Daily report [Mar. 28, 2013]

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TOMORROW'S FORECAST
* The House has adjourned SINE DIE

GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
DAILY REPORT

Thursday, March 28, 2013

40th Legislative Day

This report only pertains to legislative activity taken by the House, and does not represent full final passage by the Georgia General Assembly. Only the final action taken by the House only legislation is listed below. A full detailed `Session Report' will be forthcoming will the official action taken by the legislature in the days to come.
For a listing of bills signed by the Governor, please visit www.gov.georgia.gov and scroll to the bottom of the page.
TODAY ON THE FLOOR
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT
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 - Yeas: 175; Nays: 1 - Adoption of the conference committee report represents final passage by the House of this bill.
HB 142 - Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: Summary to be forthcoming - Authored By: Rep. David Ralston of the 7th - House Committee: Rules - Yeas: 169; Nays: 0 - Adoption of the conference committee report represents final passage by the House of this bill.
HB 143 - Campaign contributions; disclosure reports; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: Summary to be forthcoming - Authored By: Rep. David Ralston of the 7th - House Committee: Rules - Yeas: 169; Nays: 1 - Adoption of the conference committee report represents final passage by the House of this bill.

HB 487 - Offenses against public health and morals; Georgia Lottery; correct a cross reference
- BILL SUMMARY: Summary to be forthcoming - Authored By: Rep. Matt Ramsey of the 72nd - House Committee: Regulated Industries - Yeas: 162; Nays: 6 - Adoption of the conference committee report represents final passage by the House of this bill.
SB 62 - Federal and State Funded Health Care Financing Program Overview Committee; establish
- BILL SUMMARY: Summary to be forthcoming - Authored By: Sen. Judson Hill of the 32nd - House Committee: Human Relations & Aging - Yeas: 151 ; Nays: 18 - Adoption of the conference committee report represents final passage by the House of this bill.
SB 121 - License Plates; retired members of the General Assembly
- BILL SUMMARY: Summary to be forthcoming - Authored By: Sen. Ronald B. Ramsey, Sr. of the 43rd - House Committee: Motor Vehicles - Yeas: 134; Nays: 45 - Adoption of the conference committee report represents final passage by the House of this bill.
SB 137 - Income Tax; authorize the commissioner of economic development to designate areas as opportunity zones
- BILL SUMMARY: Summary to be forthcoming - Authored By: Sen. Rick Jeffares of the 17th - House Committee: Ways & Means - Yeas: 164; Nays: 5 - Adoption of the conference committee report represents final passage by the House of this bill.
SB 160 - Public Employers; provide annual report relative to compliance with certain laws; provide for certain report to Dept. of Audits and Accounts
- BILL SUMMARY: Summary to be forthcoming - Authored By: Sen. Frank Ginn of the 47th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Yeas: 113; Nays: 54 - Adoption of the conference committee report represents final passage by the House of this bill.
MOTIONS TO INSIST
HB 104 - Special license plates; supporting the Appalachian Trail Conservancy; add
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 104 authorizes the creation of specialty license plates supporting the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the Atlanta Braves. Ten dollars from the sale of each plate will go to the Appalachain Trail Conservancy and the Atlanta Braves Foundation respectively. - Authored By: Rep. John Carson of the 46th - House Committee: Motor Vehicles - A motion to insist sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.

MOTIONS TO RECEDE
HB 283 - Education; update and revise terminology; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 283 amends Title 20 of the O.C.G.A. relating to education. It implements recommendations from the Education Finance Study Commission, renames vocational to career technical and agriculture, removes obsolete No Child Left Behind language, renames commission charter schools to state charter schools, clarifies that Charter Advisory Commission is only for charter systems, implements budget savings for charter systems, cleanup to Online Clearinghouse and implements request by governor's office to set up a non-profit for Office of Student Achievement. - Authored By: Rep. Brooks Coleman of the 97th - House Committee: Education - A motion to recede represents final passage by the House of this bill.
MOTIONS TO AGREE
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 - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 70 - Special needs students; waiver of one of the scholarship requirements under certain conditions; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 70 is relating to the scholarship program for special needs students. This bill makes changes to annual notification options available to parents of special needs children. The State Board of Education shall be authorized to require a local board of education to expedite the development of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and to waive the prior school year requirement as a result of a child's medically fragile condition. The Board shall review these requests on a case by case basis. This bill also states when the quarterly payments should be made by. - Authored By: Rep. Rich Golick of the 40th - House Committee: Higher Education - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 78 - Crimes and offenses; protection of disabled adults and elder persons; change provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 78 updates and modernizes Georgia's statutory definition of elder maltreatment to include both sexual abuse and exploitation (financial abuse). It also enhances the mandatory reporting of elder maltreatment by adding additional individuals to the list of mandatory reporters.
HB 78 requires that reporters make a report to the law enforcement agency or prosecuting attorney if the abuse or exploitation occurred in a long-term care facility. If the abuse or exploitation did not occur in a long-term care facility, the reporter must report to both law enforcement and adult protective services that has been designated by the Department of Human Services. - Authored By: Rep. Wendell Willard of the 51st - House Committee: Judiciary - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.

HB 87 - Elections; use of the boundaries of a gated community as the boundaries of a precinct; authorize
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 87 adds the private property lines of a restricted access residential (gated) community to the list of acceptable boundaries for voting precincts. - Authored By: Rep. Dustin Hightower of the 68th - House Committee: Governmental Affairs - A motion to agree as amended sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.
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 - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 150 - Law enforcement officers; the reproduction of arrest booking photographs; enact provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 150 provides that a person who publishes on his or her website arrest booking photos for purposes of commerce is deemed to be transacting business in Georgia. It allows a subject individual, which has a limiting definition, to request that his or her photo be taken down without fee or compensation. The website is allowed 30 days to comply. - Authored By: Rep. Roger Bruce of the 61st - House Committee: Judiciary - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 156 - Electronic pornography; certain acts amounting to unlawfully seducing or enticing a child through use of computer online service; clarify
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 156 fills a gap in the Code whereby any person having custody or control of a child who is solicited online for the sexual exploitation of that child will be held criminally liable. - Authored By: Rep. Jay Neal of the 2nd - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 160 - Mortgages; vacant and foreclosed real property registries; revise provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: Section 1 of HB 160 provides cleanup language to the new Code section added to the Property title last year dealing with vacant and foreclosed real property.
Section 2 prohibits future fees on transfers except in limited circumstances such as homeowner's association dues and service fees. - Authored By: Rep. Mike Jacobs of the 80th - House Committee: Judiciary - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 182 - Juvenile court administration; hearing on the order of an associate court judge; delete provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: The bill eliminates the 2nd hearing a juvenile may have with the elected or appointed juvenile court judge after an associate juvenile court judge has issued an order/decision. - Authored By: Rep. Tom Weldon of the 3rd - House Committee: Juvenile Justice - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.

HB 189 - Natural Resources, Department of; notify local governing authorities before making certain significant changes in park service; require
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 189 (LC 40 0227) Article 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 12 is amended by adding a new Code section, 12-3-12, which defines the term and conditions around `change in services'. The term `change in services' means (1) the permanent change of a primary existing operational function, (2) the reduction by 50 percent or more of the hours of operation or services, or (3) closure of any park, historic site, recreational area operated by the department. The department must provide 60 days' notice prior to making a change in services. The notice required by this code section shall be made in writing and sent to the applicable chairperson of the county commissioners and the mayor. - Authored By: Rep. Debbie Buckner of the 137th - House Committee: Game, Fish, & Parks - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 193 - Sales and use tax; tangible personal property to certain nonprofit health centers; provide exemption only for a limited period of time
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 193 seeks to provide a two year exemption for sales tax paid by certain non-profit groups. The exemption would begin on July 1, 2013 and continues through June 30, 2015. These groups would include: federally qualified nonprofit health centers (FQHC), nonprofit volunteer health clinics, qualified food banks, and qualified job training organizations. Additionally food donated for either purpose of hunger relief or in times of disaster would be exempt from sales tax during this time period. - Authored By: Rep. Ron Stephens of the 164th - House Committee: Ways & Means - A motion to agree as amended sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.
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 - A motion to agree as amended sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.
HB 226 - Solid waste management; tire transportation, storage, and disposal; revise certain requirements
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 226 requires a person who collects or transports any tires other than new tires to obtain a tire carrier permit issued by the Environmental Protection Division which he or she shall display on each vehicle used to collect or transport tires. This does not apply to a common carrier that collects tires exclusively from outside of Georgia. The bill also adds language that a person holding a tire carrier permit shall pay the EPD a nominal fee for each decal issued.
HB 226 also requires a person to obtain a scrap tire processing permit issued by the EPD prior to processing scrap tires. "Processing scrap tires" means "any method, system, or other treatment designed to change the physical form, size, or chemical content of scrap tires for beneficial use."
The bill also amends who is exempted from this code section by exempting private individuals transporting no more than ten of his or her own tires, or a private individual transporting more than ten tires if he or she can provide proof of purchase with receipt of the tires. The section also does not apply to a tire retailer transporting its own used tires if the dealer can provide proof of purchase with receipt for all of the used tires being transported, as well as a document verifying the origin, route, and

destination of the used tires. The section also does not apply to anyone transporting tires collected as part of an organized site cleanup activity.
The bill also lowers the number of scrap tires a person can store in Georgia from one hundred to twenty-five. This does not apply to tire retailers with no more than 1,500 scrap tires in storage, or tire retreaders with no more than 3,000 scrap tires in storage so long as the retreader is actively retreading. The amendment also does not apply to a licensed used motor vehicle parts dealer or registered secondary metals recycler with no more than 500 scrap tires in storage. It also does not apply to a scrap tire processor approved by the division so long as the number of scrap tires in storage does not exceed the quantity approved by EPD if all of the scrap tires are secured in a locked enclosure or are otherwise adequately secured in a manner suitable to prevent unauthorized access. The EPD, however, may grant a waiver of the enclosure requirement if the person requesting the waiver can definitively show a significant and unique economic hardship which impairs his or her ability to continue operating his or her business.
The bill also changes the amount of the surety bond provided to the director by a scrap tire carrier or scrap tire processor prior to issuance of a permit to ensure compliance with these provisions to not less than $10,000 and not greater than $20,000.
The bill also changes the effective date to January 1, 2013. - Authored By: Rep. Randy Nix of the 69th - House Committee: Natural Resources & Environment - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 276 - Hazardous site response; appropriations to Department of Natural Resources and Georgia Hazardous Waste Management Authority; change certain procedures
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 276 amends O.C.G.A. 12-8-95.1(h) by extending the levying of fees for the hazardous waste trust fund until July 1, 2018.
HB 276 also amends O.C.G.A. 12-8-95 relating to the Hazardous Waste Trust Fund by striking language that would allow for a transfer on an annual basis to the Georgia Hazardous Waste Management Authority (Pollution Prevention Assistance Division).
The bill also relates to tire disposal restrictions and fees by adding a new paragraph to O.C.G.A. 12-8-40.1(h) that states, "the fee amount provided for in this subsection shall be subject to to revision pursuant to Code Section 45-12-92.2."
This bill also extends the 75 cent per ton tipping fee collected by any solid waste disposal facility other than an inert landfill to 2018.
This bill also provides for automatic fee adjustments for the hazardous waste fees, the solid waste disposal fee, and the tire disposal fee.
For the purpose of making appropriations to the functions required to administer the programs supported by the fees collected, the Office of Planning and Budget (OPB) must determine the base amount of the fee. "Base amount" is defined as the total amount of fee proceeds collected during the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which the current appropriation amount is being determined. Additionally, OPB must establish what amount would be 25 percent of the base amount collected in fees, and add that amount to the current appropriation to determine the target amount of appropriation. If the new appropriation is equal to or greater than 95 percent of the base amount, or equal to or greater than the target amount, the amount of the fee collected will not be reduced.
However, if the new appropriation amount is less than the target appropriation amount, the fees collected will automatically be reduced by 25 percent. In this case, OPB must notify the collecting entity, when the Appropriations Act becomes law. Any fiscal year when the appropriation again meets the target amount, the fee amount will increase back to the prior amount. This new automatic adjustment of fees does not preclude any appropriation of greater amounts from taking place by OBP. Each collecting agency affected by this bill must confer with OPB to promulgate rules and regulations as would be required, including appropriate public notification of any fee amount change.
Prior to the adoption of the current fiscal year's amended supplementary appropriations bill, the application of a single fee outlined in this Code section may be waived and suspended for up to a single fiscal year. - Authored By: Rep. Chad Nimmer of the 178th - House Committee: Natural Resources & Environment - A motion to agree as amended sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.

HB 302 - Controlled substances; substances included under Schedule I and III; add
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 302 is the annual drug update bill by the Board of Pharmacy moving new and existing drugs into different classes. - Authored By: Rep. Bruce Broadrick of the 4th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 320 - Solid waste management; currently existing and compliant inert waste landfill operations from regulatory permitting; exempt
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 320 amends O.C.G.A. 12-8-24 by adding a subsection that allows for any inert waste landfill that, as of January 1, 2014, is in full compliance with all permit by rule requirements as they existed on January 1, 2012 to continue to operate under the permit by rule requirements.
The bill also exempts any landfills from permitting requirements under O.C.G.A. 12-8-27 that have a total capacity of 250 cubic yards or less and receive only inert waste.
The bill also amends O.C.G.A. 12-8-30.6, which relates to civil penalties for solid waste management violations by setting the fine for non-compliance with this part at not more than $5,000 per day during the time which the violation continues. - Authored By: Rep. Buddy Harden of the 148th - House Committee: Natural Resources & Environment - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 323 - Motor vehicles; age for operation of certain commercial motor vehicle operators; modify
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 323 is the annual "housekeeping" bill for the Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS). It codifies certain rules and regulations that had been adopted by DPS in order to be in compliance with federal law. - Authored By: Rep. Alan Powell of the 32nd - House Committee: Motor Vehicles - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 338 - Georgia Council for the Arts; role of arts in economic development and other vital functions to the state; clarify
- BILL SUMMARY: The legislation clarifies the role of the Georgia Council for the Arts as it relates to economic development by making the council an advisory body. The council will be made up of nine members, appointed by the Governor, serving three year terms. Council members will represent a broad array of major fields of the arts and creative industries, and will be a balanced representation of the entire state. The Governor will appoint a chairperson on an annual basis for a term ending on June 30th of the year following his or her appointment. The chairperson will be responsible for calling upon the council to meet at least twice per fiscal year. The council will advise the Governor through the Department of Economic Development on how best to advance the arts in education, tourism, community development, and economic development in Georgia. They will also assist local governments and communities to plan, build, and connect the arts to their tourism, community, and economic development initiatives. - Authored By: Rep. Joe Wilkinson of the 52nd - House Committee: Economic Development & Tourism - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 382 - Torts; governing authority of school that enters into recreational joint-use agreement with public or private entity; limit liability
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 382 provides that a Board of Education does not waive its sovereign immunity by allowing its recreation facilities to be used by another entity so long as there is a joint-use agreement, and the entity has $1 million insurance policy.
Because state agencies cannot agree to hold harmless clauses in favor of third parties due to restrictions on waiving sovereign immunity, the committee substitute provides an exemption for the state. (1980 Att'y Gen. Op. 80-67) - Authored By: Rep. Jay Powell of the 171st - House Committee: Judiciary - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.

HB 407 - Drivers' licenses; mandatory use of ignition interlock devices following second conviction for driving under influence of alcohol or drugs; modify and extend provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: The committee substitute to HB 407 amends Code sections relating to ignition interlock devices by mandating the use for one (1) year when required by the court or applied for by the offender and granted by the court. - Authored By: Rep. Alan Powell of the 32nd - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 434 - Liens; mechanics and materialmen; special liens include amount due and interest on such amount; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 434 allows a materialman to file a materialman's lien that includes all of the costs provided for in the contract. - Authored By: Rep. Tom Weldon of the 3rd - House Committee: Judiciary - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 457 - Hiram, City of; reincorporation, corporate boundaries, municipal powers, and exercise of powers; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a new charter for the City of Hiram. - Authored By: Rep. Paulette Braddock of the 19th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
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 - House Committee: Motor Vehicles - A motion to agree as amended sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.
HB 475 - Drivers' licenses; commissioner to enter into reciprocal agreements on behalf of Georgia for recognition of licenses issued by foreign territories; authorize
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 475 permits the Commissioner of Driver Services to enter into reciprocal agreements with other countries so that a holder of a valid driver's license in one country could obtain a license in the other without having to be tested. In Georgia, a foreign national would still have to prove lawful presence. - Authored By: Rep. B.J. Pak of the 108th - House Committee: Motor Vehicles - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 484 - Monroe, City of; provide for jurisdiction of municipal court
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide for jurisdiction of the Municipal Court of the City of Monroe. - Authored By: Rep. Bruce Williamson of the 115th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
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 - House Committee: Public Safety & Homeland Security - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 514 - Macon, City of; Payne City, City of; Bibb County; change provisions relative to initial budgets
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to amend the Act to provide a unified form of government for Macon/Bibb County so as to delete references to the City of Payne City, to change provisions relative to initial budgets, to provide for the first annual budget, to provide for the terms of certain boards, commissions, and authorities, to provide for transition of membership and appointing authority, to provide for membership on the transition task force, and to provide for a change in an effective date. - Authored By: Rep. Nikki Randall of the 142nd - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 517 - Alcohol; local control of distance requirements of grocery stores and other licensees for retail sale of wine and malt beverages near college campuses; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: House bill 517 provides for local control of distance requirements for grocery stores and other retailers of wine and malt beverages, by allowing licensees of the retail sale of these beverages to be located within 100 yards of any college campus as permitted by resolution or ordinance of the county or municipality. - Authored By: Rep. Chuck Williams of the 119th - House Committee: Regulated Industries - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 583 - Griffin, City of; Municipal Court; charge technology fee for each civil case and criminal fine imposed; authorize
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to authorize the Municipal Court of the City of Griffin to charge a technology fee for each criminal and quasi-criminal fine paid. - Authored By: Rep. David Knight of the 130th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HB 642 - Brookhaven, City of; clarify provisions regarding terms of office of mayor
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to amend the charter of the City of Brookhaven so as to clarify provisions regarding the terms of office of the mayor, to provide for a finance director, to provide for the duties of such finance director, and to provide for a charter commission. - Authored By: Rep. Mike Jacobs of the 80th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HR 46 - Pierce Lovett Cline Memorial Bridge; Newton County; dedicate
- BILL SUMMARY: This substitute is the annual road facility dedication resolution. Included in the substitute are HRs: 46,47, 48, 72, 229, 272, 340, 450, 485, 503. - Authored By: Rep. Doug Holt of the 112th - House Committee: Transportation - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.

HR 73 - Word, Mr. Lathan Rydell; compensate
- BILL SUMMARY: HR 73 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 73 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 136th - House Committee: Appropriations - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
HR 502 - Joint Study Committee on Mental Health and School Violence; create
- BILL SUMMARY: House Resolution 502 creates the Joint Study Committee on Mental Health and School Violence. - Authored By: Rep. Kevin Tanner of the 9th - House Committee: Health & Human Services - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
SB 177 - Georgia Tourism Foundation; change the membership
- BILL SUMMARY: Senate bill 177 establishes the Georgia Tourism Foundation within the Department of Economic Development. The foundation will be comprised of no less than 9, but no more than 18 members appointed by the Governor, for a total membership of no more than 20. Membership will always include at least 3 members of the Board of Economic Development, but at no time will the Board members comprise more than one-third of the Foundation's membership. The Georgia Tourism Foundation will be authorized to fix a precise number of members, within these parameters, by resolution adopted from time to time at a meeting attended by a majority of its members.
The foundation will be granted the following charitable public purposes and powers: Soliciting and accepting contributions of money and in-kind contributions of services and property for the State-wide Tourism Marketing Program; Making and disbursing contributions to the department for such purposes; Seeking recognition of tax exempt status by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and seeking confirmation concerning the deductibility of contributions; Formulating recommendations for the State-wide Tourism Marketing Program; Creating subsidiaries with like character and powers but with limited missions keyed to particular component programs and activities, per the Governor's approval; Providing additional officers and governance through bylaws which are consistent with the goals of lessening the government burden in promoting tourism, establishing and maintaining tax exempt status, and soliciting deductible contributions; and the Authority to administer and disperse grants and gifts awarded by the federal government in accordance with the terms of said grants and gifts. - Authored By: Sen. Frank Ginn of the 47th - House Committee: Economic Development & Tourism - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.

SR 293 - Ralph A. Pierce Memorial Highway; Lumpkin County; dedicate
- BILL SUMMARY: This is the Senate road and bridge dedication package. This includes the following resolutions:
SR 293 Sen. Steve Gooch SR 293 dedicates the portion of Ga. 52 in Lumpkin County from Ga. 115 to the Hall County line as the Ralph A. Pierce Memorial Highway.
SR 379 Sen. Steve Gooch SR 379 dedicates the intersection of U.S. Highway 19 and Cavender Creek Road in Lumpkin County as the Judge William Jeffrey Lowe Memorial Intersection.
SR 73 Sen. Donzella James SR 73 dedicates the bridge on State Route 29 over the train tracks near Roosevelt Highway and Welcome All Road in Fulton County as the Dekai Amonrasi Memorial Bridge.
SR 96 Sen. Tim Golden SR 96 dedicates the portion of Interstate 75 in Lowndes County from the West Hill Avenue exit to the North Valdosta Road exit as the Governor Melvin Ernest Thompson Memorial Highway.
SR 383 Sen. Jeff Mullis SR 383 dedicates the intersection of Battlefield Parkway and Dietz Road in Catoosa County as the Sergeant John A. Franklin Memorial Intersection.
SR 418 Sen. William Ligon SR 418 dedicates GA25-Spur E. from Brunswick to St. Simons Island in Glynn County as the F.J. Torras Causeway.
Sen. Butch Miller Additional language to the substitute passed by the Senate dedicates the intersection of Highway 129 and Athens Street in Hall County as the Beulah Rucker Oliver Memorial Intersection.
HR 512 Rep. Mickey Channell HR 512 dedicates the bridge on Veazey Road over Interstate 20 in Greene County as the Felton L. Hudson Memorial Bridge.
HR 513 Rep. Carl Rogers HR 513 dedicates the portion of State Route 347 from Interstate 985 East to the Old Winder Highway as the Lanier Islands Parkway.
HR 530 Rep. Nikki Randall HR 530dedicates the interchange of I-475 and Thomaston Road in Macon-Bibb County as Veterans of All Wars Interchange.
HR 570 Rep. Al Williams HR 570 dedicates the interchange and bridge at Interstate 95 over U.S. Highway 17 at South New Port Road in Liberty County as the Reverend Willie Anderson, Sr., Memorial Interchange.
HR 604 Rep. Pat Gardner HR 604 dedicates the interchange at Interstate 75 and Exit 251 in Fulton County as the Senior Patrol Officer Gail Denise Thomas Memorial Interchange.
HR 702 Rep. Ellis Black HR 702 dedicates the bridge on Ga. 177 over Sweetwater Creek between Fargo and Stephen Foster State Park in Clinch County

as the Ray Daugharty Memorial Bridge.
HR 719 Rep. Keisha Waites HR 719 dedicates the bridge on Cleveland Avenue over Interstate 75 in Fulton County as the John Charles Birdine, Jr., Memorial Bridge.
HR 759 Rep. Jason Shaw
This resolution dedicates the portion of Ga. 122 in Lanier County that runs beside Banks Lake from the City of Lakeland to the Lowndes County line as the Governor Eurith Dickson "Ed" Rivers Memorial Highway.
HR 761 Rep. Penny Houston
This resolution dedicates the bridge on County Road 246 Kinard Bridge Road over Interstate 75 in Cook County as the Jim McClelland, Sr., POW Memorial Bridge. - Authored By: Sen. Steve Gooch of the 51st - House Committee: Transportation - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
MOTIONS TO DISAGREE
HB 104 - Special license plates; supporting the Appalachian Trail Conservancy; add
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 104 authorizes the creation of specialty license plates supporting the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the Atlanta Braves. Ten dollars from the sale of each plate will go to the Appalachain Trail Conservancy and the Atlanta Braves Foundation respectively. - Authored By: Rep. John Carson of the 46th - House Committee: Motor Vehicles - A motion to disagree sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.
HB 134 - Income tax; net capital gains shall be excluded from state taxable income of corporations and individuals; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 134 amends 48-7-21(17) so as to completely phase out the state's capital gains tax by 1.5% over the next 4 years. - Authored By: Rep. Richard Smith of the 134th - House Committee: Ways & Means - A motion to disagree sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.
HB 143 - Campaign contributions; disclosure reports; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill changes the signing and filing requirements for candidates for county or municipal offices. Instead of filing them with the commission, candidates for county office will now file the required disclosure reports with the election superintendent in the county and candidates for municipal office will file the reports with the municipal clerk in the municipality or the chief executive officer of the municipality if there is no clerk.
It also requires that any contribution of more than $100.00 received during the period beginning January 1st and ending the first day of session, must be reported to the commission within five business days of the start of session and also reported on the next regularly scheduled campaign contribution report.
In addition, any candidate for elected county office, member of a local board of education, or elected municipal office who provides written notice that they do not intend to accept nor make a combined total of expenditures exceeding $2,500 in a calendar year does not have to file a report. If they end up exceeding $2,500, but not $5,000 they have to file the June 30th and October 25th reports. If they exceed $5,000 they have to file all reports. - Authored By: Rep. David Ralston of the 7th - House Committee: Rules - A motion to disagree sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.

HB 283 - Education; update and revise terminology; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 283 amends Title 20 of the O.C.G.A. relating to education. It implements recommendations from the Education Finance Study Commission, renames vocational to career technical and agriculture, removes obsolete No Child Left Behind language, renames commission charter schools to state charter schools, clarifies that Charter Advisory Commission is only for charter systems, implements budget savings for charter systems, cleanup to Online Clearinghouse and implements request by governor's office to set up a non-profit for Office of Student Achievement. - Authored By: Rep. Brooks Coleman of the 97th - House Committee: Education - A motion to disagree sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.
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 - A motion to disagree sends this bill back to the Senate for consideration.
LOCAL CALENDAR
HB 514 - Macon, City of; Payne City, City of; Bibb County; change provisions relative to initial budgets
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to amend the Act to provide a unified form of government for Macon/Bibb County so as to delete references to the City of Payne City, to change provisions relative to initial budgets, to provide for the first annual budget, to provide for the terms of certain boards, commissions, and authorities, to provide for transition of membership and appointing authority, to provide for membership on the transition task force, and to provide for a change in an effective date. - Authored By: Rep. Nikki Randall of the 142nd - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 174; Nays: 0
HB 661 - Taylor County; board of elections and registration; create
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to create the Taylor County Board of Elections and Registration and to provide for its powers and duties. - Authored By: Rep. Patty Bentley of the 139th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 167; Nays: 0
SB 181 - Georgia History Month; declare September of each year
- BILL SUMMARY: The Georgia Code is amended by solely designating September as Georgia History Month. - Authored By: Sen. Charlie Bethel of the 54th - House Committee: State Planning & Community Affairs - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 47; Nays: 117
SB 254 - Irwin County; create a board of elections and registration; provide for powers and duties
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to create the Irwin County Board of Elections and Registration and to provide for its powers and duties. - Authored By: Sen. Tyler Harper of the 7th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 167; Nays: 0

SB 256 - Magistrate Court of Chatham County; provide chief magistrate shall appoint any pro tempore magistrates
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide that the chief magistrate of the Magistrate Court of Chatham County shall appoint any pro tempore magistrates. - Authored By: Sen. Lester G. Jackson of the 2nd - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 167; Nays: 0
SB 257 - Town of Trion; provide for continuation/support of independent school system of the town
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to amend the charter of the Town of Trion so as to provide for the continuation and support of the independent school system of the town and to provide limitations on the holding of other offices by the school superintendent and members of the board of education. - Authored By: Sen. Jeff Mullis of the 53rd - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 167; Nays: 0
SB 258 - Town of Trion; provide for a quorum/voting by the mayor and council
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide for a quorum and voting by the mayor and council of the Town of Trion. - Authored By: Sen. Jeff Mullis of the 53rd - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 167; Nays: 0
SB 259 - Fort Oglethorpe, City of; change the corporate limits
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to change the corporate limits of the City of Fort Oglethorpe. - Authored By: Sen. Jeff Mullis of the 53rd - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 167; Nays: 0
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COMMITTEE ACTION REPORT
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 514 - Macon, City of; Payne City, City of; Bibb County; change provisions relative to initial budgets
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to amend the Act to provide a unified form of government for Macon/Bibb County so as to delete references to the City of Payne City, to change provisions relative to initial budgets, to provide for the first annual budget, to provide for the terms of certain boards, commissions, and authorities, to provide for transition of membership and appointing authority, to provide for membership on the transition task force, and to provide for a change in an effective date. - Authored By: Rep. Nikki Randall of the 142nd - 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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