Daily report, 2020 February 24

DAILY REPORT Monday
February 24, 2020

17th Legislative
Day

House Budget & Research Office (404) 656-5050

The House will reconvene for its 18th Legislative Day on Tuesday, February 25 at 10:00 a.m. The Rules Committee will meet at 9:00 a.m. Five bills / resolutions are expected to be debated on the floor.

Today on the Floor

Rules Calendar
HB 417 Law enforcement officers and agencies; comprehensive regulation of trauma scene cleanup services; provide
Bill Summary: House Bill 417 provides for the regulation of trauma scene cleanup services. The Georgia Secretary of State is responsible for registering trauma scene waste management practitioners. The registration is valid for three years and may be renewed for additional three-year periods. The initial registration fee is $100 and $100 upon renewal. The Secretary of State will maintain a current list of all registered trauma scene waste management practitioners on its website. Each practitioner must submit to a fingerprint-based background check prior to being registered and every three years following the initial background check. No person convicted of a felony is eligible for registration. Each practitioner must be bonded in the amount of $25,000 and must have liability insurance for at least $100,000. Each practitioner must provide to the Secretary of State proof of valid generation and transportation permit from the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural Resources for the provision of trauma scene waste management services. The practitioner must also provide proof of all current certifications in the removal and disposal of regulated biomedical waste held by the practitioner or any contractor used for waste management services.
The Secretary of State is authorized to issue temporary registrations in the event of a declared public emergency or a state of emergency; however, these registrations terminate no later than 90 days from issuance.
This legislation does not prevent a private property owner from cleaning up a scene on their property themselves, or the gratuitous cleanup performed for the owner of a property by individuals who are not doing so as part of a commercial enterprise for the cleanup or removal of trauma scene waste.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Alan Powell (32nd)

Rule Applied:

Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee

Action:

Yeas: 147 Nays: 19

Amendments:

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

HB 583

Insurance; framework for regulating the offering or issuance of travel insurance in this state; provide
Bill Summary: HB 583 creates new regulations for the travel insurance industry. These new provisions include establishing uniform meanings of key terms and clarifying sales practices and application of Georgia's unfair trade practice laws. HB 583 prohibits the practice of opt-out sales and imposes explicit consumer disclosures in addition to what Georgia's insurance laws already require. Additionally, the bill provides that travel insurance may be sold via individual, group, or blanket policies and specifies how premium taxes are to be calculated. In most cases, the bill requires that travel insurance be filed as marine insurance; however, travel insurance that provides coverage for

House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 24, 2020

Today on the Floor

sickness, accident, disability, death, or other related emergencies occurring during the travel may also be filed under an accident or health line of insurance.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Noel Williams (148th) Insurance
Yeas: 157 Nays: 10

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-19-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 820

Transportation, Department of; state investment in railways and railroad facilities and equipment; provide
Bill Summary: House Bill 820 establishes within the Department of Transportation a Georgia Freight Railroad Program. This program is administered by the commissioner, is subject to appropriations, and will enhance the state's investment in freight rail projects. It is composed of three subprograms: rail enhancement, rail preservation, and rail industrial. In administering these subprograms, every effort will be made to balance the initiative around the state. At the end of each fiscal year, the commissioner or his appointee will submit a report of the program to the governor, lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the House. The report shall also be made available to the members of the General Assembly.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Kevin Tanner (9th) Transportation
Yeas: 162 Nays: 1

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 01-30-2020 Do Pass

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 24, 2020

Next on the Floor

Next on the Floor from the Committee on Rules
The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 18th Legislative Day, Tuesday, February 25, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker. The Rules Committee will next meet on Tuesday, February
25, at 9:00 a.m., to set the Rules Calendar for the 19th Legislative Day.

HB 664

Georgia Judicial Retirement System; membership for certain persons employed in certain full time positions requiring admission to the State Bar of Georgia as a condition of employment; require
Bill Summary: HB 664 requires individuals hired by the Office of Legislative Counsel after July 1, 2020, to be members of Judicial Retirement System of Georgia (JRS), if they are employed full time and in good standing with the State Bar of Georgia. Employees of the Office of Legislative Counsel hired before July 1, 2020 can elect to remain members of Employees' Retirement System of Georgia (ERS) or transfer to JRS. If the member elects to transfer to JRS, ERS will transfer all employee and employer contributions, with interest to JRS. The transferred member receives credit under JRS for all service rendered if the individual pays the full actuarial cost of that service. This bill is certified by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts as a fiscal retirement bill. The actuarial investigation estimates the annual employer contribution rate will increase from 21.570 percent to 21.571 percent, for a total state cost of $26,000.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Barry Fleming (121st) Retirement

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-04-2020 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 an occupation tax calculated by an otherwise accepted method; and requiring that the proceeds from regulatory fees be used to fund such regulatory activity. The bill is effective July 1, 2025.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Shaw Blackmon (146th) Ways & Means

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Structured 02-20-2020 Do Pass

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: 23 percent of the proceeds shall go to the county governing authority; 34 percent of the proceeds shall go to the municipal governing authority; and the remaining 43 percent of the proceeds shall go to the independent school district.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Shaw Blackmon (146th) Ways & Means

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Structured 02-20-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 24, 2020

Next on the Floor

HB 819

Motor vehicles; veterans' license to any person who is a United States citizen and resident of this state who served in the military for an ally of the United States during a time of war or other conflict; authorize issuance
Bill Summary: House Bill 819 allows for the issuance of veterans' licenses to Georgia residents who are veterans of the armed forces for countries that are allies of the United States.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Bill Hitchens (161st) Motor Vehicles

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Open 02-21-2020 Do Pass

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

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Structured 02-20-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 24, 2020

Committee Actions

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

Intragovernmental Coordination - Local Committee
HB 942 Flowery Branch, City of; levy an excise tax Bill Summary: House Bill 942 authorizes the governing authority of the city of Flowery Branch to levy an excise tax.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Emory Dunahoo (30th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-24-2020 Do Pass

HB 943 Oakwood, City of; levy an excise tax
Bill Summary: House Bill 943 authorizes the governing authority of the city of Oakwood to levy an excise tax.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Emory Dunahoo (30th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-24-2020 Do Pass

HB 965 South Fulton, City of; review of ordinances by committees prior to adoption; require
Bill Summary: House Bill 965 requires a review of ordinances by city of South Fulton committees prior to adoption.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Debra Bazemore (63rd) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-24-2020 Do Pass

HB 967 Columbus, City of; Municipal Court; provide that the sheriff of Muscogee County shall be the ex officio marshal of said court
Bill Summary: House Bill 967 provides that the sheriff of Muscogee County shall be the ex officio marshal of the Columbus Municipal Court.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Vance Smith (133rd) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-24-2020 Do Pass

HB 975 Madison County; ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption
Bill Summary: House Bill 975 provides an $8,000 homestead exemption from Madison County ad valorem taxes for residents of the county who are 70 years old.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Tom McCall (33rd) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-24-2020 Do Pass

HB 976 Bulloch County Public Facilities Authority Act; enact Bill Summary: House Bill 976 creates the Bulloch County Public Facilities Authority.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Jan Tankersley (160th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-24-2020 Do Pass

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 24, 2020

Committee Actions

Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee

HB 113

Motor vehicles; prohibit license and instruction permit holders from using a stand-alone electronic device or wireless telecommunications device while driving
Bill Summary: House Bill 113 prohibits drivers age 18 and under from using a stand-alone electronic device or a wireless telecommunications device while driving unless the use is to report a traffic accident, medical emergency, fire, an actual or potential criminal or delinquent act, or road condition which causes an immediate and serious traffic or safety hazard. Any person convicted of violating the provision is guilty of a misdemeanor and punished by a fine of at least $25 and no more than $100. The legislation removes from Georgia Code the first offense waiver established by the 2018 hands-free law.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. John Carson (46th) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee
Action:

02-24-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 787

Crimes and offenses; weapons carry license reciprocity in this state; expand
Bill Summary: House Bill 787 allows for general reciprocity for weapons license holders in other states rather than general reciprocity when the laws for licensing are equal to or exceed the laws for licensing in this state, including the necessity for criminal background checks. The bill requires that the state attorney general enter into an agreement with any state requiring a specific reciprocity agreement in order to give effect to a license issued pursuant to Georgia law.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Mandi Ballinger (23rd) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee
Action:

02-24-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 838

Law enforcement officers and agencies; Office of Public Safety Officer Support; change the name
Bill Summary: House Bill 838 renames the recently established Office of Public Safety Officer Support at the Department of Public Safety to the Office of Public Safety Support.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Bill Hitchens (161st) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee
Action:

02-24-2020 Do Pass

HB 859 Motor vehicles; tinting of windows or windshields; provide maximum monetary penalty
Bill Summary: House Bill 859 sets a maximum monetary penalty of $25, without the addition of surcharges, to the misdemeanor violation of the window tint law.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Clay Pirkle (155th) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee
Action:

02-24-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 24, 2020

Committee Meetings

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 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 1:00 PM 1:00 PM 2:00 PM 2:00 PM 2:00 PM 2:00 PM 2:00 PM 2:00 PM 2:00 PM 2:30 PM 3:00 PM 3:00 PM 3:00 PM

Tuesday, February 25, 2020 MOTOR VEHICLES 515 CLOB RULES 341 CAP FLOOR SESSION (LD 18) House Chamber STATE PLANNING AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS 506 CLOB SPECIAL RULES 515 CLOB Academic Achievement Subcommittee of Education 514 CLOB RETIREMENT 515 CLOB JUDICIARY 132 CAP HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 606 CLOB Sales Tax Subcommittee of Ways and Means 133 CAP REGULATED INDUSTRIES 506 CLOB JUVENILE JUSTICE 406 CLOB Tax Expenditure Subcommittee of Ways and Means 133 CAP SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 506 CLOB ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS 403 CAP Public Finance and Policy Subcommittee of Ways and Means 133 CAP

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