Daily report [Mar. 7, 2013]

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

TOMORROW'S FORECAST
* The House will reconvene for its 31st Legislative Day on Monday, March 11, at 10:00 AM.

GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
DAILY REPORT

Thursday, March 07, 2013
TODAY ON THE FLOOR

30th Legislative Day

MOTIONS TO AGREE
HB 273 - Bibb County; State Court; provide additional judge
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide for an additional judge, the appointment thereof, the election of, the terms of office for, and the compensation for, in the State Court of Bibb County. - Authored By: Rep. Nikki Randall of the 142nd - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
RULES CALENDAR
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 - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 166; Nays: 0
HB 132 - Georgia Board of Pharmacy and Georgia Board of Dentistry; administratively attached to Department of Community Health; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: House bill 132 transfers the administration of the Georgia State Board of Pharmacy and the Georgia Board of Dentistry from the Secretary of State to the Department of Community Health. These changes will take effect on July 1, 2013. This legislation also provides additional powers of the Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency, including the ability to employ personnel who are not special agents and may contract with licensing boards to conduct investigations. - Authored By: Rep. Lee Hawkins of the 27th - House Committee: Regulated Industries - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 122; Nays: 46

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 - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 165; Nays: 3
HB 184 - Nonpublic Postsecondary Educational Institutions Act of 1990; authorization to operate by means of accreditation for institutions that meet certain requirements; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 184 delineates the criteria for nonprofit nonpublic postsecondary education institutions and for profit nonpublic postsecondary education institutions to operate by means of accreditation by the Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission. - Authored By: Rep. David Casas of the 107th - House Committee: Higher Education - Rule: Modified-Open - Amendments(s): AM 33 1289 - Yeas: 166; Nays: 0
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 - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 167; Nays: 1
HB 197 - Ad valorem tax; land subject to a forest land conservation use covenant; provide taxation
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 197 clarifies certain provisions within the Conservation Use properties and Forest Land protection laws. Additionally the legislation proposes to allow the Commissioner of Revenue to appoint independent performance review boards to evaluate tax digests that have been called into question for technical accuracy. Lastly, the legislation provides for a mechanism to produce a valuation of a property that is under valuation appeal. - Authored By: Rep. Jay Powell of the 171st - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Structured - Yeas: 163; Nays: 5
HB 203 - American Indian Tribes of Georgia; recognized legitimate tribes; remove certain information
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 203 removes, from Georgia Code, the mailing adresses for the recognized "American Indian Tribes" listed n O.C.G.A. 44-12-300. - Authored By: Rep. Mark Hamilton of the 24th - House Committee: Governmental Affairs - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 160; Nays: 7
HB 211 - Motor fuel excise tax; public school systems under certain circumstances; exempt
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 211 exempts school districts from the excise tax on fuel used in school buses from July 1, 2013 until June 30, 2015. - Authored By: Rep. Tommy Benton of the 31st - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Structured - Yeas: 165; Nays: 1

HB 233 - Albany, City of; levy an excise tax
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to authorize the City of Albany to levy a hotel/motel tax. - Authored By: Rep. Winfred Dukes of the 154th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 119; Nays: 45
HB 238 - Public School Employees Retirement System; limitation on maximum level of benefits; clarify certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 238 increases the membership dues for firefighters and volunteer firefighters that are members of the Georgia Firefighters' Pension Fund from $15.00 to $25.00 per month. This is a nonfiscal retirement bill. - Authored By: Rep. Howard Maxwell of the 17th - House Committee: Retirement - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 163; Nays: 0
HB 240 - Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids; certain speech-language pathology; require reimbursement
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 240 requires Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids to reimburse services provided by speechlanguage pathologists who are clinical fellows licensed by the State Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. - Authored By: Rep. John Carson of the 46th - House Committee: Health & Human Services - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 159; Nays: 6
HB 282 - Municipal Broadband Investment Act; enact
- BILL SUMMARY: House bill 282 adds a new chapter to the Georgia Code known as the Municipal Broadband Investment Act, which allows public providers of broadband service to provide services in unserved areas as determined by the Public Service Commission. As of July 31, 2013, a public provider will also be allowed to provide service to any census block it already provided service to prior to this date, or offer service to any census clock with infrastructure capable of providing such as of June 30, 2013. The Public Service Commission will have the authority to carry out the rules and regulations associated with this Act. A public provider is defined as any county, municipal corporation, or other political subdivision of the state which provides broadband service directly or indirectly, for the benefit of any county, municipal corporation, or other political subdivision of the state. This does not include a municipal corporation, or any authority or instrumentality of a municipal corporation that owns or operates an electric utility. Additionally, an unserved area is defined as a census block for which the National Broadband Map shows no broadband services is available. - Authored By: Rep. Mark Hamilton of the 24th - House Committee: Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 70; Nays: 94
HB 318 - Georgia Tourism Development Act; revise certain definitions; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: House bill 318 makes changes to the Georgia Tourism Development Act. The term "agreement" means an agreement for a tourism attraction project between the Department of Community Affairs and an approved company. "Annual sales and use tax" means state sales and use taxes remitted to the state that were generated by sales to the general public at the approved tourism attraction during the calendar year immediately preceding the date of the tax refund claim. An "approved company" must be an entity that has submitted an approved application to undertake a tourism attraction project. Only one company may be approved per project. "Incremental sales and use tax" is defined as taxes remitted to the state that were generate by sales to the general public at the approved tourism attraction from the date on which construction of the expansion project is completed through the end of the calendar year immediately preceding the date of filing the refund claim, less the state sales and use taxes remitted to the state that were generated by the general public during the 12 month period immediately preceding the commencement of the construction. "Local sales and use tax" is defined as any sales and use tax levied and imposed in an area consisting of less than the entire state. A "sales and use tax refund" is the amount equal to the lesser of the annual sales and use tax or 2.5% of the total of all

approved costs incurred at any time prior to January 1st of the year the claim is filed. "Tourism attraction" is defined as a cultural or historical site; a recreation or entertainment facility; a convention hotel and conference center; an automobile race track, including, but not limited to, the Atlanta Motor Speedway, with other tourism amenities; a golf course facility with other tourism amenities; marinas and water parks with lodging and restaurant facilities designed to attract tourists; or a Georgia crafts and products center. Tourism attractions will not be primarily devoted to the retail sale of goods, shopping centers, restaurants, or movie theaters. The Commissioner of Economic Development and the Commissioner of Community Affairs will have the discretion to grant an approved company a sales and use tax refund for new projects or an incremental sales and use tax refund for expansions of existing tourism attractions. The term of the agreement granting a refund will be ten years, commencing on the date the attraction opens and begins to collect taxes or, for an expansion, the date construction is complete. For each calendar year or partial calendar year occurring during the term of the agreement, the company will file a claim with the Department of Revenue for a refund by March 31st of the following year. No sales and use tax refund will be granted to a company that is simultaneously receiving any other state tax incentive associated with any one tourism attraction project. Refunds will be made without interest. Applications must be filed with the Department of Community Affairs, which will also be responsible for reviewing the compliance of an agreement. - Authored By: Rep. Ron Stephens of the 164th - House Committee: Economic Development & Tourism - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 148; Nays: 19
HB 371 - Motor fuel tax; define liquefied natural gas
- BILL SUMMARY: Define liquefied natural gas as "methane or natural gas in the form of a cryogenic or refrigerated liquid for use as a motor fuel." And place a minimum on the gallon equivalent of liquefied natural gas, not to be less than 6.06 pounds. - Authored By: Rep. Ben Harbin of the 122nd - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Structured - Yeas: 168; Nays: 0
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 - House Committee: Appropriations - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 169; Nays: 1
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 - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 170; Nays: 0
HB 399 - Ad valorem tax; types of interests in real property may be subject to taxation; clarify
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 399 amends 6-3-21 to clarify that holders of usufructs in municipally owned airports shall not be subject to ad valorem taxation by the county government in which the municipally owned airport is located. - Authored By: Rep. David Knight of the 130th - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Structured - Yeas: 111; Nays: 56

HB 402 - Conservation; shore protection and coastal marshlands protection; revise various provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 402 amends the Shore Protection Act and the Coastal Marshland Protection Act by by extending DNR the authority to issue letters of permission and to impose reasonable fees for processing them. The bill defines the term "Letter of Permission" within the Acts to allow the Department of Natural Resources to authorize activities that do not result in new impacts outside of existing, serviceable structures or temporary activities that do not exceed six months.The bill also provides for a fifteen day public notice period prior to the issuance of any such letter. - Authored By: Rep. Ron Stephens of the 164th - House Committee: Natural Resources & Environment - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 160; Nays: 0
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 - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 169; Nays: 3
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 - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 166; Nays: 0
HB 454 - Budget report; require certain items to be included in tax expenditure review
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 454 allows for the following analysis to be included in the tax expenditure review report when available: a detailed description of the expenditure, a review of intended Legislative purpose, effect on the administration of the tax system and entities benefiting from the expenditure. - Authored By: Rep. Chuck Martin of the 49th - House Committee: Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 163; Nays: 0
HB 458 - Condominiums; maximum allowable casualty insurance deductible imposed by associations; change
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 458 changes the maximum allowable casualty insurance deductible imposed by condominium associations on condominium unit owners from $2,500 to $5,000. - Authored By: Rep. Alex Atwood of the 179th - House Committee: Insurance - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 170; Nays: 0
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 - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 169; Nays: 1

HB 470 - Bibb County; Civil Service System and Civil Service Board; define a certain term; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to amend the Act which created a Civil Service System and a Civil Service Board for Bibb County so as to provide for the award of an attorney's fee under certain conditions. - Authored By: Rep. Nikki Randall of the 142nd - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 119; Nays: 45
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 - House Committee: State Planning & Community Affairs - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 170; Nays: 0
HB 476 - Hinesville, City of; change corporate limits
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to change the corporate limits of the City of Hinesville. - Authored By: Rep. Al Williams of the 168th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 119; Nays: 45
HB 486 - Weight of vehicles; issuance of annual commercial wrecker emergency tow permits; provide qualifications
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 486 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: Rep. Jay Roberts of the 155th - House Committee: Transportation - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 167; Nays: 1
HB 487 - Offenses against public health and morals; Georgia Lottery; correct a cross reference
- BILL SUMMARY: Section 1
50-27-70 This legislation would move existing definitions, licensure, and enforcement authority of coin operated amusement machines from the Department of Revenue to the Lottery Corporation. 50-27-71 This section allows the lottery corporation the ability to revoke or suspend a license of a location owner who violates the new restrictions set forth by this bill. 50-27-84 This section requires location owners and operators of Class B machines to submit to the lottery corporation monthly verified reports of cash flow. 50-27-87 The section prohibits location owners to obtain an operator's license to provide for checks and balances in the system and capture income and sales tax obligations. Increased enforcement penalties for violations of this subsection include license revocation and significant civil fines. 50-27-87 This section outlines unfair and deceptive trade practices. This includes the prohibition of an operator or location owner from offering or accepting procurement fees, gifts, etc. in exchange for locating a coin operated amusement machine in an establishment. Increased enforcement penalties for violations of this subsection include license revocation and significant civil fines. 50-27-89 This section creates an advisory board to oversee the Class B machine accounting terminal for the lottery corporation to implement. 50-27-101 This section requires the lottery corporation to procure a Class B accounting terminal that will link all Class B machines to a network for the purposes of auditing, reporting, and following cash flow through the system. 50-27-102

This section outlines that the state will not have any capital expenditures other than the accounting system, the operator has the financial and operating responsibilities to operate and maintain the machines, and the location owner is responsible for the store, staffing of the store, and completing the redemption process.
Section 2 This section provides the state with the ability to seize any Class B machines that are illegally paying out cash. It also removes the prohibition on lottery tickets as a valid form of redemption. - Authored By: Rep. Matt Ramsey of the 72nd - House Committee: Regulated Industries - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 166; Nays: 4
HB 494 - Mass transportation; installation of safety markers on utility lines to provide adequate visual warning in use of private airstrips; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 494 allows any owner of a private airstrip to make a written notice to an owner of an appurtenant utility line requesting the installation of safety markers. - Authored By: Rep. Andrew J. Welch of the 110th - House Committee: Transportation - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 167; Nays: 2
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 - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 168; Nays: 1
HB 499 - Torts; payor guidelines and criteria under federal law shall not establish legal basis for negligence or standard of care for medical malpractice; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 499 ensures that any administrative guideline set by the Affordable Care Act does not create a legal basis for negligence or the standard or duty of care owed by a health care provider to a patient in a medical malpractice. - Authored By: Rep. Donna Sheldon of the 104th - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 134; Nays: 35
HB 506 - Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit; provide for selection of chief judge
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 506 provides for the election and term of the chief judge of the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit. - Authored By: Rep. Calvin Smyre of the 135th - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 166; Nays: 2
HB 511 - State employees' health insurance plan; pilot program to provide coverage for bariatric surgical procedures for treatment and management of obesity; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 511 creates a two year pilot program to provide coverage for bariatric surgical procedures for State Health Benefit Plan participants. The program is required to be limited to no more than 75 participants. Eligible SHBP participants must meet criteria established by the department that must include the following: 1.) Participation in SHBP's wellness program for at least 12 months. 2.) Completion of a health risk assessment. 3.) A body mass index of greater than 40 or greater than 35 with one or more co-morbidities. 4.) Consent to provide personal and medical information. 5.) Non tobacco user.

6.) No other primary group health coverage or primary coverage with Medicare. 7.) Must be covered under SHBP for two years immediately prior to the pilot program and must express intent to continue coverage under SHBP for two years following the procedure date. The bariatric surgical procedures covered in the pilot program are the gastric band, laparoscopic sleeve gastrostomy, and Rouen-Y gastric bypass. This legislation creates a panel to review the results and outcomes of the pilot program. The department is required to provide an annual report to the General Assembly each year of the program. - Authored By: Rep. Katie M. Dempsey of the 13th - House Committee: Health & Human Services - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 152; Nays: 16
HB 512 - Safe Carry Protection Act; enact
- BILL SUMMARY: House Bill 512 amends multiple sections of Georgia's weapons Code to allow for expanded carry rights for license holders and to clean up and clarify language regarding weapons law in this state. HB 512 allows for carry in places of worship, bars, on college campuses. It also gives more discretion to determine eligibility of an applicant after a mental health waiver is signed. The legislation makes unknowingly carrying a weapon in a non-restricted area of a commercial airport a misdemeanor offense. Finally, the bill gives the power to regulate weapons law to the state legislature. This Act is known as the "Safe Carry Protection Act". - Authored By: Rep. Rick Jasperse of the 11th - House Committee: Public Safety & Homeland Security - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 117; Nays: 56
HB 513 - Education; Georgia Medical Center Authority; abolish
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 513 repeals Title 20, Section 15 relating to the Georgia Medical Center Authority. - Authored By: Rep. Penny Houston of the 170th - House Committee: Health & Human Services - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 167; Nays: 0
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 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: 119; Nays: 45
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 - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 156; Nays: 6
HB 536 - County law libraries; receipt and disbursement of funds by counties having a population of 950,000; repeal and reserve Code section
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to repeal a population Act originally applicable to Fulton County relating to the receipt and disbursement of funds for county law libraries. - Authored By: Rep. Chuck Sims of the 169th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 171; Nays: 0

HB 537 - Local boards of education; population provision prohibiting certain members from holding other offices; repeal
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to repeal a population Act originally applicable to DeKalb County relating to members of county boards of education holding no other elective governmental office. - Authored By: Rep. Chuck Sims of the 169th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 168; Nays: 0
HB 538 - County boards of health; population relative to superintendent of largest municipal school system in certain counties serving on board of health ex officio; repeal provision
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to repeal a population Act originally applicable to Cobb County relating to the superintendent of the largest municipal school system serving as an ex-officio member of the county board of health. - Authored By: Rep. Chuck Sims of the 169th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 169; Nays: 0
HB 539 - Campus police officers; repeal a portion of a definition based upon population classification
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to repeal a population Act originally applicable to DeKalb and Fulton Counties relating to definitions relative to campus police officers. - Authored By: Rep. Chuck Sims of the 169th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Rule: Modified-Open - Amendments(s): AM 35 0324 - Yeas: 121; Nays: 47
HB 540 - Board of education; pension board recompute pension to teachers and employees who retired prior to April 1, 1955 and who had been awarded a pension for 20 years service in counties of 500,000 population
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to repeal a population Act originally applicable to Fulton County relating to the pension board of the board of education and pensions paid to teachers and employees who had retired prior to April 1, 1955 and who had been awarded a basic pension for 20 years of service. - Authored By: Rep. Chuck Sims of the 169th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 165; Nays: 3
HB 541 - Fulton County; increase homestead exemption amount to $60,000 after three-year phase in period; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to increase the homestead exemption from Fulton County ad valorem taxes for county purposes from $30,000.00 to $60,000.00 after a three-year phase-in period. - Authored By: Rep. Jan Jones of the 47th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 119; Nays: 45
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 - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 97; Nays: 58
HR 107 - Joint Study Committee on Medicaid Reform; create
- BILL SUMMARY: House Resolution 107 creates a joint 18-member study committee for the purposes of evaluating the state's Medicaid program, examining other states' best practices and planning for future actions necessary to sustain appropriate levels of services and funding. The Speaker of the House and the Lieutenant Governor appoint six members from their respective chambers with one being a member of the minority party, and the Governor has six appointments to include representation for the Department of Community Health, hospitals, insurers and nursing homes, as well as a physician and a consumer. The committee is authorized to meet for five days and report its findings by December 31, 2013 when it is abolished. - Authored By: Rep. Donna Sheldon of the 104th - House Committee: Appropriations - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 167; Nays: 5
HR 549 - House Study Committee on Professional Licensing Boards; create
- BILL SUMMARY: HR 549 ( LC 33 5141) A House Study Committee on Professional Licensing Boards will be created to study the following items, but not limited to these items.
The existing structure of licensing boards will be studied to determine whether each structure: 1. Is streamlined, optimizes efficiencies of scale, and provides for the appropriate state entity or entities to oversee licensing boards; 2. Provides adequate staffing needs; 3. Includes available, affordable technologies for faster, more reliable electronic record keeping; 4. Currently assesses adequate licensing fees to support the direct and indirect costs to the state for the various boards to provide such services; and 5. Is effective and efficient relating to any matters associated with licensing professions in this state. - Authored By: Rep. Ed Rynders of the 152nd - House Committee: Appropriations - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 166; Nays: 4
HR 603 - Community Health, Department of; collect and report certain data relating to bariatric surgical procedures; direct
- BILL SUMMARY: House Resolution 603 directs the Department of Community Health to provide the following claims data related to bariatric surgery to Health & Human Services and Appropriations Committees of the House and Senate by December 31, 2013: 1.) Date of surgery. 2.) Type of procedure. 3.) Open or laparoscopic surgery. 4.) Actual cost of surgical procedure. 5.) Patient comorbidities documented after surgery as well as the costs of such comorbidities. 6.) Absentee records after surgery. - Authored By: Rep. Katie M. Dempsey of the 13th - House Committee: Health & Human Services - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 164; Nays: 1

SB 182 - Board of Education of Hancock County; change description of education districts
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to reapportion the Hancock County Board of Education. - Authored By: Sen. David Lucas of the 26th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 119; Nays: 45
SB 183 - Board of County Commissioners of Hancock County; change the description of the commissioner districts
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to reapportion the Hancock County Board of Commissioners. - Authored By: Sen. David Lucas of the 26th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 119; Nays: 45
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COMMITTEE ACTION REPORT
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 522 - Henry County Water and Sewerage Authority; change name to Henry County Water Authority
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to amend the Act which created the Henry County Water and Sewerage Authority, so as to change the name of the authority and to provide for its powers and duties. - Authored By: Rep. Dale Rutledge of the 109th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 525 - Statesboro, City of; increase excise tax
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to authorize the City of Statesboro to levy a hotel/motel tax. - Authored By: Rep. Jan Tankersley of the 160th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 529 - Cordele, City of; increase excise tax
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to authorize the City of Cordele to levy a hotel/motel tax. - Authored By: Rep. Buddy Harden of the 148th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 534 - Tifton, City of; change amount of homestead exemption for residents 65 or older
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a homestead exemption from City of Tifton ad valorem taxes in the amount of $35,000.00 of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that city aged 65 or older. - Authored By: Rep. Penny Houston of the 170th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 543 - Douglas County; levy an excise tax
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to authorize Douglas County to levy a hotel/motel tax. - Authored By: Rep. Micah Gravley of the 67th - Committee Action: Do Pass

Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
HB 544 - Cherokee County; board of commissioners; candidates shall have resided within district for period of 12 months preceding election
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide residency requirements for candidates for the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners. - Authored By: Rep. Scot Turner of the 21st - Committee Action: Do Pass
Intragovernmental Coordination - Local
SB 199 - Board of Education of McDuffie County; change description of the education districts
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to reapportion the McDuffie County Board of Education. - Authored By: Sen. Jesse Stone of the 23rd - Committee Action: Do Pass
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COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE

Friday, March 08, 2013: No Meetings

TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Monday, March 11, 2013 Appropriations - Education Subcommittee Appropriations - Higher Education Subcommittee Appropriations - Public Safety Subcommittee Appropriations - General Government Subcommittee Appropriations - Health Subcommittee Appropriations - Human Resources Subcommittee Appropriations - Economic Development Subcommittee APPROPRIATIONS JOINT SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

341 CAP (7:30-7:45am) 341 CAP (7:45-8:00am) 341 CAP (8:00-8:15am) 341 CAP (8:15-8:30am) 341 CAP (8:30-8:45am) 341 CAP (8:45-9:00am) 341 CAP (9:00-9:15am) 341 CAP 506 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.