Daily report [Mar. 6, 2014]

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

TOMORROW'S FORECAST
* The House will reconvene for its 34th Legislative Day on Friday, March 7, at 9:00 AM. * 4 bills/resolutions are expected to be debated on the floor.

Thursday, March 06, 2014

33rd Legislative Day

TODAY ON THE FLOOR
RULES CALENDAR
HR 1280 - United States Congress; support successful negotiation of Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership between United States and European Union; encourage
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution encourages the federal government to support the successful negotiation of a mutually beneficial Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership between the United States and the European Union. - Authored By: Rep. Michael Caldwell of the 20th - House Committee: Economic Development & Tourism - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 138; Nays: 24
SB 301 - Public School Facilities; disallow prohibitions on wood construction in public schools if in compliance with state minimum standard codes
- BILL SUMMARY: Senate Bill 301 amends Code Section 20-2-261, relating to minimum facility requirements for public school facilities, to allow wood construction that is in compliance with the state minimum standards codes as defined in paragraph (9) of Code Section 8-2-20. - Authored By: Sen. Fran Millar of the 40th - House Committee: State Properties - Rule: Modified-Open - Yeas: 168; Nays: 0
SR 736 - United States Constitution Article V; apply for a convention of the states
- BILL SUMMARY: Senate Resolution 736 calls for a convention of the states under Article V of the United States Constitution. - Authored By: Sen. Cecil Staton of the 18th - House Committee: Judiciary - Rule: Modified-Structured - Yeas: 107; Nays: 58
SB 209 - Electronic Transactions; provide that no entity shall be prohibited from making self-help documents; not a substitute for advice of a professional
- BILL SUMMARY: The bill creates a new Code Section 10-12-14.1 which provides that no individual, company or other entity shall be prohibited from making available, designing, creating, publishing, assembling, completing distributing, displaying or selling self-help documents, information and automated forms in hard copy, electronically, or online, whether made available with or without a fee provided that the storefront, website or other medium from which the items or provided states that the items are not a substitute for the advice of a professional in the relevant industry. - Authored By: Sen. John Wilkinson of the 50th - House Committee: Agriculture & Consumer Affairs - Rule: Modified-Open - This bill was "Tabled"
LOCAL CALENDAR
HB 1082 - Sandersville, City of; election of members of city council; change provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to providing for a new charter for the City of Sandersville. - Authored By: Rep. Mack Jackson of the 128th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 157; Nays: 0
HB 1086 - Kingsland; City of; change certain provision relating to debts of district
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to create one or more community improvement districts in the City of Kingsland. - Authored By: Rep. Ellis Black of the 174th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 157; Nays: 0

HB 1090 - Arlington, City of; provide a new charter
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a new charter for the City of Arlington. - Authored By: Rep. Gerald Greene of the 151st - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 157; Nays: 0
HB 1092 - Fayette County Public Facilities Authority; grant power with regard to storm-water management systems
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to amend an Act creating the Fayette County Public Facilities Authority. - Authored By: Rep. John P Yates of the 73rd - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 157; Nays: 0
HB 1093 - Eatonton, City of; ad valorem tax; municipal purposes; provide homestead exemption
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide a homestead exemption from City of Eatonton ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes in the amount of $10,000 of the assessed value of the homestead for residents. - Authored By: Rep. Mickey Channell of the 120th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 157; Nays: 0
HB 1094 - Eatonton, City of; ad valorem tax; municipal purposes; provide homestead exemption
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide for a homestead exemption from City of Eatonton ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes in an amount equal to the amount by which the current year assessed value of a homestead exceeds the base year assessed value of such homestead for residents of that county who are 70 years of age or older. - Authored By: Rep. Mickey Channell of the 120th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 157; Nays: 0
HB 1095 - Eatonton, City of; ad valorem tax; municipal purposes; provide homestead exemption
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide for a homestead exemption from City of Eatonton ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes in an amount equal to the amount by which the current year assessed value of a homestead exceeds the base year assessed value of such homestead. - Authored By: Rep. Mickey Channell of the 120th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 157; Nays: 0
HB 1097 - Macon-Bibb County Community Improvement Districts Act; enact
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide for the creation of one or more community improvement districts in Macon-Bibb County. - Authored By: Rep. Nikki Randall of the 142nd - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 157; Nays: 0
HB 1099 - Warren County; board of education member to serve simultaneously as deputy coroner and deputy coroner serve simultaneously as board member; authorize
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to provide that a member of the board of education of Warren County shall be authorized to serve simultaneously as deputy corner of Warren County and that deputy coroner of Warren County shall be authorized to serve simultaneously on the board of the education of Warren County. - Authored By: Rep. Mack Jackson of the 128th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 157; Nays: 0

HB 1102 - Dalton, City of; Redevelopment Powers Law; provide a referendum
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to authorize the City of Dalton to exercise all redevelopment powers as permitted under the State Constitution and the Redevelopment Powers Law pending a local referendum to approve the authorization. - Authored By: Rep. Bruce Broadrick of the 4th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 157; Nays: 0
HB 1103 - Young Harris, City of; revise terms of office and manner of election of mayor and council
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to revise the terms of office and manner of election of mayor and council for the City of Young Harris. - Authored By: Rep. Stephen Allison of the 8th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 157; Nays: 0
HB 1104 - Habersham County State Court; provide judge and solicitor shall be part-time positions
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to amend an Act creating and establishing the State Court of Habersham County; to provide for terms of office for the judge and solicitor of said court; to provide for compensation. - Authored By: Rep. Terry Rogers of the 10th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 157; Nays: 0
HB 1105 - Telfair County; providing county officers shall be ineligible to hold office under certain conditions; repeal amendment
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to repeal the amendment to the Constitution of Georgia providing that county officers of Telfair County shall be ineligible to hold office under certain conditions. - Authored By: Rep. Jimmy Pruett of the 149th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 157; Nays: 0
HB 1106 - Bryan County; create board of elections and registration; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to create a Board of Elections and Registration for Bryan County, to provide for the powers and duties. - Authored By: Rep. Ron Stephens of the 164th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 157; Nays: 0
HB 1108 - Douglas County; Board of Education; provide for compensation of members
- BILL SUMMARY: A Bill to amend an Act creating the Douglas County Board of Education, so as to provide for compensation of members. - Authored By: Rep. Micah Gravley of the 67th - House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local - Rule: Open - Yeas: 157; Nays: 0
* The House will reconvene Friday, March 7, at 9:00 AM, for its 34th Legislative Day.

COMMITTEE ON RULES
The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 34th Legislative Day, Friday, March 7, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker.
NEXT ON THE FLOOR
HR 1279 - Savannah River Basin; development of water management plan; encourage
- BILL SUMMARY: House Resolution 1279, on behalf of the Joint State Water Caucus, encourages the appropriate Georgia and South Carolina agencies, as well as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop and implement an adaptive water management plan for the Savannah River Basin. - Authored By: Rep. Alan Powell of the 32nd - House Committee: Natural Resources & Environment - House Committee Passed: 3/5/2014 - Rule: Modified-Open
HR 1599 - Joint Study Committee on the Georgia Alcoholic Beverage Code; create
- BILL SUMMARY: House Resolution 1599 creates the House Study Committee on the Georgia Alcoholic Beverage Code. Currently, there are undefined terms, outdated terminology, obsolete provisions, and inconsistent references in the Georgia Alcoholic Beverage Code. The study committee will be composed of five members. The committee will study and review the conditions, needs, issues, and problems related to the Georgia Alcoholic Beverage Code. - Authored By: Rep. Howard Maxwell of the 17th - House Committee: Regulated Industries - House Committee Passed: 3/5/2014 - Rule: Modified-Open
SB 65 - Mental Health; authorize licensed professional counselor to perform certain acts; secure certification
- BILL SUMMARY: Senate Bill 65 allows licensed professional counselors to admit a person for involuntary emergency evaluation of mental illness under Code Section 37-3-41. This bill also allows licensed professional counselors to admit a person for involuntary treatment for alcohol or drug abuse under Code Section 37-7-41. This legislation provides for automatic repeal in two years. - Authored By: Sen. Renee S Unterman of the 45th - House Committee: Health & Human Services - House Committee Passed: 2/20/2014 - Rule: Modified-Open
SB 117 - Blasting or Excavating Near Utility Facilities; revise/add definitions
- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation amends Chapter 9 of Title 25 of the Official Code of Georgia to maintain utility infrastructure and to better protect the state from preventable service interruption due to excavation accidents. - Authored By: Sen. Rick Jeffares of the 17th - House Committee: Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications - House Committee Passed: 3/5/2014 - Rule: Modified-Open
* The Rules Committee will next meet on Friday, March 7, at 8:00 AM, to set the Rules Calendar for the 35th Legislative Day.

COMMITTEE ACTION REPORT
Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight
SB 288 - Education; provide no high school which receives funding under the "Quality Basic Education Act"; shall participate in/or sponsor interscholastic sport events conducted by any athletic association
- BILL SUMMARY: Senate Bill 288 amends the 'Quality Basic Education (QBE) Act' to require that any athletic association that provides organization, sanction, schedule, or rules for interscholastic athletic events shall publish an annual financial report containing the entity's assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Also reconstitutes the Joint High School Athletics Overview Committee as a committee of the General Assembly. - Authored By: Sen. Charlie Bethel of the 54th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Economic Development & Tourism
HR 1601 - House Georgia-Based Film and Post-Production Study Committee; create
- BILL SUMMARY: A resolution that would create the House Georgia-Based Film and Post-Production Study Committee to assess the impact of film and post production industries and their significant contributions to the economy and welfare of Georgia. - Authored By: Rep. Ron Stephens of the 164th - Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute
Economic Development & Tourism
SB 353 - Development Authorities; change a definition; revision of public purpose; changes to general powers
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill changes definitions relating to development authorities, by removing hotel and motel facilities that are constructed in connection with convention, sports or trade show facilities. It also removes a provision stating that projects defined within this code section shall not be exempt from any ad valorem taxation. This bill further provides that the authority will bear the burden, and not the district attorney or the Attorney General, of making the case for validation of bonds at validations hearings. - Authored By: Sen. Brandon Beach of the 21st - Committee Action: Do Pass
Economic Development & Tourism
SR 941 - Congress; urge to grow United States economy; increase the number of visas; permit Korean citizens possessing skills in a specialty occupation
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution urges Congress to grow the United States economy by increasing the number of visas designed to permit Korean citizens possessing skills in a specialty occupation to work in the United States. - Authored By: Sen. David Shafer of the 48th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Human Relations & Aging
SR 746 - State Plan for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias; express support
- BILL SUMMARY: Senate Resolution 746 expresses support for the State Plan for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias developed by the Georgia Alzheimer's and Related Dementias State Plan Task Force. Additionally, this resolution recognizes the increasing and devastating impact of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, and thus encourages all Georgia communities, the private sector, and state and local governments to implement the State Plan for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias. - Authored By: Sen. Renee S Unterman of the 45th - Committee Action: Do Pass

Human Relations & Aging
SR 828 - Joint Study Committee on Emergency Relocation of Abused Adults; create
- BILL SUMMARY: Senate Resolution 828 creates the Joint Study Committee on Emergency Relocation of Abused Adults. This committee will study the current laws for relocating adult residents from personal care homes when such homes are closed due to abusive situations to safe and secure environments. Additionally, the committee will focus on designating a lead agency, coordinator, and incident commander. Finally, the committee will study the need for legislation that establishes a protocol during these emergency relocation situations. - Authored By: Sen. Renee S Unterman of the 45th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Judiciary
SB 325 - Fire and Protection Safety; regulation of fire protection sprinkler contractors, fire extinguisher and suppression systems; provisions
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 325 amends OCGA 25-11-16, relating to fire protection and safety regulations regarding fire protection sprinkler contractors, fire extinguishers and suppression systems. Enables Commissioner to issue cease and desist orders for violations, as well as bring civil action to enjoin violations of any provision of this chapter or of any rule, regulation, or order issued by the Commissioner under this chapter. Adds provision where failure to comply with the safety requirements can constitute grounds for refusing an applicant's application for a license, certificate, or permit. Changes fee schedule by removing daily fine where the problem is not remedied, after third offense. Provides right to a hearing prior to subjecting any person or entity to a fine, which requires written notice by hand delivery or by registered or certified mail or statutory overnight delivery, return receipt requested. After a reasonable period of time after notice is given, an order may be issued based on this Code section, which must meet the same notice requirements.
Section 2: amends OCGA 25-11-17, relating to additional grounds for revocation or suspension of licenses by adding other violations that constitute grounds for refusal and a catchall provision that enables Commissioner to refuse to issue a new license or certificate if the where license or certificate was previously suspended or revoked if the Commissioner has reason to believe the cause of such revocation still exists or is likely to recur.
Section 3: amends OCGA 25-12-18, relating to cease and desist orders, period of revocation, civil penalty, and opportunity for hearing. - Authored By: Sen. John Albers of the 56th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Judiciary
SB 332 - Magistrate Courts; increase the fine amount for contempt of court
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 332 amends OCGA 15-10-2, relating to the jurisdiction of magistrate courts, increases fine amount for contempt of court from $200.00 to $500.00. - Authored By: Sen. Jesse Stone of the 23rd - Committee Action: Do Pass
Judiciary
SB 341 - Probate Courts; clerk's authority to act on uncontested matters; repeal a population provision
- BILL SUMMARY: SB 341 amends OCGA 15-9-36 relating to probate judges and clerks: with regard to uncontested matters, the chief clerk of the probate judge or, if there is no chief clerk, a clerk designated by the judge, who has been a member of the Georgia Bar for at least three years or has been a clerk in the probate court for at least five years, is empowered to exercise all the jurisdiction of the judge of the probate court, regardless of whether the judge is present. - Authored By: Sen. Jesse Stone of the 23rd - Committee Action: Do Pass

Natural Resources & Environment
HR 1185 - Green Apple Day of Service; state-wide participation; encourage
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution encourages state-wide participation in Green Apple Day of Service. - Authored By: Rep. Karla Drenner of the 85th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Natural Resources & Environment
SB 296 - State Park Authority; revise the powers and responsibilities
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill provides definitions for "developed land" and "undeveloped land". It also states that the Jekyll Island Authority (the authority) is empowered to convert no more than 1,675 acres of the total land area of Jekyll Island into developed land. The 1,597 acres of Jekyll Island that have been subdivided, leased, or improved according to the 2013 master plan as of January 1, 2014, is deemed as already converted to developed land. Additionally, the bill sets out the only ways that undeveloped land shall be converted to developed land after July 1, 2014. Those ways are as follows: 1. Twelve acres solely for the expansion of the existing campground; 2. Forty-six acres solely for public health, safety, or recreation. "Public recreation" excludes residential and commercial development; and, 3. Twenty acres for unrestricted uses. The authority shall not in any way sell or otherwise dispose of any riparian rights, and the Jekyll Island beach areas shall be kept free and open for public use. The portion of the island lying south of 31 degrees, 1 minute, 34 seconds north latitude must be retained as undeveloped area, and the authority shall not enter into, renew, or extend any agreement or otherwise take any action regarding said portion of the island on or after May 30, 2007, except as otherwise provided. Improvements on the said portion of the island made prior to May 30, 2007 shall not require removal. Upon the expiration or termination of any lease of a single-family residence lot on said southern portion of the island, the authority may again lease such lot to the same or another lessee for a single-family or noncommercial purpose, or may set it aside for public use; but the lot shall not be further subdivided or leased for any multifamily residence or commercial use. The Jekyll Island 4-H center and soccer complex may continue to be used as such under an extension or renewal of an existing lease or under a new lease. This bill does not prohibit the construction and use of public bicycle trails, public nature trails, or public picnic areas on the southern portion of the island by the authority. This subparagraph shall not be applied to impair the obligation of any valid contract entered into prior to May 30, 2007. - Authored By: Sen. Ross Tolleson of the 20th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Natural Resources & Environment
SB 299 - Natural Resources; provide flexibility for establishing watershed protection standards
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill requires local governments to submit for approval by the Environmental Protection Division a watershed protection plan that includes watershed protection standards and procedures. The bill also states that the standards and procedures for buffer areas along streams and reservoirs must comply with O.C.G.A. 12-2-8(b) and O.C.G.A. 12-7-6. - Authored By: Sen. Steve Gooch of the 51st - Committee Action: Do Pass
Natural Resources & Environment
SB 333 - Natural Resources Dept.; establish that persons are not aggrieved by listings on the hazardous site inventory
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends O.C.G.A. 12-2-2 by adding a new provision stating that persons are not aggrieved or adversely affected by the listing of property in the hazardous site inventory unless the property was listed in the hazardous site inventory prior to July 1,2014, and unless or until the director seeks to recover response costs, enforce the order, or recover a penalty for violation of such order.
The bill also adds language stating that any person aggrieved or adversely affected by any such listing occurring after July 1, 2014, shall be entitled to a hearing as provided in O.C.G.A. 12-8-73. - Authored By: Sen. Ross Tolleson of the 20th - Committee Action: Do Pass

Natural Resources & Environment
SB 361 - Georgia Geospatial Advisory Council; create
- BILL SUMMARY: This bill creates the Georgia Geospatial Advisory Council, which will sunset in 2017. - Authored By: Sen. Earl "Buddy" Carter of the 1st - Committee Action: Do Pass
Natural Resources & Environment
SR 896 - Georgia Legacy Program; create Joint Study Committee
- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution creates the Joint Study Committee on the Georgia Legacy Program. - Authored By: Sen. Ross Tolleson of the 20th - Committee Action: Do Pass
Regulated Industries
SB 318 - Alcoholic Beverages; allow for local authorization/regulation of sale for consumption on the premises on Sundays; celebration of St. Patrick's Day
- BILL SUMMARY: Senate Bill 318 allows the sale of alcoholic beverages for on premise consumption on a Sunday if the St. Patrick's Day holiday falls on that day of the week. - Authored By: Sen. Lester G. Jackson of the 2nd - Committee Action: Do Pass

* Bills passing committees are reported to the Clerk's Office, and are then placed on the General Calendar.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE

TBD 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Friday, March 07, 2014 FLOOR SESSION (LD 34) RULES Pak Subcommittee of Judiciary Non-Civil

HOUSE CHAMBER- 9:00am 341 CAP 132 CAP

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