Daily report, 2021 March 17

DAILY REPORT Wednesday
March 17, 2021

34th Legislative
Day

House Budget & Research Office (404) 656-5050

The House will reconvene for its 35th Legislative Day on Thursday, March 18 at 10:00 a.m. The Rules Committee will meet at 9:00 a.m. Nine bills / resolutions are expected to be debated on the floor.

Today on the Floor

Rules Calendar
HB 703 Bleckley County; probate judge; provide nonpartisan elections
Bill Summary: House Bill 703 provides for non-partisan elections for the Bleckley County probate judge.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Danny Mathis (144th) Intragovernmental Coordination
Yeas: 105 Nays: 64

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Structured 03-10-2021 Do Pass

HB 704 Bleckley County; Magistrate Court chief judge; provide nonpartisan elections
Bill Summary: House Bill 704 provides for non-partisan elections for the Bleckley County chief magistrate judge.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Danny Mathis (144th) Intragovernmental Coordination
Yeas: 103 Nays: 68

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Structured 03-10-2021 Do Pass

SB 43

"Noncovered Eye Care Services Act"; enact
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 43 is the 'Non-Covered Eye Care Services Act.' This bill prohibits insurers from requiring an ophthalmologist or optometrist to accept as payment an amount set by the insurer for services that are not covered eye care services under the covered person's eye care benefit plan as a condition to join or participate in its provider network.

Additionally, no insurer will draft, publish, disseminate, or circulate any explanations of benefit forms that include language that directly or indirectly states or implies that an ophthalmologist or optometrist should extend discounts to patients for non-covered eye care services.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Matt Brass (28th) Insurance
Yeas: 152 Nays: 17

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-10-2021 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 88

Education; Georgia Teacher of the Year shall be invited to serve as advisor ex officio to the State Board of Education; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 88 amends O.C.G.A. 20-2-212.1 to allow the Georgia teacher of the year to serve as advisor ex-officio to the State Board of Education. Under the provision of this bill, local

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 17, 2021

Today on the Floor

school systems are required to support a pathway for non-traditional teacher certification programs for armed forces veterans to become certified teachers. This legislation further revises the tiered evaluation system and requires the Professional Standards Commission to create innovative programs to promote teacher education programs at historically black colleges and universities.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Russ Goodman (8th) Education
Yeas: 171 Nays: 1

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-11-2021 Do Pass

SB 140

Flag, Seal, and Other Symbols; placement of a monument in honor of the Honorable Zell Bryan Miller upon the capitol grounds of the state capitol building; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 140 states that a monument in honor of Zell Bryan Miller shall be placed within the state capitol building or grounds and constructed using private funds. The Capitol Arts Standards Commission shall design, procure, and place the monument as soon as practicable. The design is subject to final approval of a monument committee consisting of the following: two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives; two members of the Senate appointed by the lieutenant governor; and two members appointed by the governor, with one from the House of Representatives and one from the Senate.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Jeff Mullis (53rd) State Properties
Yeas: 172 Nays: 1

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-10-2021 Do Pass

SB 182

Counties and Municipal Corporations; "fence detection system"; define the term; counties, consolidated governments, and municipalities regulate or prohibit such system; limit the ability
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 182 requires counties, municipalities, and consolidated governments to treat fence detection systems the same, in zoning and permitting matters, as alarm systems. The bill prohibits counties, municipalities, and consolidated governments from prohibiting the installation or use of fence detection systems that comply with Code.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Randy Robertson (29th) Governmental Affairs
Yeas: 103 Nays: 70

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-10-2021 Do Pass

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Next on the Floor

Next on the Floor from the Committee on Rules
The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 35th Legislative Day, Thursday, March 18, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker. The Rules Committee will next meet on Thursday, March 18,
at 9:00 a.m., to set the Rules Calendar for the 36th Legislative Day.

SB 34

Domestic Relations; name change; victims of human trafficking may petition; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 34 amends Chapter 12 of Title 19, related to petitions for name change by victims of family violence, to include victims of human trafficking as petitioners who may request a name change under seal.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Clint Dixon (45th) Judiciary

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 03-15-2021 Do Pass

SB 66

Georgia Foundation for Public Education; a nonprofit corporation created by the foundation to receive private donations to be used for grants to public schools; authorize
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 66 amends O.C.G.A. 20-2-14.1 relating to the Georgia Foundation for Public Education to create a nonprofit corporation in order to receive private donations to fund grants to public schools. Grants given pursuant to this Code section will be awarded for the implantation of academic and organizational innovations to improve student achievement. This legislation authorizes an income tax credit for education donations. It would also end the Public Education Innovation Fund Foundation on December 31, 2021. Any assets remaining in the fund will revert to the Georgia Foundation for Public Education's nonprofit corporation.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Jason Anavitarte (31st) Education

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 03-11-2021 Do Pass

SB 143

Mechanics and Materialmen; waiver of lien and labor or material bond rights; conform a reference within a statutory form
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 143 corrects a reference in the statutory affidavit of non-payment for mechanics and materialmen provided in Code Section 44-14-366. For purposes of sufficient notice, when the owner of a property subject to the materialman or mechanic's lien is an entity, a copy of the affidavit, as opposed to the underlying lien, must be sent to the company or the company's registered agent.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Lindsey Tippins (37th) Judiciary

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 03-15-2021 Do Pass

SB 148

2021 Special Council on Tax Reform and Fairness for Georgians and the Special Joint Committee on Georgia Revenue Structure; create
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 148 creates the 2021 Special Council on Tax Reform and Fairness for Georgians, which consists of 10 members that include three economists; the governor; a nonpartisan fiscal expert chosen by the minority leaders of both chambers; the 2021 Georgia state director for the National Federation of Independent Business; and two members from each the House of Representatives and the Senate. Additionally, the president of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the commissioner of the Department of Economic Development shall serve as exofficio non-voting members. The special council is to conduct a study of the state's current revenue structure and report its findings by January 10, 2022.

SB 148 also creates the Special Joint Committee on Georgia Revenue Structure, which consists of 12 members that include the pro tempores, majority leaders, and minority leaders from both the House of Representatives and the Senate; the chairpersons of the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Finance Committee; and two additional members from each the House of Representatives and the Senate. The special joint committee is to introduce legislation during the 2022 Session that

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Daily Report for March 17, 2021

Next on the Floor

incorporates the recommendations of the Special Council on Tax Reform and Fairness for Georgians. The legislation is to be referred only to the special joint committee and will then go directly to the House of Representatives for consideration, followed by consideration by the Senate, without amendment.

The bill is automatically repealed on July 1, 2023.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (52nd)

Rule Applied:

Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight Committee

Action:

Modified-Structured 03-16-2021 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 163

Judicial Emergency; suspension of statutory speedy trial requirements; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 163 allows for the suspension of statutory speedy trial requirements following a judicial emergency. A chief judge of a superior court judicial circuit or a state court may grant relief from speedy trial requirements if the judge certifies that under the totality of the circumstances arising from the preceding judicial emergency, compliance with speedy trial requirements would be impracticable. Certain factors required for a judge's consideration when determining whether to issue such a certification are provided, as are the required contents for the certification.

Each time a chief judge of a superior court judicial circuit or a state court enters an order granting relief from speedy trial requirements, he or she must certify or recertify that compliance with speedy trial requirements is impracticable or attach a certification provided by either a majority of the superior court judges or state court judges in the county, respectively.

A chief judge of a superior court judicial circuit or a state court may act independently of any emergency declared by the governor, and in his or her own discretion, but the judges shall act upon the request, in writing, of a majority of the active judges of their respective circuit or county.

Each period of relief granted by a chief judge shall not exceed a total of eight months and shall end on the last day of a term of court. Each time a chief judge issues an order granting relief from speedy trial requirements, he or she shall provide notice of the action to judicial officials and the public. Notice shall include a copy of the certification issued in accordance with the grant of relief.

The chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court may, in his or her sole discretion, reinstate any statutory speedy trial requirement that was relieved. The chief justice shall provide notice of the action and a chief judge shall not grant further subsequent relief from speedy trial requirements unless subsequent relief is reauthorized by the chief justice.

The authorization to provide relief from speedy trial requirements does no relieve the state of its constitutional obligation to provide for a speedy and public criminal trial. The provisions of this bill shall be in effect until June 30, 2023, and no order granting relief from statutory speedy trial requirements shall be issued after that date.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Brian Strickland (17th) Judiciary

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 03-15-2021 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 168

Meetings; corporation may hold annual shareholders' meetings and special shareholders' meetings by means of remote communication; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 168 allows the board of directors of a corporation to hold annual and special shareholder meetings wholly or partially by means of remote communication unless otherwise provided by the corporation's by-laws or articles of incorporation.

When authorized by the board, shareholders and holders of proxies may participate in, be deemed present for, and vote at a shareholder meeting remotely if the corporation implements reasonable procedures to verify that those present and voting at a shareholder meeting are, in fact, shareholders or holders of proxies and provide shareholders and holders of proxies a reasonable opportunity to

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Next on the Floor

participate in such meeting and to vote on matters. When a shareholder or holder of a proxy votes or takes other actions remotely, the corporation must maintain a record of such votes or actions.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Larry Walker III (20th) Banks & Banking

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 03-15-2021 Do Pass

SB 169

Bonds; acceptance of electronic signatures and electronic corporate seals on bonds; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 169 amends the Code to allow public procurement officers to accept surety bonds with electronic signatures and electronic corporate seals, as long as the signature and seal comply with the 'Uniform Electronic Transactions Act' and Code Section 33-24-14.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Larry Walker III (20th) Judiciary

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 03-15-2021 Do Pass

SB 210

Motor Vehicles and Traffic; definitions relative to registration and licensing of motor vehicles; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 210 provides for the issuance, regulation, and usage of digital license plates for motor vehicles. When a driver applies for a digital license plate, the commissioner or county tag agent must transmit the license plate information to the digital license plate provider. The commissioner or tag agent must issue a 45-day temporary operating permit to the applicant for use until the digital plate has been received. The digital license plate must be renewed annually. If the commissioner sends notice of a cancelled or revoked registration, the digital license plate provider must terminate the transmission of data to the cancelled or revoked license plate.

The bill requires the commissioner to submit a report to the General Assembly on digital license plate implementation by January 1, 2024.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Randy Robertson (29th) Motor Vehicles

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 03-16-2021 Do Pass

SB 221

Ethics in Government; leadership committees; chairpersons; such committees may receive contributions and make expenditures; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 221 provides for the allowance of leadership committees for the purpose of campaign financing. "Leadership committees" are specifically defined as a committee, corporation, or organization chaired by the governor, the lieutenant governor, or the nominee of a political party for either office; and up to two political action committees designated by the majority and minority caucuses of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Leadership committees are authorized to receive contributions and make expenditures for the purposes of: affecting the outcome of any election or advocating for or against a political candidate; paying for expenses related to any candidate's campaign for office; and paying for expenses in connection with a public officer's fulfillment or retention of such office. Leadership committees that accept contributions in excess of $500 must register with the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission and file disclosure reports pursuant to the schedule defined for candidates and campaign committees. Contribution and expenditure limits shall not apply to these committees. Any communications paid for by the expenditures of a committee shall contain a disclaimer that the committee paid for the communication.

When the chairperson of a leadership committee is no longer eligible to serve as chairperson, he or she must: transfer the remaining assets of the leadership committee, if any, to another leadership committee within 60 days; name an eligible person as the new chairperson within 60 days; or dispose of the leadership committee's assets in accordance with Code Section 21-5-33.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Jeff Mullis (53rd) Judiciary

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 03-15-2021 Do Pass

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 17, 2021

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 49

Buildings and Housing; procedures for alternative plan review, permitting, and inspection by private professional providers; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 49 allows a building inspection applicant to utilize the services of a private building inspector at the onset of the application process by removing a requirement to wait 30 days for a local government to provide the services. If an applicant chooses to use a private inspector, half of the fee must be paid to the local government.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Clint Dixon (45th) Agriculture & Consumer Affairs

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass

SB 195 Hemp Farming; definition; revise
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 195 excludes traditional farming practices, including drying, shucking and bucking, storing, trimming, and curing, from the definition of "process or processing."

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Jeff Mullis (53rd) Agriculture & Consumer Affairs

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass

SB 247

Agricultural Commodity Commissions; public hearings with online public comment opportunities; replace
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 247 allows for agricultural commodity commissions to hold public hearings with public comments on marketing orders either wholly or partially online. Notices related to marketing orders must also be published on the Department of Agriculture's website and in the Farmers Consumers Market Bulletin, or other similar publications.

When proposing a new marketing order or a major amendment to an existing marketing order, a quorum necessary for approval shall be at least 25 percent of notified eligible producers. The vote is approved with two-thirds of the quorum in agreement.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Lee Anderson (24th) Agriculture & Consumer Affairs

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass

SB 260

Soil Amendments; exclude from regulation
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 260 excludes from rules and regulations governing soil amendments any soil amendments derived from industrial by-products solely generated from forest products. Local governments shall not adopt or enforce a zoning ordinance that creates a buffer or setback related to soil amendments that exceeds 100 feet.

The bill allows the State Board of Examiners for the Certification of Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators and Laboratory Analysts to assess a registration fee for board-approved continuing education providers.

Authored By: House Committee:

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

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass

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Committee Actions

Code Revision Committee

SB 238

Code Of Georgia; enactment of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated; revise provisions
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 238 amends the O.C.G.A. to clarify which portions of the Code have the effect of law and identify the contents of the Code that do not have the effect of law. The bill also clarifies the oversight of the Code Revision Commission and revises a provision relating to the copyright of the Code.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Brian Strickland (17th) Code Revision

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Governmental Affairs Committee
HR 222 House Study Committee on Annexation; create Bill Summary: House Resolution 222 creates the House Study Committee on Annexation and Cityhood.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Victor Anderson (10th) Governmental Affairs

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 95

State Government; conditions for meetings and public hearings to be held by teleconference in emergency conditions; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 95 establishes that when agencies hold meetings, under emergency conditions, persons or agencies who participate by teleconference must be treated as fully participating, as if they are physically attending the meeting.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Frank Ginn (47th) Governmental Affairs

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 144

Housing Authorities; ability of city housing authorities to operate outside municipal boundaries without authorization; limit
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 144 amends the definition of "area of operation" as it relates to a city housing authority to no longer include the area within 10 miles of the boundaries of the city. Current city housing authorities that are operating within 10 miles of the city boundaries are entitled to continue, but no new city housing authorities outside the city boundaries are authorized unless consent is given by the affected county or municipality.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Lindsey Tippins (37th) Governmental Affairs

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass

SB 152 State and Other Flags; pledge of allegiance to the state flag; add language Bill Summary: Senate Bill 152 updates the wording of the pledge of allegiance to the state flag.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Randy Robertson (29th) Governmental Affairs

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass

SB 193

Ad Valorem Taxation of Property; requiring that mobile homes procure and display decals; grant counties the option
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 193 allows county property appraisers to elect whether or not to require decals for inspections on mobile homes.

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Committee Actions

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Jeff Mullis (53rd) Governmental Affairs

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass

Higher Education Committee

SB 187

HOPE Scholarship; procedure for students with disability as defined by the American with Disabilities Act to apply for a waiver; establish
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 187 amends O.C.G.A. 20-3-519.2 to allow the Georgia Student Finance Commission to waive certain eligibility requirements for the HOPE scholarship for students with disabilities. Students with disabilities could apply to waive the time limits on a student's eligibility to use the scholarship after graduating high school.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Lindsey Tippins (37th) Higher Education

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass

Industry and Labor Committee

SB 156

Labor and Industrial Relations; appointment, oath, bond, power, duties, and authority of a chief labor officer; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 156 creates the office of the chief labor officer, which has the same powers and authorities granted to the Commissioner of Labor and added authorization, including for providing timely reports related to unemployment compensation claims; developing and implementing strategies to improve reliability and timeliness of proper payments of unemployment insurance benefits; developing a consent form to provide access to Georgia citizens and their elected representatives to information and records; and providing timely reports and responses to financial audits of the Department of Labor. The chief labor officer is appointed by the governor with confirmation by the Senate Committee on Government Oversight. The provisions of this bill shall stand repealed on January 9, 2023.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Marty Harbin (16th) Industry and Labor

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Tabled

Insurance Committee

SB 80

"Ensuring Transparency in Prior Authorization Act"; enact
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 80 amends Chapter 46 of Title 33 for private review agents that conduct health care service utilization review. The bill applies review and adjudication standards for prior authorization requests for health care services, recognizes "utilization review entities," and sets out guidelines for the insurance commissioner's rulemaking in enforcing standards that apply to entities conducting utilization review.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (32nd) Insurance

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 82

Emergency Medical Services; prudent layperson standard is not affected by the final diagnosis given; clarify
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 82 amends Chapter 11 of Title 31 related to emergency medical services to clarify that the "prudent layperson standard" is not affected by the diagnosis given.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Michelle Au (48th) Insurance

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass as Amended

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Committee Actions

Intragovernmental Coordination - Local Committee
HB 732 Atlanta, City of; Independent School District ad valorem tax exemption; remove sunset date Bill Summary: House Bill 732 amends an Atlanta School District homestead exemption by removing the sunset date.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. David Dreyer (59th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass

HB 739 Blue Ridge, City of; staggered terms of mayor and councilmembers; provide
Bill Summary: House Bill 739 provides staggered terms for the mayor and councilmembers of the city of Blue Ridge.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. David Ralston (7th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 740 Pendergrass, City of; add two new members to city council
Bill Summary: House Bill 740 adds two new members to the city council of the town of Pendergrass.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Tommy Benton (31st) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass

HB 753 Coweta County Public Facilities Authority Act; enact Bill Summary: House Bill 753 creates the Coweta County Public Facilities Authority.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Lynn Smith (70th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass

HB 754 Hoschton, City of; new governmental structure; provide Bill Summary: House Bill 754 provides for a new governmental structure for the city of Hoschton.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Tommy Benton (31st) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass

HB 755

Pierce County; board of elections and registration; provide for abolition of board on a date certain
Bill Summary: House Bill 755 abolishes the Pierce County Board of Elections and Registration on June 30, 2021.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Steven Meeks (178th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass

HB 756

Pierce County; reconstitute and reestablish board of elections and registration; provisions
Bill Summary: House Bill 756 reconstitutes and reestablishes the Pierce County Board of Elections and Registration. The board will be composed of five members, three of whom will be appointed by the Pierce County grand jury and two of whom will be appointed by the judge of the Pierce County Probate Court from nominations made by the two political parties who received the highest and second highest amount of votes in the county for their candidate for governor in the preceding

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general election. The bill will not become effective and will be automatically repealed on July 1, 2021, if a bill to abolish the current board is not approved during the 2021 Session.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Steven Meeks (178th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass

HB 757

Atlanta, City of; urban enterprise zones; provide for findings and purpose
Bill Summary: House Bill 757 amends the 'Atlanta Urban Enterprise Zone Act' by providing for findings and purpose of urban enterprise zones, for types of ad valorem property tax exemptions, and for designating urban enterprise zones.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Bee Nguyen (89th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass

HB 759 Thunderbolt, Town of; levy an excise tax Bill Summary: House Bill 759 authorizes the town of Thunderbolt to levy an excise tax.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Jesse Petrea (166th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass

HB 769

Spalding County; board of elections; revise composition
Bill Summary: House Bill 769 revises the composition of the Spalding County Board of Elections and Registration. Two members will be appointed by the chairperson of the county executive committee of the political party whose candidates received the largest number of votes for members of the General Assembly in the preceding general election. Two members will be appointed by the chairperson of the county executive committee of the political party whose candidates received the next largest number of votes for members of the General Assembly in the preceding general election. One member will be appointed by the vote of a majority of the judges of the Spalding County Superior Court.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Karen Mathiak (73rd) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass

SB 280 Lumpkin County; board of commissioners; qualifications for the county manager; revise
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 280 revises the qualifications for the county manager of Lumpkin County.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Steve Gooch (51st) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass

SB 282

Lincoln County; board of elections and registration; abolition of the board on a date certain; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 282 provides for the abolition of the Lincoln County Board of Elections and Registration on June 30, 2021.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Lee Anderson (24th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass

SB 283 Lincoln County; board of elections and registration; reconstitute and reestablish Bill Summary: Senate Bill 283 reconstitutes and reestablishes the Lincoln County Board of Elections and Registration. The board will be composed of five members, three of whom will be
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Committee Actions

appointed by the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners, one of whom will be appointed by the governing authority of the city of Lincolnton, and one of whom will be appointed by the Lincoln County Board of Education. The bill will not become effective and will be automatically repealed on July 1, 2021, if a bill to abolish the current board is not approved during the 2021 Session.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Lee Anderson (24th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass

Judiciary Committee

SB 33

Torts; cause of action against perpetrators for victims of human trafficking; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 33 establishes a civil cause of action for victims of human trafficking against their perpetrators. "Perpetrator" is defined as any person or entity that knowingly benefited from participation in a venture or scheme that they knew, or should have known, was in violation of the human trafficking statute.

Any civil action filed pursuant to this provision shall be stayed during the pendency of any criminal action relating to the victim. Victims may bring a civil action within 10 years after the cause of action arose or within 10 years after the victim reaches the age of 18, if the victim was a minor at the time of the alleged violation.

The attorney general shall have a cause of action against a perpetrator on behalf of the state whenever he or she has reasonable cause to believe that an interest of the citizens of the state has been threatened or adversely affected by the perpetrator.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Clint Dixon (45th) Judiciary

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass

SB 86

"Fair Business Practices Act of 1975 "; requirements for solicitations of services for corporate filings required by the Secretary of State; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 86 modifies the elements that must be demonstrated by an individual seeking to become an equitable caregiver of a child to include that the individual must demonstrate that the child will suffer physical harm or long-term emotional harm and that continuing the relationship between the individual and the child is in the best interest of the child. Additionally, the individual must now demonstrate that all of the required elements have occurred within five years of their petition to become an equitable caregiver; previously, no time period was specified. The bill also clarifies that a court may not order the payment of child support to an equitable caregiver and provides that any party granted custody of a child as an equitable caregiver shall be subject to having their custodial rights to a child removed upon a finding by a court that one or both of the child's parents are no longer a risk of causing harm to the child.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Larry Walker III (20th) Judiciary

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 200

Emergency Powers of the Governor; certain business and religious institutions may continue to resume operations; certain states of emergency; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 200 amends Chapter 3 of Title 38 of the Code, relating to the governor's emergency powers. When a public health state of emergency is declared by the governor, and the governor has issued health and safety measures, a business may continue to operate as long as the business complies with those measures.

The bill also clarifies that the governor may not specifically limit the practice of any religion when exercising emergency powers during any state of emergency or disaster.

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Committee Actions

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Jason Anavitarte (31st) Judiciary

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 218

Vacation of Office; suspension of compensation for certain public officers who are suspended because of indictment for a felony; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 218 suspends the compensation of certain public officials when that official is suspended from their respective office due to a felony indictment.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Larry Walker III (20th) Judiciary

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass

SB 234

"Georgia Uniform Mediation Act"; enact
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 234 creates the 'Georgia Uniform Mediation Act' for the purpose of providing uniformity in the laws governing mediation, its participants, and the communications made therein. Terms related to mediation are defined and mediations to which the act applies or does not apply are specifically identified.

The bill specifies which communications made during, or for the purpose of, a mediation are privileged and no subject to discovery or admissible in evidence, when and how the privilege may be waived, and when the privilege is precluded or does not otherwise apply. Notwithstanding any provision of the act to the contrary, mediation and mediation communications, and such related conduct, shall not be admissible or subject to disclosure, except to the extend agreed to by the parties in writing or as otherwise provided by the Code or rule, unless such communications are subject to the 'Georgia Open Records Act'.

Requirements for mediators are established and include what mediators may or must disclose and when they must disclose it. Attorneys or other individuals designated by a party may participate in a mediation. Waivers of participation provided before a mediation may be rescinded.

International commercial mediations shall be governed by the Model Law on International Commercial Mediation and International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation unless the parties otherwise agree.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. John Kennedy (18th) Judiciary

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass

SR 134

Public Officers; suspension of compensation; felony; provide -CA
Bill Summary: Senate Resolution 134 amends Article II of Section III of the Constitution of Georgia, relating to the procedures for suspending or removing public officials, to provide that the compensation of certain public officials be suspended if they are suspended from their office due to a felony indictment. The resolution also includes language for the ballot question required to effect this amendment to the Constitution of Georgia.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Larry Walker III (20th) Judiciary

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass

Judiciary Non-Civil Committee

SB 105

State-Wide Probation System; conditions and procedures under which probation may be terminated early; revise
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 105 revises the requirements related to behavioral incentive dates and reporting by the Department of Community Supervision (DCS). DCS is required to report to the prosecuting attorney and court within 60 days of the expiration of a behavioral incentive date under

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 17, 2021

Committee Actions

O.C.G.A. 17-10-1 if the defendant has paid all restitution owed; not had his or her probation revoked in the preceding 24 months or other applicable period; and not been arrested for anything other than a non-serious traffic offense. If the court or prosecuting attorney request a hearing on the matter, then the court must schedule the matter for a hearing as soon as possible and within 90 days after receiving the order to terminate.

Further, the bill requires a behavioral incentive date to be included in all sentencing orders involving a situation in which a person with no prior felony convictions was convicted of a felony offense or charged with a felony offense; was sentenced pursuant to subsections (a) or (c) of O.C.G.A. 16-3-2 or Article 3 ("First Offenders") of Chapter 8 ("Probation") of Title 42 ("Penal Institutions"); and the court imposed probation or a sentence of 12 or less months of imprisonment followed by a term of probation. This requirement regarding behavioral incentive dates being included in sentencing orders is retroactive. Also, if a behavioral incentive date is not included in the order, then a default timeframe of three years from when the sentence was imposed shall be used.

The bill also requires that when a court receives a petition to shorten the period of active probation supervision or unsupervised probation, then the court must schedule the hearing for as soon as possible and within 90 days after receiving the motion. In situations in which a report is required to be filed due to a probationer serving three years of his or her sentence, the report must now address both whether the probationer has had his or her probation revoked in the preceding 24 months and the status of the probationer's payments towards any restitution. If DCS is recommending early termination of the probation in its written report, then it must notify the prosecuting attorney and provide the court with an order to terminate the probation. The court must hear the matter as soon as possible and within 90 days after receiving the order to terminate.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Brian Strickland (17th) Judiciary Non-Civil

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass

Motor Vehicles Committee

SB 165

Motor Vehicles; autonomous vehicles from certain vehicle equipment requirements; exempt
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 165 allows for the display of either an amber strobe light or a specified emblem to indicate a low-speed vehicle in certain instances. The bill requires county tag agents to issue any required permits for low-speed vehicles at the time of vehicle registration.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Steve Gooch (51st) Motor Vehicles

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 225

License Plates; individuals who served in the armed forces for an ally of the United States during active military combat; provide a veteran's license plate
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 225 provides for the creation of a specialty license plate for allied veterans.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Ed Harbison (15th) Motor Vehicles

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Transportation Committee

SR 84

Airport Infrastructure and Improvements; create Joint Study Committee

Bill Summary: Senate Resolution 84 creates the Joint Study Committee on Airport Infrastructure

and Improvements.

Authored By: Sen. Tyler Harper (7th)

House Committee:

Transportation

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 17, 2021

Committee Actions

SR 102

Georgia Commission on E-Commerce and Freight Infrastructure Funding; create
Bill Summary: Senate Resolution 102 creates the Georgia Commission on E-Commerce and Freight Infrastructure Funding. The commission is authorized to use funds appropriated to the Georgia Department of Transportation to contract with private consulting and other services deemed necessary for the purposes of addressing the goals and objectives of the commission.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Steve Gooch (51st) Transportation

Committee Action:

03-17-2021 Do Pass

House 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.

Date

Time

03/18/2021 8:00 AM

03/18/2021 8:00 AM

03/18/2021 8:00 AM

Name CANCELLED - SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ELECTION INTEGRITY CANCELLED - NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT CANCELLED - EDUCATION

03/18/2021 8:30 AM WAYS AND MEANS

03/18/2021 9:00 AM RULES 03/18/2021 10:00 AM FLOOR SESSION (LD35)

03/18/2021 11:00 AM CANCELLED - Judiciary Scoggins Subcommittee

03/18/2021 1:00 PM CANCELLED - Education Subcommittee

03/18/2021 1:00 PM HIGHER EDUCATION

03/18/2021 1:00 PM JUVENILE JUSTICE

03/18/2021 1:30 PM PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY 03/18/2021 2:00 PM SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ELECTION INTEGRITY

03/18/2021 2:00 PM CREATIVE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

03/18/2021 3:30 PM STATE PLANNING AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

Location Video 606 CLOB HYBRID 606 CLOB HYBRID 506 CLOB HYBRID 406 CLOB VIDEO HYBRID 341 CAP VIDEO House VIDEO Chamber 132 CAP HYBRID 606 CLOB HYBRID 341 CAP VIDEO HYBRID 403 CAP VIDEO HYBRID 415 CLOB VIDEO 406 CLOB HYBRID 506 CLOB VIDEO HYBRID 606 CLOB VIDEO HYBRID

Agenda
Agenda Agenda Agenda
Agenda Agenda Agenda Agenda

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