Daily report, 2020 February 20

DAILY REPORT Thursday
February 20, 2020

15th Legislative
Day

House Budget & Research Office (404) 656-5050

The House will reconvene for its 16th Legislative Day on Friday, February 21 at 9:00 a.m. The Rules Committee will meet at 9:30 a.m. Two bills / resolutions are expected to be debated on the floor.

Today on the Floor

Rules Calendar
HB 292 Regents Retirement Plan; certain remittances required to be made by the University System of Georgia to the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia; eliminate
Bill Summary: HB 292 repeals the requirement for an accrued liability to be paid to the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia on behalf of participating Regent's Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) members and the normal contribution rate resulting from employees who cease to be members of TRS. This bill is certified by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts as a fiscal retirement bill. The actuarial investigation determines there is no cost to this legislation.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Tommy Benton (31st) Retirement
Yeas: 159 Nays: 1

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 01-28-2020 Do Pass

HB 716

Insurance; carriers issuing a health benefit plan in this state through an agent shall file proposed commission rates with the department; provide
Bill Summary: House Bill 716 requires any carrier that issues a health benefit plan through an agent to pay a commission to that agent and file with the Department of Insurance the proposed commission rates relevant to all such agents. The commission paid to the agents must be consistent with the amount proposed in the rates filed and required by the Department of Insurance.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Shaw Blackmon (146th) Insurance
Yeas: 155 Nays: 6

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-05-2020 Do Pass

HB 777

Community Affairs, Department of; consider amending the state minimum standard codes to allow tall mass timber construction types; direct
Bill Summary: HB 777 requires the Department of Community Affairs to review the tall mass timber provisions contained in the 2021 International Building Code for construction types IV-A, IVB, and IV-C and consider whether the department should amend the state's minimum standard codes to include the provisions. The review shall be on conducted on or after July 1, 2020 and be completed by July 1, 2021.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. John Corbett (174th) Agriculture & Consumer Affairs
Yeas: 162 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Open 02-05-2020 Do Pass

House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 20, 2020

Today on the Floor

HB 786

Superior courts; additional judge of the Flint Judicial Circuit; provide
Bill Summary: House Bill 786 increases the number of judges for superior courts in the Flint Judicial Circuit from three to four. The additional judge is appointed by the governor for a term beginning January 1, 2021, until December 31, 2022. A successor shall be elected at the nonpartisan judicial election held in 2022 and the elected successor shall take office January 1, 2023.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Andrew Welch (110th) Judiciary
Yeas: 160 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-04-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HR 1023 Judiciary; people may petition for declaratory relief from certain acts of this state or certain local governments or officers or employees; provide - CA
Bill Summary: House Resolution 1023 proposes an amendment to the Georgia Constitution to allow Georgia citizens and corporations domiciled in Georgia to petition for declaratory relief from the judiciary for acts done by the state, or any county, municipality, or consolidated government of Georgia. Petitions must be brought exclusively against the state, county, municipality or consolidated government, and may not be brought against an individual or officer. The General Assembly may authorize injunctive relief for such petitions and impose certain requirements upon petitions. Incarcerated or detained individuals are precluded from filing petitions. Damages, attorney's fees, or costs of litigation shall not be awarded in actions commenced pursuant to this amendment, unless specifically authorized by the General Assembly.

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

Rep. Andrew Welch (110th) Judiciary
Yeas: 163 Nays: 0 Adopted (Resolution)

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Open 02-04-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Page 2 of 8

House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 20, 2020

Next on the Floor

Next on the Floor from the Committee on Rules
The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 16th Legislative Day, Friday, February 21, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker. The Rules Committee will next meet on Friday, February 21,
at 9:30 a.m., to set the Rules Calendar for the 17th Legislative Day.

HB 487

Disaster Volunteer Relief Act; certain employees of state agencies to be granted leave from work with pay in order to participate in specialized disaster relief services; authorize
Bill Summary: House Bill 487 allows state employees, under the 'Disaster Relief Volunteer Act,' who are certified volunteers of the Civil Air Patrol United States Air Force Auxiliary to be granted paid leave for no more than 15 workdays in a 12-month period. Upon the employee's agency approval, this leave will be specifically used for participation in specialized emergency services operations for the Civil Air Patrol upon the request of the patrol after activation by a county emergency management agency, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, or a comparable federal agency for that employee's services.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Josh Bonner (72nd)

Rule Applied:

Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee

Action:

Modified-Structured 02-18-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 780 State Properties Commission; use an opinion of value in the valuation of state property where a conveyance of the property by the state is for the sole and direct benefit to the state; allow
Bill Summary: House Bill 780 allows the State Properties Commission to use an opinion of value or a written appraisal of value for the conveyance of property that solely and directly benefits the state.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Clay Pirkle (155th) State Properties

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Open 02-05-2020 Do Pass

Page 3 of 8

House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 20, 2020

Committee Actions

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

Education Committee

HB 1

Senator Eric Johnson Scholarship Act; enact
Bill Summary: House Bill 1 amends O.C.G.A. 20-2-2110 by renaming the 'Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Act' as the 'Senator Eric Johnson Scholarship Act' after the senator who created the scholarship during the 2007 Legislative Session.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Jesse Petrea (166th) Education

Committee Action:

02-20-2020 Do Pass

Health & Human Services Committee
HB 521 Professions and businesses; temporary licenses for dentists licensed in other states to provide dental care to indigent populations in this state; authorize
Bill Summary: House Bill 521 authorizes temporary licenses for dentists and dental hygienists who are licensed in other states to provide dental care to indigent populations in Georgia.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Houston Gaines (117th) Health & Human Services

Committee Action:

02-20-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Intragovernmental Coordination - Local Committee
HB 826 Meigs, City of; elections and terms of office; provide Bill Summary: House Bill 826 provides for the elections and terms of office of the city of Meigs.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Sam Watson (172nd) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-20-2020 Do Pass

HB 921 South Fulton, City of; revise provisions regarding the city attorney
Bill Summary: House Bill 921 revises provisions relating to the city attorney for the city of South Fulton.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Roger Bruce (61st) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-20-2020 Do Pass

HB 923

Clinch County; Board of Education; modify the compensation of the members
Bill Summary: House Bill 923 modifies the compensation of the Clinch County Board of Education members. The chairperson of the board of education shall receive a per diem of $500 for each day of attendance at regular meetings and $100 for each day of attendance at called meetings, including training sessions, provided the compensation shall not exceed $700 per month. The other members of the board shall receive a per diem of $400 for each day of attendance at regular meetings and $100 for each day of attendance at called meetings, including training session, provided the compensation shall not exceed $600 per month.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. John Corbett (174th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-20-2020 Do Pass

Page 4 of 8

House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 20, 2020

Committee Actions

HB 924

Habersham County; Board of Commissioners of Roads and Revenue; update the procedures for filling vacancies
Bill Summary: House Bill 924 updates the procedures for filling vacancies on the Habersham County Board of Commissioners.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Terry Rogers (10th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-20-2020 Do Pass

HB 933 Troup County; school district ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption
Bill Summary: House Bill 933 increases the homestead exemption from $10,000 to $40,000 for residents of the Troup County School District for residents who are 65 and older with incomes not exceeding $40,000.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Randy Nix (69th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-20-2020 Do Pass

HB 935 Gwinnett County; Recorder's Court; provide for senior judges Bill Summary: House Bill 935 provides for senior judges of the Gwinnett County Recorder's Court.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Chuck Efstration (104th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-20-2020 Do Pass

HB 944 Miller County; Board of Education; provide for the election of members by qualified electors within their respective districts
Bill Summary: House Bill 944 provides for the election of the Miller County Board of Education members by district.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Winfred Dukes (154th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-20-2020 Do Pass

HB 945

Miller County; Board of Commissioners; provide for the election of members by qualified electors within their respective districts
Bill Summary: House Bill 945 provides for the election of the Miller County Board of Commissioners by district.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Winfred Dukes (154th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-20-2020 Do Pass

Natural Resources & Environment Committee

HB 93

Water pollution and surface-water use; notice to local governing authorities prior to the dewatering of coal combustion residual surface impoundments; provide
Bill Summary: HB 879 requires the owner or operator of a coal combustion residual (CCR) surface impoundment to provide written notice to the director of the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) and the local governing authority within three days of the commencement of a dewatering operation. The director of EPD must post a public notice on the division's website within seven days of receiving the notice. The owner or operator of the CCR surface impoundment must also post CCR rule compliance data in a public notice on their website, as well as publish such notice in the legal organ of the affected county within 14 days.

Page 5 of 8

House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 20, 2020

Committee Actions

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Ricky Williams (145th) Natural Resources & Environment Committee
Action:

02-20-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Transportation Committee
HB 808 Alternative ad valorem tax; motor vehicles; revise a definition
Bill Summary: House Bill 808 amends the definition of "loaner vehicle" by allowing vehicles owned by a dealer to remain exempt from the Title Ad Valorem Tax for up to 45 days when the vehicle is used as a loaner vehicle.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Martin Momtahan (17th) Transportation

Committee Action:

02-20-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Ways & Means Committee

HB 378

Revenue and taxation; collection and remittance of excise taxes on rental motor vehicles by marketplace facilitators that are dealers that facilitate the rental or lease of five or more rental motor vehicles; require
Bill Summary: House Bill 378 amends O.C.G.A. 48-13-91 and 48-13-93, relating to excise taxes on rental motor vehicles. The definition of "rental motor vehicle concern" is expanded to include rental motor vehicle facilitators. Rental motor vehicles facilitators are dealers that are required to collect and remit sales tax as a marketplace facilitator for facilitating the rental of five or more motor vehicles. The definition expansion requires the motor vehicle facilitators to collect and remit the local excise taxes due on the rental of motor vehicles.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Bruce Williamson (115th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

02-20-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 448

Excise tax; rooms, lodgings, and accommodations; revise definition of innkeeper to include lodging facilitators
Bill Summary: House Bill 448 amends Article 3 of Chapter 13 of Title 48, relating to excise tax on rooms, lodgings, and accommodations, by expanding the definition of "innkeeper" to include any dealer that is required to collect and remit sales tax as a marketplace facilitator for facilitating the sale of rooms, lodgings, or accommodations. The definition expansion requires the innkeepers acting as marketplace facilitators to collect and remit the local excise taxes due on rooms, lodgings, or accommodations. The bill also modifies the five-dollar hotel/motel excise tax found in O.C.G.A. 4813-50.3 to apply to all rooms, lodgings, or accommodations with the exception of extended stay rentals or lodgings or accommodations that do not provide shelter.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Matt Dollar (45th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

02-20-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 715

Revenue and taxation; gross receipts as a criterion for classifying businesses and practitioners for purposes of calculating the occupation tax levied by local governments; eliminate
Bill Summary: House Bill 715 amends Chapter 13 of Title 48, relating to business and occupation taxes, by eliminating the gross receipts method of calculating occupation taxes, eliminating the option specific professions and occupations have of selecting a $400 annual fee rather than having their occupation tax calculating by an otherwise accepted method, and requiring that the proceeds from regulatory fees be used to fund such regulatory activity. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Shaw Blackmon (146th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

02-20-2020 Do Pass

Page 6 of 8

House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 20, 2020

Committee Actions

HB 779

Alternative ad valorem tax; motor vehicles; revise distribution of the proceeds of such taxes among local governments
Bill Summary: House Bill 779 amends O.C.G.A. 48-5C-1, relating to alternative ad valorem taxes on motor vehicles, by modifying the distribution of proceeds to the counties, municipalities, and school districts. For motor vehicles registered in the incorporated areas of the county, the percent of proceeds going to the county governing authority is decreased from 28 to 23 percent, the percent of proceeds going to the municipal governing authority is increased from 23 to 28 percent, and the remaining 49 percent of proceeds continue to go to the county school district. However, if there is an independent school district in the municipality then 23 percent of the proceeds shall go to the county governing authority, 34 percent of such proceeds shall go to the municipal governing authority, and the remaining 43 percent of such proceeds shall go to the independent school district.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Shaw Blackmon (146th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

02-20-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 807

Revenue and taxation; allow businesses to provide affidavits of certified public accountants in lieu of tax returns
Bill Summary: House Bill 807 amends 48-13-14, relating to levy on business or practitioner with location or office in more than one jurisdiction, methods of allocation gross receipts, information provided by business or practitioner, and limits on levies by local governments using criteria for taxation, by allowing a business to submit affidavits of certified public accountants in place of tax returns for the means of determining the gross receipts of the company. The bill also requires that the proceeds from regulatory fees be used to fund such regulatory activity.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Martin Momtahan (17th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

02-20-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 846

Revenue and taxation; interest paid on refunds of overpayments of taxes and past due taxes shall be equal to the bank prime loan rate; provide
Bill Summary: House Bill 846 adds a new Code Section at 48-8-49.1, which establishes and defines the direct pay reporting program. The program allows a taxpayer to accrue and pay directly to the department the sales and use taxes owed. To qualify, a taxpayer must purchase more than $2 million of tangible personal property per year, average purchases of tangible personal property of over $2 million per year for the past three years, or meet a lower spending threshold prescribed by the department and be classified in one of nine industry codes.

The interest on overpayments of sales taxes by a taxpayer with a direct payment permit shall begin to accrue on the date an amended return or a refund claim is filed. The bill also sets the interest earned on overpayment and due on underpayment of taxes at the Federal Reserve System's bank prime loan rate and allows the affected political subdivision to choose to make payments over a period of time equal to or less than the amount of time subject to the claim.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. John Corbett (174th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

02-20-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 949

Revenue and taxation; define "Internal Revenue Code" and "Internal Revenue Code of 1986" and thereby incorporate certain provisions of the federal law into Georgia law; define the terms
Bill Summary: HB 949 provides the annual Internal Revenue Code update to O.C.G.A. 48-8-2, which includes retroactive changes regarding disaster relief and medical expense deductions among other changes.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. David Knight (130th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

Page 7 of 8

02-20-2020 Do Pass

House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 20, 2020

Committee Actions

SB 144

Taxes on Tobacco Products; issuance of special event tobacco permits; authorizing off-premise sales of certain tobacco products; provide
Bill Summary: SB 144 allows for a licensed dealer engaged in the tobacco business to apply for a special event tobacco permit for the off-premise sale of cigars, cigarettes, or smokeless tobacco at a temporary location offsite from the licensed location for a period of no more than 10 days. All such permits will be issued by the commissioner of the Department of Revenue, who will also make rules and regulations regarding the application and issuance of the permits. SB 144 does not affect local ordinances regarding tobacco.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Lee Anderson (24th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

02-20-2020 Do Pass

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.

8:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 9:30 AM

Friday, February 21, 2020 JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL 132 CAP MOTOR VEHICLES 515 CLOB RULES 341 CAP FLOOR SESSION (LD 16) House Chamber

Page 8 of 8