Daily report [Mar. 1, 2013]

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

TOMORROW'S FORECAST
* The House will reconvene for its 28th Legislative Day on Monday, March 4, at 10:00 AM. * 28 bills are expected to be debated on the floor.

GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
DAILY REPORT

Friday, March 01, 2013
TODAY ON THE FLOOR

27th Legislative Day

RULES CALENDAR
HB 21 - Adoption; postadoption contact agreements; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 21 codifies parameters for postadoption contact agreements. Any disagreement over post-adoption visitation will not set aside any adoption order.
A postadoption contact agreement must contain certain warnings in bold face, be in writing and signed by all parties. It may set forth certain privileges such as future contact and visitation with the child. HB 21 provides for the ability to modify and/or enforce the agreement.
Any party may file the agreement with the court if the agreement provides for court enforcement or is silent on the issue. Jurisdiction over enforcement continues in the original court granting the adoption petition. Any litigation expenses over enforcement is borne by the party that fails to comply or files a frivolous action. - Authored By: Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver of the 82nd - House Committee: Juvenile Justice - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 157; Nays: 3
HB 71 - Georgia Municipal Employees Benefit System; total percentage of investments permissible in real estate investments; increase
- BILL SUMMARY: HB71 allows the Georgia Municipal Employees Benefit System and any other association of like political subdivisions which contracts with its members for the pooling of assets to invest up to 10 percent of the total assets of its fund in real estate. Current law states that such systems may invest an amount up to 5 percent of the total assets of its fund in real estate. This is a nonfiscal retirement bill. - Authored By: Rep. Lynne Riley of the 50th - House Committee: Retirement - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 150; Nays: 13
HB 99 - Malt beverages; amount produced by a person in his or her private residence; change
- BILL SUMMARY: House bill 99 makes changes to the provisions regarding malt beverages produced by a person in his or her residence and provides regulations for home-brew special events in the following manner: No more than 100 gallons may be produced in any private residence per calendar year if there is only one person of legal drinking age residing there; No more than 200 gallons may be produced in any private residence per calendar year if there are two or more persons of legal drinking age residing there; No more than 50 gallons may be produced in a 90 day period; Said malt beverages may only be consumed at the residence where produced and only by persons of legal drinking age, except for as provided by this Code section; Malt beverages produced may be transported and delivered by the producer for use at home-brew special events in a quantity not to exceed 25 gallons, in a sealed container;

Transported malt beverages must be clearly labeled with the producer's name, address of residence where it was produced, name and address of special event location, and the permit number of the special event; A home-brew special event permit will cost $50.00 and will be valid for no more than 6 events per calendar year; Consumption of malt beverages at home-brew special events will be limited to the participants and judges of the event; Any local governing authority that issues home-brew special event permits must adopt ordinances or resolutions governing these events; and Said beverages will not be sold or made available for consumption by the general public. - Authored By: Rep. Jason Spencer of the 180th - House Committee: Regulated Industries - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 151; Nays: 4
HB 171 - Fulton County; Board of Commissioners; change description of districts
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to reapportion the Fulton County Board of Commissioners. - Authored By: Rep. Lynne Riley of the 50th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 99; Nays: 54
HB 253 - Athens-Clarke County; provide future nonpartisan elections for office of probate judge
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide for the nonpartisan election of the Probate Judge of the Probate Court of Athens/Clarke County. - Authored By: Rep. Regina Quick of the 117th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Rule: Modified-Open - Amendments(s): N/A - Yeas: 134; Nays: 24
HB 284 - Return to Play Act of 2013; enact
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 284 enacts the "Return to Play Act of 2013". This act will require public and private schools that provide youth athletic activities, to provide information to parents on the nature and risk of concussions and head injury. It also establishes concussion management and return to play policies. - Authored By: Rep. Jimmy Pruett of the 149th - House Committee: Education - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 161; Nays: 7
HB 298 - Agricultural Commodity Commission for Georgia Grown Products; create
- BILL SUMMARY: The bill amends Chapter 8 of Title 2 of the O.C.G.A. relating to agricultural commodities promotion, to create the Agricultural Commodity Commission for Georgia Grown Products, to provide for the operation and the function of the commodity commission and for other purposes. - Authored By: Rep. Robert Dickey of the 140th - House Committee: Agriculture & Consumer Affairs - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 161; Nays: 1
HB 346 - Fulton County; appointment of tax commissioner; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide for the appointment of the tax commissioner of Fulton County and to limit certain compensation for that office. - Authored By: Rep. Harry Geisinger of the 48th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 100; Nays: 56
HB 347 - Fulton County; board of elections and registration; revise manner of appointment of members
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to revise the manner of appointing the members of the board of elections and registration for Fulton County. - Authored By: Rep. Lynne Riley of the 50th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open

- Yeas: 100; Nays: 56
HB 349 - Criminal cases; provide state with more direct appeal rights
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 349 is based on recommendations of the Governor's Criminal Justice Reform Council ("Council") Recommendations.
Sections 1-3 grant the state the right to appeal a pre-trial ruling excluding evidence. These sections were not part of the Council's recommendations.
Sections 4 and 5 allow a judge to use his discretion to depart from mandatory minimums for drug trafficking up to 50% in certain enumerated circumstances.
In addition, Section 4 addresses a recent Georgia Supreme Court case, Wilson v. State, by removing the word 'knowingly' in regards to the weight of the drugs. This amendment clarifies that the person does not have to have subjective knowledge of the actual weight of the drug in order to be found guilty under the statute.
Section 6 revises the definition of administrative probation to allow the Board of Pardons and Paroles to utilize resources elsewhere while remaining in compliance with the Interstate Compact.
Sections 7-9 grant discretion to the court for departure from a mandatory minimum sentence for a serious violent felony when the prosecuting attorney and defendant agree.
Section 10 creates a Council on Criminal Justice Reform of for periodic review of criminal and correctional laws.
Section 11 codifies current law regarding child hearsay of a child witness to sexual or physical abuse of another child. This section was also not a recommendation of the Council.
Sections 12 and 13 allow for court discretion to grant a limited driving permit to a participant of drug court.
Section 15 allows the Department of Corrections to collect fees for drug screenings for probationers. - Authored By: Rep. Rich Golick of the 40th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Modified-Structured - Amendments(s): AM 29 2151, AM 29 2153 - Yeas: 163; Nays: 0
HB 437 - Atlanta Judicial Circuit; provide for selection of chief judge
- BILL SUMMARY: While allowing for deference to the Courts for internal governance, HB 437 provides an outline of enumerated duties for the chief judge of the Atlanta Judicial Circuit, often in conference with the state court chief judge, when the judges are unable to agree. These duties include scheduling regular judge's meetings; managing available court space; making determinations of divisions; selection of jury clerk and oversight and developing a personnel system. - Authored By: Rep. Wendell Willard of the 51st - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 163; Nays: 0
HB 441 - Fulton County Superior Court; administrator shall have oversight of budget; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 441 grants the Superior Court of Fulton County budget independence.
It grants the court administrator of the Superior Court of Fulton County oversight of the court's budget. After county funds have been appropriated for the operation of the court, the court administrator, with the approval of the chief judge, has authority to make changes to line item appropriations. - Authored By: Rep. Wendell Willard of the 51st - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 158; Nays: 0
HB 442 - Fulton County State Court; administrator shall have oversight of budget; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide for the administration of the budget of the State Court of Fulton County, to provide that the court administrator shall have oversight of the budget, to provide that the court administrator, with the approval of the chief judge, is authorized to make changes to line item appropriations, and to provide that any unexpended funds at the end of the fiscal year shall lapse to the general fund of Fulton County.

- Authored By: Rep. Wendell Willard of the 51st - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 100; Nays: 56
HB 446 - Guardian and ward; proposed ward who resided in another state prior to submission of guardianship or conservatorship petition for such proposed ward; provide certain additional notice requirements
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 446 provides for an additional notice requirement for a proposed ward who resided in another state prior to the submission of a guardianship or conservatorship petition.
The petition must set forth any state the proposed ward was physically present, including a period of temporary absence, for at least the immediate preceding six months, and notice must be given to those persons who reside in such other state. - Authored By: Rep. Allen Peake of the 141st - House Committee: Juvenile Justice - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 162; Nays: 0
HB 452 - Milton, City of; change description of districts
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to reapportion the city council of the City of Milton. - Authored By: Rep. Jan Jones of the 47th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 100; Nays: 56
* The House will reconvene Monday, March 4, at 10:00 AM, for its 28th Legislative Day.
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COMMITTEE ON RULES
The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 28th Legislative Day, Monday, March 4, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker.
NEXT ON THE FLOOR
HB 34 - Income tax credit; clean energy property; include certain commercial geothermal heat pumps
- 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. - Authored By: Rep. Don Parsons of the 44th - House Committee: Ways & Means - House Committee Passed: 2/26/2013 - Rule: Structured
HB 36 - Game and fish; definition of "game fish"; revise
- BILL SUMMARY: Section 1 A new subparagraph is added, subparagraph (I), which includes Red Drum within the category of "game fish." - Authored By: Rep. Ben Watson of the 166th - House Committee: Game, Fish, & Parks - House Committee Passed: 2/26/2013 - Rule: Modified-Open
HB 45 - Public property; writing off small amounts due to the state; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 45 extends the ability of state agencies and departments to administratively discharge $100 or less financial obligations that have been determined uncollectable and are reported within State Accounting Office guidelines until July 1, 2016. The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia may

discharge amounts of $3,000 or less. In order for these obligations to be considered uncollectable, the agency must provide documentation of the efforts made to collect the debt to the commissioner of the agency, who will determine if the cost of further collection efforts is in the public's financial interest; if not, a certificate will be issued deeming the efforts of collection to be costly and the obligation can then be removed for accounting purposes.
This bill also extends the provisions for the University System and Technical College System of Georgia to maintain collections from tuition and fees, not to exceed three or 15 percent of the collections respectively, as unlapsed funds until July 1, 2016. - Authored By: Rep. Earl Ehrhart of the 36th - House Committee: Education - House Committee Passed: 2/26/2013 - Rule: Modified-Structured
HB 45 - Public property; writing off small amounts due to the state; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 45 extends the ability of state agencies and departments to administratively discharge $100 or less financial obligations that have been determined uncollectable and are reported within State Accounting Office guidelines until July 1, 2016. The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia may discharge amounts of $3,000 or less. In order for these obligations to be considered uncollectable, the agency must provide documentation of the efforts made to collect the debt to the commissioner of the agency, who will determine if the cost of further collection efforts is in the public's financial interest; if not, a certificate will be issued deeming the efforts of collection to be costly and the obligation can then be removed for accounting purposes.
This bill also extends the provisions for the University System and Technical College System of Georgia to maintain collections from tuition and fees, not to exceed three or 15 percent of the collections respectively, as unlapsed funds until July 1, 2016. - Authored By: Rep. Earl Ehrhart of the 36th - House Committee: Appropriations - House Committee Passed: 2/26/2013 - Rule: Modified-Structured
HB 94 - Damages; reduction of earnings to present value; change provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 94 amends provisions relating to the reduction of future medical expenses, living expenses, lost wages or economic damages to present value. It provides that the trier of fact base may reduce the future damages to present value based on a discount rate of 5 percent or any other discount rate the trier of fact deems appropriate. - Authored By: Rep. Andrew J. Welch of the 110th - House Committee: Judiciary - House Committee Passed: 2/26/2013 - Rule: Modified-Open
HB 124 - Local elections; votes cast for disapproval of Sunday alcohol sales by retailers shall not nullify prior election results; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: House bill 124 relates to the local authorization and regulation of sales of alcoholic beverages on Sundays by upholding past electoral decisions. The legislation states that if more than one-half the votes cast on the question of Sunday package sales were against the matter, their rejection will not nullify the prior election results allowing retailers of malt beverages and wine to allow the sales of said beverages on Sundays between the hours of 12:30 P.M. and 11:30 P.M. The legislation defines a "retail package liquor store" as a retail business establishment owned by an individual, partnership, corporation, association, or other business entity primarily engaged in the retail sale of distilled spirits, malt beverages, and wine in unbroken packages, not for consumption on the premises which derives at least 75% of its total annual gross sales from a combination of these beverages. - Authored By: Rep. Brett Harrell of the 106th - House Committee: Regulated Industries - House Committee Passed: 2/27/2013 - Rule: Modified-Structured
HB 125 - Lawful presence; certain affidavit for persons under 18 years of age to be executed after attaining the age of 18; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 125 makes some necessary updates to our Code dealing with immigration. First, it redefines the 'physical performance of services' and allows for an exception from e-verify reporting for contracts smaller than $2,499.99. HB 125 streamlines the business license process for renewals by only requiring the business submit its federal work authorization user number.
It adds to the definition of 'public benefit.' It streamlines the citizenship verification process for government benefits by only requiring that verification be provided upon initial application for a government benefit or service.

HB 125 allows an exception for
Finally, HB 125 creates a new Code section to establish guidelines for the annual immigration compliance report which each agency and political subdivision is required to send to the Department of Audits and Accounts. - Authored By: Rep. Dustin Hightower of the 68th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - House Committee Passed: 2/27/2013 - Rule: Modified-Structured
HB 131 - HOPE; dual credit courses; treated the same as advanced placement and international baccalaureate courses for determining elegibility; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 131 amends O.C.G.A. 20-2-157 by providing that dual credit courses shall be treated in the same manner as advanced placement and international baccalaureate courses for purposes of determining eligibility for the HOPE scholarship. - Authored By: Rep. Valerie Clark of the 101st - House Committee: Higher Education - House Committee Passed: 2/26/2013 - Rule: Modified-Structured
HB 139 - Sheriffs; general qualification requirements; revise
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 139 allows a person to sign an affidavit instead of producing a high school diploma for sheriff qualification. In addition to the affidavit, the person must produce a certified copy of his or her birth certificate. It also allows the person three (3) days after qualifying to have a fingerprint check. - Authored By: Rep. Mark Hamilton of the 24th - House Committee: Judiciary - House Committee Passed: 2/26/2013 - Rule: Modified-Open
HB 146 - Criminal procedure; the issuance of arrest and search warrants by video conference; change provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 146 removes the existing geographic restriction on the location of a judge signing an electronic warrant. - Authored By: Rep. Tom Weldon of the 3rd - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - House Committee Passed: 2/21/2013 - Rule: Modified-Structured
HB 192 - Podiatry; podiatric medicine includes the diagnosis and treatment of cosmetic conditions regarding the human foot and leg; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 192 amends the definition of podiatry practice to include the diagnosis and treatment of cosmetic conditions relating to the human foot and leg. - Authored By: Rep. E. Culver "Rusty" Kidd of the 145th - House Committee: Health & Human Services - House Committee Passed: 2/25/2013 - Rule: Modified-Open
HB 199 - Georgia Environmental Finance Authority; expand Georgia Reservoir Fund
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 199 changes the `Georgia Reservoir Fund' to the `Georgia Reservoir and Water Supply Fund' and extends the water supply division of the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority's scope to make loans and grants to local governments.
The bill also amends O.C.G.A. 12-5-471 by extending the definition of `project' to include the acquisition of real property for any water supply system; the construction of any water supply system; the acquisition of real property or personal property surrounding any water supply system, including any interest in such property, assets reasonable to develop any water supply system comprised of new or existing reservoirs, and any means of combination of means of providing or enhancing water supply.
The bill also amends the definition of `affected local government' in O.C.G.A. 36-91-100 by including consolidated governments in which water supply, monitoring, distribution, conservation, or maintenance facilities of a project are located or proposed to be located.
The bill also amends the definition of `environmental facilities' to include "systems", and also allows for "monitoring" water to

be a delineated purpose for an environmental facility, and for "conservation" to be one of the approved functions of a facility. - Authored By: Rep. Edward Lindsey of the 54th - House Committee: Natural Resources & Environment - House Committee Passed: 2/21/2013 - Rule: Modified-Structured
HB 207 - Licenses; issuance of a special turkey-hunting permit for young and mobility impaired hunters; authorize
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 207 (LC 40 0320S) Section 1 Article 1 of Chapter 2 of Title 27 is amended by adding a new Code section, 27-2-4.4. This new section defines "mobility impaired person" to mean anyone having one of the following conditions: 1. Dependence upon a wheelchair or similar device 2. Hemiplegia 3. Monoplegia 4. Paraplegia 5. Single-leg amputation above the knee. If an individual is 16 years or younger or if they are "mobility impaired", the commissioner may issue special authorization to hunt turkeys during an extended open season. Such special authorization shall only be for the weekend prior to the first weekend of the open turkey season, as established by the department, and shall not be valid for subsequent seasons unless reauthorization is approved. - Authored By: Rep. Jason Shaw of the 176th - House Committee: Game, Fish, & Parks - House Committee Passed: 2/26/2013 - Rule: Modified-Open
HB 229 - Insurance; removing the insurer annual publication requirement; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 229 removes the annual financial statement publication requirement for insurance companies and provides that the Commissioner shall provide on the department's website a financial summary position of each insurer. - Authored By: Rep. Sam Teasley of the 37th - House Committee: Insurance - House Committee Passed: 2/27/2013 - Rule: Modified-Open
HB 256 - Tobacco; regulation of cigar wraps; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 256 adds the definition of cigar wraps to the article dealing with tobacco use so that it will be regulated like other tobacco products. - Authored By: Rep. Ben Harbin of the 122nd - House Committee: Juvenile Justice - House Committee Passed: 2/20/2013 - Rule: Modified-Open
HB 268 - Agricultural products dealers; cotton and eggs from definition of "agricultural products"; remove
- BILL SUMMARY: Section 1 The substitute bill, (LC 40 0336S) amends several code sections in Title 2 and one in Title 43. Code Section 2-9-1 is amended by revising definitions of agricultural products to include eggs. The definition of dealer in agricultural products is modernized to include the words `or her' in the definition.
Section 2 The bill revises Code Section 2-9-4 relating to licenses for dealers in agricultural products to provide that an annual fee not to exceed $400.00 shall be required before a license is issued, and such license shall be valid until revoked or suspended as provided in this article or until the annual license renewal fee is unpaid.
Section 3 The bill further amends Code Section 2-9-5 to provide that the bond shall be equal to the maximum amount of products purchased from or sold for Georgia producers or estimated to be purchased or sold in any month by the applicant; provided however, that the minimum amount of such bond shall be $10,000.00 and the maximum amount of such bond shall be $230,000.00; provided that in the case of pecans, such bond shall not exceed $500,000.00.

Also adds new language to provide that if a bond of a dealer is canceled, the license of such person shall be immediately revoked by operation of law and without notice or hearing and such person shall be ineligible to reapply for such license for a period of four years after such revocation.
Section 4 The substitute provides for new language in Section 4 which provides for exclusions: 1.) Farmers or groups of farmers in the sale of agricultural products grown by themselves; 2.) Persons who buy for cash, paying at the time of purchase in U.S. currency, certified check, cashier's check, or the equivalent; or 3.) Holders of food sales establishment licenses issued pursuant to Article 2 of Chapter2 of Title 26, the 'Georgia Food Act,' who conduct no business at the wholesale level and who have fewer than ten employees.
(b) No warehouse that is in full compliance with the provisions of Article 1 of Chapter 4 of title 10 shall be required to obtain a license or maintain a surety bond under this article.
Section 5 The bill revises the definition of grain to include but not limited to wheat, corn, oats, barley, rye field peas, soybeans, clover and grain sorghum. The term does not include grain which has been produced or packaged for purchase or distribution as seed. The definition of grain dealer has been modernized to include the words `or her'.
Section 6 The legislation amends the surety bond maximum amount from $150,000.00 to $300,000.00.
Section 7 Repeals chapter 31 of Title 43 relating to pecan dealers and processors and designates said chapter as reserved.
Section 8 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed. - Authored By: Rep. Buddy Harden of the 148th - House Committee: Agriculture & Consumer Affairs - House Committee Passed: 2/27/2013 - Rule: Modified-Open
HB 271 - Individual's criminal history record information; revise definitions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 271 allows a court to restrict a felony charge that did not result in a conviction, if the individual was convicted of an unrelated misdemeanor (not a lesser included offense of the felony), and can demonstrate that the harm to the individual clearly outweighs the public's interest in the record being available. - Authored By: Rep. Jay Neal of the 2nd - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - House Committee Passed: 2/27/2013 - Rule: Modified-Open
HB 296 - Motor vehicles; authorized to receive registration records; add certain persons
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 296 adds licensed private investigators to the list of individuals allowed to obtain motor vehicle registration and certificate of title records from the Georgia Department of Revenue. It gives the Commissioner of the Department of Revenue the authority to promulgate rules and regulations as to how these records may be obtained. - Authored By: Rep. Alan Powell of the 32nd - House Committee: Governmental Affairs - House Committee Passed: 2/21/2013 - Rule: Modified-Structured
HB 297 - State wild flower; designate the native azalea
- BILL SUMMARY: The bill amends Code Section 50-3-54 to designate the native azalea (Rhododendron sp.) as the Georgia state wild flower. - Authored By: Rep. Debbie Buckner of the 137th - House Committee: Agriculture & Consumer Affairs - House Committee Passed: 2/27/2013 - Rule: Modified-Open

HB 310 - Elections; ethics in government; revise definitions; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill adds the payment of a qualifying fee by a candidate and the payment of attorney's fees connected to and furthering the campaign to the definition of an ordinary and necessary expense. The bill also addresses how notice of late fee will be provided to the offending party. It will be provided in the same manner the report was provided to the commission. The mailing of a report that is postmarked by the required filing date will be considered prima facie evidence of filing. When a campaign is terminated a report must be filed with the commission within ten days. - Authored By: Rep. Joe Wilkinson of the 52nd - House Committee: Ethics - House Committee Passed: 2/25/2013 - Rule: Modified-Structured
HB 317 - Medical Practice Act of the State of Georgia; administrative medicine licenses; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 317 amends the Code Section to allow for "administrative medicine" to be defined and licensed in the State of Georgia. The bill defines "administrative medicine" as "administration or management utilizing the medical and clinical knowledge, skill, and judgment of a licensed physician capable of affecting the health and safety of the public or any person but shall not include the practice of medicine." People practicing administrative medicine are subject to the same provisions and rules of the board as a full licensed, but are not authorized to engage in the practice of medicine. The Medical Composite Board is required to adopt rules for the issuance of an administrative medicine license. These rules must include: 1.) Eligibility for the license. 2.) Issuance and renewal of the license. 3.) The fees applicable to the license. 4.) Continuing education requirements. 5.) The scope of practice of a person who holds the license. - Authored By: Rep. Sharon Cooper of the 43rd - House Committee: Health & Human Services - House Committee Passed: 2/20/2013 - Rule: Modified-Structured
HB 332 - Georgia Board of Nursing; reconstitute; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 332 reconstitutes the Georgia Board of Nursing. This bill states that in the event that a board member changes employment which conflicts with this code section, the position will be immediately vacant. The board will consist of 13 members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The new board must consist of two registered nursing educators, one practical nursing educator, two registered nurses employed in nursing service administration, one registered nurse employed in nursing home administration or nursing service administration, two advanced practice nurses, one additional registered nurse, three licensed practical nurses, and one consumer member. The bill also eliminates the Georgia Board of Examiners of Licensed Practical Nurses. - Authored By: Rep. Bruce Williamson of the 115th - House Committee: Health & Human Services - House Committee Passed: 2/27/2013 - Rule: Modified-Open
HB 337 - Elementary and secondary education; public and private schools to stock supply of autoinjectable epinephrine; authorize
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 337 authorizes public and private schools to stock a supply of auto-injectable epinephrine. This bill also states that the school shall designate an employee or agent trained in the possession and administration of the autoinjectable epinephrine to be responsible for the storage, maintenance and distribution of it. - Authored By: Rep. Barry Fleming of the 121st - House Committee: Education - House Committee Passed: 2/26/2013 - Rule: Modified-Open

HB 345 - Teachers Retirement System of Georgia; clarify and consolidate the definitions of the term "teacher"
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill consolidates and clarifies the definition of a "teacher" under Chapter 3 of Title 47 of the Official Code of Georgia, relating to the Teachers' Retirement System of Georgia. This is a nonfiscal retirement bill. - Authored By: Rep. Tommy Benton of the 31st - House Committee: Retirement - House Committee Passed: 2/27/2013 - Rule: Modified-Open
HB 350 - Group-care facility operators; persons otherwise issued licenses as provided by law; provide exceptions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 350 subjects all day care employees to national and state fingerprint checks. Current law only requires day care directors to be subject to national fingerprint checks and exempts employees altogether. - Authored By: Rep. Allen Peake of the 141st - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - House Committee Passed: 2/27/2013 - Rule: Modified-Structured
HB 354 - Early Care and Learning, Department of; provide certain information to owners of early care and education programs; require
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 354 is relating to the Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) and their involvement with early care and learning in Georgia. This bill would revise definitions relating to child care facilities, updates terminology in code relating to child care learning centers (which will no longer be referred to as day-care centers) and recommends that owners of any early care and learning program carry liability insurance coverage. - Authored By: Rep. Valerie Clark of the 101st - House Committee: Education - House Committee Passed: 2/26/2013 - Rule: Modified-Structured
HB 361 - Labor organizations membership; provide for definitions; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 361 reiterates that Georgia is a "right to work" state. It provides that no employer shall deduct from the wages or other earnings of any employee any fee assessment, or other sum of money whatsoever to be held for or to be paid over to a labor organization except on the annual written authorization from the employee which shall not exceed a period greater than one year. Such authorization may be revoked at any time at the request of the employee. - Authored By: Rep. Edward Lindsey of the 54th - House Committee: Industry and Labor - House Committee Passed: 2/27/2013 - Rule: Modified-Structured
HB 362 - Public works contracts; governmental entities and Department of Administrative Services; provide certain contracting and bidding requirements
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 362 provides that no state agency, authority, department, commission, board, or similar entity that contracts for public works construction shall require the use of unionized labor by the entities with which they contract. - Authored By: Rep. Edward Lindsey of the 54th - House Committee: Industry and Labor - House Committee Passed: 2/22/2013 - Rule: Modified-Structured
HB 365 - Safety belts; definition of the term "passenger vehicle" to which the safety belt law applies; modify
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 365 changes from 10 passengers to 15 passengers as the number of passengers a vehicle is designed to carry for the purposes of requiring the use of a seat belt. It does not apply to 15 passenger vehicles that were not manufactured with seat belts prior to this bill becoming law. - Authored By: Rep. Bill Hitchens of the 161st - House Committee: Motor Vehicles - House Committee Passed: 2/27/2013 - Rule: Modified-Structured
* The Rules Committee will next meet on Monday, March 4, at 9:00 AM.

COMMITTEE ACTION REPORT
Appropriations
HB 372 - HOPE; grant at technical college or university institutions; revise eligibility
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 372 reduces from a 3.0 to a 2.0 the required grade point average to qualify for the HOPE grant. In Section 2, it mandates that the Technical College System of Georgia change from an enrollment-driven formula to an outcomedriven formula in its annual budget requests. - Authored By: Rep. Christian Coomer of the 14th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Education
HB 490 - Teacher health insurance plans; contract with local employers to librarians and other personnel employed by regional and county libraries; expand board authorization
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 490 is relating to health insurance plans for teachers and other school personnel. This bill would expand local board authorization to contract with local employers to librarians and other personnel employed by regional and county libraries. - Authored By: Rep. Timothy Barr of the 103rd - Committee Action: Do Pass
Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications
HB 176 - Mobile Broadband Infrastructure Leads to Development (BILD) Act; enact
- BILL SUMMARY: House bill 176 is known as the "Mobile Broadband Infrastructure Leads to Development (BILD) Act." The legislation will allow previously approved wireless support structures and wireless facilities to be modified or collocated without additional zoning or land use review beyond that which is typically required by the local governing authority for the issuance of building or electrical permits, as long as the proposed modifications do not substantially change the size of the existing structures. Limitations on the time allowed for review of new wireless facilities and fees charged for such by local governing authorities are outlined as well. - Authored By: Rep. Don Parsons of the 44th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 224 - Coffee County; reestablish Board of Commissioners
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to replace and update laws so as to reestablish the Coffee County Board of Commissioners. - Authored By: Rep. Chuck Sims of the 169th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 435 - Fulton County State Court; change compensation of chief judge
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide for the duties and compensation of the chief judge of the State Court of Fulton County. - Authored By: Rep. Wendell Willard of the 51st - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 444 - Fulton County Superior Court; amount of supplement for judges; increase
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide compensation for the judges of the Superior Court of Fulton County. - Authored By: Rep. Wendell Willard of the 51st - Committee Action: Do Pass

Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 471 - Calhoun, City of; levy an excise tax
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to authorize the City of Calhoun to levy a hotel/motel tax. - Authored By: Rep. John Meadows of the 5th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 472 - Gordon County; levy an excise tax
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to authorize Gordon County to levy a hotel/motel tax. - Authored By: Rep. John Meadows of the 5th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Motor Vehicles
HB 463 - Motor vehicle licenses; registration rates under International Registration Plan for apportioned vehicles; change
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 463 seeks to streamline and modernize the ad valorem taxation of trucks used in interstate commerce. It will blend ad valorem into registration fees of these trucks which is already properly apportioned. It will equalize taxation of Georgia and non-Georgia based trucks and hold harmless county and local governments. - Authored By: Rep. Tom Rice of the 95th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Public Safety & Homeland Security
HB 497 - Georgia Boat Safety Act; numbering and registration of vessels; revise provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 497 relates to boat registration. Under this legislation, registration for vessels owned by individuals expires at the end of the owner's birth month in the last year of the registration period. Registration for vessels not owned by an individual expires on December 31 of the last year of the registration period. If a renewal is past due there will be a $10.00 late fee due to the Department of Natural Resources. Additionally, the bill states that any application filed with the department which lacks any information and remains incomplete 60 days after will expire and the applicant will have to reapply and pay the registration fee. In the event that ownership of a vessel changes while the valid registration is in effect, the new owner will file a new application with DNR and submit the fee for new registration. The registration number will be identical to the previous number unless that number was reassigned by the department during an expired registration period. - Authored By: Rep. Kevin Tanner of the 9th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Regulated Industries
HB 185 - Tastings; retail sales of distilled spirits manufactured by a distillery to be sold on premises; authorize
- BILL SUMMARY: House bill 185 authorizes licensed manufacturing distilleries to sell distilled spirits on their premises, in an amount not to exceed two liters of such distilled spirits to the same consumer per day. - Authored By: Rep. E. Culver "Rusty" Kidd of the 145th - Committee Action: Tabled
Regulated Industries
HB 314 - Alcoholic beverages; change definition of the term "brewpub"; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: House bill 314 makes changes to the Georgia Code in relation to alcoholic beverages in the following manner: "Brew pub" is defined as an eating establishment in which beer or malt beverages are manufactured or brewed. Said eating establishments are characterized as deriving at least 50% of their total annual gross food and beverage sales from the sale of prepared meals or food, as long as only malt beverages sold for consumption on the premise are used in determining the total annual gross food and beverage sales. As provided for in the three-tier system for the distribution and sale of malt beverages, a license to manufacture malt beverages held by a brew will include the right to sell, for personal use and not for resale, a maximum of 288 ounces per person per day of malt beverages manufactured on its premises for off-premises consumption. These sales must be made as part of an educational and promotional tour of the brewery.

The brewer will collect and pay applicable Georgia state and local excise taxes and sales and use taxes on such sales and maintain records as required by the commissioner. A brew pub license authorizes the holder to manufacture no more than 10,000 barrels of malt beverages in a calendar year, as long as no more than 5,000 of such barrels are sold in a calendar year to licensed wholesale dealers for distribution to retailers and retail consumption dealers. A brew pub license also authorizes the holder to operate an eating establishment that serves as the sole retail outlet for the malt beverages manufactured on the premises except for those sold to licensed wholesale dealers for distribution to retailers and retail consumption dealers. Brew pubs may also sell other alcoholic beverages authorized for retail sale including wine, distilled spirits, and malt beverages. The annual gross sales of malt beverages manufactured on the premises for off-premises consumption must not exceed the annual gross food sales. Brew pubs may not allow free sampling of malt beverages by its customers on the premises. - Authored By: Rep. Tom Taylor of the 79th - Committee Action: Tabled
State Planning & Community Affairs
HB 473 - Counties and municipal corporations; add option of fiscal year contracts
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill adds "fiscal year" to calendar year so that counties and municipal corporations that have multiyear lease, purchase or lease-purchase contracts can be utilized for those whose fiscal year does not match the calendar year. - Authored By: Rep. Andrew J. Welch of the 110th - Committee Action: Do Pass
* Bills passing committees are reported to the Clerk's Office, and are then placed on the General Calendar.
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COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE

TBD 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Monday, March 04, 2013 Floor Session (LD28) General Government Subcommittee of Governmental Affairs TRANSPORTATION HUMAN RELATIONS & AGING JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL Income Tax Subcommittee of Ways & Means NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT RULES Public Finance Subcommittee of Ways & Means RETIREMENT Utilties Subcommittee of Energy, Utilties & Telecommunications BANKS & BANKING HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES JUVENILE JUSTICE PUBLIC SAFETY & HOMELAND SECURITY REGULATED INDUSTRIES

HOUSE CHAMBER (10:00am) 606 CLOB 506 CLOB 515 CLOB 132 CAP 133 CAP 403 CAP 341 CAP 133 CAP 415 CLOB 515 CLOB 506 CLOB 606 CLOB 406 CLOB 415 CLOB 515 CLOB

* This meeting schedule is up to date at the time of this report, but meeting dates and times are subject to change. To keep up with the latest schedule please visit www.house.ga.gov and click on Meetings Calendar.