Daily report [Mar. 22, 2011]

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TOMORROW'S FORECAST
* The House will reconvene for its 33rd Legislative Day on Wednesday, March 23, at 10:00 AM. * 2 resolutions are expected to be debated on the floor.

GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
DAILY REPORT

Tuesday, March 22, 2011
TODAY ON THE FLOOR

32nd Legislative Day

RULES CALENDAR
SB 195 - Brantley County; board of education; provide for nonpartisan elections for such members
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide for the non-partisan election of members of the Brantley County Board of Education. - Authored By: Sen. William Ligon, Jr. of the 3rd - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 148; Nays: 9
LOCAL CALENDAR
HB 539 - Savannah, City of; term of office of board of education president; revise provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a four-year term of office for the president of the school system of the City of Savannah and Chatham County. - Authored By: Rep. Ron Stephens of the 164th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 157; Nays: 0
HB 540 - Young Harris, City of; ad valorem tax for municipal purposes; provide homestead exemption
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a homestead exemption from City of Young Harris ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes in the amount of $10,000.00 of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that city. - Authored By: Rep. Stephen Allison of the 8th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 157; Nays: 0
HB 544 - Doraville, City of; office of mayor be part-time position; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to change the government of the City of Doraville to a city manager form of government with a part-time mayor and to provide a referendum to approve the change. - Authored By: Rep. Elena Parent of the 81st - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 157; Nays: 0

HB 545 - Doraville, City of; ad valorem tax for municipal purposes; provide homestead exemption
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a homestead exemption from City of Doraville ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes in the amount of $25,000.00 of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that city and repeals prior exemptions. - Authored By: Rep. Elena Parent of the 81st - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 157; Nays: 0
HB 553 - Habersham County; board of elections and registration; create
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to create the Habersham County Board of Elections and Registration and to provide for its powers and duties. - Authored By: Rep. Rick Austin of the 10th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 157; Nays: 0
HB 554 - Habersham County; airport authority; create and establish
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to create the Habersham County Airport Authority and to provide for its powers and duties. - Authored By: Rep. Rick Austin of the 10th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 157; Nays: 0
HB 557 - Monroe County; board of commissioners of roads and revenues; reconstitute
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to reapportion the districts of the Monroe County Commission and to provide for its powers and duties. - Authored By: Rep. Susan Holmes of the 125th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 157; Nays: 0
* The House will reconvene Wednesday, March 23, at 10:00 AM, for its 33rd Legislative Day.
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COMMITTEE ON RULES
The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 33rd Legislative Day, Wednesday, March 23, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker.
NEXT ON THE FLOOR
HR 459 - Professional Standards Commission; rule change on advance degree certificate upgrades; support
- BILL SUMMARY: House Resolution 459 expresses support for a recent ruling of the Professional Standards Commission relating to teacher certificate upgrades. The ruling says teachers who get upgrades for graduate degrees must pursue them in an area related to their teaching fields and that the degree must be from a credible institution. - Authored By: Rep. Mike Dudgeon of the 24th - House Committee: Education - House Committee Passed: 3/10/2011 - Rule: Modified-Open
HR 491 - Education; develop performance based coaching programs; encourage
- BILL SUMMARY: House Resolution 491 encourages the development of performance based coaching programs designed for principals and district administrators to impact school wide improvement. - Authored By: Rep. Valerie Clark of the 104th - House Committee: Education - House Committee Passed: 3/10/2011 - Rule: Modified-Open
* The Rules Committee will next meet on Wednesday, March 23, at 9:00 AM, to set the Rules Calendar for the 34th Legislative Day.
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COMMITTEE ACTION REPORT
Economic Development & Tourism
SR 312 - Savannah, Ga; Charleston, South Carolina; endorse efforts to deepen the ports
- BILL SUMMARY: This measure urges the members of the General Assembly to support the proposed deepening of the federal navigation channel at Savannah Harbor, located in Chatham County, Georgia, to -48 feet mean low water. Additionally, it asks that the construction of the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project by the US Army Corps of Engineers be done in an expeditious manner, and as authorized by the United States Congress. - Authored By: Sen. Earl "Buddy" Carter of the 1st - Committee Action: Do Pass
Insurance
SB 17 - Insurance; establish the Special Advisory Commission on Mandated Health Insurance Benefits; membership, terms, meetings and duties
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 17 establishes the Special Advisory Commission on Mandated Health Insurance Benefits. - Authored By: Sen. Tim Golden of the 8th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Insurance
SB 58 - Spencer Pass Hero Memorial Act; indemnification for the death/disability of state highway employee; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 58 will be known as "The Spencer Pass Hero Memorial Act". It adds state employed highway workers to the list of individuals eligible for payment for indemnification for death or disability occurring while on duty.

The substitute includes the language from SB 155.
SB 155 revises provisions relating to indemnification payments in the case of death or organic brain damage suffered in the line of duty by a law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, emergency management specialist, or prison guard. - Authored By: Sen. Steve Gooch of the 51st - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Insurance
SB 251 - Insurance; transition from an annual renewal to a biennial renewal of licenses; agents, counselors, adjusters; adjustment of licensing fees
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 251 provides for the transition from an annual renewal to a biennial renewal of licenses of agents, agencies, subagents, counselors, and adjusters. - Authored By: Sen. David Shafer of the 48th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Insurance
SB 252 - Insurance; provide Commissioner shall determine if insurer meets the definition of a reinsurer
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 252 provides that the Commissioner shall determine if an insurer meets the definition of a reinsurer. It defines "reinsurer" as an insurer that is principally engaged in the business of reinsurance, does not conduct significant amounts of direct insurance as a percentage of its net premiums, and is not engaged in an ongoing basis in the business of soliciting direct insurance." - Authored By: Sen. David Shafer of the 48th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 442 - Hall, Gainesville, Buford School Districts; educational tax; continue
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide for the distribution of the sales tax proceeds for education levied in Hall County between the boards of education in Hall County, the City of Gainesville, and the City of Buford. - Authored By: Rep. James Mills of the 25th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 543 - Gwinnett County; solicitor-general; revise certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide that the elected solicitor-general of Gwinnet County shall be the prosecuting attorney of the Recorder's Court of Gwinnett County. - Authored By: Rep. Brett Harrell of the 106th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 555 - Lawrenceville, City of; city manager position; establish
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a city manager form of government for the City of Lawrenceville and to provide for the powers and duties of the mayor and city council. - Authored By: Rep. Valerie Clark of the 104th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 561 - Dodge County; Board of Education officers receive compensation; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide compensation and expenses for the members of the Dodge County Board of Education. - Authored By: Rep. Jimmy Pruett of the 144th - Committee Action: Do Pass

Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 562 - Dodge County; commission appoint chief financial officer; authorize
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide that the Dodge County Board of Commissioners is authorized to appoint a chief financial officer and to designate his or her duties. - Authored By: Rep. Jimmy Pruett of the 144th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 566 - Jefferson County; board of elections and registration; create
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to create the Jefferson County Board of Elections and Registration and to provide for its powers and duties. - Authored By: Rep. Mack Jackson of the 142nd - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 569 - Charlton County; board of elections and registration; create
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to create the Charlton County Board of Elections and Registration and to provide for its powers and duties. - Authored By: Rep. Mark Hatfield of the 177th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 570 - Charlton County; compensation for chief magistrate; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide that the judge of the Probate Court of Charlton County shall also serve as the chief magistrate of the Magistrate Court and to provide compensation for service as chief magistrate. - Authored By: Rep. Mark Hatfield of the 177th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Judiciary
SB 30 - Municipal Courts; require municipal court judges to be attorneys; exceptions
- BILL SUMMARY: The bill will require municipal court judges to be attorneys licensed in the State of Georgia. SB 30 includes a grandfather clause for existing judges who are not attorneys.
The committee substitute adds that the attorney be an active member. - Authored By: Sen. Bill Hamrick of the 30th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Judiciary
SB 134 - Guardianship, Workers Compensation, Trusts; make technical corrections, correct terminology and update cross-references reflecting the enactment
- BILL SUMMARY: The bill includes new terminology, makes technical corrections, and updates cross-references to the Trust Code. - Authored By: Sen. Bill Hamrick of the 30th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Judiciary
SB 193 - Civil Practice; update administrative provisions; reimbursement to counties for habeas corpus costs
- BILL SUMMARY: The bill will direct superior court clerks to send an annual list of each writ of habeas corpus sought in that court by indigent petitioners, when the granting of the writ is denied or when the court costs are cast upon the respondent, to the Council of Superior Court Judges of Georgia instead of the commissioner of administrative services. - Authored By: Sen. Johnny Grant of the 25th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Judiciary
SB 200 - Henry County; office of judge of the Probate Court; nonpartisan elections
- BILL SUMMARY: The bill will provide for a nonpartisan election of the probate judge of Henry County. - Authored By: Sen. Emanuel Jones of the 10th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Regulated Industries
SB 10 - Alcoholic Beverages; if approved by referendum; each county may authorize package sales by a retailer on Sundays
- BILL SUMMARY: Section 1 The bill amends Code Section 3-3-7 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the local authorization and regulation of sales of alcoholic beverages on Sunday. Notwithstanding other laws in each county or municipality in which package sales of malt beverages and wine by retailers are lawful, but package sales of distilled spirits by retailers are not lawful, the governing authority of the county or municipality as appropriate may authorize package sales by retailer of malt beverages and wine on Sundays between the hours of 12:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., if such Sunday sales of both malt beverages and wine are approved by referendum as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection.
Any governing authority desiring to permit and regulate package sales by retailers of both malt beverages and wine on Sundays from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, shall so provide by proper resolution or ordinance specifying the hours during such period when such package sales may occur.
Upon receipt of the resolution or ordinance the election superintendent shall issue the call for the election for the purpose of submitting the question of Sunday package sales by retailers of only malt beverages and wine to the electorate of said county or municipality 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 12:30 P.M. until 11:30 P.M.?'
All persons desiring to vote for approval of package sales by retailer of malt beverages and wine on Sundays from 12:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. shall vote `YES' and all persons desiring to vote for rejection of package sales by retailers of malt beverages and wine on Sundays from 12:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. shall vote `NO.' If more than one-half of the votes cast on the question are for approval of Sunday package sales by retailers of malt beverages and wine on Sundays from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., 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.
Notwithstanding other laws in each county or municipality in which package sales of malt beverages, wine, and distilled spirits by retailers are lawful, the governing authority of the county or municipality as appropriate may authorize package sales by retailer of malt beverages, wine and distilled spirits on Sundays between the hours of 12:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., if such Sunday sales of both malt beverages, wine and distilled spirits are approved by referendum as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection. If the governing authority seeks authorization of package sales by retailers of all alcoholic beverages, including malt beverages, wine and distilled spirits, and not of only one type of alcoholic beverage.
Any governing authority desiring to permit and regulate package sales by retailers of malt beverages, wine and distilled spirits on Sundays from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, shall so provide by proper resolution or ordinance specifying the hours during such period when such package sales may occur.
Upon receipt of the resolution or ordinance the election superintendent shall issue the call for the election for the purpose of submitting the question of Sunday package sales by retailers of malt beverages, wine and distilled spirits to the electorate of said county or municipality 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 malt

( ) NO beverages, wine and distilled spirits on Sundays from 12:30 P.M. until 11:30 P.M.?'
All persons desiring to vote for approval of package sales by retailer of malt beverages, wine and distilled spirits on Sundays from 12:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. shall vote `YES' and all persons desiring to vote for rejection of package sales by retailers of malt beverages, wine and distilled spirits on Sundays from 12:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. shall vote `NO.' If more than one-half of the votes cast on the question are for approval of Sunday package sales by retailers of malt beverages, wine and distilled spirits on Sundays from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., 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.
Section 2 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed. - Authored By: Sen. John Bulloch of the 11th - Committee Action: Do Pass
State Institutions & Property
SR 103 - Public Property; conveyance; granting of easements for facilities, utilities 10 counties
- BILL SUMMARY: This Resolution authorizes the granting of nonexclusive easements for operation and maintenance of facilities, utilities, and ingress and egress in, on, over, under, upon, across, or through property owned by the State of Georgia in Barrow, Butts, Cherokee, Effingham, Fulton, Gordon, Gwinnett, Houston, Thomas, and Wheeler counties. - Authored By: Sen. Earl "Buddy" Carter of the 1st - Committee Action: No Action Available
Transportation
HR 615 - Savannah, City of and Southeast LNG; form study committee; urge
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution urges the formation of a committee by the City of Savannah and Southeast LNG to study the transport of liquefied natural gas through Chatham County. - Authored By: Rep. J. Craig Gordon of the 162nd - Committee Action: Do Pass
Transportation
SB 54 - State Highways; add a definition of "on-premise" or "on-property" signs
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill clarifies the language `sign advertising activities' by replacing it with a new term, "on-premise or onproperty sign," which is defined as an advertising device which solely advertises the sale of lease of the real property upon which it is placed or an advertising device identifying the activities located on, or products/services available on the premises or property. - Authored By: Sen. Jeff Mullis of the 53rd - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Transportation
SR 30 - Transportation, Dept. of ; urged to prepare a list of contractors to be utilized during weather emergencies
- BILL SUMMARY: This is a resolution urging the Georgia Department of Transportation to prepare a list of contractors to be utilized during weather emergencies and to preauthorize local governments to clear state roads when necessary; and to urge the Georgia Department of Transportation to develop a multi-jurisdictional and intra-departmental integrated action plan which coordinates state and local government efforts to remove snow and ice when an emergency exists in this state and to safely direct the flow of traffic. - Authored By: Sen. Jeff Mullis of the 53rd - 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

TBD 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Wednesday, March 23, 2011 FLOOR SESSION (LD 33) Jacobs Subcommittee (Two) Judiciary Civil Resource Management Subcommittee of Natural Resources & Environment RULES Setzler Subcommittee of Judiciary Non-Civil Environmental Quality Subcommittee of Natural Resources & Environment RETIREMENT MOTOR VEHICLES Academic Achievement Subcommittee of Education HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS PUBLIC SAFETY & HOMELAND SECURITY

House Chamber 132 CAP 403 CAP 341 CAP 132 CAP 403 CAP 403 CAP 606 CLOB 515 CLOB 606 CLOB 506 CLOB 515 CLOB

* 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.

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