Daily report [Feb. 10, 2014]

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

TOMORROW'S FORECAST
* The House will reconvene for its 21st Legislative Day on Tuesday, February 11, at 10:00 AM. * 6 bills are expected to be debated on the floor.

Monday, February 10, 2014

20th Legislative Day

TODAY ON THE FLOOR
RULES CALENDAR
HB 645 - Insurance; electronic transmissions of notices and documents from an insurers to a party to an insurance transaction; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 645 provides for insurers to offer electronic policy processing and information dissemination to their policy holders. It does not allow them to make the program mandatory. - Authored By: Rep. Matt Dollar of the 45th - House Committee: Insurance - Rule: Open - Yeas: 164; Nays: 0
HB 646 - Magistrates Retirement Fund of Georgia; part-time chief magistrates may become members of such fund; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill deletes the "full-time chief magistrate" definition under the code section relating to the Magistrates Retirement Fund of Georgia. By deleting this definition all magistrates, including those that are part-time, will be eligible to participate in the fund. - Authored By: Rep. Barry Fleming of the 121st - House Committee: Retirement - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 164; Nays: 1
HB 714 - Labor; determination of eligibility for unemployment benefits of certain people performing certain services; provide changes
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 714 amends the law regarding unemployment insurance. It provides that private employees that work in seasonal jobs cannot receive unemployment insurance benefits during breaks in their employment if there is a reasonable expectation that their employment will resume at the end of the break. This law establishes parity with public sector seasonal employees. It becomes effective January 1, 2015. - Authored By: Rep. Mark Hamilton of the 24th - House Committee: Industry and Labor - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 111; Nays: 60
HB 719 - Sales and use tax; continuation of joint county municipal tax; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation amends Article 2 of 48-8, and establishes that all local option sales tax distribution certificates that were filed between June 4, 2010 and October 18, 2013 are valid and will stay in effect until a subsequent distribution certificate is filed with the Department of Revenue. - Authored By: Rep. Kevin Tanner of the 9th - House Committee: Ways & Means - Rule: Structured - Yeas: 170; Nays: 0
HB 741 - Water resources; issuance of sludge land application permits; revise certain requirements
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill revises the requirements related to the issuance of sludge land application permits by adding a subsection stating that the EPD director shall require any applicant to provide written verification that the proposed facility complies with applicable local zoning or land use ordinances, if any. The bill also requires that the public hearings conducted by EPD and the applicant for the permit be within the jurisdiction of the local governing authority where the proposed sludge land application site is located. - Authored By: Rep. Kevin Tanner of the 9th - House Committee: Natural Resources & Environment - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 161; Nays: 1

HB 835 - Controlled substances; Schedules I, III, and IV; change certain provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation amends O.C.G.A. 16-13-25, 27, 28 and 71 regarding Schedule 1 controlled substances by including additional Schedule 1 drugs. - Authored By: Rep. Bruce Broadrick of the 4th - House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 168; Nays: 1
HB 837 - Probation services; provide for legislative findings and intent; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 837 amends Article 6 of Chapter 8 of Title 42 of the O.C.G.A. relating to agreements for probation services by stating that it is the General Assembly's intention to authorize judges to use county and municipal probation services providers to supervise misdemeanor and county and city ordinance offenders in the same manner as the judges of the superior courts use state probation services as a way to supervise felony offenders. The bill also amends Code Section 42-8100 by taking out the language of "county or municipal court" in relation to jurisdiction of probation matters as well as adding a list of terms and conditions for probation that the probationer shall follow including avoiding injurious and vicious habits, remaining in a specified location, and wear a device capable of tracking the location of the probationer. HB 837 allows judges to toll warrants when all efforts have been exhausted to find a running probationer while adding to the Code section an effective date for the tolling of the sentence and discussing related fines and time already served on probation. - Authored By: Rep. Mark Hamilton of the 24th - House Committee: Public Safety & Homeland Security - Rule: Modified-Open - Amendments(s): AM 41 0008, AM 41 0014, AM 41 0011, AM 41 0013 all were adopted - This bill did NOT pass as a Motion to Table was made and adopted
HB 877 - Motor vehicles; local authorities ability to regulate use of personal transportation vehicles on roadways and designated paths and lanes; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 877 updates and modernizes the Georgia Motor Vehicle Code as it relates to Motorized Carts and Personal Transportation Vehicles. It establishes Georgia as the model for all states in the use of these vehicles on public paths and roadways. - Authored By: Rep. Jay Roberts of the 155th - House Committee: Motor Vehicles - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 165; Nays: 1
* The House will reconvene Tuesday, February 11, at 10:00 AM, for its 21st Legislative Day.
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COMMITTEE ON RULES
The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 21st Legislative Day, Tuesday, February 11, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker.
NEXT ON THE FLOOR
HB 477 - Employees' Retirement System of Georgia; Georgia Judicial Retirement System; transfer service credit
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill adds language that any member of the Judicial Retirement System (JRS) who has not withdrawn their benefits can transfer them to the Employees' Retirement System (ERS) and must notify the board of trustees of each retirement system. If a member of JRS has withdrawn their retirement contributions, they may obtain creditable service by paying ERS an amount the member desires. ERS will only credit the member with the number of years of creditable service warranted by the amount the member desired to pay without creating any liability to JRS. No member will be granted creditable service in excess of the service they were credited under JRS. This is a fiscal retirement bill. - Authored By: Rep. Jay Powell of the 171st - House Committee: Retirement - House Committee Passed: 2/5/2014 - Rule: Modified-Open
HB 516 - Retirement and pensions; election to participate in Regents Retirement Plan in lieu of Teachers Retirement System of Georgia shall be revocable at will; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: Under this bill, if a member declined participation in the Teachers' Retirment System (TRS) for participation in the Board of Regent's retirement plan they will now be eligible to revoke election in the Regent's retirement plan for membership in TRS. The member must notify the board of trustees of TRS and will become an active member the first day of the month after the notification is received by the board. The member may be able to transfer creditable service covered under Regent's retirement plan. The creditable service would be based on the amount of funds paid to the board without creating any unfunded liability to the system. Also, the amount of creditable service may not exceed the person's actual years of service in the Regent's retirement plan. This is a fiscal retirement bill. - Authored By: Rep. Christian Coomer of the 14th - House Committee: Retirement - House Committee Passed: 2/5/2014 - Rule: Modified-Open
HB 758 - Bartow County; Superior Court; change terms of court
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 758 amends O.C.G.A. 15-6-3 by changing the terms of Court in Bartow County from February, August, April, and October, to February, May, August, and November. - Authored By: Rep. Christian Coomer of the 14th - House Committee: Judiciary - House Committee Passed: 2/4/2014 - Rule: Modified-Open
HB 773 - Crimes and offenses; discharging a gun or pistol near public highway or street; change provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 773 amends Part 1 of Article 4 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the O.C.G.A. to change provisions relating to discharging a gun or pistol near a public highway or street. Under HB 773, a firearm is defined as any handgun, rifle, or shotgun, and a public highway means every public street, road, and highway in this state. The legislation states that it shall be unlawful for any person without legal justification to discharge a firearm on or within 50 yards of a public highway. Exceptions include: indoor/outdoor sport shooting ranges, facilities used for firearm/hunting safety courses sponsored by unit of government, and any business location of any person, firm, dealer, or pawnbroker licensed as a firearm dealer pursuant to Chapter 16 of Title 43. This Code section shall not apply to any person engaged in legal hunting which occurs within 50 yards of a public highway, and any person who violates subsection (b) of the Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. - Authored By: Rep. Robert Dickey of the 140th - House Committee: Public Safety & Homeland Security - House Committee Passed: 2/4/2014 - Rule: Modified-Structured

HB 840 - Insurance; persons under authority of Commissioner and subject to penalties under Title 33; clarify
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 840 updates the Insurance Code as it relates to persons required to be licensed by the Commissioner of Insurance. During recent legislative sessions, several changes have been made in regards to those needing to be licensed and the requirements of those licenses. This bill seeks to provide continuity in the Code as it relates to these changes. - Authored By: Rep. Rich Golick of the 40th - House Committee: Insurance - House Committee Passed: 2/5/2014 - Rule: Modified-Open
HB 849 - Insurance; excess wear and use waivers shall not be construed as insurance; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 849 amends Title 33 of the O.C.G.A. to clarify that an Excess Wear and Use Waiver is not considered insurance. - Authored By: Rep. Howard Maxwell of the 17th - House Committee: Insurance - House Committee Passed: 2/5/2014 - Rule: Modified-Open
* The Rules Committee will next meet on Tuesday, February 11, at 9:00 AM, to set the Rules Calendar for the 22nd Legislative Day.
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COMMITTEE ACTION REPORT
Governmental Affairs
HB 436 - Public officers; counties and municipalities provide by local law for district durational residency requirements; authorize
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 436 allows that the General Assembly may provide by local law for a district residency requirement for candidates for county or city office so long as it does not exceed 12 months residency within the district from which such candidate seeks election. - Authored By: Rep. Scot Turner of the 21st - Committee Action: Do Pass
Governmental Affairs
HB 739 - Public officers and employees; expense allowances are authorized only if member of board or commission is physically present at meeting; provide
- BILL SUMMARY: HB 739 provides that a member of a state board, committee, or commission who does not physically attend their meetings shall not be eligible to receive an expense allowance or per diem for such meeting. Expenses allowances or per diems are not allowed for participation via video conference, conference call, or similar technological method. - Authored By: Rep. Alan Powell of the 32nd - 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 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM 8:30 AM - 9:00 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 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM 2:00 PM - 3:00 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

Tuesday, February 11, 2014 FLOOR SESSION (LD 21) APPROPRIATIONS General Government Subcommittee of Governmental Affairs RULES Utilties Subcommittee of Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications INFORMATION & AUDITS BANKS & BANKING Jacobs Subcommittee of Judiciary Civil JUDICIARY CIVIL STATE PLANNING & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS GAME, FISH & PARKS JUVENILE JUSTICE JOINT ETHICS Academic Achievement Subcommittee of Education

HOUSE CHAMBER- 10:00am 341 CAP 606 CLOB 341 CAP 403 CAP 406 CLOB- CANCELED 506 CLOB 132 CAP 132 CAP 403 CAP 403 CAP 506 CLOB 450 CAP 415 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.