DAILY REPORT Wednesday February 22, 2017 22nd Legislative Day House Budget & Research Office (404) 656-5050 House Media Services (404) 656-0305 The House will reconvene for its 23rd Legislative Day on Thursday, February 23 at 10:00 a.m. The Rules committee will meet at 9:00 a.m. 11 bills are expected to be debated on the Floor. Today on the Floor Rules Calendar HB 37 Education; private postsecondary institutions in Georgia shall not adopt sanctuary policies; provide Bill Summary: HB 37 would prohibit any private postsecondary institution eligible for tuition equalization grants from implementing a sanctuary policy. Sanctuary policies include policies that would prohibit or restrict employees of postsecondary institutions from working with federal and state officials or law enforcement officers on reporting immigration status information. Any private postsecondary institution that violates this code section would be subject to the withholding of state funding or state administered federal funding. Withholding of state funds includes funding for scholarships, loans and grants for students of such private postsecondary institutions. Authored By: Rep. Earl Ehrhart (36th) House Committee: Higher Education Floor Vote: Yeas: 112 Nays: 57 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Modified-Structured 02-01-2017 Do Pass HB 40 Evidence; confidentiality of certain medical information of animals within a veterinarian's care; provide exception Bill Summary: This bill provides an exception for confidentiality of certain medical information of animals within a veterinarian's care. The bill states a veterinarian shall disclose the rabies vaccination history of any animal within the veterinarian's care within 24 hours of receiving a written request by the physician of any person bitten by the animal. Authored By: Rep. Scot Turner (21st) House Committee: Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Floor Vote: Yeas: 165 Nays: 0 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Modified-Open 02-01-2017 Do Pass HB 41 Architects; allow certain students to take examination; change qualifications Bill Summary: HB 41 allows for an education pilot program for students to enroll in an accredited professional Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure degree program and permit the student to take the professional examination needed for licensure while enrolled in that program. Authored By: Rep. Brett Harrell (106th) House Committee: Regulated Industries Floor Vote: Yeas: 170 Nays: 1 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Modified-Open 02-16-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute Page 1 of 15 House of Representatives Daily Report for February 22, 2017 Today on the Floor HB 86 Domestic relations; definition of sexual abuse; expand Bill Summary: HB 86 increases the scope of offenses for mandatory reporters of child abuse to include suspicion of a child being involved in sex trafficking for the purpose of sexual servitude. Authored By: Rep. Mary Oliver (82nd) House Committee: Juvenile Justice Floor Vote: Yeas: 168 Nays: 0 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Modified-Structured 02-09-2017 Do Pass HB 150 State Road and Tollway Authority; failure to pay tolls; place hold on motor vehicle registration Bill Summary: House bill 150 allows the State Road and Tollway Authority to garnish income tax refunds in order to offset the debt owed by toll violators who have not responded to attempts by the Authority to collect toll payments. Authored By: Rep. Alan Powell (32nd) House Committee: Transportation Floor Vote: Yeas: 143 Nays: 21 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Modified-Structured 02-16-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 168 Upper Oconee Basin Water Authority; abolish Upper Oconee Resource Management Commission Bill Summary: HB 168 amends the Oconee Basin Water Authority (HB 1514, 1994) by eliminating the Upper Oconee Resource Management Commission. The bill also alters the composition of the Upper Oconee Basin Water Authority by lowering the number of members from nine to eight, with one additional member appointed by the members as a mechanism to select alternate board members. It establishes one-year terms and affects four counties. Authored By: Rep. Regina Quick (117th) House Committee: Natural Resources & Environment Floor Vote: Yeas: 170 Nays: 0 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Modified-Open 02-16-2017 Do Pass HB 238 Ad valorem tax; use of property for solar power generation; provide exception to a breach of covenants Bill Summary: House Bill 238 amends 48-5-7.4, relating to bona fide conservation use property, and 48-5-7.7, relating to the forest land protection act, by allowing a portion of the property in a covenant to be used for solar generation of electricity or heat. The portion of the property used for solar electricity or heat generation will be removed from the covenant and become subject to ad valorem tax at the fair market value. Authored By: Rep. Matt Hatchett (150th) House Committee: Ways & Means Floor Vote: Yeas: 170 Nays: 0 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Structured 02-16-2017 Do Pass HB 243 Minimum wage; require additional pay to employees based on schedule changes; preempt local government mandates Bill Summary: House Bill 243 prevents local governments from adopting ordinances that require an employer to pay an employee for work they have not performed due to a last minute change in schedule. Authored By: Rep. William Werkheiser (157th) House Committee: Industry and Labor Floor Vote: Yeas: 115 Nays: 55 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Modified-Structured 02-15-2017 Do Pass Page 2 of 15 House of Representatives Daily Report for February 22, 2017 Today on the Floor HB 247 Sales and use tax; machinery used to mix or transport concrete; exempt Bill Summary: House Bill 247 amends 48-8-3.2, related to a sales tax exemption for certain machinery and equipment used in manufacturing, by adding maintenance and repair of transit concrete mixer trucks. Motor fuel used in concrete mixer trucks is not exempted from sales and use tax. Authored By: Rep. Dominic LaRiccia (169th) House Committee: Ways & Means Floor Vote: Yeas: 158 Nays: 4 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Structured 02-16-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 262 Insurance; standalone dental plans; exempt from requirement of printed directories for certain entities Bill Summary: House Bill 262 exempts stand-alone dental insurance plans from the requirement of publishing printed provider directories. Authored By: Rep. Eddie Lumsden (12th) House Committee: Insurance Floor Vote: Yeas: 172 Nays: 0 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Modified-Open 02-17-2017 Do Pass HB 290 Ad valorem tax; definitions related to exemption of certain agricultural equipment; revise Bill Summary: House Bill 290 amends 48-5-41.1, relating to exemption of qualified farm products and harvested agricultural products from taxation, by adding an exemption for agricultural equipment owned or held under a lease-purchase agreement by a family owned farm products producer. Authored By: Rep. Sam Watson (172nd) House Committee: Ways & Means Floor Vote: Yeas: 163 Nays: 1 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Structured 02-16-2017 Do Pass HB 303 State Commission on Family Violence; terms and qualifications of members; change provisions Bill Summary: House Bill 303 increases the term of office for members of the State Commission on Family Violence from two to three years. It changes references in the Code from "battered women" to "victims of family violence". Authored By: Rep. Mandi Ballinger (23rd) House Committee: Governmental Affairs Floor Vote: Yeas: 157 Nays: 0 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Modified-Open 02-15-2017 Do Pass Page 3 of 15 House of Representatives Daily Report for February 22, 2017 Today on the Floor Postponed Until Next Legislative Day HB 224 Quality Basic Education Act; military student may attend any school in local system; provide Bill Summary: House Bill 224 amends the 'Quality Basic Education Act' to allow military students the ability to attend any school within their school system beginning in the 2017-2018 school year. This legislation defines a "military student" as any student whose parent is a military service member who lives on or off a military base. Local boards of education shall develop a streamlined process to allow for smooth transitions between schools for military students. Authored By: Rep. D. C. Belton (112th) Rule Applied: Modified-Open HB 268 Elections; time period for certification of election officials; provide Bill Summary: House Bill 268 is a housekeeping bill for the Secretary of State's Office's Elections Division. It reflects the recommendations by the Georgia Elections Advisory Council, removes references to antiquated terms and removes unnecessary Code sections. Further, it provides that counties may not change precincts within a period of 90 days prior to an election. It clarifies that poll managers shall have control of the flow of traffic inside a voting precinct. It extends the 90-day period of time an elector has to correct discrepancies between the name that appears on their voter registration application and the name that is supplied by the Department of Driver's Services and the Social Security Administration to 26 months. Authored By: Rep. Barry Fleming (121st) Rule Applied: Modified-Structured Local Calendar HB 306 Cherokee County; Board of Education; change compensation of members Bill Summary: This bill modifies the compensation for members of the Cherokee County Board of Education. The chairman of the board shall be compensated in an amount determined by the board, but not to exceed $1,200 per month. The other members' compensation will also be determined by the board, but not to exceed $1,000 per month. Current law states board members shall be compensated $600 per month. Authored By: Rep. Scot Turner (21st) House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination Local Floor Vote: Yeas: 155 Nays: 0 Rule Applied: Committee Action: 02-21-2017 Do Pass HB 348 Waycross, City of; change corporate limits Bill Summary: This bill changes the corporate limits of the City of Waycross. It states that the corporate limits of the City of Waycross shall not include any territory within the boundaries of Pierce County except the lots mentioned specifically in the bill. Authored By: Rep. Chad Nimmer (178th) House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination Local Floor Vote: Yeas: 155 Nays: 0 Rule Applied: Committee Action: 02-21-2017 Do Pass Page 4 of 15 House of Representatives Daily Report for February 22, 2017 Today on the Floor HB 349 Grantville, City of; election and terms of office for mayor and councilmembers from Posts 1 and 2; provide Bill Summary: This bill provides for elections in odd-numbered years, instead of even-numbered years, for the mayor and the councilmembers from Posts 1 and 2 in the City of Grantville. It also lengthens the terms of office of the mayor and councilmembers from Posts 1 and 2, so that all three elected officials' terms will end on December 31, 2019, instead of December 31, 2018. Following that change, all three terms will last four years. Additionally, it also provides for a referendum asking if the residents of Grantville want to lengthen the above mentioned terms. Authored By: Rep. Robert Trammell (132nd) House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination Local Floor Vote: Yeas: 155 Nays: 0 Rule Applied: Committee Action: 02-21-2017 Do Pass HB 355 Cobb County; Probate Court; change compensation of chief deputy, assistant chief deputy and executive assistant Bill Summary: This bill changes the compensation of the chief deputy, the assistant chief deputy, and the executive assistant to the Cobb County sheriff. The chief deputy shall make $138,839.13 a year, the assistant chief deputy shall make $125,976.83 a year, and the executive assistant shall make $75,692.46 a year. Authored By: Rep. John Carson (46th) House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination Local Floor Vote: Yeas: 155 Nays: 0 Rule Applied: Committee Action: 02-21-2017 Do Pass HB 356 Cobb County; Board of Commissioners; compensation of chairperson and other commissioners; change provisions Bill Summary: This bill changes the provisions relating to the compensation of the chairperson and other commissioners of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners. It states the commissioners representing Districts 1, 3, and 4 will be eligible to earn $46,531.14 per year, while the commissioner representing District 2 will be eligible to earn $44,095.93 per year. The chairperson of the board will be eligible to earn $135,123.87 per year. Additionally, the bill states that the chairperson will be compensated on a full-time employment basis, but shall only be allowed to devote no more than 15 hours per week to a business or employment interest not related to the Board of Commissioners. The commissioners and chair may also be reimbursed for miles driven, secretarial services above the services normally provided by the county and travel and lodging expenses. Authored By: Rep. John Carson (46th) House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination Local Floor Vote: Yeas: 155 Nays: 0 Rule Applied: Committee Action: 02-21-2017 Do Pass HB 380 Echols County; board of education; revise districts for election of members Bill Summary: This bill revises the districts for the election of members of the Echols County Board of Education. The board consists of five members, who are elected from five districts described in the bill. Authored By: Rep. John Corbett (174th) House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local Floor Vote: Yeas: 155 Nays: 0 Rule Applied: Committee Action: 02-21-2017 Do Pass Page 5 of 15 House of Representatives Daily Report for February 22, 2017 Today on the Floor HB 383 Telfair County; Board of Education; compensation of members; change provisions Bill Summary: This bill allows the Telfair County Board of Education to increase the amount it receives as compensation, but it can't increase its compensation until a notice has been published in the legal organ for at least once a week for three consecutive weeks. Authored By: Rep. Jimmy Pruett (149th) House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination - Local Floor Vote: Yeas: 155 Nays: 0 Rule Applied: Committee Action: 02-21-2017 Do Pass HB 384 Cobb County; tax commissioner's office; change compensation of certain employees Bill Summary: The tax commissioner shall receive the minimum annual salary found in Code Section 48-5-183 plus a supplement in the amount of $18,001.39. The chief clerk to the tax commissioner will make $112,983.32 a year. The bill also states the commissioner's executive secretary and administrative specialist shall make $62,159.19 a year. Authored By: Rep. John Carson (46th) House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination Local Floor Vote: Yeas: Nays: Rule Applied: Committee Action: 02-22-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 385 South Fulton, City of; provide when mayor may vote and be included in determination of quorum Bill Summary: This bill states that the South Fulton City Council's quorum shall consist of four councilmembers. The mayor shall be counted as one of the councilmembers for voting and quorum purposes, but the mayor shall only vote in the case of a tie. Additionally, it states that the voting on adoption of ordinances shall be by voice vote. It also states that no councilmember shall abstain from voting except if absent when a motion was made or in the case of a conflict of interest. Authored By: Rep. Debra Bazemore (63rd) House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination Local Floor Vote: Yeas: 155 Nays: 0 Rule Applied: Committee Action: 02-21-2017 Do Pass HB 393 Covington, City of; change corporate limits Bill Summary: This bill changes the corporate limits of the city of Covington. Authored By: Rep. D. C. Belton (112th) House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination Local Floor Vote: Yeas: 155 Nays: 0 Rule Applied: Committee Action: 02-21-2017 Do Pass HB 394 Oxford, City of; change corporate limits Bill Summary: This bill changes the corporate limits of the city of Oxford. Authored By: Rep. D. C. Belton (112th) House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination Local Floor Vote: Yeas: 155 Nays: 0 Rule Applied: Committee Action: 02-21-2017 Do Pass Page 6 of 15 House of Representatives Daily Report for February 22, 2017 Today on the Floor HB 395 Moultrie-Colquitt County Parks and Recreation Authority Act; enact Bill Summary: This bill creates the Moultrie-Colquitt County Parks and Recreation Authority and authorizes the authority to provide recreational services throughout Colquitt County. Authored By: Rep. Sam Watson (172nd) House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination Local Floor Vote: Yeas: 155 Nays: 0 Rule Applied: Committee Action: 02-21-2017 Do Pass HB 407 Cobb County; Probate Court; change salary of superior court clerk, deputy clerk, executive assistant and executive secretary Bill Summary: This bill changes the salary of the clerk of superior court, the deputy clerk, the executive assistant, and the executive secretary or Cobb County. Authored By: Rep. John Carson (46th) House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination Local Floor Vote: Yeas: 155 Nays: 0 Rule Applied: Committee Action: 02-21-2017 Do Pass Page 7 of 15 House of Representatives Daily Report for February 22, 2017 Next on the Floor Next on the Floor from the Committee on Rules The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 23rd Legislative Day, Thursday, February 23, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker. The Rules Committee will next meet on Thursday, February 23, at 9:00 a.m., to set the Rules Calendar for the 24th Legislative Day. HB 93 Sales and use tax; no interest shall be paid on refunds; provisions Bill Summary: House Bill 93 adds a new Code section at 48-8-49.1 which establishes and defines the direct pay reporting program. The program allows a taxpayer to accrue and pay directly to the department sales and use taxes owed. To qualify a taxpayer must purchase more than $2 million of tangible personal property per year and be classified in one of nine industry codes. The bill also amends 48-2-35.1 by providing for interest to be paid on overpayments made by a taxpayer through the direct payment program. However, unless the taxpayer can show a good faith effort to avoid overpayment, if a taxpayer overpays its actual liability by 20 percent or more for any payment during a filing period then interest will not be paid on overages for the entire filing period. Authored By: Rep. John Corbett (174th) House Committee: Ways & Means Rule Applied: Committee Action: Structured 02-16-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 134 Sales and use tax; special district mass transportation; provisions Bill Summary: House Bill 134 provides for single county T-SPLOST reforms. The bill removes the definition of 'Mass transportation regional system participant' allowing the use of single county TSPLOSTs to fund state transportation projects in section 48-8-250. Section 2 of the bill, relating to special districts and imposition of such tax, is amended by removing the start dates of July 1, 2016 and July 1, 2017 for when a referendum can be called and allows for more than one single county TSPLOST to be levied at the same time as long as the total amount doesn't exceed one percent. The bill also does not allow a regional T-SPLOST and a single county T-SPLOST to be on the ballot at the same time. Qualified municipalities are allowed to issue general obligation debts relating to a T-SPLOST. Authored By: Rep. James Epps (144th) House Committee: Ways & Means Rule Applied: Committee Action: Structured 02-16-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 153 Council on American Indian Concerns; attach to Department of Natural Resources Bill Summary: HB 153 moves the Council of American Indian Concerns from the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget to the Department of Natural Resources. Authored By: Rep. Terry Rogers (10th) House Committee: Natural Resources & Environment Rule Applied: Committee Action: Modified-Structured 02-16-2017 Do Pass HB 162 Income tax; transfer of setoffs by the Administrative Office of the Courts; revise procedures Bill Summary: This legislation amends the Code section related to "setoff", the balancing of debts by a plaintiff and defendant in debt collection. The bill allows debt refund payments by courts to be paid directly to the court where the debt is owed to exclude the administrative collection assistance fee. This bill further amends that the duties placed on the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) may be done by the AOC or by the relevant court. Once funds for the payment of the debt have been transferred, either the AOC or the relevant court in possession of the funds shall deposit and hold the funds in an escrow account until final determination of the validity of the debt. Interest earned may be kept by the Administrative Office of the Courts or the relevant court for administrative costs. Specific requirements of hearings and the appeals processes are stipulated if the debtor contests the setoff. If a court submits a debt for collection, but the relevant department says that no refund proceeds are available, no appeal will be necessary and the claim shall remain valid until proceeds are available for setoff. Upon final determination of a debt due by a hearing, the claimant agency shall remove the amount of debt due from the escrow account and shall credit the amount to the debtor's obligation. Page 8 of 15 House of Representatives Daily Report for February 22, 2017 Next on the Floor Upon final determination of debt due by an appeal, the Administrative Office of the Courts or the relevant court shall remove the amount of debt due from the escrow account and shall credit the amount to the debtor's obligation. When the debt is to be transferred from the escrow account to the credit of the debtor's account, the claimant agency or relevant court to whom debt is owed shall notify the debtor in writing of the setoff. The department shall prepare the notice for use, with the specifics of the notice specified. If there is found to be an excess of the final debt due, the Administrative Office of the Courts or the relevant court shall refund the debtor the amount of the claimed debt. Any funds transferred by the Administrative Office of the Courts to the court, even if there has not been a previous transfer due to insufficient funds, excess funds, or partial payment of funds, the funds will be disbursed by the court without having to resort to collection. Authored By: Rep. Betty Price (48th) House Committee: Judiciary Rule Applied: Committee Action: Modified-Open 02-09-2017 Do Pass HB 205 Mining and drilling; regulate exploration and extraction of gas and oil; provisions Bill Summary: This bill regulates the exploration and extraction of gas and oil in the state by amending the Oil and Gas and Deep Drilling Act of 1975. Any oil and gas exploration to identify new sources of energy should not occur at the expense of the state's important natural resources, such as residential, municipal, and industrial supplies of fresh water. Additionally, the bill also defines hydraulic fracturing. It also allows the Board of Natural Resources to delegate to the director of the Environmental Protection Division the authority to create an Oil and Gas Board to review and issue permits and to regulate drilling activity. The Oil and Gas Board, which can only be created after receiving at least 12 applications in a calendar year for any permit to drill any well, will consist of the state geologist and three other members appointed by the governor. The Board of Natural Resources will also have the power to create rules establishing procedures for the restoration and reclamation of well sites. The board also must adopt regulations governing hydraulic fracturing operations by July 1, 2018. These regulations include, but aren't limited to, creating public notices for any applications for any hydraulic fracturing permits, identification of groundwater sources within one-half mile of any proposed wellhead, and the disclosure of the contents of fluids used in hydraulic fracturing projects to the director and the commissioner of public health. This includes provisions which may allow for the withholding of trade secrets. Anybody wishing to drill a well, other than one that will produce fresh water, has to apply with the director of the EPD and pay $500 for a permit. The director shall issue a public notice for the permit application within 30 days of receiving the application. Following a 30 day public comment period, the director will also have to notify the public of the final permit decision. The bill also defines permit requirements. Additionally, the bill has a clause stating that the bill will not limit the authority of local governments to adopt local zoning or land use ordinances limiting the location or timing of the activities defined in the bill for the purposes of protecting natural resources or human health and welfare. Moreover, a severance tax of three cents per barrel of oil and one cent per thousand cubic feet of gas shall be levied on oil or gas removed from the ground by an extractor. The governing authority of each county or municipality can enact local ordinances or resolutions to levy its own severance tax, which can't exceed nine cents per barrel of oil or two cents per thousand cubic feet of gas. Authored By: Rep. John Meadows (5th) House Committee: Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications Rule Applied: Committee Action: Modified-Structured 02-21-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute Page 9 of 15 House of Representatives Daily Report for February 22, 2017 Next on the Floor HB 222 HOPE; members of Georgia National Guard and reservists meet residency requirement; provide Bill Summary: HB 222 allows a member of the Georgia National Guard or a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States located in Georgia to be classified as a legal resident under eligibility requirements for HOPE scholarships and grants. Authored By: Rep. Shaw Blackmon (146th) House Committee: Higher Education Rule Applied: Committee Action: Modified-Structured 02-15-2017 Do Pass HB 239 Low-voltage Contractors, Division of; require continuing education; authorize Bill Summary: HB 239 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-Structured 02-16-2017 Do Pass HB 246 Elementary and secondary education; annual fitness assessment program; repeal sunset provision Bill Summary: House Bill 246 amends the 'Student Health and Physical Education Act,' known as the 'SHAPE Act.' The SHAPE Act is a statewide initiative which began in the 2011-2012 school year to address childhood obesity in Georgia and requires all local school systems to comply with state physical fitness instruction and to perform a physical assessment on students once a year during their physical fitness class. This legislation amends the 'SHAPE Act' by eliminating the sunset date which was set for June 30, 2019. Authored By: Rep. Wesley Cantrell (22nd) House Committee: Education Rule Applied: Committee Action: Modified-Open 02-09-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 305 Domestic relations; category of third parties who may be awarded custody in certain circumstances; add stepparents Bill Summary: HB 305 adds stepparents and former stepparents to the list of permitted third party persons with the ability to petition the court for custody of a child when parental power over that child has been lost. Authored By: Rep. Beth Beskin (54th) House Committee: Juvenile Justice Rule Applied: Committee Action: Modified-Structured 02-16-2017 Do Pass Page 10 of 15 House of Representatives Daily Report for February 22, 2017 Committee Actions Committee Actions Bills passing committees are reported to the Clerk's Office and are placed on the General Calendar. Economic Development & Tourism Committee HB 354 Georgia International and Maritime Trade Center; reconstitute and authorize Department of Economic Development to contract for certain projects Bill Summary: House Bill 354 renames and reconstitutes the Georgia International and Maritime Trade Center Authority in Chatham County. The bill provides for its membership, manner of appointment, terms of office and power and duties. It also provides for legislative findings, definitions, and exempts the Authority from taxation and provides for venue, disposition of property and exempting its property from levy and sale, and transfers certain assets and liabilities. The Department of Economic Development is authorized to contract with the authority for certain projects, and providing for related matters, effective dates, and other purposes. The bill replaces the term "local government", which is individually or in combination the City of Savannah, Chatham County, or any development authority of either or both, with "the authority", which is the Georgia International and Maritime Trade Center Authority. The authority's principal office will be located in Chatham County. Membership of the authority, their term limits, structure powers, and duties are also enumerated. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Ron Stephens (164th) Economic Development & Tourism Committee Action: 02-22-2017 Do Pass Governmental Affairs Committee HB 194 Local government; effect of a proposed zoning action on local school systems; consider Bill Summary: House Bill 194 requires local government zoning boards to consider the impact on local school systems when making zoning decisions. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Todd Jones (25th) Governmental Affairs Committee Action: 02-22-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 362 Elections; county and municipal governing authorities and consolidated governments; provisions Bill Summary: House Bill 362 eliminates the "lame duck" period between the November election and the time of swearing in for city council members and county commissioners. This bill provides that newly-elected members will take office on the first Monday that occurs five days after the election results are certified. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Andrew Welch (110th) Governmental Affairs Committee Action: 02-22-2017 Tabled HR 58 Municipalities; establish by local law an independent school system; authorize - CA Bill Summary: House Resolution 58 proposes an amendment to the Constitution to authorize any municipality in the State of Georgia to establish by local law an independent school system. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Tom Taylor (79th) Governmental Affairs Committee Action: 02-22-2017 Do Pass Page 11 of 15 House of Representatives Daily Report for February 22, 2017 Committee Actions Higher Education Committee HB 432 Tuition grants; certain institutions that lack accreditation be approved for tuition equalization purposes; provide Bill Summary: HB 432 expands the definition of an "approved school" for the purpose of tuition equalization grants to include an institution that lacks accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools but meets all other requirements of an "approved school" as long as the institution was considered an "approved school" in the last five years. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Matt Dubnik (29th) Higher Education Committee Action: 02-22-2017 Do Pass HB 448 Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission; require certain postsecondary institutions to qualify for exemptions; provisions Bill Summary: HB 448 enables the Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (NPEC) to create policies to exempt education and post-secondary education institutions. This bill also exempts non-public law schools accredited by the American Bar Association when NPEC is designated as the recipient of complaints as a perquisite for the non-public law school's acceptance of federal student financial aid. This bill also changes the composition of NPEC's board from 15 members to ten members. Lastly, HB 448 changes the composition of the Board of Trustees of the Tuition Guaranty Trust Fund to include at least two members of post-secondary institutions rather than one member representing a non-degree granting postsecondary institution and one member representing a degree granting postsecondary institution. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Chuck Williams (119th) Higher Education Committee Action: 02-22-2017 Do Pass Intragovernmental Coordination - Local Committee HB 361 Fulton County; Board of Education; contributions made into the pension and retirement plan by employees shall be considered employer contributions for tax purposes; provide Bill Summary: This bill states that contributions made into the Fulton County Board of Education pension and retirement plan by employees shall be considered employer contributions for tax purposes. Any employee contributions made on or after July 1, 1990 shall be treated as employer contributions for purposes of determining the tax treatment under Section 414(h) of the code. These contributions won't be considered as gross income of the employee until they are distributed or made available. The bill also provides that the Fulton County Board of Education shall administer the pension and retirement plan and that a pension board will be created through a committee of the board of education to administer the plan. The board will consist of seven voting members and one nonvoting member. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Wendell Willard (51st) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Committee Action: 02-22-2017 Do Pass HB 377 Fulton County; Board of Commissioners; provide for position of chairperson Bill Summary: This bill provides for the position of chairperson and the election of the chairperson for the Fulton County Board of Commissioners. The chairperson will be elected at large and has to receive a majority of the vote. The other six commissioners are elected in districts. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Beth Beskin (54th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Committee Action: 02-22-2017 Do Pass Page 12 of 15 House of Representatives Daily Report for February 22, 2017 Committee Actions HB 378 Kennesaw, City of; corporate limits; change provisions Bill Summary: This bill changes the corporate limits of the city of Kennesaw to include the tracts of land mentioned in the bill. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Albert Reeves (34th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Committee Action: 02-22-2017 Do Pass HB 384 Cobb County; tax commissioner's office; change compensation of certain employees Bill Summary: The tax commissioner shall receive the minimum annual salary found in Code Section 48-5-183 plus a supplement in the amount of $18,001.39. The chief clerk to the tax commissioner will make $112,983.32 a year. The bill also states the commissioner's executive secretary and administrative specialist shall make $62,159.19 a year. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. John Carson (46th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Committee Action: 02-22-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 420 Cobb County; Probate Court; change compensation of judge and clerk Bill Summary: This bill changes the compensation of the judge and clerk of the probate court of Cobb County. The judge shall receive an annual salary equal to the sum of 85 percent of the annual salary of a Cobb County Superior Court judge plus the annual amount of any supplement paid by the governing authority of Cobb County to a superior court judge. This supplement excludes any supplements for accountability courts. The clerk shall make $93,872.78 per year, plus any cost-ofliving increase or merit increase approved by the governing authority of the county for county employees. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Stacey Evans (42nd) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Committee Action: 02-22-2017 Do Pass HB 424 Cobb County; State Court; change compensation of judges Bill Summary: This bill changes the compensation of judges of the state court of Cobb County. The chief judge of the state court shall receive as additional compensation $9,216.67 per year. The salary of judges of Division 1 of the state court shall be $181,950.72 a year. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Albert Reeves (34th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Committee Action: 02-22-2017 Do Pass Judiciary Non-Civil Committee HB 67 Crimes and offenses; entering a motor vehicle with the intent to commit a theft or felony; provide for increased punishment Bill Summary: HB 67 adds a new tier relating to the theft of a motor vehicle by adding hijacking a motor vehicle in the second degree. A person commits the offense of hijacking a motor vehicle in the second degree when the offender steals a motor vehicle in the presence of the victim without using force. The punishment is in line with burglary, where the punishment for the first offense of hijacking in the second degree is imprisonment of not less than one and no more than 20 years with a fine not to exceed $5,000. For the second offense, the punishment is imprisonment of not less than three and no more than 20 years with a fine not to exceed $5,000. For the third or subsequent offenses, the punishment is imprisonment for not less than five and no more than 20 years with a fine not to exceed $5,000. Authored By: Rep. William Boddie (62nd) Page 13 of 15 House of Representatives Daily Report for February 22, 2017 Committee Actions House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil Committee Action: 02-22-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 116 Juvenile Code; provide superior court with exclusive original jurisdiction for cases involving aggravated assault; provisions Bill Summary: HB 116 adds aggravated assault and aggravated battery of a peace officer or correctional officer to the list of criminal offenses committed by a juvenile where the offender does not start the legal process in Juvenile Court, but instead begins in Superior Court. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Albert Reeves (34th) Judiciary Non-Civil Committee Action: 02-22-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 124 Public assistance; fraud; revisions Bill Summary: HB 124 updates the language in the Code regarding fraud in obtaining public assistance. Moreover, the bill moves the sections criminalizing fraud in obtaining public assistance to the criminal code located in Title 16. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. David Clark (98th) Judiciary Non-Civil Committee Action: 02-22-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 293 Evidence; procedure relating to child's testimony of sexual contact or physical abuse; provide effective date Bill Summary: HB 293 clarifies the code regarding the admittance of testimonial evidence, child hearsay, into the trial record by making such a motion during trial. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Deborah Silcox (52nd) Judiciary Non-Civil Committee Action: 02-22-2017 Do Pass HB 343 Criminal procedure; certain outdated terminology; replace Bill Summary: HB 343 replaces the outdated term "mental retardation" in the Code with "developmental disability" where "developmental disability" has the exact same meaning. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Scott Hilton (95th) Judiciary Non-Civil Committee Action: 02-22-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute Page 14 of 15 House of Representatives Daily Report for February 22, 2017 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 23, 2017 8:00 AM APPROPRIATIONS HIGHER EDUCATION - 403 CAP 8:00 AM NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT - 606 CLOB 8:00 AM REAPPORTIONMENT - 506 CLOB 9:00 AM RULES - 341 CAP 9:00 AM SMALL BUSINESS - 606 CLOB 10:00 AM FLOOR SESSION (LD 23) - HOUSE CHAMBER 1:00 PM Reeves Subcommittee of Judiciary Non-Civil-CANCELLED - 415 CLOB 1:00 PM Transportation Special Subcommittee - 515 CLOB 1:00 PM JUVENILE JUSTICE - 406 CLOB 1:00 PM INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION - 403 CAP 1:00 PM APPROPRIATIONS GENERAL GOVERNMENT - 341 CAP 1:00 PM STATE PLANNING AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS - 606 CLOB 2:00 PM EDUCATION - 606 CLOB 2:00 PM JUDICIARY 132 CAP 2:00 PM TRANSPORTATION - 506 CLOB 2:00 PM Regulations Subcommittee on Regulated Industries - 514 CLOB 2:00 PM Driver's Safety and Services Subcommittee - 403 CAP 2:30 PM MOTOR VEHICLES - 403 CAP 3:00 PM Resource Management Subcommittee - 515 CLOB 3:00 PM DEFENSE AND VETERANS AFFAIRS - 415 CLOB 3:30 PM Energy Subcommittee - 403 CAP 4:00 PM Environmental Quality Subcommittee - 515 CLOB 4:30 PM Telecommunications Subcommittee - 403 CAP Page 15 of 15