Daily report [Feb. 9, 2011]

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, Please contact:
(404) 656-5050 or (404) 656-0305

TOMORROW'S FORECAST
* The House will reconvene for its 13th Legislative Day on Thursday, February 10, at 10:00 AM. * 1 bill is expected to be debated on the floor.

GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
DAILY REPORT

Wednesday, February 09, 2011
TODAY ON THE FLOOR

12th Legislative Day

RULES CALENDAR
HB 39 - Education; unexcused absence notices made by United States mail; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill allows local school systems to use first-class mail as an option to certified mail for notifying the parent, guardian, or person in control of any student ages six to sixteen with five or more unexcused absences. It further replaces the requirement for the mailing to include information on the penalties for failure to comply with a statement of attendance requirements. - Authored By: Rep. Tommy Benton of the 31st - House Committee: Education - Rule: Open - Yeas: 153; Nays: 15
HB 72 - Drivers' licenses; examinations only in English language; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends OCGA relating to exams for certain drivers' licenses so that oral and written examinations are given only in English. The legislation provides that the department may give examinations for temporary licenses or permits in languages other than English. The Code is further amended to say that no person shall be issued temporary licenses or permits by examination in any language other than English for a total combined period of more than ten years. - Authored By: Rep. James Mills of the 25th - House Committee: Public Safety & Homeland Security - Rule: Open
- A "Motion to Table" this bill was made and adopted.
LOCAL CALENDAR
HB 104 - Carroll County; sales tax for education; provide method of distribution
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide for the distribution of the sales tax proceeds for education levied in Carroll County between the boards of education in Carroll County, the City of Carrollton, and the City of Bremen. - Authored By: Rep. Timothy Bearden of the 68th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 162; Nays: 0
HB 105 - St. Marys, City of; mayor and councilmembers election; even-numbered years; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide an advisory referendum to amend the charter of the City of St. Marys so as to require that the election of city councilmembers and mayor shall be held in even-numbered years. - Authored By: Rep. Jason Spencer of the 180th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 162; Nays: 0

HB 106 - St. Marys, City of; mayor and councilmembers election; simple majority vote; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide an advisory referendum to amend the charter of in the City of St. Marys so as to require that a candidate for city council or mayor must receive at least a simple majority of all votes cast for such office to be elected. - Authored By: Rep. Jason Spencer of the 180th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 162; Nays: 0
HB 108 - Maysville, City of; elections and ward boundaries; change provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to amend the charter of the City of Maysville so as to reapportion the districts of the council and to provide staggered terms of office. - Authored By: Rep. Tommy Benton of the 31st - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 162; Nays: 0
HB 122 - Waynesboro, City of; provide new charter
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a new charter for the City of Waynesboro. - Authored By: Rep. Gloria Frazier of the 123rd - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 162; Nays: 0
* The House will reconvene Thursday, February 10, at 10:00 AM, for its 13th Legislative Day.
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COMMITTEE ON RULES
The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 13th Legislative Day, Thursday, February 10, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker.
NEXT ON THE FLOOR
HB 77 - Supplemental appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2010 - June 30, 2011
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 77 amends the Fiscal Year 2011 budget for the State of Georgia based on an estimated revenue of $18,052,709,014. - Authored By: Rep. David Ralston of the 7th - House Committee: Appropriations - House Committee Passed: 2/9/2011 - Rule: Modified-Open
* The Rules Committee will next meet on Thursday, February 10, at 09:00 AM, to set the Rules Calendar for the 14th Legislative Day.
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COMMITTEE ACTION REPORT
Appropriations
HB 77 - Supplemental appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2010 - June 30, 2011
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 77 amends the Fiscal Year 2011 budget for the State of Georgia based on an estimated revenue of $18,052,709,014. - Authored By: Rep. David Ralston of the 7th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Health & Human Services
HB 145 - Georgia Physical Therapy Act; revise a definition
- BILL SUMMARY: Will revise the definition of Physical Therapy, as it is defined in the Georgia Physical Therapy Act by including dry-needling as a form of treatment. - Authored By: Rep. Matt Hatchett of the 143rd - Committee Action: Do Pass
Health & Human Services
HB 147 - Patient Right to Know Act of 2001; medical malpractice insurance; include
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill will provide patients a way to ascertain whether or not a physician carries malpractice coverage. This bill also addresses a request by the State Composite Medical Board of Physicians to allow greater discretion when addressing minor infractions. - Authored By: Rep. Ben Watson of the 163rd - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Motor Vehicles
HB 112 - Motor carriers; financial responsibility compatible with federal regulations; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 112 amends Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, so as to ensure that the financial responsibility of motor carriers in this state is compatible with federal motor carrier safety regulations. Further, it changes certain equipment requirements for the lighting equipment and warning flags for protruding loads, brake performance, ability, rear view mirrors, window tinting, and tire tread depth on commercial motor vehicles to make them compatible with federal motor carrier safety regulations. - Authored By: Rep. Alan Powell of the 29th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Motor Vehicles
HB 127 - Special license plates; amateur radio operators; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 127 provides that motor vehicle owners who are residents of the State of Georgia and who hold an unrevoked and unexpired official amateur radio station license issued by the Federal Communications Commission, upon application, accompanied by proof of ownership of such license, and upon full compliance with the state motor vehicle laws in relation to registration and licensing of motor vehicles shall be issued, free of charge, a special design license plate for a private passenger vehicle upon which shall be inscribed the official amateur radio call letters of such applicant as assigned by the Federal Communications Commission. - Authored By: Rep. Doug Holt of the 112th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Motor Vehicles
HB 128 - Special license plates; Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 128 provides for a special license plate for veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. - Authored By: Rep. Rashad Taylor of the 55th - Committee Action: Do Pass

Public Safety & Homeland Security
HB 26 - Limited driving permits; certain offenders; allow issuance
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends Title 40 to allow a judge in a suspended license case to issue a temporary driving permit at his or her discretion. In situations where a driver is driving 24 miles per hour over the speed limit, but less than 34 miles per hour over, and is 18 to 21 years of age; where a driver is driving on a suspended license; or a driver's license has been suspended due to an accumulation of points on their license there will be the option for the presiding judge to grant a temporary driving permit. Currently the only way for a Georgia driver to get the option for a temporary driving permit is to be convicted of a DUI offense. - Authored By: Rep. Jay Roberts of the 154th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Public Safety & Homeland Security
HB 71 - Bicycles; operation on sidewalks; authorize local governments
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill allows local governments to establish their own age limitations for those riding bicycles on sidewalks. - Authored By: Rep. Doug McKillip of the 115th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Public Safety & Homeland Security
HB 91 - Drivers' licenses; felony offense demarcated on license; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation would require those persons convicted of violent crimes to have a demarcation put on their driver's license until the expiration of their sentence. - Authored By: Rep. Timothy Bearden of the 68th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Public Safety & Homeland Security
HB 101 - Bicycles; safety; change provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill updates many code sections regarding bicycles, safety equipment and riding. - Authored By: Rep. Doug McKillip of the 115th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Regulated Industries
HB 53 - Detective and security businesses; certified Peace Officer Standard excluded; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: The legislation amends Code Section 43-38-14 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to private detective businesses and private security businesses and relating to specific exemptions.
The bill provides that persons certified by the Georgia Peace Officer Standard and Training Council, are excluded from the provisions of O.C.G.A 43-38-14. Current law states that law enforcement officers must go through security officer training to work for a security company. This law will allow POST certified officers to be exempted from the security officer training. - Authored By: Rep. Timothy Bearden of the 68th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Regulated Industries
HB 69 - Alcoholic beverages; Sunday sales; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: The bill relates to the local authorization and regulation of sales of alcoholic beverages on Sunday, so as to provide that in each county or municipality in which package sales of only malt beverages and wine by retailers is lawful, the governing authority of the county or municipality may authorize package sales by retailer of malt beverages and wine on Sundays between the hours of 12:30 p.m. and 12:00 Midnight, if approved by referendum.
Any governing authority desiring to permit and regulate package sales at these times by retailers of both malt beverages and wine on Sundays between the hours of 12:30 p.m. and 12:00 Midnight shall provide proper resolution or ordinance. Upon receipt of the resolution or ordinance, the election superintendent shall issue the call for the election for the purpose of submitting the question for approval or rejection on a date and manner according to Code Section 21-2-540.
The election superintendent shall cause the date and purpose of the election to be published once a week for four weeks immediately

preceding the election in the official organ of the county. The ballot shall have printed on it the words:
`( ) YES Shall the governing authority of (name of county or municipality) be authorized to permit and regulate package sales by retailers of both malt
( ) NO beverages and wine on Sundays from between the hours of 12:30 p.m. and 12:00 Midnight?'
The bill also relates to the local authorization and regulation of sales of alcoholic beverages on Sunday, so as to provide that in each county or municipality in which package sales of malt beverages, wine and distilled spirits by retailers is lawful, the governing authority of the county or municipality, may authorize package sales by retailer of malt beverages, wine and distilled spirits on Sundays between the hours of 12:30 p.m. and 12:00 Midnight, if approved by referendum.
`( ) YES Shall the governing authority of (name of county or municipality) be authorized to permit and regulate package sales by retailers of malt ( ) NO beverages, wine and distilled spirits on Sundays between the hours of 12:30 p.m. and 12:00 Midnight?'
All persons desiring to vote for approval shall vote `YES' and all persons desiring to vote for rejection of package sales shall vote `NO.' If more than one-half of the votes cast on the question are for approval, the resolution or ordinance shall become effective upon the date so specified in that resolution or ordinance.
The cost of the election shall be borne by the county or municipality in which the election is held. The election superintendent shall canvass the returns, declare the result of the election and certify the result to the Secretary of State.
The legislation passed unanimously by Committee Substitute,(LC 36 1746S). - Authored By: Rep. Roger Williams of the 4th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute

* Bills passing committees are reported to the Clerk's Office, and are then placed on the General Calendar.
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COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE

TBD 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Thursday, February 10, 2011 FLOOR SESSION 10:00am (LD 13) State Highways Subcommittee of Transportation NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT HUMAN RELATIONS & AGING RULES EDUCATION HIGHER EDUCATION JUDICAIRY CIVIL

House Chamber 415 CLOB 606 CLOB 515 CLOB 341 CAP 341 CAP 506 CLOB 132 CAP

* This meeting schedule is up to date at the time of this report, but meeting dates and times are subject to change. To keep up with the latest schedule please visit the General and click on House Meetings Calendar.

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