Monday June 22,
2020

DAILY REPORT 36th Legislative Day

House Budget & Research Office (404) 656-5050

The House will reconvene for its 37th Legislative Day on Tuesday, June 23 at 10:00 a.m. The Rules Committee will meet at 9:00 a.m. 22 bills / resolutions are expected to be debated on the floor.

Today on the Floor

Rules Calendar
SB 26 Employees' Retirement System of Georgia; prior service as a member of Georgia Defined Contribution Plan; creditable service; provide
Bill Summary: SB 26 allows members of the Employees' Retirement System (ERS) to receive creditable service for prior membership under the Georgia Defined Contribution Plan. The member must have five years of creditable service with ERS and transfer all funds from their Georgia Defined Contribution Plan to ERS. The member must pay the Board of Trustees an amount determined to cover the full actuarial cost of granting service after accounting for funds transferred from their Georgia Defined Contribution Plan. This bill is certified by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts as a fiscal retirement bill. The actuarial investigation determines there is no cost to this legislation.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. William Ligon, Jr. (3rd) Retirement
Yeas: 155 Nays: 6

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-25-2020 Do Pass

SB 249

Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund; amount of monthly dues paid; increase; amounts collected from fines; revise
Bill Summary: SB 249 allows jail officers who are certified by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council to become members of the Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund. The monthly member contribution increases from $20 to $25 per month. The benefit increases from $17.50 to $25.15 for each full year of creditable service on July 1, 2020, and automatically increases to $30 per month for each year of creditable service on July 1, 2021. SB 249 revises the fee structure for forfeited and collected bonds in any quasi-criminal case from a graduated fine to the greater of $10 or 10 percent. The bill also revises fees collected before pretrial diversion in any quasi-criminal case to $5 or five percent, whichever is greater. This bill is certified by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts as a fiscal retirement bill. The actuarial investigation determines the first-year cost is $13,798,000, with an estimated total cost to the fund of $27,838,000; however, the new fee structure generates $29,772,000 in revenue, and the fund will continue to meet minimum funding standards.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. John Albers (56th) Retirement
Yeas: 97 Nays: 62

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 06-16-2020 Do Pass

House of Representatives

Daily Report for June 22, 2020

Today on the Floor

SB 294

Teachers Retirement System of Georgia; invest in alternative investments; permit
Bill Summary: SB 294 includes the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia under the definition of an "eligible large retirement system" for the purpose of participating in alternative investments. The Department of Audits and Accounts has certified SB 294 as a non-fiscal retirement bill.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Ellis Black (8th) Retirement
Yeas: 104 Nays: 55

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 06-16-2020 Do Pass

SB 313

Pharmacy Benefits Managers; regulation and licensure; extensive revisions; provide
Bill Summary: House Bill 946 requires any physician employed or contracted with a pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) that is advising or making determinations specific to an insured individual to: have actively seen patients within the past five years; and has practiced in the same specialty area for which the physician is providing advisement within the past five years. The Department of Community Health (DCH) is encouraged to require the use of a licensed Georgia physician for prior authorization, step therapy appeals, or determination reviews for contracts and amendments entered into with a PBM.

This bill grants the Department of Insurance regulatory authority of PBMs in Georgia. Any methodologies utilized by a PBM in connection with reimbursement must be filed with the department. A PBM must utilize the national average drug acquisition cost as a point of reference for the ingredient drug product component of a pharmacy's reimbursement for drugs appearing on the national average drug acquisition cost list. A report must be filed with the department every three months detailing all drugs appearing on the national average drug acquisition cost list reimbursed at 10 percent and below the national average drug acquisition cost, as well as all drugs reimbursed at 10 percent and above this national average. For each drug in the report, a PBM must include: the month the drug was dispensed; the quantity of the drug dispensed; the amount the pharmacy was reimbursed per unit or dosage; whether the dispensing pharmacy was an affiliate; whether the drug was dispensed pursuant to a state or local government health plan; and the national average drug acquisition cost on the day the drug was dispensed.

This bill requires that PBMs will not engage in any practice that: discriminates in reimbursement, assesses any fees or adjustments, or excludes a pharmacy from the PBM's network; in any way bases pharmacy reimbursement for a drug on the patient outcomes, scores, or metrics; includes imposing a point-of-sale fee or retroactive fee; or derives any revenue from a pharmacy or insured in connection with performing PBM services.

PBMs are required to pass on to the health plan 100 percent of all rebates it receives from pharmaceutical manufacturers and report annually to each health plan the aggregate amount of all rebates and other payments that the PBM received from pharmaceutical manufactures in connection with claims if administered on behalf of the health plan. PBMs must offer the option of charging a health plan the same price for a prescription drug as it pays a pharmacy for the prescription drug. A PBM must report in the aggregate to a health plan the difference between the amount the PBM reimburses a pharmacy and the amount the PBM charges a health plan. This information will be confidential and not subject to open records unless the health plan is administered by the DCH.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Dean Burke (11th) Special Committee on Access to Quality Health Care Yeas: 161 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 06-18-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 439

Juvenile Code; enhanced notice to and improved participation of foster, preadoptive, and relative caregivers in certain hearings; provide
Bill Summary: SB 439 ensures that foster parents can be heard in court for hearings. The court must record whether the foster parents accept or decline to testify. Moreover, notice must be given to the foster parents, which may include email notification.

Page 2 of 15

House of Representatives

Daily Report for June 22, 2020

Today on the Floor

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Matt Brass (28th) Juvenile Justice
Yeas: 162 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 06-19-2020 Do Pass

SB 483

"Behavioral Rehabilitation and Stability Services Act"; certain Medicaid reimbursement; enact
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 483 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 behavioral health patients. The Department of Community Health (DCH) will provide Medicaid reimbursement up to 100 percent for any patient treated under the joint venture.

Any contributions received by a joint venture will not count against the aggregate limit cap of $4 million for an individual rural hospital organization in any taxable year, or the overall aggregate cap on tax credits of $60 million per taxable year.

Effective January 1, 2021, the joint venture will be conducted as a pilot program in up to three counties identified by the Department of Community Health (DCH). No later than December 31, 2025, DCH will provide a report to the chairpersons of the House and Senate Health and Human Services committees. This report will evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot program in increasing access to behavioral health services for indigent and Medicaid patients and make recommendations about potential statewide implementations. DCH has the authority to establish rules and regulations necessary to implement the pilot program.

Additionally, 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), is not 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: Floor Vote: Floor Action:

Sen. Matt Brass (28th) Special Committee on Access to Quality Health Care Yeas: Nays: Recommit to Rules

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 06-18-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 504

Electors of Glynn County; nonbinding advisory referendum; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 504 provides for a nonbinding advisory referendum for the residents of Glynn County to vote on whether the Glynn County Board of Commissioners should abolish the Glynn County Police Department.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. William Ligon, Jr. (3rd) Governmental Affairs
Yeas: 159 Nays: 3

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 06-19-2020 Do Pass

Postponed Until Next Legislative Day
HB 1148 Berrien County; Magistrate Court; provide for election of future chief magistrates
Bill Summary: House Bill 1148 provides for the non-partisan elections of future chief magistrates of the Berrien County Magistrate Court.

Authored By: Rep. Penny Houston (170th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Page 3 of 15

House of Representatives

Daily Report for June 22, 2020

Today on the Floor

HB 1195 Berrien County; office of probate judge; provide nonpartisan elections
Bill Summary: House Bill 1195 provides for future elections for the office of probate judge of Berrien County to be non-partisan.

Authored By: Rep. Penny Houston (170th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

SB 318

Education; public forums at public institutions of higher education; provide
Bill Summary: SB 318 is the 'Forming Open and Robust University Minds (FORUM) Act'. The bill provides that the unrestricted outdoor areas of the campuses of the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia's institutions are public forums for their campus communities. The institutions will not prohibit expressive activities in those areas or designate any campus areas as a "free speech zone". Institutions may maintain and enforce restrictions for expression so long as the restrictions are narrowly tailored to serve a significant institutional interest and employ criteria that is clear, published, neutral, and provides ample alternative means for expression. Restrictions must also allow the community to assemble spontaneously and to distribute literature.

Individuals may engage in expressive activities that do not materially and substantially disrupt the functions of the institution. Disruptions do not include conduct protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. The bill does not prevent an institution from prohibiting student-onstudent harassment or unlawful activities.

Institutions may not discriminate against, deny any benefits or privileges available to, or deny recognition to any active or proposed student organization based on actual or anticipated activities. Policies, regulations, and expectations of student expression on campus will be made public by the institution. The institutions will also develop materials, programs, and procedures regarding student expression for all individuals responsible for the education or discipline of students.

The State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia will publish an annual report related to its actions on free expression. The report will be shared with the governor and General Assembly on July 1 of each year.

Authored By: Sen. William Ligon, Jr. (3rd)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

SB 337

Invasion of Privacy; prohibition against the transmission of photography depicting nudity; include falsely created videographic or still images
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 337 amends Code Section 16-11-90, relating to invasion of privacy, to include falsely created videographic still images of other persons within the prohibition against the transmission of photography or videos depicting nudity or sexually explicit conduct of another person under certain circumstances.

Authored By: Sen. Bruce Thompson (14th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

SB 340 Childhood Cancer Awareness Day; September 1 of each year; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 340 establishes September 1st as the annual Childhood Cancer Awareness Day in Georgia.

Authored By: Sen. Brandon Beach (21st)

Rule Applied: Modified-Open

SB 394

Attorney General; authority to investigate and prosecute certain crimes and offenses; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 394 provides that the attorney general shall have the authority to employ peace officers during the investigation of human-trafficking cases and other investigations authorized by the attorney general's general powers under the Code. The bill allows the attorney general to investigate medical assistance fraud (Medicaid and Medicare).

Authored By: Sen. John Albers (56th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Page 4 of 15

House of Representatives

Daily Report for June 22, 2020

Today on the Floor

SB 435

"The Debbie Vance Act"; court imposing sentence may grant the relief of vacatur for convictions and sentences of defendants; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 435, 'The First Survivors Act', provides relief to proven victims of human trafficking from sentencing and punishment for crimes committed while being trafficked.

A defendant convicted and sentenced for an offense as a direct result of being the victim of human trafficking may petition the court to vacate the conviction. The petition must be submitted on the appropriate form promulgated by the attorney general, along with a copy of the defendant's criminal history background check, no earlier than six months following the conviction and sentencing for a misdemeanor and one year following a completion of sentencing for a felony. The petition may include certain documentation of the defendant's status as a victim of an offense of human trafficking. Defendants with an outstanding warrant may not file a petition.

If the prosecuting attorney consents to set aside the conviction or fails to respond to the petition within 30 days, the court shall, without notice or hearing, issue an order vacating the convictions and sentence and restrict access to criminal history record information for the offense. If the prosecuting attorney objects, the court shall hold a hearing within 90 days of the filing of the petition. If the court finds, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the defendant committed an offense as a direct result of being a victim of human trafficking, the court may issue an order vacating the conviction and sentence. If ordered, the court shall also issue an order restricting access to criminal history record information for the offense.

Finally, the bill amends the Code as it relates to the Georgia Crime Information Center to allow for the restriction of access to a defendant's criminal history record information in accordance with the intent of the bill.

Authored By: Sen. Brian Strickland (17th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

SB 442

Property; amendments to property owners' association instruments and covenants that restrict rental of residential lots and plots; prohibit
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 442 provides that an instrument of a property owners' association may not be amended to prohibit or restrict a non-owner occupied lot from continuing to be leased or rented for a initial term of six months or longer pursuant to the pre-amended instrument. In the event such lot, or any interest in the lot, is transferred for consideration worth $100 or more, the lot must then conform to the instrument as amended.

Authored By: Sen. William Ligon, Jr. (3rd)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

SB 446

Cash Bonds; unclaimed cash bonds; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 446 allows a posted cash bail to be paid into the general fund of an appropriate court when it is unclaimed by the surety on the bond after two years. The bill also provides that the time begins from the date of the surety's release from liability or the date of disposition of the case, whichever is earlier.

Authored By: Sen. Larry Walker III (20th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

SB 482

Office of Health Strategy and Coordination; state all-payer claims database; establishment of an advisory committee; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 482 establishes the Georgia All-Payer Claims Database (GAPCD). Claims data is the information included in an institutional, professional, or pharmacy claim for a covered individual, including the amount paid to a provider of health care services, plus any amount owed by the covered individual.

Additionally, the bill creates an advisory committee to make recommendations regarding the creation of the framework and implementation plan for the GAPCD to facilitate the reporting of health care data. The committee will make initial recommendations to the director of the Office of Health
Page 5 of 15

House of Representatives

Daily Report for June 22, 2020

Today on the Floor

Strategy and Coordination no later than March 1, 2021. The objective of the GAPCD is to facilitate data-driven and evidence-based improvements in access, quality, and cost of health care in order to understand health care expenditure patterns.

The committee will conduct an evaluation of the GAPCD at least every five years to ensure these purposes are met.

The director will seek funding for the creation of the all-payer health claims database and report to the governor and General Assembly on the status of the funding effort and final data elements recommended by the advisory committee no later than March 15, 2021. The GAPCD will be created if sufficient funding is received through gifts, grants, donations, or appropriations on or before January 1, 2022.

Authored By: Sen. Dean Burke (11th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

SB 489

Lighting Equipment of Motor Vehicles; requiring an amber strobe light upon low-speed vehicles; provisions; repeal
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 489 removes the requirement that low-speed vehicles must display an amber strobe light as a warning to other drivers.

Authored By: Sen. Steve Gooch (51st)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Page 6 of 15

House of Representatives

Daily Report for June 22, 2020

Next on the Floor

Next on the Floor from the Committee on Rules
The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 37th Legislative Day, Tuesday, June 23, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker. The Rules Committee will next meet on Tuesday, June 23, at
9:00 a.m., to set the Rules Calendar for the 38th Legislative Day.

SB 28

Insurance; imposing a copayment, coinsurance, or office visit charge in an amount greater than charges imposed for physician; prohibit
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 28 establishes additional criteria for co-payments in certain health benefit plans. The bill adds a provision regarding insurance requiring co-payments to: be reasonable in relation to the covered benefits to which they apply; must serve as an incentive rather than a barrier to access appropriate care; and must not unfairly deny necessary health care services.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Lester Jackson (2nd) Insurance

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 06-18-2020 Do Pass

SB 123

Waste Management; the coal ash surcharge imposed by host local governments; eliminate
Bill Summary: SB 123 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 20 percent.

The bill allows for any permitted municipal solid waste landfill operating by July 1, 1997 to expand its operation within two miles of a federally restricted military air space used for a bombing range.

SB 123 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 to $0.51 per ton. The surcharge's sunset date is June 30, 2025. The bill strikes language to lower the fee on all new replacement tires from $1.00 to $0.38 per tire sold. The fee's sunset date is June 30, 2025.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. William Ligon, Jr. (3rd)

Rule Applied:

Natural Resources & Environment Committee

Action:

Modified-Structured 06-18-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 367

Effectiveness of Educational Programs; number of student assessments; reduce; when assessments must be administered; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 367 amends O.C.G.A. 20-2-281, relating to assessments, by reducing the number of state assessments given to students. SB 367 eliminates the fifth grade end-of-grade social studies assessment and reduces the number of end-of-course assessments in high school from eight to four. School systems must administer the state required end-of-grade assessment for grades three through eight within 25 school days of the last day of school. The Department of Education is authorized to conduct an analysis of locally implemented assessments and provide guidance to eliminate redundant assessments to improve student achievement.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. P. K. Martin (9th) Education

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 06-19-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 410

Ad Valorem Tax Appeals; alternative means of recovering costs of litigation and attorney's fees; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 410 amends 48-5-311, relating to creation of county boards of equalization, duties, review of assessments, and appeals, to allow the taxpayer to recover costs of litigation and attorney's fees for appeals made by the board of assessors to the superior court where

Page 7 of 15

House of Representatives

Daily Report for June 22, 2020

Next on the Floor

the final determination of value is 85 percent or less of the value set by the board of assessors.

The bill also amends 48-5-511, relating to returns of public utilities to the commissioner of the Department of Revenue, to require the annual property tax return of public utilities be transmitted to the commissioner electronically.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. John Kennedy (18th) Ways & Means

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Structured 06-18-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 426

Air Quality; reporting of any unpermitted release of ethylene oxide to the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural Resources; provide
Bill Summary: SB 426 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 division must make the report publicly available on the division's website.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Brian Strickland (17th)

Rule Applied:

Natural Resources & Environment Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 06-18-2020 Do Pass

SB 445

Soil Erosion and Sedimentation; water and sewer authorities to be designated as local issuing authorities for land-disturbing activity permits; authorize
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 445 allows for a water or water and sewer authority to issue land disturbance permits if the authority has been certified by the director of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division and authorized by local law. All applicable counties or municipalities must approve an intergovernmental agreement to allow the authority to operate as a local issuing authority.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. John Kennedy (18th)

Rule Applied:

Natural Resources & Environment Committee

Action:

Modified-Structured 06-18-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 473

Conservation and Natural Resources; duties, powers, and responsibilities relative to historic preservation; from Department of Natural Resources to the Department of Community Affairs; transfer
Bill Summary: SB 473 transfers the Historic Preservation Program, including all grant, tax credit, and site designation responsibilities, to the Department of Community Affairs.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Tyler Harper (7th)

Rule Applied:

Natural Resources & Environment Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 06-18-2020 Do Pass

SB 474

Department of Natural Resources; construct, operate, maintain, and supply informational materials at welcome centers assigned to it by the Governor; provide
Bill Summary: SB 474 extends the ability to construct and operate welcome centers to the Department of Natural Resources. The agency may also operate vending machines and install automated teller machines in assigned welcome centers.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Tyler Harper (7th)

Rule Applied:

Natural Resources & Environment Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 06-18-2020 Do Pass

SB 477

Investigation of Family Violence; terminology used in determining whom to arrest; revise
Bill Summary: SB 477 allows for arresting officers to make a decision regarding mutual combat about which party caused the violence and is the predominate aggressor in domestic violence situations requiring arrest.

Page 8 of 15

House of Representatives

Daily Report for June 22, 2020

Next on the Floor

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (32nd) Juvenile Justice

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 06-19-2020 Do Pass

SB 509

Glynn County Police Department; abolish; transfer of assets and property of such police department; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 509 abolishes the Glynn County Police Department, subject to voter approval of a binding referendum. If the referendum passes, the police department will be abolished on May 2, 2021.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. William Ligon, Jr. (3rd) Governmental Affairs

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 06-19-2020 Do Pass

SR 19

Georgia Commission on Freight and Logistics; create
Bill Summary: Senate Resolution 19 proposes an amendment to the Constitution to provide for alternative meeting locations and means in certain emergency situations for the General Assembly. In the event of an emergency affecting the state due to an enemy attack or a natural or manmade disaster or pandemic that makes it difficult or impossible for the General Assembly to physically meet in the state capitol, the General Assembly will be allowed to meet at another location or may meet through electronic means.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Brandon Beach (21st) Rules

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 06-19-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Page 9 of 15

House of Representatives

Daily Report for June 22, 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

SB 211

Advertisement and Sale of Meat; representation of nonanimal products and non-slaughtered animal flesh as meat; render unlawful
Bill Summary: SB 211 prohibits labeling or advertising food that is not derived from the flesh, offal, or other by-product of an animal as meat unless the labeling clearly states one of the following: "labgrown", "lab-created", or "grown in a lab" if it is made of cell cultured products; or, "vegetarian", "veggie", "vegan", "plant based", or other similar term if it is a plant-based product.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Tyler Harper (7th) Agriculture & Consumer Affairs

Committee Action:

06-22-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 381

"Georgia Food Act"; certain information obtained by the Department of Agriculture from the federal Food and Drug Administration; confidential and not subject to disclosure; provide
Bill Summary: SB 381 deems the following information confidential pursuant to a contract or agreement between the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the federal Food and Drug Administration: trade secrets; confidential commercial information; information under the federal deliberative process privilege; information compiled for law enforcement purposes; or information expressly required to be kept confidential by federal law.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (32nd) Agriculture & Consumer Affairs

Committee Action:

06-22-2020 Do Pass

Defense & Veterans Affairs Committee
HR 1166 Augusta, City of; Richmond County; support creation of a state veterans cemetery Bill Summary: HR 1166 supports the creation of a state veterans' cemetery in Augusta-Richmond County.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Brian Prince (127th) Defense & Veterans Affairs

Committee Action:

06-22-2020 Do Pass

SB 268

Notaries Public; persons for whom notaries perform notarial acts; valid Veterans Health Identification Card; provide
Bill Summary: SB 268 allows a notary public to accept a valid Veterans Health Identification Card as proper identification when performing notarial acts.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Lester Jackson (2nd) Defense & Veterans Affairs

Committee Action:

06-22-2020 Do Pass

Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications Committee

SB 162

Local Government; disaster mitigation improvements and broadband services infrastructure; downtown development authorities; provide
Bill Summary: SB 162 states a local government may regulate the occupancy or rental of residences when the rental is for a fee and is for less than 30 consecutive days; however, the regulations shall not

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for June 22, 2020

Committee Actions

completely prohibit all such occupancies or rentals within the local government's jurisdiction.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Matt Brass (28th) Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications

Committee Action:

06-22-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 373

Nonprofit Corporations; directors and officers of electric membership corporations and foreign electric cooperatives; provisions; change
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 373 amends Title 14 and Title 46 of the O.C.G.A., relating to directors and officers of non-profit corporations and directors and officers of electric membership corporations and foreign electric corporations, to change provisions relating to the responsibilities and standard of care of directors and officers of certain corporations.

Unless a different standard is prescribed by law, a director or officer of a non-profit corporation or electric membership corporation shall perform his or her duties in good faith and with the degree of care an ordinarily prudent person in a similar position would exercise under similar circumstances. While performing his or her duties, a director may rely upon officers, employees, or agents of the corporation the director believed to be reliable and competent, in addition to information or statements provided by officers, employees, or others. There is a presumption that the process followed by the director while arriving at decisions is done in good faith and exercised in ordinary care; however, this presumption may be rebutted by evidence that such process constitutes gross negligence by being a gross deviation from the standard care of a director in a like position under similar circumstances.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. John Kennedy (18th) Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications

Committee Action:

06-22-2020 Do Pass

Governmental Affairs Committee

SB 312

Georgia Commission on African American History and Culture; create
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 312 designates June 19 of each year as "Juneteenth" in recognition of events that occurred on June 19, 1865 in celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation and the end of slavery. The bill designates September 1 of each year as "Childhood Cancer Awareness Day."

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Lester Jackson (2nd) Governmental Affairs

Committee Action:

06-22-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 413 Conflicts of Interest in Zoning Actions; definition of the term applicant; expand
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 413 allows agencies to hold public hearings via teleconference during emergency conditions.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. P. K. Martin (9th) Governmental Affairs

Committee Action:

06-22-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Intragovernmental Coordination - Local Committee
HB 1217 Middle Chattahoochee Regional Water and Sewer Authority Act; enact Bill Summary: House Bill 1217 changes the name of the South Fulton Municipal Regional Water and Sewer Authority.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Derrick Jackson (64th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

06-22-2020 Do Pass

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for June 22, 2020

Committee Actions

HB 1221 Haralson County; school district ad valorem tax; increase exemption
Bill Summary: House Bill 1221 increases a Haralson County School District homestead exemption from $8,000 to $14,000 for residents who are 65 and older and have annual incomes not exceeding $10,000.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Trey Kelley (16th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

06-22-2020 Do Pass

HB 1223 Colquitt County; Airport Authority; modify provisions regarding qualifications, selection, terms, powers, officers, and duties of members
Bill Summary: House Bill 1223 modifies provisions regarding the qualifications, selection, terms, powers, officers, and duties of members of the Colquitt County Airport Authority.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Sam Watson (172nd) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

06-22-2020 Do Pass

HB 1225 Young Harris, City of; reduce size of city council; modify term of mayor Bill Summary: House Bill 1225 reduces the size of the Young Harris City Council.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Matt Gurtler (8th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

06-22-2020 Do Pass

HB 1227 Cusseta-Chattahoochee County; levy an excise tax
Bill Summary: House Bill 1227 authorizes the governing authority of the Unified Government of Cusseta-Chattahoochee County to levy an excise tax.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Mike Cheokas (138th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

06-22-2020 Do Pass

HB 1231 Chehaw Park Authority; change name of park; provisions
Bill Summary: House Bill 1231 changes the name of the Chehaw Park Authority and expands its purpose to include the acquisition of zoological specimens.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Gerald Greene (151st) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

06-22-2020 Do Pass

HB 1233 Lavonia, City of; ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes; increase homestead exemption
Bill Summary: House Bill 1233 increases a city of Lavonia homestead exemption from $10,000 to $20,000 for residents who are 65 and older.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Alan Powell (32nd) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

06-22-2020 Do Pass

HB 1234 Tallulah Falls, Town of; terms, qualifications, election, and vacancies of mayor and councilmembers; modify provisions
Bill Summary: House Bill 1234 modifies the provisions regarding the mayor and councilmembers of the town of Tallulah Falls.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Chris Erwin (28th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

06-22-2020 Do Pass

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for June 22, 2020

Committee Actions

SB 512

Central State Hospital Local Redevelopment Authority; members of the authority are appointed; revise
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 512 revises how members of the Central State Hospital Local Redevelopment Authority are appointed.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Burt Jones (25th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

06-22-2020 Do Pass

Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee
HR 1599 Georgia's law enforcement agencies; implement psychological testing and improve current training practices for peace officers; urge
Bill Summary: House Resolution 1599 urges all law enforcement agencies in the state of Georgia to implement psychological testing and improve current training practices for peace officers.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Matt Hatchett (150th) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee
Action:

06-22-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Regulated Industries Committee

SR 841

Legislative Acts; void; people of this state may petition the judiciary for declaratory relief from certain acts of this state that violate the laws or Constitution of this state or the Constitution of the United States; provide -CA
Bill Summary: SR 841 is a constitutional amendment that allows the Georgia Lottery to offer sports betting and allows the General Assembly by law to provide for the operation and regulation of parimutuel betting, casino gambling, and sports betting on the premises of racetracks and casinos. The General Assembly must create a gaming commission responsible for regulating pari-mutuel betting, casino gambling, and sports betting and to tax those activities.

The resolution creates The Emergency Fund, from which funds shall only be disbursed for emergency expenditures, and The Opportunity Fund, from which funds shall only be disbursed for pre-kindergarten and postsecondary educational services to citizens whose household income is below the state median household income.

The proceeds derived from the regulation and taxation of these activities must first be used to fund the Emergency Powers Fund to 10 percent of the prior year's receipts to the general fund, then any additional funds must be distributed evenly to the Opportunity Fund and the general fund. The net proceeds, after operating expenses, must be separately accounted for and specifically identified in the Governor's Annual Budget Report.

Pari-mutuel betting, casino gambling, or sports betting may not take place in any county unless the electors of that county have approved the measure in a referendum.

The resolution also includes the following language to be included on the ballot proposing the amendment, "Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize pari-mutuel betting, casino gambling, and sports betting in this state under certain circumstances?"

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. John Kennedy (18th) Regulated Industries

Committee Action:

06-22-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for June 22, 2020

Committee Actions

Retirement Committee

SB 271

Law Assistants; rename as law clerks and staff attorneys
Bill Summary: SB 271 replaces the term "law assistants" with "law assistant and staff attorney" for the purpose of membership in the Employees' Retirement System of Georgia. The bill allows a member to purchase up to four years of creditable service for prior service as a law assistant, law clerk, or staff attorney. 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:

Sen. John Kennedy (18th) Retirement

Committee Action:

06-22-2020 Do Pass

Special Committee on Access to Quality Health Care Committee

SB 71

Hospital Authority; sale or lease of a hospital; provisions; revise
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 71 requires the Department of Community Health to conduct a pilot program to examine the potential use of a regulated pool of charity care credits through a simulated charity care exchange. A "charity care credit" is a value calculated for uncompensated indigent or charity care based on 150 percent of Medicaid allowable costs.

The simulated exchange will be operational from January 1, 2021, through December 31, 2021 and must include two open auction periods when health care facilities can purchase or sell charity care credits. The Department of Community Health will provide a report by December 31, 2021 to the Georgia General Assembly that includes: the total amount of charity care credits purchased and sold through the simulated exchange; the effectiveness of the exchange, including whether each health care facility met its charity floor requirements; the costs and benefits associated with using the exchange; and recommendations on the design and establishment of a permanent charity care exchange.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Ben Watson (1st) Special Committee on Access to Quality Health Care

Committee Action:

06-22-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 311

Health; patient brokering; prohibit; definitions; exceptions; penalties; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 311 requires hospitals to report data concerning debt collection practices against patients. This data must be posted in a prominent location on the main page of a hospital's website.

Authored By: Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (32nd) House Committee: Special Committee on Access to
Quality Health Care

Committee Action:

06-22-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Page 14 of 15

House of Representatives

Daily Report for June 22, 2020

Committee Meetings

Committee Meeting Schedule
This meeting schedule is up to date at the time of this report, but meeting dates and times are subject to change. To keep up with the latest schedule, please visit www.house.ga.gov and click on Meetings Calendar.

Tuesday, June 23, 2020 8:00 AM JUDICIARY NON CIVIL 132 CAP 9:00 AM RULES 341 CAP 10:00 AM FLOOR SESSION (LD 37) House Chamber 2:00 PM SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ACCESS TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM 132 CAP 2:00 PM REGULATED INDUSTRIES 506 CLOB 2:00 PM JUVENILE JUSTICE 406 CLOB 3:00 PM GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS 606 CLOB 4:00 PM HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 406 CLOB 4:30 PM JUDICIARY 132 CAP

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