Daily report, 2020 March 5

Thursday March 5,
2020

DAILY REPORT 25th Legislative Day

House Budget & Research Office (404) 656-5050

The House will reconvene for its 26th Legislative Day on Monday, March 9 at 2:00 p.m. The Rules Committee will meet at 1:00 p.m. Five bills / resolutions are expected to be debated on the floor.

Today on the Floor

Motions to Insist
HB 792 Supplemental appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020
Bill Summary: The Amended FY 2020 budget is set by a revenue estimate of $27.3 billion, a decrease of $159 million from the original FY 2020 estimate. The bill, tracking sheet, and highlights may be found on the House Budget and Research Office website: http://www.house.ga.gov/budget.

Authored By: Rep. David Ralston (7th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Open

Motions to Insist: (A motion to insist sends the bill back to the Senate for consideration.)

SB 68

Local School Systems; financial management; strengthen provisions
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 68 increases training requirements for local boards of education by adding financial management training, and it requires all previous annual training requirements to be completed before becoming eligible for re-election. Newly-elected board members will receive guidance and training specific to his or her local school system's most recent audit findings and the risk status of the local school system.
The Department of Audits and Accounts shall designate local school systems with irregularities or budget deficits for three or more consecutive years as high-risk local school systems, and school systems with one year to two consecutive years of irregularities or budget deficits as moderate-risk local school systems. The local school superintendent must submit a corrective action plan to the Department of Education within 120 days of receiving notice of the risk designation from the local board of education. The local school superintendent of a high-risk or moderate-risk local school system is required by Senate Bill 68 to complete financial management and financial governance training.
SB 68 requires specific contractual obligations to be made relating to maintaining or achieving financial stability of the local school system when entering into a flexibility contract with the State Board of Education. If a system is designated as a high-risk local school system, there must be a written corrective action plan in place. The Department of Education will monitor the financial stability of each local school system and provide support and guidance to high-risk and moderate-risk local school systems.
Part II of Senate Bill 68 amends multiple provisions of the Code relating to the Chief Turnaround Office by moving the oversight of turnaround schools from the State Board of Education to the Department of Education and establishes a teacher leader's stipend.
Teacher leaders, known as turnaround instructional innovation specialists, will be eligible to receive a stipend funded by a 2:1 state/local partnership with $5,000 funded from the state and another $2,500 from the local system. A teacher leader must agree to teach in a turnaround school for at least three

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 5, 2020

Today on the Floor

consecutive years and to other criteria as required by the state school superintendent in O.C.G.A. 2014-49.4(c) in order to receive a stipend. After receiving a stipend for three consecutive years, the teacher leader is eligible to convert the state portion of the stipend into a permanent salary step increase on the state salary schedule, subject to appropriations.

Part III of Senate Bill 68 amends O.C.G.A. 20-2-989.7 to allow teachers who have accepted a contract for the fourth or subsequent consecutive school year to appeal a personnel evaluation of 'Unsatisfactory,' 'Ineffective,' or 'Needs Development'. Local school systems must develop an appeals policy for teachers.

Part IV amends O.C.G.A. 20-2-58 by requiring local boards of education to hold a public comment period during every regular monthly meeting. Local boards of education shall not require individuals to give more than 24-hours' notice before the meeting to participate in the public comment period.

Authored By: Sen. Freddie Sims (12th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Insist: (A motion to insist sends the bill back to the Senate for consideration.)

Motions to Disagree
HB 792 Supplemental appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020
Bill Summary: The Amended FY 2020 budget is set by a revenue estimate of $27.3 billion, a decrease of $159 million from the original FY 2020 estimate. The bill, tracking sheet, and highlights may be found on the House Budget and Research Office website: http://www.house.ga.gov/budget.

Authored By: Rep. David Ralston (7th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Open

Motions to Disagree: (A motion to disagree sends the bill back to the Senate for consideration.)

Rules Calendar
HB 488 Commerce and trade; prevent organized retail crime
Bill Summary: HB 488 requires merchants that buy or resell stored value cards to record certain information regarding the transaction in the same way as a pawnshop, and knowingly failing to do so may be punished as a misdemeanor.
In addition, a plea of nolo contendere for the crime of shoplifting counts as a conviction when counting subsequent convictions for shoplifting. HB 488 allows a judge to depart from the mandatory minimum sentence for fourth or subsequent offenses when the prosecuting attorney and the defendant have agreed to a sentence that is below the mandatory sentence.
Finally, HB 488 creates the new offense of organized retail theft. A person is guilty of organized retail theft when that person appropriates property of a store or retail establishment without paying for the property; the property is taken from one or more stores over a period of 180 days with the intent to sell it for monetary or other gain; and the aggregate value of the property subject to the theft has a value exceeding $20,000. The punishment for organized retail theft is a felony with a term of imprisonment not less than five nor more than 20 years and a fine not to exceed $50,000.

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

Rep. Martin Momtahan (17th) Judiciary Non-Civil
Yeas: Nays: Recommit to Rules

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-28-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 576 Courts; distribution priority of partial payments of fines, bond forfeitures, and costs; provide
Bill Summary: HB 576 reprioritizes the distribution order of payments collected from driving under the influence and reckless driving fines to move the Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund up from 12th to 5th in order to receive payments.

Authored By:

Rep. Ricky Williams (145th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Page 2 of 18

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 5, 2020

Today on the Floor

House Committee: Floor Vote:

Judiciary Non-Civil Yeas: 165 Nays: 0

Committee Action: Amendments:

02-28-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 815 Sales and use tax; local authorities providing public water or sewer service; exempt
Bill Summary: House Bill 815 amends O.C.G.A. 48-8-3, relating to exemptions from sales and use taxes, by adding an exemption for sales to an authority which provides public water or sewer service.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Houston Gaines (117th) Ways & Means
Yeas: 166 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Structured 02-27-2020 Do Pass

HB 847

Hemp farming; definitions, penalties and criminal background checks; provide
Bill Summary: HB 847 defines "key participant" as the sole proprietor, a partner, or person with managerial control in a corporation. It specifies the term "hemp products" shall not include any part of the Cannabis plant, except for completely defoliated mature stalks, fiber produced from the stalks, or sterilized seeds.

Any college or university in Georgia may pilot a hemp research program. Colleges and universities are also authorized to engage third parties to assist in research programs.

The bill allows a licensee to provide or sell hemp to another person who is not a Georgia licensee or permittee so long as that person is located in a state with a hemp regulation plan that is in accordance with the United States Department of Agriculture. A licensee may also sell to any Georgia college or university.

HB 847 revises background check requirements for licensees and permittees by requiring that key participants provide at least one set of electronically recorded fingerprints to the Georgia Department of Agriculture. The Department of Agriculture shall then transmit the fingerprints to the Georgia Crime Information Center, which in turn shall submit the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a search of bureau records.

The bill requires any hemp or hemp products that are shipped, transported, or otherwise delivered to have proper documentation that indicates that the hemp meets federal hemp guidelines, including that it does not exceed the federally-defined THC level for hemp. Any person transporting or shipping hemp or hemp products must also carry a bill of lading that includes the following: name and address of the owner of the hemp; point of origin; name and address of the point of delivery; kind and quantity of packages; and date of shipment.

HB 847 increases the initial permit fee for a hemp processor from $25,000 to $50,000. The Georgia Department of Agriculture has the right to collect samples of hemp for testing, which must be collected before any hemp may be harvested.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. John Corbett (174th) Agriculture & Consumer Affairs
Yeas: 159 Nays: 7

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

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

HB 855

State Board of Education; determine eligibility criteria for foster care students to receive special education and related services; provisions
Bill Summary: House Bill 855 creates O.C.G.A. 20-2-152.2 relating to the evaluation of foster care students to determine whether the student has been exposed to trauma which adversely affected the student's educational performance or behavior. No later than January 1, 2021, the Department of Education will provide guidance to local school systems on procedures to immediately and deliberately evaluate foster care students when the student enrolls in the school.

Authored By: Rep. Marcus Wiedower (119th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Page 3 of 18

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 5, 2020

Today on the Floor

House Committee: Floor Vote:

Education Yeas: 166 Nays: 0

Committee Action: Amendments:

02-27-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 859 Motor vehicles; tinting of windows or windshields; provide maximum monetary penalty
Bill Summary: House Bill 859 sets a maximum monetary penalty of $50 for the first offense and $75 for each subsequent offense to the misdemeanor violation of the window tint law.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Clay Pirkle (155th)

Rule Applied:

Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee Action:

Yeas: 139 Nays: 26

Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-24-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 885

Penal institutions; certain information within inmate files of the Department of Corrections shall not be classified as confidential state secrets when requested by the district attorney; provide
Bill Summary: HB 885 grants district attorneys access to all information regarding an offender's record, including confidential state secrets, when the offender is found guilty of serious violent felonies or dangerous sexual offenses and is eligible for parole. Moreover, a person that divulges or is caused to be divulged of confidential state secrets is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Jesse Petrea (166th) Judiciary Non-Civil
Yeas: 108 Nays: 57

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-28-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 1054 Health; newborn screening for various disorders; revise provisions
Bill Summary: House Bill 1054 authorizes the Department of Public Health to promulgate rules and regulations creating a newborn screening system for the prevention of serious illness, severe physical or developmental disability, and death caused by inherited metabolic and genetic disorders.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Sharon Cooper (43rd) Health & Human Services
Yeas: 161 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-28-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HR 1094 Property; granting of non-exclusive easements; authorize
Bill Summary: HR 1094 authorizes the granting of non-exclusive easements for the construction, operation, and maintenance of facilities, utilities, roads, and ingress and egress in, on, over, under, upon, across, or through property owned by the state of Georgia in the counties of Barrow, Calhoun, Chatham, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Crisp, Dougherty, Douglas, McIntosh, Muscogee, Paulding, Polk, and Richmond, as follows:
Article 1 grants an easement to Georgia Power Company or its successors and assigns over approximately 0.75 of an acre in Barrow County under the custody of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for the construction, installation, operation and maintenance of underground electrical transmission lines and associated equipment that will serve the recreation fields at Fort Yargo State Park-Victor Lord Park for $10.
Article 2 grants an easement to Diverse Power or its successors and assigns over approximately 4.94 acres in Calhoun and Dougherty Counties under the custody of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for the construction, installation, operation and maintenance of underground electrical transmission lines and associated equipment to serve new shooting range at Chickasawhatchee Wildlife Management Area for $10.
Article 3 grants an easement to Atlanta Gas Light or its successors and assigns over approximately 1.128 acres in Chatham County under the custody of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for the construction, installation, operation and maintenance of underground natural gas lines and

Page 4 of 18

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 5, 2020

Today on the Floor

associated equipment to serve Hutchinson Island across the Savannah River for $66,400.
Article 4 grants an easement to Georgia Power Company or its successors and assigns over approximately 0.21 of an acre in Cherokee County under the custody of the Department of Human Services for the construction, installation, operation and maintenance of overhead and underground electrical transmission lines and associated equipment to serve the new Department of Family and Children Services and Division of Child Support Services Building for $10.
Article 5 grants an easement to Clayton County or its successors and assigns over approximately 0.89 of an acre under the custody of the Georgia Department of Agriculture for the construction, installation, operation and maintenance of waterline, sewer line, and water vaults to serve the Atlanta State Farmers Market for $10.
Article 6 grants an easement to Atlanta Gas Light or its successors and assigns over approximately 0.02 of an acre in Cobb County under the custody of the Technical College System of Georgia for the construction, installation, operation and maintenance of underground gas distribution lines to serve the Marietta Campus of Chattahoochee Technical College for $10.
Article 7 grants an easement to Bridgeline Capital, LLC or its successors and assigns over approximately 0.326 of an acre in Cobb County under the custody of the Technical College System of Georgia for the construction, installation, operation and maintenance of underground sanitary sewer lines to serve their new development at the Marietta Campus of Chattahoochee Technical College for $8,900.
Article 8 grants an easement to Crisp County Power Commission or its successors and assigns over approximately 0.75 of an acre in Crisp County under the custody of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for the construction, installation, operation and maintenance of underground fiber optic line to serve a new telecommunication tower at Georgia Veterans State Park for $10.
Article 9 grants an easement to Southern Fiberworks or its successors and assigns over approximately 9.11 acres in Crisp County under the custody of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for the construction, installation, operation and maintenance of underground fiber optic cable to serve park facilities at Georgia Veterans State Park for $10.
Article 10 grants an easement to Greystone Power Corporation or its successors and assigns over approximately 0.16 of an acre in Douglas County under the custody of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for the construction, installation, operation and maintenance of underground electrical transmission line and associated equipment to serve new restroom building at Sweetwater Creek State Park for $10.
Article 11 grants an easement to Georgia Power Company or its successors and assigns over approximately 0.009 of an acre in McIntosh County under the custody of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for the construction, installation, operation and maintenance of underground transmission line and associated equipment to serve new host site at Fort King George State Park for $10.
Article 12 grants an easement to the City of Darien or its successors and assigns over approximately 0.009 of an acre in McIntosh County under the custody of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for the construction, installation, operation and maintenance of underground sanitation line and associated equipment to serve new host site at Fort King George State Park for $10.
Article 13 grants an easement to Columbus Consolidated Government or its successors and assigns over approximately 0.12 of an acre in Muscogee County under the custody of the Georgia Bureau of Investigations for the construction, installation, operation and maintenance of a sanitary sewer line to serve the Columbus Crime Laboratory Campus for $10.
Article 14 grants an easement to Ronald Collum or its successors and assigns over approximately 1.19 acres in Paulding and Polk Counties under the custody of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for ingress egress in exchange for Ronald Collum to convey an old access easement to the
Page 5 of 18

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 5, 2020

Today on the Floor

State, along with three additional access easement totaling approximately 2.51 acres at Paulding Forest Wildlife Management Area.

Article 15 grants an easement to the Hale Foundation, Inc. or its successors and assigns over approximately 0.25 of an acre in Richmond County under the custody of the Technical College System of Georgia for the construction, operation and maintenance of an access easement for ingress egress over Augusta Technical College for fair market value not less than $650.

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

Rep. Emory Dunahoo (30th) State Properties
Yeas: 97 Nays: 71 Adopted (Resolution)

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Open 02-26-2020 Do Pass

HR 1167 Property; conveyance of certain state owned real property; authorize
Bill Summary: HR 1167 is a conveyance resolution for properties located in six counties, conveying property owned by the state of Georgia or amending those conveyances, as follows:
Article 1 authorizes a purchase option and conveys 2.203 acres of property in Fulton County, located in Land Lots 77 and 78 of the 14th District of Fulton County, to CNN Center Ventures for the consideration of $18,800,000.
Article 2 surpluses approximately 2.066 acres of improved real property in Glynn County, being a portion, commonly known as the former Georgia Air National Guard Site, under the custody of the Department of Defense, to a local government or State entity for a consideration of $10 so long as the property is used for public purpose in perpetuity.
Article 3 leases approximately 14.6 acres, being a portion of the New Echota Historic Site at 143 Craigtown Rd., City of Calhoun, under the custody of the Department of Natural Resources, to the Calhoun Elks Home, Inc. for a term of 10 years with two five-year renewal options for fair market value.
Article 4 removes a deed restriction over approximately 4.01 acres of improved property, commonly known as Courthouse Square in Muscogee County, for $10.
Article 5 conveys approximately 0.191 of an acre, being a portion of the Paulding Campus of Chattahoochee Technical College, under the custody of the Technical College System of Georgia, to Paulding County for the Dallas Battlefield Trail for $10.
Article 6 leases approximately 59,360 square feet of the Paulding Youth Detention Center, under the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice, at 538 Industrial Blvd. N., City of Dallas to Wellspring Living, Inc. for a term of five years with two five-year renewal options for $10 annually and the requirement that Wellspring Living, Inc. operate the building exclusively on behalf of the Department of Juvenile Justice's mission as a receiving center.
Article 7 conveys approximately 0.076 of an acre, being a portion of the Dillard Apple House, under the custody of the Department of Agriculture, to the Georgia Department of Transportation for a total consideration of $6,200, being comprised of $4,125 in fee and $2,025 for cost to cure.
Article 8 conveys approximately 0.131 of an acre, being a portion of the Dillard Farmers Market, under the custody of the Department of Agriculture, to the Georgia Department of Transportation for a total consideration of $10,300.
Article 9 conveys approximately 25 acres of improved property, known as the Hooks-Hanner Environmental Resource Center, under the custody of the Department of Natural Resources, for $10 so long as the property is used for public purpose in perpetuity and subject to a lease-back of approximately 844 square foot portion of the 5,348 square foot office building along with approximately 4,750 square foot storage warehouse building for a term of 10 years with an option to

Page 6 of 18

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 5, 2020

Today on the Floor

renew for another 10 years for the consideration of $10 annually.

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

Rep. Gerald Greene (151st) State Properties
Yeas: 165 Nays: 2 Adopted (Resolution)

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Open 02-26-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Postponed Until Next Legislative Day
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: Rep. Bruce Williamson (115th)

Rule Applied: Structured

HB 641

Georgia Bureau of Investigation; grant powers and duties to identify and investigate violations of the Georgia Computer Systems Protection Act and other computer crimes
Bill Summary: House Bill 641 authorizes the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) to identify and investigate violations of the 'Georgia Computer Systems Protection Act' and other criminal offenses involving the use of a computer or computer network. The legislation also grants the GBI subpoena power for these investigations, with the consent of the attorney general.

Authored By: Rep. Eddie Lumsden (12th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Page 7 of 18

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 5, 2020

Next on the Floor

Next on the Floor from the Committee on Rules
The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 26th Legislative Day, Monday, March 9, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker. The Rules Committee will next meet on Monday, March 9, at
12:00 p.m., to set the Rules Calendar for the 27th Legislative Day.

HB 911

Crimes and offenses; offenses of improper sexual conduct by a foster parent in the first and second degrees; provide
Bill Summary: HB 911 adds foster parents to the list of individuals who have authority over individuals under their care, such as teachers, therapists, and correctional officers, who can be charged with improper sexual contact in the first and second degree.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Ed Setzler (35th) Judiciary Non-Civil

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-28-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 983

Sexual Offender Registration Review Board; information required to be provided by sexual offenders when they register; revise
Bill Summary: HB 983 adds landlines and mobile telephone numbers to the list of required registration information that must be submitted to the Sexual Offender Registration Review Board. A sexual offender who resides in a private or state operated health care facility, hospice facility, or skilled nursing home may complete the annual registration requirement at any time during their birthday month with the permission of the sheriff of the county where the offender resides. The sheriff may also waive that offender's requirement to be fingerprinted.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Ricky Williams (145th) Judiciary Non-Civil

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 03-02-2020 Do Pass

HB 984

Criminal procedure; sentencing; change provisions
Bill Summary: HB 984 grants the sentencing court more time to hear arguments regarding motions modifying a defendant's sentence by removing the requirement to issue an order or hear the matter within the time limits required to file the motion by the defendant. The bill clarifies the computation of time served by granting the defendant time served for each day of incarceration in any facility preand post-trial.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. James Burchett (176th) Judiciary Non-Civil

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-28-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Page 8 of 18

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 5, 2020

Committee Actions

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

Appropriations Committee

HR 18

Robinson, Mr. Jakeith Bendray, Sr.; compensate
Bill Summary: HR 18 authorizes the Department of Administrative Services to pay Jakeith Bendray Robinson, Sr. $560,000 in the form of an annuity paid in equal monthly installments over 20-years beginning one year after an initial lump sum payment of $50,000.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Carolyn Hugley (136th) Appropriations

Committee Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HR 1038 Gardiner, Kenneth Eric; compensate
Bill Summary: HR 1038 authorizes the Department of Administrative Services to pay Kenneth Eric Gardiner $1,000,000 in the form of an annuity paid in equal monthly installments over 20-years beginning one year after an initial lump sum payment of $50,000.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. J. Craig Gordon (163rd) Appropriations

Committee Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HR 1039 Lucci, Dominic Brian; compensate
Bill Summary: HR 1039 authorizes the Department of Administrative Services to pay Dominic Brian Lucci $1,000,000 in the form of an annuity paid in equal monthly installments over 20-years beginning one year after an initial lump sum payment of $50,000.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. J. Craig Gordon (163rd) Appropriations

Committee Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HR 1041 Jones, Mark Jason; compensate
Bill Summary: HR 1041 authorizes the Department of Administrative Services to pay Mark Jason Jones $1,000,000 in the form of an annuity paid in equal monthly installments over 20-years beginning one year after an initial lump sum payment of $50,000.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. J. Craig Gordon (163rd) Appropriations

Committee Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Education Committee

HB 86

Education; complaints policy for teachers and other school personnel; provisions
Bill Summary: House Bill 86 amends O.C.G.A. 20-2-989.7 to allow teachers to appeal a summative personnel evaluation of 'Unsatisfactory,' 'Ineffective,' or 'Needs Development' to an independent third party. Local units of administration must develop a complaint review policy for teachers to appeal an evaluation by October 1, 2020, and submit the policy to the Department of Education.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Tommy Benton (31st) Education

Committee Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Page 9 of 18

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 5, 2020

Committee Actions

HB 1026 Education; number of REACH scholars to be designated by participating school systems; revise
Bill Summary: House Bill 527 amends O.C.G.A. 20-3-499, relating to the selection of REACH scholars. Under the provisions of this bill, the number of REACH scholars is reduced from 12 to eight for school systems with five or more high schools and from seven to five for school systems with less than five high schools.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Robert Dickey (140th) Education

Committee Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass

HB 1055 Equal Opportunity for Access in Education Act; enact
Bill Summary: House Bill 1055 creates the 'Equal Opportunity for Access in Education Act', which allows home school students to participate in extracurricular and interscholastic activities within the student's resident public school system. HB 1055 describes the eligibility requirements for participation, notably, students must take an online virtual course through the resident school the student is assigned to the semester before participating in the activity and the semester the student participates in the activity.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Rick Jasperse (11th) Education

Committee Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Governmental Affairs Committee

HB 848

State government; provide the Department of Administrative Services additional options when disposing of surplus property in the best interest of the state; change certain definitions
Bill Summary: House Bill 848 allows the Department of Administrative Services to sell surplus property to political subdivisions, charitable institutions, or public corporations that are not located in Georgia.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Shaw Blackmon (146th) Governmental Affairs

Committee Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass

HB 854

Local government; battery charged fences; provisions
Bill Summary: House Bill 854 provides definitions, requirements, and standards for battery-charged fences within counties and municipal corporations. The bill prohibits a county or municipality from doing the following: prohibiting battery-charged fences, requiring a permit or fee for the installation or use of battery-charged fences, and imposing additional operational requirements beyond what is defined in Code.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Dale Rutledge (109th) Governmental Affairs

Committee Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 867 Local government; county operated airport property; provisions
Bill Summary: House Bill 867 prohibits certain municipalities from annexing territories that contain a county-operated airport.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Chuck Martin (49th) Governmental Affairs

Committee Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Page 10 of 18

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 5, 2020

Committee Actions

HB 898

Local government; counties and municipalities to consider the effect of a proposed zoning action on local school systems; allow
Bill Summary: House Bill 898 permits local governments to consider the impact on local school systems and school overcrowding when making zoning decisions.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Michael Wilensky (79th) Governmental Affairs

Committee Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass

HB 953

Administrative Services, Department of; certain terms in particular types of state contracts shall be void and unenforceable and should not be included in such agreements; provide
Bill Summary: House Bill 953, relating to state purchasing, provides guidelines for contracts that are entered into by the Department of Administrative Services.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Bonnie Rich (97th) Governmental Affairs

Committee Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass

HB 1014 Local government; downtown development authorities; remove provision providing perpetual existence to such authorities
Bill Summary: House Bill 1014 removes a provision that requires downtown development authorities to exist in perpetuity.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Jan Tankersley (160th) Governmental Affairs

Committee Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass

HB 1029 Twiggs County; office of probate judge; provide nonpartisan elections
Bill Summary: House Bill 1029 specifies that elections for the office of probate judge of Twiggs County will be nonpartisan. The bill does not impact the current term of the sitting probate judge of Twiggs County, but will apply in all future elections.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Danny Mathis (144th) Governmental Affairs

Committee Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass

HB 1030 Twiggs County; office of chief judge of the Magistrate Court; provide nonpartisan elections
Bill Summary: House Bill 1030 specifies that elections for the office of chief judge of the magistrate court of Twiggs County will be nonpartisan. The bill does not impact the current term of the chief judge of the magistrate court of Twiggs County, but will apply in all future elections.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Danny Mathis (144th) Governmental Affairs

Committee Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass

HB 1045 Insurance; include flood risk reduction in the enumerated list of county purposes for which certain proceeds from county taxes shall be used
Bill Summary: House Bill 1045 adds flood risk reduction to the list of services that a county may provide with the proceeds from certain county taxes.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Don Hogan (179th) Governmental Affairs

Committee Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Page 11 of 18

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 5, 2020

Committee Actions

SB 295

Courts and Revenue and Taxation; cost-of-living and general performance based increases; revise
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 295 provides that the minimum salary schedules for specified constitutional officers will not be increased by state cost-of-living or performance-based raises that went into effect prior to January 1, 2020.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. John Wilkinson (50th) Governmental Affairs

Committee Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Higher Education Committee

HB 16

Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act; enact
Bill Summary: HB 16 provides that students who are identified as homeless or from a foster home situation are eligible for in-state tuition at University System of Georgia institutions for 10 years or until the student achieves a baccalaureate degree, as well as eligible for in-state tuition at Technical College System of Georgia's institutions for 10 years or until the student achieves a diploma, certificate, or baccalaureate degree. The bill clarifies that students from a homeless situation does not include an individual who is a non-citizen or has been incarcerated in any correctional institution, detention center, jail, or other similar facility after having been convicted of a crime in the past 12 months.

Additionally, HB 16 provides that state funded foster care assistance is not considered income for the purposes of determining financial aid within the limits of federal law.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Sandra Scott (76th) Higher Education

Committee Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 736

Education; loan forgiveness program for teachers who agree to teach in a turnaround school in a high demand subject area; establish
Bill Summary: HB 736 creates a refundable income tax credit for a teacher recruitment and retention program managed by the State Board of Education. Eligible teachers include those with a bachelor's degree in education from a postsecondary institution in Georgia that has a teacher certification program certified by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. Additionally, a teacher must accept their first school-year contract in the 2020-2021 school year in a rural or turnaround school identified by the Department of Education and hold a valid five-year induction or professional certificate from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. Eligible teachers must submit an application to the department to participate, and no new applications will be accepted after December 31, 2020.

The department will identify no more than 100 rural and turnaround schools, and the recruitment and retention program are limited to 1,000 participating teachers. Participating teachers are eligible for a refundable tax credit of $3,000 per each school year for no more than five years.

Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, the Office of Student Achievement will evaluate the program and provide the governor, General Assembly, and State Board of Education with a report that includes the number of participants and the length of participation in the program.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. D. C. Belton (112th) Higher Education

Committee Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Page 12 of 18

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 5, 2020

Committee Actions

Judiciary Non-Civil Committee

HB 720

Criminal procedure; term of probation shall follow the mandatory term of imprisonment for persons convicted of a sexual offense; clarify
Bill Summary: HB 720 makes adjustments in Code related to persons convicted of a sexual offense. It requires at least one year of probation following the mandatory term of imprisonment for certain sexual offenses. For second or subsequent convictions of a sexual offense from different events than a previous conviction, the bill requires probation for life and may be subject to electronic monitoring. After 10 years of probation, probationers for life who have met certain criteria may have the probation terminated by a petition to the court filed by the Department of Community Supervision, and the court shall take whatever action it determines is in the best interest of justice and society.

Any law enforcement agency of a competent jurisdiction may post a sign in the front of the residence of any person on such probation that states 'No candy or treats at this residence' on October 30th and 31st of each year.

The bill renames the Sexual Offender Registration Review Board as the 'Sexual Offender Risk Review Board', which is authorized to hire investigators. HB 720 provides a framework for how the board determines classifications and how offenders can dispute the classification of the board.

HB 720 clarifies that the consent of the victim under the age of 16 is not a defense for sodomy, aggravated sodomy, sexual battery, aggravated sexual battery, child molestation, aggravated child molestation. If a victim chooses not to immediately report a sexual assault, the law enforcement agency must maintain any physical evidence collected for at least 12 months. The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council shall create and operate a statewide sexual assault kit tracking system and submit a semiannual report on the data to the appropriate committees of the legislature and to the governor.

Finally, the Georgia Composite Medical Review Board is required to revoke or suspend physicians who commit a sexual assault on a patient.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Steven Sainz (180th) Judiciary Non-Civil

Committee Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 1040 Penal institutions; total maximum fee that shall be collected when pay-only probation is imposed; revise
Bill Summary: HB 1040 increases the cap on the maximum fee collected for pay-only probation to the equivalent of six months of ordinary probation supervision fees.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Emory Dunahoo (30th) Judiciary Non-Civil

Committee Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass

Motor Vehicles Committee
HB 1020 Motor vehicles; license suspension for conviction of drug related offenses; provide Bill Summary: House Bill 1020 changes the hour requirement from 20 hours to 16 hours for the intervention component of DUI risk reduction programs. If an individual completes a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program in order to obtain a limited driving permit, the Department of Driver Services is required to count that completed course toward specified driver's license reinstatement requirements. The bill prohibits a person from consuming or possessing a controlled substance while in the passenger area of a motor vehicle. The completion of a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program is added as part of the punishment for specified driving offenses.
Authored By: Rep. Micah Gravley (67th)
Page 13 of 18

House of Representatives
House Committee:

Daily Report for March 5, 2020

Committee Actions

Motor Vehicles

Committee Action:

03-05-2020 Tabled

Natural Resources & Environment Committee

HB 833

Waters, ports, and watercraft; promulgate rules and regulations regarding long-term anchoring; authorize
Bill Summary: HB 833 defines "long-term anchoring" as anchoring a vessel within a 5,280-foot radius of a documented anchoring point for over 14 cumulative days in a calendar year. Anchoring a vessel within a 5,280- foot radius of a documented anchoring point for up to 14 cumulative days is considered short-term anchoring. "Anchorage restriction areas" are defined as any location in the state within 300 feet of a marina, 150 feet from a marine structure other a marina, or within 500 feet of approved commercial shellfish growing or public harvest areas.

The bill prohibits any person from long-term anchoring a vessel in state estuarine areas without a permit issued by the commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources. Short-term anchoring is not affected and exceptions may be made by the commissioner.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Ron Stephens (164th) Natural Resources & Environment Committee
Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 857

Conservation and natural resources; burning of certain chemically treated wood products for purposes of commercial energy generation; prohibit
Bill Summary: HB 857 requires permits issued for biomass boilers to prohibit the burning of railroad ties treated with creosote or naphthenate compounds for the purpose of commercial electricity generation. Boilers that provide steam or electricity to a co-located forest products processing plant are exempt.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Alan Powell (32nd) Natural Resources & Environment Committee
Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 901

Georgia Environmental Finance Authority; power to make loan commitments and loans to local governments and nongovernment agencies for projects that permanently protect land and water; provide
Bill Summary: HB 901 allows the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority to provide loans or loan commitments to local governments and non-governmental entities for projects that protect land or water with at least one of the following conservation purposes: water quality protection at rivers, streams, and lakes; flood or wetlands protection; erosion reduction; protection of riparian buffers; protection of agricultural and forestry lands; protection of cultural or heritage sites; scenic protection; recreational activities; or the connection of other qualifying projects.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Mike Cheokas (138th) Natural Resources & Environment Committee
Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 906

Heritage Trust Program; condition the method utilized for conveyance of heritage preserve property on the property's amount of acreage
Bill Summary: HB 906 allows the Department of Natural Resources to convey fee simple title up to 15 acres of heritage preserve property to a county or local government or private entity. The Department of Natural Resources must receive approval from the department's board to remove the heritage preserve dedication from the property, approval from the State Properties Commission to convey the property, and file a notice of removal of the heritage preserve dedication with the Secretary of State's office and the office of the clerk of the superior court of the county or counties in which the property is located.

Page 14 of 18

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 5, 2020

Committee Actions

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Darlene Taylor (173rd) Natural Resources & Environment Committee
Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 926

Solid waste management; increase certain solid waste disposal surcharges
Bill Summary: HB 926 removes language to lower the surcharge on the disposal of waste at a solid waste disposal facility from $0.75 per ton of solid waste disposed to $0.51 per ton. The surcharge's sunset date is changed to June 30, 2025. The bill removes language to lower the fee charged on all new replacement tires from $1.00 to $0.38 per tire sold. The fee's sunset date is changed to June 30, 2025.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Terry Rogers (10th) Natural Resources & Environment Committee
Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 927

Air quality; reporting of any unpermitted release of ethylene oxide to the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural Resources; provide
Bill Summary: HB 927 requires any permittee of an operation that includes the emission of ethylene oxide to report a spill or release of any amount of ethylene oxide to the Environmental Protection Division within 24 hours of discovery. The Environmental Protection Division must make the report publicly available on the division's website.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Don Parsons (44th) Natural Resources & Environment Committee
Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 929

Solid waste management; post-closure ground-water monitoring at closed coal combustion residual impoundments; provide
Bill Summary: HB 929 codifies certain state and federal rules by requiring solid waste handling permittees that manage coal combustion residual (CCR) surface impoundments to conduct postclosure care at the impoundments for a minimum of 30 years following the closure. Post-closure care shall include at least the maintenance of the final cover system, monitoring of ground water, and maintenance of the ground-water monitoring system. The Environmental Protection Division will inspect CCR surface impoundments at least once a year during the closure process and at least once every five years following the closure.

The bill requires that any ground-water monitoring report contain an executive summary written in a manner that can be understood by individuals without technical expertise. The summary shall include a description of the facility and CCR surface impoundment, the ground-water monitoring network, results of the most recent sampling, and status of any corrective action, if applicable.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Vance Smith (133rd) Natural Resources & Environment Committee
Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass

HB 959

Solid waste management; surcharges imposed by local governments regarding municipal solid waste facilities operated by private enterprise; increase
Bill Summary: HB 959 raises the required local government surcharge on a municipal solid waste disposal facility operated by a private enterprise from $1.00 per ton to $2.50 per ton. The bill removes an exception for the same facilities that accept coal combustion residuals and raises the required surcharge from $1.00 to $2.50 per ton of coal combustion residuals.

The percentage of surcharges collected by local governments specifically designated to offset repairs is lowered from 50 to 10 percent.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Steven Meeks (178th) Natural Resources & Environment Committee
Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Page 15 of 18

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 5, 2020

Committee Actions

HB 1015 Georgia Carbon Sequestration Registry; inclusion of building products in construction on the registry; provide
Bill Summary: HB 1015 requires the director of the Georgia Forestry Commission to establish the Sustainable Building Material Carbon Sequestration Technical Advisory Committee. The committee's members consist of the following: one member with expertise in engineering and architecture from the Georgia Institute of Technology; one member with expertise related to the Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes; one member that is a real estate developer or builder; one member with expertise related to carbon credit markets; and up to three at-large members. The director of the Georgia Forestry Commission determines the chairperson of the committee. The committee advises the director on interoperability and compatibility of state credits derived from carbon sequestration of building materials with global carbon credit and offset markets.

Developers must register with the Georgia Carbon Sequestration Registry to be eligible to receive credits for the use of carbon-capturing building materials. Participants must provide certified carbon sequestration results to provide a baseline. An approved third-party organization may provide testing of building materials that sequester carbon dioxide. Only projects completed after July 1, 2019 may be considered.

To ensure integrity of the program, the Georgia Forestry Commission must conduct random evaluations of the results provided by participants and report the findings in the biennial report to the governor and General Assembly.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Marcus Wiedower (119th) Natural Resources & Environment Committee
Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee
HB 517 Georgia State Indemnification Fund; replace the term National Guard with the term organized militia in the definition of law enforcement officer
Bill Summary: HB 517 replaces the term "National Guard" with the term "organized militia" in the definition of law enforcement officer in the Code section relating to the Georgia State Indemnification Fund.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Marc Morris (26th) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee
Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass

HB 1017 Public officers and employees; revise when dependents qualify for a payment of indemnification for death under the Georgia State Indemnification Fund
Bill Summary: House Bill 1017 requires indemnification payments for death suffered in the line of duty by a law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, emergency management specialist, state highway employee, or a prison guard to be made to the surviving, not remarried spouse; the surviving children under the age of 19 or under the age of 24 if the child is a student enrolled in an institution of postsecondary education; or any dependents not included in Georgia Code, but who are shown as dependents in the spouse's or deceased person's most recent tax return. In the case of organic brain damage suffered in the line of duty, the payment is made to the legal guardian of the organically brain-damaged person. The bill applies to claims regarding any incident giving rise to a death occurring on or after August 1, 2016.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Dominic LaRiccia (169th) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee
Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass

Page 16 of 18

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 5, 2020

Committee Actions

Special Committee on Access to Quality Health Care Committee
HB 991 Healthcare Transparency and Accountability Act; enact
Bill Summary: House Bill 991 creates the Health Care Transparency and Accountability Oversight Committee. The committee has authority to review the performance and conduct of all state health care plan contractors and their subcontractors.

The oversight committee is composed of nine members: a physician, a pharmacist, and a consumer member who receives benefits from a state health care plan, each appointed by the governor; and six members of the General Assembly, including two members appointed by the governor, two members appointed by the lieutenant governor, and two members appointed by the speaker of the House.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Matt Hatchett (150th) Special Committee on Access to Quality Health Care

Committee Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

State Planning & Community Affairs Committee

HB 630

State government; observe daylight savings time year round; provide
Bill Summary: This bill provides for the state, including all political subdivisions, to observe daylight savings time year-round as the standard time. The new Code section shall become effective only if the United States Congress authorizes states to keep daylight savings time year-round.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Wesley Cantrell (22nd) State Planning & Community Affairs Committee
Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass

Transportation Committee
HB 1098 Highways, bridges, and ferries; development of a state-wide strategic transportation plan; provide
Bill Summary: House Bill 1098 updates the requirement for the Department of Transportation to develop the statewide strategic transportation plan in coordination with the statewide transportation plan that is required by the federal government.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Kasey Carpenter (4th) Transportation

Committee Action:

03-05-2020 Do Pass

HR 1163 Justice Robert Benham Bridge; Bartow County; dedicate Bill Summary: House Resolution 1163 is the annual House version of road dedications and includes the following:
House Resolution 1163, dedicating the bridge on State Route 113 over I-75 in Bartow County as the Justice Robert Benham Bridge;
House Resolution 880, dedicating the bridge over Wilmington River on State Route 26/Island Expressway in Chatham County the Al St. Lawrence Memorial Bridge;
House Resolution 896, dedicating the bridge at Wilmington River on State Route 26/U.S. 80 in Chatham County the James "Jimmy" A. Petrea Bridge;
House Resolution 912, dedicating the new portion of Belfast Siding Road located at Interstate 95 in Bryan County the Jimmy Burnsed Interchange;

Page 17 of 18

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 5, 2020

Committee Actions

House Resolution 913, dedicating the bridge at Belfast Siding Road in Bryan County the FowlerBurnsed Bridge;

House Resolution 1092, dedicating the portion of State Route 153 from State Route 41 to the Marion County line in Webster County as the Chris Shannon Memorial 16 Highway;

House Resolution 1161, dedicating the portion of State Route 15 from mile marker 6 to mile marker 8 in Oconee County as the T/5 James Oscar Hardigree, Jr., U.S. Army WWII Memorial Highway;

House Resolution 1165, dedicating the intersection of State Route 113 and US 41/State Route 3 in Bartow County as the Sgt. Stanley Thomas Bradley Veterans Memorial Intersection;

House Resolution 1218, dedicating the portion of State Route 64 from the city limit of Ray City to the Berrien County border as the James Edward Giddens Memorial Highway;

House Resolution 1238, dedicating the portion of State Route 280 from the Lanier Community to Black Creek Bridge in Bryan County as the Blondean Newman Highway;

House Resolution 1268, dedicating the interchange at Interstate 85 with Interstate 285 in Fulton County as the Emma Darnell Memorial Interchange;

House Resolution 1281, dedicating the portion of State Route 9 from the Dawson County line to the intersection with Highway 53 in Dawson County as Thunder Road;

House Resolution 1283, dedicating the portion of State Route 92 from 1st Avenue to Henry Jackson Road in Spalding County as the Dr. Randy Valimont Memorial Highway;

House Resolution 1267, dedicating the I-75/SR 27 interchange in Dooly County as the Asa Daniels, Jr., Interchange;

House Resolution 1325, dedicating the interchange at I-75 and Pinehurst-Hawkinsville Road/Exit 117 in Dooly County as the Van Peavy, Jr., Interchange.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Matthew Gambill (15th) Transportation

Committee Action:

03-05-2020 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.

Friday, March 06, 2020 10:00 AM Powell Subcommittee of Public Safety and Homeland Security 406 CLOB
Monday, March 09, 2020 7:00 AM APPROPRIATIONS 341 CAP 11:00 AM Reeves Subcommittee of Judiciary Non-Civil 515 CLOB 11:00 AM BUDGET AND FISCAL AFFAIRS 341 CAP 12:30 PM DEFENSE AND VETERANS AFFAIRS 506 CLOB 1:00 PM RULES 341 CAP 3:30 PM Elections Subcommittee of Governmental Affairs 606 CLOB 4:00 PM MOTOR VEHICLES 515 CLOB

Page 18 of 18