Daily report [Mar. 28, 2008]

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

TOMORROW'S FORECAST
* The House will reconvene for its 37th Legislative Day on Monday, March 31, at 1:00 PM. * 10 bills are expected to be debated on the floor.

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DAILY REPORT

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MOTIONS TO INSIST
HB 990 - General appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill provides supplemental appropriated sums of money for the State Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2008 and ending June 30, 2009. The funding will be used for the operation of the State government, its departments, boards, bureaus, commissions, institutions, and other agencies. Further, it provides funding for the university system, common schools, counties, municipalities, political subdivisions and for all other governmental activities, projects and undertakings authorized by law. - Authored By: Rep. Glenn Richardson of the 19th - House Committee: Appropriations - A motion to insist sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.
SR 845 - County Governments; transportation improvement sales and use tax CA
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to provide for 1% regional sales and use tax to fund transportation projects and mass transportation networks. The citizens of each regional development centers would vote to let each RDC come together to impose a tax to fund transportation projects. The amendment will be placed on the ballot in November 2008 to be ratified or rejected by the people. If approved, each region will put together a list of proposed transportation projects to be considered; will determine the amount of tax to be levied (not to exceed 1%), the maximum period of time the tax will be levied, and the maximum cost of such projects. There will be an option for counties to opt out of the RDC so that if they vote no to increasing the tax, the citizens in these counties will not be asked to participate in the referendum. The language also provides for not only the current exemptions, but for exemptions on fuel used for off road heavy duty equipment, off road farm or agricultural equipment, locomotives, aircraft and watercraft. The tax imposed will apply to and only be levied on the sale or use of fuel that is used for motor vehicles on public highways. The revenue collected from the sales and use tax on motor fuels will be placed into a fund at the Department of Transportation which will be appropriated by the General Assembly for use on transportation projects. - Authored By: Sen. Jeff Mullis of the 53rd - House Committee: Transportation - A motion to insist sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.
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 - A motion to insist sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.

MOTIONS TO AGREE
SB 77 - Commercial Vehicles; local tag agents; International Registration Plan
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill will require the Georgia Department of Revenue to create an electronic filing system for the registration of commercial vehicles under the International Registration Plan. - Authored By: Sen. Tommie Williams of the 19th - House Committee: Motor Vehicles - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 1026 - Transportation, Department of; utility facilities; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: Amends Code Section 32-6-171 relating to the authority of the DOT to order the removal, relocation, or adjustment of utility facilities. The bill will add to the code section language that will now include utility facilities that are adjacent to any part of the public road which the department intends to improve or is improving. The bill also provides language making the utility exempt from the eminent domain requirements in Code Section 22-1-10 and 22-1-10.1 in the event that the Department has notified the utility in writing that the facility is a hindrance to the construction, use, or safe operation of the roadway. - Authored By: Rep. Vance Smith of the 129th - House Committee: Transportation - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 1222 - 'Health Share' Volunteers in Medicine Act; definitions; revise certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would update the Healthshare Volunteers in Medicine Act to allow the program to refuse participation by any provider who is under sanction, restriction, or penalty as determined by the appropriate professional licensing or standard board. - Authored By: Rep. Mickey Channell of the 116th - House Committee: Health & Human Services - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
MOTIONS TO DISAGREE
HB 990 - General appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill provides supplemental appropriated sums of money for the State Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2008 and ending June 30, 2009. The funding will be used for the operation of the State government, its departments, boards, bureaus, commissions, institutions, and other agencies. Further, it provides funding for the university system, common schools, counties, municipalities, political subdivisions and for all other governmental activities, projects and undertakings authorized by law. - Authored By: Rep. Glenn Richardson of the 19th - House Committee: Appropriations - A motion to disagree sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.
RULES CALENDAR
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 - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 151; Nays: 1

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 - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 163; Nays: 1
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 - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 144; Nays: 8
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 - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 146; Nays: 0
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 requires 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 - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 144; Nays: 11

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 - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 164; Nays: 0
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 - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 47; Nays: 107
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 - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 151; Nays: 0
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 - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 162; Nays: 1

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 - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 164; Nays: 0
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 - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 134; Nays: 0
LOCAL CALENDAR
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 - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 134; Nays: 0
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 - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 134; Nays: 0
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 - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 134; Nays: 0
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 - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 134; Nays: 0

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 - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 134; Nays: 0
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 - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 134; Nays: 0
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 - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 134; Nays: 0
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 - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 134; Nays: 0
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. Robin Shipp of the 58th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 30; Nays: 99
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 - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 37; Nays: 86
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 - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 32; Nays: 89

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 - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 130; Nays: 6
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 - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 134; Nays: 0
* The House will reconvene Monday, March 31, at 1:00 PM, for its 37th Legislative Day
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COMMITTEE ON RULES
The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 37th Legislative Day, Monday, March 31, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker.
RULES CALENDAR FOR NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY
SB 24 - Computer Security; persons provide identifying information by falsely representing themselves to be a business; definitions; penalties
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 24 would prohibit people from using the internet to "phish" for personal information by falsely representing themselves as a business. "Phishing" would be punished as a felony carrying a prison term of one to twenty years and a fine of $1000 up to $500,000 or both. The bill would not hold liable an employer whose employee "phishes" without the employer's knowledge or consent. The provisions of the bill would not apply to good faith transfers of information by internet companies or allow "phishers" to sue an internet company that provides information about the "phisher" to authorities. - Authored By: Sen. Cecil Staton of the 18th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - House Committee Passed: 3/13/2008 - Rule: Open
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

- House Committee: Appropriations - House Committee Passed: 3/26/2008 - Rule: Modified-Structured
SB 230 - State Personnel Board/Merit System; define classified/unclassified service
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill is a housekeeping bill for the Department of Administrative Services. It clarifies provisions relating to personnel administration, so as to define the classified and unclassified service; to provide for the authority of the State Personnel Board and the State Merit System relative to both classified and unclassified service; to modify language relative to these authorizations and definitions to rescind provisions governing interdepartmental transfers; to change certain provisions relating to classified and nonclassified employees; to change definitions relating to personnel administration and classified and unclassified employees; to clarify certain duties of the State Personnel Board; to modify certain duties of the commissioner of personnel administration; to rename the Advisory Council for Personnel Administration and change the manner in which persons become members of the council; to modify certain rights of unclassified service. - Authored By: Sen. Jeff Mullis of the 53rd - House Committee: Governmental Affairs - House Committee Passed: 3/20/2008 - Rule: Open
SB 348 - Insurance; imposition of fees/taxes for services provided by counties/municipal; contravention of public policy
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill provides that the imposition of any fees or taxes for services provided by counties or municipal corporations upon insurance companies is in contravention of public policy. - Authored By: Sen. Ralph T Hudgens of the 47th - House Committee: Insurance - House Committee Passed: 3/20/2008 - Rule: Open
SB 393 - Pawnbrokers; restrict local governments' power; payment of any fee for transactions/hours of operation
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill prohibits the governing authorities of a municipality or county from collecting fees on pawn transactions or sale of personal property to a pawnbroker. This Act will become effective January 1, 2009. - Authored By: Sen. Ronnie Chance of the 16th - House Committee: Regulated Industries - House Committee Passed: 3/20/2008 - Rule: Open
SB 406 - Offenses; increase penalties for reproducing, transferring, selling, distributing certain recorded material; forfeiture of certain terms
- BILL SUMMARY: Increases penalties for reproducing, transferring, selling, distributing or circulating recorded material First Offense: sets the minimum fine at $500 o Current law only provides for a fine of up to $25,000 this sets a minimum fine for a first offense, but does not change the provisions for prison terms Second Offense: Sets the minimum fine at $1000 and does not change the sentencing provisions, but does require that an offender serve at least 48 hours of any term of imprisonment Third or subsequent: Fine of not less than $2000 nor more than $250,000 and prison term of two to five years with at least six days served
Requires that property onto which the recordings have been transferred, property used to make the transfers and any proceeds from the transfers will be forfeited to the State unless the transfers were committed without the knowledge of the property's owner.
Restitution will be based upon the aggregate wholesale value of the copied recordings and will include reasonable investigative costs related to the detection of the violation. - Authored By: Sen. William Hamrick of the 30th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - House Committee Passed: 3/19/2008 - Rule: Modified-Structured

SB 417 - Transportation Commissioner; required to develop/publish benchmarks; issue reports on the progress of construction projects
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would amend Chapter 2 of Title 32 by adding a new Code section 32-2-41.1. This new Code section would require the DOT Commissioner to develop and publish benchmarks that detail a realistic time frame for completion of each project. Such benchmarks would be base upon the type and scope of each project and would also include preliminary engineering and design. The Commissioner shall submit an annual report to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and the Speaker of the House detailing the progress of every project valued at $10 million or more against the benchmarks. The report shall include an analysis explaining the discrepancies between benchmarks and actual performance on each project as well as an explanation for delays. Along with the published report on the Department's website, there shall also be created and maintained a detailed status report on each project under planning and construction. Value engineering studies shall be performed on any project whose costs exceed $10 million and a report detailing the amount saved due to the studies. This report will also go to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Speaker of the House.
The effective date of this legislation would be July 1, 2008. - Authored By: Sen. Jeff Mullis of the 53rd - House Committee: Transportation - House Committee Passed: 3/19/2008 - Rule: Open
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 - House Committee: Retirement - House Committee Passed: 3/26/2008 - Rule: Open
SB 436 - Business Corporations; voting for directors in publicly traded corporations; change provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 436 amends O.C.G.A. 14-2-728, et seq. concerning voting for directors of publicly traded corporations. A substitute has been prepared which adds HB 1359, sponsored by Rep. Matt Ramsey and approved by the Committee recently, to the bill. - Authored By: Sen. Bill Cowsert of the 46th - House Committee: Judiciary - House Committee Passed: 3/20/2008 - Rule: Open
SB 466 - Water Resources; exempt permanent facility car washes from outdoor watering restrictions under certain conditions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill exempts car washes from outdoor watering restrictions if it is connected to a sanitary sewer system of government authority or it recycles the used wash water. It also must meet regulations set forth by the Board of Natural Resources. The bill requires an annual certification and a $50 fee for the certification. - Also added by Senate as a floor amendment, before coming to the House, the bill states that the swimming pools be exempt if the failure to keep it maintained creates an unsafe situation for the public. - Authored By: Sen. John Bulloch of the 11th - House Committee: Natural Resources & Environment - House Committee Passed: 3/20/2008 - Rule: Modified-Structured
* The Rules Committee will next meet on Monday, March 31, at 11:00 AM, to set the Rules Calendar for the 38th Legislative Day.
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COMMITTEE ACTION REPORT
Health & Human Services
HR 1275 - House Sickle Cell Anemia Study Committee; create
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution would create the House Sickle Cell Anemia Study Committee, and provides for intent, membership, number of allowed meetings, and an expiration date. - Authored By: Rep. Gloria Frazier of the 123rd - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Health & Human Services
SB 57 - Ray Biddy and Gene Mullis Act; renal disease facilities and personnel
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would set up guidelines and criteria for persons who would operate as dialysis or end stage renal disease technicians in medical facilities under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician. - Authored By: Sen. Renee S Unterman of the 45th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Health & Human Services
SB 479 - Licensed Ambulance Services; collection of license fees; amend certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would require the Department of Community Health to issue an annual report detailing EMS charges, federal matching funds, and any funds from the Indigent Care Trust Fund to ambulance services throughout the state. - Authored By: Sen. Jeff Mullis of the 53rd - 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: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Health & Human Services
SB 549 - Emergency Medical Services; establish three level system of stroke centers; definitions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would create a three tiered stroke treatment system. Primary stroke centers and remote stroke centers will be identified by the Department of Human Resources and designated as such for the purposes of directing patients who are the victims of stroke to an appropriate care setting. - Authored By: Sen. Don Thomas of the 54th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination
SB 398 - Powder Springs, City; provide for mayor's or city councilmembers terms and qualifications for office
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to delete metes and bounds descriptions of the districts of the members of the Powder Springs City Council so as to use references to newer, updated language that shall be found on record at City Hall, and, to provide for elections, terms of office, and qualifications. - Authored By: Sen. Steve Thompson of the 33rd - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1466 - Jasper County; board of commissioners; consolidate amendatory Acts into one Act
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to consolidate the Act which created the board of commissioners of Jasper County and amendatory Acts into one Act so as to modernize and update such it, and to reapportion the districts of the commission members. - Authored By: Rep. Jim Cole of the 125th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1468 - Monroe County Public Facilities Authority; create
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to create the Monroe County Public Facilities Authority and to provide for its powers and duties. - Authored By: Rep. Jim Cole of the 125th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1469 - Franklin Springs, City of; restate and reenact charter
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a new charter for the City of Franklin Springs. - Authored By: Rep. Alan Powell of the 29th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1471 - Lamar County; Joint Board of Elections and Registration; revise composition of board
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide for the composition of the board, terms, powers, and duties of the Joint Board of Elections and Registration of Lamar County. - Authored By: Rep. David Knight of the 126th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1472 - Lamar County; Water and Sewer Authority; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide that one member of the Lamar County Board of Commissioners may be appointed to the Lamar County Water and Sewer Authority. - Authored By: Mr.. Billy Maddox of the 127th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1473 - Griffin, City of; Redevelopment Powers Law; authorize
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to authorize the City of Griffin to exercise all redevelopment powers under the State Constitution's Redevelopment Powers Law pending a local referendum to approve the authorization. - Authored By: Rep. David Knight of the 126th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1474 - Spalding County; Redevelopment Powers Law; authorize
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to authorize Spalding County to exercise all redevelopment powers under the State Constitution's Redevelopment Powers Law pending a local referendum to approve the authorization. - Authored By: Rep. David Knight of the 126th - Committee Action: Do Pass

Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1475 - Griffin-Spalding County; school district ad valorem tax; certain residents; provide homestead exemption
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a two year phased-in homestead exemption from Griffin-Spalding County school district ad valorem taxes for educational purposes for residents 65 years of age or older. - Authored By: Rep. David Knight of the 126th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1476 - Waycross, City of; water and sewage and related service customers; provide certain receipts
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide that the City of Waycross shall provide receipts for water and sewage bill payments when requested, is authorized to levy late fees, and establishes conditions for disconnection and reconnection of water and sewage services. - Authored By: Rep. Mark Hatfield of the 177th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1477 - Satilla Regional Water and Sewer Authority; member selection; revise
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide for the election of the members of Satilla Regional Water and Sewer Authority. - Authored By: Rep. Mark Hatfield of the 177th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1478 - Ware County; Board of Education; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide that teachers and staff of the Ware County Board of Education may address or speak to the board during its meetings without obtaining approval from any supervisors or the superintendent. - Authored By: Rep. Mark Hatfield of the 177th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1479 - Terrell County; Board of Education; increase compensation for board
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide compensation for the members of the Terrell County Board of Education. - Authored By: Rep. Bob Hanner of the 148th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1480 - Dodge County; board of commissioners; change terms of office
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide staggered terms of office for the members of the Dodge County Board of Commissioners. - Authored By: Rep. Jimmy Pruett of the 144th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1483 - City of Gainesville Community Improvement Districts Act of 2008; enact
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to authorize the creation of community improvement districts in the City of Gainesville. - Authored By: Rep. Carl Rogers of the 26th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1484 - Hall County Community Improvement District Act of 2008; enact
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to authorize the creation of community improvement districts in Hall County. - Authored By: Rep. James Mills of the 25th - Committee Action: Do Pass

Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1485 - Nashville, City of; mayor and city council members; provide new terms
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide an advisory referendum to provide staggered four year terms of office for the mayor and city council members of the City of Nashville. - Authored By: Rep. Penny Houston of the 170th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1486 - Banks County Family Connection Commission; repeal Act
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to repeal the Banks County Family Connection Commission and to provide for its powers and duties. - Authored By: Rep. Jeanette Jamieson of the 28th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1487 - Henry County Development Authority Act; compensate authority members; provide alternative procedure
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide that the Henry County Board of Commissions shall set the compensation for the members of the Henry County Development Authority. - Authored By: Rep. John Lunsford of the 110th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1488 - Clarkston, City of; Redevelopment Powers Law; authorize
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to authorize the City of Clarkston to exercise all redevelopment powers under the State Constitution's Redevelopment Powers Law pending a local referendum to approve the authorization. - Authored By: Rep. Karla Drenner of the 86th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Judiciary Non-Civil
SB 474 - Minors; provide availability of parental controls over Internet access
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends Part 2 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20, Title 39, Code Section 42-1-12, and Code Section 42-8-35 of the O.C.G.A, relating to competencies and core curriculum, minors, the State Sexual Offender Registry, and terms and conditions of probation. This will provide for a greater protection to children with regard to the use of the Internet; to provide for the development and distribution of Internet online safety education and information; to provide for definitions; to provide for the availability of parental controls over Internet access by minors; to provide for immunity for interactive computer service providers; to provide for the crime of failing to report certain information to the Cyber Tipline at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children; to provide for penalties. This bill will require registered sexual offenders to provide additional information as a part of the required registration information; to provide for additional probationary conditions for a probationer who has been convicted of a criminal offense against a victim who is a minor or dangerous sexual offense as those terms defined in Code Section 42-1-12. - Authored By: Sen. Cecil Staton of the 18th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Public Safety and Homeland Security
SB 474 - Minors; provide availability of parental controls over Internet access
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends Part 2 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20, Title 39, Code Section 42-1-12, and Code Section 42-8-35 of the O.C.G.A, relating to competencies and core curriculum, minors, the State Sexual Offender Registry, and terms and conditions of probation. This will provide for a greater protection to children with regard to the use of the Internet; to provide for the development and distribution of Internet online safety education and information; to provide for definitions; to provide for the availability of parental controls over Internet access by minors; to provide for immunity for interactive computer service providers; to provide for the crime of failing to report certain information to the Cyber Tipline at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children; to provide for penalties. This bill will require registered sexual offenders to provide additional information as a part of the required registration information; to provide for additional probationary conditions for a probationer who has been convicted of a criminal offense against a victim who is a minor or dangerous sexual offense as those terms defined in Code Section 42-1-12. - Authored By: Sen. Cecil Staton of the 18th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Retirement
SB 163 - Retirement; county revenue employees; no person who becomes tax commissioner or any such officer shall be eligible for membership
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends provisions relating to membership in the ERS. This legislation prohibits tax commissioners, tax collectors, tax receivers, and employees of such officers who become employed on or after July 1, 2009 from becoming members of the ERS. - Authored By: Sen. Bill Heath of the 31st - Committee Action: Do Pass
Retirement
SB 328 - Georgia State Employee Savings Plan; deferred compensation plan; employer contribution; provide rules/regulations
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill creates the Georgia State Employees' Pension & Savings Plan (G-SEPP). G-SEPP is a hybrid plan which consists of two parts the 1 % Defined Benefit (DB) and the Defined Contribution (DC) (401k) part. The plan applies to persons who first or again become members of ERS on or after January 1, 2009.
The DB side of the plan: uses a 1% benefit factor (current plan is 2%) to calculate the DB part of your retirement benefit - the formula is 1% of the final average salary (average salary computed on the member's highest average monthly salary during a period of 24 consecutive months in the retirement system) multiplied by the number of years of creditable service (benefit factor for persons who are members of ERS on December 31, 2008 will continue to be 2%); the board is authorized to set future retirement allowances up to 2%, the General Assembly would appropriate funds expressly for such increase; the employee contribution is 1 % (same as current employees); the employee is eligible for both disability retirement and death in service benefits if they have at least 15 years of creditable service (13 years and 4 months for current employees);. law enforcement personnel hired after January 1, 2009 will maintain the right to retire at age 55 (code section 47-2-223 & 224) and receive benefits based on 1% formula; vesting is 10 years (same as current plan); and, members of the new hybrid plan will not be offered group term life insurance.
The DC (401k) side of the plan: all members are automatically enrolled in the plan but have 90 days from enrollment to opt out; members of ERS on December 31, 2008 may opt into the G-SEPP; the employer match is set at 3% of compensation; for the first 1% contributed by the employee, the employer will match 100%; thereafter the employer will match 50% for each percent contributed by the employee. In order to receive the full 3% match, the employee must contribute 5% of their compensation; the employee is fully vested in five years (employer nonforfeitable vested percentage is 20% per year); if member leaves employment before vesting, they receive the employee contribution to the DB plan, plus interest (4%) and the employee and nonforfeitable employer contribution to the DC plan plus investment earnings (for example, with 3 years in the plan you receive 60% of what the employer has contributed on your behalf).
The bill revises provisions relating to Group Term Life Insurance and states that no funds in either the retired & vested inactive group or the active members fund shall be transferred or be spent for any purpose other than the prepayment of benefits and expenses necessary for maintaining survivors benefit coverage prior to July 1, 2009 without express legislative enactment.
The bill also allows any superior court judge or district attorney who is a member of JRS to purchase up to 5 years of creditable service for past service as a circuit-paid assistant district attorney, provided the member was not eligible to participate in a local retirement system. The member would have to pay full actuarial cost thus creating no cost to the State or to the retirement system. The member is required to provide the necessary proof of eligible service. - Authored By: Sen. Bill Heath of the 31st - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Retirement
SB 451 - Protecting Georgia's Investment Act; require boards administering public retirement funds identify all companies doing investments in Iran
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends certain provisions relating to the Public Retirement System Investment Authority Law by creating the "Protecting Georgia's Investments Act". This legislation provides that public funds be required to identify all `scrutinized companies' in which the public fund has direct or indirect holdings. It defines a `scrutinized company' as any company that has, with actual knowledge, on or after August 5, 1996, made an investment of $20 million or more in Iran's petroleum sector which directly or significantly contributes to the enhancement of Iran's ability to develop the petroleum resources of Iran. Public funds must further identify such scrutinized companies by October 1, 2008, update their listing of these companies annually and make it available to each public fund in Georgia so that each such fund may rely on the said list in meeting the requirements of this Code section. This bill also outlines the procedures that must be followed by public funds with direct holdings in any scrutinized companies. These procedures include notifying companies of their status, encouraging the companies to cease such activities, and divesting securities in such companies under certain circumstances. In addition, this bill provides for certain exclusions and for the termination of these prohibitions if certain Federal action occurs. - Authored By: Sen. Don Balfour of the 9th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Special Committee on Certificate of Need
SB 490 - State Health; skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, and intermingled nursing facilities may be allowed to divide; conditions
- BILL SUMMARY: Allows for nursing homes to relocate within a county and split into two facilities within a county without acquiring an additional certificate of need, subject to approval by the Department of Community Health. - Authored By: Sen. Joseph Carter of the 13th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Special Committee on Certificate of Need
SB 539 - Certificate of Need Program; exempt continuing care retirement communities; certificate of need requirements; certain conditions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would exempt continuing care retirement communities from some requirements of the certificate of need program. Specifically, the bill would allow for "sheltered beds" at a CCRC to be used by non-resident patients on a sliding ratio for the first five years of the CCRC's operation, so that the business model may be viable and the beds do not go unused for five years, until resident patients make their way into the nursing home component of the CCRC. - Authored By: Sen. Don Thomas of the 54th - Committee Action: Do Pass
* Bills passing committees are reported to the Clerk's Office, and are then placed on the General Calendar.
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COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE

8:30 AM 9:30 AM 10:00 AM 11:00 AM 10:30 AM 11:00 AM 11:00 AM 12:00 PM 11:00 AM 12:30 PM 11:00 AM 12:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 2:00 PM 4:00 PM

INSURANCE

Monday, March 31, 2008 506 CLOB

Appropriations General Subcommittee

606 CLOB

MOTOR VEHICLES

506 CLOB

SPECIAL RULES

415 CLOB

REGULATED INDUSTRIES

515 CLOB

RULES

341 CAP

STATE INSTITUTIONS & PROPERTY JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL

406 CLOB or upon adjournment
132 CAP or upon adjournmentwhichever is later

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