia. - Authored By: Rep. Doug Collins of the 27th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 130; Nays: 1
HB 1000 - Watercraft Certificate of Title Act; enact
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill creates the "Watercraft Certificate of Title Act." It sets forth the guidelines and principles for the titling of watercraft. Georgia is one of 13 states that do not currently title boats. There is no procedure to verify if there are liens on a boat. Ownership is official only through a bill of sale. In the case of this bill, `vessel' means every description of watercraft that is used or is capable of being used as a means of transportation on water including inflatable rafts and homemade vessels. Seaplanes on the water or sailboards are excluded from the definition of vessel. - An amendment was offered in committee that set forth an additional vessel exemption from the titling process if the boat is motorized but the motor does not exceed 10 horsepower. The bill follows the titling process that exists with automobiles in Georgia. The bills also refers to new boats and does not require that previously purchased vessel be titled. - Authored By: Rep. John Heard of the 104th - House Committee: Game, Fish, & Parks - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - This bill was committed back to Rules
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 - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 126; Nays: 0

HB 1061 - Wine; shipped to one customer; limit number of cases
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill revises the provisions of Code Section 3-6-31 regarding the special order shipping license requirements and regulations. This legislation: Provides that the special order shipping license will only be issued to a shipper or manufacturer who holds a valid federal basic wine manufacturing permit. This license will authorize such shipper or manufacturer to make direct shipments of wine to consumers in this state. Reduces the number of cases of wine that is allowed to be shipped per household by the special order shipping licensee to 12 cases per year. Requires the special order shipping licensee to verify the age of the person placing the order either by checking that individual's ID or by using an internet based age and identification verification service. Prohibits the special order shipping licensee to authorize the shipment of any wine to any premises licensed to sell alcoholic beverages. Establishes provisions relating to the tax payments, sales reports and documentation to be provided by the special order shipping licensee. - Authored By: Rep. Ron Stephens of the 164th - House Committee: Regulated Industries - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 126; Nays: 8
HB 1121 - Condominiums; associations; insurance coverage; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 1121 clarifies who has the insurable interest in regards to condominium insurance. It states that the condominium association has the insurable interest on everything that is original to the condo unit when it was sold. The owner of the unit will have the insurable interest on anything additional or, in the instance something is replaced, for the dollar amount that exceeds the original fixture's value. - Authored By: Rep. Wendell Willard of the 49th - House Committee: Insurance - Rule: Modified-Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 157; Nays: 0
HB 1129 - Georgia Tourism Development Act; enact
- BILL SUMMARY: The purpose of HB 1129 is the promotion and development of tourism attractions in Georgia which will preserve and create jobs and tax revenues for the support of public services provided by the state. The bill provides that companies seeking to undertake a tourism attraction project may be granted a sales and use tax refund for the incremental state and local sales taxes generated by the approved company and arising at the tourism attraction. The total refund allowed to the company over a 10 year term is equal to the lesser of the total amount of sales tax liability of the company or 25% of the approved costs for the tourism attraction project. "Tourism attractions" may include cultural or historic sites, recreation or entertainment facilities, areas of natural phenomenon or beauty, convention hotels and conference centers, race tracks, golf facilities, marinas and water parks, or entertainment destination centers designed to attract tourists to Georgia.
The bill provides for the commissioner of economic development to establish standards for the filing of applications for tourism attraction projects by administrative regulations, and specifies what must be included in applications filed with this department. Approval may be granted if the project shall have approved costs in excess of $25 million for new attractions or $10 million for additions to existing attractions, have a significant and positive economic impact on Georgia, produce sufficient revenues and public demand to be operating and open to the public for a minimum of 120 days per year, and not adversely affect existing employment in Georgia. - Authored By: Rep. Jeff Lewis of the 15th - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 124; Nays: 0
HB 1159 - Income tax credit; adoption of a qualified foster child; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill provides a tax credit for those adopting a foster child for $2000 per year until the child reaches 18 years of age. - Authored By: Rep. John Lunsford of the 110th - House Committee: Children & Youth - Rule: Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 127; Nays: 1

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 - House Committee: Public Safety and Homeland Security - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 138; Nays: 0
LOCAL CALENDAR
HB 1316 - DeKalb County Project Achieve Fund; create
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to establish and authorize the DeKalb County Project Achieve Fund to collect surcharges from each civil case filed in DeKalb County State Court to be used to provide a second chance at school and rehabilitation for troubled youths who are first-time offenders. - Authored By: Rep. Stan Watson of the 91st - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A

* The House will reconvene Friday, February 29, at 09:00 AM, for its 29th Legislative Day of the 1st Regular Session of the 149th General Assembly.
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COMMITTEE ON RULES
The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 29th Legislative Day, Friday, February 29, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker.
RULES CALENDAR FOR NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY
HB 68 - Coastal Marshlands Protection Act; exempt certain single private docks; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill allows for the streamlining of the permitting process for private property owners to build docks, and reduce the number of walkways necessary to reach those docks, on Georgia's coastal marshlands. - Authored By: Rep. Terry Barnard of the 166th - House Committee: Natural Resources & Environment - House Committee Passed: 2/27/2008 - Rule: Modified-Structured
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 - House Committee: Ways & Means - House Committee Passed: 2/26/2008 - Rule: Structured
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 - House Committee: Agriculture & Consumer Affairs - House Committee Passed: 2/26/2008 - Rule: Open
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 - House Committee: Ways & Means - House Committee Passed: 2/26/2008 - Rule: Structured

* The Rules Committee will next meet on Friday, February 29, at 08:00 AM, to set the Rules Calendar for the 30th Legislative Day.
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COMMITTEE ACTION REPORT
Education
HB 637 - Quality Basic Education Act; nationally norm-referenced instruments; revise provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill relates to the assessment of effectiveness of educational programs under QBE. The bill adds language to Code Section 20-2-281 to state that each local school system may elect to administer, with state funding, nationally norm-referenced instruments in reading, math, science or social studies in grades 3-5 and 6-8, subject to funding and with assistance by the State Board of Education. - Authored By: Rep. Brooks Coleman of the 97th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Education
HB 641 - Education, Department of; State Board; Georgia Excellence Foundation; establish
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill establishes the Georgia Excellence Foundation to allow DOE to enter into public-private partnerships, so the Department can receive donations. The bill also would allow the State School Superindendent to enter into contracts for $100,000 or less. The current amount is $50,000. - Authored By: Rep. Brooks Coleman of the 97th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Education
HB 831 - Public Charter School Capital Financing Act; enact
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill, subject to appropriation, would encourage public private partnerships for private donors to charter schools by providing that the Dept of Ed provide matching funds for charter schools. - Authored By: Rep. Ed Setzler of the 35th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Education
HB 1031 - Public high schools; interscholastic athletics program; at least one defibrillator; require
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill requires each public high school which has an interscholastic athletics pogrom to have at least one functional automated external defibrillator on site at all times. Subject to appropriations by the General Assembly, the Department of Education shall provide funds to local school systems to assist in the purchase. - Authored By: Rep. Bill Hembree of the 67th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Education
HB 1181 - State Board of Education; donations, grants, and federal aid acceptance; revise provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would allow the State Board of Education the authority to allow the State School Superintendent to enter into contracts in amounts greater than $100,000 or issue grants in any amount. - Authored By: Rep. Tommy Benton of the 31st - Committee Action: Do Pass
Education
HB 1335 - Quality Basic Education Formula; funding purposes; change program weights
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill changes the program weights for QBE funding. - Authored By: Rep. Brooks Coleman of the 97th - Committee Action: Do Pass

Governmental Affairs
HB 715 - Family and children services; county directors; appointment; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill changes the provisions of Georgia law relating to the selection process for county directors of family and children services. Specifically, it removes the State Merit System of Personnel Administration from the process. Under this bill, the county boards will consider candidates for the county director position. Upon selecting a final candidate, they will then submit this candidate's name to the Commissioner for his approval. - Authored By: Rep. Austin Scott of the 153rd - Committee Action: Do Pass
Governmental Affairs
HB 993 - Absentee voting; casting ballot in person; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 993 allows that each elector who is 75 years of age or older or who is disabled and requires assistance in casting an absentee ballot in person at the registrars office, absentee ballot clerks office, or other locations as provided for in Code Section 21-2-382, shall, upon request to a designated office employee or other individual, be authorized to vote immediately at the next available voting compartment or booth without having to wait in line if such location utilizes direct recording electronic voting systems or be authorized to go to the head of any line necessary to cast a written absentee ballot. Further, it requires the provisions of this bill to be prominently displayed in the registrars office or absentee ballot clerks office. - Authored By: Rep. Bill Hembree of the 67th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Governmental Affairs
HB 1098 - Primaries and elections; election superintendents; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 1098 places the same reporting requirement to the Secretary of States Office on municipal elections as on all other elections in the state. Further, it will require municipal elections officials to gain the same certification from the Secretary of States Office as all other elections officials. - Authored By: Rep. Bobby C Reese of the 98th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Governmental Affairs
HB 1112 - Elections and primaries; municipal election superintendents; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 1112 is a housekeeping bill for the Secretary of States Office. It simplifies the code sections governing the certification program for elections officials by condensing three sections into one. Sections 4,8, and 10 of the bill puts Georgia's elections code in compliance with federal law as it pertains to the extraordinary circumstance that there are 100 or more vacancies in the United States Congress. It contains a provision that will allow candidates for state office that have paid their qualifying fee and decide to remove themselves from consideration before the time for qualifying has expired to get their fee refunded. And, it allows the Secretary of States Office to work in conjunction with the Department of Corrections to purge convicted felons from the voter rolls. - Authored By: Rep. Harry Geisinger of the 48th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Governmental Affairs
HR 592 - Local boards of education; reimburse governing authority; certain elections; require - CA
- BILL SUMMARY: HR 592 requires local boards of education to reimburse the appropriate governing authority for expenses of certain elections, if such elections are not held at the same time as elections for purposes of the governing authority. Such elections would be for one or more board members, to approve imposition of educationally related sales tax or to approve bonded indebtedness for educational purposes. - Authored By: Rep. Bob Holmes of the 61st - Committee Action: Do Pass
Governmental Affairs
HR 1036 - General Assembly; Trauma Care Trust Fund; provide - CA
- BILL SUMMARY: HR 1036 allows for a ballot question to be placed on the November 2008 general election ballot proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to provide that the General Assembly may by general law provide for the dedication and deposit of revenues from specified sources for the purposes of the fund into a Trauma Care Trust Fund. - Authored By: Rep. Ron Stephens of the 164th - Committee Action: Do Pass

Health & Human Services
HB 180 - Prescription drugs; sold by certain Georgia companies; access restrictions; prohibit
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would allow for any drug, service, or product brought to market by a Georgia based biomedical company to be exempted from restrictions such as preferred drug lists or the requirement for prior approval within the State Health Benefit Plan, or any other state administered health product, such as Medicaid or Peachcare for Kids. - Authored By: Rep. Carl Rogers of the 26th - Committee Action: Tabled
Health & Human Services
HB 535 - Mental health; patient advocacy board; create
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would create a Patient Advocacy Board and the Patient Advocate General (Mental Health Ombudsman), to serve the interests of citizens employing the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Addictive Diseases as a provider of care. The bill provides for the membership of the board as appointed by the Governor, Lt. Governor, and the Speaker of the House. The Mental Health Ombudsman would be an independent state officer attached administratively to the Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs, and would be charged with investigated claims of fraud, abuse, and neglect on behalf of families and patients who are consumer clients of the Division of Mental Health/Addictive Diseases/Developmental Diseases. - Authored By: Rep. Mark Butler of the 18th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Industrial Relations
HB 1186 - Subsequent Injury Trust Fund; assessment payments; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: Amends 9-9-34 O.C.G.A dealing with the Subsequent Injury Trust Fund to provide that:
Each insurer and self-insurer under the chapter shall operate under regulations prescribed by the board of trustees. Each insurer and self-insurer shall make payments to the fund in an amount equal to that portion of 175 percent of the total disbursement made during the previous calendar year (unless the amount of the net assets in the fund as of Dec. 31 of the preceding calendar year bears to the total workers' compensation claims paid by all insurer/self-insurers). Each insurer and self-insurer shall make payments to the fund according the mandates of the board. Payments may supersede that portion of 175 percent of the total disbursement if the board deems it necessary to maintain the fund's obligations under this chapter. The administrator can reduce or suspend assessments for the fund when an actuarial survey shows more assessments unnecessary. An employer who stops being a self-insurer before the end of the calendar year is liable to the fund for the calendar year. He shall also be liable for future calendar years so long as payments are made on worker compensation claims are made while in selfinsured status. The initial assessment for the purpose of generating revenue to begin operation shall be in the amount of one-half of 1 percent of the workers' compensation premiums collected by the insurers for the preceding calendar years. - Authored By: Rep. Mike Coan of the 101st - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Insurance
HB 1186 - Subsequent Injury Trust Fund; assessment payments; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: Amends 9-9-34 O.C.G.A dealing with the Subsequent Injury Trust Fund to provide that:
Each insurer and self-insurer under the chapter shall operate under regulations prescribed by the board of trustees. Each insurer and self-insurer shall make payments to the fund in an amount equal to that portion of 175 percent of the total disbursement made during the previous calendar year (unless the amount of the net assets in the fund as of Dec. 31 of the preceding calendar year bears to the total workers' compensation claims paid by all insurer/self-insurers). Each insurer and self-insurer shall make payments to the fund according the mandates of the board. Payments may supersede that portion of 175 percent of the total disbursement if the board deems it necessary to maintain the fund's obligations under this chapter. The administrator can reduce or suspend assessments for the fund when an actuarial survey shows more assessments unnecessary. An employer who stops being a self-insurer before the end of the calendar year is liable to the fund for the calendar year. He shall also be liable for future calendar years so long as payments are made on worker compensation claims are made while in selfinsured status. The initial assessment for the purpose of generating revenue to begin operation shall be in the amount of one-half of 1 percent of the workers' compensation premiums collected by the insurers for the preceding calendar years. - Authored By: Rep. Mike Coan of the 101st - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1329 - Bryan County Water and Sewer Authority Act; enact
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to create the Bryan County Water and Sewer Authority Act and to provide for its duties and responsibilities. - Authored By: Rep. Bob Lane of the 158th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1330 - Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority; issuance of negotiable bonds; provide increase in debt limit
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to establish a limit on the amount of revenue bonds that may be issued by the Cobb County-Marietta Water Sewer Authority. - Authored By: Rep. Rich Golick of the 34th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1340 - Hospital Authority of Wilkes County; filling vacancies; change method
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide for filling vacancies on the board of Wilkes County Hospital Authority. - Authored By: Rep. Mickey Channell of the 116th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1347 - Cobb County; Board of Commissioners; compensation; change provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide compensation to the members of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners. - Authored By: Rep. Steve Tumlin of the 38th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Judiciary
HB 1163 - Brunswick Judicial Circuit; fifth judge for superior courts; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 1163 adds one Superior Court judgeship each in the Brunswick, Alcovy, and Atlanta circuits. - Authored By: Rep. Roger B. Lane of the 167th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Judiciary Non-Civil
HB 1052 - Demand for trial; speedy trial; lengthen time frame
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 1052 amends O.C.G.A. 17-7-170 and O.C.G.A. 17-7-171 (capital cases) to establish the deadline for conducting a trial following a speedy trial demand as the next term of court or 180 days, whichever is longer. Current law has just next term of court provision, and there are disparities in the duration of terms of court across the state. Therefore, disparities in the deadlines for a speedy trial exist. HB 1052 establishes a 180 day minimum to conduct a trial following a speedy trial demand, to make the law on point more uniform. - Authored By: Rep. Wendell Willard of the 49th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Judiciary Non-Civil
HB 1245 - Indigent defense; revise matters; senior judges; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation comes out of the Joint Study Committee on Indigent Defense chaired by Representative Ralston and Senator Seabaugh.
Sections 1-3 adds new language in title 15 related to appointment of Senior Judges to provide that Senior Judges will not be appointed to preside in criminal cases where the death penalty may be imposed. Sections 4-8 make it the responsibility of the Superior Court Clerk's Cooperative Authority to collect and disburse funds paid to the clerk of court and sheriff for indigent defense funding. o The funds currently go directly to the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council (GPDSC).

Section 9 provides that when posting bail or bond the lesser of $100 or 10% of the amount of bail or bond will be added to the amount of bail/bond; current language is the lesser of $50.00 or 10% of the amount of bail. Section 10 provides that the sums collected from the bail add-ons will be paid over to the Superior Court Clerk's Cooperative Authority and 50% will be deposited into the general treasury and the other 50% will go to the county where collected if that county has a procedure to verity indigency; if there is no procedure for verifying indigency the total amount will go to the general treasury. Section 11 deletes existing language that provides that it is the intent of the General Assembly that certain funds are earmarked for the GPDSC. Section 12 provides that a defendant requesting indigent defense services will pay the $50 application fee unless there is a measurable hardship, and that if there is a hardship at the time services are requested the application fee will be paid as a condition of probation. This section also provides that the $50 application fee will be sent to the entity providing legal defense the intent is to send the entire $50 fee to the counties as long as that entity has a procedure in place for verifying indigency. If the county does not have a procedure in place for verifying indigency the $50 fee will be deposited into the state treasury. Section 13 provides that the indigency standard for those accused of a misdemeanor will be 100% of the federal poverty guidelines current law is 125% of the guidelines; this section also removes language referencing a "conflict defender office" so as to be consistent with other parts of the bill that change how conflict cases will be handled. Section 14 changes the make up of the GPDSC Council. Currently there are 11 members; this language would add an additional four (4) members for a total of 15. The new members would all be appointed by the Governor and will be elected county commissioners from different geographic regions of the state. County commission members will serve for four years, will be appointed in consultation with ACCG and will be eligible to serve only while holding elected office. Section 15 authorizes the state auditor to perform an annual audit which will include all expenditures made by GPDSC by revenue source, including each county governing authority's expenditures made for their indigent service expenses. Section 16 changes qualifications for the GPDSC Director, requiring seven years of experience in the practice of law current law requires three years. The Director will also provide assistance with death penalty cases and establish mental health and capital defender programs. This language change is necessary because the mental health and capital defender divisions are brought under the aegis of the GPDSC Director in other parts of the bill. This Section will also give the Director authority to evaluate the job performance of each Circuit Public Defender. Section 17 provides that GPDSC will account for all moneys received from the each governing authority Section 18 removes the requirement that GPDSC promulgate standards, instead requiring that they post proposed rules and regulations for review including the date on which the rule or regulation takes effect. Section 19 removes language to agree with other cross references in the bill Section 20 requires GPDSC to prepare an annual report of funds received and expended including money received from cities and counties as well as a three year cost projection and anticipated revenues. The Section also requires GPDSC Section 21 relates to the Legislative Oversight Committee. It removes language requiring the LOC to approve GPDSC standards and reduces the number of times per year that the LOC will meet from six to three. Section 22 changes language relating to the "selection panel," instead referring to the supervisory panel. This change is necessary for consistency with other parts of the bill. Section 23 changes language relating to the mental health division of GPDSC. The language changes are necessary to bring the mental health division under the aegis of the Director. Currently it is its own department. Sections 24-25 change language related to the capital defender program. o Section 24 moves current language to 17-12-12, but does not make substantive changes this is because the office is being moved under the aegis of the Director of GPDSC o Section 25 does make substantive changes:
When there is a conflict of interest in a capital case the Director will appoint counsel and contract with the attorney for payment, when feasible using a flat fee structure current law provides for the judge to appoint counsel and does not contain a fee structure;
The payments for capital cases will be split between the state and the counties with the state paying the first $150,000, the next $100,000 will be split between the state and the county 75%/25%, any fees in excess of $250,000 will be split by the state and county 50%/50%
The council will establish guidelines for expense requests for fees, expenses, expert witnesses, travel and accommodations and other costs Section 26 changes the make-up of the local supervisory panels. o There will be four additional members appointed by the Governor who will be members of the governing authority of the county o A CPD may be removed without cause by a two-thirds vote of the Council o The supervisory panel will meet at least semiannually to review the performance of the circuit public defender; if the supervisory panel finds that the CPD is not performing up to standard it can adopt a resolution seeking review of their findings by the Council which will take action on the resolution within 15 days and will issue a final action within 60 days. Section 27 allows a CPD to go to another circuit for help in a conflict case. Section 28 requires that a defendant who requires the services of the public defender be seen by the PD within 72 hours (this is current law and was changed back to current law in committee) Section 29 provides that an indigent defense coordinator (see Section 39) will determine whether the detainee is an indigent person and eligible for services. Section 30 provides for salary and cost-of-living increases for public defenders Sections 31-32 remove language relating to the Council's budget and require the Council to submit a budget estimate to the director of OPB. Section 33 allows the local CPD office to employ additional staff if provided for by local law and funded by the county

governing authority or authorities. Section 34 prevents a CPD or any assistant from also serving in any judicial office. Section 35 adds language related to rules and regulations to comport with other parts of the bill. Section 36 provides that alternative delivery systems will receive the same funds that opt-in circuits receive. Section 37 strikes language to comport with other parts of the bill. Section 38 makes stylistic changes to provisions regarding repayment of attorney's fees and removes language related to the intent of the General Assembly regarding availability of funds through the appropriations process. Section 39 provides that the counties will appoint a person to serve as indigent defense coordinator; it allows the counties to determine the scope of the position and to fund the position, and requires that the governing authority will advise the CPD office of each person who has applied for services within one business day of the application for services o This section also removes language related to the mental health and capital defender offices as that language has been moved to other parts of the Code (see Sections 23-25). - Authored By: Rep. David Ralston of the 7th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Natural Resources & Environment
HB 1226 - Water resources; water supply; extensively revise certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: The purpose of the Georgia Water Supply Act of 2008 is to establish a new reservoir program that addresses past impediments to progress in developing an adequate reservoir system. The following are key features of this bill: 1. Creation of a Division of Water Resources at the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority, to have the primary responsibility for implementing the Water Supply Act 2. Creation of a Water Supply Division of the Department of Natural Resources to cooperate with GEFA in administering the Act. The divisions will share a single director. 3. Authorizing and funding state assumption of local and regional Federal 404 permitting efforts. 4. Creation of a Georgia Reservoir Fund to fund water supply efforts. 5. Focus on private contracting to speed the permitting process and minimize personnel costs. 6. Tax Credits for water-saving technology, that may be flexibly funded through the Reservoir Fund. 7. Funding for water conservation projects such as extending water and sewer lines to "septic-tank subdivisions." This legislation puts responsibility for reservoir development in a division with a single, dedicated purpose, under the general oversight of GEFA and its board. The Reservoir Fund allows for the commitment of long-term funding to reservoir purposes. Conservation is promoted by reducing the cost of water-saving devices through substantial tax credits to consumers that are made easily transferable to builders and installers. Complex state and federal permitting tasks are concentrated at the state level, with provision for adequate funding and private-sector assistance. The use of parallel paths, rather than linear planning, is encouraged in order to minimize timelines. - Authored By: Rep. Mike Coan of the 101st - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Public Safety and Homeland Security
SB 125 - Motor Vehicles; speed restrictions; instruments charging violations of speed regulations; specify two-lane or highway
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends Article 9 of Chapter 6 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to speed restrictions. This bill specifies that instruments charging violations of speed regulations shall state whether that violation occurred on a two-lane road or highway. It will provide for additional penalties to be administered by the Department of Driver Services for certain traffic offenses. - Authored By: Sen. Ronnie Chance of the 16th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
State Institutions & Property
HR 1310 - State Properties Commission; enter into dispute agreements; real property in Butts, Lamar, and Monroe Counties; authorize
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution authorizes the State Properties Commission to enter into appropriate boundary line dispute agreements pertaining to real property in Butts, Lamar, and Monroe Counties, Georgia. - Authored By: Rep. Jim Cole of the 125th - Committee Action: Do Pass

State Institutions & Property
HR 1425 - State of Georgia property; certain counties; nonexclusive easements; authorize
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution authorizes the granting of nonexclusive easements for operation and maintenance of facilities, utilities, and ingress and egress in, on, over, under, upon, across, or through property owned by the State if Georgia in Bartow, Dawson, Elbert, Hart, McDuffie, Jenkins, Wilkes, Fulton, Houston, Muscogee, Towns, and Washington counties, Georgia. - Authored By: Rep. Terry Barnard of the 166th - Committee Action: Do Pass
State Institutions & Property
HR 1427 - Robert S. "Bob" Boney State Prison; dedicate
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution honors the life of Robert S. "Bob" Boney and dedicating the Robert S. "Bob" Boney State Prison in his memory. - Authored By: Rep. Bob Hanner of the 148th - Committee Action: Do Pass
State Planning & Community Affairs
HB 1216 - State government; change regional development centers to regional commissions; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: Amends Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia, relating to state government, so as to change regional development centers to regional commissions. The purpose of these regional commissions is to develop, promote, and assist in establishing coordinated and comprehensive land use, environmental, transportation, and historic preservation planning in the state, to assist local governments to participate in an orderly process for coordinated and comprehensive planning, to assist local governments to prepare and implement comprehensive plans which will develop and promote the essential public interest.
Creates 12 regional commissions. The board shall determine and establish, from time to time the territorial boundaries for the regional commission. Changes to boundaries shall not take effect until approved by the General Assembly at the next regular session. Each county shall be wholly within the region of one regional commission.
Amends part of the code that relates to the Department of Community Affairs, to replace "development centers" with "regional commissions". Removes the Department of Community Affairs responsibility to maintain a strategic rural economic development plan. Amends an array of code sections; replaces "development center" with "commission"
Funds for Regional Commissions are as follows: -Each municipality and county shall pay annual dues for membership -The department shall establish a minimum funding amount, conditioned upon the amount of state funds appropriated, and a
supplemental funding formula -Each regional commission must collect annual dues in the amount of 25 cents for each resident of each county within the
regional commission -To be eligible for any minimum funding from state appropriated funds, commissions must collect dues averaging $1.00 for each
resident in the county -To be eligible for any supplemental funding, each commission shall apply to the department in a manner established by the
department pursuant to the supplemental funding formula.
Membership in the council for Regional Commissions are as follows: -The chief elected official of each county governing body in the region -One elected official form one municipality in each county in the region -3 residents of the region appointed by the Governor, each for a term of 2 years. One of these 3 appointees shall be a member of
the school board or a superintendent. Two of these 3 appointees shall be nonpublic council members (nonpublic council member is defined as someone who is a resident of a county within the region, who is not an elected or appointed official or employee of any county or municipality)
-1 nonpublic council member appointed by the Lt. Governor for a term of 2 years -1 nonpublic council member appointed by the Speaker of the House -The council may include any additional members determined necessary by the commissioner for a term of one year -Each regional commission council shall elect from among its members a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary or treasurer who shall serve a term of 2 years -Membership is terminated in case of resignation, death, or change in elected office and/or residence
Each regional commission shall have an executive director who shall serve at the pleasure of the council and who shall be subject to appointment and removal by a majority vote of council members. He may perform such duties as assigned by the council

Each council has the power to: -Appoint and remove a full-time executive director of the regional commission -Establish committees -Adopt annual work programs -Adopt an annual budget -Determine polices and programs for its region -Acquire and dispose of real and personal property -Utilize services of the Dept of Admin Services -Prepare studies of area's resources -Collect statistics for the region -Establish nonprofit organizations -Review loan or grant applications from the U.S. government for all municipalities, counties, agencies and authorities in the
region -May receive funds, facilities, equipment and supplies from local governmental entities -Shall not be required to pay any state or local ad valorem, sales, use, or income tax -May purchase vehicles, material, equipment, services, etc... from the Dept of Admin Services -Receive property that is considered State surplus
Neither a commission, nor any nonprofit corporation controlled by the commission may enter into a contract that obligates that commission or corporation to perform services outside of the boundaries of that commission. The commission does not have the power to govern over a municipality or counties' power of zoning. Any assets, liabilities, contracts, staff, records, debts of regional development centers are transferred to the commission. - Authored By: Rep. Ron Stephens of the 164th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Ways & Means
HB 272 - Sales and use tax; natural or artificial gas sales; provide phased-in exemption
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 272 provides that as energy prices for manufacturers increase over present prices, that manufacturers in this state will be exempt from sales tax on the increase in the energy prices. The types of energy sources included in this are natural or artificial gas, No. 2 fuel, No. 6 fuel oil, propane, and coal that are used directly or indirectly in the manufacture or processing of tangible personal property. The bill includes the current prices for each of these energy/fuel types. This exemption will be for the period commencing July 1, 2008 and concluding on December 31, 2010, and this exemption will not apply to any local sales taxes. - Authored By: Rep. Jeff Lewis of the 15th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Ways & Means
HB 302 - Excise tax; public accommodation furnishings; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 302 increases the hotel motel tax rate in Conyers from 6 to 8%. This bill provides for a new 8% paragraph that would apply only to Conyers. The amount of taxes collected that would exceed the revenues which would be collected at a rate of 4% must be used for promotion of tourism, conventions, and trade shows or for supporting a publicly owned facility operated for convention and trade show purposes or any similar or related purposes. Another 16 2/3% of the revenues must be used for the purpose of constructing and operating a nature center, nature park, wetlands education center, or nature museum for educational and recreational purposes. - Authored By: Rep. Robert Mumford of the 95th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Ways & Means
HB 447 - Taxation; real estate investment trusts; dividends; clarify state conformity
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 447 conforms state income tax law to the federal treatment of dividends received from a real estate investment trust and regulated investment companies and disallows expenses paid to certain REITs. Currently there is a loophole in Georgia income tax law involving the use of REITs to reduce income tax, which is typically employed in the banking and retail industries. This loophole allows a business to deduct expenses that are paid to an affiliated REIT from their income taxes, and to receive this money back from the REIT in the form of a tax free dividend, therefore deducting an expense that never leaves the business. This legislation would close that loophole. - Authored By: Rep. Larry O`Neal of the 146th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Ways & Means
HB 831 - Public Charter School Capital Financing Act; enact
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill, subject to appropriation, would encourage public private partnerships for private donors to charter schools by providing that the Dept of Ed provide matching funds for charter schools. - Authored By: Rep. Ed Setzler of the 35th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Ways & Means
HB 948 - Sales and use tax; certain school supplies; certain energy efficient products; provide exemption
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 948 provides for the 2008 sales tax holidays for school supplies and for energy efficient products. The bill changes the dates for school supplies to July 31, 2008 through August 3, 2008. The products which will be exempt during this time are clothing and footwear with a sales price of $100 or less, computers and computer accessories with a sales price of $1500 or less, and general school supplies with a sales price of $20 or less. The bill changes the dates of the sales tax exemption on energy efficient products to October 2, 2008 through October 5, 2008. The products which will be exempt during this time are energy efficient products with a sales price up to $1500 which are purchased for home or personal use. These products may include dishwashers, clothes washers, air conditioners, ceiling fans, fluorescent light bulbs, dehumidifiers, refrigerators, etc. - Authored By: Rep. Lynn Ratigan Smith of the 70th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Ways & Means
HB 977 - State insurance premium taxes; certain high deductible health plans; exempt
- BILL SUMMARY: The purpose of HB 977 is to make private health insurance more affordable and to incentive insurance companies market these products. It provides insurers with an exemption from state premium taxes equal to 2.25 percent of the premiums collected from Georgia residents for high deductible health plans sold or maintained in connection with a health savings account under the applicable provisions of Section 223 of the IRC. It also provides for an income tax deduction for the individual taxpayer for 100% of the premium paid for high deductible health plans established and used with a health savings account under the applicable provisions of Section 223 of the IRC to the extent the deduction has not been included in federal adjusted gross income and the expenses have not been included in itemized non-business deductions. This bill would become effective January 1, 2009. - Authored By: Rep. Tom Knox of the 24th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Ways & Means
HB 1024 - Municipal and county recreation systems; minimum and maximum tax; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: Currently, a recreation tax may be levied by a county or city if approved by local voters. The governing body must annually levy and collect the tax, in an amount that is not less than the minimum nor more than the maximum amount set out in the petition for the election. HB 1024 provides for removal of the minimum or maximum recreation tax, or both, by a city or county upon the adoption of a resolution, subject to approval in a local referendum. The vote must take place more than 45 days after the date of the adoption of the resolution. If a majority of the voters voting approve the removal, the minimum or maximum or both shall be removed. Where a minimum or maximum has been removed, the amount of funding for a recreation system will then be determined by the governing body in its discretion. - Authored By: Rep. Roger Williams of the 4th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Ways & Means
HB 1035 - Motor fuel tax; certain public transit and public campus transportation systems; extend expiration date
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 1035 extends the expiration date for the exemption from motor fuel taxes for public mass transit and public campus transportation systems. The current exemption is set to expire on June 30, 2008, and this bill extends this date to June 30, 2010. Vehicles eligible for the public mass transit exemption must be owned by public transportation systems, must have passenger fairs that are routinely charged, and must be used exclusively for revenue generating purposes. Vehicles eligible for the public campus transportation exemption must be operated pursuant to a policy of providing free transfer of passengers from the public transportation system operated by the jurisdiction in which the campus is must make the general public aware of the free transfer policy, and must receive no state or federal funding to assist in operations. For both exemptions, the motor fuels sales must occur at bulk facilities approved by the department of revenue. - Authored By: Rep. Vance Smith of the 129th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Ways & Means
HB 1100 - Income tax credit; qualified film, video, or digital productions; revise and change
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 1100 is an economic development tool that makes changes to the income tax credit for film, video, or digital productions in Georgia, so as to make this state more competitive as a location for these productions. Production companies and their affiliates that have not had over $30 million in expenditures in Georgia in 2002, 2003, and 2004 are eligible for this income tax credit if their base investment in qualified production activities in Georgia is at least $500,000. This bill increases the credit from 9% of the base investment in this state to an amount not to exceed 20% of the base investment. This bill also provides for an additional credit of 10% of the base investment if there is a qualified Georgia promotion. This bill also removes references to tiers used to classify counties, so as to make the credit uniform across all counties. - Authored By: Rep. Ron Stephens of the 164th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Ways & Means
HB 1168 - Excise tax; public accommodation furnishings; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 1168 provides more flexibility in the use of revenues from the hotel motel tax for Perry, Georgia. Currently, cities and counties levying a 6% hotel motel tax under Paragraph 4 of the hotel motel tax code must expend 16 2/3% of those revenues for the purpose of supporting an aviation museum and hall of fame, or for the purpose of construction or expansion of certain types of facilities. This bill provides an additional option for use of that percentage, which is for promotion tourism, conventions, and trade shows. - Authored By: Rep. Larry O`Neal of the 146th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Ways & Means
HB 1211 - Georgia Bona Fide Large Forest Conservation Use Act of 2008; enact
- BILL SUMMARY: This is the implementing legislation for HR 1276, which creates a new class of property for ad valorem tax purposes - forest land conservation property. This allows businesses or individuals with tracks of at least 200 acres to enter into a 15 year covenant to receive conservation use valuation of their property for tax purposes. This legislation also provides for a reimbursement to local taxing authorities for their loss in revenues due to this new class of property. - Authored By: Rep. Richard A Royal of the 171st - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Ways & Means
HR 1276 - Bona fide large forest land conservation use property; special assessment and taxation; provide - CA
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation creates a new class of property for ad valorem tax purposes - forest land conservation property. This allows businesses or individuals with tracks of at least 200 acres to enter into a 15 year covenant to receive conservation use valuation of their property for tax purposes. This legislation also provides for a reimbursement to local taxing authorities for their loss in revenues due to this new class of property. - Authored By: Rep. Richard A Royal of the 171st - 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 MEETING SCHEDULE

TBD

Friday, February 29, 2008 Judiciary Civil Subcommittee Two (Tumlin)

TBD

HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

8:00 AM 9:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 11:00 AM 12:00 PM

RULES SPECIAL RULES Judiciary Non-Civil Subcommittee (Bearden)

1:00 PM 2:00 PM

Judiciary Non-Civil Subcommittee (Knox)

2:00 PM 3:00 PM

INSURANCE

132 CAP upon adjournment 506 CLOB upon adjournment 341 CAP
415 CLOB
403 CAP 230 CAP or upon adjournment- whichever is later 606 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