Daily report [Mar. 13, 2012]

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

TOMORROW'S FORECAST
* The House will reconvene for its 33rd Legislative Day on Wednesday, March 14, at 10:00 AM. * 1 bill is expected to be debated on the floor.

GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
DAILY REPORT

Tuesday, March 13, 2012
TODAY ON THE FLOOR

32nd Legislative Day

RULES CALENDAR
SB 343 - State Accounting Office; designate as the Comptroller General; transfer the office
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 343 designates the state accounting officer as the Comptroller General. It transfers the office, functions, duties, and responsibilities of the Comptroller General from the Commissioner of Insurance to the State Accounting Office. - Authored By: Sen. Bill Heath of the 31st - House Committee: Governmental Affairs - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 155; Nays: 0
LOCAL CALENDAR
HB 1150 - Wayne County; Board of Commissioners; change description of districts
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to reapportion the Wayne County Board of Commissioners. - Authored By: Rep. Chad Nimmer of the 178th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 158; Nays: 2
HB 1151 - Wayne County; Board of Education; revise districts
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to reapportion the Wayne County Board of Education. - Authored By: Rep. Chad Nimmer of the 178th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 158; Nays: 2
HB 1213 - Pickens County Water and Sewer Authority; waiting period of two years for member reappointment; remove provision
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide that appointed members of the Pickens County Water and Sewer Authority may be reappointed to succeed themselves. - Authored By: . Rick Jasperse of the 12th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 158; Nays: 2

HB 1214 - Scotland, City of; provide for election of mayor and councilmembers
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide for elections and terms of office of the mayor and councilmembers in the City of Scotland. - Authored By: Rep. Jay Roberts of the 154th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 158; Nays: 2
HB 1215 - Echols County; Board of Commissioners; provide for elections and terms of office
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide for elections and terms of office of the Echols County Board of Commissioners. - Authored By: Rep. Ellis Black of the 174th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 158; Nays: 2
HB 1216 - Ball Ground, City of; remove exception for certain property from jurisdication of municipal court
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to change the corporate boundaries of the City of Ball Ground. - Authored By: Rep. Calvin Hill of the 21st - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 158; Nays: 2
HB 1217 - Habersham County State Court; provide that January 1, 2015, judge and solicitor shall be full-time positions
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide that the judge and solicitor of the State Court of Habersham County shall be full-time positions and to provide them compensation. - Authored By: . Terry Rogers of the 10th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 158; Nays: 2
HB 1218 - Avondale Estates, City of; change corporate limits of city
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to change the corporate limits of the City of Avondale Estates. - Authored By: Rep. Stephanie Benfield of the 85th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 158; Nays: 2
HB 1219 - Decatur, City of; change corporate limits of city
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to change the corporate limits of the City of Decatur. - Authored By: Rep. Stephanie Benfield of the 85th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 158; Nays: 2
HB 1222 - DeKalb County; board of commissioners; change description of districts
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to reapportion the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners. - Authored By: Rep. Howard Mosby of the 90th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 158; Nays: 2
* The House will reconvene Wednesday, March 14, 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 14, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker.
NEXT ON THE FLOOR
SB 300 - Food Standards; to require proper labeling of bottles containing sugar cane or sorghum syrup
- BILL SUMMARY: The substitute amends Code Section 26-2-21 of the O.C.G.A. This change would exclude establishments boiling, bottling and selling sugar cane and sorghum syrup from the definition of "food sales establishment." This bill would require the label on the product to list the following: The producer's name, street address, all added ingredients and the net weight or volume of the product. - Authored By: Sen. John Bulloch of the 11th - House Committee: Agriculture & Consumer Affairs - House Committee Passed: 2/22/2012 - Rule: Modified-Open ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
COMMITTEE ACTION REPORT
Education
SB 412 - County Boards of Education; homestead option sales and use tax; county sales and use tax for educational purposes; delay effective date of Code section
- BILL SUMMARY: Senate Bill 412 delays the effective date to January 1st 2015 for Code Section 20-2-52.1. This section is relating to counties that have a homestead option and sales and use tax collection, a county sales and use tax for educational purposes, and a county with a Board of Education with more than seven members will be elected from single member districts of approximately equal population. - Authored By: Sen. Fran Millar of the 40th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Game, Fish, & Parks
SB 319 - State Parks; use of boats; revise certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: Senate Bill 319
This bill amends Code Section 12-3-10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.
Section 1 Subsections (e), (g), (h), and (i) will be revised.
(e) It shall be unlawful for any person to have or use a boat on the waters of any park, historic site, or recreational area if in violation of any prohibition or restriction posted within the area by the department. The positing of signs at the entrances of such places shall constitute sufficient notice for the park, historic area or recreational area. (g) Subsection removed (h) Subsection removed (i) It shall be unlawful for any person to wade fish outside of the hours of 7:00am and 10:00pm, unless otherwise prohibited. It shall also be unlawful to fish in waters of any park, historic site, or recreational area which have been closed and posted by the department.
Section 2 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed - Authored By: Sen. Rick Jeffares of the 17th - Committee Action: Do Pass

Game, Fish, & Parks
SB 464 - Fish and Fishing; limit the number of commercial crabbing licenses issued
- BILL SUMMARY: Senate Bill 464 Section 1
New language states that a one day license for salt-water shore fishing will cost $5.00. (This is added due to the merge with SB 307)
Subsection (e)(1) of code section 27-4-150 is revised to state that only a person in possession of a valid commercial crabbing license may operate a commercial fishing boat for the purpose of commercial crabbing activities as provided for in subsections (b) and (c) of this Code section, except as provided in Code Section 27-4-133. Subsection (e)(2) is revised to state that on and after May 1, 2013, the total number of new commercial crabbing licenses issued shall not exceed 100. Those issued prior to this specified date will remain active until the license is not renewed. Any license not renewed by May 1 of any license year shall revert to the department for reissue by lottery devised and operated by the department. Subsection (e)(3) is revised to state that commercial crabbing licenses may be sold for consideration to any person not holding a current commercial crabbing license unless otherwise prohibited by law or regulation. The transferee of a license so transferred shall engage in commercial crabbing as evidenced by his or her commercial crab harvest records within two years after such transfer or the license shall revert to the department of reissue as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection. Anyone receiving such a commercial crabbing license transfer shall register such transfer with the department and pay the license fee to the department, if required, within 30 days following the date of the transfer.
Section 2 Subsection (d)(2) of Code Section 27-4-151 is revised to specify the penalties for any person convicted of violating the provisions of the subsection. The penalties in order of offense are specified as follows: 1. License suspended for three months. License renewal will only be allowed after this period has been observed. 2. License suspended for six months. License renewal will only be allowed after this period has been observed. 3. License shall be permanently revoked and the person shall be prohibited from purchasing a license in the future. Subsection (g)(3) is revised to specify that, upon a second of subsequent such offense, the person's license shall be revoked for one year, and at the end of that time such person must apply for a new license as if he or she had never before possessed a license; provided, however that such individual shall not be eligible to receive a license through transfer pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4) of subsection (e) of Code Section 27-4-150. - Authored By: Sen. William Ligon, Jr. of the 3rd - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Governmental Affairs
SB 371 - Aviation; provide for local governments' ability to accept community improvement district funds
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 371 would authorize local governments to enter into cooperative agreements with Community Improvement Districts (CIDs) to utilize CID funds to assist with airport improvements. - Authored By: Sen. Lindsey Tippins of the 37th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Governmental Affairs
SB 396 - Herty Advanced Materials Development Center; change prov.; rename and transfer governance to Board of Regents
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 396 renames the Herty Advanced Materials Development Center as the Georgia Southern Hery Advanced Materials Development Center and transfers governance of the center to the Board of Regents. - Authored By: Sen. Ronnie Chance of the 16th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Governmental Affairs
SB 446 - Fire Protection and Safety; buildings; transfer certain functions; Dept. of Labor and Commissioner of Labor to the Office of Safety Fire Commissioner and Safety Fire Commissioner
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 446 transfers oversight and inspection functions relating to elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, man-lifts, and moving walks, boilers and pressure vessels, amusement rides, carnival rides, and scaffolding and staging from the Department of Labor and Commissioner of Labor to the office of Safety Fire Commissioner and Safety Fire Commissioner. It removes bond requirements for Chief Boiler, Pressure Vessel Inspector and Deputy Inspectors employed by the state. - Authored By: Sen. Jeff Mullis of the 53rd - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1225 - Moultrie, City of; levy an excise tax
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to authorize the City of Moultrie to levy a hotel/motel tax. - Authored By: Rep. Jay Powell of the 171st - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1226 - Springfield, City of; provide new charter
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a new charter for the City of Springfield. - Authored By: Rep. Jon G. Burns of the 157th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1227 - Gainesville, City of; provide new charter
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a new charter for the City of Gainesville. - Authored By: Rep. Carl Rogers of the 26th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1230 - DeKalb County Recorder's Court; payment of costs in such court; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide for the payment of costs and to provide for a schedule of costs in the Recorder's Court of DeKalb County. - Authored By: Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver of the 83rd - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1231 - Muscogee County School District; change description of districts
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to reapportion the Muscogee County Board of Education. - Authored By: Rep. Calvin Smyre of the 132nd - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1232 - Muscogee County School District; superintendent may make public works construction contracts; change maximum amount
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to change the maximum amount for which the superintendent of the Muscogee County Board of Education may make public works construction contracts, and other spending conditions, and to provide that the board of education may adopt rules and regulations governing the administration of these provisions. - Authored By: Rep. Calvin Smyre of the 132nd - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1235 - Augusta-Richmond County Transparency in Government Act; enact
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide that each department, agency, and authority of the consolidated government of AugustaRichmond County and any private entity which has contracted with the consolidated government for the provision of government services that is responsible for $500,000.00 or more in public funds or revenues annually shall have a forensic accounting audit at least every four years. - Authored By: Rep. Quincy Murphy of the 120th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1236 - Norcross, City of; change corporate limits
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to change the corporate limits of the City of Norcross. - Authored By: Rep. Pedro Marin of the 96th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 1238 - West Point, City of; levy an excise tax
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to authorize the City of West Point to levy a hotel/motel tax. - Authored By: Rep. Kip Smith of the 129th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Judiciary
SB 50 - Courts; add certain fees for funding of local victim assistance programs
- BILL SUMMARY: The bill amends the priority list for distribution of fines and fees collected by clerks of superior court for use if the full amount is not collected. - Authored By: Sen. Bill Hamrick of the 30th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Judiciary
SB 62 - State; no private property shall be alienated to any other state; exercise of state sovereignty/jurisdiction without consent of General Assembly
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 62 requires approval of the General Assembly for any conveyance which results in the alienation of property from the jurisdiction of the State of Georgia. - Authored By: Sen. William Ligon, Jr. of the 3rd - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
State Institutions & Property
SR 765 - Property Conveyance; grant nonexclusive easement to Bryan, Butts, and Liberty counties
- BILL SUMMARY: SR 765 is a conveyance bill that transfers the ownership of properties in Butts, Bryan and Liberty counties from the state to other entities, as follows.
Part I, Sections 1-1 through 1-4 addresses 17.22 acres in Bryan County, located at the Richmond Hill Wildlife Management Area. The heritage preservation dedication will be removed and the Georgia Transmission Corporation and the Coastal Electric Membership Corporation, acting jointly, and the Department of Transportation will be granted an easement for the purpose of constructing, operating, and maintaining electrical power lines on the property. The Department of Natural Resources will retain custody over the area.
Part II, Sections 2-1 through 2-4 conveys that .41 acres in Butt County, located at High Falls State Park, shall have the heritage preservation dedication removed so an easement can be granted to the Department of Transportation, to widen State Route 36 over the Towaliga River. The Department of Natural Resources will retain custody of the property.
Part III, Sections 3-1 through 3-13 addresses property in Bryan and Liberty Counties. The piece of property consists of 17.69 acres in Bryan County and 14.53 acres in Liberty County, including the Richmond Hill area referenced in Section I of the bill. The state is granting a joint easement to the Georgia Transmission Corporation (GTA) and the Coastal Electric Membership Corporation (CEMC) for the construction, operation and maintenance of electrical power lines on this property. Abandonment by the Georgia Transmission Association and the Coastal Electric Membership Corporation will cause a reversion of the property to the State of Georgia. If the facilities are left on the property after abandonment, they too will become property of the State of Georgia. If the state should decide that the facilities on the easement area should be removed or relocated, the state may grant a substantially equivalent nonexclusive easement for the relocation of the facilities, and the GTA and CEMC will relocate at their own expense, unless the State Properties Commission determines that the relocation is for the sole benefit of the state and authorizes payment to GTA and CEMC for it, not to exceed 20% of the amount of a written estimate. The Resolution does not affect the DOT with regards to the state highway system, the county for a county road system, or any municipality for a city street system. The grantee must still obtain permission from the appropriate governmental entities for use of the easement area over a public right of way and comply with all state and federal environmental regulations. This easement is granted for the consideration of $650.00.

Part IV, Sections 4-1 through 4-13 addresses property in Butts County that is currently under the custody of the Department of Natural Resources, consisting of .13 acres and including the High Falls area referenced in Part II of the Resolution. An easement will be granted to the DOT for the construction of a traffic safety improvement. The terms and conditions regarding abandonment, relocation, and title are the same as those in Section 3. The consideration for the transfer of this property is $10.00. - Authored By: Sen. Earl "Buddy" Carter of the 1st - 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

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM 1:00 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 - 4:00 PM 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Wednesday, March 14, 2012 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER AFFAIRS INSURANCE Academic Support Subcommittee of Education JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL Resource Management Subcommittee of Natural Resources RETIREMENT REGULATED INDUSTRIES Jacobs Subcommittee (Subcommittee Two) Judiciary Civil Sales Tax Subcommittee on Ways & Means EDUCATION HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

506 CLOB 403 CAP 606 CLOB 506 CLOB 132 CAP 216 CAP 403 CAP 515 CLOB 406 CLOB 133 CAP 506 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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