Daily report, 2019 March 18

DAILY REPORT Monday
March 18, 2019

33rd Legislative
Day

House Budget & Research Office (404) 656-5050

The House will reconvene for its 34th Legislative Day on Thursday, March 21 at 10:00 a.m. The Rules Committee will meet at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19th.

Today on the Floor
Rules Calendar
HB 571 Ben Hill County; Magistrate Court chief judge; provide nonpartisan elections Bill Summary: House Bill 571 specifies that elections for the office of chief judge of the Ben Hill County Magistrate Court shall be nonpartisan.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Clay Pirkle (155th) Governmental Affairs
Yeas: 106 Nays: 60

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-13-2019 Do Pass

HB 572 Ben Hill County; probate judge; provide nonpartisan elections
Bill Summary: House Bill 572 specifies that elections for the office of probate judge of Ben Hill County shall be nonpartisan.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Clay Pirkle (155th) Governmental Affairs
Yeas: 104 Nays: 59

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-13-2019 Do Pass

HB 595 Jenkins County; Probate Court judge; provide nonpartisan elections
Bill Summary: House Bill 595 provides that future elections for the office of the judge of the Jenkins County Probate Court shall be nonpartisan.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Butch Parrish (158th) Intragovernmental Coordination
Yeas: 107 Nays: 57

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-13-2019 Do Pass

HR 259

Johnny Tolbert III House Study Committee on Heat-Related Injuries, Cardiac Injuries, and other Sports-Related Injuries; create
Bill Summary: House Resolution 259 establishes the Johnny Tolbert, III House Study Committee on Heat-Related Injuries, Cardiac Injuries, and Other Sports-Related Injuries. This committee is composed of five members of the House, appointed by the speaker, and will be abolished on December 1, 2019.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action:

Rep. William Boddie (62nd) Health & Human Services
Yeas: 165 Nays: 5 Adopted (Resolution)

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Open 03-05-2019 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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Daily Report for March 18, 2019

Today on the Floor

SB 67

Capital Outlay Funds; eligibility for regular funding, advance funding for educational facilities; destroyed by fire or natural disaster; provide
Bill Summary: SB 67 allows school systems which have experienced damage from a fire or natural disaster to immediately qualify for regular state capital outlay funds, regular advance capital outlay funds, and low-wealth capital outlay funds. Furthermore, these funds may be used for a portion of the building that was not damaged, but is at least 20-years old. Second, the bill adds an additional criteria for school systems to qualify for low-wealth capital outlay grants. School systems that are consolidating educational facilities according to their local facilities plan and where five years of SPLOST revenue does not generate enough for the local required match qualify for low-wealth capital outlay grants.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Dean Burke (11th) Appropriations
Yeas: 162 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-12-2019 Do Pass

SB 122

Motor Vehicle Franchise Practices; protection of certain consumer data in motor vehicle sales or lease transactions; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 122 provides guidelines for the use, disclosure, and access of motor vehicle dealer consumer data by a franchisor, manufacturer, or distributor. At the election of the dealer, each franchisor, manufacturer, or distributor must compensate the dealer for parts and labor provided as part of warranty service work. A manufacturer or franchisor and at least a majority of its dealers may establish a uniform warranty reimbursement agreement. A manufacturer or franchisor must give dealers a 30-day written notice of a proposed uniform warranty reimbursement agreement. If the reimbursement agreement is made, the manufacturer or franchisor must notify the Department of Revenue, provide copies of the agreement and relevant documents, and attest under oath that a majority of the dealers impacted have entered into the agreement.

The bill provides standards for the performance criteria that franchisors use to evaluate a dealer. Provisions relating to dealership remodeling, changes, or improvements are added to the list of things that a franchisor is prohibited from requiring of a dealer. Franchisors are prohibited from auditing dealership activity that is more than one year old. If the franchisor has reason to believe that fraudulent claims have been made, the time period may be extended, but cannot exceed four years. The bill provides guidelines for dealers and franchisors to follow in the event that money is allegedly owed to a franchisor or dealer as a result of an audit or investigative findings. The performance criteria that a franchisor uses to determine incentives or reimbursements must be fair, reasonable, and based on accurate information.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. John Kennedy (18th) Motor Vehicles
Yeas: 158 Nays: 9

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-12-2019 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 130 Office of Probate Judge of Johnson County; future nonpartisan elections; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 130 specifies that elections for the offices of probate judge of Johnson County and chief magistrate of the Johnson County Magistrate Court shall be nonpartisan.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Jesse Stone (23rd) Governmental Affairs
Yeas: 110 Nays: 59

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-13-2019 Do Pass

SB 154

Georgia Coroner's Training Council; hearing complaints from outside parties regarding coroners; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 154 authorizes the Georgia Coroner's Training Council to review complaints from outside parties and make recommendations regarding the retention, suspension, or

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Daily Report for March 18, 2019

Today on the Floor

removal of a coroner.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Steve Gooch (51st) Governmental Affairs
Yeas: 130 Nays: 36

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-13-2019 Do Pass

SB 156 Insurance; division of a domestic insurer into two or more resulting domestic insurers; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 156 provides that any domestic insurer may divide into two or more resulting insurers pursuant to a plan of division.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. P. K. Martin (9th) Insurance
Yeas: 169 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-13-2019 Do Pass

SB 170

State and Other Flags; Honor and Remember flag as the state's emblem of the service and sacrifice of the members of the armed forces; designate
Bill Summary: SB 170 designates the Honor and Remember flag as the state's emblem of the service and sacrifice of the members of the armed forces who have given their lives in the line of duty. Designated areas where the flag may be displayed for visibility to the public is also included in the bill. Local governments may display the flag at any local government building and any department or agency may adopt guidelines as necessary.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Bruce Thompson (14th) Special Rules
Yeas: 165 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Open 03-13-2019 Do Pass

SB 171

Courts, Primaries and Elections, and Ad Valorem Taxation; compensation of various local government officials; modify
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 171 increases the minimum salaries for each clerk of the superior court, judge of the probate court, sheriff, tax commissioner, and tax collector in this state, based on population levels established by the decennial census. Minimum salaries will be automatically adjusted annually based on certain increases provided to state employees. The bill increases the additional minimum monthly salary for a clerk of the superior court who serves as clerk of a state court and also for a sheriff who performs additional duties as sheriff for a court or courts. Minimum monthly salaries are increased for the chief deputy registrar and tax collectors or commissioners who perform duties of the sheriff.

The effective date for the census is changed from July 1 to January 1 of the first year after the year that the census was conducted.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action:

Sen. John Wilkinson (50th) Governmental Affairs
Yeas: Nays: Recommit to Rules

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-13-2019 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 177

General Assembly; requirements for consideration of local legislation revising existing districts or creating new districts; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 177 provides requirements for local bills which revise or create districts for county boards of commissioners, county boards of education, independent boards of education, or municipal governing authorities. A plan to create or revise districts must be drawn or certified by the staff of the Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Office of the General Assembly. When the local government entity wishes to have districts drawn, they must contact a member of the General Assembly who represents the area and request a letter of sponsorship. If a member of the General Assembly proceeds with a local bill containing a district plan that was not drawn or certified

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Daily Report for March 18, 2019

Today on the Floor

by the Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Office, a letter from the office will be attached to the bill stating that the district plan has not been certified.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Matt Brass (28th) Governmental Affairs
Yeas: 143 Nays: 20

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-13-2019 Do Pass

SB 202

Title Insurance; lender's security interest; personal property taken by the lender as collateral for a commercial loan; allow
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 202 allows title insurance to be procured on a lender's security interest in personal property taken by the lender as collateral for a commercial loan.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. William Ligon, Jr. (3rd) Insurance
Yeas: 166 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-13-2019 Do Pass

Local Calendar
HB 596 Washington County; State Court; authorize assessment and collection of a technology fee
Bill Summary: House Bill 596 authorizes the Washington County State Court to assess and collect a technology fee.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Mack Jackson (128th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 157 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-14-2019 Do Pass

HB 597 Sparks, City of; provide new charter Bill Summary: House Bill 597 provides a new charter for the city of Sparks.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Penny Houston (170th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 157 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-14-2019 Do Pass

HB 598 Harlem, City of; change corporate boundaries Bill Summary: House Bill 598 changes the corporate boundaries of the city of Harlem.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Barry Fleming (121st) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 157 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-14-2019 Do Pass

HB 600

Monroe County; Board of Commissioners; provide for the removal of the duties of disbursements
Bill Summary: House Bill 600 provides for the oath of office for the Monroe County Board of Commissioners and provides for removal proceedings for malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance, as well as incompetence or neglect of duty.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Robert Dickey (140th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 157 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-14-2019 Do Pass

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Daily Report for March 18, 2019

Today on the Floor

HB 601 Statham, City of; governing organization; revise provisions
Bill Summary: House Bill 601 revises provisions governing organization of the city of Statham government.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Terry England (116th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 157 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-14-2019 Do Pass

HB 603 Floyd County; Board of Education; provide for compensation of members
Bill Summary: House Bill 603 provides for the compensation of the Floyd County Board of Education.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Katie Dempsey (13th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 157 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-14-2019 Do Pass

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Daily Report for March 18, 2019

Committee Action

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

Banks & Banking Committee

SB 20

Counties and Municipal Corporations; establishment of banking improvement zones; areas underserved; provide
Bill Summary: SB 20 adds a new Code section to provide for the establishment of banking improvements zones. "Banking improvement zones" are areas within the jurisdiction of a local government set up for the purpose of encouraging the establishment of branches or representative offices of a bank where the community is currently being underserved by banking services. To form a banking improvement zone, local governments must submit an application to the Department of Community Affairs. In determining whether to establish a banking improvement zone, the department will consider the current number of banking sites in the area, consumer need, the economic viability and local credit needs of the local government, existing commercial development in the area, potential economic development caused by additional banking services, and whether any potential gains to a bank from an interest agreement is ample consideration for a substantial public benefit. Local governments may choose to designate a bank as the depository for local government funds through an ordinance or a resolution, which also designates a fixed interest rate for the local government that is at or below the posted two-year certificate of deposit rate at the bank.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Michael Rhett (33rd) Banks & Banking

Committee Action:

03-18-2019 Do Pass

SB 157

Public Funds; when funds shall be considered to held by a depository; specify; State Depository Board certain policies and procedures related to deposit placement programs; establish
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 157 amends the requirements for depositories of county and school funds to allow for their participation in deposit placement programs, so long as: the full amount of principal and accrued interest of each financial deposit instrument is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; each institution in which the funds are deposited is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; and any third-party service provider facilitating the placement of the deposits is approved by the State Depository Board. The bill also requires that the State Depository Board establish policies and procedures for providing this approval, as well as for monitoring these deposit placement programs, by December 31, 2019.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. John Kennedy (18th) Banks & Banking

Committee Action:

03-18-2019 Do Pass

Insurance Committee

SB 132

Insurance; modernization and updates; provide; Commission on the Georgia Health Insurance Risk Pool; repeal Article 2 of Chapter 29A
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 132 amends Title 33, relating to insurance, by modernizing and updating the language of various sections. Additionally, this bill repeals the Commission on the Georgia Health Insurance Risk Pool effective July 1, 2019.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Marty Harbin (16th) Insurance

Committee Action:

03-18-2019 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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Daily Report for March 18, 2019

Committee Action

SB 133 Insurance; modernization and updates; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 133 amends Title 33, relating to insurance, by modernizing and updating the language of various sections.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Marty Harbin (16th) Insurance

Committee Action:

03-18-2019 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 184

State Employees' Health Insurance Plan; services covered and furnished by a federally qualified health center are reimbursed at no less than the Medicare maximum; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 184 requires that starting January 1, 2020, any contracts entered into or renewed by the Department of Community Health for health care coverage for enrollees under the State Health Benefit Plan must include payment for services furnished to enrollees by federallyqualified health centers in an amount no less than the applicable Medicare maximum allowable reimbursement rate to federally-qualified health centers for any such service.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Greg Kirk (13th) Insurance

Committee Action:

03-18-2019 Do Pass

Intragovernmental Coordination - Local Committee
HB 602 Rome Building Authority; create Bill Summary: House Bill 602 creates the Rome Building Authority.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Katie Dempsey (13th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-18-2019 Do Pass

HB 607 Chatham County; State Court judges; provide for an accountability court supplement
Bill Summary: House Bill 607 provides for an accountability court supplement of $6,000 for judges of the Chatham County State Court if the court has implemented a drug court, mental health court, under the influence court, or veterans court division.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Ron Stephens (164th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-18-2019 Do Pass

HB 608 Hoboken, City of; change corporate limits Bill Summary: House Bill 608 changes the corporate limits of the city of Hoboken.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Steven Meeks (178th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-18-2019 Do Pass

HB 610 Carroll County; Magistrate Court; authorize to charge a technology fee for each conviction of a traffic or ordinance violation
Bill Summary: House Bill 610 authorizes the Carroll County Magistrate Court to charge a technology fee for each conviction of a traffic or ordinance violation.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. J. Collins (68th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-18-2019 Do Pass

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Committee Action

HB 611 South Fulton, City of; levy an excise tax
Bill Summary: House Bill 611 authorizes the governing authority of the city of South Fulton to levy an excise tax.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Derrick Jackson (64th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-18-2019 Do Pass

HB 612 Hapeville, City of; homestead exemption for residents 65 years or older; provide
Bill Summary: House Bill 612 provides a $20,000 homestead exemption from city of Hapeville ad valorem taxes for residents who are 65 or older, who are veterans, or who are disabled.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. David Dreyer (59th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-18-2019 Do Pass

HB 614 Hapeville, City of; increase existing homestead exemption to $15,000.00
Bill Summary: House Bill 614 increases a city of Hapeville homestead exemption from $10,000 to $15,000.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. David Dreyer (59th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-18-2019 Do Pass

HB 616

Polk County; grand jury shall not be required to be impaneled on the first day of each term; provide
Bill Summary: House Bill 616 provides that the grand jury of Polk County shall not be required to be impaneled on the first day of each term.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Trey Kelley (16th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-18-2019 Do Pass

HB 617 Haralson County; grand jury shall not be required to be impaneled on the first day of each term; provide
Bill Summary: House Bill 617 provides that the grand jury of Haralson County shall not be required to be impaneled on the first day of each term.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Trey Kelley (16th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-18-2019 Do Pass

HB 619 Newton County; coroner; provide for salary supplements authorized by the governing authority
Bill Summary: House Bill 619 provides for salary supplements for the coroner of Newton County as authorized by the governing authority.

Authored By: House Committee:

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

Committee Action:

03-18-2019 Do Pass

Juvenile Justice Committee

SB 167

Relative Search by DFCS; foster placement for a child adjudicated as a dependent; determine such child's permanency plan; provide
Bill Summary: SB 167 increases the amount of preference given to foster parents regarding custody cases. Six months from the date a relative receives notice of a dependency hearing and fails to

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Committee Action

demonstrate an interest in and willingness to provide a permanent home for a child, the court may excuse the Division of Family and Children Services from considering the relative as a placement. Moreover, the court may presume that continuation of the child's placement with current caregivers is in the best interest of the child if the court finds that the child has been living in a stable home environment for 12 months and that removal of the child would be detrimental to the child's wellbeing.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Matt Brass (28th) Juvenile Justice

Committee Action:

03-18-2019 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 225

Juvenile Code; in conformity with the federal Social Security Act and the Family First Prevention Services Act; bring provisions
Bill Summary: SB 225 updates and revises the Code to comply with 'The Family First Prevention and Services Act' in order to maintain federal funding. In order to preserve the tribal culture of children who are members of a federally-recognized Native American Tribes, the bill increases the standard of evidence in proving maltreatment in dependency cases involving such children. SB 225 creates a new type of placement for children called a "Qualified Residential Treatment Program" that has a trauma-informed treatment model designed to address the needs, including clinical needs, of children with serious emotional or behavioral disorders, as well as the ability to implement the treatment identified through assessment to determine the appropriateness of placing a child within the program. The bill lists the qualifications for clinicians working in the program, procedures for assessing this placement, judicial oversight, and the mechanism for a child's family to work through a case plan overseen by the court and the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS). The program must also be licensed in accordance with federal law. Moreover, the bill adds to existing legal requirements to provide vital records to youth aging out of foster care by requiring DFCS to provide any official documentation necessary to prove a youth was previously in foster care for more than six months.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Larry Walker III (20th) Juvenile Justice

Committee Action:

03-18-2019 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee

SB 6

Correctional Institutions of the State and Counties; use of unmanned aircraft systems to deliver or attempt to deliver contraband to a place of incarceration; prohibit
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 6 prohibits the intentional use of unmanned aircraft to provide or deliver contraband to an inmate. The bill also prohibits any person from using an unmanned aircraft to photograph or otherwise record images of a place of incarceration for criminal purposes without the authorization of the warden, the superintendent, or his or her designated representative. Any person who commits or attempts to commit a violation of these provisions is guilty of a felony. The sentence for a contraband violation is imprisonment of at least one year but not more than 10 years. The sentence for a recording violation is imprisonment of at least one year but not more than five years.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (32nd) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee
Action:

03-18-2019 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Regulated Industries Committee

SB 153

Trauma Scene Cleanup Services; comprehensive regulation; provide
Bill Summary: SB 153 regulates for-hire trauma scene cleanup companies through a registration process. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is directed to oversee the registration process, promulgate rules and regulations, provide the proper forms, and maintain a current list of all registered trauma scene waste management practitioners on the GBI website. A trauma scene waste management practitioner must apply with the GBI and: pay a $100 registration fee; submit to a

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Committee Action

fingerprint-based criminal background check conducted by the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); submit a surety bond in the amount of $25,000; and provide proof of insurance coverage in the amount of at least $100,000. The registration is valid for three years and may be renewed every three years thereafter with a $100 renewal fee and completed application. It is unlawful to perform or engage in the cleanup of a trauma scene unless properly registered with the GBI. Moreover, trauma scene waste management practitioners must provide a good faith estimate of expected cost of services to clients.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Tyler Harper (7th) Regulated Industries

Committee Action:

03-18-2019 Do Pass

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Daily Report for March 18, 2019

Committee Action

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.

Tuesday, March 19, 2019 8:00 AM MOTOR VEHICLES 515 CLOB 10:00 AM Academic Support Subcommittee of Education 506 CLOB 11:00 AM Welch Subcommittee of Judiciary 132 CAP 12:00 PM REGULATED INDUSTRIES - Upon Adjournment 506 CLOB 1:00 PM RULES 341 CAP 2:00 PM HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES 606 CLOB 2:00 PM JUDICIARY (CIVIL) 132 CAP 2:00 PM Ways and Means Subcommittee on Public Finance and Policy 133 CAP 2:00 PM Special Subcommittee of Regulated Industries 506 CLOB 2:00 PM GAME, FISH AND PARKS 403 CAP 2:30 PM RETIREMENT 515 CLOB 3:00 PM ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS 403 CAP

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