DAILY REPORT Wednesday February 14, 2018 21st Legislative Day House Budget & Research Office (404) 656-5050 House Media Services (404) 656-0309 The House will reconvene for its 22nd Legislative Day on Thursday, February 15 at 10:00 a.m. The Rules committee will meet at 9:00 a.m. 10 bills / resolutions are expected to be debated on the floor. Today on the Floor Rules Calendar HB 190 Domestic relations; marriage articles and antenuptial agreements; change provisions Bill Summary: HB 190 amends Title 19 to create uniformity between marriage contracts, commonly known as "prenuptial agreements", and divorce contracts, also known as "antenuptial agreements". The bill requires antenuptial agreements be in writing and attested to by at least two witnesses, one of whom must be a notary, which is the same standard for marriage contracts. In addition, a marriage agreement may not contain provisions that prevent a spouse from paying his or her existing debts. The younger spouse in a marriage or antenuptial agreement cannot invalidate that agreement as long as the spouse is of legal age to contract marriage. If a marriage contract is in writing, it is understood to express the intentions of the parties and no lack of form shall invalidate it. Either spouse may voluntarily execute an antenuptial agreement. Either spouse can at any time during the marriage, either directly or indirectly through a trustee, transfer title of any property to which the spouse has title without notice, subject to limitations by prior purchasers or creditors. The superior court judge can at any time upon petition change/remove trustees, and does not need to transmit the proceeding in each case to the clerk of the superior court for recording purposes. Antenuptial agreements may be enforced by a court of equity for: the parties to the marriage; a spouse at any time during the life of the other spouse, as long as third parties (such as creditors), if done in good faith and without notice, are not affected; or the offspring of the marriage and their heirs after either spouse's death, so long as the court may enforce in favor of other persons, not including volunteers. This amendment removes requirements and sanctions for recording or failure to record marriage contracts and voluntary settlements with the office of the clerk of the superior court. Finally, the antiquated term "marriage articles" is removed and "agreements made upon consideration of marriage" is retained. Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Rep. Meagan Hanson (80th) Judiciary Yeas: 171 Nays: 1 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Modified-Open 01-23-2018 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 740 Education; local school system to conduct certain screenings, assessments, and reviews prior to expelling a student; require Bill Summary: House Bill 740 amends O.C.G.A. 20-2-742 relating to the suspension or expulsion of students in kindergarten through third grade by requiring schools to provide a multi-tiered system of supports, such as response to intervention, prior to the suspension or expulsion unless such student Page 1 of 13 House of Representatives Daily Report for February 14, 2018 Today on the Floor possessed a weapon, drug, other dangerous instrument, or the physical safety of others is at risk. Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Rep. Randy Nix (69th) Education Yeas: 157 Nays: 13 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Modified-Open 02-08-2018 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 749 Income tax; retirement income is applicable as a retirement benefit from noncivilian service in the United States armed forces; clarify an exemption Bill Summary: House Bill 749 amends 48-7-27, relating to the computation of taxable income, by specifying that income from military retirement is excluded from state income tax. The bill also states that any military retirement income received by a surviving family member of a deceased veteran is excluded from income tax regardless of the age of the surviving family member. Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Rep. Shaw Blackmon (146th) Ways & Means Yeas: 170 Nays: 0 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Structured 02-08-2018 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 789 Labor and industrial relations; marketplace contractors to be treated as independent contractors under state and local laws; provisions Bill Summary: House Bill 789 provides for marketplace contractors as independent contractors under state and local laws. Further, it codifies Georgia case law as to what constitutes an independent contractor. Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Rep. Barry Fleming (121st) Industry and Labor Yeas: 102 Nays: 66 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Modified-Structured 02-07-2018 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 800 Workers' compensation; eligibility for appointment as director emeritus and administrative law judge emeritus; change certain provisions Bill Summary: House Bill 800 eliminates the positions of director emeritus and administrative law judge emeritus of the State Board of Worker's Compensation. The bill is effective July 1, 2018 and as those positions are vacated. Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Rep. Josh Bonner (72nd) Industry and Labor Yeas: 170 Nays: 0 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Modified-Structured 02-07-2018 Do Pass HR 158 General Assembly; provide for dedication of revenues derived from fees or other taxes to the public purpose for which such fees or other taxes were imposed; authorize - CA Bill Summary: House Resolution 158 allows the General Assembly to dedicate funds from fees or taxes by general law. The general law dedicating the fees must: reference this provision of the Constitution; provide the specific purpose for which the fees will be used; identify the agency to administer the funds; require annual reporting of the revenue and expenditures by the department administering the funds; and include a sunset date not to exceed 10 years. The total amount of funds dedicated by this provision of the Constitution may not exceed one percent of the total state revenues of the prior fiscal year. All funds dedicated by this provision do not lapse. Any law enacted pursuant to this provision requires the approval of two-thirds of the members of each branch of the General Assembly; however, a repeal of a law enacted pursuant to this provision may be done with a simple majority vote. In the event the governor declares a financial emergency, which exists if revenue collections decrease by three percent or more from the previous year, the fees dedicated by this provision may be made subject to appropriation, but this is limited to three, twoyear periods during any 10-year period. The resolution also provides ballot language. Page 2 of 13 House of Representatives Daily Report for February 14, 2018 Today on the Floor Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action: Rep. Jay Powell (171st) Ways & Means Yeas: 166 Nays: 1 Adopted (Resolution) Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: Structured 01-25-2018 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HR 898 Joint Study Committee on the Establishment of a State Accreditation Process; create Bill Summary: House Resolution 898 creates a Joint Study Committee on the Establishment of a State Accreditation Process to determine if a state accreditation entity should be created in Georgia for the purpose of accrediting primary and secondary public schools or local school systems. Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action: Rep. Brooks Coleman (97th) Education Yeas: 170 Nays: 1 Adopted (Resolution) Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: Open 02-05-2018 Do Pass Postponed Until Next Legislative Day HB 302 Ad valorem tax; property; change certain requirements to notice pertaining to millage rate adoption Bill Summary: House Bill 302 amends 48-5-32.1, relating to advertising and notice requirements pertaining to the adoption of a millage rate, by changing the title of the notice to 'Notice of Proposed Property Tax Revenue Increase' and by revising the content of the notice to include the proposed millage rate, the total increase in tax property tax revenue expected to be generated with the proposed millage rate, the value of property assessments and the reason for the increase. The notice is also modified to include a statement of what the necessary millage rate reduction would be to remain at the previous year's property tax revenue. Authored By: Rep. Randy Nix (69th) Rule Applied: Structured HB 767 State government; verification of lawful presence that may be utilized in conjunction with electronic filing of an application for unemployment insurance; provide Bill Summary: House Bill 767 allows the Georgia Department of Labor (DOL) to require submission of a valid driver's license number or number from a state-issued identification, as well as a Social Security number, when a person is electronically filing an application for unemployment benefits. This bill allows Georgians to apply for benefits on-line and not have to drive to a DOL service center. Authored By: Rep. William Werkheiser (157th) Rule Applied: Modified-Structured Page 3 of 13 House of Representatives Daily Report for February 14, 2018 Today on the Floor Local Calendar HB 638 Stockbridge, City of; revise corporate boundaries Bill Summary: This bill revises the corporate boundaries of the city of Stockbridge. Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Rep. Dale Rutledge (109th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 107 Nays: 50 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: 02-13-2018 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 707 Roswell, City of; ad valorem tax; provide new homestead exemption Bill Summary: This bill provides a homestead exemption, which has the effect of a valuation freeze, from City of Roswell ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes. Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action: Rep. Betty Price (48th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 107 Nays: 50 Failed Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: 02-13-2018 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 708 Johns Creek, City of; ad valorem tax; provide new homestead exemption Bill Summary: This bill provides a homestead exemption, which has the effect of a valuation freeze, from City of Johns Creek ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes. Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action: Rep. Brad Raffensperger (50th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 107 Nays: 50 Failed Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: 02-13-2018 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 710 Milton, City of; ad valorem tax; provide new homestead exemption Bill Summary: This bill provides a homestead exemption, which has the effect of a valuation freeze, from City of Milton ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes. Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action: Rep. Jan Jones (47th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 107 Nays: 50 Failed Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: 02-13-2018 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 711 Mountain Park, City of; ad valorem tax; provide new homestead exemption Bill Summary: This bill provides a homestead exemption, which has the effect of a valuation freeze, from City of Mountain Park ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes. Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action: Rep. Jan Jones (47th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 107 Nays: 50 Failed Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: 02-13-2018 Do Pass by Committee Substitute Page 4 of 13 House of Representatives Daily Report for February 14, 2018 Today on the Floor HB 712 Alpharetta, City of; ad valorem tax; provide new homestead exemption Bill Summary: This bill provides a homestead exemption, which has the effect of a valuation freeze, from City of Alpharetta ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes. Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action: Rep. Chuck Martin (49th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 107 Nays: 50 Failed Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: 02-13-2018 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 832 Peachtree Corners, City of; provide new charter Bill Summary: This bill provides a new charter for the City of Peachtree Corners. Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Rep. Scott Hilton (95th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 107 Nays: 50 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: 02-13-2018 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 839 Clayton County Water Authority; change compensation of members Bill Summary: This bill changes the compensation of the members of the Clayton County Water Authority to $525 per month. Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Rep. Mike Glanton (75th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 107 Nays: 50 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: 02-13-2018 Do Pass HB 845 Young Harris, City of; provide new charter Bill Summary: This bill provides a new charter for the City of Young Harris. Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Rep. Matt Gurtler (8th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 107 Nays: 50 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: 02-13-2018 Do Pass HB 846 Villa Rica, City of; Redevelopment Powers Law; provide referendum Bill Summary: This bill authorizes the City of Villa Rica to exercise all redevelopment and other powers found under Article IX, Section II, Paragraph VII(b) of the Georgia Constitution and Chapter 44 of Title 36 of the O.C.G.A. Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Rep. J. Collins (68th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 107 Nays: 50 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: 02-13-2018 Do Pass HB 863 Jonesboro, City of; homestead exemptions from ad valorem taxes; provisions Bill Summary: This bill grants each resident of the City of Jonesboro an exemption from city ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes. The exemption gradually decreases from $50,000 in 2019 to $10,000 in 2023 and thereafter. Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action: Rep. Mike Glanton (75th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 107 Nays: 50 Failed Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: 02-13-2018 Do Pass Page 5 of 13 House of Representatives Daily Report for February 14, 2018 Today on the Floor HB 864 Jonesboro, City of; provide new charter Bill Summary: This bill changes the corporate limits of the City of Jonesboro. Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Rep. Mike Glanton (75th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 107 Nays: 50 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: 02-13-2018 Do Pass SB 317 Homestead Exemption; Fulton County school district; ad valorem taxes for educational purposes; provide Bill Summary: This bill provides a homestead exemption, which has the effect of a valuation freeze, from Fulton County school district ad valorem taxes for educational purposes. Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action: Sen. John Albers (56th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 107 Nays: 50 Failed Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: 02-13-2018 Do Pass by Committee Substitute FLOOR NOTES: House Majority Leader Jon Burns served notice of his intent to `Move for Reconsideration of the bills, failing to receive the requisite 2/3rds majority vote, on the next legislative day.' Page 6 of 13 House of Representatives Daily Report for February 14, 2018 Next on the Floor from the Committee on Rules The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 22nd Legislative Day, Thursday, February 15 and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker. The Rules Committee will next meet on Thursday, February 15 at 9:00 a.m., to set the Rules Calendar for the 23rd Legislative Day. HB 381 Abandoned Mobile Home Act; enact Bill Summary: This bill creates the 'Abandoned Mobile Home Act' to provide counties and municipalities with the authority to appoint an agent to determine the condition of a mobile home and how to dispose of the property. The Act establishes procedures for a landowner to follow if the landowner wishes to remove an abandoned mobile home from his or her property. A mobile home is deemed "abandoned" if tenants have left it vacant for 90 days without notice to the landowner and there is evidence of removal of all personal belongings, cancelled insurance to indicate that tenants are not using or occupying the mobile home, or other indications that the mobile home is vacant and no longer being used. In order to have the abandoned mobile home removed, the landowner must request that a local government agent inspect the mobile home, at which time the agent will classify the mobile home as either "derelict" or "intact". That classification determines the disposition of the vehicle. For derelict (uninhabitable and in need of major repair) mobile homes, the agent shall post a notice demanding rent and unpaid fees in an obvious location on the mobile home, and the landowner must serve notice of the agent's determination upon any person with an ownership interest. If no persons with an ownership interest can be ascertained, the landowner must place an advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the mobile home is located to run for two consecutive weeks; when no such newspaper exists, the landowner shall post the notice for two consecutive weeks at the county courthouse where other public notices are posted. Within 90 days of receipt of the notice, the mobile home owner must request a hearing in magistrate court to contest the determination or the landowner must petition a magistrate court to hold a hearing to confirm or deny the decision by the local government agent. The hearing must be held within 10 days of the petition. If the mobile home owner fails to request a hearing or if the determination is confirmed by the court, all tax liens held by state or local governing authorities are discharged and the landowner is entitled to dispose of the mobile home, although he or she must dispose of the mobile home within 180 days. Within 30 days of the disposal, the landowner must notify the Department of Revenue and local tag agent of the disposal and the department shall cancel the certificate of title, if such certificate exists. For mobile homes classified as intact, the landowner shall have a lien in the amount of any unpaid fees (such as the reasonable cost of removal and storage of the mobile home) and rents accrued after the filing of the lien, but the rent cannot exceed $3.00 per day after the filing of the lien. Any proceeding to foreclose on a lien against and intact abandoned mobile home shall be instituted within one year of the lien's recordation and filed in superior court. Similar notice provisions are provided, but for intact vehicles, the landowner may foreclose on such lien within 30 days of complying with the notice requirements, and similarly the magistrate court must hold a hearing to determine if a valid debt exists. A defendant has 30 days, rather than 90 days, to request a hearing to contest the agent's determination. If the court finds the vehicle intact, within five days a party defendant may petition the court for a full hearing to contest the validity of the debt and that hearing shall be held within 15 days of the defendant's petition. If the defendant fails to seek a hearing or after a full hearing the court determines a valid debt exists, the court shall issue an order authorizing the public sale of the mobile home; however, any party with a security interest in or a lien on the mobile home shall have the right to pay the debt and court costs to possess the mobile home, and that person's security interest in or lien shall be increased by the amount so paid. A court order shall be issued to this effect, and no public sale of the mobile home shall occur. After the lien is satisfied, the person selling the mobile home shall, within 30 days of the sale, provide the clerk of the magistrate court a copy of the bill of sale and turn the remaining proceeds of such sale, if any, over to the clerk of the court and those funds shall be placed in the general fund after 12 months if no claim to those proceeds by the mobile home owner has been filed. A seller's failure to comply with this requirement shall be a misdemeanor. The court has the discretion to determine that a landowner has acted in bad faith and may award damages to the mobile home's owner. Page 7 of 13 House of Representatives Daily Report for February 14, 2018 Authored By: Rep. John Corbett (174th) House Committee: Judiciary Rule Applied: Committee Action: Modified-Open 02-08-2018 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 635 Disabled Adults and Elder Persons Protection Act; at-risk adult protection investigative/coordinating teams; provide establishment Bill Summary: HB 635 requires the district attorney in each judicial circuit to establish an Adult Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Multi-disciplinary Team in order to coordinate the investigation of suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a disabled adult or elder person. Additionally, the bill outlines the persons or agencies who shall have reasonable access to records concerning reports of elder, disabled adult, or resident abuse. Authored By: Rep. Sharon Cooper (43rd) House Committee: Human Relations & Aging Rule Applied: Committee Action: Modified-Structured 02-07-2018 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 657 Firearms; providing to person on probation as a felony first offender; make unlawful Bill Summary: House Bill 657 penalizes any person attempting or intentionally aiding an attempt to persuade a dealer to transfer a firearm to someone other than the buyer with imprisonment of not less than one nor more than five years. The legislation also provides the same penalty of imprisonment for at least one year but not more than five years for knowingly providing a firearm to any person who is on probation as a felony first offender or to anyone who has been convicted of a felony by any court of this, or any other, state. Authored By: Rep. Jesse Petrea (166th) Rule Applied: House Committee: Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee Action: Modified-Structured 02-05-2018 Do Pass HB 690 Revenue and taxation; fair market value of vehicles; change a certain definition Bill Summary: House Bill 690 amends 48-5C-1, relating to the title ad valorem tax, by specifying that the fair market value for used vehicles being leased is the total of the base payments of the lease agreement. Authored By: Rep. Jason Ridley (6th) House Committee: Ways & Means Rule Applied: Committee Action: Structured 02-08-2018 Do Pass HB 763 Education; student attendance protocol committees to school climate; expand Bill Summary: House Bill 763 amends O.C.G.A. 20-2-690.2 relating to student attendance protocol committees by expanding the purview of said committees to include reviewing and recommending policies relating to school climate. This legislation revises the name of the student attendance protocol committee to the student attendance and school climate committee to accurately reflect its revised purpose. Authored By: Rep. Randy Nix (69th) House Committee: Education Rule Applied: Committee Action: Modified-Open 02-08-2018 Do Pass HB 783 Administrative procedure; provisions creating inactive boards, panels, authorities and other such bodies; repeal Bill Summary: This clean-up bill repeals the following authorities, boards, councils, and commissions, that are inactive or no longer meet: Pacific White Shrimp Aquaculture Development Advisory Council, Georgia Tobacco Community Development Board, Southern Dairy Compact Commission, Heritage Trust Commission, Child Care Council, Georgia Southern University Herty Advanced Material Development Center Advisory Board, Private Colleges and Universities Authority, Education Information Steering Committee, Federal and State Funded Health Care Financing Programs Overview Committee, Commission on Men's Health, Renal Dialysis Advisory Council, Renal Dialysis Advisory Council, Arthritis Prevention and Control Program Advisory Panel, Special Advisory Commission on Mandated Health Insurance Benefits, Commission on the Georgia Health Insurance Risk Pool, Airport Page 8 of 13 House of Representatives Daily Report for February 14, 2018 Anti-Terrorism Training Committee, and the Georgia Silver-Haired Legislature. Authored By: Rep. Michael Caldwell (20th) House Committee: Code Revision Rule Applied: Committee Action: Modified-Open 02-12-2018 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 792 Waste management; sunset date for certain solid waste surcharges and hazardous waste fees; extend Bill Summary: House Bill 792 amends 12-8-39(g) and 12-8-95.1(h), the acts relating to the Solid Waste Trust Fund and the Hazardous Waste Trust Fund, by extending the sunset provisions to July 1, 2019. Authored By: Rep. Terry Rogers (10th) House Committee: Ways & Means Rule Applied: Committee Action: Structured 02-08-2018 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 795 Labor, Department of; authorize Commissioner of Labor to perform certain functions; provisions Bill Summary: House Bill 795 provides the commissioner of Labor with authority to require a criminal background check on any individual employed by the Department of Labor or applying for employment with the Department of Labor on or after January 1, 2019. A criminal background check is required for any individual with direct access to federal return information as part of his or her job duties. This bill is necessary to be compliant with federal law. Authored By: Rep. Micah Gravley (67th) House Committee: Industry and Labor Rule Applied: Committee Action: Modified-Structured 02-07-2018 Do Pass Page 9 of 13 House of Representatives Daily Report for February 14, 2018 Committee Actions Bills passing committees are reported to the Clerk's Office and are placed on the General Calendar. Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee HB 876 Buildings and housing; counties and municipalities proscribing the use of wood in the construction of certain buildings when state minimum standard codes are met; prohibit Bill Summary: HB 876 prohibits counties and municipalities from preventing the use of wood as a construction material, so long as it meets the Georgia State Fire Code and other relevant state codes. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. John Corbett (174th) Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee Action: 02-14-2018 Do Pass Governmental Affairs Committee HB 489 Local government; use Georgia Procurement Registry in addition to official legal organ to advertise certain bid opportunities; provide Bill Summary: House Bill 489 requires the use of the Georgia Procurement Registry for advertisement of bid opportunities for goods and services and public works construction contracts by a county, city, or local board of education. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Tom McCall (33rd) Governmental Affairs Committee Action: 02-14-2018 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 639 Eagle's Landing, City of; incorporate Bill Summary: House Bill 639 authorizes a local referendum for the creation of the city of Eagles Landing. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Dale Rutledge (109th) Governmental Affairs Committee Action: 02-14-2018 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 810 State government; local workforce development boards and committees to conduct meetings via teleconference; authorize Bill Summary: House Bill 810 allows local workforce development boards to conduct meetings by teleconference. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Tom McCall (33rd) Governmental Affairs Committee Action: 02-14-2018 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 814 Coroners; county governing authority may establish salaries and benefits; provide Bill Summary: House Bill 814 allows the county governing authority to establish the compensation of their coroners and deputy coroners. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Ricky Williams (145th) Governmental Affairs Committee Action: 02-14-2018 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 907 Public officers and employees; appointment and election of successor in event of vacancy in the office of district attorney; provide Bill Summary: House Bill 907 allows the governor to appoint a replacement, rather than hold a special election, to fill the unexpired term of a vacant office of District Attorney. This process Page 10 of 13 House of Representatives Daily Report for February 14, 2018 mirrors that of Superior Court Judges. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Barry Fleming (121st) Governmental Affairs Committee Action: 02-14-2018 Do Pass Intragovernmental Coordination - Local Committee HB 726 Fulton County; ad valorem tax; provide new homestead exemption Bill Summary: This bill provides a homestead exemption, which has the effect of a valuation freeze, from Fulton County school district ad valorem taxes for educational purposes. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Jan Jones (47th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Committee Action: 02-14-2018 Do Pass by Committee Substitute Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee HB 703 Governor's Office of Public Safety Support; create Bill Summary: House Bill 703 creates the Governor's Office of Public Safety Support. The office is established to respond to and provide counseling services or any other critical incident support services to all requesting public entities that employ public safety officers for incidents. Counseling extends to the immediate family of the public safety officers, as well. The office is responsible for creating training courses in critical incident stress management and any other related subject matter for the benefit of the public safety officers. The director, appointed by the governor, certifies individuals as having received training and demonstrated ability to provide emotional and moral support to public safety officers and their families. "Public safety officer" is defined in the bill to include: emergency management rescue specialists; emergency medical technicians; firefighters or other employees of a fire department; law enforcement officers or other employees of a law enforcement agency; and corrections officers. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Bill Hitchens (161st) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee Action: 02-14-2018 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 817 Professions and businesses; certain weapons carry laws for persons licensed as private detectives and security agents; revise exemption Bill Summary: House Bill 817 allows licensed private detectives or private security guards to carry their weapons in areas restricted to permit holders when the licensee is performing his or her duties. The bill also exempts vehicles owned by a person licensed for private detective or private security work from the Code section relating to window tinting and requirements set forth there. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Heath Clark (147th) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee Action: 02-14-2018 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 867 Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council; quorum for transaction of business; revise Bill Summary: House Bill 867 changes the quorum requirement for the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council to conduct business from seven members to eleven members. This legislation also authorizes investigators appointed by the executive director of the council to retain their weapon and badge upon retirement. This bill removes the 30-day wait period between academy entrance exams for peace officers who do not perform satisfactorily. Additionally the bill removes the entrance exam for persons who hold a degree from an accredited post secondary institution. Lastly, the section related to training and certification of police chaplains is repealed. Authored By: Rep. Bill Hitchens (161st) Page 11 of 13 House of Representatives Daily Report for February 14, 2018 House Committee: Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee Action: 02-14-2018 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 889 Georgia State Indemnification Fund; revise when indemnification will be paid in certain circumstances Bill Summary: House Bill 889 allows for indemnification to be paid in the event of a heart attack, stroke, or vascular rupture suffered by a public safety officer if the event occurred while the public safety officer was performing work-related activity, was on duty after performing work-related activity, or was within 24 hours of performing work-related activity. Payment is also allowed if the heart attack, stroke, or vascular rupture directly or proximately resulted in the death or partial or permanent disability of the public safety officer, unless competent medical evidence established that the medical event was not related to work activity or was caused by something other than the mere presence of cardiovascular disease risk factors. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Micah Gravley (67th) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee Action: 02-14-2018 Do Pass HR 913 House Study Committee on Incorporating Law Enforcement in the Pathway to Treatment and Social Services for Persons Having Challenges with Drug Use and Mental Health; create Bill Summary: House Resolution 913 creates the Joint Study Committee on Incorporating Law Enforcement in the Pathway to Treatment and Social Services for Persons Having Challenges with Drug Use and Mental Health. The committee will study ways to strategically widen community behavioral health and social service as a sizeable pathway to treatment and social services in behavioral health interventions. The committee stands abolished on December 31, 2018. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Paulette Rakestraw (19th) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee Action: 02-14-2018 Do Pass by Committee Substitute Retirement Committee HB 624 Georgia Legislative Retirement System; define certain terms; change certain provisions Bill Summary: HB 624 increases the contribution rate for members of the Legislative Retirement System (LRS) to 9.5 percent. The bill also defines "term of office" under LRS as the period of time beginning when an individual receives his or her commission as a member of the General Assembly until the second Monday in January of the next odd numbered year. Also, the legislation increases the benefit multiplier to $50 per year of creditable service. The method for calculating retirement benefits allows the member to receive a retirement allowance equal to the greater of either 38 percent of the member's average monthly salary, or the monthly retirement allowance provided by Code. The actuary has determined that a state appropriation of $616,972 per year for the next 20 years is required to implement the changes set forth in this bill. It is recommended that the employer contribution rate be adjusted to $2,754.34 per active member. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Paul Battles (15th) Retirement Committee Action: 02-14-2018 Do Pass by Committee Substitute Page 12 of 13 House of Representatives Daily Report for February 14, 2018 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 15, 2018 8:00 AM NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT 606 CLOB 8:30 AM Environmental Quality Subcommittee of Natural Resources & Environment 606 CLOB 9:00 AM RULES 341 CAP 10:00 AM FLOOR SESSION (LD 22) House Chamber 1:00 PM WAYS & MEANS 506 CLOB 1:30 PM JUDICIARY (NON - CIVIL) 403 CAP 2:00 PM JUDICIARY - CIVIL 132 CAP 2:00 PM EDUCATION 606 CLOB 2:00 PM SMALL BUSINESS 406 CLOB 2:00 PM Transportation Subcommittee on Transit Legislation 506 CLOB Page 13 of 13