Daily report, 2020 March 9

Monday March 9,
2020

DAILY REPORT 26th Legislative Day

House Budget & Research Office (404) 656-5050

The House will reconvene for its 27th Legislative Day on Tuesday, March 10 at 10:00 a.m. The Rules Committee will meet at 9:00 a.m. 12 bills / resolutions are expected to be debated on the floor.

Today on the Floor

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

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Bruce Williamson (115th) Ways & Means
Yeas: 123 Nays: 34

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Structured 02-20-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 877

Motor vehicles; standards for issuance of a Georgia certificate of title for certain motor vehicles; provide
Bill Summary: House Bill 877 changes the definition of "low-speed vehicle" to include non-electric vehicles that have been converted to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. The bill defines "converted motor vehicle" and provides requirements for title issuance.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Don Hogan (179th) Motor Vehicles
Yeas: 161 Nays: 1

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-28-2020 Do Pass

HB 894

Seed Development Commission; stagger terms of members
Bill Summary: HB 894 staggers the terms for members of the Seed Development Commission. The initial terms for members appointed by May 31, 2020 are changed as follows: the governor's two appointees shall serve a single four-year term; the lieutenant governor's appointee shall serve a single five-year term; and the speaker of the House's appointee shall serve a single five-year term. Initial terms for members appointed by May 31, 2021, are changed as follows: two appointees, one each chosen by the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee and the Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, shall serve a single six-year term; the commissioner of Agriculture's appointee shall serve a single five-year term; and the dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences of the University of Georgia's appointee shall serve a single five-year term. The successors to each of these initial appointees shall serve four-year term.

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 9, 2020

Today on the Floor

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Steven Meeks (178th) Agriculture & Consumer Affairs
Yeas: 161 Nays: 1

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-04-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 903

Motor vehicles; issuance of a traffic citation to a vehicle owner in lieu of the individual operating the motor vehicle in certain instances; provide
Bill Summary: House Bill 903 allows citations to be issued to the owner of a vehicle rather than the individual driving the vehicle when the owner is present at the time of issuance. Circumstances when this is allowed are citations for operation of an unregistered vehicle or a vehicle without a current license plate and citations issued for driving an unsafe or improperly equipped vehicle.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Matt Dollar (45th)

Rule Applied:

Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee

Action:

Yeas: 161 Nays: 3

Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-02-2020 Do Pass

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: Floor Vote:

Rep. Ed Setzler (35th) Judiciary Non-Civil
Yeas: 165 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

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: Floor Vote:

Rep. Ricky Williams (145th) Judiciary Non-Civil
Yeas: 164 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

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: Floor Vote:

Rep. James Burchett (176th) Judiciary Non-Civil
Yeas: 164 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

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

HB 1008 Buildings and housing; residential industrial building; revise the definition
Bill Summary: HB 1008 revises the definition of "residential industrialized building" by removing the restriction that prohibits the structure from having a permanent metal chassis.

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 9, 2020

Today on the Floor

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Joe Campbell (171st) Agriculture & Consumer Affairs
Yeas: 166 Nays: 1

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-04-2020 Do Pass

HB 1071 Public utilities; text messages as a method of making unwanted telephone solicitations; prohibit
Bill Summary: House Bill 1071 prohibits text messages as a method of making unwanted telephone solicitations.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Joseph Gullett (19th) Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications Yeas: 162 Nays: 1

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-03-2020 Do Pass

HR 1240 Federal government; allow states to switch to permanent Daylight Saving Time; urge
Bill Summary: House Resolution 1240 urges the federal government to allow states to switch permanently to Daylight Saving Time.

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

Rep. Wesley Cantrell (22nd) Interstate Cooperation
Yeas: 145 Nays: 20 Adopted (Resolution)

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Open 02-26-2020 Do Pass

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 9, 2020

Next on the Floor

Next on the Floor from the Committee on Rules
The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 27th Legislative Day, Tuesday, March 10, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker. The Rules Committee will next meet on Tuesday, March 10,
at 9:00 a.m., to set the Rules Calendar for the 28th Legislative Day.

HB 216 Special license plates; Georgia Tennis Foundation; establish Bill Summary: HB 216 creates a specialty license plate supporting the Georgia Tennis Foundation.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Teri Anulewicz (42nd) Motor Vehicles

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Open 03-03-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 244

Electric membership corporations; comply with certain requirements in determining the rates for attachments to utility poles by communications service providers; require
Bill Summary: House Bill 244 states an electric membership corporation (EMC) shall not charge a pole attachment rate higher than the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rate to a communications service provider. EMCs must establish nondiscriminatory, competitively neutral, and commercially reasonable terms and conditions for attachments, which shall comply with federal Code and FCC regulations. They may not require a provider to comply with utility pole attachment specifications that exceed the specifications in the National Electrical Safety Code, applicable fire codes, and any building or similar code.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Ron Stephens (164th)

Rule Applied:

Economic Development & Tourism Committee

Action:

Modified-Structured 03-03-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 245

Peace Officers' Annuity Fund; require certain benefits payable to a surviving spouse to terminate if such surviving spouse remarries; remove a provision
Bill Summary: HB 245 allows surviving spouses of members of the Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund to retain spousal retirement benefits if the spouse remarries. This bill is certified by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts as a fiscal retirement bill. The actuarial investigation determines there is no cost to this legislation.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Debbie Buckner (137th) Retirement

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 01-14-2020 Do Pass

HB 791

Pharmacists; dispense up to a 90 day supply of a maintenance medication under certain conditions; authorize
Bill Summary: House Bill 791 allows a pharmacist to exercise professional judgement in dispensing up to a 90-day supply of medication up to the total number of dosage units as authorized by the prescriber on the original prescription.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Ron Stephens (164th) Health & Human Services

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

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

HB 793

General appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021
Bill Summary: HB 793, the Fiscal Year 2021 budget is set by a revenue estimate of $28.1 billion, an increase of $566.3 million, or 2.06%, over the FY 2020 original budget. 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

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 9, 2020

Next on the Floor

House Committee:

Appropriations

Committee Action:

03-09-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 807

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

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Martin Momtahan (17th) Ways & Means

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Structured 02-20-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 879

Alcoholic beverages; legislative intent of the General Assembly to exercise strict regulatory control over the three-tier system; provide
Bill Summary: HB 879 reinforces legislative intent to exercise strict control over the three-tier system for the regulation of alcoholic beverages. Except where prohibited by local ordinance or resolution, the bill allows a licensed package goods retailer to sell and deliver alcoholic beverages in unbroken packages for consumption off premises, if that retailer is not: a retail package liquor store; a manufacturer of alcoholic beverages; a carrier; or a shipper. The delivery must be made by a person at least 21 years of age who has: a Georgia driver's license; undergone a background check; no major traffic violation in the past three years; no conviction of driving under the influence in the past seven years; no match on the National Sex Offender Registry; and undergone approved training. The deliverer must refuse to make the delivery if no individual is at the address to accept delivery; or the individual attempting to accept the delivery is less than 21 years old, fails to produce proper identification, fails to provide a signature that matches proper identification, or appears intoxicated.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Brett Harrell (106th) Regulated Industries

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Structured 03-03-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 913

Domestic relations; protection of children; strengthen, clarify, and update provisions
Bill Summary: HB 913 clarifies and refines the Code regarding statutory adoption provisions. The bill clarifies the venue alternatives when a child is placed for adoption with an out-of-state resident. The exception to the general venue rule applies when a child is placed in accordance with the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC), or when the petitioner is a resident of another country. HB 913 reduces the statutory age at which a person is allowed to petition for adoption from 25 to 21 years old. The bill clarifies that adoption petitioners are not subject to the requirements of the ICPC when the ICPC's relative exception applies, or when the petitioners are residents of another country. Moreover, the bill clarifies the deadline for submitting a revocation be delivered by registered mail or by statutory overnight delivery.

HB 913 authorizes use of certified mail with return receipt requested to effect service upon a parent when state law does not require a surrender or termination of parental rights, or when state law authorizes the termination of a parent's rights based on certain circumstances. The bill allows the required search of the putative father registry to be performed after the adoption petition is filed and the results to be attached as an amendment to the petition. The bill requires the petition for adoption to request the appointment of an investigator to verify the allegations in the adoption petition if the court fails to appoint one. HB 913 creates a presumption that a nonresident petitioner can appear for the final hearing via electronic means if the petition for adoption is uncontested.

HB 913 creates a civil cause of action as a tort claim under Georgia law to address adoption scams where individuals intentionally misrepresent a pregnancy or intention to place a child for adoption when the individual is not pregnant or has no intention of placing a child for adoption and no money has been obtained by the individual, but the potential adoptive parents have expended money based

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 9, 2020

Next on the Floor

on the misrepresentation. Finally, the bill incorporates these changes into statutorily prescribed adoption forms.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Albert Reeves (34th) Juvenile Justice

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

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

HB 952

Pharmacies; prohibit corporations that own and operate multiple pharmacies from implementing policies and procedures that restrict the quantity of controlled substances dispensed or restrict the prescriber
Bill Summary: House Bill 952 prohibits corporations that own and operate multiple pharmacy locations in Georgia from establishing or implementing any policy or practice that places a restriction on the quantity or dosage of a prescription for a controlled substance or a restriction on filling a prescription for a controlled substance issued by a specific prescriber.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Sharon Cooper (43rd) Special Committee on Access to Quality Health Care

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-28-2020 Do Pass

HB 1082 Motor vehicles; notification letter for retrieving a motor vehicle held by a towing and storage firm, repair facility, or salvage dealer; provide
Bill Summary: House Bill 1082 changes the requirement from 15 calendar days to 10 calendar days for specified notifications relating to abandoned vehicles. The bill prohibits the addition of taxes, fees, or surcharges to specified fines relating to abandoned vehicles.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Alan Powell (32nd) Motor Vehicles

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 03-03-2020 Do Pass

HB 1111 Public officers and employees; certain provisions related to homeowner tax relief grants; remove
Bill Summary: House Bill 1111 deletes references to the Homeowner Tax Relief grants when reserving funds during revenue shortfalls.
The bill provides new parameters for withholding allotments of appropriated state general funds to agencies after the first quarter of a fiscal year when revenue collections fall by one percent or more below the amount collected for the same period during the prior year. In the event of a shortfall, payments to every agency may be reduced by the same percentage as the shortfall. The governor will provide public notice and hold a public hearing before executing a shortfall withhold, as well as identify and recommend budget reductions to the General Assembly within 30 days of the next session.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Andrew Welch (110th)

Rule Applied:

Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight Committee

Action:

Structured 03-09-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 1112 Public officers and employees; Office of Planning and Budget; repeal certain duties
Bill Summary: House Bill 1112 modernizes portions of the 'Budget Accountability and Planning Act of 1993' and codifies certain existing fiscal practices. The bill establishes a five-member State Council of Economic Advisors who are economists or have expertise in state revenues. The governor appoints three members, which includes the governor's economic advisor who also serves as the chair. The president of the Senate and the speaker of the House each have one appointment. The members meet quarterly to review state treasury receipts less refunds and prepare a range of anticipated revenue for the next amended fiscal year by September 1 and the next fiscal year by July 1. The revenue ranges are shared with the governor, speaker, lieutenant governor, and the chairs of the appropriations committees and published by these deadlines. The governor sets the revenue estimate within the approved ranges.
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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 9, 2020

Next on the Floor

The bill provides for the simultaneous electronic delivery of each budget unit's annual budget requests and supporting documentation to the legislative budget offices, in addition to the Office of Planning and Budget (OPB), between August 1 and September 1. Requests, approvals, and denials of budget amendments and allotments are also filed simultaneously, and the House and Senate budget offices will review those documents for conformity to agency work plans, and may refer them to the Legislative Services Committee for further review or hearings. An agency's request to reserve funds at the end of the fiscal year must also be simultaneously submitted to the three budget offices; and while the state auditor in conjunction with OPB approve and deny those requests, OPB will provide written notice of the decision to the legislative budget offices and the requesting budget unit at the same time. Failure to adhere to this process results in an automatic lapse of the funds. The legislation repeals a Code section to reinvest half of an agency's cost-savings back into the agency.

HB 1112 adds the Georgia Technology Authority to the list of entities under the definition of "state authorities" authorized to issue debt. It codifies the current practice of redirecting leftover or unexpended bond funds to another project within the agency by a vote of the board of the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission, but establishes a cumulative cap of redirects to a project of $2 million. Redirects above $2 million must be reauthorized in legislation by the General Assembly.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Clay Pirkle (155th)

Rule Applied:

Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight Committee

Action:

Structured 03-09-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 9, 2020

Committee Actions

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

Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee

HB 690

Buildings and housing; agricultural structures from permitting fees; exempt
Bill Summary: HB 690 states that no county or municipal corporation shall charge a permit fee exceeding $500 for the construction or renovation of an agricultural structure. "Agricultural structure" is defined as a farm labor camp or any building used for the production or processing of one of the following: crops; livestock; animals; poultry; honeybees; honeybee products; livestock products; poultry products; timber; forest products; or products used in commercial aquaculture.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. James Burchett (176th) Agriculture & Consumer Affairs

Committee Action:

03-09-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 886

Animals; veterinarians or veterinary technicians that provide treatment to animals to scan such animals' microchips and to report ownership information under certain circumstances; require
Bill Summary: HB 886 requires the State Board of Veterinary Medicine to establish and maintain a database for pet owners to register their microchipped pets. The database shall be created no later than July 1, 2021 and participation is optional for pet owners. The database is to be available to all licensed veterinarians, law enforcement agencies in the state, and animal control officers. Veterinarians are not required to own a microchip reader.

If a pet is brought to a veterinarian for the first time and the veterinarian possesses a microchip reader, the veterinarian is required to scan the pet for a microchip. The veterinarian is to check the database to ensure the individual that brought the pet is the owner. If the information in the database suggests the individual is not the owner, the veterinarian is to report the information to the local law enforcement agency or animal control officer.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Andrew Welch (110th) Agriculture & Consumer Affairs

Committee Action:

03-09-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 1057 Agriculture; further regulation of soil amendments derived from industrial by-products by local governments; authorize
Bill Summary: HB 1057 prohibits the distribution or application of fertilizer or a soil amendment that contains domestic septage. The first instance an individual is caught distributing or applying fertilizer or a soil amendment that contains domestic septage shall be considered a misdemeanor, with each subsequent violation being considered a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature. The first offense shall carry a penalty of no more than $25,000, while each subsequent offense shall be penalized no more than $50,000 per violation.

Any individual that distributes a soil amendment must pay the commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources a fee of no more than $0.30 per ton. Each registrant must keep records of sales and file semi-annual reports that include the fee payments.

The bill allows for the Department of Natural Resources to set the minimum standards for the application of soil amendments derived from industrial by-products through rules and regulations, excluding forest products, slates, clays, shells, gypsum, and lime. Local governments may further regulate soil amendments by adopting or enforcing any zoning ordinance that exceeds the minimum standards set by the department.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Trey Rhodes (120th) Agriculture & Consumer Affairs

Committee Action:

03-09-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 9, 2020

Committee Actions

Appropriations Committee

HB 793

General appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021
Bill Summary: HB 793, the Fiscal Year 2021 budget is set by a revenue estimate of $28.1 billion, an increase of $566.3 million, or 2.06%, over the FY 2020 original budget. 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: House Committee:

Rep. David Ralston (7th) Appropriations

Committee Action:

03-09-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight Committee
HB 1111 Public officers and employees; certain provisions related to homeowner tax relief grants; remove
Bill Summary: House Bill 1111 deletes references to the Homeowner Tax Relief grants when reserving funds during revenue shortfalls.

The bill provides new parameters for withholding allotments of appropriated state general funds to agencies after the first quarter of a fiscal year when revenue collections fall by one percent or more below the amount collected for the same period during the prior year. In the event of a shortfall, payments to every agency may be reduced by the same percentage as the shortfall. The governor will provide public notice and hold a public hearing before executing a shortfall withhold, as well as identify and recommend budget reductions to the General Assembly within 30 days of the next session.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Andrew Welch (110th) Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight Committee
Action:

03-09-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 1112 Public officers and employees; Office of Planning and Budget; repeal certain duties
Bill Summary: House Bill 1112 modernizes portions of the 'Budget Accountability and Planning Act of 1993' and codifies certain existing fiscal practices. The bill establishes a five-member State Council of Economic Advisors who are economists or have expertise in state revenues. The governor appoints three members, which includes the governor's economic advisor who also serves as the chair. The president of the Senate and the speaker of the House each have one appointment. The members meet quarterly to review state treasury receipts less refunds and prepare a range of anticipated revenue for the next amended fiscal year by September 1 and the next fiscal year by July 1. The revenue ranges are shared with the governor, speaker, lieutenant governor, and the chairs of the appropriations committees and published by these deadlines. The governor sets the revenue estimate within the approved ranges.
The bill provides for the simultaneous electronic delivery of each budget unit's annual budget requests and supporting documentation to the legislative budget offices, in addition to the Office of Planning and Budget (OPB), between August 1 and September 1. Requests, approvals, and denials of budget amendments and allotments are also filed simultaneously, and the House and Senate budget offices will review those documents for conformity to agency work plans, and may refer them to the Legislative Services Committee for further review or hearings. An agency's request to reserve funds at the end of the fiscal year must also be simultaneously submitted to the three budget offices; and while the state auditor in conjunction with OPB approve and deny those requests, OPB will provide written notice of the decision to the legislative budget offices and the requesting budget unit at the same time. Failure to adhere to this process results in an automatic lapse of the funds. The legislation repeals a Code section to reinvest half of an agency's cost-savings back into the agency.

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 9, 2020

Committee Actions

HB 1112 adds the Georgia Technology Authority to the list of entities under the definition of "state authorities" authorized to issue debt. It codifies the current practice of redirecting leftover or unexpended bond funds to another project within the agency by a vote of the board of the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission, but establishes a cumulative cap of redirects to a project of $2 million. Redirects above $2 million must be reauthorized in legislation by the General Assembly.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Clay Pirkle (155th) Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight Committee
Action:

03-09-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Defense & Veterans Affairs Committee

HB 907

Military; additional time period of service in the definition of "war veteran"; include
Bill Summary: HB 907 expands the service period for the definition of "war veteran" to those who were discharged without any dishonorable conditions, served on active duty, or served in a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces to include January 1, 1947 through June 26, 1950.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Steven Sainz (180th) Defense & Veterans Affairs

Committee Action:

03-09-2020 Do Pass

Health & Human Services Committee
HB 1114 Medical assistance; Medicaid coverage for lactation care and services and postpartum care; provide
Bill Summary: House Bill 1114 allows the Department of Community Health to pursue a Medicaid waiver to provide coverage for lactation care and services to pregnant and lactating women, children who are breastfeeding or receiving their mother's milk, and postpartum care for mothers for a period of up to six months following birth.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Sharon Cooper (43rd) Health & Human Services

Committee Action:

03-09-2020 Do Pass

Higher Education Committee
HB 840 Nonpublic postsecondary educational institutions; biennial review of institutions rather than programs; provide
Bill Summary: HB 840 allows the Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission to use alternative methods to review renewal applications to operate submitted by institutions that are in good standing with an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Alternative methods are those deemed appropriate by the commission's executive director.

HB 840 also provides that postsecondary institutions maintain a surety bond with the commission in the event an institution changes ownership for a value of $200,000 if gross tuition totals $500,001 to $1,000,000; $300,000 if gross tuition totals $1,000,001 to $2,000,000; and a value of $450,000 if gross tuition totals $2,000,001 or more. An institution with a gross tuition above $1,000,001 that has an existing surety bond issued prior to July 1, 2020 is not required to increase the value of the bond.

In the event a court finds in favor of the commission, it may recover reasonable compensation for attorney's fees, as well as litigation and investigation costs.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Marcus Wiedower (119th) Higher Education

Committee Action:

03-09-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 9, 2020

Committee Actions

Intragovernmental Coordination - Local Committee
HB 1006 Atlanta Judicial Circuit; provide for the selection of the chief judge Bill Summary: House Bill 1006 provides for the selection of a chief judge for the Atlanta Judicial Circuit.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Derrick Jackson (64th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-09-2020 Do Pass

HB 1025 Acworth, City of; adopt by reference a certain map Bill Summary: House Bill 1025 adopts by reference a certain map for the city of Acworth.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Ed Setzler (35th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-09-2020 Do Pass

HB 1075 Atlanta, City of; Board of Education; provide for staggered terms for members
Bill Summary: House Bill 1075 provides for staggered terms for members of the Atlanta Independent School System Board of Education.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Betsy Holland (54th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-09-2020 Do Pass

HB 1087 Holly Springs, City of; ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption in the amount of up to $409,900.00 for residents 62 years or older
Bill Summary: HB 1087 provides a homestead exemption from city of Holly Springs ad valorem taxes up to $409,900 of the appraised value of the homestead for residents who are 62 and older.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Scot Turner (21st) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-09-2020 Do Pass

HB 1088 Ludowici, City of; change corporate limits Bill Summary: House Bill 1088 changes the corporate limits of the city of Ludowici.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. J. B. Jones (167th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-09-2020 Do Pass

HB 1110 East Dublin, City of; new term for the mayor pro tempore; provide
Bill Summary: House Bill 1110 provides a new term for the mayor pro tempore of the town of East Dublin, and provides for the designation of at-large councilmember posts.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Matt Hatchett (150th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-09-2020 Do Pass

SB 438

Appling County; ascertaining whether electors desire to reduce the size of the board of commissioners; nonbinding advisory referendum; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 438 provides a non-binding referendum to determine if the electors of Appling County desire to reduce the size of the board of commissioners by eliminating the at-large commission chairperson.

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 9, 2020

Committee Actions

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Blake Tillery (19th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-09-2020 Do Pass

SB 450 Ocilla-Irwin County Industrial Development Authority; membership; change
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 450 changes the membership of the Ocilla-Irwin County Industrial Development Authority.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Tyler Harper (7th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-09-2020 Do Pass

Judiciary Committee

HB 452

Revenue, Department of; access Bank Match Registry for certain purposes; allow
Bill Summary: HB 452 amends Article 2 of Chapter 2 of Title 48, relating to the administration of revenue and taxation, to create new Section 48-2-63. The bill authorizes the Department of Revenue (DOR) to enter into agreements with financial institutions to develop and operate an automated data exchange, under which the financial institution, upon request from the DOR, shall provide the name, record address, social security number or other taxpayer identification number, average daily account balance, and other identifying information for each delinquent taxpayer who maintains an account at the financial institution. DOR is further authorized to designate a third party to administer and operate the automated data exchange between the DOR and financial institutions. Any data exchange shall be protected as if it were confidential tax information and shall not be disclosed; except as authorized in this Code section.

Upon request by the DOR, a financial institution shall, within 30 days, submit a report in an electronic format prescribed by the DOR that identifies any accounts the financial institution holds with respect to the delinquent taxpayer. The DOR shall make no more than four requests a year that identifies a delinquent taxpayer that the DOR has filed an execution in accordance with Chapter 3 of this title. The DOR may adopt rules establishing the procedures and requirements for conducting automated data matches with financial institutions pursuant to this Code section.

The bill also makes it unlawful for any person to divulge confidential tax information in violation of this Code section. Any person convicted shall be subject to the same penalties that would apply to an employee of the DOR convicted of divulging confidential tax information.

The use of this data is limited to the department's enforcing the collection of taxes and fees administered by the DOR. The DOR shall administer this Code section in the same manner prescribed in Article 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 19, relating to child support recovery.

A financial institution is prohibited from disclosing to any person, including the delinquent taxpayer, any information that has been received from or furnished to the DOR. A financial institution shall not be liable under state law for complying with the requirements of this Code section. A financial institution may charge an account levied on by the DOR a fee in an amount not less than $20.00 and not more than $50.00; which shall be deducted from the account prior to remitting funds to the DOR.

The DOR may institute civil proceedings to enforce this Code section and shall have the authority to levy and seize any accounts identified under this Code section in accordance with Code Section 48-255. The commissioner requesting bank or account information under this Code section shall not be liable for costs otherwise assessable pursuant to Code Section 7-1-237.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Steven Sainz (180th) Judiciary

Committee Action:

03-09-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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Daily Report for March 9, 2020

Committee Actions

HB 544

Mental health; procedures regarding emergency involuntary treatment; revise
Bill Summary: HB 544 amends Code Sections 37-3-41 and 37-7-41, relating to the delivery of an individual who is mentally ill, an alcoholic, drug dependent, or a drug abuser for involuntary emergency medical treatment to provide that the court order instructing a peace office to take such an individual into custody shall be affixed with the physician's certificate or the affidavits which lead to the court's determination to have the individual delivered. Information personally identifying the affiants shall be redacted and concealed. The bill also provides that the physician's certificate or the affidavits affixed to the court's order shall be included in the patient's record.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Chuck Efstration (104th) Judiciary

Committee Action:

03-09-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Judiciary Non-Civil Committee

HB 43

Sexual offenses; persons with supervisory or disciplinary authority; revise crime of sexual assault
Bill Summary: HB 43 defines "maternity supportive housing", which means a residential home that houses on behalf of a church, religious organization, or non-profit organization up to six pregnant women aged 18 years or older and their children for up to 18 months after childbirth. All maternity supportive housing registers with the state by submitting an application to the Department of Human Services. The property must be in compliance with applicable residential building codes and have property insurance coverage on the residence and the residents, including newborns and other children. Further, no local government has the authority to implement rules and ordinances on maternity supportive housing that place requirements that do not also apply to single-family living residences. HB 43 also provides updated judicial forms regarding equitable caregivers.

Authored By: House Committee:

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

Committee Action:

03-09-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 1083 Criminal procedure; verification of immigration status; provisions
Bill Summary: HB 1083 updates and revises the definition of "sanctuary policies". The bill provides for a cause of action against local governing authorities for those injured by persons unlawfully present in the United States when, through preponderance of the evidence, it is shown that the existence of a sanctuary policy by the local governing authorities and a failure to comply with state and federal regulations enabled the injuries to occur.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Jesse Petrea (166th) Judiciary Non-Civil

Committee Action:

03-09-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Juvenile Justice Committee

HB 440

Juvenile Code; juvenile court to include children who are under the age of 18 years; change jurisdiction
Bill Summary: HB 440 increases the jurisdiction of the juvenile court to include children under the age of 18. The bill establishes a Juvenile Jurisdiction Advisory Committee administratively supported by the Department of Juvenile Justice. The committee is responsible for developing specific plans with cost estimates to implement changes in the juvenile justice system to extend jurisdiction in delinquency matters and proceedings to include persons 17 years of age within the juvenile justice system.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Mandi Ballinger (23rd) Juvenile Justice

Committee Action:

03-09-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 9, 2020

Committee Actions

HB 958

The Maternity Supportive Housing Act; enact
Bill Summary: HB 958 defines "maternity supportive housing" which means a residential home that houses on behalf of a church, religious organization, or non-profit organization up to six pregnant women aged 18 years or older and their children for up to 18 months after childbirth. All maternity supportive housing will submit an application with the Department of Human Services. The property must be in compliance with applicable residential building codes and have property insurance coverage on the residence and its residents, newborns, and other children. No local government has the authority to implement rules and ordinances for maternity supportive housing that places requirements that do not also apply to single-family living residences.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Ed Setzler (35th) Juvenile Justice

Committee Action:

03-09-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 993 Health; vital records reports and data from the state registrar relating to child abuse reports; provide
Bill Summary: HB 993 directs the state registrar to provide reports filed regarding abuse and neglect concerning a child or his or her parents or siblings to the Division of Family and Children Services.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Katie Dempsey (13th) Juvenile Justice

Committee Action:

03-09-2020 Do Pass

Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee

HB 883

Georgia Gang Prevention and Intervention Task Force; create
Bill Summary: House Bill 883 creates the Georgia Gang Prevention and Intervention Commission to recommend strategic, coordinated, and collaborative efforts between educational institutions and community and social services organizations for the implementation and maintenance of programs and initiatives designed to prevent and intervene in criminal gang participation by youth.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Carl Gilliard (162nd) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee
Action:

03-09-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HR 1269 House Study Committee on Local Law Enforcement Retirement; create
Bill Summary: House Resolution 1269 creates the House Study Committee on Local Law Enforcement Retirement. The committee is composed of four members of the House and seven nonlegislative members appointed by the speaker of the House. The non-legislative appointments include two sheriffs; two police chiefs; the executive director of the Employees' Retirement System of Georgia; the chairperson of the board of commissioners of the Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund; the chairperson of the board of commissioners of the Sheriffs' Retirement Fund of Georgia; the executive director of the Georgia Municipal Association; and the executive director of the Association County Commissioners of Georgia. The committee is charged with studying the necessity of a statewide retirement system for all local law enforcement and personnel as well as possible funding sources, annual pay-ins, the cost of establishing the system, and whether current retirement funds could be combined into the system. The committee stands abolished December 1, 2020.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Kevin Tanner (9th) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee
Action:

03-09-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 9, 2020

Committee Actions

Special Committee on Access to Quality Health Care
HB 1032 Health; certificate of need laws; provisions
Bill Summary: House Bill 1027 establishes a behavioral rehabilitation joint venture, or an agreement between a general acute hospital and an institution for mental diseases to authorize the institution to manage up to 16 of the hospital's vacant beds as swing beds for the treatment of its behavioral health patients. This bill requires the Department of Community Health (DCH) to provide Medicaid reimbursement up to 100 percent for any patients treated under the joint venture.

Additionally, this bill provides that an ambulatory surgery facility that performs medical procedures only in non-sterile procedure rooms, and has a letter of determination from DCH that the performance of certain procedures is not subject to prior review and approval for certificate of need (CON), will not be required to have an operating room or be subject to any minimum physical plant and operational standards specified in DCH rules for purposes of CON.

Authored By: House Committee:

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

Committee Action:

03-09-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 1105 Patient Protection Through Health Information Exchange Act; enact
Bill Summary: House Bill 1105 establishes the 'Patient Protection Through Health Information Exchange Act' and requires hospitals to participate in a survey disclosing whether the hospital maintains technology allowing the electronic sharing of certain patient information with other hospitals. The Department of Community Health (DCH) will submit a report to the legislature detailing the results of this survey by July 1, 2021.

Additionally, this bill requires hospitals located in non-rural counties to be an electronic health records user of certified electronic health records technology and meet any interoperability requirements as promulgated by DCH, effective July 1, 2022.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Mark Newton (123rd) Special Committee on Access to Quality Health Care

Committee Action:

03-09-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Ways & Means Committee
HB 925 Sales and use tax; categories of companies that are eligible for an exemption on the sale or lease of certain computer equipment; revise
Bill Summary: House Bill 925 amends 48-8-3, relating to exemptions from sales and use taxes, by updating the North American Industrial Classification System code from the 1997 version to the 2017 version with regard to the sales tax exemption on the sale or lease of computer equipment used in those certain industries.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Terry Rogers (10th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

03-09-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 934

Income tax; adoption of foster children; revise tax credit
Bill Summary: House Bill 934 amends O.C.G.A. 48-7-29.15, relating to tax credit for adoption of a foster child, by increasing the current credit from $2,000 to $6,000 per foster child for the first five years of adoption and returning to $2,000 per year until the child reaches the age of 18. Unused credits are non-refundable and cannot be carried forward to future year's tax liability. This bill is applicable to all adoptions occurring on or after January 1, 2020.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Albert Reeves (34th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

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03-09-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 9, 2020

Committee Actions

HB 949

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

The bill also amends O.C.G.A. 48-7-20, relating to individual income tax rates and tables, effective January 1, 2021, by eliminating the bracketed tax rates and including a tax rate of 5.375 percent on all income. O.C.G.A. 48-7-27, relating to computation of taxable net income, is amended by requiring income taxes imposed by any taxing jurisdiction, including the State of Georgia, to be added back to the extent those taxes were deducted in determining federal taxable income. The bill repeals the tax credit in O.C.G.A. 48-7-7A and adds a new Code section, which establishes a formula-driven nonrefundable income tax credit. For a taxpayer filing as a single with federal adjusted gross income (FAGI) of less than $58,750, the formula is the taxpayers FAGI subtracted from $58,750 multiplied by 0.0375 plus an additional amount equal to $7.50 multiplied by the taxpayer's number of claimed dependents. Married persons filing a joint return with FAGI of less than $81,500, the formula is the taxpayers FAGI subtracted from $81,500 multiplied by 0.0375 plus an additional amount equal to $7.50 multiplied by the taxpayer's number of claimed dependents. Married persons filing separately with FAGI of less than $40,750, the formula is the taxpayers FAGI subtracted from $40,750 multiplied by 0.0375 plus an additional amount equal to $7.50 multiplied by the taxpayer's number of claimed dependents. For a taxpayer filing as a head of household with FAGI of less than $75,250, the formula is the taxpayers FAGI subtracted from $75,250 multiplied by 0.0375 plus an additional amount equal to $7.50 multiplied by the taxpayer's number of claimed dependents.

The bill also amends O.C.G.A. 48-7-29.15, relating to tax credit for adoption of a foster child, by increasing the current credit from $2,000 to $6,000 per foster child for the first five years of adoption and returning to $2,000 per year until the child reaches the age of 18. Unused credits are nonrefundable and cannot be carried forward to future year's tax liability. This portion of the bill is applicable to all adoptions occurring on or after January 1, 2020.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. John Carson (46th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

03-09-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 1002 Income tax; add Georgia income tax paid by an individual to Georgia taxable net income to the extent such tax was deducted in determining federal taxable income
Bill Summary: House Bill 1002 amends O.C.G.A. 48-7-27, relating to computation of taxable net income, by requiring income taxes imposed by any taxing jurisdiction, including the State of Georgia, be added back to the extent those taxes were deducted in determining federal taxable income.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Brett Harrell (106th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

03-09-2020 Do Pass

HB 1035 Sales and use tax; certain tax exemptions; repeal sunset provisions
Bill Summary: House Bill 1035 amends O.C.G.A. 48-8-7.05, 48-8-7.3, 48-8-46, 48-8-57.1, 48-857.2, and 48-8-57.3, relating to exemptions to sales and use taxes, by eliminating the sunset dates on the sales and use tax exemptions on purchases made by and tangible personal property donated to non-profit health centers, non-profit volunteer health clinics, qualified food banks, donations of food and food ingredients to a qualified non-profit agency used for hunger relief or disaster relief purposes, and donations of food and food ingredients following a natural disaster which is used for disaster relief purposes. The bill also expands the sales tax exemption to blood banks to include organ procurement organizations. Each organ procurement organization exempt must submit an annual report to the Department of Community Health, which includes the number of donors and transplants facilitated by the organization in the prior fiscal year.

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 9, 2020

Committee Actions

The bill also extends the sunset dates on the sales tax exemptions on the sale or use of noncommercial written materials or mailings by a non-profit organization if the organization is located in Georgia and provides the materials to charity supporters for educational, charitable, religious, or fundraising purposes from July 1, 2021 to July 1, 2026 and on the sales tax exemption on maintenance and replacement parts for transit concrete mixer trucks from July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2025.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Chuck Martin (49th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

03-09-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 1037 Georgia Entertainment Industry Investment Act; move certain sound recordings from qualified production activities to production expenditures
Bill Summary: House Bill 1037 amends 48-7-40.26, relating to the 'Georgia Entertainment Industry Investment Act' by expanding the audit requirements, restricting the additional 10 percent credit received for including the Georgia promotional, and by limiting the qualified expenditures.
The bill requires all productions claiming credits to be audited by either an independent auditor or the Department of Revenue. Beginning January 1, 2021, all projects seeking a credit greater than $2.5 million must comply with the audit requirements. Beginning January 1, 2022, all projects seeking a credit greater than $1.25 million must comply with the audit requirements. Beginning January 1, 2023, all projects seeking a credit of any amount must comply with the audit requirements.
When applying for the tax credit, the production company must submit the following information prior to beginning the required audit: a description of the state certified production; a detailed accounting of all qualified production activities; a detailed listing of employee names and wages when salaries are included in the base investment; receipts for tangible personal property included in the base investment; contracts for goods or services included in the base investment; W-9 forms completed and issued by each vendor for which expenditures are included in the base investment; notification of any intent to utilize an eligible auditor; a description of the distribution of the state certified production; the total amount of the tax credit sought; and a statement affirming that the documents submitted are true and correct.
Each audit must do the following: be completed in accordance with this Code section and procedures developed by the department; utilize sampling methods adopted by the department; follow regulations published by the department; verify each expenditure and exclude any that do not fully meet the requirements; exclude any expenditure not submitted or which occurred after the application was submitted; and be submitted to the department for review and revisions prior to issuing a final certificate.
The department shall provide for certification and decertification of certified public accountants as eligible auditors. To obtain certification an accountant must register with the department; maintain its registration with the Georgia State Board of Accountancy; agree to and be capable of completing audits in accordance with procedures developed by the department; successfully complete all training required; pay the department a registration fee; and post and maintain any bond the department establishes for each auditor.
For each year a production company claims or transfers the tax credit, the production company must attach the following information to the companies tax return: the amount of the credit claimed; any tax credit previously taken by the production company; the amount of tax credit carried over from prior years; the amount of tax credit utilized in the current tax year; and the amount of tax credit to be carried over to subsequent tax years.
The bill also states that the additional 10 percent credit received for including the Georgia promotional logo shall only be allowed after a production or other qualifying product has been commercially distributed in multiple markets. Presentations are specifically exempted the additional credit. A "presentation" is defined as a production combining visual and audio elements primarily created for the purpose of promoting, showcasing, or selling a film, television, or streaming project which is not intended for any form of commercial distribution.
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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 9, 2020

Committee Actions

The bill limits the qualified post-production expenditures by specifically excluding expenditures for work or services not conducted in Georgia, expenditures for goods that were not purchased or rented in Georgia from a Georgia retailer, and transactions that are subject to sales and use tax but where the sales and use tax was not paid.

The carry forward period for the credits earned is reduced from five years to three years.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Matt Dollar (45th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

03-09-2020 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.

8:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 2:00 PM 2:00 PM 2:00 PM 2:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM 5:00 PM

Tuesday, March 10, 2020 HIGHER EDUCATION 606 CLOB MOTOR VEHICLES 515 CLOB GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS 406 CLOB RULES 341 CAP FLOOR SESSION (LD 27) House Chamber JUDICIARY 132 CAP HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 606 CLOB RETIREMENT 515 CLOB REGULATED INDUSTRIES 506 CLOB GAME, FISH AND PARKS 403 CAP ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS 403 CAP Academic Support Subcommittee of Education 406 CLOB EDUCATION 406 CLOB

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