Daily report [Feb. 3, 2016]

Georgia House of Representatives

DAILY REPORT 15th Legislative Day

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

House Budget & Research Office (404) 656-5050

House Media Services (404) 656-0305

The House will reconvene for its 16th Legislative Day on Thursday, February 4 at 10:00 a.m. The Rules committee will meet at 9:00 a.m. 5 bills / resolutions are expected to be debated on the floor.

Today on the Floor

Rules Calendar
HB 402 Insurance; encourage employers to provide work based learning opportunities for students age 16 and older; provisions
Bill Summary: House Bill 402 provides for a five percent discount in worker's compensation insurance premiums for employers that provide work-based learning opportunities for students aged 16 years and older. Any work-based learning program must be certified by the State Board of Education. The participating student must be covered by the employer's worker's compensation policy.

Authored By: Rep. Eddie Lumsden (12th) House Committee: Industry and Labor

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 166 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Open 01-27-2016 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 421

Retirement and pensions; officers employed by Department of Community Supervision shall be entitled to certain disability benefits; provide
Bill Summary: HB 421 amends O.C.G.A. 47-2-221 relating to the eligibility of Employees' Retirement System's enhanced disability benefits. This bill entitles community supervision officers employed by the Department of Community Supervision to enhanced disability benefits if they become permanently disabled due to an act of external violence or injury incurred in the line of law enforcement duty. This bill is certified by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts as a nonfiscal retirement bill. The actuary has determined that a state appropriation is not required to implement the changes set forth in this bill.

Authored By: Rep. Chad Nimmer (178th) House Committee: Retirement

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 165 Nays: 1

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Open 01-27-2016 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 690

Employees' Retirement System of Georgia; provide that certain law enforcement officers obtain creditable service in system under certain conditions; provisions
Bill Summary: HB 690 amends O.C.G.A. 47-2-226 relating to creditable service for certain members of the Employees' Retirement System (ERS). In this bill, the definition of "law enforcement officer" is expanded to include any member in service of the Uniform Division of the Department of Public Safety, any conservation ranger of the Department of Natural Resources, any officer of the Georgia Bureau of the Investigation, and any alcohol and tobacco officer or agent with the Department of Revenue. Any "law enforcement officer" would be eligible to obtain five years of creditable service for certain prior year service as a full time employee of a local governing authority. The "law enforcement officer" would have to meet the following criteria to receive creditable service: held a position where they were invested with the authority to enforce criminal or traffic laws, had the

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Daily Report for February 3, 2016

Today on the Floor

power to arrest, and had duties which included the preservation of public order, the protection of life and property, or the prevention, detection or investigation of crime; was not eligible for a defined benefit or defined contribution retirement or pension plan while employed by the local governing authority; and has been a member of ERS for at least 10 years. Any member wishing to receive creditable service must apply to the Board of Trustees of ERS and pay an amount determined to be sufficient to cover the full actuarial cost of granting creditable service. This bill has been certified by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts as a fiscal retirement bill. The actuary has determined that a state appropriation is not required to implement the changes set forth in this bill.

Authored By: Rep. Amy Carter (175th) House Committee: Retirement

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 162 Nays: 1

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Open 01-27-2016 Do Pass

HB 691

Municipal courts; removal of appointed judges under certain circumstances; provide
Bill Summary: House Bill 691 provides for the removal of an appointed municipal court judge for certain unethical conduct by a two-thirds vote of the entire membership of the municipal governing authority. The bill has provisions to temporarily fill a resulting vacancy until a new appointment is made.

Authored By: Rep. Kevin Tanner (9th) House Committee: Judiciary

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 155 Nays: 11

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 01-28-2016 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 801

HOPE; include certain coursework in computer science as optional rigor requirements; revise provisions
Bill Summary: House Bill 801 provides for the addition of a computer science class in the category of advanced science to satisfy the eligibility requirements to receive the HOPE scholarship. The bill also adds certain STEM courses, as identified by the Board of Regents, to the classes eligible for the 0.5 point grade increase granted to equalize grade point averages (GPAs) of students taking college level courses while in high school.

Authored By: Rep. Jan Jones (47th) House Committee: Higher Education

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 167 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 01-26-2016 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Postponed Until Next Legislative Day
HB 815 Meat inspection; inspection and regulation of certain avian meat products and facilities; provide
Bill Summary: The bill provides for the Georgia Department of Agriculture to provide meat inspections of any avian species which are grown commercially for slaughter and preparation as human food but are not amenable to the 'Federal Poultry Products Inspection Act.' The Commissioner may exercise concurrent jurisdiction with the United States secretary of agriculture and may enforce this article and any regulations without regard to licensing agency. The legislation further provides for the department to inspect meat and meat products in retail and other service establishments.

Authored By: Rep. Trey Rhodes (120th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Open

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Committee Actions

Next on the Floor from the Committee on Rules
The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 16th Legislative Day, Thursday, February 4, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker. The Rules Committee will next meet on Thursday, February
4, at 9:00 a.m., to set the Rules Calendar for the 17th Legislative Day

HB 228 Sheriffs; collect and deposit certain fees; provide
Bill Summary: HB 228 clarifies that in all counties where the sheriff is paid on salary alone, the fees for sheriff's services allowed under Code Section 15-16-21 must be remitted to the county treasurer or fiscal officer.

Authored By: Rep. J. B. Jones (167th) House Committee: Judiciary

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 01-28-2016 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 593 Low-voltage Contractors, Division of; require continuing education; authorize
Bill Summary: HB 593 allows for the Division of Low-voltage Contractors to have no more than four hours of board-approved continuing education annually. Continuing education courses or programs conducted by manufacturers specifically to promote their products are not allowed. In addition, the Division of Low-voltage Contractors shall be able to waive the continuing education requirements in circumstances as the division deems appropriate.

Authored By: Rep. Lee Hawkins (27th) House Committee: Regulated Industries

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Open 01-26-2016 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 730 Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council; commissioner of juvenile justice as a voting member; add
Bill Summary: HB 730 increases the voting members of the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council to 22 and includes the commissioner of Juvenile Justice and the commissioner of Natural Resources as part of the Council.

Authored By: Rep. Alan Powell (32nd) House Committee: Juvenile Justice

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Open 01-28-2016 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 747 Motor vehicles; safe operation of motor carriers and commercial motor vehicles; update reference date to federal regulations
Bill Summary: House Bill 747 updates the reference date to federal regulations regarding the safe operation of motor carriers and commercial motor vehicles to take effect on January 1, 2016.

Authored By:

Rep. Terry Rogers (10th)

House Committee: Motor Vehicles

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Open 02-01-2016 Do Pass

HB 800 Veterinarians; veterinarian-client-patient relationship; clarify scope
Bill Summary: The legislation defines the "veterinarian-client patient relationship" as a licensed veterinarian who assumes responsibility for making medical judgments regarding the health of an animal, the need for treatment and the client or owner has agreed to follow the instruction of the licensed veterinarian. The licensed veterinarian has sufficient knowledge of the animal to initiate a preliminary diagnosis of the medical condition of the animal by recently having seen and is personally acquainted with the care of the animal through by medically appropriate visits to the premises where the animal is kept or to premises within an operation where the animal or groups of animals are kept. A licensed veterinarian is readily available for follow-up in the case of adverse reactions or failure of the regimen of therapy.

Authored By:

Rep. Rick Jasperse (11th)

House Committee: Agriculture & Consumer Affairs

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

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Modified-Open 01-27-2016 Do Pass

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Daily Report for February 3, 2016

Committee Actions

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

Education Committee
HB 614 Landon Dunson Act; enact
Bill Summary: The `Landon Dunson Act' would authorize the Department of Education to establish a pilot program for placing video cameras in classrooms which are used for special education services. Video taken would need to be retained for one year and would need to cover all areas of the classrooms selected. This bill will sunset on June 30th, 2021.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Valencia Stovall (74th) Education

Committee Action:

02-03-2016 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 659

Education; provide transparency of financial information of local school systems and schools; provisions
Bill Summary: House Bill 659 would require school systems to make financial information, other than information specifically confidential by law, available for public access in order to promote greater transparency within public schools.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. D. C. Belton (112th) Education

Committee Action:

02-03-2016 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 739

Elementary and secondary education; process for state approved instructional materials and content is optional; provide
Bill Summary: House Bill 739 clarifies the state instructional recommendation process and makes optional the use of a committee selected by the State Board of Education to review instructional materials. This legislation also provides that local boards of education shall have a review process for any locally approved instructional material.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Kevin Tanner (9th) Education

Committee Action:

02-03-2016 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 870

Quality Basic Education Act; high schools that receive state funding cannot participate in an athletic association which prohibits religious expression on clothing of student athletes; provide
Bill Summary: House Bill 870 requires that high schools that receive state funding cannot participate in an athletic association which prohibits religious expression on athletic clothing.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Brian Strickland (111th) Education

Committee Action:

02-03-2016 Do Pass

Governmental Affairs Committee
HB 497 Surplus state property; offer property to charitable institutions at no charge prior to disposition by other means in certain instances; provide
Bill Summary: House Bill 497 allows non-profit charitable organizations, with 15 employees or less, to have surplus office equipment offered for sale by the Department of Administrative Services conveyed to them at no cost. There is a $2,000 per year limit to the total value of property the organization can receive.
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Committee Actions

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Valencia Stovall (74th) Governmental Affairs

Committee Action:

02-03-2016 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 561 Adoptable dog; official state dog; designate Bill Summary: House Bill 561 designates the adoptable dog as the official state dog.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Joe Wilkinson (52nd) Governmental Affairs

Committee Action:

02-03-2016 Do Pass

HB 738

Local government; county law libraries; revise uses of excess funds
Bill Summary: House Bill 738 provides that excess funds, as determined by the board of trustees of a county law library, will be granted to charitable tax exempt organizations which provide civil legal representation for low-income people; or be used to purchase software, equipment, fixtures, or furnishings for the office of the district attorney or solicitor-general or for county judicial facilities, including but not limited to courtrooms and jury rooms.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Johnnie Caldwell (131st) Governmental Affairs

Committee Action:

02-03-2016 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 765

Social services; board member appointments may include certain retired individuals; provide
Bill Summary: House Bill 765 allows retirees, in addition to active personnel, to be appointed from the list of professionals required to be appointed to a county's Board of Family and Children Services.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Jay Powell (171st) Governmental Affairs

Committee Action:

02-03-2016 Do Pass

HB 781

Local government; individuals appointed to authorities and boards be United States citizens; require
Bill Summary: House Bill 781 provides that individuals appointed to state and local authorities, boards, councils, and commissions shall be United States citizens.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Brad Raffensperger (50th) Governmental Affairs

Committee Action:

02-03-2016 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 208 Stonecrest, City of; provide for a charter
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 208 authorizes a referendum to create the city of Stonecrest, in DeKalb County, Georgia.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Ronald Ramsey, Sr. (43rd) Governmental Affairs

Committee Action:

02-03-2016 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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Committee Actions

Insurance Committee
HB 193 Life Insurance Consumer Disclosure Model Act; enact
Bill Summary: House Bill 193 provides that no insurer shall penalize an agent for advising a policy holder of the living benefits contained in a life insurance policy.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Carl Rogers (29th) Insurance

Committee Action:

02-03-2016 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 866 Insurance; multiple employer self-insured health plans; exempt from premium taxes
Bill Summary: House Bill 866 exempts multiple employer self-insured health plans from premium taxes.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Shaw Blackmon (146th) Insurance

Committee Action:

02-03-2016 Do Pass

Intragovernmental Coordination - Local Committee
HB 830 Jonesboro, City of; ad valorem tax; restate amount of homestead exemption; provisions
Bill Summary: A Bill to provide a homestead exemption from the City of Jonesboro ad valorem taxes for city purposes, to enact a new provision to restate the amount of the homestead exemption for the assessed value of the homestead for residents of the city.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Mike Glanton (75th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-03-2016 Do Pass

HB 839 East Dublin, City of; corporate limits; change Bill Summary: A Bill to change the corporate limits of the City of East Dublin.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Matt Hatchett (150th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-03-2016 Do Pass

HB 857

McDuffie County; homestead exemption for residents 70 years of age or older; provide
Bill Summary: A Bill to provide a homestead exemption from McDuffie County school district ad valorem taxes for educational purposes in the amount of half the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that school district who are 70 years of age or older and in the full amount of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that school district who are 75 years of age or older.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Barry Fleming (121st) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-03-2016 Do Pass

HB 863 Stockbridge, City of; filling vacancies on the governing authority; revise manner
Bill Summary: A Bill to provide a new charter for the City of Stockbridge, so as to revise the manner of filling vacancies of the governing authority.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Brian Strickland (111th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-03-2016 Do Pass

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Committee Actions

HB 867 Thomasville, City of; levy an excise tax Bill Summary: A Bill to authorize the City of Thomasville to levy a hotel/motel tax.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Darlene Taylor (173rd) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-03-2016 Do Pass

HB 880 St. Marys, City of; manner of election of mayor and council; provide
Bill Summary: A Bill to provide a new charter for the City of St. Mary's, so as to provide for the manner of election of the mayor and council.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Jason Spencer (180th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-03-2016 Do Pass

Retirement Committee
HB 635 Judges of Probate Courts Retirement Fund; increase number of years of mandatory contribution; provisions
Bill Summary: HB 635 amends O.C.G.A. 47-23-63 relating to member dues and creditable service for the Judges of the Probate Courts Retirement Fund. This bill increases the period of time in which a member must pay dues from 20 years to 30 years. Also, any member who is active on July 1, 2016 may obtain creditable service for any service in excess of 20 years as judge of the probate court, employee of the board, or secretary or treasurer, but not more than the number of years of service or 30 years, whichever is less. Any member who wishes to receive creditable service must apply and pay the member contributions they would have paid during that time period plus seven percent interest. This bill has been certified by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts as a fiscal retirement bill. The actuary has determined that a state appropriation is not required to implement the changes set forth in this bill; the $311,000 per year cost for 30 years will be paid through fines, fees, and bond forfeitures.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. James Epps (144th) Retirement

Committee Action:

02-03-2016 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 844

Georgia Firefighters' Pension Fund; insurance premiums subject to taxation; update certain provisions
Bill Summary: HB 844 amends O.C.G.A. 47-7-61 and 47-7-124 relating to the Georgia Firefighters' Pension Fund. This bill updates and clarifies certain provisions relating to the taxation of insurance premiums. Also, this bill clarifies that the venue for any actions brought against the Board or Fund in superior court shall be the superior court in which the fund resides. This bill has been certified by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts as a nonfiscal retirement bill.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Howard Maxwell (17th) Retirement

Committee Action:

02-03-2016 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 243

Georgia Judicial Retirement System; preservation of rights by certain persons; change certain provisions
Bill Summary: SB 243 amends O.C.G.A. 47-23-43, 47-23-43.1, and 47-23-100 relating to membership in the Georgia Judicial Retirement System (JRS). This bill allows any full-time employee serving as legislative counsel, with admission into the State Bar of Georgia, to make an irrevocable decision to become a member of JRS. Eligible individuals wishing to become a member

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of the JRS must notify the board no later than December 31, 2016 or within 90 days of employment, whichever date is later. The Employee's Retirement System (ERS) would then be required to transfer all employee and employer contributions, plus interest, to JRS. Also, members would receive creditable service for actual years of service as a member of ERS. This bill has been certified by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts as a fiscal retirement bill. The actuary has determined that a state appropriation of $50,000 per year for the next 20 years is required to implement the changes set forth in this bill. It is recommended that the employer contribution rate for JRS be increased from 10.48 percent to 10.57 percent.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Jack Hill (4th) Retirement

Committee Action:

02-03-2016 Do Pass

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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 Calendar.

Thursday, February 04, 2016 10:00 AM Floor Session (LD 16) House Chamber 8:00 AM NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT606 CLOB 8:00 AM Appropriations Economic Development Sub 506 CLOB 8:30 AM Judiciary Non-Civil Setzler Sub 132 CAP 9:00 AM RULES 341 CAP 12:00 PM Tags & Title Sub 606 CLOB 12:00 PM Driver Safety & Services Sub 506 CLOB 1:00 PM Appropriations Human Resources Sub 403 CAP 1:00 PM Appropriations Education Sub 606 CLOB 1:30 PM Judiciary Non-Civil Pak Sub 415 CLOB 1:30 PM Resolutions Sub on Transportation 506 CLOB 1:30 PM JOINT SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOP, BANKS, AND BANKING 341 CAP 2:00 PM WAYS & MEANS 406 CLOB 2:15 PM TRANSPORTATION 506 CLOB 3:00 PM Judiciary Civil Caldwell Sub 132 CAP

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