Daily report [Mar. 27, 2008]

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

TOMORROW'S FORECAST
* The House will reconvene for its 36th Legislative Day on Friday, March 28, at 09:00 AM. * 10 bills are expected to be debated on the floor.

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DAILY REPORT

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TODAY ON THE FLOOR
Today, the House voted on its final adjournment resolution SR 1246
Friday, March 28 9:00am Monday, March 31 1:00pm Tuesday, April 1 10:00am Wednesday, April 2 10:00am Thursday, April 3 NO SESSION Friday, April 4 SINE DIE
MOTIONS TO INSIST
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 - A motion to insist sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.
MOTIONS TO AGREE
HB 291 - Georgia Council for the Arts; Georgia Arts Alliance; create
- BILL SUMMARY: The bill creates the Georgia Arts Alliance that would serve to foster public private partnerships in the interests of the arts. The bill establishes a Board of Trustees for the Alliance. In addition by no later than June 1, 2008, the Department of Education, in conjunction with the Georgia Arts Alliance, shall develop and implement a Future Art and Music Teachers Pilot Program. The Future Art and Music Teachers Pilot Program shall provide, in at least six schools in this state, a program through which students in grades 11 and 12 may provide visual art and music instruction to students in kindergarten through grade six. - Authored By: Rep. Joe Wilkinson of the 52nd - House Committee: Economic Development & Tourism - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.

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 - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.

HB 301 - Dogfighting; prohibit; punishments; amend provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: Prohibits owning or training a dog to fight. Prohibits causing dogs to fight; betting on a dog fight; knowingly permitting or aiding in a dog fight. A violation would be punished as a felony with a first offense punished by one to five years imprisonment and/or a $5000.00 fine and a second offense punished by one to ten years imprisonment and/or a $15,000.00. Attending a dogfight would be punished as a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature for a first offense, punished as a felony carrying a term of imprisonment of 1-5 years and a fine of $5000 or both for a second offense, and a third offense would carry a term of imprisonment of 1-10 years with a fine of $15,000 or both. Dogs subject to fighting would be impounded. The Code section would not prevent husbandry, lawful dog shows, hunting with or training dogs to hunt, training dogs to work with livestock, or training dogs to work with police. - Authored By: Rep. Bobby C Reese of the 98th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - A motion to agree as amended sends this bill back to the Senate.

HB 961 - Persons with disabilities; special parking permits and license plates; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 961 changes provisions relating to special parking permits and license plates for persons with disabilities by requiring those special parking permits to be laminated on both sides. Further, it creates a graduated scale of fines for individuals that illegally park in a parking place designated for persons with disabilities. - Authored By: Rep. Chuck Sims of the 169th - House Committee: Motor Vehicles - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.

HB 1019 - Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank Act; enact

- BILL SUMMARY: Amends Code Section 32-10-2 relating to the State Road and Tollway Authority to enact the "Georgia

Transportation Infrastructure Bank Act."

Section 1:

Defines `revenue' or `revenues' as any and all money received from the collection of those tolls authorized by Georgia

Code, any federal highway or transit funds or reimbursements, any other federal highway or transit assistance received by

the authority, any other money pledged for such purpose, and any other money received by the authority pursuant to the

Georgia Infrastructure Bank.

Section 2:

This Section creates a new Part 3 and shall be known and cited as the `Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank Act'.

Code Section 32-10-121: creates within the State Road and Tollway Authority an instrumentality of the state to be known

as the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank. The Bank will be governed by the board of the State Road and

Tollway Authority as provided in this chapter. The Bank serves the corporate purpose of assisting in the financing

qualified projects by providing loans and other financial assistance to government units for constructing and improving

highway and transportation facilities necessary for public purposes, including economic development. This Code Section

also states that the Bank shall maintain at least the four following accounts in the authority fund:

(1) State and

local roadway account;

(2) State and local nonroadway account;

(3) Federal roadway account; and

(4) Federal nonroadway account.

Code Section 32-10-122: lists and defines certain terms used throughout the legislation. Code Section 32-10-123: The Board of the State Road and Tollway Authority may, in administering the affairs of the Bank, exercise any or all powers granted in Parts 1 and 2 of said article. The board is specifically authorized to issue bonds for the purposes of the

Bank, in the same general manner provided in Part 2 of this same article. Code Section 32-10-124: provides other powers granted to the board but notes that the authority of the board is not limited to those expressly granted in this section. The Bank is not a bank or trust within the jurisdiction or under the control of this state or an agency of it or the Treasury Department of the United States. Deposits are not FDIC insured. Code Section 32-10-125: gives sources that may be used to capitalize the Bank. They include General Assembly appropriations, Federal funds (subject to DOT approval), Contributions, donations, deposits from government units, private entities, and any other source as may become available to the Bank, moneys from payments on loans and interest, proceeds from bonds, and other lawful sources not earmarked for other purposes. Code Section 32-10-126: outlines the regulation for earnings on the balances in each of the four mandatory accounts and their investment. Such activity must comply with state and federal law. Code Section 32-10-127: The Bank may issue loans to pay for all or part of the eligible costs of a qualified project. The term of the loan shall not exceed the useful life of the project. Terms and conditions of the loan or financial assistance are up to the board. The board will also determine which projects are eligible and can give preference to those that have local financial support. Code Section 32-10-128: Borrows may do what is necessary to carry out contracts or agreements reached by both parties. Borrowers can pledge security interests in project revenues to secure obligations. They may also change the amounts of fees and charges for the operation of the project in any part of the system where they receive revenue to meet the obligation. Code Section 32-10-129: There will be no taxes levied on the Bank as it is performing an essential governmental function. Code Section 32-10-130: Failure to pay on the loan will result in funds being withheld and applied as payments. Code Section 32-10-131: Neither the board or any officer is to be held liable for anything resulting from carrying out any of the powers given in this part. Code Section 32-10-132: No act of the Bank shall be subject to any referendum. No notice, proceeding, or publication, except those required in this part shall be necessary to the performance of any act authorized in this part. Code Section 32-10-133: The Bank shall submit an annual report to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, the General Assembly, and the appropriate federal agency. Section 3: This Act is effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. - Authored By: Rep. John Lunsford of the 110th - House Committee: Transportation - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
SB 352 - Government; legislative override; change certain exemptions
- BILL SUMMARY: Currently, the legislature does not have oversight authority regarding the Dept. of Natural Resources' Environmental Protection Division regarding state statutes. With the creation of the "Statewide Water Management Plan" and future legislation regarding water supply in the State of Georgia, the legislature feels that oversight is necessary as the Department begins implementing and executing laws, rules, and regulations. This bill does NOT grant the legislature oversight on federal issues, just state ones. - Authored By: Sen. Bill Cowsert of the 46th - House Committee: Natural Resources & Environment - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
MOTIONS TO DISAGREE
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 - House Committee: Motor Vehicles - A motion to disagree sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.
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 billl 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 - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - A motion to disagree sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.
RULES CALENDAR
SB 347 - Insurance Companies; software as admitted asset when determining financial condition
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 347 allows software to be counted as an asset for insurance purposes so long as the cost of the software does not exceed 10% of admitted assets or $7,500,000, whichever is less. - Authored By: Sen. Ralph T Hudgens of the 47th - House Committee: Insurance - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 153; Nays: 2
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 specifiied 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 - House Committee: Health & Human Services - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): Jackson AM 25 1086 - Yeas: 154; Nays: 0
SB 385 - Limousine Carriers; provide for licensing to sell alcoholic beverages; annual applications/fees; sticker for each vehicle authorized
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill adds a new Code Section 3-9-4, relating to the sale of alcoholic beverages by public carriers and nonprofit organizations. This legislation allows limousine carriers to sell alcohol for consumption in their limousines upon obtaining an annual permit and stickers for each vehicle from the commissioner of the Department of Revenue. In order to do this a limousine carrier will have to pay an annual permit fee of $50.00 as well as a fee of $15 for each vehicle in his fleet. This bill allows limousine carriers to purchase alcohol only from retailers, but not from wholesalers. It also allows limousine carriers to purchase and resell alcohol only in the areas where the sale of alcohol is allowed. However, if there are minors in the limousine no alcohol will be allowed. - Authored By: Sen. Don Balfour of the 9th - House Committee: Regulated Industries - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 128; Nays: 26

SR 753 - Property Conveyance; City of Thomaston; Upson County
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution authorizes the conveyance of certain state owned real property located in the City of Thomaston, Upson County, Georgia. - Authored By: Sen. George Hooks of the 14th - House Committee: State Institutions & Property - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 159; Nays: 0
LOCAL CALENDAR
HB 1447 - Sylvester, City of; provide new charter
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a new charter for the City of Sylvester. - Authored By: Rep. Ed Rynders of the 152nd - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 144; Nays: 0
HB 1449 - Athens-Clarke County Unified Government; municipal court; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to amend the charter of Athens/Clarke County relating to the continuation of the Athens Municipal Court and the Athens/Clarke Industrial Authority in the unified government. - Authored By: Rep. Keith G Heard of the 114th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 144; Nays: 0
HB 1450 - Franklin County; board of elections and registration; create
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to create the Franklin County Board of Elections and Registration and to provide for its powers and duties. - Authored By: Rep. Alan Powell of the 29th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 144; Nays: 0
HB 1451 - Brantley County Airport Authority Act; enact
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to create the Brantley County Airport Authority and to provide for its powers and duties. - Authored By: Rep. Mark Williams of the 178th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 144; Nays: 0
HB 1453 - Alapaha, Town of; mayor and council; provide new terms of office
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide for the election of the mayor and council in the City of Alapaha. - Authored By: Rep. Jay Shaw of the 176th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 144; Nays: 0

HB 1455 - Wilkes County; board of commissioners; purchasing property and services; provide authority
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to authorize the Wilkes County Board of Commissioners to establish policies and procedures relative to purchasing property and leasing services. - Authored By: Rep. Mickey Channell of the 116th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 144; Nays: 0
SB 494 - Jasper County; tax commissioner; compensation; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide compensation for the Tax Commissioner of Jasper County and to redefine the duties of that office. - Authored By: Sen. Johnny Grant of the 25th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 144; Nays: 0
SB 516 - DeKalb County School District Ad Valorem Taxes; provide homestead exemption; educational purposes; specify terms/conditions
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a homestead exemption from DeKalb County School District ad valorem taxes for educational purposes in the amount of $2,500.00 of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that school district in each taxable year in which a sales and use tax for educational purposes is imposed and collected in such school district for any portion of that year pursuant to the State Constitution. - Authored By: Sen. Steve Henson of the 41st - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 144; Nays: 0
SB 553 - Ringgold, City of; change the corporate limits of the city
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to annex territory into the corporate limits of the City of Ringgold. - Authored By: Sen. Jeff Mullis of the 53rd - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 144; Nays: 0
* The House will reconvene Friday, March 28, at 9:00 AM, for its 36th Legislative Day
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COMMITTEE ON RULES
The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 36th Legislative Day, Friday, March 28, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker.
RULES CALENDAR FOR NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY
SB 11 - Superior/State Court Judges; performing ordered military duty; eligible for reelection; qualify by mail, messenger or agent on duty
- BILL SUMMARY: Section 1 of SB 11 amends O.C.G.A. 15-1-9.1 to designate a judge's military service as the basis for requesting judicial assistance of a judge from outside of the county. Section 2 allows Superior Court judges engaged in military service to qualify for reelection in absentia, clarifies that military services does not give rise to a vacancy, and allows the judge to perform candidate-related duties by mail or through an agent. Section 3 is a similar provision for State Court judges. - Authored By: Sen. David Shafer of the 48th - House Committee: Judiciary - House Committee Passed: 3/20/2008 - Rule: Open

SB 88 - Care of a Grandchild Act; provide subsidy to certain grandparents raising grandchildren under certain circumstances
- BILL SUMMARY: Adds the "Care of a Grandchild Act" to Title 19, Chapter 9 to allow a parent to delegate to a grandparent the care of a minor child by way of a power of attorney in hardship cases including, but not limited to, death of the other parent, terminal illness, physical or mental condition, incarceration, or natural disaster. The bill provides a form Georgia Power of Attorney for the Care of a Minor Child.
While use of this Act could result in a change in a child's school, the bill forbids the use of this statute for the sole purpose of moving a child to a different school.
Part 2 of SB 88 is the "Grandchildren's Caregiver Subsidy Act." Part 2 establishes a subsidy to be administered by DHR, which would provide an electronic funds transfer card and other financial assistance to up to 1,500 grandparents who are financially eligible for the subsidy. The bill outlines permissible expenditures of the subsidy by grandparents. Senator Unterman reported at the January 17, 2008 Committee meeting that funds are budgeted for this proposal. - Authored By: Sen. Renee S Unterman of the 45th - House Committee: Judiciary - House Committee Passed: 2/1/2008 - Rule: Modified-Structured
SB 344 - Boards and Commissions; repeal/abolish certain ones that have become inactive, obsolete, unnecessary; provide effective date
- BILL SUMMARY: Abolishes certain boards and commissions that have become inactive, obsolete antiquated, or unnecessary. Abolishes the Pacific White Shrimp Aquaculture Development Advisory Council (Code Section 2-15-3). Abolishes the Georgia Tobacco Advisory Board (Code Section 10-4-110). Repeals and reserves Part 4, Article 7 of Chapter 3, relating to the Kinchafoonee Lake Authority. Repeals Power Alley Development Authority (Article 12 Chapter 3). Repeals State Waste Water Privatization Oversight Committee (12-5-23.3). Repeals the Coordinating Committee for Exceptional Individuals (20-2-301). Amends the Education Information Steering Committee ( 20-2-320); However, it takes out the actual committee but leaves the committee's state-wide comprehensive educational information system. Repeals the Center for Trade and Technology Transfer (20-3-84). Repeals the Natural Gas Consumer Education Advisory Board (46-4-160.4). Repeals Title 50 Article 5 chapter 5 relating to state government that pertains with communication services. Revises Chapter 30 relating to the Georgia Institute for Community Business Development. - Authored By: Sen. Dan Moody of the 56th - House Committee: State Planning & Community Affairs - House Committee Passed: 3/19/2008 - Rule: Open
SB 384 - Limousine Carriers; permitting by certain airports; change certain provisions; limit fees
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends provisions relating to limousine carriers by revising Code Section 46-7-85.11. It limits fees charged by airports for permitting limousine carriers to the approximate cost to the airports of doing so. The bill also provides that airports' governing authorities should accept a chauffeur's permit and a certificate issued to limousine carrier as adequate evidence of sufficient criminal background investigations and prohibits them from charging fees for further criminal background investigations. Further, it takes out the provision that allowed cities and municipalities to enact ordinances and regulations requiring certain limousine carriers to pay business license fees. - Authored By: Sen. Don Balfour of the 9th - House Committee: Regulated Industries - House Committee Passed: 2/28/2008 - Rule: Open
SB 387 - Absentee Ballots; allow electors to request/cast without stating a reason; allow electronic submission of requests by certain electors
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill changes provisions relating to absentee ballots, so as to allow electors to request and cast absentee ballots without stating a reason for doing so. It also allows for the electronic submission of absentee ballot requests by military personnel. Further it require registrars and absentee ballot clerks to determine the eligibility of electors to vote by absentee ballot as well as to provide for the safekeeping of absentee ballots. - Authored By: Sen. Cecil Staton of the 18th - House Committee: Governmental Affairs - House Committee Passed: 3/20/2008 - Rule: Modified-Structured

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 - House Committee: Judiciary - House Committee Passed: 3/18/2008 - Rule: Open
SB 408 - Local Government Franchising Authority; change certain provisions; telephone/telegraph companies
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation amends Code Section 46-5-1 relating to the power of eminent domain by telephone and telegraph companies, the placement of posts and other fixtures, regulation of construction of fixtures, posts, and wires near railroad tracks, and liability of telegraph and telephone companies for damages.
A municipal authority or county cannot: Require any telephone company to apply for or enter into an agreement with such municipal authority or county; Impose any occupational license tax or fee as a condition of placing or maintaining lines and facilities in its public roads, highways, or rights of way; or Impose any build-out requirements on network construction or service deployment.
Any telephone company that places or seeks to place lines and facilities in the public roads, highways, and rights of way of a municipal authority must provide the following information: the name, address, and telephone number of a principal office or local agent; proof of certification; proof of insurance or self-insurance; a description of the telephone company's service area; a description of the services to be provided; and an affirmative declaration that the telephone company shall comply with all laws, regulations, and ordinances. Due compensation must be paid for public roads, highways, and rights of way where the telephone company places or seeks to place lines and facilities.
There are further limitations regarding due compensation, permit procedures and fees, and liability. - Authored By: Sen. David Shafer of the 48th - House Committee: Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications - House Committee Passed: 3/19/2008 - Rule: Open
SB 421 - False Identification Documents; change penalties based upon the age of the convicted person/nature of crime
- BILL SUMMARY: A first offense for knowingly manufacturing selling or distributing false identification would be punished as a misdemeanor, a second offense as a felony carrying 1-3 years and a $25,000 fine.
It also changes the penalties for people convicted who are under 21 years of age and are using the identification to gain entry to an age restricted facility or to buy age restricted consumable goods. A first offense would be a misdemeanor. Upon a second or subsequent offense the offender would be punished for a high and aggravated misdemeanor. - Authored By: Sen. Chip Pearson of the 51st - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - House Committee Passed: 3/13/2008 - Rule: Open
SB 483 - Child Support; revise certain definitions; process of calculating; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 483 makes a number of amendments to the child support provisions in Title 19, Chapter 6. In addition to the changes highlighted in this summary, the bill makes a number of technical amendments recommended by the Child Support Guidelines Commission. Section 1 changes the name of a parenting time adjustment to a parenting time deviation, and this change in terminology is made throughout the bill. Section 2 adds a provision to consider whether the child receives any Social Security benefits. Section 3 allows child support to be decreased, as well as increased as current law allows, if the decrease is in the best interest of the child. Section 3 also changes the decision whether to include health insurance in the order from discretionary to mandatory, if health insurance is available at a reasonable cost; Section 6 addresses this issue as well. Section 4 adds a provision to consider military income and benefits. Section 7 adds a number of provisions addressing deviations. Section 8 allows a temporary modification motion to be filed. Section 9 removes the need to file a child support worksheet with the child support order in certain cases. - Authored By: Sen. Seth Harp of the 29th - House Committee: Judiciary - House Committee Passed: 3/13/2008 - Rule: Modified-Structured

SB 523 - Education; capitol outlay grants to local school systems; extend date for automatic repeal
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation extends the date for automatic repeal of advance funding and exceptional growth funding for capital outlay and low wealth capital outlay grants by one year, to June 30, 2010. - Authored By: Sen. Dan Moody of the 56th - House Committee: Appropriations - House Committee Passed: 3/19/2008 - Rule: Modified-Structured
* The Rules Committee will next meet on Friday, March 28, at 8:00 AM, to set the Rules Calendar for the 37th Legislative Day.
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COMMITTEE ACTION REPORT
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Banks & Banking
SB 473 - Accountants; increase regulatory protections for consumers of accounting services; definitions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends Chapter 3 of Title 43 of O.C.G.A. relating to accountants. This legislation: Ensures that the definition of the term "attest" will not affect the practice of unlicensed accountants. Changes experience and employment requirements for certificate of "certified public accountants" by decreasing the requirement
for continuous experience in public accountancy from two years to one year and the requirement for continuous employment in the accounting field from five years to one year.
Amends conditions for granting and renewing registration for firms practicing public accountancy. Inserts a substantial equivalency practice provision that allows out-of-state certified public accountants to work in GA on a temporary basis without obtaining permit or registering with the Board as long as they satisfy the qualification criteria for such practice privilege. Authorizes the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board to prohibit an individual from exercising the substantial equivalency practice privilege and allows the Board to reinstate this practice privilege. Provides that it is not a violation of this Code Section for an individual who qualifies for the substantial equivalency practice privilege or for an out-of-state firm that is composed of certified public accountants to use the title or designation of "certified public accountant" or "C.P.A." and to provide professional services in this state so long as the individual or firm complies with this Code section. This Act will become effective on July 1, 2009. - Authored By: Sen. Mitch Seabaugh of the 28th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight
SB 12 - Budget Act; periodic application of zero-base budgeting; analysis of departmental/program objectives
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation amends part of the Georgia Code related to the "Budget Act," by eliminating provisions concerning the annual continuation budget report, and providing the application of zero based budgeting to the budgeting process. It also provides analysis of department and program objectives, considers alternative funding levels, and develops priority lists for departments. - Authored By: Sen. David Shafer of the 48th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Education
SB 461 - Education; provide schools with certain guidelines regarding bullying; submit policy to Dept. of Education
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill relates to the discipline in elementary and high schools and provides schools with certain guidelines regarding bullying. It requires schools to submit to the Department of Education a policy regarding bullying and direct the Department to develop a model policy regarding bullying. In addition, the bill provides immunity for certain individuals reporting a bullying incident. - Authored By: Sen. Chip Rogers of the 21st

- Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Education
SB 535 - Local Boards of Education; require school systems to attain/maintain accreditation; definition; removal of members; provide for procedures
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill provides for the removal of board members of the local board of education in which a system fails to attain or maintain accreditation. The bill also provides for the filing of vacancies and election of subsequent members. - Authored By: Sen. Ronnie Chance of the 16th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Higher Education
SB 68 - Career Academies Act; disbursement of funds by the State Board of Technical and Adult Education; charter schools
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill, entitled the Career Academies Act of 2007, would give the Department of Technical and Adult Education the authority to provide start-up funds for charter schools who would like to become a Career Academy. A Career Academy is a charter school that has established a special relationship between a local board of education, or a group of local boards of education in cooperation, and a local technical college as charter petitioners and approved by the State Board of Education. - Authored By: Sen. Dan Weber of the 40th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Higher Education
SB 169 - Ga. Student Finance Authority; direct loans to students; postsecondary schools; 1% rate annually
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill provides three low-interest student loan programs. (1) 1% need based loans that requires the student to apply for other financial aid. It bridges the gap in funding to ensure that student is not kept from attending for lack of money. Eligibility for first year requires graduation from eligible high school and 2.5 cumulative grade point average; for subsequent years a 2.0 cumulative grade point average at eligible college with a starting interest rate of 1%. (2) Graduate On Time loans or GOT that are an incentive for students to graduate promptly. The eligibility for the loan does not require a specific grade point average. The starting interest rate is not to exceed prime. If a student graduates with a cumulative GPA no lower than 2.0 within 4 years, the loan then converts to retroactive 1% rate. If the student graduates with a cumulative GPA no lower than 2.0 within 5 years the loan coverts to a 2% rate. (3) Education for Public Service loans which encourage students to enter public service. This can include employment within the state, a local government or local board of education. Eligibility does not require a specific GPA. The starting interest rate cannot exceed prime. It coverts to 1% or interest-free if student graduates with a cumulative GPA no lower than 2.0 and performs required years of public service (5 to 15 years). The loan is available to both undergraduate and graduate students. The longer the public service, the less the student will pay in interest. - Authored By: Sen. William Hamrick of the 30th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Higher Education
SB 435 - Technical/Adult Education, Dept. of; change name to Technical College System of Georgia
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill changes the name of the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education to the Technical College System of Georgia. - Authored By: Sen. Seth Harp of the 29th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Higher Education
SB 480 - HOPE scholarships; change certain definitions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill relates to the definition of Tuition Equalization Grants and private colleges and universities and would allow Morris Brown to be included as an 'approved school'. The bill also would allow students within the Clayton County school system within the last two years to be HOPE eligible. - Authored By: Sen. Tommie Williams of the 19th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Higher Education
SB 492 - HOPE scholarships; add accrediting entity to the definition of the term eligible high school
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would include the Florida Council of Independent Schools to allow students who are Georgia residents but attend school in Florida to be HOPE eligible. The bill also adds language relating to the HOPE scholarship stating that attempted hours shall include all postsecondary level hours taken prior to high school graduation if a student does not qualify for the HOPE scholarship as freshman based solely on his or her GPA. - Authored By: Sen. John Bulloch of the 11th - Committee Action: Do Pass as Amended
Higher Education
SB 526 - Lottery for Education Act; define certain terms; under certain conditions lottery winnings may be assigned; court order
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill relates to the winnings of the Georgia Lottery. The bill would allow winners to purchase an annuity so as to borrow against monies to use as collatoral. Winners will be able to legally and voluntarily sell or pledge their right to future payments in order to raise cash at favorable rates. - Authored By: Sen. Seth Harp of the 29th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Human Relations & Aging
HR 1517 - House Study Committee on Funeral, Cemeterian, and Related Services; create
- BILL SUMMARY: Creates a House Study Committee on Funeral, Cemeterian, and Related Services. Committee is to be composed of 3 members from the House, the divisions director of the securities and business regulation divisions of the office of the secretary of State, the executive director of the Georgia State Board of Funeral Service, the president of the State Board of Cemeterians, the Commissioner of Insurance, the state registrar, and the commissioner of community health. Committer shall be abolished on December 31, 2008. - Authored By: Rep. Chuck Sims of the 169th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Human Relations & Aging
SB 469 - Health; revise definition for personal care home; provide guidelines/oversight of host homes
- BILL SUMMARY: Revises definition of "personal care home" to exclude host homes. Defines a "host home" as a private residence e in a residential area in which the occupant owner provides housing and provides care to one or two persons who are not related to the owner. Provides for oversight over personal care homes. - Authored By: Sen. Seth Harp of the 29th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 816 - DeKalb County Community Improvement Districts Act of 2007; enact
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to authorize the creation of community improvement districts in DeKalb County and the cities therein. - Authored By: Rep. Michele Henson of the 87th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 999 - Effingham County School District; ad valorem tax; educational purposes; provide homestead exemption
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a homestead exemption from Effingham 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 adjusted base year assessed value of such homestead. - Authored By: Rep. Earl Carter of the 159th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1001 - Effingham County; ad valorem tax; county purposes; provide homestead exemption
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a homestead exemption from Effingham 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 adjusted base year assessed value of such homestead. - Authored By: Rep. Earl Carter of the 159th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
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 - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1448 - Tyrone, Town of; charter; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to amend the charter of the City of Tyrone so as to revise provisions regarding the charter, to change provisions relating to the city's powers, and to provide for matters related to the mayor and city council. - Authored By: Rep. Virgil Fludd of the 66th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1452 - Fulton County; board of commissioners; ad valorem tax exemption; requirements
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to require Fulton County to grant an equivalent exemption from ad valorem taxes for county purposes for property within enterprise zones when an exemption from ad valorem taxes for city purposes for such property has been granted by the City of Atlanta. - Authored By: Rep. Bob Holmes of the 61st - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1454 - Forsyth County Public Facilities Authority; create
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to create the Forsyth County Public Facilities Authority and to provide for its powers and duties. - Authored By: Rep. Tom Knox of the 24th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1456 - Hall County State Court; additional judge; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide an additional judge for the State Court of Hall County. - Authored By: Rep. Doug Collins of the 27th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1457 - Stewart County; Board of Education; members; provide compensation
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide compensation for the members of the Stewart County Board of Education. - Authored By: Rep. Bob Hanner of the 148th - Committee Action: Do Pass

Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1459 - College Park Business and Industrial Development Authority; membership; change qualifications
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide the process for appointing members of the College Park Business and Industrial Development Authority. - Authored By: Rep. Joe Heckstall of the 62nd - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1460 - DeKalb County Recorder's Court; certain offenses; impose additional fine
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to require the Recorder's Court of DeKalb County to charge a technology fee to be imposed upon each defendant who is found guilty or enters a plea of guilty or nolo contendere or any other plea that results in a fine, which the clerk shall pay into the DeKalb County Justice Technology Fund. - Authored By: Rep. Robbin Shipp of the 58th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1461 - DeKalb County Justice Technology Fund; create
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to create the DeKalb County Justice Technology Fund and to provide for its powers and duties. - Authored By: Rep. Robbin Shipp of the 58th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1462 - DeKalb County State Court; change certain fees; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to require the State Court of DeKalb County to charge a technology fee for each civil case filed and to provide that the fee shall go into the DeKalb County Justice Technology Fund. - Authored By: Rep. Robbin Shipp of the 58th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1463 - Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority; change name and membership
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to rename the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority as the Augusta Entertainment Authority and to provide for its powers and duties. - Authored By: Rep. Henry "Wayne" Howard of the 121st - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1464 - Madison County; board of commissioners; staggered office terms; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide staggered terms of office for the members of the Madison County Board of Commissioners. - Authored By: Rep. Tom McCall of the 30th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1465 - Harlem, City of; provide new charter
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a new charter for the City of Harlem. - Authored By: Rep. Barry A Fleming of the 117th - Committee Action: Do Pass

Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
SB 554 - Floyd County; board of elections/registration members; implement a system of staggered terms of office
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide staggered terms of office for the members of the Floyd County Board of Elections and Registration. - Authored By: Sen. Preston W. Smith of the 52nd - Committee Action: Do Pass
Judiciary
HR 1305 - House Comprehensive Firearms Law Study Committee; create
- BILL SUMMARY: HR 1305 proposes a five-member House Comprehensive Firearms Study Committee to examine the firearms laws scattered throughout the Georgia code and recommend changes, if any, to Georgia's firearms laws for the 2009 legislative session. - Authored By: Rep. Timothy Bearden of the 68th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Judiciary
SB 340 - Counties; municipal corporations; prohibit sanctuary policies by local government entities
- BILL SUMMARY: Section 1 of SB 340 provides that a public employer which fails to verify new employees' citizenship status pursuant to O.C.G.A. 13-10-91 will be subject to an action by the Georgia Attorney General to remedy such failure. Section 2 adds a new code section to Title 36, Chapter 80 which prohibits local governments from adopting any sanctuary policy, or failing to cooperate with federal officials in reporting the immigration status of individuals. Section 2 also has a provision similar to Section 1, authorizing an action by the Georgia Attorney General to remedy such a failure. Section 3 enacts a provision similar to Section 1, which applies to local governments' lawful presence verification procedures pursuant to O.C.G.A. 50-36-1. - Authored By: Sen. Chip Pearson of the 51st - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Judiciary
SB 358 - Georgia Uniform Securities Act of 2008; repealing it in its entirety and enacting a new chapter
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 358 is a rewrite of Georgia's Securities Act, based on the Uniform Securities Act of 2002. The Unifrom Act retains most of the current law's provisions relating to the administration of the act and enforcement procedure. SB 358 does not alter any penalties or other sanctions or change filing fees for persons or firms regulated by the act. - Authored By: Sen. William Hamrick of the 30th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Judiciary
SB 374 - Liens; revise certain time periods of filing materialmen's/mechanics liens; provide for certain notices regarding waiver of liens or claim upon bond
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 374 amends a number of lien provisions in Title 44, Article 14. The bill changes the "three month" deadline for filing a lien to "90 days." The bill gives seven (7) days to serve a copy of the lien on the debtor, and provides greater detail concerning the service of liens. The bill changes the deadline for filing a notice of commencement from 14 to 30 days after a lien enforcement lawsuit is filed. SB 374 requires a notice to be sent to a debtor when a lien is bonded off. The statutory waiver and release form is amended to address payments to be made after the lien waiver is executed, and provides for an Affidavit of Nonpayment to be filed within sixty (60) days after the execution of the waiver, if payment is not made. - Authored By: Sen. Dan Weber of the 40th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Judiciary
SB 449 - Landowners Protection Act of 2008; limit liability of certain landowners; who permit hunting on their property or allowing for agritourism
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 449 contains two provisions. Subsection (b) grants immunity to landowners who allow persons age 16 or older to hunt or fish on their property, unless the landowner's conduct amounts to gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct. Subsection (c) grants similar immunity to landowners who allow persons onto the landowner's property for agritourism purposes, which is defined in a recently enacted property tax exemption code section as "charging admission for persons to visit, view, or participate in the operation of a farm or dairy or production of farm or dairy products for entertainment or educational purposes or

selling farm or dairy products to persons who visit such farm or dairy." - Authored By: Sen. Bill Heath of the 31st - Committee Action: Tabled
Judiciary
SB 531 - Foreclosure; conduct by the current owner/holder of mortgage; require
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 531 amends O.C.G.A. 44-14-162 and 44-14-162.2's foreclosure provisions. Section 1 requires assignments to be filed prior to the foreclosure sale. Section 2 requires a foreclosure notice to be sent to the debtor 30 days or more prior to the foreclosure sale; current law provides for 15 days' notice. Section 2 requires the notice to include the name, address, and telephone number of the individual or entity having full authority to negotiate, amend, and modify the terms of the loan, but also makes it clear that lenders have no obligation to negotiate, amend, or modify the terms of a loan. - Authored By: Sen. William Hamrick of the 30th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Judiciary
SB 537 - State Inspector General, Office of; establish; provide for definitions, duties, certain powers, procedures for the application of such office
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 537 codifies the duties and powers of the State Inspector General, which are currently defined by Executive Order. SB 537 grants subpoena power to the Inspector General, to allow the Inspector General to obtain documents from contractors of state agencies, in addition to state agencies and employees. The bill has a sunset provision which coincides with the end of Governor Sonny Perdue's second term. - Authored By: Sen. Chip Rogers of the 21st - Committee Action: Do Pass
Motor Vehicles
SB 437 - Motor Vehicles; provide for registration/licensing of assembled motor vehicles and motorcycles; issuance of certificate of title to owners
- 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: Sen. Jeff Mullis of the 53rd - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Motor Vehicles
SB 488 - Drivers' Licenses; allow foreign nationals to keep license from their home country; exempt nonresidents; meet all licensing requirements in Georgia
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 488 will allow foreign nationals in Georgia on an extended visa to keep their driver's license issued in their home country when they obtain a Georgia license. Currently they have to surrender that license when obtaining a Georgia driver's license. - Authored By: Sen. Chip Rogers of the 21st - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Natural Resources & Environment
SR 1063 - GA Environmental Protection Division; urged to implement a new water quality standard; Savannah Harbor
- BILL SUMMARY: This is an urging resolution which urges the EPD to implement a new water quality standard in the Savannah Harbor. - Authored By: Sen. Eric Johnson of the 1st - Committee Action: Do Pass

Public Safety and Homeland Security
SB 305 - Emergency Management; licensing of nongovernmental rescue organizations; revise a provision
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 38 of the O.C.G.A, relating to organization and administration of emergency management, so as to revise a provision relating to the licensing of nongovernmental rescue organizations. The bill also provides for a short title, amending Chapter 1 of Title 51 of the O.C.G.A, relating to torts in general, so as to revise certain provisions relating to liability of persons and entities in emergency situations. This Act will be known as the "Corporate Good Samaritan Act of 2008". Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 38 relates to the organization and administration of emergency management, is amended by revising subsections (a) of Code Section 38-3-36, relating to the director licensing nongovernmental rescue organizations. Chapter 1 of Title 51 relates to general provisions concerning torts, is amended by revising Code Section 51-1-29.2, relating to liability of persons acting to prevent, minimize, and repair injury and damage resulting from catastrophic acts of nature. - Authored By: Sen. David Shafer of the 48th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Ways & Means
HR 1563 - House All-terrain Vehicle Sales and Use Tax Study Committee; create
- BILL SUMMARY: HR 1563 proposes to create the House All-terrain Vehicle Sales and Use Tax Study Committee to undertake a study of the conditions, needs, issues, and problems arising from the fact that all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are not titled in Georgia, which makes the imposition of sales and use taxes on such vehicles difficult when they are purchased out of state. Dealers in states bordering Georgia heavily advertise to Georgia consumers that they do not have to pay Georgia taxes on the purchase of an ATV in those states. The state is losing a large amount of revenue because of this situation, but also Georgia ATV dealers are losing business across the state lines. The study committee shall be composed of four members of the House and one member of the Georgia Motorcycle Dealers Association, all to be appointed by the Speaker. In the event the committee makes a report of its findings and recommendations, with suggestions for proposed legislation, if any, such report shall be made on or before December 31, 2008. The committee shall stand abolished on December 31, 2008. - Authored By: Rep. John Heard of the 104th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Ways & Means
HR 1625 - House Hospital Tax and Indigent Care Study Committee; create
- BILL SUMMARY: HR 1625 proposes to create the House Hospital Tax and Indigent Care Study Committee, to undertake a study of the need to review the policies of for profit and nonprofit hospitals in this state concerning the provision of care to medicare and Medicaid patients, indigent care patients, and charity care patients and the need to review the tax benefits provided to hospitals in this state to determine if reasonable levels of care for medicare and Medicaid patients, indigent care patients, and charity care patients should be a prerequisite for obtaining tax incentives and benefits. The need for this study stems from the fact that nonprofit hospitals in this state receive certain tax incentives and benefits that are economically advantageous; however many of these hospitals provide only minimum amounts of indigent care to assist the people of this state despite these favorable tax provisions. Many of these same hospitals have failed and refused to participate in the treatment of state Medicaid recipients but are compensating their executives with extremely generous salaries and benefits. This study committee will be composed of five members of the House appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. In the event that the committee makes a report of its findings and recommendations with suggestions for proposed legislation, if any, such report shall be made on or before December 31, 2008. The committee shall stand abolished on December 31, 2008. - Authored By: Rep. John Lunsford of the 110th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Ways & Means
SB 58 - Taxation; payment of taxes where property lies in more than one county; repeal certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 58 repeals the code section that provides for the location of payment of ad valorem taxes where the property lies in more than one county. Currently, under this code section, the taxpayer pays all property taxes due on such property to the tax commissioner of the county where the majority of the property is located. That tax commissioner then transmits moneys due to other counties along with a certificate showing that all taxes due on the property have been paid. If this bill is passed, the taxpayer would be required to pay to each county tax commissioner the amount of taxes assessed on the portion of the property located in their county. - Authored By: Sen. Preston W. Smith of the 52nd - Committee Action: Do Pass

Ways & Means
SB 159 - Homestead Exemptions; change date of filing applications
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 159 provides that taxpayers may apply for homestead exemptions through the date of the close of books for the calendar year. Currently taxpayers may apply for a homestead exemption up to and including March 1. - Authored By: Sen. Cecil Staton of the 18th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Ways & Means
SB 185 - Watercraft; applicant for certificate of number for vessels purchased outside Georgia; sales/use tax has been paid
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 185 is a mechanism for enforcement of the collection of sales and use taxes when vessels are purchased across state lines. It provides that applications for a certificate of number for watercraft will not be accepted or processed unless the applicant shows proof that the state and local sales and use taxes have been paid or are not due. This provision will apply only to vessels requiring a Department of Natural Resources decal. - Authored By: Sen. Jack Hill of the 4th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Ways & Means
SB 271 - Taxes; change the period of time within which a tax deed shall ripen by prescription
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 271 provides that a title under a tax deed properly executed on or after July 1, 2007, at a valid and legal sale shall ripen by prescription after a period of one year from the recordation of that deed in the land records in the county in which that land is located. Currently, for titles under tax deed executed on or after July 1, 1996, the ripening by prescription period is four years. The bill also provides that once a tax execution has been issued against a delinquent taxpayer, then an execution administration fee not to exceed $250 may be imposed. However, if a levy has not been made or posted on the property of the taxpayer, then the execution administration fee shall not exceed $75. - Authored By: Sen. Jeff Mullis of the 53rd - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Ways & Means
SR 20 - Taxation; provide limitations on state government tax and expenditures; definitions CA
- BILL SUMMARY: SR 20 is a constitutional amendment that provides a priority of funding for excess revenues appropriated in the mid year supplemental budget. It provides for such excess revenues to first be used to fund increases due to student enrollment for local school systems. Additional excess revenues must then be transferred to the Revenue Shortfall Reserve to ensure the fund balance is equal to at least 8% of the previous year's revenue. Any additional excess must then be used to reduce state debt or to give tax relief to taxpayers, or both. SR 20 provides that the General Assembly may override this priority of funding, but only upon the adoption of a joint resolution by three-fifths vote of both houses in a roll-call vote. - Authored By: Sen. Chip Rogers of the 21st - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Judiciary
SB 154 - Municipal Corporations; agreements with solid waste collection firms; territory annexed/incorporated
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 154 proposes to add a new code section to Title 36, Chapter 30 to limit local governments' ability to displace a solid waste collection firm from collecting solid waste, for commercial contracts only, within the jurisdiction. A substitute has set as 12 months or the remaining term of the solid waste contract as the minimum amount of time that the solid waste firm will be able to continue to operate when a local government displaces the solid waste collection firm, for commercial contracts only. - Authored By: Sen. Jack Murphy of the 27th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Judiciary
SB 396 - Administrative Services Dept.; remove/transfer functions; Council of Superior Court Judges of Ga., Prosecuting Attorneys' Council
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 396 removes all functions of the Department of Administrative Services relating to the Superior Court Judges and Prosecuting Attorneys Council and transfers them to the Council of Superior Court Judges and the Prosecuting Attorneys Council. - Authored By: Sen. William Hamrick of the 30th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Judiciary
SB 493 - Redevelopment Powers; computation of tax allocation increments of districts
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 493 amends O.C.G.A. 36-44-9 to provide that when a Tax Allocation District is created within the area of a Community Improvement District, the administrative body of the CID must consent to the use of the ad valorem property taxes levied by the CID to be included in the computation of the tax allocation increments of the TAD. - Authored By: Sen. Curt Thompson of the 5th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Judiciary
SR 996 - Counties/Municipalities; local boards of education; authorize to use tax funds for redevelopment purposes/programs CA
- BILL SUMMARY: SR 996 is a proposed constitutional amendment in response to Woodham v. City of Atlanta, __ Ga. __ (Case Nos. S07A1309 and S07A1566, February 11, 2008), which held that no education ad valorem taxes could be used to fund the Atlanta BeltLine TAD. SR 996 is very similar to HR 1364 which the Committee approved last month. In Woodham, the City's school system had agreed to participate in the funding of the BeltLine TAD and a citizen's intervention in opposition to the TAD's bond validation proceeding yielded the Woodham decision.
SR 996 proposes to amend Article IX, Section II, Paragraph VII of the Georgia Constitute in two ways. First, SR 996 proposes to add a Section (a.1) to Paragraph VII, which will provide explicit authority for counties, cities, or housing authorities to undertake and carry out community redevelopment projects. Second, Section (b) of Paragraph VII is amended to authorize the use of county, municipal, and school tax funds, or any combination thereof, to fund redevelopment programs, notwithstanding the constitutional restriction concerning the expenditure of education funds. - Authored By: Sen. Dan Weber of the 40th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Judiciary
SR 1074 - Offenses; parking in parking spaces reserved for persons with disabilities; authorize General Assembly to provide additional penalties-CA
- BILL SUMMARY: SR 1074 adds a number of offenses to the list of offenses for which additional fines can be imposed which will be paid into the Brain & Spinal Injury Trust Fund, namely, boating under the influence, reckless driving, operating a motorcycle without protective headgear, or illegally parking in a handicapped parking space. SB 547 adds a 10% fine to the base fine for the offenses outlined in SR 1074. SR 1074 is proposed to be voted upon in the November 2008 general election. - Authored By: Sen. Ronnie Chance of the 16th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Appropriations
SB 196 - Military Scholarships; provide for children of persons killed/disabled as a result of combat wound; define terms
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation provides tuition scholarships for the children of persons killed or disabled as a result of combat wounds, who are enrolled as full or part time students in a unit of the University System of Georgia, the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education (DTAE) or an accredited private institution of higher learning approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary schools (SACS), providing the tuition does not exceed that of an approved school which is a unit of the University System or DTAE. Eligibility of Colleges and Secondary is contingent upon the child's legal guardian or parent being a legal resident of Georgia at the time that he or she sustained qualified combat injuries. The student must also remain a legal Georgia citizen while receiving these funds and must be 25 years of age or younger. Qualifying combat related injuries are defined as those sustained

as a member of the United States armed forces, the Georgia National Guard, or a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States in a location outside of the United States and its territories designated by the United States Department of Defense as a combat zone after September 11, 2001, which results in a death or a 50 percent or greater disability. Grant funding is limited to a maximum of four award years, equal to the total tuition charged to the student. This legislation also provides a tax exemption on funds from any SACS accredited university or K-12 school memorial fund, provided as compensation to a taxpayer following the death of a spouse employed by the university, or child of a taxpayer who is enrolled as a student at such university whose death was caused by a criminal at during that time. - Authored By: Sen. Kasim Reed of the 35th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
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: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Health & Human Services
SB 506 - SHAPE Act; require local school systems to conduct physical fitness testing of students; state physical education instruction requirements
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would seek to combat childhood obesity by requiring that schools evaluate the health of their student bodies by some physical fitness assessment that would be developed and implemented by the Department of Education. The bill stipulates that Body Mass Index is not to be used to determine fitness; rather that a more holistic alternative be implemented. Schools failing to meet the adopted criteria would be labeling "Unhealthy Schools." - Authored By: Sen. Joseph Carter of the 13th - Committee Action: Tabled
Health & Human Services
SB 507 - Public Assistance; basic therapy services for children with disabilities; establish requirements; definitions
- BILL SUMMARY: The intent of this bill is to ensure that children with disabilities receive the medically necessary therapy services to which they are entitled under the Medicaid Early Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment Program (EPSDT); and that categorically needy and medically fragile children will have available to them the same scope, duration, and amount of services. Additionally, the bill would simplify the process and paperwork by which occupational, speech, and physical therapy services are applied for and received by eligible families. Specifically, the measure would require that the Department, the Care Management Organizations, and the Utilization Review Vendors must develop consistent requirements for utilization review and prior approval of physical occupational, or speech language pathologist services prescribed for children. The prior approval period has a designated duration of six months. If prior approval is denied, the Department must provide to the family the following information: (1) The medical procedure or service for which such entity is refusing to grant prior approval;(2) Any additional information needed from the recipients medical provider which could change the decision of such entity; and (3) The specific reason used by the entity to determine that the procedure is not medically necessary to the Medicaid recipient. Denials of prior approval must be evaluated under the EPSDT program within 15 days. The bill also waives any other evaluative method by which the Department or the Care Management Organization might deny prior approval to any service deemed medically necessary, excepting the EPSDT program standards. - Authored By: Sen. Dan Moody of the 56th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Interstate Cooperation
SR 1055 - Joel A. Katz Parkway; Fulton County; dedicate
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution dedicates certain portions of the state highway system to honorable people. -That a portion of Macland Road, SR 360, from the Paulding County line into Cobb County and ending at John Petree Road be dedicated as the Mason Varner Memorial Highway. -That the portion of US 41 from West Paces Ferry Road to Moores Mill Road in Fulton County be dedicated as the Joel A. Katz

Parkway. -That State Route 98 in Madison County from the traffic light at the intersection with State Route 72 in the City of Comer to the traffic light at the intersection with U. S. Highway 29 in the City of Danielsville is dedicated as the Jere Ayers Parkway. -That, in recognition of 40 years of service, the facility known as American Camellia Society Headquarters located in Fort Valley, Georgia, shall serve as the official state resource center for information and education on the horticultural aspects of the genus Camellia and the Department of Transportation is hereby authorized and directed to place and maintain appropriate signs so designating said facility. -That the portion of US 80 located within the state of Georgia be dedicated as the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, and the Department of Transportation is authorized and directed to place and maintain appropriate markers in Columbus, Macon, and Tybee Island, Georgia, dedicating the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. -That the members of this body dedicate the interchange at the intersection of Interstates 16 and 95 in Chatham County as the Clarence Thomas Interchange. -That the members of this body dedicate the portion of SR 81 between its intersections with US 19/41 and SR 3, in Henry County, as the PFC Robert Adrian Worthington Memorial Highway. -That the bridge at the Alapaha River on US 82 on the Berrien-Atkinson County line, is dedicated as the William Harvey Jewell, Sr. Memorial Bridge. -That the bridge at the Willacoochee River on SR 37 in Berrien County, Georgia, is dedicated as the Shellie W. Parrish Memorial Bridge. -That the bridge at the Willacoochee River on US 82/SR 520 in Berrien County, Georgia, is dedicated as the Lucious Murphy Jacobs Bridge. -That the bridge at the Willacoochee River on SR 125 in Berrien County, Georgia, is dedicated as the Virgil T. Barber Bridge. -That the bridge at Cat Creek on SR 37 in Berrien County, Georgia, is dedicated as the Hubert F. Comer Memorial Bridge. -That the portion of SR 314 North running from its intersection with SR 85 and running northerly to the Fayette County line shall be dedicated as the General Bill Livsey Highway. -That the bridge over the CSX Railroad located in Rupert, Taylor County, Georgia, between mile markers North 5.3 and South 5.2 on US 19/SR 3 be dedicated as the SGT. William Morgan Callahan Memorial Bridge. -That the portion of SR 85 East between Manchester and Woodbury in Meriwether County, Georgia, be dedicated as the Leonard R. "Nookie" Meadows Memorial Highway. -That the portion of I-95, in Glynn County, between exits 29 and 36, including milepost 29, be dedicated as the Corporal Michael Douglas Young Memorial Highway. -That the portion of SR 378 in Lincoln County, Georgia, between the city limits of the City of Lincolnton and the Wilkes County boundary, be dedicated as the James Roy "Pop" Lewis Memorial Highway. -That the portion of SR 115 starting at its intersection with Emory Stephens Road and extending easterly to the White/Lumpkin County line is dedicated as the PFC David G. Bryan Memorial Highway. -That the portion of the road at the intersection of US 80 and County Road 228 (Fort Pulaski Road) for one-half mile in each direction on US 80 be dedicated as The Immortal Six Hundred Memorial Highway. - Authored By: Sen. Jeff Mullis of the 53rd - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1447 - Sylvester, City of; provide new charter
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a new charter for the City of Sylvester. - Authored By: Rep. Ed Rynders of the 152nd - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1449 - Athens-Clarke County Unified Government; municipal court; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to amend the charter of Athens/Clarke County relating to the continuation of the Athens Municipal Court and the Athens/Clarke Industrial Authority in the unified government. - Authored By: Rep. Keith G Heard of the 114th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1450 - Franklin County; board of elections and registration; create
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to create the Franklin County Board of Elections and Registration and to provide for its powers and duties. - Authored By: Rep. Alan Powell of the 29th - Committee Action: Do Pass

Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1451 - Brantley County Airport Authority Act; enact
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to create the Brantley County Airport Authority and to provide for its powers and duties. - Authored By: Rep. Mark Williams of the 178th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1453 - Alapaha, Town of; mayor and council; provide new terms of office
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide for the election of the mayor and council in the City of Alapaha. - Authored By: Rep. Jay Shaw of the 176th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1455 - Wilkes County; board of commissioners; purchasing property and services; provide authority
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to authorize the Wilkes County Board of Commissioners to establish policies and procedures relative to purchasing property and leasing services. - Authored By: Rep. Mickey Channell of the 116th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
SB 494 - Jasper County; tax commissioner; compensation; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide compensation for the Tax Commissioner of Jasper County and to redefine the duties of that office. - Authored By: Sen. Johnny Grant of the 25th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
SB 516 - DeKalb County School District Ad Valorem Taxes; provide homestead exemption; educational purposes; specify terms/conditions
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a homestead exemption from DeKalb County School District ad valorem taxes for educational purposes in the amount of $2,500.00 of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that school district in each taxable year in which a sales and use tax for educational purposes is imposed and collected in such school district for any portion of that year pursuant to the State Constitution. - Authored By: Sen. Steve Henson of the 41st - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
SB 553 - Ringgold, City of; change the corporate limits of the city
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to annex territory into the corporate limits of the City of Ringgold. - Authored By: Sen. Jeff Mullis of the 53rd - Committee Action: Do Pass
Judiciary Non-Civil
SB 16 - Animal Fighting Act; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: The bill provides that any person who removes an electronic or radio transmitting collar from a dog without permission of the owner, and with the intent to prevent the owner from locating the dog will be punished as for a misdemeanor. If the dog is lost or killed, the party who removed the collar will be required to pay the owner restitution in the amount of the value of the dog and any veterinary bills. - Authored By: Sen. Chip Rogers of the 21st - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Judiciary Non-Civil
SB 249 - Sexual Offender Registration Review Board; register with sheriff of any county where offender resides
- BILL SUMMARY: Changes definitions related to the requirement for sex offender registration. Disallows registration of a vehicle as an address. Adds to the definition of "child care facility" that it shall not include private in-home day care which is not licensed by the state. Reinstates the requirement that sex offenders register with the sheriff of their home county and the county where they work and/or are enrolled at an institution of higher education. Requires that the Department of Corrections notify the sheriff of the county where the offender intends to reside that the offender will reside in that county at least 15 days prior to the offender's release. Allows the sheriff to electronically submit and update information regarding sexual offenders in their counties. Would allow offenders to be off the registration rolls while incarcerated. Would exempt offenders who are living in a hospice, hospital or are otherwise disabled from complying with the living requirements for registered offenders. - Authored By: Sen. Jim Whitehead, Sr. of the 24th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Judiciary Non-Civil
SB 438 - Rules of the Road; serious injury due to right of way violation resulting in a collision; provide for a penalty for a second offense
- BILL SUMMARY: The bill provides that any person with a second or subsequent conviction for causing serious injury due to right of way violation resulting in a collision with a motorcycle, pedestrian, bicyclist, or farmer hauling agricultural products will have his or her driver's license suspended. The license will be restored upon payment of a restoration fee of $60 (or $50 if processed by mail). It defines "serious injury" as including causing bodily harm depriving the victim of a member of his or her body or by rendering a member of his or her body useless. A second conviction for causing serious injury due to right of way violation resulting in a collision with a motorcycle, pedestrian, bicyclist, or farmer hauling agricultural products will be punished by a fine of $500 to $1000 and imprisonment for not less than ten days up to 12 months. - Authored By: Sen. Jeff Mullis of the 53rd - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Judiciary Non-Civil
SB 453 - Controlled Substances; add the state as entity authorized to govern certain criminal activity; designated areas for recreational purposes
- BILL SUMMARY: Adds state parks to the list of areas where drug dealing or manufacturing within 1000 feet is punished with enhanced penalties. Currently dealing or manufacturing drugs within 1000 feet of real property set aside as a park or playground by a municipality or county carries enhanced penalties (First: felony up to 20 years; Second: felony 5 to 40 years; served consecutively and will not merge) but state parks are not on that list. - Authored By: Sen. Renee S Unterman of the 45th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Judiciary Non-Civil
SB 529 - Rules of the Road; commit the offense of felony hit and run; provide for offense of homicide by vehicle, vessel
- BILL SUMMARY: The bill adds the requirement that a driver involved in an accident resulting in injury or death make every reasonable effort to ensure that emergency services and law enforcement are contacted. It also adds that if a person causes an accident with a vehicle (Section 3) or a watercraft (Section 4) which causes death and leaves the scene he or she has committed the offense of homicide by vehicle/homicide by vessel. Homicide by vehicle carries a penalty of imprisonment from 3 to 15 years; homicide by vessel carries a penalty of imprisonment from 3 to 15 years. - Authored By: Sen. Johnny Grant of the 25th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Retirement
SB 434 - Retirement; Dept. of Adult and Technical Education to Technical College System of Georgia; change all references
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill replaces references to the "Department of Technical and Adult Education" with the "Technical College System of Georgia" in code sections relating to the Employees' Retirement System, Teachers' Retirement System, Public School Employees Retirement System. - Authored By: Sen. Seth Harp of the 29th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Retirement
SB 460 - Superior Court Clerks' Retirement Fund; membership dues in such fund; creditable service; provide a penalty
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends several provisions relating to the collection of membership dues, fines and fees relating to the Superior Court Clerk's Retirement Fund. Members would be assessed a late charge if membership dues remain unpaid 60 days from the date such payment is due. Additionally, members would not receive creditable service for any month in which dues are in arrears on the last day of the calendar year in which such payments were due. This bill also specifies that the authority responsible for collecting payments due to the Superior Court Clerk's Retirement Fund must remit payments to the Fund on a monthly basis, or at such other times as the Board may provide. Such payments will be due on the first day of the month, but will be considered timely if received by the fifteenth day of the month following the month on which the payments were collected. These payments would be considered delinquent if they are not remitted to the Fund within 60 days of the date on which such remittal is due and penalties would be imposed.
Finally, this bill authorizes the Board to establish a rule or regulation allowing certain surviving spouses to receive benefits in the event the member dies prior to retirement, provided the member satisfied all requirements for retirement except for attaining 55 years of age. If such rule or regulation is established, the surviving spouse would receive a monthly sum during his or her lifetime that is not greater than 50% of the amount such member would have received had he or she retired at 55 years of age. The actual percent will be set by the Board of Trustees. - Authored By: Sen. Bill Heath of the 31st - Committee Action: Do Pass
Science and Technology
SB 300 - Transparency in Government Act; Dept. of Audits/Accounts; creation/maintenance of certain state expenditure information
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 300 provides for the creation of a free, publicly accessible website which provides state expenditure information. The Committee Substitute adds all of the provisions from HB 91, which was passed by the House last year, vetoed by the Governor, and overridden in January, adding state authorities to the entities required to report. - Authored By: Sen. Chip Rogers of the 21st - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Science and Technology
SB 458 - Education; require local school systems and schools to be accredited; provide for definitions
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 458 amends Title 20 to require that local systems are accredited and, provides that if a school or school system loses, or fails to attain its accreditation, students are entitled to attend another public school or a scholarship to a private school. The same provisions will be available to students of schools designated as Needs Improvement Schools for seven consecutive years. - Authored By: Sen. Eric Johnson of the 1st - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Transportation
HR 1605 - Transportation, Department of; safety evaluation and perform necessary repair work; request
- BILL SUMMARY: A resolution in which the members of the House Cherokee County legislative delegation request the Department of Transportation to evaluate the condition of the roadside shoulders on SR 140 and SR 20 in Cherokee County and to perform any needed repairs in a timely manner. - Authored By: Rep. Calvin Hill of the 21st - Committee Action: Do Pass

Transportation
HR 1631 - Georgia Department of Transportation; implement commuter rail service; urge
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution urges the Georgia Department of Transportation to implement commuter rail service connecting Macon, Atlanta, and Athens. - Authored By: Rep. John Heard of the 104th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Transportation
SB 332 - MARTA; allow a transportation services contract to authorize the extension of/addition to the Authority's existing rail system
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation allows MARTA to execute transportation services contracts with counties, municipalities, community improvement districts and other political subdivisions and for those contracts to authorize the expansion of MARTA's rapid rail system. - Authored By: Sen. Curt Thompson of the 5th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Transportation
SR 1055 - Joel A. Katz Parkway; Fulton County; dedicate
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution dedicates certain portions of the state highway system to honorable people. -That a portion of Macland Road, SR 360, from the Paulding County line into Cobb County and ending at John Petree Road be dedicated as the Mason Varner Memorial Highway. -That the portion of US 41 from West Paces Ferry Road to Moores Mill Road in Fulton County be dedicated as the Joel A. Katz Parkway. -That State Route 98 in Madison County from the traffic light at the intersection with State Route 72 in the City of Comer to the traffic light at the intersection with U. S. Highway 29 in the City of Danielsville is dedicated as the Jere Ayers Parkway. -That, in recognition of 40 years of service, the facility known as American Camellia Society Headquarters located in Fort Valley, Georgia, shall serve as the official state resource center for information and education on the horticultural aspects of the genus Camellia and the Department of Transportation is hereby authorized and directed to place and maintain appropriate signs so designating said facility. -That the portion of US 80 located within the state of Georgia be dedicated as the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, and the Department of Transportation is authorized and directed to place and maintain appropriate markers in Columbus, Macon, and Tybee Island, Georgia, dedicating the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. -That the members of this body dedicate the interchange at the intersection of Interstates 16 and 95 in Chatham County as the Clarence Thomas Interchange. -That the members of this body dedicate the portion of SR 81 between its intersections with US 19/41 and SR 3, in Henry County, as the PFC Robert Adrian Worthington Memorial Highway. -That the bridge at the Alapaha River on US 82 on the Berrien-Atkinson County line, is dedicated as the William Harvey Jewell, Sr. Memorial Bridge. -That the bridge at the Willacoochee River on SR 37 in Berrien County, Georgia, is dedicated as the Shellie W. Parrish Memorial Bridge. -That the bridge at the Willacoochee River on US 82/SR 520 in Berrien County, Georgia, is dedicated as the Lucious Murphy Jacobs Bridge. -That the bridge at the Willacoochee River on SR 125 in Berrien County, Georgia, is dedicated as the Virgil T. Barber Bridge. -That the bridge at Cat Creek on SR 37 in Berrien County, Georgia, is dedicated as the Hubert F. Comer Memorial Bridge. -That the portion of SR 314 North running from its intersection with SR 85 and running northerly to the Fayette County line shall be dedicated as the General Bill Livsey Highway. -That the bridge over the CSX Railroad located in Rupert, Taylor County, Georgia, between mile markers North 5.3 and South 5.2 on US 19/SR 3 be dedicated as the SGT. William Morgan Callahan Memorial Bridge. -That the portion of SR 85 East between Manchester and Woodbury in Meriwether County, Georgia, be dedicated as the Leonard R. "Nookie" Meadows Memorial Highway. -That the portion of I-95, in Glynn County, between exits 29 and 36, including milepost 29, be dedicated as the Corporal Michael Douglas Young Memorial Highway. -That the portion of SR 378 in Lincoln County, Georgia, between the city limits of the City of Lincolnton and the Wilkes County boundary, be dedicated as the James Roy "Pop" Lewis Memorial Highway. -That the portion of SR 115 starting at its intersection with Emory Stephens Road and extending easterly to the White/Lumpkin County line is dedicated as the PFC David G. Bryan Memorial Highway. -That the portion of the road at the intersection of US 80 and County Road 228 (Fort Pulaski Road) for one-half mile in each direction on US 80 be dedicated as The Immortal Six Hundred Memorial Highway. - Authored By: Sen. Jeff Mullis of the 53rd - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute

COMMITTEE BROADCAST SCHEDULE

TBD
TBD
TBD 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:30 AM

Friday, March 28, 2008 Special Committee on CON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES PUBLIC SAFETY & HOMELAND SECURITY RULES
RETIREMENT

606 CLOB Upon Adjournment 606 CLOB Upon adjournment of Special Committee on CON 406 CLOB Upon Adjournment
341 CAP
403 CAP

* This schedule is accurate at the time of this report, but meeting dates and times are subject to change. To view the most up to date meeting schedule, please visit http://www.legis.ga.gov and click on Meeting Notices. To view the live streaming video of the meeting, please visit the Georgia Legislative Network website.
____________________________________________________________________________
CONTACT: BRENT CRANFIELD
(404) 656-0305 Brent.Cranfield@house.ga.gov