Daily report [Mar. 12, 2013]

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

TOMORROW'S FORECAST
* The House will reconvene for its 33rd Legislative Day on Wednesday, March 13, at 10:00 AM. * Only a local calendar is expected to be debated on the floor.

GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
DAILY REPORT

Tuesday, March 12, 2013
TODAY ON THE FLOOR

32nd Legislative Day

RULES CALENDAR
HB 106 - General appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2014
- BILL SUMMARY: The Fiscal Year 2014 budget totals $19.8 billion in state funds. - Authored By: Rep. David Ralston of the 7th - House Committee: Appropriations - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 159; Nays: 15
* The House will reconvene Wednesday, March 13, at 10:00 AM, for its 33rd Legislative Day.
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COMMITTEE ON RULES
* The Rules Committee will next meet on Wednesday, March 13, at 9:00 AM, to set the Rules Calendar for the 34th Legislative Day.
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COMMITTEE ACTION REPORT
Defense & Veterans Affairs
SB 76 - Returning Veterans Task Force; create; membership
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 76 creates the Returning Veterans Task Force as a part of the Department of Veterans' Service. The Returning Veterans Task Force shall consist of one representative from the Departments of Veterans' Service, Community Health, Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Labor, Defense, Board of Regents, and Technical College System of Georgia. Each representative will be appointed by the head of the same Department. The Department of Veterans' Service representative shall serve as chairperson.
The purpose of the task force will be to meet quarterly to investigate and report to the relevant Department, ways to improve services to honorably discharged veterans. The task force shall report specific improvement suggestions to the Speaker of the House, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Governor by November 1st every year. - Authored By: Sen. Lester G. Jackson of the 2nd - Committee Action: Do Pass

Economic Development & Tourism
HR 529 - House Georgia Music Industry Study Committee; create
- BILL SUMMARY: House Resolution 529 calls for the creation of the House Georgia Music Industry Study Committee which will be composed of five members who will be appointed by the Speaker. The committee will be charged with examining the issues facing Georgia's music industry, identify opportunities, and explore strategies to retain existing industry and talent and ensure growth, investment, and jobs. - Authored By: Rep. Ben Harbin of the 122nd - Committee Action: Do Pass
Education
SB 115 - Education; performance data of students in certain placements included in resident school system data
- BILL SUMMARY: Senate Bill 115 provides that performance data of students in certain placements are treated as a single local education agency. - Authored By: Sen. Lindsey Tippins of the 37th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Education
SB 212 - Education; require schools to provide training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- BILL SUMMARY: Senate Bill 212 would require schools to provide training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an automated external defibrillator for students in grades nine through twelve. - Authored By: Sen. Jeff Mullis of the 53rd - Committee Action: Do Pass
Game, Fish, & Parks
SB 136 - "Kyle Glover Boat Education Law" and "Jake and Griffin BUI Law"; provide for greater public protection for hunting and boating
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 136 (LC 29 5618ERS-EC)
Changes are made to the legal limit for Boating Under the Influence (BUI) charges, lowering the legal limit for alcohol consumption to .08 grams from .10 grams. The presence of other illegal substances can all suffice for a BUI charge. Failure to submit to a chemical test, or the failure of a chemical test, may provide grounds for the suspension of an individual's license, hunting or otherwise, as well as imprisonment of not fewer than 10 days nor more than 12 months. Similar changes were also made to the rules surrounding Hunting Under the Influence (HUI). Under this bill a DUI, BUI, or HUI would all be treated the same legislatively. Children up through the age of 12 are required to have a life jacket on in the boat while it is in motion, and those 12 through 15 years of age may operate a personal water craft if he or she is accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older or he or she has successfully completed a boating education course approved by the department. On and after July 1, 2014, a person 16 years of age or older may rent or lease any vessel ten horsepower or more if such person has completed a boating education course approved by the department. - Authored By: Sen. Butch Miller of the 49th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Governmental Affairs
SB 83 - Counties; support of paupers; provide for cremation as an alternative for deceased indigents
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 83 allows for cremation as an alternative to burial in the case of a paupers funeral. - Authored By: Sen. Steve Gooch of the 51st - Committee Action: Do Pass

Governmental Affairs
SB 104 - Community Affairs, Dept of; comprehensive plans of local government; revise the minimum elements
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 104 codifies rules and regulations promulgated by the Department of Community Affairs resulting from the recommendations of a task force created by SB 86 from 2010. These rules relate to the comprehensive planning of local governments. - Authored By: Sen. Frank Ginn of the 47th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Governmental Affairs
SB 226 - Coroners; investigation fees; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 226 codifies that the death investigation fee charged by coroners be paid on top of their base salary and not included in the salary. It allows coroners to choose annually whether they wish to take a salary or be paid on a fee basis. - Authored By: Sen. Steve Gooch of the 51st - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 330 - Jonesboro, City of; $10,000 of assessed value of homestead for residents; provide homestead exemption
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to restate the homestead exemption from all City of Jonesboro ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes to the amount of $10,000.00 of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that city and repeals an earlier Act which previously granted a homestead exemption from City of Jonesboro ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes. - Authored By: Rep. Mike Glanton of the 75th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 496 - Rabun County Water and Sewer Authority; create
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to create the Rabun County Water and Sewer Authority and to provide for its powers and duties. - Authored By: Rep. Stephen Allison of the 8th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 526 - North Fulton Regional Radio System Authority Act; enact
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to create the North Fulton Regional Radio System Authority and to provide for its powers and duties. - Authored By: Rep. Wendell Willard of the 51st - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 527 - Milton, City of; millage rate for ad valorem property taxes; clarify cap
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to amend the charter of the City of Milton so as to clarify the cap on the millage rate for ad valorem property taxes, to revise the term limits on the mayor and city council, to provide that the affirmative vote of five councilmembers shall be required to override a veto, and to provide for the selection and term of a mayor pro tempore. - Authored By: Rep. Jan Jones of the 47th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 545 - Metropolitan Atlanta Aerotropolis Development Authority; create
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to create the Metropolitan Atlanta Aerotropolis Development in Clayton County and to provide for its powers and duties. - Authored By: Rep. Valencia Stovall of the 74th - Committee Action: Do Pass

Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 548 - Smyrna, City of; change description of wards
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to reapportion the city council of the City of Smyrna. - Authored By: Rep. Rich Golick of the 40th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 556 - Columbus, City of; Recorder's Court; impose and collect technology fee for each fine imposed
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to authorize the Recorder's Court of Columbus/Muscogee County to impose and collect a technology fee, not to exceed $15.00 for each fine imposed. - Authored By: Rep. Calvin Smyre of the 135th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 557 - Danielsville, City of; provide for staggered, four-year terms for mayor and council
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to amend the charter of the City of Danielsville to provide for staggered, four-year terms for the mayor and council, to provide that the city clerk may serve as the city treasurer to provide that the municipal judge shall be a licensed attorney, to provide that the office of elected officials of 6 the city shall be vacated under certain circumstances. - Authored By: Rep. Tom McCall of the 33rd - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 558 - Colbert, City of; provide for staggered, four-year terms of office for mayor and council
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to amend the charter of the City of Colbert to provide for staggered, four-year terms of office for the mayor and council; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. - Authored By: Rep. Tom McCall of the 33rd - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
SB 201 - Ad Valorem; homestead exemption; White County school district; educational purposes
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a homestead exemption from White County school district ad valorem taxes for educational purposes in the amount of $100,000.00 of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that school district who are 70 years of age or older and whose income, not including certain retirement income, does not exceed $25,000.00. - Authored By: Sen. Steve Gooch of the 51st - Committee Action: Do Pass
Judiciary
SB 61 - "Georgia Self-service Storage Facility Act of 2013" change the due date for monthly rental payments
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 61 changes some provisions in the Georgia Self-service Storage Facility Act.
It brings provisions up to date by adding electronic options for notification and advertisements, changes the due date for monthly rental payments, clarifies language regarding notification of enforcement of Owner's lien and changes provisions regarding delivery of the notification.
In addition, it adds Code provisions for a reasonable late fee and a towing option for Owners who have a lien on a motor vehicle or watercraft after 60 days of maturity of the rental obligation. Finally, it adds special treatment for service members who are overseas on active duty. - Authored By: Sen. Jesse Stone of the 23rd - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Judiciary
SB 66 - Courts; increase penalties that can impose for contempt of superior and state courts
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 66 raises the ceiling of fines for a contempt that a superior or state court may impose from $500 to $1000. - Authored By: Sen. Jesse Stone of the 23rd - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Judiciary
SB 120 - Probate Courts; provide for prosecuting attorneys in counties where there is not state court
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 120 establishes the process for counties to provide solicitors in probate courts that hear traffic cases. The county has discretion whether to ask for the service, and the district attorney has the right of first refusal to provide it. If the DA declines, the county may contract with a private attorney. - Authored By: Sen. John Crosby of the 13th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Transportation
SB 70 - Transportation, Dept. of; change type of projects eligible for design-build contracts and procurement process
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 70 amends Code relating to design-build contracts to include "systems" to the term design-build and "technology deployments" to the projects eligible for design-build procedure. The legislation adds utility relocation to the services that may be combined if it is found to be in the best interest of the public. In regards to procedures for administering design-build contracts, language requiring the scope of service requirements is removed and the criteria for selection and award is amended to provide for a two-step procurement process. There is an exception to the requirement for statement of qualifications from which the department chooses qualified firms in the event that it is found to be in the state's best interest, this requirement may be omitted and the department may move directly to a one-step procurement process through the issuance of a request for proposal from which the department may select the lowest qualified bidder. In the second step of the procurement process is amended to include a technical proposal along with the price proposal from the bidders. The department must select the lowest qualified bidder or in the event the department uses the best value procurement process, the request for proposal shall specify the requirements necessary for the selection of the best value proposer which shall include, at a minimum, a weighted cost component and a technical component. - Authored By: Sen. Steve Gooch of the 51st - Committee Action: Do Pass
Transportation
SB 218 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries; annual commercial wrecker emergency tow permits; qualifications for issuance
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 218 amends Code relating to emergency tow permits which were created in HB 835 during the 2012 legislative session. The bill cleans up language on weights on single and tandem axles. - Authored By: Sen. Steve Gooch of the 51st - 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 - 10:00 AM 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Wednesday, March 13, 2013 Floor Session (LD33) AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER AFFAIRS INSURANCE Jacobs Subcommittee (One) Judiciary Civil RULES Academic Support Subcommittee of Education INTERSTATE COOPERATION JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL HUMAN RELATIONS & AGING PUBLIC SAFETY & HOMELAND SECURITY RETIREMENT CODE REVISION BANKS & BANKING STATE PROPERTIES MOTOR VEHICLES HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES REGULATED INDUSTRIES Environmental Quality Subcommitee of Natural Resources

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