Daily report [Feb. 24, 2017]

DAILY REPORT Friday
February 24, 2017

24th Legislative
Day

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 27 at 10:00 a.m. The Rules committee will meet at 9:00 a.m. 13 bills / resolutions are expected to be debated on the Floor.

Today on the Floor

Rules Calendar
HB 136 Drivers' licenses; demarcation of a valid driver's license, permit, or identification card; provide
Bill Summary: House Bill 136 allows persons seeking to obtain or renew a driver's license, learner's permit, or state-issued identification to keep their old card. They must surrender it to Driver's Services (DDS) when making application; DDS will note on the old card that it is no longer valid, and it will be returned to the customer. This is necessary because Homeland Security will no longer accept temporary identification cards at their security check points.

It further provides that blind parents no longer have to show proof they have previously held a driver's license in order for their child to be issued a blind parent permit.

It raises the fee for an eight-year commercial driver's license from $20 to $32 to put it in parity with a standard driver's license.

Finally, it authorizes the commissioner of DDS to contract with a debt collection agency or an attorney to assist in the collection of delinquent fees owed the state.

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

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 159 Nays: 5

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-21-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 148

Educating Children of Military Families Act; enact
Bill Summary: House Bill 148 authorizes the Department of Education to create a unique identifier for students whose parent or guardian is an active-duty military service member or reserve member of the National Guard. The federal government already uses a unique identifier to monitor the educational needs of these military students and this legislation mirrors the federal identifier. A unique identifier can ensure the student's teachers, counselors, and other relevant school employees are able to take note that this student may require additional services since this student has likely spent most, if not all, of their educational career in multiple locations.

Authored By: Rep. Mike Glanton (75th) House Committee: Education

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 168 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Open 02-16-2017 Do Pass

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Daily Report for February 24, 2017

Today on the Floor

HB 157 Medical advertising; certain certifying organizations; revise certain criteria
Bill Summary: House Bill 157 changes the requirements for advertising or publicizing a medical specialty so that no physician shall advertise as being certified unless the physician:

(1) Is either a member of the American Board of Medical Specialties, the Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists, or the American Osteopathic Association and the advertisement or publication states the full name of the certifying board;

(2) Has satisfactorily completed a training program with training, documentation, and clinical requirements similar in scope and complexity to programs approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists of the American Osteopathic Association in the specialty or subspecialty field of medicine in which the physician seeks certification;

(3) Successfully passed a written or oral examination, or both, which psychometrically tests the physician's knowledge and skill in the specialty or subspecialty field of medicine; and

(4) Requires diplomates to recertify no more than every 10 years, have written by-laws and a code of ethics, has proof of a determination by the Internal Revenue Service certifying the organization is taxexempt under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, and maintains a permanent headquarters to respond to consumer inquiries.

Authored By: Rep. Trey Kelley (16th) House Committee: Health & Human Services

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 167 Nays: 1

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Open 02-21-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 159

Domestic relations; adoption; substantially revise general provisions
Bill Summary: This bill amends general provisions for adoption, by superseding and modernizing provisions relating to adoption proceedings in Superior Court, as well as enacting adoption reforms based on best practices and the best interest of all involved in the adoption triad: the child, the birth parents, and the adoptive parents. The bill provides for a non-resident to allow an adoption of his or her child; makes general syntax changes to make the Code more readable; and revises and provides for new forms to help the petitioner.

The bill changes the requirements for adopting children in Georgia. The bill will eliminate the sixmonth residency requirement and allow non-residents to adopt Georgia-born children in association with the Inter-State Compact of Children, as well as provides for Georgia residents to adopt from outof-state agencies. The age for a single petitioner is reduced from 25 to 21. There is an exception to the requirement that the petitioners must be 10 years older than the child who is the subject of the adoption in stepparent and relative adoptions.

The bill will allow for reasonable and limited living expenses in private adoptions. The bill provides for a waiver to revoke a surrender of parental rights for those over the age of 18. The age for access to the Adoption Reunion Registry is reduced from 21 to 18, and it grants access to records in the registry upon reunion or death. The bill updates and streamlines the path for domestication of a foreign decree of adoption and provides a path for adoption of a foreign-born child following guardianship for whom a Georgian was only able to obtain guardianship.

An option is added for an individual over the age of 18 who signs a surrender of parental rights to waive the 10-day right to revoke his or her surrender so that the individual may elect to have the surrender become final upon signature. HB 159 updates the procedure for the final hearing to account for the other changes made and to insert factors to be considered by the court in making the ultimate determination that the adoption is in the best interest of the child and to require findings of fact regarding same.

The manner in which notice is provided is clarified so that non-residents may accede to the

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Daily Report for February 24, 2017

Today on the Floor

jurisdiction in Georgia in surrendering his or her rights to the child for the purposes of an adoption in Georgia.

Authored By: Rep. Albert Reeves (34th) House Committee: Judiciary

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 165 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-16-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 199

Income tax credit; interactive entertainment companies; change certain provisions
Bill Summary: House Bill 199 amends the 'Georgia Entertainment Industry Investment Act' by reducing the annual total aggregate payroll for employees working within Georgia for a qualified interactive entertainment production company to qualify for tax credits from $500,000 to $250,000 if the company has a base investment of at least $500,000 over a two-year period. The bill also adds pre-released interactive games to the list of projects considered to be qualified production activities.

Section Two of the bill creates the 'Georgia Entertainment Industry Postproduction Investment Act' which allows for a 20 percent tax credit for post-production companies, which have at least $250,000 in total payroll within Georgia and at least $500,000 in qualified expenditures during the taxable year. The credit increases to 30 percent if the production was created exclusively in Georgia and to 40 percent if production was completed exclusively in a Tier 1 or Tier 2 county. Post-production companies with qualified expenditures of at least $100,000 but less than $500,000 and a payroll of at least $100,000 but less than $500,000 are qualified for a 20 percent tax credit for qualified expenditures. Tax credits for the smaller post-production companies are capped at $1 million per tax year. Overall, the credit is capped at $5 million for 2017, $10 million for 2018, and $15 million for 2019 through 2022. If the cap is not met in any year, the remaining amount will roll forward to be applied the next year. No single company may claim more than 20 percent of the total aggregate tax credit for any year. The post-production companies must submit a report to the Department of Revenue detailing the qualifications of the tax credits received. The tax credits are transferable and may be carried forward for five years. The credit has a sunset of January 1, 2023.

Authored By: Rep. Trey Rhodes (120th) House Committee: Ways & Means

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 158 Nays: 3

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Structured 02-21-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 203

Breach of restrictive covenants; provide accrual periods of rights of action; provisions
Bill Summary: House Bill 203 amends the Code section relating to limitations of actions to breach of covenants restricting land use. A right of action shall accrue immediately where a permanent fixture is erected that violates the restrictive covenant and is not just limited to violating a set-back provision. Additionally, when the allegation is based on a continuous act or omission, the right of action will accrue each time the act or omission occurs.

The bill allows condominium associations to vote to expand the association by a two-thirds majority, or higher if the association stipulates a higher number. Requirements for the expansion are outlined.

HB 203 adds a requirement to look at provisions against the right to control in any condominium instrument, association's articles of incorporation, and the association's by-laws. Right to control may pass to the unit owners if the declarant now fails to pay property taxes on common property of the condominium for two or more years provided there is no provision to the contrary. Additionally, when an owner gives notice to a declarant that the declarant is failing to meet an obligation and the declarant does not subsequently correct the failure, the owner has individual standing to institute an action in the superior court to obtain a declaratory judgment without having to file a derivative action. Discovery is not necessary unless ordered by the court for good cause, and the superior court can issue a summary ruling for the transfer of any common areas/property to the association or other appropriate entity. The bill expands these provisions to be controlling where the condominium instrument, association's articles of incorporation, or association's by-laws are silent on these matters.

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Daily Report for February 24, 2017

Today on the Floor

Lastly, the Code is amended to include requirements for the right of control to pass to subdivision plot owners in the same manner.

Authored By: Rep. Brian Strickland (111th) House Committee: Judiciary

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 166 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Open 02-16-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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) House Committee: Education

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 167 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Open 02-16-2017 Do Pass
AM 33 1687

HB 237

Public Education Innovation Fund Foundation; receive private donations for grants to public schools; provisions
Bill Summary: House Bill 237 allows the Office of Student Achievement to incorporate non-profit corporations as public foundations by establishing the Public Education Innovation Fund Foundation. The foundation may receive donations to provide grants to public schools for the implementation of academic and organizational innovations to improve student achievement. Funds will be awarded through a competitive grant process. The foundation must submit a report to the Department of Revenue by January 12th each year which includes the total number and dollar value of approved individual and corporate donations and tax credits, the total number and dollar amount of grants awarded, and a list of donors and the amount donated by each donor. Individual taxpayers are allowed a credit of up to $1,000 per year for single individuals or a head of household, up to $2,500 per year for a married couple filing a joint return, and up to $10,000 per year for an individual who is a member of a limited-liability company, a shareholder of a Subchapter 'S' corporation, or a partner in a partnership. A corporation is allowed a credit in an amount not to exceed the amount donated or 75 percent of the corporation's income tax liability, whichever is less. The aggregate amount of credits, which are allowed on a first-come, first-served basis, is capped at $7 million per year through 2025 and $10 million per year for 2026 through 2033, which is the designated as the sunset.

Authored By: Rep. Brooks Coleman (97th) House Committee: Ways & Means

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 165 Nays: 1

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Structured 02-21-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 241

Cove's Law; enact
Bill Summary: House Bill 241 adds Krabbe disease to the list of metabolic and genetic conditions for which newborn screening may be conducted by the Department of Public Health. The department is responsible for the screening of all newborns for disorders determined by rules and regulations. The bill allows for Krabbe disease to be conducted separately at the option of the parent or parents. The fee for screening will be paid directly by the parents to the department's laboratory; however, the screening may be conducted by a laboratory located outside of Georgia if approved by the board.

Authored By: Rep. Lee Hawkins (27th) House Committee: Health & Human Services

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 163 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Open 02-21-2017 Do Pass

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Daily Report for February 24, 2017

Today on the Floor

HB 283

Revenue and taxation; Internal Revenue Code and Internal Revenue Code of 1986; revise definitions
Bill Summary: HB 283 amends the Revenue Code to incorporate and conform to the legislative changes at the federal level which affect the Georgia Revenue code.

Authored By: Rep. David Knight (130th) House Committee: Ways & Means

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 165 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Structured 02-16-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 312

Employees' Retirement System of Georgia; Board of Trustees; include a qualified Roth contribution program in compensation plans
Bill Summary: HB 312 authorizes the Board of Trustees of the Employees' Retirement System to allow eligible members the option of participating in a qualified Roth contribution program. The Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts has certified this bill as a non-fiscal retirement bill.

Authored By: Rep. Howard Maxwell (17th) House Committee: Retirement

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 167 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Open 02-15-2017 Do Pass

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Daily Report for February 24, 2017

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 27, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker. The Rules Committee will next meet on Monday, February 27, at 9:00 a.m., to set the Rules Calendar for the 26th Legislative Day.

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: Rep. Albert Reeves (34th) House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 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: Rep. David Clark (98th) House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-22-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 213 Crimes and offenses; sale, manufacture, delivery, or possession of fentanyl within the prohibition of trafficking certain drugs; include
Bill Summary: HB 213 adds fentanyl and fentanyl derivatives to the list of prohibited substances contained within the drug trafficking Code.

Authored By: Rep. Rich Golick (40th) House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-21-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 264 Georgia World Congress Center Authority; revenue bond capacity; increase
Bill Summary: House Bill 264 increases the amount of bond debt the Georgia World Congress Center Authority may incur from $200 million to $400 million.

Authored By:

Rep. Chuck Efstration (104th)

House Committee: Ways & Means

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Structured 02-16-2017 Do Pass

HB 265 Income tax; credit for establishing or relocating quality jobs; revise provisions
Bill Summary: House Bill 265 amends 48-7-40.17, relating to income tax credit for establishing or relocating quality jobs, by allowing for qualified projects having at least a $2.5 million investment to receive a subsequent quality jobs tax credit. A taxpayer creating a qualified project is eligible to begin a subsequent seven-year job creation period for quality jobs developed through the project, provided that the taxpayer creates 50 or more new quality jobs above its single previous high yearly average. New quality jobs generated under a previous seven-year job creation period continue to be eligible. A taxpayer may create more than one subsequent seven-year job creation period.
The bill also amends 48-8-3, relating to exemptions from state sales and use taxes, by adding a new paragraph that allows for a state and local sales tax exemption on the tangible personal property used for the renovation or expansion of a theater located within a 501(c)(3) facility that contains an art museum, symphonic hall, and theater. This exemption applies from July 1, 2017 through January 1, 2019 and until the aggregate state sales tax exempted exceeds $750,000.

Authored By:

Rep. Chuck Efstration (104th)

House Committee: Ways & Means

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

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Structured 02-21-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 24, 2017

Next on the Floor

HB 279 Domestic relations; name change requested by victim of family violence; provide separate process
Bill Summary: HB 279 provides a separate process for a name change when it is requested by an individual alleging to be the victim of family violence, which is defined as any felony or violent crime against a blood or legal relative living within the same household. When the name change is requested by an individual or for the individual's child who alleges to be the victim of family violence, the individual may ask the court to place the petition under seal, and if the court determines the allegations are true, then the court may waive the publication requirements; however, the court may unseal the petition or order the individual to file a redacted version of the petition for public record. If the court determines the individual is not a victim of family violence, the court may not hear the petition for name change until all current notice requirements are met and no objection has been filed. If an order to seal the name change petition has not been issued within seven days of filing, the petitioner shall now publish a notice once a week for four consecutive weeks in the legal newspaper of the county in which the petition has been filed. If the name change petition is filed on behalf of a child, written consent of a parent shall not be required if an order to seal the petition was issued under these circumstances within seven days of filing.

Authored By:

Rep. Mandi Ballinger (23rd)

House Committee: Judiciary

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-21-2017 Do Pass

HB 293 Evidence; procedure relating to child's testimony of sexual contact or physical abuse; provide effective date
Bill Summary: HB 293 clarifies statute regarding the admittance of testimonial evidence, child hearsay, into the trial record by making such a motion during trial.

Authored By:

Rep. Deborah Silcox (52nd)

House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-22-2017 Do Pass

HB 301 Income tax; certain physicians; delete deduction to create new credit; provisions
Bill Summary: House Bill 301 adds language which replaces the preceptor tax deduction with a tax credit. The credit shall be $500 for the first through third preceptorship rotation and $1,000 for the fourth through tenth preceptorship rotation for physicians and $375 for the first through third preceptorship rotation and $750 for the fourth through tenth preceptorship rotation for advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants.

Authored By: Rep. Jodi Lott (122nd) House Committee: Ways & Means

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Structured 02-21-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 308 Domestic relations; child support; enact provisions recommended by Georgia Child Support Commission
Bill Summary: HB 308 amends Title 19 relating to domestic relations, specifically enacting provisions recommended by the Georgia Child Support Commission relating to child support and enforcement of child support orders. This bill updates the language of the statutes by replacing "IV-D agency", which refers to a child support enforcement agency established under Title IV-D of the 'Social Security Act', with "child support enforcement agency" wherever the term appears in relation to child support enforcement. Further, provisions have been updated to provide for the filing of one child support form per child for whom support is being determined. Currently the Code does not provide for multiple filings. Income deduction orders have been updated to state when the withholding will commence and how to contest the withholding. The bill also removes antiquated provisions that relate to dates that are no longer applicable.

Additionally, the total amount of work-related costs related to child support will be included in the final child support order instead of the written order of the court. If work-related child care costs are variable, the court/jury may remove them from the calculation of support costs and divide the work costs pro rata to be paid in the time specified in the child support order. If a parent/custodian fails to comply with the final child support order: the other parent/custodian may enforce payment of the work related child care
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Next on the Floor

costs by any means permitted by law; or child support services shall pursue enforcement when the unpaid costs have been reduced to that stated in a contract.

Authored By: Rep. Beth Beskin (54th) House Committee: Judiciary

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-21-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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: Rep. Scott Hilton (95th) House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-22-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 360 Prescription drugs; expedited partner therapy for patients with venereal diseases; provisions
Bill Summary: HB 360 relates to the prescription drug orders and control of venereal disease, respectively, to provide for an expedited partner therapy for patients with chlamydia or gonorrhea. "Expedited partner therapy" means the practice of prescribing or dispensing antibiotic drugs to the sexual partner or partners of a patient clinically diagnosed with chlamydia or gonorrhea without physical examination of the partner or partners.

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

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-21-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 405 Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency; establish state-wide system to facilitate the transport and distribution of essentials in commerce during a state of emergency; require
Bill Summary: House Bill 405 requires that the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and Homeland Security (GEMA) establish a state-wide system for the transport and distribution of essentials during a declared state of emergency by the governor. In accordance with this, the system will provide for the certification of organizations and businesses that facilitate or are likely to facilitate transport and distribution of such essentials. The bill also establishes how GEMA may go about certification of organizations and the information they may require. Additional provisions included allow designated employees or agents of certified organizations or businesses to enter or remain within the curfew area beyond the restriction of the curfew for their limited purpose of facilitating transport or distribution. Finally, the certification may be revoked or suspended by GEMA if it is found that there has been a violation or an abuse of this certification.

Authored By:

Rep. Bill Hitchens (161st)

Rule Applied:

House Committee: Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee

Action:

Modified-Structured 02-20-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 427 Physicians and Health Care Practitioners for Rural Areas Assistance Act; enact
Bill Summary: HB 427 expands the service cancelable loan program for physicians in underserved areas to other health care. By making grants to hospitals and other health care entities, local governments and civic organizations in underserved rural areas agree to provide matching funds with the intent to enhance recruitment efforts in bringing physicians and health care practitioners to rural areas. It is the intent of the General Assembly that if funds are available to the Georgia Board for Physician Workforce, priority shall be given to make loans, grants, or scholarships.

Authored By:

Rep. Mark Newton (123rd)

House Committee: Health & Human Services

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-21-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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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 470 Economic Development, Department of; grants to certain organizations supporting military communities; create program
Bill Summary: This bill amends the Code section relating to the Department of Economic Development (the "department"). The department shall administer a grant program to provide assistance to "military communities", defined as a county or municipality that has a military facility within its jurisdiction. The amount of the grant shall be determined by the department on a case-bycase basis with consideration of the grant goal being proposed and to the extent that it: (1) furthers the relationship between the military community and military installation/facilities; (2) furthers the military installation's economic development investment into the military community; or (3) assists in efforts to defend the success of a military installation from a federal review. The department shall also develop a set of criteria to ensure the credibility of the "community entity", a non-profit organization that works to benefit the military value of the military installations, which submits a grant application, and the potential success of the grant goal. This includes: (1) the length of time the community entity has been active; (2) the types of projects the community entity has been engaged in; and (3) the status the community entity has developed over time with the military installation. The department shall submit any pending grant award to the Governor's Defense Initiative for final review. If the Georgia Defense Initiative ceases to exist, the requirements applied in this legislation shall not be applicable. The department shall make public the regulations necessary to implement this article, and shall be authorized to charge and collect fees necessary for costs associated with the processing of applications submitted for the grant.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Shaw Blackmon (146th) Economic Development & Tourism Committee
Action:

02-24-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Insurance Committee
HB 276 The Pharmacy Patient Fair Practices Act; enact
Bill Summary: House Bill 276 restricts certain actions by Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). PBM's are prohibited from penalizing a pharmacist for disclosing to a patient a cheaper generic option to a prescribed medication and from prohibiting pharmacies to offer store direct delivery services. It forbids PBMs from charging more in co-pays than the actual cost of the drug, as well as charging fees to pharmacies for adjudicating claims. The commissioner of the Department of Insurance is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations for enforcing this act.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. David Knight (130th) Insurance

Committee Action:

02-24-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Intragovernmental Coordination - Local Committee
HB 369 Peachtree Corners, City of; Public Facilities Authority; create
Bill Summary: This bill creates the City of Peachtree Corners Public Facilities Authority, which shall be deemed a public corporation. The goal of the authority is to promote the public good and general welfare of the citizens of the city and assist the city in providing facilities, equipment, and services in the most efficient means possible.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Scott Hilton (95th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-24-2017 Do Pass

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Committee Actions

HB 404

Rockdale Judicial Circuit; court reporters; make certain provisions
Bill Summary: This bill makes provisions for the court reporter(s) for the Rockdale Judicial Circuit and provides that the reporter(s) shall receive a stated salary in lieu of per diem compensation. The bill states the superior court judges of the circuit have the authority to appoint court reporters by law. Each court reporter appointed to the circuit shall be compensated in part by a salary of $19,161.92 a year. The salary shall be in lieu of per diem compensation.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Vernon Jones (91st) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-24-2017 Do Pass

HB 435

City of Dunwoody Public Facilities Authority; create
Bill Summary: This bill, called the `City of Dunwoody Public Facilities Authority Act', creates the City of Dunwoody Public Facilities Authority and authorizes the issuance of revenue bonds by the authority. The authority consists of seven members, who are the mayor and the council of the City of Dunwoody. There is no additional compensation for members of the authority, but they will be reimbursed for expenses incurred while performing their duties. The authority has the power to purchase, lease, and dispose of property. The authority can also appoint, select, and employ people, such as engineering experts and attorneys.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Tom Taylor (79th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-24-2017 Do Pass

HB 439

Atlanta, City of; change corporate limits
Bill Summary: This bill changes the corporate limits of the city of Atlanta. This bill is pending the passage of HB 440 during the 2017 Session. That bill states the City of Sandy Springs will annex the territory that Atlanta is de-annexing.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Beth Beskin (54th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-24-2017 Do Pass

HB 440 Sandy Springs, City of; Fulton County; change corporate boundaries
Bill Summary: This bill changes the corporate boundaries of the city of Sandy Springs pending the 2017 Session passage of HB 439: a bill to de-annex the territory that Sandy Springs will annex.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Beth Beskin (54th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-24-2017 Do Pass

HB 442 Clayton County; State Court; provide for salaries of judges
Bill Summary: This bill provides for the salaries of and for a county supplement for the state court judges of Clayton County.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Mike Glanton (75th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-24-2017 Do Pass

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Committee Actions

HB 443

Hiram, City of; ad valorem tax; $40,000 of assessed value for residents; provide homestead exemption
Bill Summary: This bill provides for a homestead exemption from the City of Hiram's municipal tax in the amount of $40,000 of the assessed homestead value. It also provides for a referendum for the homestead exemption that will go on the November 2017 ballot.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Paulette Rakestraw (19th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-24-2017 Do Pass

HB 444

Hiram, City of; ad valorem tax; residents 70 years of age or older; provide homestead exemption
Bill Summary: This bill provides a full homestead exemption from the City of Hiram's municipal tax for residents 70 and older.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Paulette Rakestraw (19th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-24-2017 Do Pass

HB 445

Hiram, City of; ad valorem tax; residents 65 years of age or older; provide homestead exemption
Bill Summary: This bill provides a homestead exemption from the City of Hiram's municipal tax in the amount of $55,000 for residents 65 and older.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Paulette Rakestraw (19th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-24-2017 Do Pass

HB 460

Swainsboro, City of; levy an excise tax
Bill Summary: This bill authorizes the governing authority of the City of Swainsboro to levy an excise tax. The governing authority can levy an excise tax at a rate not to exceed 8 percent of the charge for furnishing any room, lodging, or accommodation that is furnished by any person or entity required by the city to pay taxes for operating a hotel, motel, etc.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Butch Parrish (158th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-24-2017 Do Pass

Motor Vehicles Committee
HB 417 Motor vehicles; abandoned vehicles or trailers; provisions
Bill Summary: House Bill 417 clarifies the definition of "trailers" and includes trailers in the abandoned vehicle process. It defines "Authorized Entity", and clarifies that towing companies are authorized entities and can therefore access Department of Revenue's lien holder and vehicle owner database. Finally, it provides for a standardized affidavit for tow companies to use in the abandoned vehicle process.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Wendell Willard (51st) Motor Vehicles

Committee Action:

02-24-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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Committee Actions

Special Rules Committee
HR 362 Joint Study Committee on Stream Buffers in Georgia; create
Bill Summary: HR 362 creates the Joint Study Committee on Stream Buffers for the purpose of reviewing the existing data and current practices relating to stream buffers prior to recommending legislation.

The committee is composed of 17 members: five members of the House, with the chairperson of Natural Resources and Environment serving as co-chair, and five members of the Senate with the chairperson of Natural Resources and Environment serving as the co-chair; the director of the Environmental Protection Division; three members of the private sector with experience in water resources appointed by the speaker of the House, and three members appointed by the president of the Senate.

The committee is authorized to meet up to five days.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Lynn Smith (70th) Special Rules

Committee Action:

02-24-2017 Do Pass

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 24, 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.

Monday, February 27, 2017 9:00 AM RULES - 341 CAP 9:30 AM Transportation Subcommittee on State Highways - 515 CLOB 10:00 AM FLOOR SESSION (LD 25) - HOUSE CHAMBER 1:00 PM PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY - 606 CLOB 1:30 PM BANKS AND BANKING - 415 CLOB 1:30 PM HUMAN RELATIONS AND AGING - 515 CLOB 2:00 PM FULL APPROPRIATIONS - 341 CAP 2:30 PM INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION - 403 CAP 3:00 PM ENERGY, UTILITIES, AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS - 403 CAP

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