Daily report [Mar. 7, 2011]

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

TOMORROW'S FORECAST
* The House will reconvene for its 26th Legislative Day on Tuesday, March 8, at 10:00 AM. * 9 bills are expected to be debated on the floor.

GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
DAILY REPORT

Monday, March 7, 2011
TODAY ON THE FLOOR

25th Legislative Day

MOTIONS TO AGREE
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 - A "Motion to Agree as Amended" sent this bill back to the Senate for consideration. The Senate has agreed to the House's position, which represents Final Passage of this bill.
RULES CALENDAR
HB 95 - Ad valorem tax; forest land conservation use property; revise certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: The Forest Land Protection Act, passed in 2008, provided that when breach of a forest land covenant occurs following the transfer of a portion of the tract to another owner, that the penalty and interest shall be paid by either the acquiring owner or the transferor, whichever breached the covenant. However, Dept. of Revenue rules and regulations promulgated on this Act provide that if the penalty and interest is not satisfied by the breaching party, then the local governments may seek recovery from the non-breaching party's property interest and may file a lien against that property. This bill would clarify that only the portion on which the breach occurred will be subject to penalty and interest, and only that portion of the land may be subject to a lien. The bill also provides that if a single tract of forest land property is required to be placed into separate covenants because it lies in more than one county, then the total acreage of that tract shall be utilized for purposes of determining the 200 acre requirement. Additionally, this legislation provides for that if party to a covenant agreement wishes to add land contiguous to the covenant tract, they can do so as long as the addition is not larger than 200 arcs. - Authored By: Rep. Jay Roberts of the 154th - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Structured - Yeas: 166; Nays: 2
HB 175 - Online Clearinghouse Act; enact
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 175 relating to the "Quality Basic Education Act" to enact the "Online Clearinghouse Act." This Act is a clearinghouse through which local school systems may offer courses to students of other local school systems virtually through computer based programs. The bill also discusses credits the students shall receive, cost of taking the course, and deadlines. - Authored By: Rep. David Casas of the 103rd - House Committee: Education - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 165; Nays: 1

HB 239 - Financial institutions; provide for definitions
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation makes changes to the Department of Banking and Financing that bring the department in line with federal regulation guidelines in the following manner:
The definition of statutory capital base has been expanded to include negative retained earnings as a qualifying amount. The Department has the authority to determine whether the business conducted by a financial institution calls for its dissolution. After being issued a written demand by the Department as to why dissolution should not be pursued, the institution will have 60 days to respond or the department may seek dissolution directly from the Secretary of State's Office. A bank or trust company unable to maintain 5 directors at any time must ensure that remaining directors fulfill their obligations and actions. This legislation clarifies that in regards to the board of directors of credit unions, no member of the supervisory committee serves as a member of the credit committee or as an officer unless the board of directors functions as the credit committee. The definition of "P.O.D. account" has been expanded to include "an incorporated entity." A P.O.D. payee is a person or incorporated entity designated on a P.O.D. account as one whom the account is payable on request after the death of one or more persons. The definition of a "Mortgage Lender" is broadened by adding in the qualifier of someone who "holds" mortgage loans. The successors or any licensed mortgage loan originator, broker, or lender must all operate under the requirements of the "Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry." An attorney must be licensed to practice in the state of Georgia in order to negotiate the terms of a residential mortgage. The effective date of mortgage loan originators' licensing requirements is changed to August 1, 2010. Each mortgage loan originator is required to be covered by the surety bond of his or her sponsoring licensed or registered mortgage broker or lender. The Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry is established as the uniform administrator of an automated licensing system for mortgage loan originators, brokers and lenders. Any private or confidential information provided to the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry may be shared with all state and federal regulatory agencies or law enforcement authorities. A mortgage loan originator shall be deemed to have been convicted of a crime if he or she has pleaded guilty, been found guilty of, or entered a first offender or nolo contendere plea to a felony in a domestic, foreign or military court under the guidelines of the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry, unless pardoned of said conviction. Each mortgage broker or lender applicant, licensee, and registrant must examine the department's public records to determine that a potential employee is not subject to a cease and desist order within the last five years. Non-compliance may result in license or registration. In relation to license and registration renewal and expiration, an applicant may continue operating pending final approval as long as all proper documentation has been submitted on or before December 1st and has not been disapproved by January 1st. In the event that the department initiates an administrative action against a current licensee or an applicant, the department may pursue the action despite the fact that a licensee or applicant may withdraw or fail to renew. Persons in violation of any order issued pursuant to cease and desist orders under this code section shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000. - Authored By: Rep. Greg Morris of the 155th - House Committee: Banks & Banking - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 170; Nays: 1
HB 249 - Health; pertussis disease information to parents of newborns; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill will require hospitals to provide parents of newborns information on the possibility of transmission of pertussis (Whooping Cough) from adults to newborns. This bill in no way shall be construed to require a hospital to provide or pay for the immunizations. - Authored By: Rep. Barbara Sims of the 119th - House Committee: Health & Human Services - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 154; Nays: 11
HB 253 - Public Safety, Department of; sell or trade surplus vehicles; allow
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 253 allows the commissioner of public safety, with the approval of the Board of Public Safety, to sell or trade surplus motor vehicles and use the proceeds of the sale or trade toward the purchase of new motor vehicles. - Authored By: Rep. Doug Collins of the 27th - House Committee: Motor Vehicles - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 166; Nays: 0

HB 266 - Carrying weapons; constables; authorize
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill reinstates the right for constables to take their weapon into certain public buildings. - Authored By: Rep. John P Yates of the 73rd - House Committee: Public Safety & Homeland Security - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 161; Nays: 2
* The House will reconvene Tuesday, March 8, at 10:00 AM, for its 26th Legislative Day.
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COMMITTEE ON RULES
The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 26th Legislative Day, Tuesday, March 8, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker.
NEXT ON THE FLOOR
HB 60 - Education; service cancelable loan; State Veterinary Education Board; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: The legislation amends Code Section 20-3-374 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to a service cancelable loan fund and authorized types of service cancelable loans.
The bill provides for the creation of a State Veterinary Education Board, which would consist of five members: the Commissioner of Agriculture or his or her designee, the dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Georgia or his or her designee, the dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences of the University of Georgia or his or her designee, a person actively engaged in the production of livestock in this state who would be appointed by the Governor, and a person who is actively engaged in the private practice of veterinary medicine in this state and whose practice includes but is not necessarily limited to food animals, also to be appointed by the Governor. The primary goal of the bill is to increase the number of large animal/food animal veterinarians in the state. The newly created Board would enter into loan purchase agreements with no more than five people per year. The applicants must be residents of Georgia for educational purposes, must have completed a program of study in the field of doctor of veterinary medicine or its equivalent, and must be authorized to practice veterinary medicine in this state. The applicant shall receive a loan purchase at a rate equivalent to $20,000.00 per 12 months of service, with no loan purchase agreement exceeding a total of $80,000.00 per person. - Authored By: Rep. Gene Maddox of the 172nd - House Committee: Higher Education - House Committee Passed: 2/10/2011 - Rule: Modified-Structured
HB 114 - Lien foreclosures; abandoned vehicles; file affidavit; set fee
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation states that no additional fees or moneys shall be added to the cost of filing an affidavit relating to lien foreclosures on abandoned vehicles except where a full hearing is requested and granted. In the case of a hearing being granted, the court is authorized to assess its normal fee for the hearing. - Authored By: Rep. Alan Powell of the 29th - House Committee: Motor Vehicles - House Committee Passed: 2/17/2011 - Rule: Modified-Structured
HB 186 - High school students; expand career pathway options; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 186 is relating to the "Quality Basic Education Act" and to provide and expand options for high school students to ensure their career and college readiness. This bill will require a stronger coordination between high schools and institutions of higher education to ensure the readiness of students wanting to continue their education and lessen the need for remediation when entering an institution of higher education.
The State Board of Education (SBOE), the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and the Board of Technical and Adult Education will develop policies to ensure that student's core curriculum will be accepted at any institution of higher education beginning with students entering school in the fall of 2011. The Department of Education and State Board shall approve models and curriculum framework for 16 specific career clusters of study no later than July 1st 2012.

House Bill 186 also requires SBOE to embed, to the extent possible, academic standards in CTAE courses and to provide for course credit in both the academic course and the CTAE course. Requires the DOE to develop forms and information for students in 8th-12th grades relating to the availability of dual enrollment courses.
The State Board of Education will adopt a state wide plan implementing methods for students to earn units of high school credit based on demonstration of subject area competency, instead of in combination with completing hours of classroom instruction.
The Governor's Office of Workforce Development will establish a certification in soft skills for students. Some of the areas that will be included in the soft skills are: punctuality, ability to learn, working in a team, reading for information applied mathematics and more. This soft skills certification will help the students be even more prepared for the workforce on top of the education they have received. - Authored By: Rep. Randy Nix of the 69th - House Committee: Education - House Committee Passed: 2/24/2011 - Rule: Modified-Open
HB 199 - Controlled substances; additional Schedule I substances; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: The bill adds the chemicals used to manufacture "bath salts" or synthetic cocaine to the list of Schedule I substances. - Authored By: Rep. Jay Neal of the 1st - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - House Committee Passed: 2/23/2011 - Rule: Modified-Structured
HB 216 - Public Service Commission; chairperson selection; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation amends the Georgia Code Section pertaining to the organization and members of the Public Service Commission, by calling for the selection of a chairperson on an annual basis who will take office within 15 days of the new calendar year. The members of the Public Service Commission may select a chairperson by a majority vote for any given year. - Authored By: Rep. Roger Williams of the 4th - House Committee: Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications - House Committee Passed: 2/23/2011 - Rule: Modified-Structured
HB 227 - Student health; school personnel administer auto-injectable epinephrine; authorize
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 227 will amend the current Code that allows students to carry and self-inject auto-injectable epinephrine. The bill will allow a teacher, school administrator, school nurse, or other appropriate school system employee to administer auto-injectable epinephrine to a student in the event they are unable to self-inject.
The legislation also will allow schools to receive and store epipens (epinephrine) for students who cannot self-administer due to age and/or other reasons. Parents or guardians will provide the epipen.
Additionally, the bill will require school systems to provide information on the symptoms of anaphylaxis and the proper administration for auto-injectable epinephrine.
Furthermore, the legislation will provide immunity to teachers, school administrators, school nurses, or other appropriate school system employees who administer the auto-injectable epinephrine in good faith and in an emergency situation. - Authored By: Rep. Josh Clark of the 98th - House Committee: Health & Human Services - House Committee Passed: 3/2/2011 - Rule: Modified-Structured
HB 302 - Elections; certain 2012 elections and qualifying; adjust dates
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 302 changes the dates of the 2012 General Primary and qualifying period as well as future elections following legislative redistricting. The new primary will be held on the last Tuesday in July. The qualifying period will be from the third Wednesday until the third Friday in May. - Authored By: Rep. Donna Sheldon of the 105th - House Committee: Governmental Affairs - House Committee Passed: 3/3/2011 - Rule: Modified-Structured

HB 315 - Watercraft operation; 0.08 alcohol concentration; violation; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: Currently, it is an offense for a person's blood alcohol level to be 0.10 grams or more within three hours after operating a moving water vessel if the alcohol was consumed prior or during operation of the vessel.
The bill lowers the requirement for the offense from 0.10 to 0.08 grams. - Authored By: Rep. Kevin Cooke of the 18th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - House Committee Passed: 3/2/2011 - Rule: Modified-Structured
HB 414 - Georgia Aviation Authority; revise duties
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation takes the Georgia State Patrol aviation operations and equipment back under the purview of the Department of Public Safety. - Authored By: Rep. Timothy Bearden of the 68th - House Committee: Transportation - House Committee Passed: 3/3/2011 - Rule: Modified-Structured
* The Rules Committee will next meet on Tuesday, March 8, at 9:00 AM, to set the Rules Calendar for the 27th Legislative Day.
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COMMITTEE ACTION REPORT
Health & Human Services
HB 324 - Developmentally disabled; revise definitions; amend various titles
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill revises the Code as it relates to habilitation of the developmentally disabled population. It removes and updates obsolete terms and provisions for obtaining services, and it establishes access to administrative law judges which will replace hearing examiners. - Authored By: Rep. Jay Neal of the 1st - Committee Action: Do Pass
Health & Human Services
HB 405 - Health care facilities; regulation and licensing of assisted living communities; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill will establish the licensing of assisted living communities, the requirements to maintain a licensure and the governance and reporting requirements for these facilities. The bill further addresses the creation of the certified medication aides and the requirements for licensure and governance and reporting of them. Section 13 is updated to cover restrictions as they apply to non-ambulatory residents in personal care homes. - Authored By: Rep. Charles E. Martin of the 47th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Health & Human Services
HB 457 - Controlled substances; remote automated medication systems; pharmacists; authorize use
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill will allow institutions which do not have on site pharmacies to utilize remote dispensing units for prescription drugs. - Authored By: Rep. Ron Stephens of the 164th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Health & Human Services
HB 470 - Registered professional nurse; requirements for preceptorship for applicants; revise
- BILL SUMMARY: Relates to the Nurse Practice act as it pertains to requirements for applicants graduating from non-traditional schools. The bill provides preceptorship requirements for applicants from nontraditional nursing programs. Removes the sunset provision for accepting applicants from non-traditional nursing programs. - Authored By: Rep. Sharon Cooper of the 41st - Committee Action: Do Pass

Industrial Relations
HB 292 - Employment security; extend rates and credits; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 262 extends the sunset on employment security contribution rates from December 31, 2011 until December 31, 2016. - Authored By: Rep. Bill Hembree of the 67th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 444 - Heard County Water Authority; compensation of members; change provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide compensation for the members of the Heard County Water Authority. - Authored By: Rep. Randy Nix of the 69th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 453 - Dawsonville Airport Authority Act; enact
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to create the Dawsonville Airport Authority and to provide for its powers and duties. - Authored By: Rep. Amos Amerson of the 9th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 466 - Hahira, City of; councilmembers reside in district; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to amend the charter of the City of Hahira to provide that councilmembers shall reside in their respective districts for at least 12 months immediately prior to election, shall continue to reside in such district during his or her period of service, and to provide for filling vacancies. - Authored By: Rep. Jason Shaw of the 176th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
SB 125 - Magistrate Court of Jasper County; clerk of the Superior Court shall serve as clerk of the magistrate court; appointment; compensation
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide that the clerk of the Superior Court of Jasper County shall serve as the clerk of the Magistrate Court of Jasper County if such clerk of superior court consents to do so. - Authored By: Sen. Johnny Grant of the 25th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Retirement
HB 308 - Public retirement systems; duties of boards of trustees; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation clarifies that the duties of the board of trustees of public retirement systems as specified in Title 47 OCGA are in addition to, and not in limitation of, the common law duties of the trustees found in Title 53.
This is a nonfiscal retirement bill. - Authored By: Rep. Howard Maxwell of the 17th - 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 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Tuesday, March 08, 2011 FLOOR SESSION (LD 26) RULES JOINT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM SPECIAL RULES Ramsey Subcommittee of Judiciary Non-Civil Property and Casualty Subcommittee of Insurance CHILDREN & YOUTH General Government Subcommittee of Governmental Affairs Appropriations Health Subcommittee TRANSPORTATION Appropriations Economic Development Subcommittee Appropriations Education Subcommittee JUDICIARY CIVIL Consumer Protection Subcommittee Appropriations General Government Subcommittee Elections Subcommittee of Governmental Affairs Academic Support Subcommittee GAME, FISH & PARKS STATE INSTITUTIONS & PROPERTY HIGHER EDUCATION ENERGY, UTILITIES & TELECOMMUNICATIONS INSURANCE Appropriations Human Resources Subcommittee Appropriations Public Safety Subcommittee WAYS & MEANS Appropriations Higher Education Subcommittee

House Chamber 341 CAP 406 CLOB 415 CLOB 230 CAP 415 CLOB 403 CAP 515 CLOB 341 CAP 506 CLOB 606 CLOB 406 CLOB 132 CAP 605 CLOB 341 CAP 515 CLOB 216 CAP 403 CAP 415 CLOB 406 CLOB 506 CLOB 406 CLOB 415 CLOB 341 CAP 606 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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