House of Representatives Daily Report for March 11, 2020 Committee Actions DAILY REPORT Wednesday March 11, 2020 Committee Day House Budget & Research Office (404) 656-5050 The House will reconvene for its 28th Legislative Day on Thursday, March 12 at 10:00 a.m. The Rules Committee will meet at 10:00 a.m. Committee Actions Bills passing committees are reported to the Clerk's Office and are placed on the General Calendar. Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee HR 1350 President of the United States and Congress; enact legislation requiring the Food and Drug Administration to establish GMP standards regulating industrial hemp products with tetrahydrocannabinol content below 0.3 percent; urge Bill Summary: HB 1350 urges the president and Congress to require the Food and Drug Administration to issue manufacturing guidelines for cannabidiol (CBD) products, including establishing a safe daily level of CBD consumption. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Vernon Jones (91st) Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee Action: 03-11-2020 Do Pass SB 362 Livestock Running at Large or Straying; impounding animals and disposing of impounded animals; change the fees Bill Summary: SB 362 changes the allowable fees for impounding, service notice, care and feeding, advertising, and disposing of impounded animals running at large to the actual cost of the related services provided. Authored By: House Committee: Sen. John Wilkinson (50th) Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee Action: 03-11-2020 Tabled SB 396 State Symbols; pecan as the official state nut; designate Bill Summary: SB 396 designates the pecan as the official state nut. Authored By: House Committee: Sen. Larry Walker III (20th) Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee Action: 03-11-2020 Do Pass House of Representatives Daily Report for March 11, 2020 Committee Actions Governmental Affairs Committee HB 854 Local government; battery charged fences; provisions Bill Summary: House Bill 854 requires counties, municipalities, and consolidated governments to treat fence detection systems the same, in all matters, as alarm systems. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Dale Rutledge (109th) Governmental Affairs Committee Action: 03-11-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 955 Crimes and offenses; simple battery against a person 65 years of age or older; repeal enhanced penalties Bill Summary: House Bill 955 provides that an individual who is required to report abuse of an elder person or disabled adult and fails to do so is guilty of a misdemeanor. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Chuck Efstration (104th) Governmental Affairs Committee Action: 03-11-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 962 Administrative Services, Department of; new authority to enter into or authorize agreements with private for profit organizations; provide Bill Summary: House Bill 962 authorizes the Department of Administrative Services to enter into agreements with cooperative purchasing organizations. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Eddie Lumsden (12th) Governmental Affairs Committee Action: 03-11-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 973 State holidays; June 19 of each year; designate Bill Summary: House Bill 973 designates June 19 of each year as "Juneteenth" in recognition of events that occurred on June 19, 1865, in celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation and the end of slavery. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Miriam Paris (142nd) Governmental Affairs Committee Action: 03-11-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 1058 State government; state contracting certification that a boycott of Israel is not to be conducted by the other party; revise applicability Bill Summary: House Bill 1058 prohibits the state from entering into a contract valued at $100,000 or more with a company engaged in a boycott of Israel. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Deborah Silcox (52nd) Governmental Affairs Committee Action: 03-11-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute Higher Education Committee HB 995 Forming Open and Robust University Minds (FORUM) Act; enact Bill Summary: HB 995 is the 'Forming Open and Robust University Minds (FORUM) Act'. The bill provides that the unrestricted outdoor areas of the campuses of the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia's institutions are public forums for their campus communities. The institutions will not prohibit expressive activities in those areas or designate any campus areas as a "free speech zone". Institutions may maintain and enforce restrictions for expression so long as the restrictions are narrowly tailored to serve a significant institutional interest and employ criteria that is clear, published, neutral, and provides ample alternative means for House of Representatives Daily Report for March 11, 2020 Committee Actions expression. Restrictions must also allow the community to assemble spontaneously and to distribute literature. Individuals may engage in expressive activities that do not materially and substantially disrupt the functions of the institution. Disruptions do not include conduct protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. The bill does not prevent an institution from prohibiting student-onstudent harassment or unlawful activities. Institutions may not discriminate against, deny any benefits or privileges available to, or deny recognition to any active or proposed student organization based on actual or anticipated activities. Policies, regulations, and expectations of student expression on campus will be made public by the institution. The institutions will also develop materials, programs, and procedures regarding student expression for all individuals responsible for the education or discipline of students. The State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia will publish an annual report related to its actions on free expression. The report will be shared with the governor and General Assembly on July 1 of each year. Authored By: Rep. Josh Bonner (72nd) House Committee: Higher Education Committee Action: 03-11-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 1084 State government; provide for the creation of the Georgia Endowment for Teaching Professionals Bill Summary: HB 1084 creates the Georgia Endowment for Teaching Professionals in the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) to support the efforts of the Department of Economic Development through education. The endowment identifies key courses, subjects, and disciplines for the expansion of state businesses and provide grants to branches of the technical college system that enable teachers to offer those courses. An 11-member board of trustees led by the TCSG commissioner governs the endowment. The remaining members include four persons appointed by the governor, three appointed by the speaker of the House, and three appointed by the lieutenant governor. The board appoints an advisory committee of no more than 30 members, 15 serve four-year terms and 15 serve two-year terms. The advisory committee includes at least two members from each of the state's congressional districts. The endowment's board of trustees' is responsible for receiving and investing funds for its grants, employs staff, and enters into contracts necessary for the management of its assets. The board also conducts an annual, independent audit to be shared with the state auditor and accounting officer, in addition to providing an annual report to the governor and General Assembly regarding its activities, impact on education and economic development, and legislative recommendations. HB 1084 provides that the endowment shall not make any expenditures until state and private funding each reach $50,000. If that threshold is not met by December 31, 2022, the endowment will be discontinued by June 30, 2023 and take steps to return any public or private contributions to donors. Authored By: Rep. Mike Cheokas (138th) House Committee: Higher Education Committee Action: 03-11-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute Industry and Labor Committee HB 1034 Labor and industrial relations; violations of provisions related to employment of minors; provide civil penalties Bill Summary: House Bill 1034 provides for fines and an appeals process for violations relating to the employment of minors. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. William Werkheiser (157th) Industry and Labor Committee Action: 03-11-2020 Tabled House of Representatives Daily Report for March 11, 2020 Committee Actions Judiciary Committee HB 479 Hidden Predator Act of 2019; enact Bill Summary: HB 479, the 'Child Victim Protection Act of 2020,' revises Section 9-3-33.1 of the Code, relating to actions for childhood sexual abuse. Civil actions for recovery of damages suffered as a result of childhood sexual abuse committed on or after July 1, 2015, may be brought within four years (extended from two years) from the date that the plaintiff knew or had reason to know of the abuse, and the abuse resulted in injury established by competent medical or psychological evidence. Effective July 1, 2020, a plaintiff between the age of 23 and 38 years old may bring a civil action for recovery of damages because of childhood sexual abuse. When such actions are brought against a person who was a volunteer, or an employee of an entity with the duty to care for the plaintiff, or the person and the plaintiff were engaged in some activity under the control of the entity, damages will be only be awarded if there is a preponderance of evidence that: finds gross negligence on the part of the entity; the entity knew or should have known of the alleged conduct; and the entity failed to take remedial action. A look-back period of one year is established as of July 1, 2020, during which a plaintiff of any age, who was previously barred by a statute of limitations, may file an action for recovery of damages suffered as a result of childhood sexual abuse against a perpetrator or an entity. If filed against an entity, the plaintiff must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the entity owed a duty of care to the plaintiff and: the entity knew of the abuse by an employee or volunteer and intentionally allowed the abuse to continue; or knew the employee or volunteer committed previous abuse against another individual and intentionally or fraudulently harbored, concealed, or withheld information about the prior act, resulting in the plaintiff's injury. Actions against an entity shall not include actions or inactions occurring before July 1, 1988. Individual members or owners of unincorporated associations are not liable for the actions of the association. Sovereign and governmental immunity is expressly waived for actions pursued against entities during the look-back period. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Heath Clark (147th) Judiciary Committee Action: 03-11-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 1078 Courts; assessment and collection of a technology fee by any court in this state; authorize Bill Summary: HB 1078 authorizes magistrate courts to assess and collect technology fees. A technology fee must be approved by the county before it can be accessed or collected. Prior to establishing a technology fee, the chief judge of the superior court must create, and serve as the chair of, a Criminal Justice Information Systems Committee. The committee shall supervise the expenditure of the proceeds of the technology fee and make recommendations. The established fee shall not exceed $10 and will be collected by the clerk of the magistrate court and remitted on a monthly basis. The fee may be charged and collected, not more than once per party within any one action or proceeding, for any: conviction, filing of a civil action, filing of an affidavit, and except for an affidavit of indigency. The fee shall be maintained in a segregated fund and be used exclusively for certain technological needs of the court. The technology fee account will be audited annually. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Andrew Welch (110th) Judiciary Committee Action: 03-11-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute Juvenile Justice Committee HB 1068 Domestic relations; equitable caregivers; provide Bill Summary: House Bill 1068 amends O.C.G.A. 19-7-3.1, relating to court proceedings, to allow an individual to become the caregiver of a child. Under the provisions of the bill, the initial pleading House of Representatives Daily Report for March 11, 2020 Committee Actions example in this Code section is amended to include a statement that demonstrates the child will suffer physical or long-term emotional harm if the child remains with the parent, and that continuing the relationship with the caregiver is in the best interest of the child. Any party granted custody under the Code section might have custodial rights removed if the court finds the child is no longer under risk of physical or long-term emotional harm from the parent. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Chuck Efstration (104th) Juvenile Justice Committee Action: 03-11-2020 Do Pass HB 1074 Georgia Loves Our Adolescents Act of 2020; enact Bill Summary: HB 1074 requires all child-placing agencies to provide to the Division of Family and Children Services of the Department of Human Services with quarterly statistical data on the number of foster families currently approved, licensed, or certified by the agency. The data should include the county of residence, the capacity of the foster home, and the types of children the home can accommodate. The division will additionally compile data on the number of foster parents who submitted applications to serve as foster parents during each quarter and the result of such applications. The information shall be published by the division every six months. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Chuck Efstration (104th) Juvenile Justice Committee Action: 03-11-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute Regulated Industries Committee HB 570 State government; sports betting in this state; provide Bill Summary: House Bill 570 adds Chapter 41 to Title 50 of the O.C.G.A. This new chapter is established to regulate pari-mutuel betting, casino gaming, and sports betting. The bill creates the Georgia Gaming Commission. The commission is provided with all the powers and duties necessary to exercise the control of pari-mutuel wagering on horseracing, casino gambling, and sports betting in this state. The bill also creates the Georgia Gaming Control Board. The board is provided all the powers and duties necessary to implement and administer day-to-day activities regarding pari-mutuel wagering on horseracing, casino gambling, and sports betting in this state. The state treasurer is required to separately account for the proceeds of pari-mutuel wagering on horseracing, casino gambling, and sports betting and those funds must be utilized for health care services and health insurance purposes and projects only. No racetrack for horse racing with pari-mutuel wagering or a facility for casino gambling may be constructed or licensed without first being approved by the electors of the county where it will be located. An application fee of $250,000 and an annual licensing fee of $50,000 shall apply to all racetracks with pari-mutuel betting. The proceeds from such wagering shall be taxed at 10 percent. An application fee of $250,000 and an annual licensing fee of $250,000 shall apply to all casino gaming facilities. The proceeds from such gaming shall be taxed at 19 percent. An application fee of $250,000 and an annual licensing fee of $250,000 shall apply to all facilities conducting sports betting. The proceeds from such betting shall be taxed at 19 percent. The bill also defines what it means to cheat and establishes the consequences for doing so. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Ron Stephens (164th) Regulated Industries Committee Action: 03-11-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HR 378 Georgia Gaming Commission; all forms of betting, bingo games, raffles, and gambling shall be permitted; provide - CA Bill Summary: House Resolution 378 is a constitutional amendment that allows for the Georgia Lottery to offer sports betting and allows the General Assembly by law to provide for the operation and regulation of pari-mutuel betting, casino gambling, and sports betting on the premises of racetracks and casinos. The General Assembly must create a gaming commission responsible for regulating pari-mutuel betting, casino gambling, and sports betting and to tax those activities. The proceeds derived from the regulation and taxation of these activities must be used to pay the expenses of regulating and taxing the activities and to fund health care services and health insurance coverage. House of Representatives Daily Report for March 11, 2020 Committee Actions The net proceeds, after operating expenses, must be separately accounted for and specifically identified in the governor's annual budget. Pari-mutuel betting, casino gambling, or sports betting may not take place in any county unless the electors of that county have approved a referendum. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Ron Stephens (164th) Regulated Industries Committee Action: 03-11-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute Ways & Means Committee HB 979 Ad valorem tax; contracts with the county tax commissioner; modify provisions Bill Summary: House Bill 979 amends O.C.G.A. 48-5-359.1, relating to contracts with the county tax commissioner to assess and collect municipal taxes and prepare the tax digest. The bill repeals the authorization of a tax commissioner, in a county with 50,000 or fewer tax parcels, to receive compensation from the municipality for the additional duties and responsibilities regarding collecting and assessing municipal taxes. In a county with 50,000 or more tax parcels, a tax commissioner who is compensated on a salary basis shall not receive compensation or any other form of personal remuneration for the additional duties and responsibilities regarding collecting and assessing municipal taxes, except for payments made from the county general fund that are commensurate compensation for the additional duties performed. Any sum paid to a tax commissioner in a manner inconsistent with these provisions shall be recovered by the state revenue commissioner. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Chuck Martin (49th) Ways & Means Committee Action: 03-11-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 1102 Revised Homestead Option Sales and Use Tax Act of 2020; enact Bill Summary: House Bill 1102 amends Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the O.C.G.A., by adding the 'Revised Homestead Option Sales and Use Tax Act of 2020.' The bill allows for the voters of a county where a homestead option sales and use tax (HOST) is currently in place to file a petition, signed by at least 10 percent of the registered voters, with the county election superintendent to replace the current HOST with a revised homestead option sales and use tax (RHOST). Ninety-nine percent of the proceeds of a RHOST must be disbursed to each municipality and used to roll back, and eliminate if possible, the millage rates for the ad valorem taxes on homesteaded properties and the remaining one percent shall be directed to the state general fund to defray the cost of administration. The bill also contains ballot language for the replacement of a HOST with a RHOST and the termination of a RHOST. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Dale Rutledge (109th) Ways & Means Committee Action: 03-11-2020 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. Thursday, March 12, 2020 7:30 AM SPECIAL CMTE ON ACCESS TO THE CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEM - Agenda TBD 132 CAP 8:00 AM INSURANCE 406 CLOB 9:00 AM RULES 341 CAP 10:00 AM FLOOR SESSION (LD 28) House Chamber 2:00 PM TRANSPORTATION - Agenda TBD 506 CLOB 2:00 PM JUDICIARY CIVIL - Agenda TBD 132 CAP