Daily report [Mar. 8, 2012]

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TOMORROW'S FORECAST
* The House will reconvene for its 31st Legislative Day on Monday, March 12, at 10:00 AM.

GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
DAILY REPORT

Thursday, March 08, 2012
TODAY ON THE FLOOR

30th Legislative Day

RULES CALENDAR
HB 100 - Georgia Tax Court; create
- BILL SUMMARY: One of the main recommendations from the Joint Tax Reform Council was the need for an establishment of a Georgia Tax Court or Tribunal. As introduced, HB 100 creates a Georgia Tax Court as a pilot project of limited duration pursuant to Article VI, Section I, Paragraph X of the Georgia Constitution.
The current bill substitute creates the Georgia Tax Tribunal and moves it under the Office of State Administrative Hearings. The court's jurisdiction is over appeals by aggrieved taxpayers and thereby creates an alternative to superior courts for the taxpayers. The tribunal also includes a Small Claims Division. - Authored By: Rep. Allen Peake of the 137th - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 165; Nays: 0
HB 247 - Community Health, Department of; fingerprint and investigate emergency medical services personnel; require
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill allows firefighters certified by the Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council who are employed with a local fire department who have obtained a criminal history records check from the FBI within five years to waive the requirement to obtain an additional criminal history records check in order to be licensed as emergency medical services personnel. The Department of Community Health may, however, require that the chief of the employing local fire department submit a letter of other document verifying that the applicant is employed with the local fire department, has obtained a criminal history records check from the training center and the FBI, and has not been arrested for or convicted of a felony offense. - Authored By: Rep. Jay Neal of the 1st - House Committee: Public Safety & Homeland Security - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): am 35 0273 - Yeas: 170; Nays: 0
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. As well as require that the list of names to be provided to the Department of Revenue must be gather into one file and transmitted to the department. - Authored By: Rep. Chuck Sims of the 169th - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 157; Nays: 0

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 - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Modified-Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 163; Nays: 0
HB 678 - Mattresses; use of previously used material; provide regulation
- BILL SUMMARY: The substitute bill (LC 35 2615S) amends by revising Code Sections 31-25-1 to 31-25-13, regarding mattresses and similar consumer products.
Section 1 - Code Section 31-25-1 defines 'articles of bedding' means any of the following types of goods which are intended for use by any human being for sleeping purposes: any mattress, mattress pad, mattress protector, upholstered spring, comforter, quilted pad, quilt, cushion, or pillow which is stuffed or filled in whole or part with concealed material. Additional definitions include:
'Manufacturer' means a person who either by himself or herself or through employees or agents makes any article of bedding in whole or in part or who does the upholstery or covering of any unit thereof, using either new or previously used material.
'New material' means any material which has not been used in the manufacture of another article or used for any other purpose.
'Person' means any individual, corporation, company, business, partnership, or association.
'Previously used material' means any material, including jute and shearings, which has been used in the manufacture of another article and subsequently torn, shredded, picked apart, or otherwise disintegrated or altered.
'Renovator' or 'reupholsterer' means any person who repairs, makes over, re-covers, restores, or renews any article of bedding for consideration or resale by combining new material with previously used material.
'Sell' means sell, offer to sell, barter, trade, rent, or possess with intent to sell, deliver or consign in sale, or dispose of in any other commercial manner.
`Thrift store' means any store or private sale that offers primarily used products or merchandise, including Goodwill stores, Salvation Army stores, garage sales, community bazaars, thrift markets and consignment stores. In order to qualify as a thrift store, as least 90 percent of the items sold shall be used, previously owned items not obtained directly from and wholesale supplier.
`Used article of bedding" means an article of bedding that has been previously used that has not been renovated or reupholstered and that contains no new material.
Code Section 31-25-2 provides that no person, except for his or her own use shall, make, repair or renovate articles of bedding for sale in Georgia without first securing a numbered certificate of registration from the Department of Agriculture and paying the fee established for the certificate of registration as set forth in Code Section 31-25-2. The charge for this certificate shall constitute an inspection fee for the purpose of enforcing this chapter. The certificate of registration shall expire one year from the date of issue. The charge shall be paid according to the following schedule:
(1) Manufacturers of articles of bedding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,000.00 (2) Renovators and reupholsterers of articles of bedding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250.00 (b) Fees collected by the Department of Agriculture under this chapter shall be deposited in the general fund of the state treasury. (c) The provisions of this Code section shall not apply to a person who is not a manufacturer, renovator, or reupholsterer, and who sells or donates used articles of bedding to or from a thrift store.
Code Section 31-25-3, provides that every person applying for a certificate of registration shall furnish a detailed drawing and description of any sterilizing apparatus and process to be used, which apparatus and process shall be approved by the Department of Agriculture before the applicant shall be entitled to a certificate of registration.

Code Section 31-25-4 further states that (a) No manufacturer, renovator , reupholsterer subject to this chapter shall use any previously used material which, since last used, has not been sterilized by a process approved by the Department of Agriculture. (b) No manufacturer shall sell a used article of bedding which has not been sterilized, since last used, by a process approved by the Department of Agriculture, provided that nothing in this chapter shall be construed as prohibiting public sales under process of law or sales by an executor or an administrator of an estate.
Code Section 31-25-5 provides that any person who receives articles of bedding for renovation, reupholstering, or storage shall keep attached thereto, from the time of receipt, a tag on which is legibly written the date of receipt and the name and address of the owner.
Code Section 31-25-6 provides the following: (a) No person shall manufacture, renovate, reupholster, or sell any article of bedding to which there is not securely sewed a cloth-backed tag which is at least six square inches in area and upon which there shall be stamped or printed with ink in the English language: (1) The name of the material or materials used to fill the article of bedding; (2) The name and address of the manufacturer, renovator, upholsterer, or vendor of the article of bedding; (3) The manufacturer's, upholsterer's, or renovator's certificate of registration number issued by the Department of Agriculture; and (4) The words 'Made of New Material' if such article contains no previously used material; or the words 'Made of Previously Used Material' if such article contains any material classified as 'Previously Used Material'; or the word 'Secondhand' if such article has been previously used but not remade. The words so stamped shall be in letters at least 1/4 inch high. The tag shall contain nothing of a misleading nature and shall be sewed to the outside cover of every article of bedding being manufactured, renovated, or reupholstered before the filling material has been placed therein. (b) No person, other than a purchaser for his or her own use, shall remove from articles of bedding or deface or alter the tag required under this Code section.
Code Section 31-25-7 states that the Department of Agriculture is authorized and empowered, through its duly authorized representatives, to enforce this chapter. This chapter shall have no application to articles of bedding manufactured by inmates for use by prisoners, detainees, or other government purposes. The Department of Agriculture shall not be authorized to enforce this chapter against the Department of Corrections or other local, state, or federal agencies.
Code Section 31-25-8 provides that the Department of Agriculture is authorized and empowered to inspect every place where articles of bedding are manufactured, renovated, reupholstered, or sold or where material used in such manufacture, renovating, or reupholstering is mixed, worked, sold, or stored
Code Section 31-25-9, provides that when a duly authorized representative of the Department of Agriculture has reasonable cause to believe that an article of bedding is not tagged or filled as required under Code Section 31-25-6, he or she shall have authority to open a seam of such article of bedding for the purpose of examining the filling and shall likewise have authority and power to examine any purchase records or invoices necessary to determine the kind of material used in such article of bedding. He or she shall have power to seize and hold for evidence any article of bedding or material made, possessed, or offered for sale contrary to this chapter.
Code Section 31-25-10 states that the Department of Agriculture shall have the power to require any person supplying material to a manufacturer, renovator, or reupholsterer to furnish such manufacturer, renovator, or reupholsterer an itemized invoice of all materials so supplied, which shall be retained by the manufacturer, renovator, or reupholsterer for one year. All such invoices shall be subject to inspection by the Department of Agriculture.
Code Section 31-25-11 lists that it is the intention of this chapter to prevent both the manufacture and sale in this state of articles of bedding unless manufactured and sold in conformity with its provisions. The Department of Agriculture may make and enforce reasonable rules and regulations for the enforcement of this chapter and may suspend, revoke, and void the certificate of registration of any person convicted of violating this chapter. Any person, a nonresident of this state, who has been issued a certificate of registration and who fails or refuses to enter an appearance in any court of record in this state to answer a charge or charges of violation after service upon such person of a notice by registered or certified mail to so appear or respond, shall have his or her certificate of registration peremptorily revoked by the Department of Agriculture. The articles of bedding manufactured or sold by such person shall not thereafter be sold in this state until such person has paid a special inspection fee of $1,000.00 and the Department of Agriculture has determined that such person is complying with this chapter, whereupon the Department of Agriculture shall reinstate or reissue the certificate of

registration to such person.
Code Section 31-25-12 provides that the possession of one or more articles covered by this chapter, when found in any store, warehouse, or place of business other than a private home, hotel, or other place where such articles are ordinarily used, shall constitute prima-facie evidence that the article or articles so possessed are possessed with intent to sell or process the same for sale.
Code Section 31-25-13 states that any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a high and aggravated misdemeanor punishable by not more than one year in prison or a fine of not more than $10,000.00, or both."
Section 2 This Act shall become effective on January 1, 2013. Section 3 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed. - Authored By: Rep. Ralph Long of the 61st - House Committee: Agriculture & Consumer Affairs - Rule: Modified-Open - Amendments(s): Long Am 21 3804 - Yeas: 58; Nays: 88
HB 651 - Charter system earnings; full-time equivalent student; repeal
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 651 relates to elementary and secondary education and to repeal the Code section dealing with additional charter system earnings for each full-time equivalent student. - Authored By: Rep. Howard Maxwell of the 17th - House Committee: Education - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): am 33 1185 - Yeas: 157; Nays: 4
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 - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Modified-Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 164; Nays: 1
HB 681 - Food sales and service establishments; revise definitions; exempt certain activities
- BILL SUMMARY: The substitute (LC 40 0075S) amends O.C.G.A. 26-2-21 relating to the standards, labeling and adulteration of food by revising the paragraph relative to food sales establishments.
Section 1 The existing paragraph (5) states, The term shall not include `food service establishments' as defined in Code Section 262-370. This term shall also not include establishments engaged in the sale of food primarily for consumption off the premises if such sale:"
Inserting technical or housekeeping changes for paragraph (A) through (C) to change it to (A) i to (A) iii as well as, provide for the insertion of a new subparagraph (B) which reads as follows:
(B) Is an authorized part of a fundraising activity conducted by a public or private school or by a religious, charitable, or similar nonprofit organization, in which one or more licensed food sales establishments sells food in accordance with the requirements of this article.

Section 2 Said chapter is further amended by revising paragraph 2 of Code Section 26-2-370, relating to definitions relative to food service establishments.
Inserting changes for paragraph (A) through (C) to change it to (i) to (iii) as well as, provide for the insertion of a new language in (A) Is an authorized part of and occurs upon the site of a fair, festival or special event which:
(i) Is sponsored by a political subdivision of this state or be an organization exempt from taxes under paragraph 1 of subsection (a) of Code Section 48-7-25 or under Section 501(d) or paragraph (1) through (8) or paragrapah (10) of Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code, as that code is defined in Code Section 48-1-2:
(ii) Lasts 120 Hours or less; and
(iii) When sponsored by such an organization, is authorized to be conducted pursuant to a permit issuesd by the municipality or county in which it is conducted; or
Subparagraph (B) which reads as follows: (B) Is an authorized part of a fundraising activity conducted by a public or private school or by a religious, charitable, or similar nonprofit organization, in which one or more permitted food service establishments sells or distributes edible products prepared by such food service establishment in accordance with the requirements of this article. - Authored By: Rep. Pam Dickerson of the 95th - House Committee: Agriculture & Consumer Affairs - Rule: Modified-Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 163; Nays: 2
HB 684 - Natural Resources, Department of; transfer certain responsibilities for state parks to local governing authorities; authorize
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 684
Section 1 The legislation creates a new Code section 12-3-35 of the OCGA, relating to state parks and recreational areas. a.) The term `change in services' is defined to mean the closing of a state park or recreational area or a significant reduction in the hours of operation or services offered at the indicated state park. This condition applies to instances where such a reduction is likely to lead to fewer visitors to the state park or recreational area. b.) States that the governing authority of each municipality and county, where the state park or recreational area is located, shall be notified in writing at least 60 days prior to the Board of Natural Resources voting on such a proposed change or at least 60 days prior to the department implementing the change, whichever occurs first. c.) The department is authorized to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the local governing authority in which the state park or recreational area is located, for the purpose of transferring control, operating, and management responsibilities for, or within, a state park or recreational area. This transfer of total or partial management responsibilities provided for under this Code section shall occur only upon the Board of Natural Resources or the local governing authority finding that such a transfer is in the best interest of the public. d.) The department shall, at the request of the local governing authority, submit a request and recommendation in writing to each member of the Board of Natural Resources for the board's consideration of the transfer of stated total or partial management responsibilities for a state park or recreation area. The board shall make the final determination regarding each request for transfer.
Section 2 This act shall become effective upon the approval of the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval
Section 3 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed. - Authored By: Rep. Debbie Buckner of the 130th - House Committee: Game, Fish, & Parks - Rule: Modified-Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 163; Nays: 0

HB 685 - Dogs; dangerous and vicious; extensively revise provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 685 redefines the dog classifications of a dangerous dog, potentially dangerous dog and vicious dog. As introduced, the bill removed the one free bite rule. However, this provision is not in the committee substitute.
The bill requires registration for possession of a vicious dog and a microchip ID; provides court order for euthanasia of dogs that have bitten humans more than once; prohibits ownership of more than one vicious dog; and prohibits felons from ownership of certain dogs.
It provides for exemptions for law enforcement or military dogs, hunting dogs and a dog that attacks a trespasser. - Authored By: Rep. Gene Maddox of the 172nd - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): am 29 2000 - Yeas: 170; Nays: 0
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 - House Committee: Appropriations - Rule: Modified-Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 151; Nays: 21
HB 792 - Nonpublic Postsecondary Educational Institutions Act of 1990; operate by means of accreditation; provide authorization
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation amends Code Section 20-3-250.8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to applications to operate or conduct postsecondary activities under the "Nonpublic Postsecondary Educational Institutions Act of 1990," so as to provide for authorization to operate by means of accreditation for nonpublic postsecondary institutions that meet certain requirements. These requirements include: the institution has operated legally in this state for at least five consecutive years, the institution holds accreditation by an accrediting agency that is recognized by either the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or the United States Department of Education, and the institution has no unresolved complaints or actions against it in the past 12 months. The Nonpublic Postsecondary Educational Commission (NPEC) reviews the applications for operation, and the commission may not require an institution granted an authorization to operate to submit information or reports that differ from the information or reports required by its accrediting association. Each institution shall file with the commission an application for renewal, which shall be accompanied by payment of fees specified in Code Section 20-3-250.11. In addition to the applications for renewal, institutions desiring to operate new or existing programs which exceed the level or scope of the institution's existing accreditation shall be required to apply for and obtain such authorization. - Authored By: Rep. David Casas of the 103rd - House Committee: Higher Education - Rule: Modified-Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 149; Nays: 11
HB 797 - State chartered special schools; revise funding
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill establishes the State Charter Schools Commission as a state-level authorizing entity working in collaboration with the Department of Education under the supervision of the State Board of Education. The Commission would have the power to approve or deny petitions for state charter schools, and renew, nonrenew, or terminate petitions in accordance with State Board of Education rules and regulations. The State Board of Education would be able to overrule the approval or renewal within 60 days of the decision upon a majority vote of the members of the state board. The Commission would also have the power to conduct facility and curriculum reviews of state charter schools. The bill goes on to outline the requirements for eligibility to put in a petition, the responsibilities of the state charter schools in the event that petitions are approved or terminated. The legislation also provides for appropriations of funds for the state charter schools by the Georgia General Assembly and shall be treated consistently with all other public schools in this state, pursuant to the respective statutory funding formulas and grants. This Act would become effective on January 1, 2013, only if a Constitutional amendment authorizing the General Assembly to create charter schools as special schools is ratified at the November, 2012, general election. - Authored By: Rep. Jan Jones of the 46th - House Committee: Education - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 115; Nays: 49

HB 818 - Income tax credit; certain commercial geothermal heat pumps; include
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation clarifies the energy conservation income credit provided for in 48-7-29.14 so as to allow for a three phase heat pump to be allowed in the credit. Additionally the bill lowers the amount of the credit in calendar year 2014 to 2.5 million from 5 million. - Authored By: Rep. Don Parsons of the 42nd - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 164; Nays: 0
HB 822 - Georgia Taxpayer Protection False Claims Act; enact
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 822 expands the use of the state Attorney General's office to investigate individuals and corporations that engage in fraudulent activity with taxpayer money. Medicaid claims are already subject to this investigative measure. - Authored By: Rep. Edward Lindsey of the 54th - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 165; Nays: 0
HB 827 - Traffic offenses; fleeing or attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle; modify provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill makes eluding or fleeing from law enforcement a felony offense. - Authored By: Rep. Bill Hembree of the 67th - House Committee: Public Safety & Homeland Security - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): am 35 0274 - Yeas: 164; Nays: 2
HB 844 - Bonds; certain validation hearing appearance provisions; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 844 strengthens weaknesses in the validation process under which local development authorities issue Industrial Revenue Bond, bond anticipation notes and other financial instruments for the purpose of stimulating economic development and assisting new, expanding or relocating businesses to come to Georgia.
The committee substitute removes a provision that required individuals to be subject to the Civil Practice Act because the committee was concerned that the requirement created an unnecessary procedural roadblock. - Authored By: Rep. Charles E. Martin of the 47th - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 156; Nays: 1
HB 851 - Taxation of intangibles; rates charged by collecting officers; change certain requirements
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation alters the population brackets for the percent of intangible tax local county collectors may retain as compensation for the collection of such tax. Currently Dekalb and Fulton counties are the only two that are subject to this requirement that they may only retain 4% of the tax, whereas the rest of the counties may retain 6%. With the new census, Cobb and Gwinnett counties would be subject to this legislation to only be entitled to the 4% of revenue. This legislation alters the brackets so as to keep the same applicability as before this census. - Authored By: Rep. Tom Rice of the 51st - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 145; Nays: 22

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 - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 114; Nays: 59
HB 868 - Income tax credits; business enterprises located in less developed areas designated by tiers; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: In Sections 1 and 2 of HB 868 the bill seeks to clarify 48-7-40 so as to include manufacturers of alternative energy products, biomedical manufactures and provides jobs which are industrial in nature to be eligible for the JOBS tax credit. Furthermore the legislation defines a new full-time employee job, to require 35 hours of work per week and have a higher salary than the average salary of the county. In Section 3 there is an expansion of the Research and Development Tax Credit to allow companies to take this credit against their State withholding liability. Section 4 includes an expansion of Port Tax Credit Bonus and allows Port Tax Credit bonus to be used in Less Developed Census Tracts, Military Zones, and Opportunity Zones. Lastly, in section 5 the Quality Job Tax Credit is expanded for use by military contractors. - Authored By: Rep. Doug Collins of the 27th - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 167; Nays: 0
HB 872 - Commerce and trade; secondary metals recyclers; provide comprehensive revision of provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 872 limits from whom a secondary metals recycler may purchase copper coil or wire and limits the form of payment to a check or electronic funds transfer payable to the person who is recorded as a seller. It requires additional information to be kept in the records of each transaction, provides for forfeiture proceedings when any copper has being taken illegally, and requires registration of secondary metal recyclers with the sheriff of each county.
As introduced, HB 872 regulates the selling of 'burial objects' as scrap metal. However, the committee substitute removed this provision. - Authored By: Rep. Jason Shaw of the 176th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): am 37 0171 - Yeas: 168; Nays: 2
HB 940 - Georgia Public Defender Standards Council; pay attorney in event of conflict of interest in capital cases; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: In the event a capital defender is unable to represent a defendant in a capital felony case, HB 940 requires the attorney appointed by the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council to receive approval from the assigned judge of his or her attorney's fees prior to submission to the council for payment. - Authored By: Rep. B.J. Pak of the 102nd - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 122; Nays: 40

HB 946 - Mortgage lenders and brokers; certain mortgage activities without a license; prohibit
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 946 makes changes to the Georgia Code relating to the licensing of mortgage lenders and brokers.
No person will be allowed to engage directly or indirectly in activities as a mortgage broker, lender, or loan originator or represent themselves as being authorized as such unless licensed to do so or exempted from being licensed. An individual must not have been the subject of a final determination by the Mortgage Testing Education Board of Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry for violation of the rules and conduct for test takers sitting for any written national or state licensing test within the previous 5 years. The written test may be offered 3 consecutive times for passage, as long as there are 30 days in between each test. The department is not required to revoke or not issue a license to a person engaging in the mortgage business who has been convicted of a felony but receives a pardon that restores their rights that had been previously taken away by a conviction A mortgage lender whose license or registration has expired or been revoked, suspended, or surrendered from servicing residential mortgage loans for itself or other mortgage lenders will be granted 6 months to follow through with written servicing contracts that were in existence on the last day the license or registration was active. - Authored By: Rep. Sam Teasley of the 38th - House Committee: Banks & Banking - Rule: Modified-Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 167; Nays: 1
HB 961 - Homeowners' Solar Bill of Rights; enact
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 961 prevents homeowners associations after January 1, 2013, from prohibiting homeowners from installing or using solar energy devices except in limited circumstances, nor can the associations require a permit or fee for the installation or use of one. - Authored By: Rep. Karla Drenner of the 86th - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Modified-Open - Amendments(s): Willard, Welch Am 2 - Yeas: 84; Nays: 79
HB 965 - Income tax; allow certain fiduciaries an exception to the requirement of paying estimated taxes
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation clarifies the applicability of the requirement to remit estimated income tax by fiduciaries to coincide with federal law, by removing the requirement of filing such taxes two years after the death of the decedent in relation to the estate of such decedent and a testamentary trust. - Authored By: Rep. David Knight of the 126th - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 161; Nays: 0
HB 967 - Income tax; withholding tax on taxable income of nonresident members of certain associations; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation alters the taxation of partnerships, Subchapter S corporations and limited liability companies so as to require the withholding of taxes from only non-resident members of such entities on the share of taxable income that the entity had in a given tax year. This change is to clarify the withholding practices for resident members of the types of entities mentioned above; due to the requirement that such income is already required to be present on the filer's state income tax return. - Authored By: Rep. David Knight of the 126th - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 163; Nays: 0

HB 985 - Motor Vehicles; temporary license plates; modify provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 985 modifies provisions relating to temporary license plates for motor vehicles. It provides for an extension of time for registration of motor vehicles under certain circumstances. It removes lamination requirements for motor vehicle decals. It provides for the furnishing of motor vehicle driver information to the Department of Revenue for the purpose of detecting fraud. - Authored By: Rep. Alan Powell of the 29th - House Committee: Motor Vehicles - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 165; Nays: 0
HB 994 - Ad valorem taxation; preferential assessment of brownfield property; extend under certain circumstances
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation would allow property owners whose property qualifies under the "Georgia Hazardous Site Reuse and Redevelopment Act," and such property has already been filed for preferential assessments of the property tax under the act, whose property has also suffered a stoppage in redevelopment for a period of more than 180 days, to swear out an affidavit stating such periods of inactivity. After such documentation has been provided to the county's board of assessors one additional year is to be granted for every 365 days of inactivity, as long as the total period of preferential assessments last no longer than 15 years. - Authored By: Rep. Edward Lindsey of the 54th - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 157; Nays: 0
HB 1027 - Revenue and taxation; tax credit for film or video production in Georgia; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 1027 seeks to clarify HB 48-7-40.26 so as to preclude the credit going for expenditures related to footage shot outside of the state, development costs including story right's cost. Additionally, the legislation requires that a static or animated Georgia logo be inserted in the credits before the crew line in the credits, unless specifically prohibited by federal law or contractual obligations at which time the production company may submit a financially equivalent plan of advertising to the Department of Economic Development. The bill ensures that local interest programming, instructional videos, corporate videos or any project not record within the state are not eligible for the credit. Additionally, any company that acts as a subcontractor of a production company, that will be the end recipient of the credit, must register with the Secretary of State as a business operating within the state and withhold income taxes on the wages paid to employees. - Authored By: Rep. Ron Stephens of the 164th - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 154; Nays: 0
HB 1048 - Civil practice; who may serve process; change provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 1048 allows for the appointment of permanent process servers by the courts as well as statewide service by these process servers while removing the sheriff's gatekeeper provision.
In addition, HB 1048 adds a filing fee for an application to be appointed as a certified process server. - Authored By: Rep. Wendell Willard of the 49th - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 142; Nays: 21
HB 1051 - Public transit authorities; suspension of restrictions on use of annual proceeds from sales and use taxes; repeal provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill will repeal the provisions in the OCGA relating to the make up of the MARTA Board and the 50/50 split of funds passed in the Transportation Investment Act of 2010. This repeal will only go into effect if HB 1052, The MARTA Act rewrite is passed and signed into law. - Authored By: Rep. Mike Jacobs of the 80th - House Committee: Transportation - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 158; Nays: 40

HB 1052 - Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Act of 1965; reconstitute board of directors
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation updates and changes provisions of the MARTA Act of 1965. Section 1 revises the board terms and make up. The members would now serve staggered terms and the Executive Director of Georgia Regional Transportation Authority would now be a voting member. Section 2 requires that contracts given for professional services (attorneys, consultants, engineers, etc) be solicited and awarded through requests for proposals following the generally accepted government procurement standards or through procedures otherwise required by federal law. Section 3 would allow MARTA to post financial reports on their website. The Authority would be required to send an electronic notice of publication to each local governing body of each participating local government of the Metro Atlanta area. Section 4 requires the Capital Improvement Budget to include a ten year look back at how implementation and execution has gone in the past. Section 5 relaxes the 50/50 split through 2013. Section 6 provides an effective date of January 1, 2013. - Authored By: Rep. Mike Jacobs of the 80th - House Committee: Transportation - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): am 39 0011 - Yeas: 115; Nays: 55
HB 1066 - Alcoholic beverages; licenses; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 1066 amends Title 3 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to alcoholic beverages. Section 1 Code Section 3-2-7 relating to the expiration and renewal of licenses generally, continuation of operations by licensee pending final approval or disapproval of application for renewal, penalty for late application for renewal, and temporary permits is amended by revising dates future licenses may be issued and renewed. On or after July 1, 2013 licenses for retailers and retail dealers shall be issued for a 12 month period rather than a calendar year and for the renewal application to be received 60 to 90 days prior to expiration rather than on or before November 1. The effective day and expiration day shall be clearly marked on the license. Section 2 Code Section 3-3-21 relating to sales of alcoholic beverages near churches, school buildings, or other sites is amended by replacing the phrase `churches, schools, and colleges' with `church buildings, school buildings, educational buildings, school grounds, and college campuses.' Distances shall be measured from the property line of the regulated business, to the property line of the church building, school building, educational building, school ground, and college campus, along a straight line representing the shortest distance between the two property lines. Licenses granted prior to June 30, 2012 shall not be revoked or denied renewal by reason of the method of measurement. Paragraph (d) regarding the separation of licensed businesses from schools and churches in counties having a population of not less than 175,000 nor more than 195,000 is removed. Section 3 Code Section 3-4-20 relating to the levy and amount of state occupational license tax is amended to include an annual occupational license tax of $100.00 upon each special event use permit application. It is further amended to state that an annual occupational license tax shall be paid for each place of business operated and that payment shall be submitted immediately upon assuming control and annually thereafter. Section 4 Code Section 3-4-111 relating to sale by wholesalers to licensees and purchases by licensees from wholesalers is amended to state that any distilled spirits possessed, sold, or offered for sale by a retail dealer which are purchased or acquired from a person other than an authorized wholesale dealer are declared to be contraband and shall be seized and disposed of by the commissioner. Section 5 Code Section 3-4-111.1 relating to occupational license tax upon retail consumption dealers and bond required of applicants for a retail consumption dealer's license is amended to state that an annual occupational license tax shall be paid for each place of business operated and that an application for a retail consumption dealer's license and payment of the required tax shall be submitted immediately upon assuming control and annually thereafter. Section 6 Code Section 3-5-20 relating to levy and amount of state occupational license tax is amended to include an annual occupational license tax of $50.00 upon each special event use permit application. It is further amended to state that an annual occupational license tax shall be paid for each place of business operated and that an application for the applicable license and payment of the required tax shall be submitted immediately upon assuming control and annually thereafter. Section 7 Code Section 3-6-20 relating to levy and amount of tax is amended to include an annual occupational license tax of $50.00 upon each special event use permit application. It is further amended to state that an annual occupational license tax shall be paid for each place of business operated and that an application for the applicable license and payment of the required tax shall be submitted immediately upon assuming control and annually thereafter.

Section 8 Code Section 3-14-1 is added. Chapter 14 states that the commissioner may issue a special event use permit for the sale of alcoholic beverages for certain events which would otherwise require a retail or retail dealer's license. Special event use permits shall not be valid for more than ten days. The commissioner shall specify by rule or regulation the events that shall qualify for a special event use permit. Estate sales, the sale of inventory authorized under a bankruptcy proceeding, and similar activities shall qualify for the special event use permit. Section 9 This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2012. Section 10 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 - Amendments(s): am 36 0352 - Yeas: 121; Nays: 37
HB 1067 - Portable electronics insurance; issuance and regulation of limited licenses to sell; provide for comprehensive revision of provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 1067 provides for the comprehensive revision of provisions regarding the issuance and regulation of limited licenses to sell portable electronics insurance.
" Portable electronics" means handsets, pagers, personal digital assistants, portable computers, automatic answering devices, cellular telephones, batteries, and other similar devices and their accessories used to originate or receive communications signals or service for individual customer use only and includes services related to the use of such devices, including, but not limited to, individual customer access to a wireless network. - Authored By: Rep. Carl Rogers of the 26th - House Committee: Insurance - Rule: Modified-Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 149; Nays: 0
HB 1071 - Excise tax; certain tobacco products; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation would require that all retail establishments who sell tobacco products must renew their license annually as well as maintain certain documentation pertaining to the inventory of tobacco that they have on hand at any given time. The bill further clarifies the definition of little cigar to ensure that the correct tax is being remitted for the correct product. Lastly, criminal penalties were clarified and strengthened throughout the code. - Authored By: Rep. Penny Houston of the 170th - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 161; Nays: 3
HB 1080 - Georgia Emergency Telephone Number 9-1-1 Service Act of 1977; eliminate Advisory Committee
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 1080 relates to the "Georgia Emergency Telephone Number 9-1-1 Act of 1977" by eliminating the 9-1-1 Advisory Committee, which is currently inactive but required to meet under existing law. - Authored By: Rep. Ann Purcell of the 159th - House Committee: Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications - Rule: Modified-Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 170; Nays: 0
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 - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 150; Nays: 18

HB 1093 - Crimes and offenses; removal of shopping carts and required posting of Code section in stores and markets; change provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: The proposed legislation would change a few provisions in OCGA 16-8-21 relating to the theft or the removal/abandonment of shopping carts.
This Code section makes it a misdemeanor for any person to remove a shopping cart from the premises of its owner without consent.
The bill removes the provision that requires the owner of the store in which the shopping cart is used to post printed copies of this Code section in his or her store. - Authored By: Rep. Paulette Braddock of the 19th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Modified-Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 165; Nays: 2
HB 1110 - Health; penalties relative to owning or operating of unlicensed personal care homes; revise provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: Section 1: Adds neglect of a disabled adult or elder under criminal offenses and penalties in 30-5-8.
Section 2: Allows national background checks to be run on an individual who would be providing care to an elder or handicapped adult.
Section 3: Strikes any personal care homes in existence on July 1, 1994 as being exempt from this law. Allows any unlicensed personal care home to be assessed by the department. Requires the department to send a notice by certified mail stating that licensure is required and the department's intent to impose a civil penalty. Allows the civil penalty to be doubled if the operator continues to operate the unlicensed personal care home after receipt of notice. Declares that owning or operating an unlicensed personal care home in Georgia constitutes a nuisance that is dangerous to the public's health, safety, and welfare. Any person who owns or operations an unlicensed personal care home will be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Section 5: Allows the Georgia Bureau of Investigations to identify and investigate elder abuse cases. - Authored By: Rep. Sharon Cooper of the 41st - House Committee: Health & Human Services - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 155; Nays: 11
HB 1114 - Homicide; offering to assist in commission of suicide; repeal certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 1114 criminalizes the knowing assistance of suicide and makes it a felony punishable by 1-10 years.
The bill only applies to individuals actually assisting in a suicide and does not apply to hospitals, associations or to common medical procedures and efforts to relieve pain and treat diseases that might actually shorten life. - Authored By: Rep. Ed Setzler of the 35th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): am 29 1095 - Yeas: 124; Nays: 45

HB 1115 - Public utilities and public transportation; telecommunications; revise and update certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 1115 revises and updates the provisions pertaining to telecommunications by removing the reporting, operating, and service requirements of telegraph companies. Duplicative regulations covered by the federal government are also removed from the Georgia Code in this legislation. - Authored By: Rep. Mike Dudgeon of the 24th - House Committee: Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 156; Nays: 0
HB 1119 - Atkinson County; Probate Court judge; provide nonpartisan elections
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide for the non-partisan election of the Probate Judge of Atkinson County. - Authored By: Rep. Chuck Sims of the 169th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Rule: Modified-Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 147; Nays: 7
HB 1120 - Atkinson County; chief magistrate judge; provide nonpartisan elections
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide for the non-partisan election of the Chief Magistrate of Atkinson County. - Authored By: Rep. Chuck Sims of the 169th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Rule: Modified-Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 145; Nays: 10
HB 1121 - Coffee County; chief magistrate judge; provide nonpartisan elections
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide for the non-partisan election of the Chief Magistrate of Coffee County. - Authored By: Rep. Chuck Sims of the 169th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Rule: Modified-Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 144; Nays: 16
HB 1123 - Annexation; unincorporated islands; repeal Article 6
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 1123 repeals a provision in the code that allows for the unilateral incorporation of unincorporated isalnds created by incorporations prior to 1992. These islands can still incorporated by using one of three methods provided for in the law. - Authored By: Rep. Larry O`Neal of the 146th - House Committee: Governmental Affairs - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 157; Nays: 0
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 - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 162; Nays: 0
HB 1165 - Taxation; unreturned property; eliminate population provisions; provide penalties
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill repeals both the population requirement for assessing unreturned property assessments as well as the penalty for unreturned property assessments. - Authored By: Rep. Josh Clark of the 98th - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 164; Nays: 0

HB 1123 - Annexation; unincorporated islands; repeal Article 6
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 1123 repeals a provision in the code that allows for the unilateral incorporation of unincorporated isalnds created by incorporations prior to 1992. These islands can still incorporated by using one of three methods provided for in the law. - Authored By: Rep. Larry O`Neal of the 146th - House Committee: Governmental Affairs - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 157; Nays: 0
HB 1178 - Education, Department of; ten-year projection of costs for bills to create a program or funding category having impact on revenues or expenditures; require
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation amends 28-5-42 so that requests for a bill having a significant impact on the anticipated revenue or expenditure level of the Department of Education which creates a new program or funding category, the fiscal note shall include a ten-year projection of the costs of such new program or funding category. - Authored By: Rep. Tom Dickson of the 6th - House Committee: Education - Rule: Modified-Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 145; Nays: 1
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 - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Modified-Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 154; Nays: 0
HR 1160 - Word, Mr. Lathan Rydell; compensate
- BILL SUMMARY: HR 1160 compensates Mr. Lathan Word for his wrongful conviction and imprisonment by the State of Georgia. In 1999, six days before he was to begin Marine Corps boot camp, Mr. Word was falsely implicated in an armed robbery in Columbus. In September 2000 he was convicted of armed robbery and possession of a firearm and sentenced to fifteen years in prison.
In 2011, the Court of Appeals overturned Mr. Word's conviction and ordered a new trial. At the new trial, the victim of the 1999 armed robbery testified that he had lied when he stated that Mr. Word was the person who robbed him, and Mr. Word was exonerated of the crimes and released from prison.
The Claims Advisory Board recommended compensation for Mr. Word based on the eleven years he spent in prison for a wrongful conviction. HR 1160 awards $400,000 to Mr. Word for loss of liberty, personal injury, lost wages, injury to reputation, emotional distress, loss of consortion, loss of familial association, and other damages over those eleven years, plus expenses incurred trying to prove his innocence.
$300,000 of the award will be purchased by the Department of Administrative Services as a 20-year annuity, and $100,000 will be paid as an initial lump sum payment, for a total award of $400,000. Such award is not subject to state income taxes. - Authored By: Rep. Carolyn Hugley of the 133rd - House Committee: Appropriations - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 95; Nays: 44

HR 1161 - Cauley, Mr. James A.; compensate and provide state income tax exclusion
- BILL SUMMARY: HR 1161 compensates Mr. James Cauley for an injury he sustained at the Department of Labor office in Americus. In July 2011 Mr. Cauley went to the DOL office to enroll his son in Job Corps. While attempting to sit in a wheeled chair, the chair rolled and he fell, hitting his head. This caused a neck and back injury for which he has incurred substantial medical bills that the Veteran's Administration will not pay. He has no other medical insurance or financial resources, and his spouse has suffered lost wages as a result of his injury.
The Claims Advisory Board recommended compensation for Mr. Cauley for personal injury, lost wages, emotional distress, and other damages, since the injury was through no fault or negligence on his part. The resolution would compensate Mr. Cauley for his medical bills, totaling $4,448, plus additional fees and penalties that have accrued since he could not pay them, for a total of $7,500. - Authored By: Rep. Debbie Buckner of the 130th - House Committee: Appropriations - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): AM 37 0172 - Yeas 93 ; Nays: 51
HR 1237 - Federal government; cease collection of motor fuel taxes in Georgia; urge
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution urges that the funds collected under the federal gas tax to immediately available to individual states to fund their transportation needs and urges the federal government to cease the collection of motor fuel taxes in Georgia so that the state can collect an distribute the taxes without delay caused by federal collection and disbursement. - Authored By: Rep. Charles E. Martin of the 47th - House Committee: Transportation - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 135; Nays: 29
LOCAL CALENDAR
HB 1188 - Oak Grove Cemetery Authority; create
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to create the Oak Grove Cemetery Authority in the City of St. Marys and to provide for its powers and duties. - Authored By: Rep. Jason Spencer of the 180th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 145; Nays: 0
HB 1191 - Lavonia, City of; levy an excise tax
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to authorize the levy of a hotel/motel tax in the City of Lavonia. - Authored By: Rep. Alan Powell of the 29th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 145; Nays: 0
HB 1193 - Monroe County Public Facilities Authority Act; limiting authority to issue revenue bonds to four years; repeal certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to amend the Act which created the Monroe County Public Facilities Authority so as to repeal provisions which limit the authority's power to issue revenue bonds to four years. - Authored By: Rep. Robert Dickey of the 136th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 145; Nays: 0

HB 1195 - Chattooga County; revise compensation of commissioner
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide compensation to the Commissioner of Chattooga County. - Authored By: Rep. Barbara Massey Reece of the 11th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 145; Nays: 0
HB 1196 - Macon Water Authority Act; change description of electoral districts
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to reapportion the Macon Water Authority electoral districts. - Authored By: Rep. Nikki T. Randall of the 138th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 145; Nays: 0
HB 1202 - Clayton County; board of commissioners; revise districts
- BILL SUMMARY: A bill to reapportion the Clayton County Board of Commissioners. - Authored By: Rep. Roberta Abdul-Salaam of the 74th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 145; Nays: 0
* The House will reconvene Monday, March 12, at 10:00 AM, for its 31st Legislative Day.
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COMMITTEE ACTION REPORT
HB 1027 - Revenue and taxation; tax credit for film or video production in Georgia; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 1027 seeks to clarify HB 48-7-40.26 so as to preclude the credit going for expenditures related to footage shot outside of the state, development costs including story right's cost. Additionally, the legislation requires that a static or animated Georgia logo be inserted in the credits before the crew line in the credits, unless specifically prohibited by federal law or contractual obligations at which time the production company may submit a financially equivalent plan of advertising to the Department of Economic Development. The bill ensures that local interest programming, instructional videos, corporate videos or any project not record within the state are not eligible for the credit. Additionally, any company that acts as a subcontractor of a production company, that will be the end recipient of the credit, must register with the Secretary of State as a business operating within the state and withhold income taxes on the wages paid to employees. - Authored By: Rep. Ron Stephens of the 164th - 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

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Thursday, March 08, 2012 INFORMATION & AUDITS

403 CAP

* 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.