Daily report, 2020 June 25

House of Representatives

Daily Report for June 25, 2020

Next on the Floor

Thursday June 25,
2020

DAILY REPORT 39th Legislative Day

House Budget & Research Office (404) 656-5050

The House will reconvene for its 40th Legislative Day on Friday, June 26 at 10:00 a.m. The Rules Committee will meet at 9:00 a.m. 18 bills / resolutions are expected to be debated on the floor.

Today on the Floor

Motions to Recede
SB 20 Counties and Municipal Corporations; establishment of banking improvement zones; areas underserved; provide
Bill Summary: SB 20 allows for the commissioner of the Department of Agriculture to promulgate and adopt rules related to fertilizers, liming materials, and soil amendments derived from industrial by-products. The commissioner is authorized to share any related information and consult with agencies such as, but not limited to, the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural Resources and the United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service. Any material received by a property owner or property custodian that is compensated by a distributor is not to be considered a "fertilizer". Industrial-by-product does not include human waste or sewage.

Authored By: Sen. Michael Rhett (33rd)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Recede: (A motion to recede represents final passage of the bill.)

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

Authored By: Rep. Ricky Williams (145th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 695

Brookhaven, City of; increase term limit of mayor
Bill Summary: House Bill 695 repeals the term limit of the mayor of Brookhaven and repeals expired provisions relating to the election of the mayor and councilmembers during the first four years of the city's existence.

Authored By: Rep. Matthew Wilson (80th)

Rule Applied:

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

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HB 752

Professions and businesses; national background checks by FBI through Georgia Crime Information Center for licensing to practice as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant; provide
Bill Summary: HB 752 requires psychologists, physical therapists, and physical therapist assistants to submit a fingerprint record check report conducted by the Georgia Crime Information Center and the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a requirement for licensure to practice within Georgia.

Authored By: Rep. D. C. Belton (112th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 781 Financial institutions; clarify and remove superfluous language; provisions
Bill Summary: HB 781 updates, modernizes, and further amends Title 7 of the Code. The bill clarifies the acquiring parties subject to the Department of Banking and Finance's grounds for disapproval of acquisition proposals by trust companies.
The department's authority is expanded to approve the payment of dividends by a bank or trust company, prior to cumulative profitability, if the bank or trust company is profitable on an annual basis and the payment of such dividend is consistent with standards of safety and soundness.
The department's authority is expanded to waive or modify residency requirements for the board of directors of any bank or trust company.
The bill provides that Georgia chartered banks may conduct any activities at any representative office outside of Georgia as authorized or not prohibited by law. If the activity requires approval from the department, the commissioner can waive the requirement if he or she finds the bank's involvement in particular activities will not threaten safety or soundness of such bank.
Registration process requirements are removed for banks or bank holding companies when registering a representative office in Georgia. A bank or bank holding company must post notice of the closing of a representative office as required by Code Section 7-1-110.1.
The period in which the department must approve or disapprove completed applications for branch offices is reduced from 90 days to 30 days. The department may no longer waive publication requirements when a bank files a written notification, instead of an official application, when applying for a branch office.
Out-of-state banks with branches already established in Georgia are no longer required to notify the department of an acquisition alongside with their application for acquisition made to the federal regulator.
Paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of Code Section 7-1-656 replaces "supervisory" committee with "audit" committee.
Individual loan officers may only approve or disapprove loans less than or equal to five percent of the credit union's net worth. Loans greater than five percent require approval by the board of directors or credit committee as recorded in the formal minutes and subject to certain limitations on securities.
Code Section 7-1-658 revises the authority of credit unions to issue certain loans. Delegated authority to loan officers to approve or disapprove loans to a borrower shall be limited to loans not exceeding, in the aggregate, five percent of the net worth of the credit union. Furthermore, no credit union shall be authorized to make loans to any one person or corporation where the aggregated of such loans and obligations together exceeds five percent of the net worth of the credit union, unless approved in advance by the board of directors or credit committee, the approval is recorded in formal minutes, and is subject to certain limiting requirements and exceptions.
The department may regulate and prescribe definitions and requirements for the transactions identified in Code Section 7-1-658. The department may also specify that the liabilities of a group of one or more persons or corporations or both shall be considered as owed by one person or corporation

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based on the common control of the borrowers within the group, or other criteria established by the department for the combination of indebtedness for legal lending limitation purposes.

Code Section 7-1-658 removes the requirement that a credit committee act upon any loan in excess of 50 percent of the union's maximum loan limitation, or such lower limit as established by the committee, and specifies the terms "person" and "corporation."

"Night depository" is added as an extension of a banking location and defined as a drop box where customers can make deposits or payments outside of normal banking hours. Night depositories may be located anywhere in the state.

Code Section 7-1-664 is amended to provide for credit union extensions and related restrictions; specifically for automated teller machines, cash dispensing machines, night depositories, and pointof-sale terminals.

Code Section 7-1-665 is amended to provide for the department's authority and procedure when considering branch applications submitted by credit unions. Certain criteria are identified for the department to consider when reviewing an application and specifies that the decision of the department is final, except that it may be subject to judicial review as provided in Code Section 7-190. In the event of a merger or consolidation of two or more credit unions, the resulting credit union or purchasing credit union may continue to operate all branches approved by the department prior to the merger.

The requirement that a licensee or corporate surety notify the department regarding the cancellation of a bond filed by registered or certified mail, statutory overnight delivery with return receipt requested, is eliminated. The same requirement is also eliminated for mortgage loan originators, mortgage brokers, mortgage lenders, or the corporate surety notifying the department regarding the cancellation of a bond filed for the purposes of compliance with Code Sections 7-1-1003.2 or 7-11004. Notice must be sent electronically.

The number of days required for a cease and desist order to become final is reduced from 30 days to 20 days after being issued to a person licensed under Article 4 of Title 7 for the receipt of notice of a bond cancellation under Code Section 7-1-687. If a cease and desist order is issued to a person who has been sent a notice of bond cancellation and the bond is reinstated or replaced, the person must provide documentation evidencing the reinstatement or replacement within 20 days of the issuance of the order.

The bill replaces "license number" of a licensee with "unique identifier" and provides that a unique identifier of certain licensees or registrants is not confidential.

Code Section 7-1-1003.1, relating to the physical place of business of an applicant for a mortgage broker license or renewal and requirement that such person have a registered agent and office in Georgia, is repealed and reserved.

The requirement that licensed mortgage brokers and lenders notify the department of an ultimate equitable owner of 10 percent or more of any corporation or other entity licensed under Article 13 of Title 7 is eliminated.

Lastly, requirements for mortgage loan advertisements are revised, and the 'Georgia Fair Lending Act' is amended to provide updated citations to federal regulations.

Authored By: Rep. Bruce Williamson (115th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

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

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prescriber on the original prescription. Additionally, this bill requires health insurers to waive time restrictions for refills of a 30-day supply of certain prescription medications during emergencies.

Authored By: Rep. Ron Stephens (164th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 823

Crimes and offenses; lifetime disqualification from operating a commercial motor vehicle by persons convicted of trafficking other persons for labor or sexual servitude; provide
Bill Summary: House Bill 823 provides that a person who knowingly uses a commercial motor vehicle in the commission of sexual or labor trafficking crimes will be disqualified as a commercial motor vehicle driver for life.

Authored By: Rep. Houston Gaines (117th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 865

Wills, trusts, and administration of estates; Revised Probate Code of 1998; revise and update provisions
Bill Summary: HB 865 is a comprehensive, 108-page bill that amends provisions of Titles 7, 9, 10, 15, 19, 23, 50, and 53 of the Code relating to wills, trusts, and the administration of estates.

The bill clarifies and expands the jurisdiction of the probate court, codifies long-standing common law regarding the incorporation of existing documents into wills by certain reference, and provides effect for separate personal property memoranda referred to in a will. The bill expands the jurisdiction of both non-Article 6 probate courts to include DNA testing and approval of settlement agreements and Article 6 probate courts to include trust matters and will constructions in fiduciary accounting proceedings. The probate court's ability to appoint a temporary administrator in the absence of a personal representative is clarified.

Regarding probate court procedure, the bill makes terminology more consistent throughout the Code, clarifies the requirements for service of notice and for filing creditors' claims, and restores the finality of solemn form probate. The time for filing objections in probate court is extended from 10 days to the 30 days, except when good cause is shown for shortening the time for responding.

Regarding wills, the bill provides that will execution and trust formalities are not satisfied by electronic presence and signature. Conditions in terrorem, also known as "no contest" clauses, are not enforceable against an interested person for: bringing an action for interpretation or enforcement; bringing an action for an accounting, removal, or for other relief against a personal representative; or entering into a settlement agreement. The bill also updates terminology, corrects errors, and clarifies provisions regarding time and procedure for service of notice.

Regarding year's support, Chapter 3 of Title 53 clarifies the preference of year's support before all other debts or demands, allows for divestment of property taxes under certain circumstances, and clarifies the application of year's support provisions to a decedent's minor children by individuals other than the surviving spouse.

Regarding the trust Code, the bill expands amendments previously made to the trust Code in 2018 with respect to virtual representation, non-judicial settlement agreements, trust modification, trust decanting, and trust directors. The changes refine the definition of a charitable trust, address appellate authority concerning creditors' rights to revocable trusts, and codify actions that do not violate a "no contest" clause in a trust instrument. Substantive and procedural requirements are provided for the modification of termination of trusts. The bill clears up Georgia's trust investment statute by explicitly providing for a "prudent investor" standard for the investment of trust assets. It also permits a trustee to consider the personal values of beneficiaries in making investment decisions.

Alimony obligations of estates are prioritized and protected.

Finally, the bill amends the 'Georgia Power of Attorney Act' to bring those uniform act provisions into line with pre-existing statutes regarding real property transfers and Medicaid qualification trusts.
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Article 6 probate court qualifications are amended to conform with the 2017 amendments to the superior and state court qualifications. The continued vitality of existing common law and equitable doctrines is codified for the probate Code, as it is for the trust Code, and the incorporation of powers by reference is clarified.

Authored By: Rep. Mitchell Scoggins (14th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

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: Rep. Brett Harrell (106th)

Rule Applied: Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 894

Seed Development Commission; stagger terms of members
Bill Summary: House Bill 894 staggers the terms for members of the Seed Development Commission. To do so, 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.

Authored By: Rep. Steven Meeks (178th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 897

State Forestry Commission; create a standing timber notification website; require
Bill Summary: HB 897 requires the State Forestry Commission to begin creating a website by October 1, 2020 for persons or firms harvesting standing timber to use as uniform system of notification to local governing authorities. The State Forestry Commission must provide notice of when the website is operational. Within 19 months of becoming operational, the State Forestry Commission shall set a date upon which use by persons or firms harvesting timber for notification purposes is mandatory.

Standing timber harvesting entities shall maintain a bond or letter of credit to protect the county or municipality against any damage that requires the restoration of a ditch structure, the removal of harvesting residue placed in or around rights-of-way, or the repair of county or municipal roads. A county or municipality has 30 days to provide a written claim of damage to the harvesting firm, at which time the harvesting firm has 30 days to do one of the following: request an extension of no more than 90 days to account for inclement weather; repair the damage at their own expense with the approval of the governing body; or appeal the written claim to the magistrate court of the county. If a bond or letter of credit is revoked, the harvesting entity has five business days to obtain a new bond

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or letter of credit. The governing authority may increase the required bond or letter of credit amount by $2,500 for each instance of revocation, up to $10,000 of the original bond or letter of credit.

Authored By: Rep. James Burchett (176th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 946

Insurance; extensive revisions regarding pharmacy benefits managers; 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 four 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: Rep. David Knight (130th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 953

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

Authored By: Rep. Bonnie Rich (97th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

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HB 966

Conservation and natural resources; regulate the harvest and sale of palmetto berries
Bill Summary: HB 966 provides for the harvest and sale of saw palmetto berries. A saw palmetto berry seller must obtain a certificate of harvest from a landowner indicating permission for harvest to sell to a saw palmetto berry dealer. A saw palmetto berry dealer that purchases berries directly from a landowner must obtain a certificate of harvest from the landowner. Any person that participates in the procurement of saw palmetto berries shall maintain a legible record of all activities and purchase transactions for no less than two years from the date of harvest.

Law enforcement or the director of the State Forestry Commission may issue an order to stop harvest, sale, or use if there is an indication that an individual is in violation of the provisions for the harvest and sale of saw palmetto berries. The berries must be released if proof of the requirements being met are provided to law enforcement or the director. If the violation is upheld by the superior court of the county in which the saw palmetto berries are found, the berries shall be destroyed.

The following violations are considered misdemeanors that may be punished by a fine of no more than $1,000: the sale of saw palmetto berries to a berry dealer or seller without first obtaining a certificate of harvest; the harvest of saw palmetto berries without obtaining a certificate of harvest from the landowner; the purchase of saw palmetto berries without obtaining a landowner's certificate of harvest; or knowingly possessing saw palmetto berries that were harvested illegally. A person that knowingly purchases or sells saw palmetto berries valued at less than $1,500 without a landowner's certificate of harvest may be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by either or both a fine equal to the value of the berries and/or up to one year imprisonment. If the value of the saw palmetto berries exchanged exceeds $1,500, the person that knowingly purchased or sold the berries may be punished by either or both a fine equal to the value of the berries, up to $5,000, and imprisonment of up to three years.

Authored By: Rep. James Burchett (176th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

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: Rep. Ricky Williams (145th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 991

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

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

Authored By: Rep. Matt Hatchett (150th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

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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: Rep. Katie Dempsey (13th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 998

Game and fish; effective date of rules and regulations promulgated by the Board of Natural Resources; change
Bill Summary: HB 998 aligns implied consent language regarding boating or hunting while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other substances to acknowledge that submitting to a chemical test is optional. The effective date of any rules and regulations regarding criminal violations promulgated by the Board of Natural Resources is changed from January 1, 2019 to January 1, 2020.

The bill designates the shoal bass as the official Georgia state riverine sport fish.

House Bill 998 eliminates the requirement for the Department of Natural Resources to annually report the number of deer killed to the General Assembly. The department may allow for propertyspecific deer bag limits that do not comply with statewide limits for any property enrolled in the deer management assistance program.

Authored By: Rep. Trey Rhodes (120th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Open

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 1039 Contracts; additional protections for consumers who enter into service contracts that contain lengthy automatic renewal provisions; provide
Bill Summary: HB 1039 requires that a seller for any contract for service that automatically renews for a period of more than 24 months must obtain the following for the automatic renewal provision to be enforceable: written or electronic acknowledgement from the consumer that a notification has been provided, and a written or electronic response indicating the consumer does not intend to terminate the contract.

Authored By: Rep. Sam Watson (172nd)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 1093 Agriculture; provide for an Agricultural Commodity Commission for Wine and Grapes
Bill Summary: HB 1093 creates the Agricultural Commodity Commission for Wine and Grapes. Two members shall be producers of wine as appointed by ex-officio members and one member from each of the three designated regions in the state.

Authored By: Rep. Steven Meeks (178th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HB 1098 Highways, bridges, and ferries; development of a state-wide strategic transportation plan; provide
Bill Summary: House Bill 1098 updates the requirement for the Department of Transportation to develop the statewide strategic transportation plan in coordination with the statewide transportation plan that is required by the federal government. The legislation allows for the relocation of billboards with obstructed visibility due to the construction of a sound wall, noise barrier, or other transportation related improvement.
The bill requires the local jurisdiction to provide a variance or compensation for damages related to land use ordinances when rights of way or real property are acquired or condemned by a state agency, county, or municipality and documentation of conflict has been issued to a property owner.

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Authored By: Rep. Kasey Carpenter (4th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HR 1163 Justice Robert Benham Bridge; Bartow County; dedicate Bill Summary: House Resolution 1163 is the annual House version of road dedications and includes the following:
House Resolution 1163, dedicating the bridge on State Route 113 over I-75 in Bartow County as the Justice Robert Benham Bridge;
House Resolution 880, dedicating the bridge on SR 26/US 80 over Turner Creek in Chatham County as the Al St. Lawrence Memorial Bridge;
House Resolution 896, dedicating the bridge at Wilmington River on State Route 26/U.S. 80 in Chatham County the James "Jimmy" A. Petrea Bridge;
House Resolution 912, dedicating the new portion of Belfast Siding Road located at Interstate 95 in Bryan County as the Jimmy Burnsed Interchange;
House Resolution 913, dedicating the bridge at Belfast Siding Road in Bryan County as the FowlerBurnsed Bridge;
House Resolution 1092, dedicating the portion of State Route 153 from State Route 41 to the Marion County line in Webster County as the Chris Shannon Memorial 16 Highway;
House Resolution 1161, dedicating the portion of State Route 15 from mile marker 6 to mile marker 8 in Oconee County as the T/5 James Oscar Hardigree, Jr., U.S. Army WWII Memorial Highway;
House Resolution 1165, dedicating the intersection of State Route 113 and US 41/State Route 3 in Bartow County as the Sgt. Stanley Thomas Bradley Veterans Memorial Intersection;
House Resolution 1218, dedicating the portion of State Route 64 from the city limit of Ray City to the Berrien County border as the James Edward Giddens Memorial Highway;
House Resolution 1238, dedicating the portion of State Route 280 from the Lanier Community to Black Creek Bridge in Bryan County as the Blondean Newman Highway;
House Resolution 1268, dedicating the interchange at Interstate 85 with Interstate 285 in Fulton County as the Emma Darnell Memorial Interchange;
House Resolution 1281, dedicating the portion of State Route 9 from the Dawson County line to the intersection with Highway 53 in Dawson County as Thunder Road;
House Resolution 1283, dedicating the portion of State Route 92 from 1st Avenue to Henry Jackson Road in Spalding County as the Dr. Randy Valimont Memorial Highway;
House Resolution 1267, dedicating the I-75/SR 27 interchange in Dooly County as the Asa Daniels, Jr., Interchange;
House Resolution 1325, dedicating the interchange at I-75 and Pinehurst-Hawkinsville Road/Exit 117 in Dooly County as the Van Peavy, Jr., Interchange;
Senate Resolution 946, dedicating the bridge over Little Suwannee Creek in Clinch County as the Wallace Lawson Jernigan Memorial Bridge;
Senate Resolution 985, dedicating the portion of State Route 70 from Camp Creek Parkway to Campbellton Road in Fulton County as the Leroy Johnson Memorial Highway;

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Senate Resolution 966, dedicating the interchange at State Route 316 and Riverside Parkway in Gwinnett County as the K.C. Bowen, Jr., Interchange;

House Resolution 1216, rededicating Directors Drive behind the Annex Buildings at the Garden City Terminal as Rapp Way;

Senate language dedicating the portion of State Route 72 from State Route 98 to the Elbert County line in Madison County as the Bill Madden Parkway.

Authored By: Rep. Matthew Gambill (15th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Open

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

HR 1300 Glynn County; Murray County; change of use of certain property; authorize
Bill Summary: HR 1300 grants an easement on six acres of land on a heritage preserve in Glynn County, in the custody of the Department of Natural Resources, to the Department of Transportation for the widening of State Route 25/US Route 17 and installing a roundabout at the intersection of State Route 25/US Route 17 and State Route 99.

The resolution grants an easement for 0.194 of an acre of a heritage preserve in Murray County, in the custody of the Department of Natural Resources, to the Department of Transportation for the widening of State Route 52 ALT.

HR 1300 renames the Gordonia-Altamaha State Park as the Jack Hill State Park.

Authored By: Rep. Clay Pirkle (155th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Open

Motions to Agree: (A motion to agree represents final passage of the bill.)

Rules Calendar
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: Floor Vote: Floor Action:

Sen. Ben Watson (1st) Special Committee on Access to Quality Health Care Yeas: 83 Nays: 79 Failed

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 06-22-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 162

Local Government; disaster mitigation improvements and broadband services infrastructure; downtown development authorities; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 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 completely prohibit all such occupancies or rentals within the local government's jurisdiction.

Authored By:

Sen. Matt Brass (28th)

Rule Applied:

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House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action:

Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications Yeas: Nays: Recommit to Rules

Committee Action: Amendments:

06-22-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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: Floor Vote:

Sen. Tyler Harper (7th) Agriculture & Consumer Affairs
Yeas: 156 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 06-22-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 321

Physician Assistants; relating to the number a physician can authorize and supervise at any one time; provisions; revise
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 321 authorizes an advanced practice registered nurse to order radiographic imaging tests in non-life threatening situations if delegated to do so by a physician. The bill also brings parity to the number of advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistance that a physician may supervise in a nurse protocol agreement to four.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (52nd) Regulated Industries
Yeas: 137 Nays: 14

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

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

SB 341

Peace Officers; re-employment of retired peace officers and correctional officers during disasters and emergencies; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 341 allows any law enforcement unit in the state to supplement its workforce as necessary with qualified, retired peace officers or correctional officers when a disaster or emergency has been declared by a county sheriff, a public safety director, or the governor or when there is a national emergency. Any retired officers must be in compliance with the annual training and qualification standards set for peace officers in Georgia law. Assisting officers have the same immunities and arrest powers in that location as the officers of the requesting entity only for the duration of the specific event. Any compensation is paid by the requesting entity and the officers assisting are deemed employees of the requesting entity during the event and therefore subject to the workers' compensation, overtime, and expense reimbursement provisions provided to him or her as an employee of the requesting agency.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Randy Robertson (29th)

Rule Applied:

Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee Action:

Yeas: 145 Nays: 7

Amendments:

Modified-Structured 06-19-2020 Do Pass

SB 375

Cigarettes and Tobacco Related Products; additional penalties regarding any person under 21 years of age; provide; definition of vapor product; revise
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 375 amends Chapter 11 of Title 48 of the O.C.G.A., relating to taxes on tobacco products, by raising the legal age to purchase and possess vapor and tobacco products, establishing licensing and regulatory requirements on vapor products, and establishing an excise tax on vapor products.

The bill raises the legal age to purchase tobacco and vapor products to 21 and makes it illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to possess the products. The bill also makes it unlawful to use any vapor product within a school safety zone.

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The bill also establishes excise taxes of five cents per milliliter on consumable vapor products in a closed system and seven percent of the wholesale cost price on vapor devices and vapor devices that contain any consumable vapor product at the time of sale and are not intended to be refilled.

"Consumable vapor product" is defined as any liquid solution that is intended to be heated into an aerosol state and inhaled by an individual. "Closed system" is defined as any disposable container which is pre-filled and sealed by the manufacturer and is intended or used to dispense consumable vapor products using a vapor device that is intended to be reused. "Open system" is defined as any method or manner used to contain a consumable vapor product that is not a closed system. "Vapor device" is defined as any system or device developed or intended to deliver a consumable vapor product to an individual who inhales from the device.

No person shall engage in or conduct business relating to alternative nicotine products and vapor products without first obtaining a license from the commissioner of the Department of Revenue. The commissioner may require a separate license for each business activity and product including alternative nicotine products, vapor products, and traditional tobacco products or may allow the license holder to participate in all business activities and products under one license. The license fees for vapor products is an additional $10 initial fee and an annual $10 fee. Vapor products are included in the current regulatory structure for tobacco products and all sales must be made in a face-to-face manner with the purchaser being at least 21 years of age as shown on a valid identification. Home delivery of vapor products is allowed, but requires that the recipient be at least 21 years of age as shown on a valid identification and provide a signature that matches that of the identification.

Alternative nicotine products and vapor products are incorporated into the Code section, which provides the department with the ability to regulate the tobacco industry.

The bill has an effective date of January 1, 2021.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Jeff Mullis (53rd) Ways & Means
Yeas: 123 Nays: 33

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Structured 06-24-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 407

Forest Resources and Other Plant Life; harvest and sale of palmetto berries; regulate
Bill Summary: SB 407 provides for the harvest and sale of saw palmetto berries. A saw palmetto berry seller must obtain a certificate of harvest from a landowner indicating permission for harvest to sell to a saw palmetto berry dealer. A saw palmetto berry dealer that purchases berries directly from a landowner must obtain a certificate of harvest from the landowner. Any person that participates in the procurement of saw palmetto berries shall maintain a legible record of all activities and purchase transactions for no less than two years from the date of harvest.

Law enforcement or the director of the State Forestry Commission may issue an order to stop harvest, sale, or use if there is an indication that an individual is in violation of the provisions for the harvest and sale of saw palmetto berries. The berries must be released if proof of the requirements being met are provided to law enforcement or the director. If the violation is upheld by the superior court of the county in which the saw palmetto berries are found, the berries shall be destroyed.

The following violations are considered misdemeanors that may be punished by a fine of no more than $1,000: the sale of saw palmetto berries to a berry dealer or seller without first obtaining a certificate of harvest; the harvest of saw palmetto berries without obtaining a certificate of harvest from the landowner; the purchase of saw palmetto berries without obtaining a landowner's certificate of harvest; or knowingly possessing saw palmetto berries that were harvested illegally. A person that knowingly purchases or sells saw palmetto berries valued at less than $1,500 without a landowner's certificate of harvest may be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by either or both a fine equal to the value of the berries and/or up to one year imprisonment. If the value of the saw palmetto berries exchanged exceeds $1,500, the person that knowingly purchased or sold the berries may be punished by either or both a fine equal to the value of the berries, up to $5,000, and imprisonment of up to three years.

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Next on the Floor

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

Sen. Tyler Harper (7th) Agriculture & Consumer Affairs
Yeas: Nays: Recommit to Rules

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 06-17-2020 Do Pass

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 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: Floor Vote:

Sen. John Kennedy (18th) Ways & Means
Yeas: 139 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Structured 06-18-2020 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: Floor Vote:

Sen. P. K. Martin (9th) Governmental Affairs
Yeas: 158 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 06-22-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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. Furthermore, Senate Bill 483 modernizes several statutes regarding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) issues to reflect current scientific understanding and advancements made in HIV care.

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Next on the Floor

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

Postponed Until Next Legislative Day
SB 289 Ad Valorem Taxation of Property; mobile homes procure permits and procure and display decals; remove the requirement
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 289 requires courts and the Georgia Tax Tribunal to decide all questions of law regarding the proper interpretation of revenue and taxation-related statutes or regulations without deference to the Department of Revenue's interpretation of the statute or regulation in dispute. The Department of Revenue retains deference to properly promulgated regulations unless the court finds that a taxpayer has a superior interpretation of ambiguous statutory language.

Authored By: Sen. Jeff Mullis (53rd)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

SB 308

Abandoned Vessels; unattended vessels in public waters; remove certain redundant processes
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 308 removes the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the National Crime Information Center Network from the Code relating to removal and storage of abandoned vessels, as well as the section relating to the requirement to notify the two of removal. The bill places all authority and notification back with the Department of Natural Resources.

Authored By: Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (32nd)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

SB 316

Military Spouses; licensed in other states to practice certain professions; obtain a license by endorsement to practice in this state; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 316 requires professional licensing boards to issue an expedited license to a military spouse or transitioning service member who holds a current license, in good standing, with another state; examinations to demonstrate required knowledge may be required.

Authored By: Sen. Bruce Thompson (14th)

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

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Daily Report for June 25, 2020

Next on the Floor

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 335

Children and Youth; foster children and foster families; laws and supports; strengthen
Bill Summary: SB 335 allows foster parents free admission into state parks. In addition, a tracking system must be developed for cases involving foster care. Moreover, the bill gives hearings involving dependency issues to take priority over cases involving jury trials. The bill allows for the Department of Family and Child Services to work with child placement agencies regarding the hours of training required for foster and respite families. SB 335 also addresses the Lake Lanier Development Authority.

Authored By: Sen. Matt Brass (28th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

SB 336

License Plates; eligibility for certain members of the military to receive special license plates; expand
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 336 adds the Meritorious Service Medal to the list of military medals that are available for special license plates. The bill creates a special and distinctive license plate for past or present members of United States Army Ranger units or graduates of the United States Army Ranger School.

Authored By: Sen. Steve Gooch (51st)

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 402

Bonds and Recognizances; conditions for unsecured judicial release on a person's own recognizance; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 402 amends Code Section 17-6-12, relating to the discretion of courts to release a person charged with a crime on their own recognizance, to specify certain bail-restricted offenses. It renames the release of a person on his or her own recognizance without a purported dollar amount through secured means or property as an "unsecured judicial release." The bill specifies that a person charged with a bail-restricted offense shall not be released on bail on unsecured judicial release for pretrial release programs, release and diversion programs, or intervention and diversion programs. Additional references in the Code to the release of a person on "his or her own recognizance" are replaced with "unsecured judicial release."

Any bond issued by an elected judge or judge sitting by designation that purports a dollar amount shall be executed in the full-face amount of the bond through secured means or shall be executed by use of property. This shall not prohibit a sheriff from releasing an inmate from custody in cases of medical emergency with consent of the judge.

Authored By: Sen. Randy Robertson (29th)

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

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Next on the Floor

Local Calendar
SB 328 Jackson, City of; levy an excise tax pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 48-13-51 of the O.C.G.A.; authorize the governing authority
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 328 authorizes the governing authority of the city of Jackson to levy an excise tax.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Burt Jones (25th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 155 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

06-25-2020 Do Pass

SB 399

Macon County; board of elections and registration; expand the board from three to five members
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 399 expands the Macon County Board of Elections and Registration from three to five members.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Ed Harbison (15th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 155 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

06-25-2020 Do Pass

SB 475 City of Grayson; terms of the mayor and city council; revise
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 475 revises the terms of the mayor and the city council of the city of Grayson.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. P. K. Martin (9th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 155 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

06-25-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 506 City of Buford; ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes; homestead exemption; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 506 provides a homestead exemption, which has the effect of a valuation freeze, for the city of Buford.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Renee Unterman (45th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 155 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

06-25-2020 Do Pass

SB 511

Board of Commissioners of Twiggs County; compensation and expenses of the members; provisions; change
Bill Summary: SB 511 changes the provisions regarding the compensation and expenses of the members of the Twiggs County Board of Commissioners. The chairperson of the board shall receive $11,250 annually, while each member of the board other than the chairperson shall receive $9,000.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. David Lucas (26th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 155 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

06-25-2020 Do Pass

SB 517 City of Jeffersonville; new charter; provide Bill Summary: Senate Bill 517 provides a new charter for the city of Jeffersonville.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. David Lucas (26th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 155 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

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06-25-2020 Do Pass

House of Representatives

Daily Report for June 25, 2020

Next on the Floor

Next on the Floor from the Committee on Rules
The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 40th Legislative Day, Friday, June 26, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker. The Rules Committee will next meet on Friday, June 26, at
9:00 a.m., to set the Rules Calendar for the 41st Legislative Day.

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

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 06-22-2020 Do Pass

SB 289

Ad Valorem Taxation of Property; mobile homes procure permits and procure and display decals; remove the requirement
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 289 requires courts and the Georgia Tax Tribunal to decide all questions of law regarding the proper interpretation of revenue and taxation-related statutes or regulations without deference to the Department of Revenue's interpretation of the statute or regulation in dispute. The Department of Revenue retains deference to properly promulgated regulations unless the court finds that a taxpayer has a superior interpretation of ambiguous statutory language.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Jeff Mullis (53rd) Judiciary

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 06-23-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 308

Abandoned Vessels; unattended vessels in public waters; remove certain redundant processes
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 308 removes the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the National Crime Information Center Network from the Code relating to removal and storage of abandoned vessels, as well as the section relating to the requirement to notify the two of removal. The bill places all authority and notification back with the Department of Natural Resources.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (32nd)

Rule Applied:

Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee

Action:

Modified-Structured 06-23-2020 Do Pass

SB 336

License Plates; eligibility for certain members of the military to receive special license plates; expand
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 336 adds the Meritorious Service Medal to the list of military medals that are available for special license plates. The bill creates a special and distinctive license plate for past or present members of United States Army Ranger units or graduates of the United States Army Ranger School.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Steve Gooch (51st) Motor Vehicles

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 06-17-2020 Do Pass

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

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Next on the Floor

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

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 06-22-2020 Do Pass

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

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 06-22-2020 Do Pass

SB 393

Law Enforcement Officers and Agencies; duties and powers; revise; campus policemen and other security personnel of the university system; arrests for felony offenses
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 393 codifies the Legal Division of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Any attorneys employed by the Legal Division may serve at the request of a district attorney, a solicitor-general, or a United States Attorney. When providing assistance to the requesting attorney, they have the same power as any attorney employed by the requesting attorneys.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Brian Strickland (17th)

Rule Applied:

Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee

Action:

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

SB 402

Bonds and Recognizances; conditions for unsecured judicial release on a person's own recognizance; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 402 amends Code Section 17-6-12, relating to the discretion of courts to release a person charged with a crime on their own recognizance, to specify certain bail-restricted offenses. It renames the release of a person on his or her own recognizance without a purported dollar amount through secured means or property as an "unsecured judicial release." The bill specifies that a person charged with a bail-restricted offense shall not be released on bail on unsecured judicial release for pretrial release programs, release and diversion programs, or intervention and diversion programs. Additional references in the Code to the release of a person on "his or her own recognizance" are replaced with "unsecured judicial release."

Any bond issued by an elected judge or judge sitting by designation that purports a dollar amount shall be executed in the full-face amount of the bond through secured means or shall be executed by use of property. This shall not prohibit a sheriff from releasing an inmate from custody in cases of medical emergency with consent of the judge.

Authored By: Sen. Randy Robertson (29th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

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Next on the Floor

House Committee:

Judiciary

Committee Action:

06-23-2020 Do Pass

SR 844 Deputy Nicolas Blane Dixon Memorial Bridge; Hall County; dedicate Bill Summary: The House substitute to SR 844 includes the following dedications:
Senate Resolution 844, dedicating the bridge on State Route 11/Cleveland Highway in Hall County as the Deputy Nicolas Blane Dixon Memorial Bridge;
Senate Resolution 862, dedicating the intersection of State Route 92 and State Route 9/State Route 120 in Fulton County as the Tom Price Intersection;
Senate Resolution 858, dedicating the bridge on 17th Street over I-75 in Fulton County as the Calvin McLarin Memorial Bridge;
Senate Resolution 889, dedicating the overpass bridge on State Route 38/U.S. 221 in Lowndes County as the Joseph "Sonny" Vickers Overpass;
House Resolution 1326, dedicating the portion of State Route 139 from Campbellton Road to Donnelly Avenue in Fulton County as the Vivien Harmon Memorial Highway;
House Resolution 1328, dedicating the overpass bridge on 701 West Highway 80 in Chatham County as the Kicklighter Overpass;
House Resolution 1366, dedicating the portion of State Route 41 from mile marker 6 to mile marker 7 in Marion County, Georgia, as the Wesley Frank Weaver Memorial Mile;
House Resolution 1387, dedicating the portion of State Route 17 from Rocky Ford to Scarboro in Screven County as the C. Arthur Howard, Jr., Highway;
House Resolution 1388, dedicating the bridge on State Route 85 over Railroad Ave/Railroad Street in Muscogee County as the Albert W. Thompson Memorial Bridge;
House Resolution 1389, dedicating the interchange at the U.S. 80/State Route 22 Connector in Muscogee County as the Congressman Jack T. Brinkley Memorial Interchange;
House Resolution 1392, dedicating the intersection of Brown Road and State Route 56 in AugustaRichmond County as the James "Jimmy" Smith, Jr., Intersection;
House Resolution 1431, dedicating the bridge on State Route 88 over Brier Creek in Keysville, Georgia, as the Maggie Bell Cheatham Cartwright Bridge;
House Resolution 1444, dedicating the interchange between Interstate 20 and Washington Road in Richmond County as the Jessye Norman Memorial Interchange;
House Resolution 1472, dedicating the overpass bridge at the overpass on State Route 169 in Wayne County as the William "Billie" E. Clanton Bridge;
House Resolution 1522, dedicating the bridge on State Route 515/State Route 5 over Talona Road in Gilmer County as the Billy Burnette Memorial Bridge;
House Resolution 1523, dedicating the bridge on State Route 338 over I-16 near the city limits of Dudley in Laurens County as the Johnnie B. Hall Memorial Bridge;
House Resolution 1524, dedicating the intersection between State Route 31/US 319/ US 441 and State Route 117/ US 441 Bypass in Laurens County as the Kipley "Kip" Allen Brown Memorial Intersection;

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House Resolution 1548, dedicating the interchange at Interstate 75 and Union Grove in Gordon County as the Johnny Meadows Memorial Interchange;

House Resolution 1589, dedicating the intersection of State Route 1 and Veterans Memorial Highway in Floyd County as the Carl Evans Memorial Intersection;

House Resolution 1597, dedicating the bridge on SR 38/US 84 over SR 3/SR 300/US 19 in Thomas County as the Major Henry Talmage Elrod Medal of Honor Recipient Memorial Bridge;

House Resolution 1598, dedicating the bridge on State Route 93 between 1st and 2nd Avenue in the city limits of Cairo in Grady County as the Veterans Memorial Bridge.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Butch Miller (49th) Transportation

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 06-24-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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Committee Actions

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

Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications Committee

SB 464

"Georgia Uniform Mediation Act"; uniform laws governing mediation and participants in mediation; provide; enact
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 464 requires utilities and state and local governmental agencies to report cyber-attacks to the director of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency. The reports shall not be subject to public inspection or disclosure. The bill also allows cybersecurity to be discussed during executive sessions for state and local government agencies, in addition to stating that any records, data, or information concerning cybersecurity are not required for disclosure under public records.

Authored By: House Committee:

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

Committee Action:

06-25-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Intragovernmental Coordination - Local Committee

SB 328

Jackson, City of; levy an excise tax pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 48-13-51 of the O.C.G.A.; authorize the governing authority
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 328 authorizes the governing authority of the city of Jackson to levy an excise tax.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Burt Jones (25th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

06-25-2020 Do Pass

SB 399

Macon County; board of elections and registration; expand the board from three to five members
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 399 expands the Macon County Board of Elections and Registration from three to five members.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Ed Harbison (15th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

06-25-2020 Do Pass

SB 475 City of Grayson; terms of the mayor and city council; revise
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 475 revises the terms of the mayor and the city council of the city of Grayson.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. P. K. Martin (9th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

06-25-2020 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 506 City of Buford; ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes; homestead exemption; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 506 provides a homestead exemption, which has the effect of a valuation freeze, for the city of Buford.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Renee Unterman (45th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

06-25-2020 Do Pass

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Committee Actions

SB 508 State Court of Rockdale County; additional judge for such court; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 508 provides for an additional judge for the Rockdale County State Court.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Brian Strickland (17th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

06-25-2020 Do Pass

SB 511

Board of Commissioners of Twiggs County; compensation and expenses of the members; provisions; change
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 511 changes the provisions regarding the compensation and expenses of the members of the Twiggs County Board of Commissioners. The chairperson of the board shall receive $11,250 annually, while each member of the board other than the chairperson shall receive $9,000.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. David Lucas (26th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

06-25-2020 Do Pass

SB 517 City of Jeffersonville; new charter; provide Bill Summary: Senate Bill 517 provides a new charter for the city of Jeffersonville.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. David Lucas (26th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

06-25-2020 Do Pass

SB 518 Magistrate Court of Henry County; assessment and collection of a technology fee; authorize
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 518 authorizes the Henry County Magistrate Court to assess and collect a technology fee.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Brian Strickland (17th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

06-25-2020 Do Pass

SB 527

Unified Government of Cusseta-Chattahoochee County; levy an excise tax pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 48-13-51 of the O.C.G.A.
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 527 authorizes the governing authority of the Unified Government of Cusseta-Chattahoochee County to levy an excise tax.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Ed Harbison (15th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

06-25-2020 Do Pass

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

Friday, June 26, 2020 9:00 AM RULES 341 CAP 10:00 AM FLOOR SESSION (LD 40) SINE DIE House Chamber

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