Daily report [Mar. 5, 2012]

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

TOMORROW'S FORECAST
* The House will reconvene for its 30th Legislative Day on Wednesday, March 7, at 9:30 AM. * Rules Committee will meet at 1:00pm on Tuesday, March 6

GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
DAILY REPORT

Monday, March 5, 2012
TODAY ON THE FLOOR

29th Legislative Day

RULES CALENDAR
HB 318 - Sales and use tax exemptions; donated food for hunger relief; extend
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation renews the sales tax exemption for prepared food that is donated to a food bank for the purposes of hunger relief. The new sunset would run from July 1, 2012 until June 30, 2015. - Authored By: Rep. Ron Stephens of the 164th - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Structured - Yeas: 160; Nays: 0
HB 334 - Sales and use tax exemptions; food and beverages to food bank; extend
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation renews the sales tax exemption for food and food ingredients purchased by food banks. - Authored By: Rep. Ron Stephens of the 164th - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Structured - Yeas: 157; Nays: 0
HB 397 - State government; open meetings and records; revise provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 397 is a comprehensive overhaul of the open meetings act. The majority of the bill is a rewrite to make the act more user-friendly. A small percentage of the bill is substantive change to incorporate court decisions and deal with areas of abuse. - Authored By: Rep. Jay Powell of the 171st - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 154; Nays: 5
HB 535 - War veterans homes; Veterans Service Board establish residency fee; authorize
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 535 adds language to Part 2 of Article 2 of Chapter 4 of the OCGA relating to war veterans' homes to include language that authorizes the Veterans Service Board to provide for a reasonable fee for residency in and services provided by a facility of the Georgia State War Veterans' Home. In addition, the Department of Veterans Service is authorized to receive the assignment of any state or federal benefit including aid and assistance benefits paid by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. - Authored By: Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver of the 83rd - House Committee: Defense & Veterans Affairs - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 147; Nays: 13

HB 648 - Legal services for indigents; certain fees to fund accused; change provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 648 establishes the statutory framework to dedicate funding for the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council which is charged with the power and authority to provide legal services for indigent persons accused of crimes and delinquent acts.
HB 648 is subject to the passage and ratification of a constitutional amendment proposed in HR 977. - Authored By: Rep. Rich Golick of the 34th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 167; Nays: 1
HB 717 - Dogs; criminal penalties for certain owners failing to secure; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 717 makes it a felony for failure to properly secure a vicious dog and that dog causes serious injury or death to a human being. - Authored By: Rep. Penny Houston of the 170th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 82; Nays: 73
HB 732 - Special license plates; Purple Hearts; include persons serving in armed services
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 732 expands the law regarding special license plates for individuals awarded the "Purple Heart" to include persons still serving in the armed services.
The House Committee on Motor Vehicles substitute to HB 732 includes the language from HB 128, HB 468, HB 695, HB 696, HB 724, HB 884, HB 866 and HB 917. - Authored By: Rep. Tony McBrayer of the 153rd - House Committee: Motor Vehicles - Rule: Structured - Yeas: 166; Nays: 1
HB 743 - Motor fuel tax; expiration date for exemption for certain public transit and public campus transportation systems; extend
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation extends the motor fuel tax exemption that provides for an exemption for public transit systems and transportation systems operated on educational campuses throughout the state. The new extension would continue until June 30, 2015. - Authored By: Rep. Tom Rice of the 51st - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Structured - Yeas: 161; Nays: 0
HB 745 - Public Health, Department of; study pulse oximetry screening for newborns to detect congenital heart defects; require
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 745 requires the Department of Public Health to study pulse oximetry screening as a standard test for newborns to help detect congenital heart defects. The study will look at the implications and fiscal impact of implementing this test. The study is to be presented to the Georgia General Assembly no later than the fifth day of the 2013 regular session. - Authored By: Rep. Andrew J. Welch of the 110th - House Committee: Health & Human Services - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 135; Nays: 26
HB 808 - Taxation; exclusion to certain income of certain disabled veterans; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation clarifies that disability income from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs is not subject to state income tax. This bill has no fiscal impact as this income has not previously been taxed based on federal law, this legislation just codifies the exemption. - Authored By: Rep. John P Yates of the 73rd - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Structured - Yeas: 160; Nays: 1

HB 825 - Education; time frame relative to hearings before administrative law judges; eliminate
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 825 is relating to the process for students to follow in reporting instances of alleged inappropriate behavior by teachers. This bill would eliminate the time frame relative to a hearing before administrative law judges. - Authored By: Rep. Randy Nix of the 69th - House Committee: Education - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): am 33 1166 - Yeas: 160; Nays: 3
HB 846 - Revenue, Department of; various administrative and procedural requirements; change
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation seeks to update the various administrative procedures of the Department of Revenue, specifically in three main areas. First, the legislation would allow the Department to begin publishing letter rulings, so long as all sensitive information has been redacted for the publication. Secondly, the legislation would remove the requirement that personal property seized by the Department due to failure to pay taxes, has to be auctioned within the same county in which it was seized. Lastly, the bill would allow for the electronic storage of proof of certain types of liens and other legal documentation. - Authored By: Rep. David Knight of the 126th - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Structured - Yeas: 159; Nays: 0
HB 871 - Violations of traffic laws; additional penalty to be assessed for driver education purposes; extend expiration date
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 871 extends the sunset provision for 5 years for the additional fee charged on traffic violations that are paid into pensions, annuities, or retirement funds provided for under Title 47. - Authored By: Rep. Paul Battles of the 15th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 149; Nays: 16
HB 896 - Sales tax; distribution for educational purposes; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation is the enabling legislation to a constitutional amendment, which amends current law to prevent counties and independent school systems from operating under any other funding distribution formula than as is laid out in Art. VIII, Sec. VI, Paragraph IV (g) of the State Constitution. - Authored By: Rep. Brooks Coleman of the 97th - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Structured - Yeas: 164; Nays: 1
HB 897 - Georgia Workforce Investment Board; revise provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 897 extensively revise the Georgia Workforce Investment Board provisions. The purpose is to provide more flexibility for the Workforce Investment Board to better execute their purpose. - Authored By: Rep. Michael Harden of the 28th - House Committee: Industrial Relations - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 153; Nays: 9
HB 899 - Primaries and elections; dates of nonpartisan elections; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 899 is the annual "clean up" bill for the Elections Division of the Secretary of State's Office. - Authored By: Rep. Buzz Brockway of the 101st - House Committee: Governmental Affairs - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 129; Nays: 37

HB 916 - Bona fide conservation use property; covenants; change certain qualifications and restrictions
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation would clarify and add specific documentation to the information that county boards of assessors need in relation to the ability for such properties to qualify for the conservation use covenant property program. Additionally, the bill allows for property owners who have entered property in the conservation use covenant program and who subsequently acquire contiguous property, to enter such property into the same covenant. - Authored By: Rep. David Knight of the 126th - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Structured - Yeas: 157; Nays: 1
HB 928 - Peace Officer's Annuity and Benefit Fund; board of trustees authorized to employ a hearing officer; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would amend provisions relating to the Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund. It would authorize the board to appoint and compensate a hearing officer for the purpose of holding hearings, compiling evidence and information, and submitting evidence, information, and recommendations to the board in any contested case. Current law only allows the board to appoint a hearing officer in disability cases, and this bill strikes such language. This bill also outlines the roles and responsibilities of the hearing officer, including the proper procedure for reporting findings to the board.
This is a nonfiscal retirement bill. - Authored By: Rep. Lynne Riley of the 50th - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 166; Nays: 0
HB 928 - Peace Officer's Annuity and Benefit Fund; board of trustees authorized to employ a hearing officer; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would amend provisions relating to the Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund. It would authorize the board to appoint and compensate a hearing officer for the purpose of holding hearings, compiling evidence and information, and submitting evidence, information, and recommendations to the board in any contested case. Current law only allows the board to appoint a hearing officer in disability cases, and this bill strikes such language. This bill also outlines the roles and responsibilities of the hearing officer, including the proper procedure for reporting findings to the board.
This is a nonfiscal retirement bill. - Authored By: Rep. Lynne Riley of the 50th - House Committee: Retirement - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 166; Nays: 0
HB 931 - Insurance; state domestic farmers' mutual fire insurance companies; update provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 931 updates this state's domestic farmers' mutual fire insurance companies provisions in the Insurance code. - Authored By: Rep. Jason Shaw of the 176th - House Committee: Insurance - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 167; Nays: 0
HB 934 - State agencies; guaranteed energy savings performance contracts; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation clarifies the ability of cities to enter into energy performance savings contracts and the provisions to which they shall adhere when exercising the authority to execute said contracts. In addition, the bill also opens the list of qualified energy services providers maintained by GEFA to allow additions of providers at any point to prequalify. - Authored By: Rep. Don Parsons of the 42nd - House Committee: Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 159; Nays: 0

HB 945 - Banks and trust companies; issuance of non-cash valued shares with approval; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 945 amends the Georgia Code as it relates to banks and trust companies by allowing the issuance of non-cash valued shares by a bank or trust company with the approval of the Department of Banking and Finance. In the cases of reorganization, rehabilitation, merger, consolidation, or incident, shares of a bank or trust company may be issued only for cash in an amount which shall be at least the aggregate par value of the share, unless otherwise approved by the department with demonstration of good cause. Dividends may be declared and paid in cash or property only out of retained earnings of the bank or trust company unless otherwise approved in advance by the department on terms with standards of safety and soundness. - Authored By: Rep. Sam Teasley of the 38th - House Committee: Banks & Banking - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 154; Nays: 11
HB 972 - Georgia Pain Management Clinic Act; enact
- BILL SUMMARY: Section 1 Adds the following power and duties to the Georgia Composite Medical Board: 1.)To license and regulate pain management clinics. 2.)To establish minimum standards for prescribing controlled substances for pain management. 3.)To accept any gifts, grants, donations, and other funds to assist in enforcing this chapter.
Section 2 Article 10 43-34-282 Defines chronic pain as pain treated for a period of 90 days or more in a year, but should not include pain surrounding a surgery. Defines license as a valid and current certificate of registration issued by the Georgia Composite Medical Board. Defines a "nonterminal condition" as a medical condition which is reversible, where there is reasonable hope of recovery, and where the patient's medical prognosis is a life expectancy of two years or more. Defines a pain management clinic as a medical practice that advertises "treatment of pain," or uses "pain" in the name of the clinic, or a medical practice with more than 50% of its patient population being treated for chronic pain for nonterminal conditions with the use of Schedule II or III controlled substances.
43-34-283 a.) Requires all pain management clinics to be licensed by the Board biennially. Each location will need to be licensed. b.) Requires that every owner of a pain management clinic be a Georgia licensed physician. c.) Requires the Board to make a thorough investigation of the license applicant before issuing the license. d.) Whenever a prohibited action is taken by a pain management clinic, the owners of the clinic will be liable. e.) Requires the clinic owners and physicians who practice within these clinics to comply with the minimum standards of practice for physicians and the laws and rules and regulations of the Board. f.) Gives the Board the right to deny or refuse to renew a pain management clinic license if it would not be in the public interest. g.) No pain management clinic shall be open to the public unless someone approved to prescribe controlled substances is on-site. h.) Gives the Board the right to enter into agreements with other states or with third parties for the purpose of exchanging information concerning licensure of any pain management clinic.
43-34-284 Gives the Board the right to deny, suspend, or revoke a licensee under the following circumstances: 1.)The clinic provided false or fraudulent material information in any application. 2.)Any physician or owner has been convicted of a crime under any law relating to any controlled substance. 3.)Any physician or owner has had federal registration to prescribe, distribute, or dispense controlled substances suspended or revoked. 4.)Any physician or owner violated the provisions of this chapter, Chapter 13 of Title 16, or Chapter 4 of Title 26.
43-34-285 Requires the clinic to notify the Board under the following circumstances: 1.)Permanent closing of a licensed pain management clinic. 2.)Change of ownership, management, or location. 3.)Change of physicians practicing. 4.)Any theft or loss of drugs or devices. 5.)Any known conviction of any employee. 6.)Disasters, accidents, theft, destruction, or loss of records.

7.)Any and all matters as the Board may require by rules.
43-34-286 All pain management clinics that dispense controlled substances or dangerous drugs shall be registered with the Georgia State Board of Pharmacy.
43-34-287 a.) All licenses will expire biennially unless renewed. Renewal applications should be filed with the Board prior to the expiration date, accompanied by the renewal fee. A license that has expired can renew after application within the time period established by the Board. Any reinstatement of licenses will be at the discretion of the Board. b.) Owners and physicians practicing in the pain management clinic must meet continuing education and training requirements required by rule.
Section 3 45-16-32 If any coroner or medical examiner's report indicates the death may be a result of medication administered or prescribed or conducted by an individual licensed under Chapter 34 of Title 43, or if the individual was under the direct supervision of such a person, any supporting evidence and a certified copy of the report must be promptly sent to the Georgia Composite Medical Board. - Authored By: Rep. Tom Weldon of the 3rd - House Committee: Health & Human Services - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): am 33 1159 - Yeas: 124; Nays: 38
HB 986 - Insurance; dispute or complaint involving material not in English, the English version shall control the resolution; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 986 provides that in the event of a dispute or complaint arising involving insurance related material not in English, the English version of the material shall control the resolution of the dispute or complaint. - Authored By: Rep. Bill Hembree of the 67th - House Committee: Insurance - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 157; Nays: 4
HB 987 - Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund; member who ceases to be employed shall notify the retirement fund immediately; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would amend provisions relating to the Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund. Under this legislation a member would be required to immediately notify the board if a change of employment or job description no longer qualifies that member as a "peace officer." Additionally, the board would not be authorized to accept membership dues from such a member to pay benefits.
This is a nonfiscal retirement bill. - Authored By: Rep. Lynne Riley of the 50th - House Committee: Retirement - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 163; Nays: 0
HB 991 - Sheriffs; how vacancies are filled; change provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 991 changes how vacancies are filled in the office of Sherriff. Under this bill, a vacancy in the Sherriff's office will be filled by the Chief Deputy Sheriff until a special election can be held. If there is no Chief Deputy Sheriff, the Probate Judge will appoint a replacement. In the instance there are six months or less until the term expires, the replacement will serve until the expiration of the term. - Authored By: Mr.. Billy Maddox of the 127th - House Committee: Governmental Affairs - Rule: Modified-Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 161; Nays: 1

HB 997 - Crimes and offenses; new crime of false lien statements against public officers; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 997 makes it a felony for someone to intentionally file a false lien or encumbrance on record against a public officer or employee based on the performance of that officer or employee's official duties. - Authored By: Rep. B.J. Pak of the 102nd - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 160; Nays: 3
HB 1024 - Budget commission; certain counties; population and census application; revise and change
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to amend the population Act creating a budget commission in Fulton County so as to change the census numbers and remove Gwinnett County from its application. - Authored By: Rep. Tom Rice of the 51st - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 160; Nays: 0
HB 1026 - Municipalities; law enforcement contracts; population brackets and census; change provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to amend the population Act providing for contracts between the sheriff and cities in Fulton County so as to change the census numbers and remove Gwinnett from its application. - Authored By: Rep. Donna Sheldon of the 105th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 160; Nays: 0
HB 1049 - Georgia Emergency Telephone Number 9-1-1 Service Act of 1977; change applicability and requirements; change certain definitions
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 1049 makes changes to the "Georgia Emergency Telephone 9-1-1 Service Act of 1977." Voice over Internet Protocol service suppliers are required to register certain information with the director of emergency management. The term "prepaid wireless service" is defined as a service where a telephone subscriber pays a wireless service supplier in advance for a wireless telecommunications connection as follows: o sold in predetermined units or dollars which expire without an additional retail purchase and the number of which declines with use in a known amount; ois not offered in conjunction with other communications services for which the terms permit payments in arrears; othe charges are not billed to any telephone subscriber or other person; and othe charges are not provided to a telephone subscriber or other person in a monthly statement. The definition of prepaid wireless service will also include, without limitation, calling or usage privileges included in the purchase of a wireless telephone as well as a calling card, a call, or an internet transaction. A wireless service provider is not authorized to recover any costs through providing wireless enhanced 9-1-1 services with respect to any prepaid wireless services. The word "telecommunications" is removed from the definition of "consumer" in regards to the purchase of prepaid wireless service transactions. "Wireless telecommunications service" is defined as commercial mobile radio service as defined by 47 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations). - Authored By: Rep. Wendell Willard of the 49th - House Committee: Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications - Rule: Structured - Yeas: 160; Nays: 0

HB 1056 - Ad valorem taxation; motor vehicles; clarify application to be consistent with federal provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation clarifies existing law to bring GA law in concurrence with federal law, specifically the Service Members Civil Relief Act. The bill deals with the ad valorem taxation of a non-resident service member's motor vehicle. The legislation clarifies that the motor vehicle must be a private passenger motor vehicle and removes the limitation that a service member may only be a joint owner in one vehicle, which receives this exemption; so as to ensure two jointly owned vehicles between spouses, where one spouse is a service member and the other spouse is a civilian who is stationed with the service member. The service member spouse does not have one motor vehicle subject to GA ad valorem tax and the other car is exempt, both vehicles would be exempt. Additionally, the requirement that the service member must remit ad valorem taxes, if required, in their home state. - Authored By: Rep. Paul Battles of the 15th - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Structured - Yeas: 153; Nays: 0
HB 1065 - Alcoholic beverages; tax payment and reporting by licensees; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 1065 amends Title 3 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to alcoholic beverages. Section 1 Code Section 3-2-11 relating to penalties for failure to file reports or returns or pay tax or fee, procedure for assessment of taxes due, penalties, and interest is amended to clarify the language related to unpaid taxes. Section 2 Code Section 3-3-6 relating to the maintenance of records as to manufacture, purchase, or sale of alcoholic beverages by manufacturers, importers, or dealers, and disposal of records is amended to mandate that invoices sufficient to cover current inventory be maintained at the licensed location and be made available for immediate inspection. All other records may be maintained at a different location and be made available to the commissioner within two business days. Section 3 Code Section 3-4-61 relating to payment of tax and report is amended by removing the language relating to the phase in of a 1992 excise tax reporting system. It is further amended by changing the day the taxes shall be remitted from the tenth day of the following month to the fifteenth day of the following month in which the distilled spirits were disposed of or sold and by removing the language regarding alcohol excise tax and distilled spirits and alcohol stamps. Section 4 Code Section 3-4-80 relating to authorization of the levy of tax on the sale of distilled spirits by package and imposition of tax by both county and municipality located within the county is amended by adding that the tax shall be paid on or before the tenth day of the month following the disposal or sale of the distilled spirits. Section 5 This act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. Section 6 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed. - Authored By: Rep. Roger Williams of the 4th - House Committee: Regulated Industries - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 156; Nays: 0
HB 1069 - Pharmacists and pharmacies; revise definition of security paper
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 1069 allows prescription paper that has been approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to be recognized under the legal term, "security paper." - Authored By: Rep. Tom Weldon of the 3rd - House Committee: Health & Human Services - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 164; Nays: 0

HB 1102 - Georgia hazardous site reuse and redevelopment; 30 day grace period for buyers of qualifying property to seek limitation of liability; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation amends the Georgia Code relating to hazardous site reuse and development by providing a 30 day grace period for buyers after the purchase of qualifying property.
The term "prospective purchaser" is defined in House Bill 1102 as a person who has applied for a limitation of liability pursuant to this article within 30 days of acquiring title to a property where there is a preexisting release. The limitation of liability provided by this article shall automatically advance to the benefit of heirs, assigns, successors in title, and designees of the person who such limitation of liability is granted. A transfer of title to the qualifying property from the prospective purchaser to any other party deemed to be a contributing person to the release at the property; a person disqualified from obtaining limitation of liability under Code Section 12-8206; or back to the owner of the property from which the subject property was purchased will terminate any limitation of liability applicable to the transferor. - Authored By: Rep. Lynn Ratigan Smith of the 70th - House Committee: Special Committee on Small Business Development and Job Creation - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 162; Nays: 1
HB 1117 - Local government; approval of bonded debt by election; population brackets and the census; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to amend the population Act providing for county-wide bond elections or school bond elections in unincorporated Fulton County so as to change the census numbers and remove Gwinnett from its application under the 2010 Census. - Authored By: Rep. Valerie Clark of the 104th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 164; Nays: 0
HB 1166 - Insurance; individual health insurance coverage to children through child-only health plans; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 1166 provides for individual health insurance coverage to children through child-only health plans. It requires all companies that offer health policies to offer a child-only plan. - Authored By: Rep. Alex Atwood of the 179th - House Committee: Insurance - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 161; Nays: 1
HR 977 - Legal services for indigent; dedicate existing fees; provide - CA
- BILL SUMMARY: HR 977 amends Article III, Section IX, Paragraph VI of the Constitution by adding a new subparagraph to provide that certain existing fees and assessments be dedicated to fund legal services for indigent persons accused of crimes an delinquent acts. - Authored By: Rep. Rich Golick of the 34th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): am 29 1078 - Yeas: 164; Nays: 1
HR 1150 - Sales and use tax; educational purposes; only distributed on basis of full-time equivalent student counts - CA
- BILL SUMMARY: House Resolution 1150 is proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Georgia. With this amendment the sales and use tax for education purposes can only be distributed on the basis of full-time equivalent student counts when proceeds are distributed between county school district and the independent school districts located in the county. If passed, this proposed amendment will be submitted on the ballot for ratification or rejection. - Authored By: Rep. Brooks Coleman of the 97th - House Committee: Education - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 166; Nays: 1

HR 1177 - Veterans Memorial Highway; Oglethorpe County; dedicate
- BILL SUMMARY: A resolution dedicating the portion of State Route 22 in Oglethorpe County from U.S. Route 78/State Route 10 in Lexington to the Madison County line as the Veterans Memorial Highway.
This substitute also includes additional road dedications: HR 1141 HR 1142 HR 1152 HR 1158 HR 1164 HR 1351 HR 1352 HR 1439 HR 1542 HR 1602 - Authored By: . Chuck Williams of the 113th - House Committee: Transportation - Rule: Structured - Yeas: 163; Nays: 0
LOCAL CALENDAR
HB 1097 - City of Emerson Community Improvement Districts Act; enact
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to create community improvement districts in the City of Emerson and to provide for their powers and duties. - Authored By: Rep. Paul Battles of the 15th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 151; Nays: 0
HB 1171 - Macon-Bibb County; create and incorporate new political body corporate
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a unified form of government for the City of Macon and Bibb County and to provide for its powers and duties. - Authored By: Rep. Nikki T. Randall of the 138th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 151; Nays: 0
HB 1172 - Manchester, City of; provide election districts
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to reapportion the City of Manchester City Council. - Authored By: Rep. Carl Von Epps of the 128th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 151; Nays: 0
HB 1177 - Cobb County; Magistrate Court; provide for collection of law library fees
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide for the collection of law library fees in the Magistrate Court of Cobb County. - Authored By: Rep. Earl Ehrhart of the 36th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 151; Nays: 0
HB 1183 - Montgomery County; Board of Education; change description of districts
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to reapportion the Montgomery County Board of Education. - Authored By: Rep. Greg Morris of the 155th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 151; Nays: 0

HB 1184 - Moreland, Town of; change terms and dates of election of mayor and alderman
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a referendum on staggered terms of office for the councilmembers and lengthening the mayor's term of office in the Town of Moreland. - Authored By: Rep. Billy Horne of the 71st - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 151; Nays: 0
HB 1185 - Cochran, City of; provide new charter
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a new charter for the City of Cochran. - Authored By: Rep. Jimmy Pruett of the 144th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 151; Nays: 0
HB 1187 - Hiram, City of; create the position of city manager
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide for the position of city manager in the City of Hiram and to provide for its powers and duties. - Authored By: Rep. Paulette Braddock of the 19th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 151; Nays: 0
* The House will reconvene Wednesday, March 7, at 9:30 AM, for its 30th Legislative Day.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
COMMITTEE ON RULES
The Committee on Rules will meet at 1:00pm on Tuesday, March 6 to fix the calendar for the 30th Legislative Day
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
COMMITTEE ACTION REPORT
Appropriations
HB 742 - General appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2012 - June 30, 2013
- BILL SUMMARY: The Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2013, effective July 1, 2012 is set by the Governor's revenue estimate of $19.2 billion in state funds and $38.7 in total funds. - Authored By: Rep. David Ralston of the 7th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Appropriations
HR 1160 - Word, Mr. Lathan Rydell; compensate
- BILL SUMMARY: No Summary Available - Authored By: Rep. Carolyn Hugley of the 133rd - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Appropriations
HR 1161 - Cauley, Mr. James A.; compensate and provide state income tax exclusion
- BILL SUMMARY: No Summary Available - Authored By: Rep. Debbie Buckner of the 130th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Defense & Veterans Affairs
HB 1072 - Veterans Service Board; apply for certification for Georgia State War Veterans' Home to participate in medicare and Medicaid programs; require
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 1072 amends Part 2 of Article 2 of Chapter 4 of Title 38 of the OCGA to require the Veterans Service Board to submit an application to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) by July 1, 2012 to obtain approval for certification for the Georgia State War Veterans' Home to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Upon approval, the Veterans Service Board will use such programs as funding sources for paying for a portion of the operating costs for the facilities of the Georgia State War Veterans' Home.
The bill would authorize the Department of Veterans Service to make collections through third-party payers, including Medicaid and Medicare, or to receive the assignment of third-party benefits by veteran patients.
The bill would authorize the Veterans Service Board to provide by rule and regulation for a reasonable fee for residency in and services provided by a facility of the Georgia State War Veterans' Home, and for a full or partial waiver of such fees based on economic need.
In addition, the bill would authorize the Department of Veterans Service to receive the assignment of any state or federal benefit including aid and attendance benefits paid by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. - Authored By: Rep. Judy Manning of the 32nd - Committee Action: Failed
Health & Human Services
HB 1159 - Joint Study Commission on Education for Parents with Newborn Children; create
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 1159 creates a Joint Study Commission on Education for Parents with Newborn Children. The purpose of this commission will be to determine how to gather information, raise funds, and create an informational video about how to prevent childhood obesity, shaken baby syndrome, SIDS, and other forms of child abuse. - Authored By: Rep. Jimmy Pruett of the 144th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination
HB 398 - Fulton County; Board of Education pensions and retirement; correct typographical errors
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to amend the act providing a retirement system for the Fulton County Board of Education to correct typographical errors and to comply with the Federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights of 1994 and the federal Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008. - Authored By: Rep. Virgil Fludd of the 66th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Judiciary
HB 534 - Eligibility requirements; probate court clerks; modify provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 534 modifies the eligibility requirements for judges of probate courts. It lowers the population requirement per county from 96,000 to 90,000. - Authored By: Rep. Carol Fullerton of the 151st - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Judiciary
HB 665 - Clerk of superior court offices; modernize provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 665 modernizes the provisions of the Georgia Code with respect to the duties and functions of the Superior Court Clerks.
It provides for modern technological advances in electronic record keeping, allows superior court clerks to serve as clerks in other courts, increases the bond required by a clerk of court, changes provisions relating to the selection of the clerk of court when a vacancy occurs and the process for removal of clerks.
As introduced HB 665 included language that clerks would be subject to general contempt powers of the court. However, the committee substitute does not include this language. - Authored By: Mr.. Billy Maddox of the 127th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Judiciary
HB 748 - Adoption; issuance of copy of an original birth certificate to certain adult persons; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 748 allows an adult who was adopted to obtain a copy of their original birth certificate. It also allows any parent, sibling or descendant of the adopted person to receive a copy if the adopted person is deceased.
The committee substitute contains a Contact Preference Form whereby the parents may express their interest in whether or not they can be contacted. - Authored By: Rep. Buzz Brockway of the 101st - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Judiciary
HB 861 - Law enforcement officers; report drug related arrests to Department of Human Services; require
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 861 requires drug testing of TANF applicants as a condition of eligibility to receive benefits. Subject to funding, it also requires continued benefits to be contingent on submission to drug testing once every 2 years. A protective payee would be designated for a child of an ineligible parent.
As introduced, Section 2 required law enforcement to report drug arrest to DHS. However, the committee substitute does not include this requirement. - Authored By: Rep. Michael Harden of the 28th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Judiciary
HB 1089 - Local government; zoning proposal review procedures; repeal section and reserve
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 1089 repeals the zoning proposal review procedures from the Code. - Authored By: . John Carson of the 43rd - Committee Action: Do Pass
Judiciary
HB 1132 - Fair Business Practices Act of 1975; oversight by administrator of certain telemarketing practices; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 1132 requires a telephone solicitation company to display a working number on caller identification services and state their identity. A violation may result in a class action suit. - Authored By: Rep. Robert Dickey of the 136th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Judiciary
HB 1198 - Parent and child; grandparent visitation rights; modify provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 1198 provides for when the court may order grandparent visitation when it finds the child would be harmed without such visitation. - Authored By: Rep. John Meadows of the 5th - 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.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE

Tuesday, March 06, 2012 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM LEGISLATIVE & CONGRESSIONAL REAPPORTIONMENT 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM RETIREMENT 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND JOB CREATION 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM RULES 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM WAYS & MEANS

406 CLOB 406 CLOB 506 CLOB 415 CLOB 515 CLOB 341 CAP 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.
____________________________________________________________________________