Daily report, 2019 March 19

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 19, 2019

Next on the Floor

DAILY REPORT Tuesday
March 19, 2019

Committee Day

House Budget & Research Office (404) 656-5050

The House will reconvene for its 34th Legislative Day on Thursday, March 21st at 10:00 a.m.

Next on the Floor from the Committee on Rules
The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 34th Legislative Day, Thursday, March 21, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker.

HR 368 Interstate 14; construction; urge Bill Summary: House Resolution 368 urges the construction of Interstate 14.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Richard Smith (134th) Transportation

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Open 02-28-2019 Do Pass

SB 17

Public Utilities and Public Transportation; authorize telephone cooperatives and their broadband affiliates; provide broadband services
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 17, which relates to the 'Rural Telephone Cooperative Act,' gives cooperative non-profit corporations the ability to furnish, improve, and expand broadband services. These services may be furnished in conjunction or separately from telephone service; however, broadband services are not eligible for fund recovery through the Universal Access Fund.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Steve Gooch (51st) Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 03-12-2019 Do Pass

SB 55

Retirement; method and manner by which a member of the Employees' Retirement System of Georgia may purchase an annuity; revise
Bill Summary: SB 55 authorizes the Board of Trustees of the Employees' Retirement System to offer a lifetime annuity benefit to certain members. Interested members may transfer some or all funds, $25,000 at minimum, from their 401(k) plan or 457(b) plan into an account for the system to purchase an annuity. Furthermore, members have the option to elect whether the annuity be calculated based on his or her lifetime only or to provide the annuity benefit to a named survivor. The Department of Audits and Accounts has certified SB 55 as a non-fiscal retirement bill.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (52nd) Retirement

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 03-12-2019 Do Pass

SB 97 Self-Service Storage Facilities; limit fees charged and collected by self-service storage facilities for the late payment of rent; provide
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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 19, 2019

Next on the Floor

Bill Summary: Senate Bill 97 updates and revises the regulations regarding self-service storage facilities. In addition to modernizing statutory language and updating definitions, the bill allows the owner of a self-service storage facility to charge and collect a fee from an occupant for the late payment of rent pursuant to the terms of a rental agreement. The bill mandates that this fee shall be no more than $20 per month for each month there is a late payment or 20 percent of the monthly rent for each month there is a late payment, whichever is greater. The bill allows owners to obtain a lien against occupants who are delinquent in the payment of these fees. Additionally, persons cannot use a self-service storage facility for residential purposes, and the bond required for public warehousemen does not apply to any owner of a self-service storage facility. The bill also sets an effective date of July 1, 2019 for rental agreements entered into or extended after that date.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Jesse Stone (23rd) Judiciary

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Open 03-14-2019 Do Pass

SB 121

Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Data Base; length of time prescription information is retained from two years to five years; increase
Bill Summary: SB 121 increases the data retention time of the prescription drug monitoring program from two to five years. In addition, the bill adds the attorney general's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit to the list of entities that can have access to the data through the issuance of an administrative subpoena.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Larry Walker III (20th) Judiciary Non-Civil

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 03-14-2019 Do Pass

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

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Open 03-18-2019 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Open 03-18-2019 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 19, 2019

Committee Actions

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

Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications Committee
SB 43 Revenue Bonds; definition of the term "undertaking" as it relates to electric systems; revise
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 43 revises the definition of "undertaking" in O.C.G.A. 36-82-61, relating to definitions relative to revenue bonds, by adding transmission to the list of revenue bond undertakings used in buying, constructing, extending, operating, and maintaining gas or electric generating and distribution systems; however, any revenue certificates issued by a governmental body with electric utility assets that have a net book value of less than $300 million to buy, construct, extend, operate, and maintain electric generating, transmission, and distribution systems must be authorized by a majority of those voting in an election.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Chuck Payne (54th) Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications

Committee Action:

03-19-2019 Do Pass

SB 95

Local Government; terms for contracts for utility services; change
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 95 revises Code Sections 36-1-26, 36-30-3, and 36-80-17, by stating no contract for solar utility services or wind utility services shall be for a term in excess of 20 years.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Randy Robertson (29th) Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications

Committee Action:

03-19-2019 Do Pass

SB 100

Telephone System for the Physically Impaired; state-wide dual party relay service and audible universal information access service; provisions; change
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 100, relating to telephone systems for the physically impaired, states that wireless devices and applications may be distributed as part of the telecommunications equipment distribution program.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. P. K. Martin (9th) Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications

Committee Action:

03-19-2019 Do Pass

Game, Fish, & Parks Committee

SB 72

Game and Fish; hunting on wildlife management areas; prohibition; remove
Bill Summary: SB 72 removes county-specific restrictions on maximum open hunting seasons for opossums and raccoons, subsequently setting a statewide maximum open season of October 15 to February 29 for both animals. An archery extension to the maximum open season concerning deer for specific counties is removed, and the Department of Natural Resources may extend the season for archery by rule to January 31 for any region, county, or locale. The bill sets a maximum deer bag limit of 12, except by rule of the department for deer taken on department-managed lands. The department may exempt a bear taken on department-managed lands from the maximum bag limit.

SB 72 also defines "air gun" as any pistol, handgun, or shoulder-held device of not less than 0.30 caliber that propels a projectile utilizing unignited compressed air or gas. The bill prohibits the use of an air gun, except for hunting big game during primitive weapon hunts, primitive weapon seasons, and firearm seasons. This portion of the bill shall be reviewed by the General Assembly during the 2024 Legislative Session and stand repealed on July 1, 2024 without action from the General Assembly.

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 19, 2019

Committee Actions

The bill allows for the use of feed or bait to lure feral hogs, so long as the feed or bait is not placed in a manner that prohibits the hunting of any species of wildlife on any adjoining property.

The bill designates the shoal bass as the official riverine sport fish of Georgia and replaces "conservation ranger" with "game warden".

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Tyler Harper (7th) Game, Fish, & Parks

Committee Action:

03-19-2019 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Health & Human Services Committee
HR 421 Joint Study Committee on Infant and Toddler Social and Emotional Health; create
Bill Summary: House Resolution 421 creates the House Study Committee on Infant and Toddler Social and Emotional Health. The purpose of the committee is to study the full continuum of services that is needed to best support babies, young children, and the significant adults in their lives. Additionally, this committee is to study the effects of adverse childhood experiences on infants and toddlers and the investment of services for these ages specifically. The committee is composed of five members of the House and will stand abolished on December 1, 2019.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Katie Dempsey (13th) Health & Human Services

Committee Action:

03-19-2019 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 168 Nurses; certain definitions; revise
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 168 clarifies the requirements of granting authorization for holders of multi-state licenses to engage in advanced nursing practice in Georgia.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Greg Kirk (13th) Health & Human Services

Committee Action:

03-19-2019 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 207 Georgia Board for Physician Workforce; change name; board's membership; revise
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 207 changes the name of the Georgia Board for Physician Workforce to the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce effective July 1, 2019.

The board is composed of 15 members: four primary care physicians; four non-primary care physicians; three members who represent hospitals, two of whom are physicians; one dentist; one physician assistant; one nurse practitioner; and one member with no connection to the practice of medicine or the provision of health care. All current board members in office on July 1, 2019 will continue to serve as a member until the expiration of his or her term of office.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Dean Burke (11th) Health & Human Services

Committee Action:

03-19-2019 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Judiciary Committee

SB 32

Torts; conditions upon immunity from civil liability in instances of rendering emergency care; provide
Bill Summary: SB 32 adds to the Code a provision relating to the rescue of incapacitated animals locked in a motor vehicle. The bill bars any civil liability of property damage to a person who, in good faith, rescues or attempts to rescue an endangered animal from a locked motor vehicle. Additionally, immunity from civil damages extends to the individual if that person assists in contacting law enforcement and awaits the arrival of emergency services.

Authored By:

Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (32nd)
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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 19, 2019

Committee Actions

House Committee:

Judiciary

Committee Action:

03-19-2019 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 104

Resuscitation; parental requirement for consent; revise
Bill Summary: SB 104 expands the persons authorized to issue an order not to resuscitate a child beyond custodial parents to include those with legal authority to act on behalf of a minor child. The bill clarifies that only those individuals may issue an order orally or in writing not to resuscitate, unless such persons are unavailable, then the attending physician may issue the order. The physician exception is not new to minor children.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Chuck Payne (54th) Judiciary

Committee Action:

03-19-2019 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 110

Courts; State-wide Business Court; pursuant to the Constitution of this state; establish
Bill Summary: SB 110 provides the general legislation for the statewide business court as approved by the constitutional referendum in 2018. The terms of court are the same as the Georgia Supreme Court. Except as otherwise provided under the Georgia Constitution, pretrial proceedings shall be held in Atlanta, the main office, or at the court's sole discretion, via teleconference; all trials shall be held in the county as determined according to traditional venue rules, unless otherwise agreed to by the parties. A judge shall appoint another court judge if there must be a recusal, and if one is not available, the Georgia Supreme Court shall order a sitting judge of the Court of Appeals, superior, or state court to sit by designation in that case.

The court shall not have jurisdiction over cases involving physical or emotional injury, residential landlord and tenant disputes, or foreclosures, but it will have jurisdiction over equity cases, regardless of the amount in controversy, related to: corporations; small business entities; internal affairs of businesses; sale of goods under the uniform commercial Code; securities; arbitration; licensing of any intellectual property right arising from e-commerce agreements involving commercial real property; and where the state and federal courts have concurrent jurisdiction. When damages are the only relief requested, the amount in controversy must be at least $250,000 unless the dispute is only for damages related to commercial real property, and then the amount in controversy must exceed $1 million.

Cases may come before the court by: (1) a party filing in the court to initiate a civil action that has not already been filed in superior court or state court; (2) a party to an action already in state or superior court who files a transfer to the court within 60 days of all parties being served, or the case becomes transferable and filed within those 60 days and the judge finds the case within the court's authority and orders the transfer; or (3) all parties to an action already in a state or superior court agree to remove to the business court and file that agreement within 60 days of commencing the action in state or superior court. The filing fee is $5,000 to be paid by the party or parties seeking initiation or transfer, or by all parties pro rata where removed by agreement. When a pleading or petition for transfer or removal is filed with the Georgia State-wide Business Court, the date of filing shall be the date of receipt by the court and any applicable statute of limitations shall be tolled until the court accepts or rejects acceptance of the pleading or petition. Upon proof of such transfer or removal the state court or superior court shall certify the transfer or removal.

The court shall initially consist of one judge, one clerk, and one division which shall be appointed and confirmed by December 31, 2019. It will commence operations on January 1, 2020 and begin accepting cases on August 1, 2020; however, the General Assembly may create additional judges, clerks, or divisions based on caseload and need. To qualify as a court judge, the appointee must be for the past seven years a: Georgia resident, U.S. citizen, and admitted to the practice of law in Georgia with at least 15 years of legal experience in complex litigation, preferably in business. Court judges and clerks are appointed by the governor, subject to majority approval of the House and Senate Judiciary committees, serve a five-year term, and may be reappointed at the end of their term so long as the judge remains qualified. An oath of office for the judge is provided. The salary for the judge is $174,500. The salary for the clerk shall be the same as the clerk of the Court of Appeals. The judge may be reimbursed like other state employees, including expenses for travel, if the judge resides 50 miles or more from the main office in Atlanta.
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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 19, 2019

Committee Actions

Subject to Georgia Supreme Court approval, the judge of the court is empowered to create rules governing the business court that shall contain guidelines and procedures for filing documents and pleadings with the Georgia State-wide Business Court, and to that end may empanel a commission of up to eight volunteer individuals to assist. The judge may appoint and remove law assistants, who are either admitted or in the process of being admitted to the bar. The court may also purchase supplies, publications, and employ other staff as needed, and the clerk will pay them based on appropriations by the General Assembly. Appeals shall be made to the Court of Appeals, unless otherwise taken by the Supreme Court. The court is also authorized to grant relief by declaratory judgment. Proceedings shall be filed in the court as other proceedings are filed in superior court, and similarly trial shall not commence earlier than 20 days after services unless otherwise agreed to by the parties. Also, like superior court, the court has contempt authority. Lastly, only non-attorneys may reject electronic service of pleadings.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Jesse Stone (23rd) Judiciary

Committee Action:

03-19-2019 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Motor Vehicles Committee
SB 137 Tuskegee University; specialty license plate; establish Bill Summary: Senate Bill 137 creates a specialty license plate honoring Tuskegee University. The funds raised by the sale of this plate will be disbursed to the Atlanta Tuskegee Alumni Club, Inc.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. David Lucas (26th) Motor Vehicles

Committee Action:

03-19-2019 Do Pass

SB 212

Department of Driver Services; criteria; authorize certain licensed driver training schools to administer on-the-road driving skills testing; revise
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 212 provides additional methods for applicants to qualify to take an onthe-road driving skills test administered by an authorized driver training school.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. P. K. Martin (9th) Motor Vehicles

Committee Action:

03-19-2019 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 227 Special License Plates; benefit the Georgia Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs, Inc.; establish
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 227 creates specialty license plates supporting the Georgia Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs, Inc. and the Autism Alliance of Georgia.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. P. K. Martin (9th) Motor Vehicles

Committee Action:

03-19-2019 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Retirement Committee
SB 117 Public Retirement Systems Standards Law; that does not require an individual to pay the full actuarial cost of obtaining such creditable service; prohibit passage of any law
Bill Summary: SB 117 prohibits any public retirement system from enacting any law, rule, or regulation for creditable service unless the individual is required to pay the full actuarial cost of service. Furthermore, the bill revises all existing Code sections where members of public retirement systems are allowed to purchase or earn creditable service and now requires any individual who becomes a member on or after July 1, 2019 to pay the full actuarial cost associated with obtaining creditable service. The member can make a one-time lump sum payment or payments over a period of time, not to exceed 120 months. The Department of Audits and Accounts has certified SB 117 as a
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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 19, 2019

Committee Actions

non-fiscal retirement bill.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Ellis Black (8th) Retirement

Committee Action:

03-19-2019 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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, March 20, 2019 8:00 AM AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS 403 CAP 10:00 AM Environmental Quality Subcmte. of Natural Resources and Environment 606 CLOB 10:15 AM Welch Subcommittee of Judiciary 132 CAP 11:00 AM Resource Management Subcmte. of Natural Resources and Environment 606 CLOB 2:00 PM ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS 415 CLOB 2:00 PM INDUSTRY AND LABOR 506 CLOB 2:00 PM SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE 341 CAP 2:00 PM HIGHER EDUCATION 606 CLOB 2:00 PM Reeves Subcommittee of Judiciary (Non-Civil) 132 CAP 2:00 PM Ways and Means Subcommittee on Sales Tax 133 CAP 2:00 PM DEFENSE AND VETERANS AFFAIRS 515 CLOB 2:15 PM Ways and Means Subcommittee on Ad Valorem 133 CAP 2:30 PM Setzler Subcommittee of Judiciary (Non-Civil) 132 CAP 3:00 PM MOTOR VEHICLES 515 CLOB 3:00 PM JUDICIARY (NON-CIVIL) 132 CAP

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