Daily report [Jan. 31, 2012]

HOUSE BUDGET & RESEARCH OFFICE (404) 656-5050 HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS (404) 656-0305

TOMORROW'S FORECAST
* The House will reconvene for its 12th Legislative Day on Wednesday, February 1, at 10:00 AM. * 2 bills are expected to be debated on the floor.

GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
DAILY REPORT

Tuesday, January 31, 2012
TODAY ON THE FLOOR

11th Legislative Day

RULES CALENDAR
HB 337 - Sheriffs' Retirement Fund of Georgia; divorced member option to continue coverage; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 337 allows retired members of the Sheriffs' Retirement Fund of Georgia who currently receive spousal benefits to revoke that election in the event of a divorce. If a member remarries at a later time, the member may reinstate spousal benefits. However, the benefit paid would be adjusted based on the age of the member and the member's spouse. This is a fiscal retirement bill. - Authored By: Rep. Gerald E Greene of the 149th - House Committee: Retirement - Rule: Open - Yeas: 95; Nays: 58
HB 675 - Nurses; approved nursing education programs; revise definitions
- BILL SUMMARY: H.B. 675 revises the approved nursing education program criteria. The bill gives the Nursing Board the ability to make determinations about nursing programs not within the Georgia University System or Technical College System of Georgia but programs that are accredited by the United States Department of Education or programs whose curriculum meets the same stringent criteria established by the board. - Authored By: Rep. Sharon Cooper of the 41st - House Committee: Health & Human Services - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 161; Nays: 0
LOCAL CALENDAR
HB 749 - Calhoun County; Board of Education; provide new districts
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to reapportion the Calhoun County Board of Education. - Authored By: Rep. Gerald E Greene of the 149th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 158; Nays: 0
HB 750 - Calhoun County; provide new commissioner districts
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to reapportion the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners. - Authored By: Rep. Gerald E Greene of the 149th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 158; Nays: 0

HB 754 - Candler County; Board of Commissioners; change description of districts
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to reapportion the Candler County Board of Commissioners. - Authored By: Rep. Butch Parrish of the 156th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 158; Nays: 0
HB 755 - Candler County; Board of Education; revise districts
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to reapportion the Candler County Board of Education. - Authored By: Rep. Butch Parrish of the 156th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 158; Nays: 0
HB 756 - Putnam County; State Court of; law provisions updated and consolidated; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to revise, modernize, and consolidate local laws relating to the State Court of Putnam County. - Authored By: Rep. Mickey Channell of the 116th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 158; Nays: 0
HB 757 - Putnam County; board of commissioners; change description of districts
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to reapportion the Putnam County Board of Commissioners. - Authored By: Rep. Mickey Channell of the 116th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 158; Nays: 0
HB 758 - Glynn County; Board of Commissioners; reapportion districts
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to reapportion the Glynn County Board of Commissioners. - Authored By: Rep. Roger B. Lane of the 167th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 158; Nays: 0
HB 759 - Glynn County; Board of Education; provide descriptions of districts
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to reapportion the Glynn County Board of Education. - Authored By: Rep. Roger B. Lane of the 167th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 158; Nays: 0
HB 767 - Johnson County; board of education; describe new election districts
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to reapportion the Johnson County Board of Education. - Authored By: Rep. Butch Parrish of the 156th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 158; Nays: 0
HB 768 - Johnson County; board of commissioners; provide commissioner districts
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to reapportion the Johnson County Board of Commissioners. - Authored By: Rep. Butch Parrish of the 156th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 158; Nays: 0
HB 770 - Harris County; Board of Education; change description of districts
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to reapportion the Harris County Board of Education. - Authored By: Rep. Kip Smith of the 129th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 158; Nays: 0

HB 771 - Harris County; Board of Commissioners; change description of districts
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to reapportion the Harris County Board of Commissioners. - Authored By: Rep. Kip Smith of the 129th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 158; Nays: 0
HB 777 - Terrell County; Board of Commissioners; change description of districts
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to reapportion the Terrell County Board of Commissioners. - Authored By: Rep. Bob Hanner of the 148th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 158; Nays: 0
HB 779 - Pulaski County; Board of Education; change description of districts
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to reapportion the Pulaski County Board of Education. - Authored By: Rep. Buddy Harden of the 147th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 158; Nays: 0
HB 813 - Douglas County; Board of Commissioners; reapportion districts
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to reapportion the Douglas County Board of Commissioners. - Authored By: Rep. Bill Hembree of the 67th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 158; Nays: 0
* The House will reconvene Wednesday, February 1, at 10:00 AM, for its 12th Legislative Day.
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COMMITTEE ON RULES
The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 12th Legislative Day, Wednesday, February 1, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker.
NEXT ON THE FLOOR
HB 542 - Employees' Retirement System of Georgia; transfer service credit; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: HB542 provides that any member of the Employees Retirement System (ERS) who was previously a member of the Judicial Retirement System (JRS) may elect to have all contributions made by the employer and the employee transferred to ERS. Notification must be made to the board of trustees by December 31, 2012. The member shall receive creditable service, not to exceed the actual years of prior service, based on the actual amount transferred or paid so as not to create any liability on the retirement system. This is a fiscal retirement bill. - Authored By: Rep. Jay Powell of the 171st - House Committee: Retirement - House Committee Passed: 1/25/2012 - Rule: Open
HB 706 - Elementary and secondary education; delete and clarify provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 706 is repealing unnecessary code sections and updating wording of Title 20 which is related to elementary and secondary education.
SECTION1: Removes that the State Board of Education must meet at the state capitol in the Department of Education or at a place in the capitol that is designated by the Governor for that purpose.
SECTION2: Revises code section relating to the duties of the chairperson of the State Board of Education. SECTION 3: Revises committee meetings of the State Board of Education and where they may be held. Provides

flexibility. SECTION 4: Repeals and reserves Code Section 20-2-12, relating to educational television programs. SECTION 5: Repeals and reserves Code Section 20-2-100, relating to substituting county school superintendent for
county school commissioner. SECTION 6: Amends the oath of the county school superintendent. SECTION 7: Revises the eligibility requirements for student enrollment. SECTION 8: Amends code section concerning distribution of federal funds by repealing area relating to "Summer
Opportunity Program". SECTION 9: Revises annual performance evaluations for school personnel. SECTION 10: Repeals and reserves Code Section 20-2-212.3, relating to increasing teachers' salaries in areas of
shortage. SECTION 11: Repeals and reserves Code Section 20-2-213, relating to an addition 5% increase in teacher salary
based on student performance. SECTION 12: Repeals and reserves Code Section 20-2-213, relating to career ladder programs. SECTION 13: Repeals Code Section 20-2-231, relating to Georgia Education Leadership Academy. SECTION 14: Repeals Code Section 20-2-232, relating to staff development plans by local school systems. SECTION 15: Amends the powers and duties of the State Board of Education relating to no longer having the ability to
organize and reorganize the Department of Education. SECTION 16: Repeals and reserves Code Section 20-2-251- relating to demonstration programs. SECTION 17: Repeals and reserves Code Section 20-2-252, relating to electronic technology. SECTION 18: Repeals and reserves Code Section 20-2-253, relating to achievement grants SECTION 19: repeals and reserves Code Section 20-2-254, relating to educational research. SECTION 20: Adds a new subsection relating to the establishment of a state-wide network of regional educational
service agencies. SECTION 21: Amends area relating to assessment of effectiveness of educational programs. Removes mention of
Code Section 20-2-213 since it is repeals and reserves earlier in this bill. SECTION 22: Repeals Code Section 20-2-285.1, relating to provisions applicable to third grade criterion reference
reading assessment students. SECTION 23: Repeals and reserves Code Section 20-2-303, relating to educational television. SECTION 24: Repeals and reserves Code Section 20-2-312, relating to a state program for middle school children
during nonschool hours. SECTION 25: Revises this section by removing the declaration of rules and regulations for contracts or purchases over
$100.00, purchases over $100,00.00 SECTION 26: Repeals and reserves Code Section 20-2-501, relating to the prohibition of contracts or purchases over
$100.00 which are not compliance with rules and regulations. SECTION 27: Repeals and reserves Code Section 20-2-502, relating to disciplining measures for violations for Code
Section 20-2-501. SECTION 28: Repeals and reserves Code Section 20-2-503, relating to authority of local boards of education to
purchase education information, literature and services. SECTION 29: Repeals and reserves Article 15, relating to school census. SECTION 30: Relates to requirements for home study programs. Paperwork will be submitted to the Department of
Education, no longer the superintendent of schools of the local school district where the home student program is located. SECTION 31: Related to mandatory education for children between ages six and 16. This section adds that the
Department of Education has authority in case of home study programs. SECTION 32: Adds the Department of Education to administration and enforcement of compulsory attendance laws. SECTION 33: Adds the Department of Education to report truants to juvenile or other courts relating to attendance. SECTION 34: Repeals Code Section 20-2-741, relating to local boards of education sending copies of student codes of
conduct to the Department of Education. SECTION 35: Repeals and reserves Code Section 20-2-771.1, relating to voluntary reenrollment of children. SECTION 36: Repeals and reserves Code Section 20-2-960, relating to requiring bonds of principals. SECTION 37: Relating to the authority of the Professional Standards Commission, repeals and reserves subsection (e),
relating to demonstration plans under Code Section 20-2-251. SECTION 38: Repeals and reserves Article 20, the "Education Partnership Act of 1990". SECTION 39: Repeals and reserves Code Section 20-2-1183, relating to possession of electronic communication
devices in school. -DB - Authored By: Rep. Mike Dudgeon of the 24th - House Committee: Education - House Committee Passed: 1/26/2012 - Rule: Modified-Structured
* The Rules Committee has NOT yet scheduled its next meeting.
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COMMITTEE ACTION REPORT
Economic Development & Tourism
HB 475 - Development Authorities Law; include facilities owned by public or private entity; amend definition
- BILL SUMMARY: House bill 475 amends the Development Authorities Law to expand the definition of the term "project" to include facilities owned by a public or private entity or a combination of the two for the purposes of trade, commerce, industry, or employment opportunities. The term "project" includes highway facilities, surface transportation projects, and projects that are related to surface, overhead, or underground transportation. The authority will determine and apply the definition of project each particular facility falls into without review. Further, the authority is granted the ability to issue bonds to construct, purchase, acquire or equip a project for the purpose of leasing or selling it. - Authored By: Rep. Jay Powell of the 171st - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Higher Education
HB 59 - Lawful presence verification; postsecondary education; reserve benefits
- BILL SUMMARY: The legislation amends Code Section 50-36-1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the verification of lawful presence within the United States, so as to clarify that postsecondary education is a state and local public benefit that is reserved for citizens and lawfully present and eligible aliens.
The bill requires verification of the eligibility for such applicants for postsecondary education benefits through the federal SAVE program (Systemic Alien Verification for Entitlements), which is operated by the United States Department of Homeland Security, and further clarifies that policies of agencies or political subdivisions regarding postsecondary education benefits shall comply with federal law as described in 8 U.S.C. Section 1623. This U.S.C. Section stipulates that an alien who is not lawfully present in the United States shall not be eligible on the basis of residence within a state for any postsecondary education benefit unless a citizen or national of the United States is eligible for such a benefit without regard to whether the citizen or national is such a resident. - Authored By: Rep. Tom Rice of the 51st - Committee Action: Tabled
Judiciary
HB 711 - Evidence; privileges; change provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 711 is a joint spousal/advocate privilege bill.
First, the bill provides for certain exemptions for when spousal privilege applies. The privilege will not apply when the husband or wife is charged with a crime against a child under the age of 18 (current law); the husband or wife is charged with a crime against the spouse or their property; the husband or wife is charged to have acted jointly in the commission of the crime charged; or the crime occurred prior to the marriage.
Next, HB 711 prevents certain agents from being compelled to disclose information relating to family violence or sexual assault victims disclosed during the course of treatment programs. - Authored By: Rep. Edward Lindsey of the 54th - Committee Action: Tabled
Judiciary
HB 763 - Juries; certain persons ineligible to serve as trial or grand jurors; clarify
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 763 provides cleanup language for last year's HB 415, which was the Jury Composition bill.
HB 763 reinserts language of the prior Code which was inadvertently deleted in HB 415. - Authored By: Rep. Alex Atwood of the 179th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Legislative & Congressional Reapportionment
HB 829 - State house districts; boundaries of certain districts; revise
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation seeks to alter certain districts within the state. This plan alters Districts 9, 10, 18, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 68, 98, 103 and 104. These districts affect Banks, Carroll, Dawson, Douglas, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Habersham, Hall, Haralson, Lumpkin, Stephens and White counties. - Authored By: Rep. Roger B. Lane of the 167th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Ways & Means
HB 450 - Setoff debt collection; debts owed to public housing authorities; authorize
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation allows for public housing authorities to be included within the agencies allowed to collect bad debts through the setoff debt collection process set forth in 48-7-160 et. seq. Additionally HB 450 provides for numerous due process steps that any authority must meet in order for the Department of Revenue to collect such a debt. - Authored By: Rep. Chuck Sims of the 169th - 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 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM 12:30 PM - 4:30 PM 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Wednesday, February 01, 2012 Floor Session SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Jacobs Subcommittee (Subcommittee Two) Judiciary Civil AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER AFFAIRS Ramsey Subcommittee of Judiciary Non-Civil APPROPRIATIONS JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL Academic Support Subcommittee of Education REGULATED INDUSTRIES HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

HOUSE CHAMBER (10:00am) 506 CLOB 132 CAP 403 CAP 415 CLOB- CANCELED 341 CAP 132 CAP 506 CLOB 515 CLOB 606 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 www.house.ga.gov and click on Meetings Calendar.

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