Daily report [Feb. 19, 2016]

Georgia House of Representatives

DAILY REPORT 24th Legislative Day

Friday, February 19, 2016

House Budget & Research Office (404) 656-5050

House Media Services (404) 656-0305

The House will reconvene for its 25th Legislative Day on Monday, February 22 at 10:00 a.m. The Rules committee will meet at 9:00 a.m. 10 bills / resolutions are expected to be debated on the floor.

Today on the Floor

Rules Calendar
HB 579 Motor vehicles; operation of certain vehicles upon highways when used in connection with agricultural pursuits; provide
Bill Summary: The legislation creates a new Code section for uniform rules of the road. It defines "farmer" as the owner, employee or family member of the owner of a commercial agricultural or silvicultural venture. It allows a "farm vehicle," defined as an all-terrain or personal transportation vehicle, on a public road, street, or highway when it is being operated by an adult in connection with agricultural pursuits and has a slow-moving vehicle emblem. The legislation also provides that any municipality may prohibit the operation of a farm vehicle on public roads and highways within its jurisdiction if it endangers the safety of the traveling public.

Authored By: Rep. Tom McCall (33rd) House Committee: Agriculture & Consumer Affairs

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 163 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-17-2016 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 751 General appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017
Bill Summary: House Bill 751, the Fiscal Year 2017 budget, is set by a revenue estimate of $23.7 billion - an increase of $673.9 million, or 2.9%, over the Amended FY 2016 budget.

The bill and budget highlights may be found on the House Budget and Research Office website: http://www.house.ga.gov/budget/

Authored By: Rep. David Ralston (7th) House Committee: Appropriations

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 167 Nays: 1

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Open 02-18-2016 Do Pass

HB 886

Pharmacy licenses; employing mails or common carriers to sell, distribute, and deliver prescription drugs; revise a provision
Bill Summary: HB 886 requires any pharmacy, including specialty pharmacies, to utilize a shipping method that is in accordance with recognized standards when shipping medication to a patient.

Authored By: Rep. Sharon Cooper (43rd) House Committee: Health & Human Services

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 155 Nays: 4

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-09-2016 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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Daily Report for February 19, 2016

Today on the Floor

HB 902

Hospitals and related institutions; educational information on influenza disease to residents of assisted living communities; provide
Bill Summary: HB 902 requires assisted living communities to annually provide educational information on influenza to their residents. Such information should include the risks associated with influenza; the availability, effectiveness, and known contraindications of the influenza immunization; causes and symptoms of influenza and the means by which it is spread. The assisting living community is not required to provide or pay for any vaccinations.

Authored By: Rep. Katie Dempsey (13th) House Committee: Health & Human Services

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 140 Nays: 23

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-09-2016 Do Pass

Local Calendar
HB 1007 Pelham, City of; provide new charter Bill Summary: A Bill to provide a new charter for the City of Pelham.

Authored By: Rep. Jay Powell (171st)

House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 148 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

02-18-2016 Do Pass

HB 1008 Cobb County State Court; change salary of the chief deputy clerk and the clerk
Bill Summary: A Bill to change the salary of the clerk, the chief deputy clerk and the chief assistant solicitor of the State Court of Cobb County.

Authored By: Rep. John Carson (46th)

House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 148 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

02-18-2016 Do Pass

HB 1009 Cobb County; tax commissioner; change compensation of certain employees
Bill Summary: A Bill to amend an Act consolidating the office of tax collector and tax receiver into the office of tax commissioner of Cobb County, so as to change the compensation of certain employees of such office.

Authored By: Rep. John Carson (46th)

House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 148 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

02-18-2016 Do Pass

HB 1011 Cobb County; chief deputy, assistant chief deputy, and executive assistant to the sheriff; change compensation
Bill Summary: A Bill to amend an Act changing the compensation of the clerk of the superior court, the sheriff, and the judge of the Probate Court of Cobb County, so as to change the compensation of the chief deputy, the assistant chief deputy, and the executive assistant to the sheriff.

Authored By: Rep. John Carson (46th)

House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 148 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

02-18-2016 Do Pass

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Daily Report for February 19, 2016

Today on the Floor

HB 1012 Cobb County; clerk of the superior court, deputy clerk, and executive assistant; change salary
Bill Summary: A Bill to amend an Act changing the compensation of the clerk of the superior court, the sheriff, and the judge of the Probate Court of Cobb County, so as to change the salary of the clerk of superior court, the deputy clerk, the executive assistant, and the executive secretary.

Authored By: Rep. John Carson (46th)

House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination -

Local

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 148 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

02-18-2016 Do Pass

HB 1018 Candler County; Board of Commissioners; provide nonbinding, advisory referendum
Bill Summary: A Bill to provide for a nonbinding, advisory referendum for the purpose of ascertaining whether the Candler County Board of Commissioners should levy an additional ad valorem tax for the purpose of realizing additional tax revenue to provide payment for the Candler County Hospital Authority's services and facilities.

Authored By: Rep. Butch Parrish (158th)

House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 148 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

02-18-2016 Do Pass

HB 1019 Upson County Magistrate Court; collect and impose county law library fees as part of court cost; provide
Bill Summary: A Bill to authorize the Magistrate Court of Upson County to impose and collect county law library fees as part of the court costs in the magistrate court.

Authored By: Rep. Johnnie Caldwell (131st)

House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination -

Local

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 148 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

02-18-2016 Do Pass

HB 1020 Hogansville, City of; provide new charter Bill Summary: A Bill to provide a new charter for the City of Hogansville.

Authored By: Rep. Robert Trammell (132nd)

House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 148 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

02-18-2016 Do Pass

HB 1021 Spalding County State Court; election of county solicitor; provide
Bill Summary: A Bill to amend an Act establishing the State Court of Spalding County, so as to provide for election of the county solicitor.

Authored By: Rep. John Yates (73rd)

House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 148 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

02-18-2016 Do Pass

HB 1023 Ware County; Board of Education; change compensation of members
Bill Summary: A Bill to amend an Act reconstituting the Board of Education of Ware County, so as to change the compensation of the members of the board.

Authored By: Rep. John Corbett (174th)

House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 148 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

02-18-2016 Do Pass

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Daily Report for February 19, 2016

Today on the Floor

HB 1024 Lake Park, City of; election and terms of office of mayor and councilmembers; provide
Bill Summary: A Bill to create a new charter for the City of Lake Park, so as to provide for election and terms of office of the mayor and councilmembers.

Authored By: Rep. John Corbett (174th)

House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 148 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

02-18-2016 Do Pass

HB 1029 Whitfield County; appointment of a county surveyor by the governing authority of the county; provide
Bill Summary: A Bill to abolish the office of elected county surveyor of Whitfield County, but to provide for the appointment of a county surveyor by the governing authority of the county.

Authored By: Rep. Bruce Broadrick (4th)

House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 148 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

02-18-2016 Do Pass

HB 1033 Cobb County Probate Court; change compensation of judge and clerk
Bill Summary: A Bill to amend an Act changing the compensation of the clerk of the superior court, the sheriff, and the judge of the Probate Court of Cobb County from the fee system to the salary system.

Authored By: Rep. Stacey Evans (42nd)

House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 148 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

02-18-2016 Do Pass

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Daily Report for February 19, 2016

Next on the Floor

Next on the Floor from the Committee on Rules
The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 25th Legislative Day, Monday, February 22, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker. The Rules Committee will next meet on Monday, February
22, at 9:00 a.m., to set the Rules Calendar for the 26th Legislative Day.

HB 763 Sales and use tax; exemption regarding certain food and food ingredients; remove sunset
Bill Summary: This legislation provides a sales and use tax exemption for nearly-expired food to companies that donate such food to food banks. Under current law, the food would not be taxed if it were thrown away, but it would be subject to a sales and use tax if donated in bulk to a food bank shortly before expiration. The bill has a sunset provision ending in 2021.

Authored By:

Rep. Penny Houston (170th)

House Committee: Ways & Means

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Structured 02-17-2016 Do Pass

HB 784 Insurance; advertising and promotional items not exceeding $100 will not be considered an unfair trade practice; provide
Bill Summary: House Bill 784 clarifies the prohibition of gifts from insurance agents to their current or prospective clients. It allows a gift, not to exceed $50 per year, for promotional purposes. The gift cannot be contingent upon the purchase of a policy or other product.

Authored By: Rep. John Carson (46th) House Committee: Insurance

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Open 02-17-2016 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 808 Courts; Judicial Qualifications Commission; create
Bill Summary: HB 808 adds new Code section 15-1-12.1 to create a new selection process for the Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC). The new JQC would still consist of seven members where two judges of any court of record are selected by the Supreme Court. The governor will make three appointments rather than the board of governors of the State Bar making those three appointments (one of which shall be a members of the State Bar of Georgia with at least ten years active status and the other two non-attorneys). The Speaker of the House and President of the Senate will each have one appointment. The new JQC could also adopt procedures for its own governance which are not otherwise provided by the Constitution. The bill also amends 50-14-3, to remove JQC meetings from being exempt from open meetings requirements. HR 1113 is the companion legislation that provides the amendment to the Constitution necessitating the general law provisions. Additionally, the Supreme Court of Georgia shall review decisions by the JQC.

Authored By:

Rep. Wendell Willard (51st)

House Committee: Judiciary

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-11-2016 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 831 "Protecting Guardmen's Employment Act"; enact
Bill Summary: This legislation includes all armed forces reservists under the existing reemployment protections of the Georgia National Guard for civilian reemployment after being discharged from active service.

Authored By:

Rep. Calvin Smyre (135th)

House Committee: Defense & Veterans Affairs

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Open 02-10-2016 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 859 Firearms; weapons carry license holders; carrying and possession of certain weapons in certain buildings or real property owned or leased to public institutions of postsecondary education; authorize Bill Summary: HB 859 amends Code relating to carrying weapons within a school safety zone to allow for license holders to keep their weapon on their person while in or on any building or real property
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Daily Report for February 19, 2016

Next on the Floor

owned by or leased to any technical school, vocational school, college, university, or other institution of postsecondary education. This exception will not apply to buildings or property used for athletic events or student housing including sorority and fraternity houses and only applies to the carrying of handguns which are concealed.

Authored By: Rep. Rick Jasperse (11th)

Rule Applied:

House Committee: Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-16-2016 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 903 Labor and industrial relations; employment security; prevent fraud and abuse of the Unemployment Trust Fund
Bill Summary: HB 903 allows cross-referencing information across state departments to enhance the financial accountability of the Unemployment Trust Fund. The commissioner of the Department of Labor, or his or her duly authorized representative, may submit to the state revenue commissioner the names, earnings and social security numbers of any individuals who are required to report earnings to the department. The state revenue commissioner shall compare the submitted earnings with the income reported by the individuals to verify and report back to the Labor Department that the submitted earnings are equal to, greater than, or less than the amount of income reported by the individual to the Department of Revenue. Furthermore, the Labor Department may submit to the state revenue commissioner the name of any employer, along with the number of employees they report, during specified time periods. The state revenue commissioner shall compare those records with the number of employees reported by that employer to the Department of Revenue to verify and report back to the Labor Department that the number of employees reported to the department is equal to, greater than, or less than the number of employees reported to the Department of Revenue for state income tax withholding purposes for the specified time period.

Authored By:

Rep. Brian Strickland (111th)

House Committee: Industry and Labor

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-10-2016 Do Pass

HB 904 Labor and industrial relations; employment security; change certain contribution rates and credits
Bill Summary: House Bill 904 revises the repeal dates for the Code sections addressing employers' contribution to the Unemployment Trust Fund and modifies the division of the employer's contribution between the Unemployment Trust Fund and the Administrative Assessment.

Authored By:

Rep. Brian Strickland (111th)

House Committee: Industry and Labor

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-10-2016 Do Pass

HB 910 Health records; provisions relating to costs of copying and mailing patient records apply to psychiatric, psychological, and other mental health records; provide
Bill Summary: HB 910 amends O.C.G.A 31-33-3, relating to costs of copying and mailing health records and patient's rights as to records, by expanding this Code section to apply to psychiatric, psychological, and other mental health records of a patient.

Authored By:

Rep. Spencer Frye (118th)

House Committee: Health & Human Services

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Open 02-16-2016 Do Pass

HB 965 "The Honorable Jimmy Carter Cancer Treatment Access Act"; enact
Bill Summary: House Bill 965 creates 'The Honorable Jimmy Carter Cancer Treatment Access Act.' It provides that no health benefit plan issued, delivered, or renewed in this state that directly or indirectly covers the treatment of stage four advanced, metastatic cancer as a provision of hospital, medical, or surgical services, shall limit or exclude coverage for a drug approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. It prohibits a plan from requiring that a patient prove a history of failure of such drug or drugs before administering an alternative drug used in best practices and supported by peer reviewed literature.

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Daily Report for February 19, 2016

Next on the Floor

Authored By:

Rep. Mike Cheokas (138th)

House Committee: Insurance

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Open 02-17-2016 Do Pass

HR 1113 Judicial Qualifications Commission; create - CA
Bill Summary: HR 1113 amends Georgia Constitution Paragraph VI Section VII of Article VI by abolishing the existing Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) as of December 31, 2016, in order for the General Assembly to create and provide by general law for the composition, manner of appointment, and governance of a new Judicial Qualifications Commission. The new commission would still have the power to discipline, remove, and cause involuntary retirement of judges, those provisions would not change. This bill would also provide that the JQC will be required to comport with due process requirements and its decisions be subject to review.

This amendment will be published for ballot approval as provided in Article X, Section I, Paragraph II of the Constitution.

Authored By:

Rep. Wendell Willard (51st)

House Committee: Judiciary

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-11-2016 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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Daily Report for February 19, 2016

Committee Actions

Committee Actions
Bills passing committees are reported to the Clerk's Office and are placed on the General Calendar.

Juvenile Justice Committee
HR 768 House Study Committee on Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse; create
Bill Summary: HR 768 creates the House Study Committee on Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse which consists of five members of the House, appointed by the Speaker, as well as two nonlegislative members. The committee is charged with studying the conditions, needs, issues, and problems related to mandatory reporting of child abuse to the Department of Human Services. The committee will have a chairperson, appointed by the Speaker, and the chairperson must periodically call meetings. The resolution provides for the allowances, expenses, and funding for members. If the committee adopts specific findings that include suggestions for legislation, the chairperson must file a report prior to December 1, 2015, the abolishment date of the committee. The report cannot be filed unless it has been approved prior to December 1, 2016 by a majority vote of a quorum of the committee. The chairperson may file a copy of the minutes of the meetings with the Clerk in lieu of an approved report.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Joyce Chandler (105th) Juvenile Justice

Committee Action:

02-19-2016 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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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 Notices.

Monday, February 22, 2016 10:00 AM Floor Session (LD 25) House Chamber 8:00 AM INSURANCE 606 CLOB 9:00 AM RULES 341 CAP 1:00 PM TRANSPORTATION 506 CLOB 1:00 PM Resource Management Sub 514 CLOB 1:30 PM HUMAN RELATIONS & AGING 515 CLOB 1:30 PM JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL 132 CAP 2:00 PM Academic Support Sub 515 CLOB 2:00 PM Fleming Sub 403 CAP 2:00 PM STATE PLANNING & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS 406 CLOB 3:00 PM Elections Sub 506 CLOB 3:00 PM JUVENILE JUSTICE 406 CLOB 4:00 PM Professions-Boards-Commissions Sub 403 CAP

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