Daily report, 2017 March 23

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 23, 2017

Committee Actions

DAILY REPORT Thursday
March 23, 2017

Committee Day

House Budget & Research Office (404) 656-5050

House Media Services (404) 656-0305

The House will reconvene for its 38th Legislative Day on Friday, March 24 at 10:00 a.m. The Rules committee will meet at 9:00 a.m. 6 bills / resolutions are expected to be debated on the Floor.

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

Banks & Banking Committee
SB 134 "Save, Earn, Win Act"
Bill Summary: SB 134 creates the "Save, Earn, Win Act" to allow banks and credit unions (financial institutions) to offer savings promotion raffle accounts. Under this legislation a financial institution may conduct a savings promotion raffle, which is a contest where the participant or depositor deposits a specified amount of money into a savings account or other savings program offered by the financial institution where each entry or ticket will have an equal chance of being drawn to win a specified prize.

The financial institution must conduct the raffle in a manner that is safe and sound and not misleading as to chances of winning, as well as provide all depositors with information on the terms of the raffle and the verifiable retail value of each prize that a depositor has a chance of receiving including the odds of receiving a prize and information regarding any fees or penalties associated with such an account. The financial institution conducting such raffles must also maintain all records the Department of Banking and Finance determines are necessary to conduct an examination or audit of these raffles, and may contract third party service providers to handle the administrative details of these raffles. Additionally, the bill exempts savings promotion raffles from the definition of "lottery".

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. David Shafer (48th) Banks & Banking

Committee Action:

03-23-2017 Do Pass

Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications Committee
HR 560 House Study Committee on Public Utility Payment Options for Customers in Need of Assistance; create
Bill Summary: This resolution creates the House Study Committee on Local Government Utility Payment Options for Customers in Need of Assistance.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Karla Drenner (85th) Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications

Committee Action:

03-23-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 23, 2017

Committee Actions

SB 191

Petroleum Pipelines; regulation and permitting in this state; definitions; provide
Bill Summary: SB 191 amends Titles 12 and 22 of the Code to provide for the regulation and permitting of petroleum pipelines and petroleum marine terminals. It also provides for the issuance of certain permits by the director of the Environmental Protection Division (EPD). Additionally, it provides for the creation of rules and regulations by both the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Transportation. Conditions on the use of eminent domain for new construction and extension of petroleum pipelines are also placed in the bill.

On or after July 1, 2017, any construction of a new petroleum pipeline or an extension in this state shall require a permit from the director of the EPD, regardless of whether the company will use eminent domain. The bill also states what the application requirements are for a permit. Within 10 days of applying for a permit, the applicant must provide public notice in the legal organ of each county through which the proposed route/extension will go and a written notice to all landowners whose property abuts the route/extension or contains a residence within 150 feet of the route/extension. The bill also delineates what the EPD director must consider before granting a permit.

A permit denial may be appealed to the superior court of the county in which the company has an agent and place of doing business.

The Board of Natural Resources shall announce rules and regulations to enforce the abovementioned information no later than July 1, 2018. Some of those rules include the submission of a permit application and provisions for its review process shall not exceed 120 days. Additionally, provisions for a nonrefundable application fee shall not exceed $5,000.

A permit from the EPD director is also required for the construction of a new petroleum marine terminal or an extension of one. It also states what the application requirements are and lays out notice requirements. The Board of Natural Resources also will announce rules and regulations for enforcing this portion of the bill.

The bill also states petroleum pipeline companies are allowed to acquire property through eminent domain for expansion, extension, maintenance, or construction of a new petroleum pipeline. However, a company shall not exercise the power of eminent domain for new pipelines or extensions unless a certificate of public convenience and necessity is issued by the commissioner of transportation and a permit is issued by the director of the EPD. No certificate is needed if the company is exercising eminent domain for the purpose of maintenance or expansion. The bill also describes what an application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity needs to contain. Within 10 days of applying for that certificate, public notice and written notice as previously stated are also necessary.

No later than July 1, 2018, the Department of Transportation will announce rules and regulations to enforce this Code section.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Rick Jeffares (17th) Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications

Committee Action:

03-23-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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Daily Report for March 23, 2017

Committee Actions

Game, Fish, & Parks Committee
HR 642 NOAA Fisheries; rescind closure of federal waters of offshore Georgia for the period from April 15, 2017 through May 31, 2017; recommend
Bill Summary: HR 642 urges the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries to rescind the closure of federal waters of offshore Georgia during from April 15, 2017 through May 31, 2017 to keep with the intent of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. David Knight (130th) Game, Fish, & Parks

Committee Action:

03-23-2017 Do Pass

Health & Human Services Committee
HR 446 Johnny Tolbert III House Study Committee on Heatstroke; create
Bill Summary: HR 446 creates the House Study Committee on Heatstroke. The committee shall be composed of seven members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker. The Speaker shall designate a member of the committee as chairperson of the committee. The chairperson shall file a report prior to the date of abolishment on December 1, 2017.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. William Boddie (62nd) Health & Human Services

Committee Action:

03-23-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HR 627

House Study Committee on Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Funding Mechanisms; create
Bill Summary: HR 627 creates the House Study Committee on Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Funding Mechanisms. The committee shall be composed of seven members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker. The Speaker shall designate a member of the committee as chairperson of the committee. The chairperson shall file a report prior to the date of abolishment on December 1, 2017.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Paulette Rakestraw (19th) Health & Human Services

Committee Action:

03-23-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 41

Pharmacists and Pharmacies; durable medical equipment suppliers; provide for the licensure; definition; requirements; discipline and revocation
Bill Summary: SB 41 relates to pharmacies and pharmacists to provide for the licensure of durable medical equipment suppliers. 'Durable medical equipment' means equipment for which a prescription is required, including repair and replacement parts, and which can withstand repeated use; has an expected life of at least three years; is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose; generally is not useful to a person in the absence of illness or injury; and is appropriate for use in the home.

Any person who supplies durable medical equipment to a consumer and submits a claim for reimbursement by a third party shall possess a durable medical equipment supplier license issued by the Georgia State Board of Pharmacy. Licenses shall be effective for 36 months from the date of issuance and shall not be transferable or assignable. The board reserves the right to initially and periodically inspect the applicant's or licensee's office or place of business within the state. A required fee will be established by the Georgia State Board of Pharmacy.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Renee Unterman (45th) Health & Human Services

Committee Action:

03-23-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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Daily Report for March 23, 2017

Committee Actions

SB 193

Positive Alternatives for Pregnancy and Parenting Grant Program; program mission and practice; revise
Bill Summary: SB 193 relates to the Positive Alternatives for Pregnancy and Parenting Grant Program. The purpose of the program is to develop a state-wide effort that promotes healthy pregnancies and childbirth by awarding grants to nonprofit organizations that provide pregnancy support services. Nothing shall prohibit any direct client service provider from promoting or expending non-grant funds for a political or religious purpose when a grant agreement has been established with the Department of Public Health.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Renee Unterman (45th) Health & Human Services

Committee Action:

03-23-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Intragovernmental Coordination - Local Committee
HB 597 Trenton, City of; Dade County; change position of city clerk from elective to appointive; provisions
Bill Summary: This bill changes the position of city clerk for the city of Trenton from elected to appointed.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. John Deffenbaugh (1st) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-23-2017 Do Pass

HB 598 Trenton, City of; levy an excise tax Bill Summary: This bill authorizes the city of Trenton to levy an excise tax.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. John Deffenbaugh (1st) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-23-2017 Do Pass

HB 600

Stonecrest, City of; DeKalb County; revise city's voting districts; provisions
Bill Summary: HB 600 prohibits the mayor of the city of Stonecrest from serving three consecutive terms. It further provides that a councilmember may serve unlimited successive terms. It also states that four councilmembers, including the mayor, will constitute a quorum. The mayor shall only vote in the event of a tie.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Doreen Carter (92nd) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-23-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 603 Fulton County; State Court; modify compensation of judges
Bill Summary: This bill modifies the compensation of the judges of the State Court of Fulton County.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Wendell Willard (51st) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-23-2017 Do Pass

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Daily Report for March 23, 2017

Committee Actions

HB 608

Alpharetta, City of; members of governing authority; implement term limits
Bill Summary: This bill implements term limits for the city of Alpharetta's governing authority. It states no councilmember elected and qualified for three consecutive terms shall be eligible for the succeeding term. It also states no mayor elected and qualified for two consecutive terms shall be eligible for the succeeding term.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Chuck Martin (49th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-23-2017 Do Pass

HB 609

Acworth, City of; adopt by reference a certain map
Bill Summary: This bill adopts the "Official Map of the Corporate Limits of the City of Acworth, Georgia" as the official map of the corporate limits of the city. That map is prepared by and retained by the city clerk.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Ed Setzler (35th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-23-2017 Do Pass

HB 610 Clayton Judicial Circuit; judges of superior court; increase county supplement to state salary
Bill Summary: This bill increases the county supplement to $50,000 per year for the judges of the superior court of the Clayton Judicial Circuit.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Mike Glanton (75th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-23-2017 Do Pass

HB 611 Albany-Dougherty Inner City Authority Act; enact
Bill Summary: This bill provides for definitions and membership to the Albany-Dougherty Inner City Authority. It also provides for the powers of the authority.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Winfred Dukes (154th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-23-2017 Do Pass

HB 612

Newton County; board of education; provide manner of changing compensation for members
Bill Summary: This bill states the Newton County Board of Education can fix the salary, compensation, and expenses of its members. However, any salary, compensation, expenses, or expenses in the nature of compensation for the members shall not be effective until the first day of January of the year following the next general election held after the increase was made. Additionally, the board may not take any action to increase any of the above mentioned terms until a notice of intent, along with the fiscal impact, is published in the legal organ at least once a week for three consecutive weeks before the meeting.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. D. C. Belton (112th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-23-2017 Do Pass

HB 613 Sugar Hill, City of; change corporate limits Bill Summary: This bill changes the corporate limits of the city of Sugar Hill.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Brooks Coleman (97th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-23-2017 Do Pass

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Daily Report for March 23, 2017

Committee Actions

HB 614 Powder Springs, City of; provide for annexation of certain property
Bill Summary: This bill provides for annexation of certain property into the city of Powder Springs.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. David Wilkerson (38th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-23-2017 Do Pass

SB 246 DeKalb County Charter Review Commission; create; membership, officers, purpose, meetings, hearings, functions; provide
Bill Summary: This bill creates the DeKalb County Charter Review Commission.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Gloria Butler (55th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-23-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Natural Resources & Environment Committee
HR 643 Coastal Georgia; unique economic and natural resources; need to study and consider the impact a commercial spaceport may have on such resources; recognize
Bill Summary: HR 643 urges the House of Representatives to consider the impacts of a commercial spaceport on Georgia's economic and natural resources.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. David Knight (130th) Natural Resources & Environment Committee
Action:

03-23-2017 Tabled

Transportation Committee
SR 204 Kyle Gilbert Memorial Highway; Gwinnett County; dedicate Bill Summary: House Substitute to Senate Resolution 204:
Senate Resolution 204: Sen. Butch Miller SR 204 dedicates the portion of State Route 20 from I-985 to State Route 13 in Gwinnett County as the Kyle Gilbert Memorial Highway.
Senate Resolution 299: Sen. Donzella James SR 299 dedicates the portion of State Route 129 from Cascade Road to State Route 14 (Whitehall Street) in Fulton County as the Julian Bond Memorial Highway.
Senate Resolution 298: Sen. Donzella James SR 298 dedicates the portion of the State Route 3 Connector from State Route 3/Northside/Metropolitan to State Route 14/154 Peters Street in Fulton County as the Samuel L. and LaTanya Jackson Highway.
Senate Resolution 240: Sen. John Wilkinson SR 240 dedicates the bridge on SR 2/US 76 located near Clayton Mountain Road running from Rabun County into Towns County as the Berrong Bridge.
Senate Resolution 243: Sen. Donzella James SR 243 dedicates the portion of Lee Street from the West End Mall to the entrance of Fort McPherson in Fulton County as the Tyler Perry Highway.
House Resolution 236: Rep. Alan Powell HR 236 dedicates the bypass in the City of Royston (SR 17/BU/Hart to SR 17/BU/Franklin) in
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Committee Actions

Franklin and Hart Counties as the Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb Parkway.

House Resolution 237: Rep. Alan Powell HR 237 dedicates the portion of State Highway 17 from the southern city limit of Canon to the northern city limit of Canon in Franklin County as the Deputy Cruz Thomas Memorial Highway.

House Resolution 465: Rep. Jason Spencer HR 465 dedicates the intersection of State Route 4/US 1 South at South Point Mall and the Waycross Market Place entrances in Ware County as the Lynn Taylor Crossing.

House Resolution 466: Rep. Jason Spencer HR 466 dedicates the portion of State Route Spur (E. 10th Street) from SR 25/US 17 to Cypress Drive in Camden County as the Annie Lou Glover Boulevard.

House Resolution 467: Rep. Patty Bentley HR 467 dedicates the bridge over Whitewater Creek, southwest of the City of Butler on SR 137 in Taylor County, as the E. A. Welch, Jr., Memorial Bridge.

House Resolution 485: Rep. Amy Carter HR 485 dedicates the portion of US Highway 84 Bypass from Thomas County Central High School to Thomas County Middle School in Thomas County as the Frank "Poppa D." Delaney, Jr., Parkway.

House Resolution 512: Rep. Mack Jackson HR 512 dedicates the portion of Highway 15 from the Hancock County line to the Appling County line through Washington, Johnson, Treutlen, Montgomery, and Toombs counties as the Traditions Highway.

House Resolution 526: Rep. Mack Jackson HR 526 dedicates the portion of Highway 272 from Highway 24 (Fall Line Freeway) to Highway 68 in Washington County as the Gordy Memorial Highway.

House Resolution 609: Rep. Tom McCall HR 609 dedicates the bridge on Highway 72 over the Broad River at the Elbert/Madison County line as the William A. Kelly Memorial Bridge.

House Resolution 628: Rep. Matt Hatchett HR 628 dedicates the intersection of the U.S. 441 Bypass and Claxton Dairy Road in Laurens County as the Dr. O.B. Johnson, Jr., Major, U.S. Army Memorial Intersection.

House Resolution 635: Rep. Butch Parrish HR 635 dedicates the portion of U.S. Highway 1 beginning at the Georgia and South Carolina state line in Richmond County through Jefferson, Emanuel, Toombs, Appling, Bacon, and Ware counties to the Florida state line in Charlton County as the Georgia Grown Trail: 1 (U.S. Highway 1).

House Resolution 685: Rep. Allen Peake HR 685 dedicates the portion of Georgia Highway 19/41 from Montpelier Road to Shi Road in Monroe County as the James "Jim" V. Ham Memorial Highway.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Butch Miller (49th) Transportation

Committee Action:

03-23-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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Committee Actions

Ways & Means Committee
SB 133 Corporate Net Worth Tax; less than a certain amount; make such tax inapplicable to corporations
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 133 allows a rural investor, who makes a capital investment in a rural fund, a credit against the entity's state tax liability. A rural fund is an entity certified by the Department of Community Affairs that seeks to have an investment that can be reinvested in eligible businesses. The credit is not refundable or able to be sold in the open market. Credits that are allocated to a partnership, corporation, LLC, or S-corporation can then be allocated to the individual partners for their direct use.

The department shall grant or deny applications for the program within 30 days of receipt of the completed application. The department shall certify up to $100 million in capital investments in the order received. If received on the same day, the applications shall be considered as received simultaneously, and will be ordered based on the percentage derived from the ratio of the amount of capital investments requested in the given application to the total amount of capital investments requested in all applications.

The rural fund shall issue the capital investment within 60 days of the applicant receiving notice of the certification. At least 10 percent of the rural investor's capital investment must be composed of proceeds of equity investments contributed to the rural investor by its affiliates (officers, directors, members, and employees). Evidence of the receipt of the cash investment is to be provided to the department by the rural fund within 65 days of the applicant receiving the certification.

The department may recapture the claimed credit from the rural fund if: (1) 100 percent of its capital investment is not invested in eligible investments within two years, and at least 10 percent of the investment was not invested in agribusiness; (2) the rural fund fails to maintain 100 percent eligible investments of its capital investment for the next five years after the credit allowance date (eligible investments can be sold or repaid but other funds must be reinvested to cover the difference); (3) the rural fund makes a distribution or payment that makes it not have 100 percent of the necessary investments; or (4) the rural fund makes an investment in a business that either owns interest in the rural fund or loans or invests in the rural fund. The recaptured credits and the related capital investment authority revert to the department and shall be reissued pro rata to the other applicants based on the previously stated ratio. Recapture shall not occur until the rural fund has been given notice of its noncompliance and six months from the date of notice to correct the noncompliance.

The rural fund must submit a report to the department after the second year of the original credit allowance which documents the investment of 100 percent of its capital investment in eligible investments. In subsequent years, the rural fund must submit an annual report to the department within 45 days of the beginning of the year. The bill also exempts corporations with a net worth of less than $100,000 from the corporate net worth tax.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Larry Walker III (20th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

03-23-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 156

Sales and Use Taxes; equalized homestead option sales and use taxes; provide certain restrictions
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 156 amends 48-8, relating to sales and use tax, by allowing for an exemption of local sales and use tax on food purchased for off-premise consumption in counties which have a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) and an Equalized Homestead Option Sales Tax (EHOST). The bill also expands the allowable uses for SPLOST funds in connection with an EHOST to include transportation purposes, public safety facilities and related capital equipment, for the repair of capital outlay projects, and debt service purposes for which a municipality used proceeds from the Homestead Option Sales Tax.

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The bill also amends 48-8-3, relating to exemptions from state sales and use taxes, by adding an exemption for the portion of a boat repair, refit, or maintenance event that exceeds $500,000 in the aggregate value of engines, parts, equipment, or other attached tangible property.

The bill also enacts the 'Fantasy Contest Operators Act'. The Act defines "fantasy contest" as a simulated game or contest in which the value of all prizes offered is known in advance; all winning outcomes reflect the relative knowledge and skill of those who enter the game or contest and are determined by statistical results of the performance of individuals in sporting events or other competitions; winning outcomes are not based on the performance of a single team, combination of teams, or any individual; and contests are not based on university, college, high school, or youth sporting events.
No fantasy contest operator can provide fantasy contests without being registered with the Department of Revenue. Before obtaining the necessary registration, the fantasy contest operator must pay an annual fee ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 depending on the gross revenues of the operator. In addition to the fee, the operator must also pay six percent of gross contest revenues. The bill requires that fantasy contest operators implement procedures intended to prevent employees of the operator from participating in contests with cash prizes; prevent the sharing of confidential information before information is made public; prevent operators from participating in contests; verify that the players are 18 years of age or older; ensure that individuals who participate in a sporting event that is the subject of a fantasy contest are restricted from entering such fantasy contests; and segregate fantasy contest player funds from operational funds of the fantasy contest operator.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Fran Millar (40th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

03-23-2017 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 216

Sales Tax; per capita share of certain municipalities to be paid to the county governing authority; eliminate a provision
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 216 amends 48-8-109.5, relating to administration, collection, and disbursement of equalized homestead option sales tax, by allowing municipalities incorporated after May 4, 2015 to receive the municipality's per capita share of the proceeds of the SPLOST.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Steve Henson (41st) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

03-23-2017 Do Pass

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Committee Actions

Committee Meeting Schedule
This meeting schedule is up to date at the time of this report, but meeting dates and times are subject to change. To keep up with the latest schedule, please visit www.house.ga.gov and click on Meetings Calendar.

Friday, March 24, 2017 8:00 AM FULL HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS - 341 CAP 9:00 AM RULES - 341 CAP 10:00 AM FLOOR SESSION (LD 38) - HOUSE CHAMBER

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