Georgia House of Representatives DAILY REPORT 25th Legislative Day Tuesday, March 3, 2015 House Budget & Research Office (404) 656-5050 House Communications Office (404) 656-0305 The House will reconvene for its 26th Legislative Day on Wednesday, March 4 at 10:00 AM. The Rules committee will meet at 9:00 AM. Seven bills / resolutions are expected to be debated on the floor. Today on the Floor Rules Calendar HB 71 Pardons and paroles; provide input and transparency relative to granting a parole or commutation of a death sentence to a life sentence; provisions Bill Summary: This bill imposes several requirements on the State Board of Pardons and Paroles. First, it changes procedures for notifying a victim of an impending parole, pardon, release of an inmate, or request to commute a death sentence. The bill also allows information regarding a person who has previously been paroled but whose civil rights have been restored to be released publicly. Next, the bill requires that a written decision granting a pardon or commuting a death sentence contain certain additional information. The bill also requires that the Board, when considering any case within its power, to consider certain additional information about the person in question. Finally, it requires the Board to release certain information upon request and adds to the list of information required to be disclosed. Authored By: Rep. Kevin Tanner (9th) House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil Floor Vote: Yeas: 162 Nays: 8 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: Modified-Structured 02-23-2015 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 82 Oconee River Greenway Authority; certain members to appoint a designee; allow Bill Summary: House Bill 82 amends Code Section 12-3-402, relating to the Oconee River Greenway Authority, by allowing the mayor of Milledgeville, the president of Georgia Military College, and the president of Georgia College and State University to either serve on the Authority or appoint a designee to serve in their place. Authored By: Rep. E. Culver "Rusty" Kidd (145th) Rule Applied: House Committee: Natural Resources & Environment Committee Action: Floor Vote: Yeas: 169 Nays: 0 Amendments: Open 02-19-2015 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 147 Motor vehicles; initial two-year registration period for certain vehicles; provide Bill Summary: House Bill 147 allows for a two-year registration period for motor vehicles within the 16 counties of Georgia that require federal emission inspections. Authored By: Rep. Alan Powell (32nd) House Committee: Motor Vehicles Floor Vote: Yeas: 168 Nays: 0 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: Modified-Open 02-23-2015 Do Pass by Committee Substitute Page 1 of 15 House of Representatives Daily Report for March 3, 2015 Today on the Floor HB 183 Home Care Patient Protection Act; enact Bill Summary: HB 183 revises the definition of private home care provider to include contractual arrangements with licensed independent contractors. Authored By: Rep. David Knight (130th) House Committee: Health & Human Services Floor Vote: Yeas: 162 Nays: 0 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: Modified-Structured 02-23-2015 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 190 Insurance; provide requirements for transportation network companies and their drivers; provisions Bill Summary: House Bill 190 establishes the standards and requirements for automobile insurance for transportation network companies (Uber, Lift) and their drivers. Currently, the policy carried by these drivers for their automobiles does not cover commercial activity. Authored By: Rep. Rich Golick (40th) House Committee: Insurance Floor Vote: Yeas: 141 Nays: 26 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: Modified-Structured 02-25-2015 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 192 Local government; counties, municipal corporations, school districts, and consolidated governments be reimbursed for expenses only through submission of expense reimbursement requests; provisions Bill Summary: House Bill 192 adds a new Code section that relates to the general provisions regarding counties, municipal corporations, and other governmental entities. It states that an elected official of a county, municipal corporation, local school system, or consolidated government shall be prohibited from the use of a government purchasing or credit card unless such purchases are solely for items or services relating to such official's public duties and in accordance with guidelines that are adopted by the county, municipal corporation, local school system, or consolidated government. Purchases made by a government purchasing or credit card shall be available for public inspection and each county, municipal corporation, local school system, or consolidated government must promulgate specific policies regarding the use of government purchasing or credit cards no later than January 1, 2016; with such policies to include: a designation of officials who may use purchasing or credit cards; a requirement that authorized users must sign a cardholder agreement; transaction limits; a description of purchases that shall be and shall not be authorized; designation of a card administrator; a process for auditing and reviewing purchases made; and procedures and penalties for addressing violations made with such cards. Authored By: Rep. Alan Powell (32nd) House Committee: Governmental Affairs Floor Vote: Yeas: 167 Nays: 2 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: Modified-Structured 02-18-2015 Do Pass by Committee Substitute A. Powell AM HB 195 Pharmacists and pharmacies; substitutions of interchangeable biological products; provide Bill Summary: HB 195 allows a pharmacist to substitute a biological product with an interchangeable biological product. A biological product, as defined by the bill, is a virus, therapeutic serum, toxin, antitoxin, vaccine, blood, blood component or derivative, allergenic product, protein, or any other trivalent organic arsenic compound, applicable to the prevention, treatment, or cure of a disease or condition of human being. An interchangeable biological product is a biological product that meets safety standards set forth by the 'Public Health Service Act.' The pharmacist must indicate the substitution for an interchangeable biological product on the prescription label, and must notify the prescriber of such a substitution within 48 hours of dispensing the product. Authored By: Rep. Sharon Cooper (43rd) House Committee: Health & Human Services Floor Vote: Yeas: 165 Nays: 0 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: Modified-Structured 02-18-2015 Do Pass by Committee Substitute Page 2 of 15 House of Representatives Daily Report for March 3, 2015 Today on the Floor HB 252 J. Calvin Hill, Jr., Act; enact Bill Summary: HB 252 repeals or updates obsolete, outdated and unconstitutional Code provisions and terminology. Authored By: Rep. Michael Caldwell (20th) House Committee: Code Revision Floor Vote: Yeas: 167 Nays: 0 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: Modified-Open 02-18-2015 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 315 Technical and adult education; change name of Technical College System of Georgia to Georgia Career College System; provisions Bill Summary: House Bill 315 changes the name of the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia to the State Board of the Georgia Career College System. Authored By: Rep. Chad Nimmer (178th) House Committee: Higher Education Floor Vote: Yeas: 122 Nays: 40 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: Modified-Open 02-24-2015 Do Pass Local Calendar HB 478 Candler County; Board of Commissioners; provide staggered terms Bill Summary: A Bill to amend an Act creating the Board of Commissioners of Candler County, so as to provide for staggered terms. Authored By: Rep. Butch Parrish (158th) House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination Local Floor Vote: Yeas: 154 Nays: 0 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: 03-02-2015 Do Pass HB 479 The City of Forsyth Convention and Visitors Bureau Authority; enact Bill Summary: A Bill to create the City of Forsyth Convention and Visitors Bureau Authority, to have the responsibility and authority to promote tourism. Authored By: Rep. Robert Dickey (140th) House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination Local Floor Vote: Yeas: 154 Nays: 0 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: 03-02-2015 Do Pass HB 489 Cherokee County; State Court; appointment of solicitor-general investigators; provide Bill Summary: A Bill to amend an Act to create the State Court of Cherokee County, so as to provide for the appointment of solicitor-general investigators. Authored By: Rep. Mandi Ballinger (23rd) House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination Local Floor Vote: Yeas: 154 Nays: 0 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: 03-02-2015 Do Pass HB 490 Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit; appointment of district attorney investigators; provide Bill Summary: A Bill to provide for the appointment of district attorney investigators in the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit. Authored By: Rep. Mandi Ballinger (23rd) House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local Rule Applied: Committee Action: 03-02-2015 Do Pass Page 3 of 15 House of Representatives Daily Report for March 3, 2015 Today on the Floor Floor Vote: Yeas: 154 Nays: 0 Amendments: HB 493 Brunswick, City of; Redevelopment Powers Law; provide a referendum Bill Summary: A Bill to authorize the City of Brunswick 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. J. B. Jones (167th) House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local Floor Vote: Yeas: 154 Nays: 0 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: 03-02-2015 Do Pass HB 495 Peachtree City, City of; Redevelopment Powers Law; provide a referendum Bill Summary: A Bill to authorize the City of Peachtree City 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. Matt Ramsey (72nd) House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination Local Floor Vote: Yeas: 154 Nays: 0 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: 03-02-2015 Do Pass Page 4 of 15 House of Representatives Daily Report for March 3, 2015 Next on the Floor Next on the Floor from the Committee on Rules The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 26th Legislative Day, Wednesday, March 4, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker. The Rules Committee will next meet on Wednesday, March 4, at 9:00 AM, to set the Rules Calendar for the 27th Legislative Day. HB 275 Income tax; claimant agency; revise definition Bill Summary: HB 275 adds the Georgia Lottery Commission to the list of state agencies that are able to access the setoff debt program for funds owed to them from retailers of lottery items. Authored By: Rep. Brian Strickland (111th) House Committee: Ways & Means Rule Applied: Committee Action: Structured 02-26-2015 Do Pass HB 276 Alcoholic beverages; modernize certain terms; provisions Bill Summary: HB 276 is a cleanup bill regarding the alcoholic beverage code. The bill removes undefined terms, more logically sorts sections within title three, removes unconstitutional provisions, and defines industry terms within the code. Authored By: Rep. Brett Harrell (106th) House Committee: Regulated Industries Rule Applied: Committee Action: Structured 02-26-2015 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 312 Tobacco products; manufacturers and importers; remove certain bonding requirements Bill Summary: HB 312 removes the bond requirement for tobacco manufacturers and importers, but retains the bond requirement for distributors. Authored By: Rep. Jan Tankersley (160th) House Committee: Ways & Means Rule Applied: Committee Action: Structured 02-26-2015 Do Pass HB 339 Income tax credit; film, video or digital production; extend Bill Summary: HB 339 is a three-year extension to the Qualified Interactive Gaming tax credit. The legislation also requires certain reporting requirements to be delivered to the Chairman Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee. Authored By: Rep. Jon Burns (159th) House Committee: Ways & Means Rule Applied: Committee Action: Structured 02-26-2015 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 348 Labor; create State Workforce Development Board; provisions Bill Summary: House Bill 348 moves the State Workforce Board from the Department of Labor to the Department of Economic Development. Authored By: Rep. Robert Dickey (140th) House Committee: Industry and Labor Rule Applied: Committee Action: Modified-Structured 02-26-2015 Do Pass HB 412 Workers' compensation; change certain provisions Bill Summary: House Bill 412 addresses concerns that were raised by an appellate case, Pitts v. City of Atlanta. It is believed that this case impaired the Exclusive Remedy Doctrine. The bill uses the same language as the exclusive remedy provision of the Occupational Disease statute within the worker's compensation act. By doing so, the provision does clarify that the exclusive remedy is, indeed exclusive, unless the employer expressly agrees to an exception in writing (but general contractual provisions will not have the employer inadvertently provide such exception). Authored By: Rep. Mark Hamilton (24th) House Committee: Industry and Labor Rule Applied: Committee Action: Page 5 of 15 Modified-Open 02-26-2015 Do Pass by Committee Substitute House of Representatives Daily Report for March 3, 2015 Next on the Floor HR 395 Joint Georgia-Alabama Study Committee; create Bill Summary: This resolution creates the Joint Georgia-Alabama Study Committee to formalize a working partnership to promote solutions to regional issues. The committee sunsets on December 1, 2016. Authored By: Rep. Gerald Greene (151st) House Committee: Interstate Cooperation Rule Applied: Committee Action: Modified-Open 03-02-2015 Do Pass Page 6 of 15 House of Representatives Daily Report for March 3, 2015 Committee Actions Committee Actions Bills passing committees are reported to the Clerk's Office and are placed on the General Calendar. Defense & Veterans Affairs Committee HB 180 War Veterans' Home; residency requirements to qualify for admission; revise Bill Summary: HB 180 amends the residency qualifications for a veteran to be admitted to the Georgia State War Veteran's Home to require that the veteran has resided within the state for two consecutive years or five years within the last fifteen years. Current law requires that for admittance, the veteran must have resided within the state for the previous five years. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. E. Culver "Rusty" Kidd (145th) Defense & Veterans Affairs Committee Action: 03-03-2015 Do Pass Higher Education Committee HB 3 Education; programs; person solicit transaction with student-athlete; provide sanctions Bill Summary: House Bill 3 prohibits the solicitation of a student-athlete by persons with knowledge that acceptance of the transaction could cause the student-athlete to be sanctioned. This bill creates a cause of action against any persons attempting to solicit student-athletes under these conditions. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Barry Fleming (121st) Higher Education Committee Action: 03-03-2015 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 353 Nonpublic postsecondary educational institutions; revise definitions; revise provisions Bill Summary: House Bill 353 updates and eliminates code relating to the Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Carl Rogers (29th) Higher Education Committee Action: 03-03-2015 Do Pass Judiciary Committee HB 204 Civil Practice Act; opposing affidavits shall be served in motions for summary judgment; change provisions Bill Summary: HB 204 amends the Civil Practice Act to change the time fixed for a hearing on a motion for summary judgment from at least 30 days after the date of service of the motion to at least 45 days thereafter. The bill clarifies that a summary judgment motion may be decided by the judge without a hearing unless a party requests a hearing. The judge must permit a hearing on the motion if a party submits a written hearing request when filing a motion or within five days of filing a response to a motion. The bill also requires a party opposing the summary judgment motion to serve any affidavits in opposition not later than seven days before the time fixed for hearing the motion, unless the court allows them to be served at another time. Current law allows these opposing affidavits to be served prior to the day of the hearing, and court decisions have interpreted "service" in that case to encompass mailing an affidavit. This has resulted in the party moving for summary judgment to be presented with opposing affidavits on the day of the hearing on the motion. The bill also clarifies that opposing affidavits to motions other than summary judgment motions must be served not later than one business day - rather than one day - before the hearing on the Page 7 of 15 House of Representatives Daily Report for March 3, 2015 Committee Actions motion. This provision prevents the party serving the opposing affidavit from service on a weekend day or holiday that falls on the day before the hearing. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Beth Beskin (54th) Judiciary Committee Action: 03-03-2015 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 295 Corporations, partnerships, and associations; change certain provisions relating to definitions; provisions Bill Summary: HB 295 allows limited liability companies (LLCs) to be registered agents for corporations, limited partnerships, and other LLCs. Additionally, the bill allows only registered agents and officers to execute reinstatement applications for corporations and LLCs that have been administratively dissolved. Finally, the legislation eliminates the need to deliver duplicate copies of a process, notice, or demand to the Secretary of State when foreign limited partnerships and LLCs fail to appoint a registered agent. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Albert Reeves (34th) Judiciary Committee Action: 03-03-2015 Recommitted to Subcommittee HB 303 Uninsured motorist coverage; recovery when an insurer refuses to pay for a loss within 60 days after a demand has been made by the insured and a finding has been made that such refusal was made in bad faith; change provisions Bill Summary: HB 303 relates to recovery under an insured's uninsured motorist coverage when the insurer makes a bad faith refusal to pay for a loss within 60 days after a demand has been made by the insured. Currently, upon a finding of bad faith, the insurer is liable to the insured (in addition to any recovery under the insured's policy) for not more than 25 percent of the recovery and all reasonable attorney's fees. HB 303 amends the insurer's liability in the event of a bad faith refusal to pay to allow for a penalty of $25,000 or 25 percent of the insured's recovery, whichever is greater. The judge may also award the insured reasonable attorney's fees and expenses of litigation that were incurred in prosecuting the case after the 60th day of the insured's demand. The bill also provides that the insured's demand for payment from the insurer must be in writing. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Dustin Hightower (68th) Judiciary Committee Action: 03-03-2015 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 347 Interest and usury; interest on certain domestic relations cases; clarify provisions Bill Summary: HB 347 specifies that interest begins to accrue on all monetary rulings rendered pursuant to Title 19 (including child support, alimony, and equitable division of assets) 30 days after such ruling is entered or an installment payment is due, unless a judge modifies the date on which interest begins to accrue. The bill also allows a judge to modify the date when interest begins to accrue on installment payments pursuant to a ruling for alimony or equitable division of assets and liabilities. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Dustin Hightower (68th) Judiciary Committee Action: 03-03-2015 Do Pass by Committee Substitute Page 8 of 15 House of Representatives Daily Report for March 3, 2015 Committee Actions HB 405 Contracts and marriage; change provisions relating to agreements required to be in writing; provisions Bill Summary: HB 405 amends Title 19 to remedy confusion and create uniformity between contracts made in contemplation of marriage and contracts made in contemplation of divorce (prenuptial agreements). Contracts in contemplation of marriage determine property rights during marriage and after death. Georgia law requires marriage contracts to be in writing and be attested to by two witnesses. Contracts in contemplation of divorce address issues such as alimony, property division, etc. in the event of the parties' divorce. Georgia law does not require that these contracts be in writing nor attested to by witnesses. HB 405 would apply the formal requirements for marriage contracts to prenuptial agreements as well, requiring that a prenuptial agreement must be in writing and attested to by at least two witnesses, one of whom must be a notary. The bill also removes the antiquated term "marriage articles" from the Code. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Regina Quick (117th) Judiciary Committee Action: 03-03-2015 Do Pass by Committee Substitute Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee HB 93 Motor vehicles; law enforcement retaining license plate data obtained from automated license plate recognition systems for certain periods; prohibit Bill Summary: House Bill 93 defines "automated license plate recognition system" and "captured license plate data" in the Code. Automated license plate recognition system means one (or more than one) high-speed cameras combined with computer algorithms to convert images of license plates into computer readable data. Captured license plate data means the GPS coordinates, data/time, photograph, license plate number, and any other data collected by the automated license plate recognition system. The data collect shall be destroyed by the law enforcement agency that collects the data after 90 days. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. John Pezold (133rd) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee Action: 03-03-2015 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 123 Motor vehicles; use of safety chain or cable when operating a motor vehicle drawing a trailer; provide Bill Summary: This legislation amends Georgia Code relating to adequately securing a load while operating of a vehicle to include trailers as that are required to register with the Department of Revenue for a license plate. This bill makeS it unlawful to operate a vehicle without adequately securing a trailer to that vehicle. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. John Yates (73rd) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee Action: 03-03-2015 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 278 Public Employee Hazardous Chemical Protection and Rights to Know Act of 1988; transfer responsibility to Safety Fire Commissioner; provisions Bill Summary: HB 278 shifts the responsibility of managing and enforcing the "Public Employee Hazardous Chemical Protection and Right to Know Act of 1988" from the Georgia Department of Labor to the Georgia Office of the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. David Clark (98th) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee Action: 03-03-2015 Do Pass by Committee Substitute Page 9 of 15 House of Representatives Daily Report for March 3, 2015 Committee Actions HB 455 Motor vehicles and traffic; parking vehicle in manner preventing emergency vehicles from accessing private property without an identifiable driveway; prohibit Bill Summary: HB 455 adds persons who are delivering medicine to pharmacies and hospitals as those who may be permitted to travel road ways closed by the Department of Transportation in a state of emergency. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Joe Wilkinson (52nd) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee Action: 03-03-2015 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 492 Crimes and offenses; carrying in unauthorized locations; revise provisions Bill Summary: HB 492 amends Title 16 in several areas. This legislation revises the unauthorized locations to provide that carrying in a government building as a non-license holder is unlawful. This section is further revised to provide that the prohibition on polling places is only in effect when elections are being conducted and polling places are being used for that purpose. A new subsection states that nothing in said sections are to affect, repeal, or limit the exemptions provided for in 16-11-130. Those sections are those relating to: carrying in places other than homes, motor vehicles, public property; carrying in unauthorized locations; carrying in school safety zones, at school functions, or on a bus or transportation provided by the school; or weapons on the premises of a nuclear power facility. The Code relating to renewals of licenses is amended. For license renewals, the bill requires the probate judge to investigate the applicant pursuant to Code. License applications will be considered for renewal if the applicant has a license with 90 or fewer days to expiration or 30 or fewer days past expiration. Applications for persons under 21 who are members of the armed forces must be accompanied by a letter from the applicant's commander and a copy of his/her orders. For renewals, the presentation of the current license is evidence to the judge of the probate that the applicant's fingerprints are on file. The background check for renewals will be a non-fingerprint check with GCIC and the FBI. GCIC is to be notified immediately of the judge's revocation of a license but no less than ten days later. If a person is convicted of a crime that would make it unlawful for him to maintain a weapons license, the judge will inquire whether such person has a license and in which county. The judge would then contact the probate in the county maintaining the license of the matter that makes the maintenance of such license is unlawful. The bill adds political subdivisions and school districts to those entities that cannot regulate transport of firearms except as provided for in the Code. The instances where the municipality and the county can regulate are when it pertains to their employees; this bill also includes volunteers with the counties and cities. It revises the definition of "weapon" to mean any device designed or intended to be used, or capable of being used, for offense or defense, including but not limited to firearms, bladed devices, clubs, electric stun devices, and defense sprays. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Rick Jasperse (11th) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee Action: 03-03-2015 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 494 Peace officers; retired officers shall not pay any fees or costs for any permit or card evidencing his or her registration or certification with Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council; provide Bill Summary: This bill allows retired peace officers who are registered with the council to receive any permit or card from the council evidencing his or her registration, certification, or ability to carry a semi automatic and revolver firearm without additional costs or fees if a request is made for both at the same time. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Micah Gravley (67th) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee Action: 03-03-2015 Do Pass by Committee Substitute Page 10 of 15 House of Representatives Daily Report for March 3, 2015 Committee Actions Regulated Industries Committee HB 110 Fireworks; provide for sale of consumer fireworks; provisions Bill Summary: HB 110 decriminalizes and regulates the sale and licensing of consumer fireworks, which must also comply with the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission and other regulated industries. The bill allots enforcement powers to the Safety Fire Commissioner. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Jay Roberts (155th) Regulated Industries Committee Action: 03-03-2015 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 225 Local government; all for-hire drivers obtain a for-hire license endorsement before driving for hire; provide Bill Summary: Section 1 of HB 225 relates to certificates of public necessity and convenience and medallions for taxicabs by adding a new subsection that states that no person shall operate a taxicab for the purpose of carrying or transporting passengers for hire unless such person has a for-hire license endorsement pursuant to Code Section 40-5-39. Counties and municipalities shall not impose further licensing requirements on such persons. Section 2 states each limousine chauffeur employed by a limousine carrier shall secure from the Department of Driver Services a for-hire license endorsement. Section 3 defines: for hire, for-hire license endorsement, limousine carrier, ride share driver, ride share network service, and taxi service. "For hire" means to operate a motor vehicle in this state for the purpose of transporting passengers for compensation or donation. "For-hire license endorsement" means an endorsement to a driver's license pursuant to Code Section 40-5-39 that authorizes the holder of the license to operate a motor vehicle for the purpose of transporting passengers in this state for compensation or donation. "Limousine carrier" means any limousine company or provider which is licensed with this state. "Ride share driver" means an individual who uses his or her personal passenger car to provide transportation for passengers arranged through a ride share network service. "Ride share network service" means any person or entity that uses a digital network or internet network to connect passengers to ride share drivers for the purpose of prearranged transportation for hire or for donation, and "taxi service" means any taxicab company or provider which utilizes a motor vehicle or similar vehicle, device, machine, or conveyance to transport passengers; uses a taximeter; and is authorized to provide taxicab services pursuant to an ordinance of a local government in this state. Section 4 relates to endorsements on licenses of limousine chauffeurs, and states that no person shall operate a motor vehicle for hire in this state unless such person has a for-hire license endorsement and has liability insurance coverage in the amounts required by law for the class of motor vehicle being operated for hire. This shall include, but not be limited to, ride share drivers and persons operating motor vehicles for limousine carriers and taxicabs for taxi services. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Alan Powell (32nd) Regulated Industries Committee Action: 03-03-2015 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 314 Professions and businesses; State Board of Barbers and State Board of Cosmetology; combine Bill Summary: HB 314 provides for the combination of the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and the Georgia State Board of Barbers into one board. The bill makes changes to the requirements for the composition of the board, adjusts the renewal period for certificates of registration, and provides for changes and definitions related to the combination of the two existing boards. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Jan Tankersley (160th) Regulated Industries Committee Action: Page 11 of 15 03-03-2015 Do Pass by Committee Substitute House of Representatives Daily Report for March 3, 2015 Committee Actions Science and Technology Committee HR 473 Joint Study Committee on Cyber Security; create Bill Summary: House Resolution 473 creates a joint study committee to assess the issues, problems and needs related to protecting technology-dependent critical infrastructure from vulnerabilities brought about by cyber crime. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Mike Dudgeon (25th) Science and Technology Committee Action: 03-03-2015 Do Pass Ways & Means Committee HB 81 Taxation; property; require confirmation of certain redemptions Bill Summary: HB 81 amends the process of redeeming liens against real property so as to limit the ability to redeem a lien to only those who have a right, title, ownership interest, or those that have a mortgage or security lien which has been properly recorded. Additionally, the legislation limits those with a mortgage or security interest from redeeming the property until 300 days have elapsed since the tax sale. Furthermore, the first lien which a buyer at a tax sale receives does not become effective until one year following the date of the tax sale. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Scot Turner (21st) Ways & Means Committee Action: 03-03-2015 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 94 Ad valorem tax; certain members of armed forces from penalties for failure to timely pay tax; exempt Bill Summary: HB 94 precludes any interest or penalties that might be assessed against the ad valorem taxes due on a vehicle, of which the owner has voluntarily canceled the registration of the vehicle, when the tax collector fails to adequately bill the taxpayer. This does not affect the amount of taxes actually due while the registration has been canceled, but does apply to the penalties that might have been assessed for failure to pay taxes due. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Chuck Williams (119th) Ways & Means Committee Action: 03-03-2015 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 238 Sales and use tax; tangible personal property used for or in renovation or expansion of an aquarium owned or operated by an organization which is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of Internal Revenue Code; provide exemption Bill Summary: HB 238 provides a two year sales tax exemption for certain renovation or expansion projects at qualified aquariums in the state. The exemption allows for up $750,000 in taxes to be exempted by the state. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Ben Harbin (122nd) Ways & Means Committee Action: 03-03-2015 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 277 Sales and use tax; value all flooring samples at the same rate for purposes of fair market value Bill Summary: HB 277 amends the taxation of carpet samples, to include all floor covering sample to be taxed at 21.9 percent of the value of the raw materials incorporated into the finished product. Floor covering is to be defined as carpet, stone, engineered, laminate, tile, vinyl, resilient, linoleum, and other floor coverings. Authored By: Rep. Bruce Broadrick (4th) Page 12 of 15 House of Representatives Daily Report for March 3, 2015 Committee Actions House Committee: Ways & Means Committee Action: 03-03-2015 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 289 Motor fuel tax; exemption for a limited period of time for certain public mass transit vehicles; extend Bill Summary: HB 289 provides for a one-year extension to the exemption from motor fuel excise tax paid on fuel used in mass transit vehicles and campus operated transit services. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Don Parsons (44th) Ways & Means Committee Action: 03-03-2015 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 369 Sales and use tax; distribution for educational purposes; change certain provisions Bill Summary: HB 369 provides for the ability for independent school systems and county schools systems to enter into an agreement to divided the funds received through E-SPLOST. Currently, any deviation from the constitutional formula only occurs when allotted by a local Act. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Randy Nix (69th) Ways & Means Committee Action: 03-03-2015 Do Pass HB 374 Ad valorem tax; certain farm equipment held for sale in dealer inventory; exempt Bill Summary: HB 374 clarifies the definition of farm equipment which are held for resell, to include forestry machinery in those equipment that is exempted from ad valorem taxation while held in a dealer's inventory. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Randy Nix (69th) Ways & Means Committee Action: 03-03-2015 Do Pass HB 396 Revenue and taxation; clarify penalty for failure to file return or pay revenue held in trust for the state; provisions Bill Summary: HB 396 clarifies the penalty section of Title 48 to require that the interest rate accrues from the date that such penalty is assessed for failure to pay taxes in a timely manner. Additionally, the legislation adds sheriffs to those with whom it is illegal to interfere with when attempting to execute a tax sale. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. David Knight (130th) Ways & Means Committee Action: 03-03-2015 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 457 Ad valorem tax; watercraft held in inventory; exempt Bill Summary: HB 457 provides for an exemption from ad valorem taxes for watercraft which are held in inventory by dealers. The exemption would apply for calendar years beginning on or after January 1, 2016. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Lee Hawkins (27th) Ways & Means Committee Action: 03-03-2015 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 464 Income tax; water conservation facilities and a shift from ground-water usage; sunset tax credit Page 13 of 15 House of Representatives Daily Report for March 3, 2015 Committee Actions Bill Summary: HB 464 places a sunset of December 31, 2016 on three income tax credits and places an annual cap on one of the three credits which will be sunset. The two credits which are to be sunset are: 48-7-40.10 (Tax credit for water conservation facilities and qualified water conservation investment property) and 48-7-40.11 (Tax credit for shift from ground-water usage). The credit which will both be sunset and have a cap placed upon it is 48-7-29.12 (Tax credit for qualified donation of real property; carryover of credit; appraisals; transfer of credit; penalty), the cap is to be thirty million and be effective for calendar year 2016. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Bruce Williamson (115th) Ways & Means Committee Action: 03-03-2015 Do Pass by Committee Substitute Page 14 of 15 House of Representatives Daily Report for March 3, 2015 Committee Actions Committee Meeting Schedule 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. Wednesday, March 4, 2015 10:00 AM FLOOR SESSION (LD 26) House Chamber 7:30 AM APPROPRIATIONS 341 CAP 8:00 AM GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS 406 CLOB 8:00 AM INSURANCE 606 CLOB 8:30 AM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM 506 CLOB 9:00 AM RULES 341 CAP 1:00 PM Tags & Title Subcommittee of Motor Vehicles 406 CLOB 1:00 PM INTERSTATE COOPERATION 415 CLOB 2:00 PM RETIREMENT 515 CLOB 2:00 PM BUDGET & FISCAL OVERSIGHT 506 CLOB 2:00 PM STATE PROPERTIES 403 CAP 2:00 PM Academic Innovations Subcommittee of Education 606 CLOB 2:00 PM CODE REVISION 415 CLOB 3:00 PM TRANSPORTATION 406 CLOB 3:00 PM JUVENILE JUSTICE 415 CLOB 3:00 PM EDUCATION 606 CLOB 3:00 PM Fleming Subcommittee of Judiciary Civil 403 CAP 3:00 PM HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES 506 CLOB 4:00 PM HUMAN RELATIONS & AGING 515 CLOB Page 15 of 15