Daily report [Feb. 7, 2008]

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

TOMORROW'S FORECAST
* The House will reconvene for its 14th Legislative Day on Friday, February 8, at 9:00 AM. * 3 bills are expected to be debated on the floor.

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RULES CALENDAR
HB 296 - Special elections; held on certain dates; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill establishes the times a special election can be held to present a question to the voters. Those times are as follows: (A) In odd-numbered years, any such special election shall only be held on: (i) The Tuesday after the first Monday in November (B) In even-numbered years, any such special election shall only be held on: (i) The date of the general primary; or (ii) The Tuesday after the first Monday in November. It becomes effective January 1, 2010 - Authored By: Rep. Jeff May of the 111th - House Committee: Governmental Affairs - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 165; Nays: 4
HB 333 - Weapons; crime or delinquent act; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: The bill amends OCGA 17-5-52 to ensure that when weapons are confiscated in connection with the commission of a crime or delinquent act they are turned over to the chief of police or other executive officer of the law enforcement agency that originally confiscated the device. Current language requires that only the sheriff of the county dispose of the weapons, but in counties with sheriffs and chiefs of police it is often the chief of police who manages confiscated weapons. Because the language only refers to the sheriff the chiefs of police are unable to dispose of the weapons in their possession. They cannot transfer them to the sheriff for disposal because the sheriff is often not involved in the investigation. This is true in counties where the sheriff runs the county jail and the chief of police attends to all other judicial duties. - Authored By: Rep. Wade Starr of the 78th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 167; Nays: 1
HB 921 - Mortgage lenders and brokers; nation-wide automated licensing system; create
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill adds a new Code Section 7-1-1003.5, relating to licensing of mortgage lenders and mortgage brokers. This legislation authorizes the Department of Banking and Finance to participate in a nation-wide residential mortgage licensing system for the purpose of facilitating the sharing of information and standardization of the licensing and application processes for mortgage brokers and mortgage lenders. It further grants the Department of Banking and Finance the powers necessary for its participation in this system. In addition, this bill makes provisions for privacy policies, disclosure of information, disbursement of fees and changes in the license renewal dates. - Authored By: Rep. James Mills of the 25th - House Committee: Banks & Banking - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 157; Nays: 1

HB 967 - Certificate of need program; prisons and other secure correctional institutions; exempt
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends Code Section 31-6-47 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to exemptions from the certificate of need program. The exemptions would include prisoners and other secure correctional institutions of the Department of Corrections and the Department of Juvenile Justice from the certificate of need requirements. - Authored By: Rep. Charles E. Martin of the 47th - House Committee: State Institutions & Property - Rule: Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 164; Nays: 0
* The House will reconvene Friday, February 8, at 9:00 AM, for its 14th Legislative Day
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COMMITTEE ON RULES
The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 14th Legislative Day, Friday, February 8, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker.
RULES CALENDAR FOR NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY
HB 157 - Retirement; full-time teacher; full-time employment and benefits; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill allows members of the Teachers Retirement System who are retired on a normal service retirement for at least 12 months to continue receiving benefits if they return to work as a full time teacher, principal, or superintendent upon an invitation by a public school system. As a result such a retired teacher will not receive any further creditable service of such employment and will be considered by the retirement system solely as a beneficiary. A public school system employing such a retired teacher will have to pay all employer and employee contributions to the retirement system. - Authored By: Rep. Brooks Coleman of the 97th - House Committee: Retirement - House Committee Passed: 2/6/2008 - Rule: Modified-Structured
HB 941 - Board of regents; senior citizens program; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends Part 1 of Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the O.C.G.A. relating to the board of regents to change certain powers of the board to establish a program for senior citizens at attend classes in the University System of Georgia without payment of fees. - Authored By: Rep. Bobby Franklin of the 43rd - House Committee: Higher Education - House Committee Passed: 1/29/2008 - Rule: Open
HB 945 - Motor vehicles; registration and title records; allow certain persons access
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 945 allows persons engaged in providing notification to owners of towed or impounded vehicles to access motor vehicle registration records as well as motor vehicle certificate of title records. - Authored By: Rep. Tom Rice of the 51st - House Committee: Motor Vehicles - House Committee Passed: 1/31/2008 - Rule: Open
* The Rules Committee will next meet on Friday, February 8, at 08:00 AM, to set the Rules Calendar for the 15th Legislative Day.
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COMMITTEE ACTION REPORT
Appropriations
HB 989 - Supplemental appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2008
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill provides supplemental appropriated sums of money for the State Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2007, and ending June 30, 2008. The funding will be used for the operation of the State government, its departments, boards, bureaus, commissions, institutions, and other agencies. Further, it provides funding for the university system, common schools, counties, municipalities, poiltical subdivisions and for all other governmental activities, projects and undertakings authorized by law. - Authored By: Rep. Glenn Richardson of the 19th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Economic Development & Tourism
HB 953 - War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission Act; enact
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends Chapter 12 of Title 50 of the O.C.G.A. to provide for the establishment of the War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission. - Authored By: Rep. Cecily Hill of the 180th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Economic Development & Tourism
HB 1088 - Economic Development, Department of; agricultural tourist attractions; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill established the creation of "agricultural tourist attractions" and provides for proper directional signs. - Authored By: Rep. Butch Parrish of the 156th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Economic Development & Tourism
HR 1015 - National Football Foundation; relocate College Football Hall of Fame to Atlanta; encourage
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution encourages the National Football Foundation to relocate the College Football Hall of Fame from South Bend, Indiana to Atlanta, Georgia. - Authored By: Rep. Bill Hembree of the 67th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Economic Development & Tourism
HR 1115 - Martin Luther King, Jr., National Memorial Project Foundation; use Georgia granite; urge
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution urges the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation to use Georgia granite in the creation of the memorial. - Authored By: Rep. Al Williams of the 165th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Education
HB 962 - Local boards of education; budget deficit; require public notice
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends Artice 3 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the O.C.G.A. to requirelocal 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 - Committee Action: Do Pass
Education
HR 1014 - State Board of Education; honor courses; establish uniform statewide standards; urge
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution urges the State Board of Education to establish uniform statewide standards for honors courses. - Authored By: Rep. Bill Hembree of the 67th - Committee Action: Do Pass

Education
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 - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Health & Human Services
HB 1041 - Georgia Registered Professional Nurse Practice Act; obsolete language; eliminate
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would remove obsolete language concerning the designation of graduate nurses from the Nurse Practice Act, as well as require applicants for Liscensed Registered Nurses and Advanced Practice Nurses undergo a criminal background check as part of the application process. - Authored By: Rep. Sharon Cooper of the 41st - Committee Action: Do Pass
Health & Human Services
HB 1042 - Prescription drugs; pharmacists; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill requires that any pharmacist who is dispensing autoimmunesuppressives to transplant patients must consult the prescribing physician prior to any change in medication, so as to prevent the rejection of organs due to an inappropriate substitution. - Authored By: Rep. Sharon Cooper of the 41st - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Health & Human Services
HB 1054 - Children and Family Service Strengthening Act of 2008; enact
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would consolidate the Children and Youth Coordinating Council with the Childrens Trust Fund Commission, and place the functions of the Georgia Child Fatality Review Panel under the supervision of the Child Advocate for the Protection of Children. The measure would also create a statutory requirement for coordination between child protection agencies and gives planning and administrative authorities to the Governor's Office of Children and Families, to be attached administratively to the Office of Planning and Budget. - Authored By: Rep. Sharon Cooper of the 41st - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Health & Human Services
HB 1105 - Hospitals; offer certain vaccinations to inpatients 65 years or older; require
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would require that annually between October 1 through March 1, prior to discharging any inpatient who is 65 years of age or older, a hospital shall offer the inpatient vaccinations for the influenza virus and pneumococcal disease, unless contraindicated and contingent on availability of such vaccine. - Authored By: Rep. Donna Sheldon of the 105th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Higher Education
HB 919 - Georgia Lottery Corporation; Board of Directors; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill creates a nine member Georgia Lottery Corporation Board of Directors and certain duties for the Corporation's CEO and provides for a Georgia Lottery Corporation Legislative Oversight Committee. - Authored By: Rep. Bill Hembree of the 67th - Committee Action: Do Pass as Amended
Higher Education
HR 1059 - Board of Regents; teacher education programs; more classroom management; urge
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution urges the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia to include more instruction in classroom management in the required curriculum for teacher education programs. - Authored By: Rep. Amy Carter of the 175th - Committee Action: Do Pass

Higher Education
HR 1154 - Georgia Lottery Corporation; bonuses and incentives; more conservative approach; urge
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution urges the Georgia Lottery Corporation to take a more conservative approach to the distribution of bonuses and incentives. - Authored By: Rep. Bill Hembree of the 67th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1099 - Henry County State Court; additional judge; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide an additional judge to the State Court of Henry County. - Authored By: Rep. Stan Watson of the 91st - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1108 - Cobb County State Court; solicitor-general; change compensation
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide compensation for the Solicitor General and Assistant Solicitors General of the State Court of Cobb County. - Authored By: Rep. Steve Tumlin of the 38th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1109 - Cobb County Probate Court; superior court deputy clerk; change compensation
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide compensation for the Deputy Clerk of the Superior Court of Cobb County. - Authored By: Rep. Steve Tumlin of the 38th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1115 - Carroll County; school district ad valorem tax; residents 65 or over; provide homestead exemption
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a homestead exemption from Carroll County school district ad valorem taxes for educational purposes for the full value of the homestead for residents of that school district who are 65 years of age or older. - Authored By: Rep. Timothy Bearden of the 68th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Motor Vehicles
HB 931 - Authentic historical Georgia license plates; definition; increase time period
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill changes the provisions of law regarding 'authentic historical Georgia license plates' so as to apply to any motor vehicle manufactured twenty five years ago or before. - Authored By: Rep. Tommy Benton of the 31st - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Motor Vehicles
HB 950 - Motor vehicles; assembled; registration and licensing; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill changes current law so as to provide for a mechanism for the department of revenue to issue certificates of title as well as to register and license assembled (kit) motor vehicles and motorcycles. - Authored By: Rep. Alan Powell of the 29th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Motor Vehicles
HB 951 - Used Motor Vehicle Dealers' Act; rebuilder; redefine term
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill changes the definition of 'Rebuilder' in OCGA 43-47-2 to read as follows: 'Rebuilder' means any person, partnership, limited liability company, firm, or corporation engaged in the business of buying more than two salvage or wrecked motor vehicles per year for the purpose of restoring or rebuilding them with used or new motor vehicle parts, or both, to be sold as motor vehicles." - Authored By: Rep. Alan Powell of the 29th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Motor Vehicles
HB 969 - Driver education training requirements; home schooling program; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill changes current law so as to provide that a course of instruction given within the context of a bona fide home schooling program shall constitute an approved driver education training course. - Authored By: Rep. John Lunsford of the 110th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Motor Vehicles
HB 1111 - Drivers' licenses; requirements; fees; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill was brought on behalf of the Department of Drivers Services. It brings Georgia into compliance with federal standards in regards to commercial driver's licenses. - Authored By: Rep. Johnny L. Floyd of the 147th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Regulated Industries
HB 494 - Cosmetologists; definitions; wax technicians; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends Chapter 10 of Title 43 relating to cosmetologists. This legislation: Adds provisions relating to the certificate of registration for master estheticians and wax technicians. Allows certificates of registration to be issued to master estheticians and wax technicians from other states under certain circumstances. Amends provisions relating to barbers, so as to provide that a barber shop may employ a master esthetician or wax technician without it being required to be licensed as a cosmetology shop or salon. Revises some provisions relating to continuing education, etc. - Authored By: Rep. Don Parsons of the 42nd - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Regulated Industries
HB 930 - Disabled veterans and blind persons; eligibility certificate; valid for five years; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill provides that the certificate of eligibility issued by the judge of the probate court to disabled veterans and blind persons seeking examption from the payment of occupation taxes, administrative fees, or regulatory fees for certain activities will be valid for 10 years. - Authored By: Rep. Tommy Benton of the 31st - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Regulated Industries
HB 1055 - Professions and licenses; certain provisions; make revisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends Title 43 of OCGA by revising provisions relating to professions and licenses. This legislation: Allows a designee of the division director of the professional licensing boards to sign and attest orders and processes. Amends requirements relating to applications for certification as a registered interior designer. Revises provisions relating to inspector at auctions and division directors relating to geologists. Repeals provisions regarding license by reciprocity and revises provisions regarding license by endorsement for massage therapists. Provides for education and training requirements for the issuance of physical therapist licenses. Allows the board to waive the examination required to obtain a license in physical therapy to a person licensed in another state or territory of US and grant that person full privileges to engage in an equivalent practice, if that person, in judgment of the board, has equivalent qualifications, completed equivalent examination and is therefore properly licensed under the laws of another state or

territory of the US. In such situations this bill further allows the board to require additional education or training. Provides for the establishment of the renewal period for expired licenses as well as the applicable fees for veterinarians and veterinary technicians by the division director. - Authored By: Rep. Roger Williams of the 4th - 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 BROADCAST SCHEDULE

Friday, February 08, 2008 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM RULES

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* 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