Daily report [Mar. 18, 2008]

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

TOMORROW'S FORECAST
* The House will reconvene for its 33rd Legislative Day on Wednesday, March 19, at 10:00 AM. * 3 bills are expected to be debated on the floor.

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DAILY REPORT

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TODAY ON THE FLOOR
*To view this report and all previous legislative day reports, please visit the Georgia House of Representatives website at www.legis.ga.gov and select Member Services.

RULES CALENDAR
SB 364 - Livestock; remove ratites/reclassify as poultry for certain purposes; definitions; brand or tattoo registration certificates; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill changes the classification and location of references to ratites. Ratites are flightless birds, including, but not limited to, ostriches, emus and rheas. Ratites fall under the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) with USDA Food Safety and Inspection Services (USDA FSIS). Currently, ratites are classified as livestock under the Georgia Code. This bill strikes ratites from several code sections defining and dealing with livestock. Under this bill, ratites are defined as poultry within the Code and are regulated as poultry for agriculture inspection purposes.
Comments: In 1995, the Georgia Code was amended to include ratites as livestock, rather than poultry. Recently, the USDA FSIS transferred ratites to fall under the PPIA. Due to this change, the Federal State Audit Branch of the USDA has requested that the Georgia Department of Agriculture work to update the appropriate Georgia Code sections to accurately reflect federal guidelines. - Authored By: Sen. John Bulloch of the 11th - House Committee: Agriculture & Consumer Affairs - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 155; Nays: 0
SB 373 - Peace Officers; emergency suspension of a peace officer's certification under circumstances; interviews for employment; modify requirements
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends Chapter 8 of Title 35 of the O.C.G.A, relating to the employment and training of peace officers, so as to provide for the emergency suspension of a peace officer's certification under limited circumstances; to modify certain requirements pertaining to officer interviews for employment. Code Section 35-8-7.1, relating to the authority of the Peace Officer Standards and Training council to refuse certification of or discipline peace officers, by adding a new subsection to read as follows:
"(d) Upon arrest or indictment of a peace officer for any crime which is punishable as a felony, the executive director of the council shall order the emergency suspension of such officer's certification upon the executive director's determination that the suspension is in the best interest of the health, safety, or welfare of the public. The order of emergency suspension shall be made in writing and shall specify the basis for the executive director's determination. Following the issuance of an emergency suspension order, proceedings of the council in the exercise of its authority to discipline any peace officer shall be promptly scheduled as provided for in Code Section 35-8-7.2. The emergency suspension order of the executive director shall continue in effect until issuance of the final decision of the council or such order is withdrawn by the executive director." Code Section 35-8-8, relating to requirements for appointment or certification of persons as peace officers, is revised as follows:
"(a) Any person employed or certified as a peace officer shall: (1) Be at least 18 years of age;

(2) Be a citizen of the United States; (3) Have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent; (4) Not have been convicted by any state or by the federal government of any crime the punishment for which could have been imprisonment in the federal or state prison or institution nor have been convicted of sufficient misdemeanors to establish a pattern of disregard for the law, provided that, for purposes of this paragraph, violations of traffic laws and other offenses involving the operation of motor vehicles when the applicant has received a pardon shall not be considered; (5) Be fingerprinted for the purpose of conducting a fingerprint based search at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to determine the existence of any criminal record; (6) Possess good moral character as determined by investigation under procedure established by the council; (7) Be found, after examination by a licensed physician or surgeon, to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental conditions which might adversely affect his or her exercising the powers or duties of a peace officer; and (8) Successfully complete a job related academy entrance examination provided for and administered by the council in conformity with state and federal law. Such examination shall be administered prior to entrance to the basic course provided for in Code Sections 35-8-9 and 35-8-11.
(b) Any person authorized to attend the basic training course prior to employment as a peace officer shall meet the requirements of this Code section."
Code Section 35-8-24, relating to the training requirements for jail officers and juvenile correctional officers, is amended in subsection (c) as follows:
"(c) Applicants and persons certified under this Code section shall be subject to the powers and authority of the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council applicable to peace officers as defined in this chapter and shall be required to fulfill all requirements of a peace officer, except the requirements of paragraph (8) of subsection (a) of Code Section 358-8 and peace officer training requirements applicable to peace officers only." - Authored By: Sen. Jack Murphy of the 27th - House Committee: Public Safety and Homeland Security - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 161; Nays: 0
SB 388 - Identity Fraud; provide Georgia Bureau of Investigation authority to investigate certain offenses; subpoena power
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends Article 8 of Chapter 9 of Title 16 and Chapter 35 of the O.C.G.A, relating to identity fraud and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, respectively, so as to provide the Georgia Bureau of Investigation with the authority to investigate certain offenses involving identity fraud, including subpoena power; to change provisions relating to investigations in identity fraud cases.
*Code Section 16-9-123 is revised and relates to investigations in identity fraud cases. The first change in this section strikes through the Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs and adds the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
"Copies of any and all complaints received by any law enforcement agency of this state regarding potential violations of this article shall be transmitted to the Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs Georgia Bureau of Investigation shall maintain a repository for all complaints in the State of Georgia regarding identity fraud. Information contained in such repository shall not be subject to public disclosure." In this same code section the Georgia Bureau of Investigation or local law enforcement is added after the Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs.
"Consumer victims of identity fraud may file complaints directly with the Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, or with local law enforcement.
*Code Section 35-3-4 is amended in subsection (a), relating to the powers and duties of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, by striking "or" at the end of paragraph (9), by replacing the period with "; or" at the end of paragraph (10), and by adding a new paragraph (11) that reads, Identity and investigate violations of Article 8 of Chapter 9 of Title 16.
*Code Section 35-3-4.1, relating to subpoena for production of electronic communication service records for computer or electronic devices in furtherance of certain offenses against minors. The revision of paragraph (1) of subsection (a) shall read:
"(a)(1) In any investigation of a violation of Code Section 16-12-100, 16-12-100.1, or 16-12-100.2 involving the use of a computer or an electronic device in furtherance of an act related to a minor, or any investigation of a violation of Article 8 of Chapter 9 of Title 16, the director, assistant director, or deputy director for investigations shall be authorized to issue a subpoena, with the consent of the Attorney General, to compel the production of electronic communication service or remote communication service records or other information pertaining to a subscriber or customer of such service, exclusive of contents of communications." - Authored By: Sen. Joseph Carter of the 13th - House Committee: Public Safety and Homeland Security

- Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 164; Nays: 0
SB 463 was Recommitted to the Rules Committee
LOCAL CALENDAR
HB 1190 - Fulton County; ad valorem tax; increase exemption amount
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide for increases in the homestead exemption from Fulton County ad valorem taxes for county purposes from $15,000.00 to $50,000.00 after a five-year phase-in period and provide for annual adjustments by the tax commissioner in an amount equal to the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor. - Authored By: Rep. Margaret D. Kaiser of the 59th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 144; Nays: 2
HB 1191 - Atlanta, City of; school district ad valorem tax; increase exemption amount
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide for increases in the homestead exemption from City of Atlanta independent school district ad valorem taxes for educational purposes from $15,000.00 to $50,000.00 after a five-year phase-in period and provide for annual adjustments by the tax commissioner in an amount equal to the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor. - Authored By: Rep. Margaret D. Kaiser of the 59th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 131; Nays: 17
HB 1192 - Atlanta, City of; ad valorem tax; increase exemption amount
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide for increases in the homestead exemption from City of Atlanta ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes from $15,000.00 to $50,000.00 after a five-year phase-in period and provide for annual adjustments by the tax commissioner in an amount equal to the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor. - Authored By: Rep. Margaret D. Kaiser of the 59th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 122; Nays: 20
HB 1205 - Fulton County; ad valorem tax; 65 years or older; provide homestead exemption
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a homestead exemption from Fulton County ad valorem taxes for county purposes in the amount of 50 percent of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that county who are 65 years of age or older and whose household income does not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty level. - Authored By: Rep. Mable Thomas of the 55th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 144; Nays: 2
HB 1263 - Atlanta, City of; school district ad valorem tax; residents 65 or over; provide homestead exemption
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a homestead exemption from City of Atlanta independent 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. LaNett Stanley-Turner of the 53rd - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 124; Nays: 26

HB 1269 - Cherokee County; ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a homestead exemption from Cherokee 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. - Authored By: Rep. Sean Jerguson of the 22nd - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: N/A; Nays: N/A
HB 1270 - Cherokee County; school district ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a homestead exemption from Cherokee 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. - Authored By: Rep. Sean Jerguson of the 22nd - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: N/A; Nays: N/A
HB 1272 - Woodstock, City of; ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a homestead exemption from City of Woodstock ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes in an amount equal to the amount by which the current year assessed value of a homestead exceeds the base year assessed value of such homestead. - Authored By: Rep. Sean Jerguson of the 22nd - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: N/A; Nays: N/A
HB 1332 - Jackson County; school district ad valorem tax; certain residents; provide homestead exemption
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a homestead exemption from Jackson County school district ad valorem taxes for educational purposes for persons who are 65 years of age or over and whose net income, excluding certain retirement income, does not exceed $18,000.00, by increasing the exemption amount from $20,000.00 to $40,000.00. - Authored By: Rep. Tommy Benton of the 31st - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 144; Nays: 2
HB 1333 - Jefferson, City of; school district ad valorem tax; certain residents; provide homestead exemption
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a homestead exemption from the City of Jefferson independent school district ad valorem taxes for educational purposes for residents of that school district who are 65 years of age or over and whose net income, excluding certain retirement income, does not exceed $18,000.00, by increasing the exemption amount from $20,000.00 to $40,000.00. - Authored By: Rep. Tommy Benton of the 31st - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 144; Nays: 2
HB 1334 - Commerce, City of; school district ad valorem tax; certain residents; provide homestead exemption
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a homestead exemption from the City of Commerce independent school district ad valorem taxes for educational purposes for residents of that school district who are 65 years of age or over and whose net income, excluding certain retirement income, does not exceed $18,000.00, by increasing the exemption amount from $20,000.00 to $40,000.00. - Authored By: Rep. Tommy Benton of the 31st - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open

- Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 144; Nays: 2
HB 1353 - Catoosa County; ad valorem tax exemption; certain disabled persons; increase maximum income level
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to increase from $14,000.00 to $20,000.00 the maximum family income allowable for persons qualifying for an exemption from Catoosa County ad valorem taxes for county purposes for disabled persons up to $75,000.00 of the value of the homestead. - Authored By: Rep. Ronald L Forster of the 3rd - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 144; Nays: 2
HB 1354 - Catoosa County; ad valorem tax exemption; certain residents; increase maximum income level
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to increase from $14,000.00 to $20,000.00 the maximum family income allowable for persons qualifying for an exemption from Catoosa County ad valorem taxes for county purposes for persons age 62 and over on the full value of the homestead. - Authored By: Rep. Ronald L Forster of the 3rd - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 144; Nays: 2
HB 1383 - Gilmer County; school district ad valorem tax; residents 65 years or older; provide homestead exemption
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a homestead exemption from Gilmer 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. David Ralston of the 7th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 144; Nays: 2
HB 1411 - Hall County; school district ad valorem tax; certain residents; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to amend Hall County school district homestead exemptions for senior citizens by allowing any person who is 62 to 70 years of age who receives the first exemption to automatically receive the second exemption upon reaching 70 years of age. - Authored By: Rep. James Mills of the 25th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 144; Nays: 2
HB 1417 - Brantley County; Board of Education; compensation; change provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide compensation for the members of the Brantley County Board of Education. - Authored By: Rep. Mark Williams of the 178th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 144; Nays: 2
SB 495 - Baldwin County School District; homestead exemption; increase income limitation; increase qualified homestead property
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to change a homestead exemption from all Baldwin County School District ad valorem taxes for educational purposes for that school district on homesteads of five acres or less for certain residents of that district who have annual incomes not exceeding $16,000.00 and who are 65 years of age or older so as to increase the income limitation to $40,000.00 and to increase qualified homestead property from five to ten acres. - Authored By: Sen. Johnny Grant of the 25th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local

- Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 144; Nays: 2
* The House will reconvene Wednesday, March 19, at 10:00 AM, for its 33rd Legislative Day
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COMMITTEE ON RULES
The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 33rd Legislative Day, Wednesday, March 19, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker.
RULES CALENDAR FOR NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY
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 - House Committee: Governmental Affairs - House Committee Passed: 2/26/2008 - Rule: Modified-Structured
SB 430 - DNA; Georgia Bureau of Investigation include information in database/compare to samples collected from evidentiary materials
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends Code Section 24-4-63 of the O.C.G.A, relating to dissemination of DNA information in data bank to law enforcement officials, request for search, separate statistical data base authorized, and fee for search and comparative analysis, so as to provide that the GBI may include such information in a data base and compare such information to samples collected from evidentiary materials.
24-4-63 shall read: "(a.1) The bureau may include in a data base a DNA profile obtained from the analysis of a sample lawfully obtained
from a suspect in a criminal investigation and may compare such DNA samples collected from evidentiary materials." - Authored By: Sen. William Hamrick of the 30th - House Committee: Public Safety and Homeland Security - House Committee Passed: 2/27/2008 - Rule: Modified-Structured
SB 515 - Georgia Seed Development Commission; composition, advisory board, term of office; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends the code relating to the Georgia Seed Development Commission. It changes the membership of the commission from 10 to 11 members, and gives specific criteria of what expertise those members should hold to be appointed. It bill also allows the commission to create an advisory council to advise and consult on the commission's performance. This bill also sets a two year term for membership. - Authored By: Sen. John Bulloch of the 11th - House Committee: Agriculture & Consumer Affairs - House Committee Passed: 3/12/2008 - Rule: Open
* The Rules Committee will next meet on Wednesday, March 19, at 9:00 AM, to set the Rules Calendar for the 34th Legislative Day.
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COMMITTEE ACTION REPORT
Banks & Banking
SB 361 - Georgia Credit Protection Act; provide definitions; credit reports; provide method of placing and removing security freeze
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill adds new Code Sections 10-1-913, 10-1-914 and 10-1-915 relating to protection from identity theft. This legislation allows a consumer to request a credit reporting agency not to release that consumer's credit report information by placing a "security freeze" on his or her credit report in order to prevent the extension of credit without the consumer's authorization. It, consequently, allows the consumer to temporary lift or removes a "security freeze" in order to make the credit report information available. This bill further: Permits a consumer to place a security freeze on his or her credit report by requesting it in writing via certified mail and requires a credit reporting agency to place a security freeze on a consumer's credit report, within 3 business days after receiving such request. Requires a credit reporting agency to send a written confirmation of the security freeze to the consumer and provide the consumer with a personal ID number or password within 10 business days of receiving consumer's request for security freeze. Requires a credit reporting agency to comply with the consumer's request to temporarily lift a freeze within 3 business days after receiving a written request or within 15 minutes after receiving a request electronically or by phone along with the consumer's proper identification and payment. Provides that a consumer credit reporting agency shall remove or temporarily lift a security freeze placed on a consumer's credit report only if the consumer requests it, or if the consumer's credit report was frozen due to a material misrepresentation of fact by the consumer. Requires a credit reporting agency to remove a security freeze within 3 business days of receiving a request from the consumer with the consumer's proper identification, unique personal ID number or password provided by the credit reporting agency and the applicable fee. Places a cap at a maximum of $3.00 on the amount a credit reporting agency can charge the consumer for each placement, temporary lift or removal of security freeze and at a maximum of $5.00 for each replacement of a personal ID number. Allows the commissioner of Banking and Finance to increase such fees to a maximum of $10 upon proper cost justification from CRAs. Any further fee increases will have to be approved by the legislature. Exempts individuals age 65 or older from fees for the placement of security freeze and victims of identity theft from all fees. Allows the person in violation of this code to be fined by the appointed administrator at a maximum of $100.00 for a violation concerning a specific consumer. Requires credit reporting agencies to provide consumers with "the Right to Obtain a Security Freeze" notice. - Authored By: Sen. Chip Rogers of the 21st - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Governmental Affairs
SB 174 - Public Officers/Employees; development of medical/physical fitness standards; appointment of medical review board
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill provides for the development of medical and physical fitness standards for persons employed in positions in state government. These standards will be established by a medical review board comprised of five doctors appointed by the commissioner of personnel management. - Authored By: Sen. Johnny Grant of the 25th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Governmental Affairs
SB 175 - State Government; clarify meaning of criminal action; replace Dept. of Administrative Services with Office of Treasury/Fiscal Services
- BILL SUMMARY: SB175 is primarily procurement legislation but there is also a small piece regarding DOAS' insurance function and some administrative clean up.
Section 1 of the bill covers insurance for state officials and state employees. It amends Code Section 45-9-1 to authorize the DOAS self-insurance fund to reimburse state officials and state employees for criminal defense attorney's fees when they are investigated and a decision is made to not pursue charges. This change brings state coverage into line with coverage provided directors and officers of private corporations. This change originated because of the inability to reimburse Commissioner James Donald who was investigated because of conference fund-raising but not charged.
Section 2 of the bill is administrative clean up. It officially transfers the responsibility for receiving the assets of dissolved electric membership corporations from DOAS to Office of Treasury & Fiscal Services (OTFS) by amending Code Sections 46-3-427, 46-3-

436, 46-3-438. OTFS currently has responsibility for receiving the assets of dissolved corporations in general pursuant to Code Sections 14-2-1408, 14-2-1433, 14-2-1440, 14-3-1409, 14-3-1433 and 14-3-1440. This old statutory language is a carryover from when OTFS was a division within DOAS.
Section 3, 4 and 5 are the meat of the bill and pertain to procurement.
Section 3 amends Code Section 50-5-67(b)(2) to authorize DOAS to conduct negotiations during low bid processes similar to DOAS' authority to conduct negotiations during the proposal (non-low bid) process. This change would allow the state to "squeeze" better pricing than the pricing that can be obtained thru a mechanical bid process but this ability to "squeeze" better pricing may draw some opposition from vendors for fear of too much competition. However, it went smoothly in the Senate.
Section 4 amends Code Section 50-5-67(d) to 1) provide for the issuance of a public notice of intent to award prior to awarding the final contract; 2) make procurement documents public upon issuance of the above notice of intent to award; and 3) prohibit the public disclosure of certain vendor financial information not otherwise publicly available.
By issuing a public notice of intent to award before signing a contract, there could be no breach of contract claims if a protested award resulted in the rescission of a contract.
Delaying public disclosure of certain state documents (such as detailed evaluation criteria, market research, cost estimates, how many vendors submitted bids, etc) until after a public notice of intent to award strengthens the state's negotiating position during the procurement process. Currently, savvy vendors who know the system can use Open Records requests to assess how much competition they have (or don't have) when negotiating with the state. Savvy vendors can also get an inside track on competitors who are not as savvy with the use of Open Records.
Prohibiting public disclosure of vendors' nonpublic financial information encourages the participation of as many vendors as possible. Some vendors do not want their private financial info made public via Open Records so they simply decline to do business with the state.
These delays in public disclosure might draw some media opposition as closing up government. However, our goal is not to keep the information from public view forever (with the exception of the financial information of private companies). We simply want to level the playing field and believe that our commitment to make records available after the procurement is completed strikes a healthy balance between competition and public access.
Section 5 amends Code Section 50-5-67(f) to authorize DOAS to conduct negotiations and clarifications during reverse auctions similar to the authority we are seeking for bids (and already have for proposals). The negotiation part is probably not that important since an auction typically squeezes price to the lowest the market can bear. However, we would like to have the authority to have clarification discussions because sometimes the auction can produce unsustainably low prices and we would like the opportunity to flesh this out. - Authored By: Sen. Johnny Grant of the 25th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Governmental Affairs
SB 264 - Elections/Primaries; qualify for a party's nomination/run for public office; provide certain requirements
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill provides that an individual that was sentenced to incarceration for more than 30 days in a proceeding resulting in a dishonorable or bad conduct military discharge shall not be qualified for public office. - Authored By: Sen. John J. Wiles of the 37th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Governmental Affairs
SR 279 - Senate; provide four-year terms of office for members CA
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to allow for four year terms for General Assembly members. Odd numbered districts will be elected during presidential election years and even numbered districts will be during gubernatorial election years. - Authored By: Sen. John Douglas of the 17th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Health & Human Services
SB 134 - Hospital; acquisitions; notice to the Attorney General; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill alters the manner in which entities involved in the acquisition of a hospital remit fees to the Attorney General. This bill would allow the Attorney General to retain experts during hospital acquisition proceedings, and provides for payment by the involved parties for those expert services, with a fee cap of $60,000. - Authored By: Sen. Preston W. Smith of the 52nd - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Health & Human Services
SB 363 - Dentists/Dental Hygienists; provide advanced dental education programs; revisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would alter the statutes governing the practice and education of dentistry and dental hygiene by allowing for dental professionals who have undergone specified appropriate levels of training in "Advanced dental education programs" to practice dentistry. Advanced dental education program means an accredited dental advanced specialty education program or accredited dental education program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association or its successor agency. - Authored By: Sen. Lee Hawkins of the 49th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Health & Human Services
SB 405 - Georgia Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act; enactment; definitions; provide for anatomical gift
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would streamline the organ gifting process in Georgia by replacing the "Georgia Anatomical Gift Act" with the "Georgia Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act" in OCGA 44-5 Article 6. The measure seeks to bring Georgia statutes in harmony with other states, as transplantation organizations are attempting to create harmonized anatomical gift regulations across all the states. The bill would create uniform standards for the registry, assent, collection, and usage of anatomical gifts, in order to increase the number of collected anatomical gifts, and to make it more difficult for anatomical gifting decisions to be reversed after the donor has deceased. - Authored By: Sen. Don Balfour of the 9th - Committee Action: Tabled
Interstate Cooperation
HR 1609 - House Study Committee on Trade, Travel, and Security between Georgia and Western Hemisphere Trade Partners; create
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution creates the House Study Committee on Trade, Travel, and Security between Georgia and the Western Hemisphere Trade Partners. The committee shall undertake a study of the impact of the costs of trade, travel, and security on Georgia and its western hemisphere trade partners. The committee may make recommendations for changes in legislation and in the event the committee makes such recommendations. - Authored By: Rep. David Casas of the 103rd - Committee Action: Do Pass
Interstate Cooperation
SR 1060 - Transportation Commissioner; urged to provide a series of reports to the General Assembly
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution urges the commissions of the Department of Transportation to provide for a series of reports to the General Assembly. Some of the reports would include the following:
1. Disposal of county maintenance barns and surplus equipment. This report shall detail the location and amount of property and equipment sold and remaining unsold;
2. Road maintenance. This report shall detail the amount of money to be spent on maintaining existing roads and the source of the funds. This report shall also contain an analysis of the overall structural and functional condition of roads in Georgia; and
3. Bridge maintenance. This report shall detail the amount of money to be spent on inspecting and maintaining existing bridges and the source of the funds. This report shall also contain an analysis of the overall structural and functional condition of bridges in Georgia and an analysis of whether the inspections of bridges already performed by the department meet federal requirements and industry safety standards. - Authored By: Sen. Jeff Mullis of the 53rd - Committee Action: Do Pass

Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1307 - Fayette County; board of commissioners; elections; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to reapportion the districts of the members of the Fayette County Board of Commissioners. - Authored By: Rep. Virgil Fludd of the 66th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Judiciary
HR 127 - Citizenship; urge Congress to amend birth right provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HR 127 is a proposed resolution urging the federal government to amend the United States Constitution to restrict citizenship rights to children born in the United States to parents who are not United States citizens. - Authored By: Rep. Bobby C Reese of the 98th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Judiciary
SB 33 - Emergency Management; state-wide first responder building mapping information system; definitions; rule/regulations
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 33 adds a new article to Title 38 which authorizes the Georgia Emergency Management Agency to create a building mapping information system. The system will include maps of government building to facilitate first responder efforts in case of a disaster, criminal act, or terrorist act. State and local agencies will get to decide whether to participate in the system. GEMA will provide safeguards to ensure that the maps will only be available to the agency whose building is mapped and first responders. Information provided to GEMA for the mapping system will not be subject to the open records act. The bill provides immunity for state and local agencies which participate in the mapping system. - Authored By: Sen. Ed Harbison of the 15th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Judiciary
SB 397 - Bonds; issuance/validation; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 397 amends O.C.G.A. 8-3-35 to allow a housing authority bond validation proceeding to be filed in the county where the housing authority is located, in addition to the county in which the housing units at issue are located. - Authored By: Sen. John Bulloch of the 11th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Judiciary
SB 508 - Probate Courts; update/change provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 508 amends a number of code section concerning probate courts. Section changes the term "guardian of the property" to "conservator." Section 2 changes the terms executor and administrator to conservator and personal representative. Section 3 changes the terms of court for Probate Courts. Section 4 amends the guidelines for the Probate Judges Training Council. Section 5 adds the direction and construction of wills to the concurrent jurisdiction of the Probate and Superior Courts. Section 6 amends the code section concerning the settlement of minors' claims. Section 7 addresses the sealing of guardian and conservator files. Section 8 adds a requirement to file a notice in counties in which real property is located, if no administration is necessary. Section 9 strikes a petition for year's support as a trigger for a five-year statute of limitations for offering a will for probate. - Authored By: Sen. Michael Meyer von Bremen of the 12th - 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

8:00 AM 10:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 1:00 PM 2:00 PM 1:00 PM 2:00 PM 2:00 PM 4:00 PM 2:00 PM 4:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:30 PM
2:00 PM 4:00 PM
2:00 PM 3:00 PM 3:00 PM 5:00 PM 3:00 PM 6:00 PM 3:30 PM 5:00 PM 3:30 PM 4:30 PM 4:00 PM 5:00 PM

Wednesday, March 19, 2008 Telecommunications Subcommittee of Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications RULES STATE PLANNING & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS MOTOR VEHICLES Judiciary Civil Subcommittee Two (Tumlin) INSURANCE ENERGY, UTILITIES & TELECOMMUNICATIONS HIGHER EDUCATION STATE INSTITUTIONS & PROPERTY
JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL
PUBLIC SAFETY & HOMELAND SECURITY RETIREMENT TRANSPORTATION REGULATED INDUSTIRES Judiciary Civil Subcommittee One (Lindsey) GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS

515 CLOB 341 CAP 415 CLOB 506 CLOB 403 CAP 506 CLOB 415 CLOB 406 CLOB CANCELED 515 CLOB 132 CAP or upon adjournment- whichever is later 606 CLOB 403 CAP 606 CLOB 515 CLOB 230 CAP 406 CLOB

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

the live streaming video of the meeting, please visit the Georgia Legislative Network website.
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CONTACT: BRENT CRANFIELD
(404) 656-0305 Brent.Cranfield@house.ga.gov