Daily report [Feb. 7, 2017]

DAILY REPORT Tuesday
February 7, 2017

13th Legislative
Day

House Budget & Research Office (404) 656-5050

House Media Services (404) 656-0305

The House will reconvene for its 14th Legislative Day on Wednesday, February 8 at 10:00 a.m. The Rules committee will meet at 9:00 a.m. Five bills / resolutions are expected to be debated on the Floor.

Today on the Floor

Rules Calendar
HB 14 Courts; sheriff to collect and deposit certain fees; provide
Bill Summary: House Bill 14 specifies that all fees collected by Georgia sheriffs who are paid on a salary basis are to be remitted within 30 days to the county treasurer or fiscal officer.

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

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 167 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Open 01-31-2017 Do Pass

HB 88

Superior courts; qualifications for judges; revise
Bill Summary: This legislation amends general provisions regarding superior court judges, specifically qualifications and the consequences of disbarment or suspension. A superior court judge must still be at least 30-years old at the time of his or her election, be a citizen of the State of Georgia for three years, have seven years of law practice, and be a member of good standing with the State Bar of Georgia; however, the bill adds that a superior court judge now must also remain in such good standing while serving as a judge. When a superior court judge is disbarred or suspended from the practice of law by the Supreme Court, voluntarily or involuntarily, the office shall be vacated immediately, regardless of bar status at time of election.

Authored By: Rep. Barry Fleming (121st) House Committee: Judiciary

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 165 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Open 01-31-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 146

Fire departments; purchase and maintain certain insurance coverage for firefighters; require
Bill Summary: HB 146 requires legally organized fire departments to maintain insurance coverage beginning January 1, 2018 for all firefighters in the department to pay claims for cancer diagnosed after a firefighter has served at the department for 12 consecutive months. The term "cancer" means bladder, blood, brain, breast, cervical, esophageal, intestinal, kidney, lymphatic, lung, prostate, rectal, respiratory tract, skin, testicular, thyroid, and cervical cancer; leukemia; multiple myeloma; or nonHodgkin's lymphoma.

The minimum benefit includes a lump sum benefit of $25,000 made payable to the firefighter upon submission of proof of their diagnosis to the fire department. This benefit is subordinate to any government health insurance benefit paid on behalf of, or as a reimbursement to, the member for such cancer, and shall be limited to the difference between the amount of such other paid benefit and the amount specified under this provision. If, as a result of such cancerous condition or treatment, the

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 7, 2017

Today on the Floor

member is unable to perform his or her duties as a firefighter, then a monthly benefit equal to 60% of the member's monthly salary at the time of diagnosis or a monthly benefit of $5,000, whichever is less, will begin six months after submission of acceptable proof of diagnosis and will continue for a total of 36 consecutive months. If a member is a volunteer, as defined in Code Section 25-4-2, then a monthly benefit of $1,500 shall begin six months after submission of acceptable proof and continue for a total of 36 consecutive months. These benefits shall be subordinate to any other benefit actually paid to the firefighter for such disability from any other source, not including private insurance. They shall be limited to the difference between the amount of such other paid benefit and the amount specified in this bill.

Any person who was a member of more than one fire department at the same time shall not be entitled to receive benefits under this paragraph from or on behalf of more than one fire department. Any member who receives benefits may be required to have their condition reevaluated. In the event that the reevaluation reveals that the firefighter is able to perform duties as a firefighter, then his or her benefits shall cease. Benefits shall also cease upon the death of such person. A member who departs or retires after at least one year as a firefighter shall be entitled to continue his or her coverage through a continuation or conversion to individual coverage. At that point, the departing member is responsible for paying all premiums.

County and municipal governing authorities may use proceeds from county and municipal taxes to purchase insurance for the firefighters intended to be covered by this bill. Funds received as premiums for this coverage shall not be subject to premium taxes. The computation of premium amounts by an insurer for this coverage shall be subject to generally accepted adjustments from insurance underwriting.

The Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council shall be authorized to adopt rules and regulations that are reasonable and necessary to implement the provisions of this Code section.

A fund authorized by this chapter may be established by an agency only if the agency has enrolled members which, for each fund which includes accident or disability coverage, shall generate an annual gross premium of not less than $500,000.

Language is also added in Code Section 48-7-27 to provide that payments received by firefighters pursuant to this bill are included in the taxpayer's federal adjusted gross income and are not otherwise exempt under any other provision of this Code section.

Authored By: Rep. Micah Gravley (67th) House Committee: Insurance

Floor Vote:

Yeas: 171 Nays: 1

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-01-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute AM 25 1388

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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 14th Legislative Day, Wednesday, February 8, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker. The Rules Committee will next meet on Wednesday,
February 8, at 9:00 a.m., to set the Rules Calendar for the 15th Legislative Day.

HB 39

Real estate professionals; disciplinary actions and sanctions; change certain provisions
Bill Summary: HB 39 allows for a 10-day grace period for real estate appraisers, brokers, and salespersons to notify their respective board or commission, in writing, when such person is convicted of a crime. Moreover, such board or commission has the authority to revoke the license of said person after 60 days from the date of conviction if no notice has been provided to the appropriate board or commission.

Authored By: Rep. Alan Powell (32nd) House Committee: Regulated Industries

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Open 01-31-2017 Do Pass

HB 74

Insurance; life risk-based capital trend test to comply with accreditation standards; change
Bill Summary: House Bill 74 amends the Insurance Code relating to company action level events and preparation and submission of risk-based capital level plans so as to change the life risk-based capital trend test from 2.5 to 3.0.

Authored By:

Rep. Darlene Taylor (173rd)

House Committee: Insurance

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Open 02-01-2017 Do Pass

HB 76

Superior courts; change certain requirements and certifications for certain maps, plats, and plans for filing with clerk; provisions
Bill Summary: House Bill 76 amends requirements and certifications for certain maps, plats, and plans to be filed in Superior Court with the clerk of the court. Each map or plat page image shall have certain required information that complies with the minimum standards and specifications adopted in the rules and regulations of the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. The submission shall also include the county where the property lies; the name of the property owner or owners as stated on the most current or applicable title instrument; type of plat; the subdivision where it lies or is being created; the contact information for the land surveyor; a certificate from the land surveyor that the plan meets the current specifications for filing with the clerk of the court, and other relevant information. The image attached in the filing information box must be no less than a three-inch square. Further, the bill provides that the image shall be an electronic image, which is certified and presented to the clerk in conformance with all specifications set forth in any rules and regulations promulgated by the Georgia Superior Court Clerk's Cooperative Authority. The clerk shall electronically note information, such as the filing date, book, and pages numbers on the image, as well as transmit a copy of the map, plat, or plan with the filing information to the e-mail address of the person filing. The bill also provides a form for surveyor certification.

Authored By:

Rep. Rick Jasperse (11th)

House Committee: Judiciary

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 01-31-2017 Do Pass

HB 92 Insurance; automobile or motorcycle policies; expand definition of policy
Bill Summary: House Bill 92 modifies the definition of policy as it relates to the cancellation or nonrenewal of automobile or motorcycle polices to include policies issued by the same insurer.

Authored By:

Rep. John Carson (46th)

House Committee: Insurance

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Open 02-01-2017 Do Pass

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Committee Actions

HB 127 Insurance; nonprofit medical and hospital service corporations; revise provisions
Bill Summary: House Bill 127 repeals antiquated language throughout Title 33 relating to nonprofit medical service corporations and nonprofit hospital service corporations.

Authored By:

Rep. Richard Smith (134th)

House Committee: Insurance

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Open 02-01-2017 Do Pass

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

Health & Human Services Committee
HB 36 Optometrists; permit administration of pharmaceutical agents by injection under certain circumstances; change and provide certain definitions
Bill Summary: This bill changes certain definitions to permit doctors of optometry to administer pharmaceutical agents by injection under certain circumstances. This legislation allows pharmaceutical agents to be directed by inoculation only if the injection is not sub-tenon, occurring behind the eyeball, administered by entering the eyeball, or a botulinum toxin. A doctor of optometry who holds a current license or certificate of registration and who has successfully completed an injectibles training program sponsored by a school or college of optometry can administer the injection.

A doctor of optometry who is enrolled in an injectibles training program in order to fulfill the requirements of such training program and is under the direct supervision of a doctor who is licensed may also manage the immunization. The purpose of the injections can be used for eye discomfort, pain, treatment of diseases, conditions of the eye, as well as the adjacent structures of the eye such as the extraocular muscles, the eyelids, eyelashes, and eyebrows.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Earl Ehrhart (36th) Health & Human Services

Committee Action:

02-07-2017 Failed

Intragovernmental Coordination Committee
HB 169 Charlton County; probate judge; provide nonpartisan elections
Bill Summary: This bill states that future elections for the office of probate judge of Charlton County, who also serves as the chief magistrate of the Charlton County Magistrate Court, shall be nonpartisan elections.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. John Corbett (174th) Intragovernmental Coordination

Committee Action:

02-07-2017 Do Pass

Motor Vehicles Committee
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.

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Committee Actions

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 provides that cards issued to non-citizens will have "Non-Citizen" noted on the card.

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: House Committee:

Rep. Amy Carter (175th) Motor Vehicles

Committee Action:

02-07-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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Committee Actions

Committee Meeting Schedule
This meeting schedule is up to date at the time of this report, but meeting dates and times are subject to change. To keep up with the latest schedule, please visit www.house.ga.gov and click on Meetings Calendar.
Wednesday, February 08, 2017 8:00 AM Energy Subcommittee of House Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications - 515 CLOB 9:00 AM RULES - 341 CAP 10:00 AM FLOOR SESSION (LD 14) - HOUSE CHAMBER 1:00 PM The Fleming Subcommittee of the House Judiciary (Civil) Committee - 403 CAP 1:00 PM GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS - 406 CLOB 1:00 PM Ways & Means Subcommittee on Public Finance & Property - 133 CAP 1:30 PM APPROPRIATIONS PUBLIC SAFETY - 415 CLOB 2:00 PM BANKS AND BANKING - 341 CAP 2:00 PM STATE PROPERTIES - 403 CAP 2:00 PM SMALL BUSINESS - 606 CLOB 2:00 PM STATE PLANNING - 515 CLOB 2:30 PM Ways & Means Income Tax Subcommittee - 133 CAP 2:30 PM APPROPRIATIONS FULL COMMITTEE - 341 CAP 3:00 PM MEDICAL CANNABIS WORKING GROUP - 406 CLOB 3:00 PM INDUSTRY & LABOR - 506 CLOB 3:30 PM HIGHER EDUCATION - 403 CAP

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