DAILY REPORT Tuesday February 15, 2022 House Budget & Research Office (404) 656-5050 17th Legislative Day The House will reconvene for its 18th Legislative Day on Thursday, February 17 at 10:00 a.m. The Rules Committee will meet tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. Today on the Floor Rules Calendar HB 893 Conservation and natural resources; extend date for hazardous waste fees Bill Summary: House Bill 893 extends the sunset date for hazardous waste management and hazardous substance reporting fees to July 1, 2027. Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Rep. Randy Nix (69th) Natural Resources & Environment Yeas: 163 Nays: 1 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: Modified-Structured 02-10-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 969 Insurance; update regulation of company holding systems Bill Summary: House Bill 969 updates reporting requirements for insurance holding companies to include information on their financial profile and group capital calculation. Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Rep. Tyler Smith (18th) Insurance Yeas: 163 Nays: 0 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: Modified-Structured 02-09-2022 Do Pass HB 1021 Insurance; minimum nonforfeiture interest rate for individual deferred annuities; decrease Bill Summary: House Bill 1021 decreases the minimum non-forfeiture interest rate for individual deferred annuities from 1 percent to 0.15 percent. Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Rep. Eddie Lumsden (12th) Insurance Yeas: 153 Nays: 2 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: Modified-Structured 02-09-2022 Do Pass HB 1044 Local government; creation of regional development authorities; provide Bill Summary: House Bill 1044 allows for the creation of regional development authorities by a group of three to five contiguous counties. The bill stipulates that at least half of the members of the governing body from each county complete a basic economic development training course certified by the Department of Community Affairs. Each regional development authority is an active authority with a board of directors that meets quarterly, develops an operational business plan, owns property lying within one or more of the participating counties, and maintains an active agreement for sharing expenses and proceeds. A county cannot belong to more than one regional development authority. The bill provides a tax credit for each new quality job in qualifying investment properties for the House of Representatives Daily Report for February 15, 2022 Today on the Floor lowest tier participating county within the regional development authority. Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Rep. Clay Pirkle (155th) Rule Applied: Economic Development & Tourism Committee Action: Yeas: 165 Nays: 0 Amendments: Modified-Structured 02-01-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 1059 Insurance; unfair trade practices and unlawful inducements; provide for exclusions Bill Summary: House Bill 1059 provides exclusions to unfair trade practices and unlawful inducements by allowing insurance companies to provide loss-mitigation safety products to consumers. Insurance companies are also allowed to offer a charitable donation on behalf of consumers for a maximum of $100 per individual in the aggregate in any one calendar year. Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action: Rep. Matthew Gambill (15th) Insurance Yeas: Nays: Recommit to Committee Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: Modified-Structured 02-09-2022 Do Pass HB 1147 Game and fish; hunting and trapping of raccoons and opossum year round; authorize Bill Summary: House Bill 1147 allows for the hunting and trapping of raccoons and opossums year round and removes bag limits. Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Rep. Trey Rhodes (120th) Game, Fish, & Parks Yeas: 141 Nays: 17 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: Modified-Structured 02-10-2022 Do Pass HB 1223 Sales and use tax; exemption for sale or lease of computer equipment of high-technology companies; extend sunset date Bill Summary: House Bill 1223 amends O.C.G.A. 48-8-3, relating to exemptions from sales and use tax, by extending the sunset date on the exemption for computer equipment sold to high technology companies from June 30, 2023, to December 31, 2023. Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Rep. Chuck Martin (49th) Ways & Means Yeas: 154 Nays: 6 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: Structured 02-10-2022 Do Pass HB 1275 Local government; appointment and removal of municipal court judges; revise provisions Bill Summary: House Bill 1275 amends Chapter 32 of Title 36 of the Code to revise provisions concerning municipal courts and municipal court judges. The bill authorizes municipal corporations, both in consolidated and municipal governments, to appoint a qualified individual to serve for the remainder of an unexpired term created by a vacancy. The bill amends the Code section pertaining to removal of municipal court judges by requiring that a judge subject to removal proceedings be served by certified mail or overnight delivery with a petition for removal that states the cause(s) for termination in sufficient detail, the names of known witnesses, and a concise summary of the evidence to be used against the judge. The judge shall be entitled to counsel at the judge's expense and the hearing shall be recorded at the municipal corporation's expense. The chief judge of the relevant local superior court circuit shall appoint a senior superior or state court judge to preside at the removal hearing. Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Rep. Bonnie Rich (97th) Judiciary Yeas: 152 Nays: 10 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: Modified-Structured 02-10-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute Page 2 of 9 House of Representatives Daily Report for February 15, 2022 Today on the Floor HR 664 Property; conveyance of certain state owned property; authorize Bill Summary: House Resolution 664 is a conveyance resolution for properties located in six counties, conveying property owned by the State of Georgia or amending those conveyances, as follows: Article 1 amends the lease between the State of Georgia, under the custody of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and Coastal Center for Developmental Services, Inc., over approximately 2.232 acres in Chatham County for an additional 50-year term under the same terms and conditions as the current lease for the consideration of $1,000 annually. Article 2 surpluses approximately one acre in DeKalb County, being a portion of Panola Road Parkand Ride, under the custody of the State Road and Tollway Authority, by competitive bid for fair market value or to a local government or state entity for fair market value. Article 3 leases approximately 2,224 square feet of improved property in Fulton County, under the custody of the Department of Public Safety and being a portion of the current Department of Public Safety Headquarters, to Justice Federal Credit Union for a term of three years with an option to renew for another three years for fair market value. A new headquarters building is being constructed on the Department of Public Safety property. Upon completion, the leased premises will be reduced to approximately 1,000 square feet and be relocated to the new headquarters. Article 4 may release of restriction and conveys approximately 350 acres in Glynn County, under the custody of the Department of Natural Resources, formerly known as the Youth Estate, to Morningstar Treatment Services, Inc., for fair market value. Article 5 surpluses approximately 0.926 of an acre of improved property in Hall County, under the custody of the Department of Agriculture, commonly known as the Gainesville District Office, by competitive bid for fair market value or to a local government or state entity for fair market value. Article 6 conveys approximately 50.08 acres of improved property in Sumter County, under the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice, commonly known as the Sumter Youth Development Center, to Sumter County Board of Commissioners for $10, so long as the property is used for a public purpose in perpetuity and Sumter County Board of Commissioners does not take, nor fail to take, any action which would cause any outstanding tax-exempt bonds to be deemed private activity bonds or arbitrage bonds under the tax Code, and does not use the above-described property for any non-governmental purpose, or any purpose that would give rise to private business use within the meaning of the tax Code, any of which cause a reversion to the State of Georgia. Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action: Rep. Gerald Greene (151st) State Properties Yeas: 140 Nays: 18 Adopted (Resolution) Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: Modified-Open 02-09-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HR 683 Property; granting of nonexclusive easements; authorize Bill Summary: House Resolution 683 authorizes the granting of non-exclusive easements for the construction, operation, and maintenance of facilities, utilities, roads, and ingress and egress in, on, over, under, upon, across, or through property owned by the state of Georgia in the counties of Bartow, Douglas, Fulton, Gilmer, Gwinnett, Haralson, Paulding, Sumter, and Thomas as follows: Article 1 grants an easement to Georgia Power Company or its successors and assigns over approximately 0.15 of an acre in Bartow County under the custody of the Department of Economic Development to construct, install, operate, and maintain underground distribution line, and associated equipment at the Toyo Tire Facility, to serve two separate electric vehicle charging stations for fair market value not less than $650. Article 2 grants an easement to Douglasville-Douglas County Water and Sewer Authority or its successors and assigns over approximately 0.14 of an acre in Douglas County under the custody of the Department of Natural Resources for stormwater culvert repair for the benefit of Sweetwater Page 3 of 9 House of Representatives Daily Report for February 15, 2022 Today on the Floor Creek State Park for $10. Article 3 grants an easement to the Georgia Power Company or its successors and assigns over approximately 0.48 of an acre in Fulton County under the custody of the Department of Public Safety to remove existing facilities and construct, install, operate, and maintain overhead and underground electrical distribution lines and associated equipment to serve the new Public Safety Headquarters Building (DPS-043) for $10. Article 4 grants an easement to the City of Atlanta or its successors and assigns over approximately 0.13 of an acre in Fulton County under the custody of the Department of Economic Development for stormwater culvert upgrades to increase drainage capacity to serve the Georgia World Congress Center for $10. Article 5 grants an easement to the Georgia Power Company or its successors and assigns over approximately 0.010 of an acre in Gilmer County under the custody of the Department of Agriculture to construct, install, operate, and maintain underground distribution lines, and associated equipment at the Ellijay Farmers Market, for their Grid Investment Plan for $9,350. Article 6 grants an easement to the Atlanta Gas Light Company or its successors and assigns over approximately 0.26 of an acre in Gwinnett County under the custody of the Technical College System of Georgia to construct, install, operate, and maintain underground natural gas lines and associated equipment to serve Gwinnett Technical College, Building 100 renovations and addition (TCSG-361) for $10. Article 7 grants an easement to the Georgia Power Company or its successors and assigns over approximately 10 acres in Gwinnett County under the custody of the Technical College System of Georgia to construct, install, operate, and maintain overhead and underground electrical distribution lines and associated equipment to serve Gwinnett Technical College, Building 100 renovations and addition (TCSG-361) for $10. Article 8 grants an easement to Georgia Power Company or its successors and assigns over approximately 0.42 of an acre in Haralson County under the custody of the Technical College System of Georgia to construct, install, operate, and maintain remote-controlled, motor-operated switches to serve the Waco Substation to efficiently and quickly restore services to the West Georgia Technical College campus for $10. Article 9 grants an easement to the GreyStone Power Corporation or its successors and assigns over approximately 0.34 of an acre in Paulding County under the custody of the Department of Natural Resources to construct, install, operate, and maintain underground power lines and associated equipment at Sheffield Forest Wildlife Management Area to serve an adjacent property owner for fair market value not less than $650. Article 10 grants an easement to the Georgia Power Company or its successors and assigns over approximately 12.78 acres in Sumter County under the custody of the Technical College System of Georgia to construct, install, operate, and maintain overhead and underground electrical distribution lines and associated equipment to serve South Georgia Technical College, CDL Facility and Improvements (TCSG-360 ) for $10. Article 11 grants an easement to Sumter County Schools or its successors and assigns over approximately 0.3 of an acre under the custody of the Technical College System of Georgia to construct, install, operate, and maintain an underground sewer line at South Georgia Technical College to serve the new Sumter County High School for fair market value not less than $650. Article 12 grants an easement to various public utility companies in an approximate 56-foot wide utility easement area in Thomas County under the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice to construct, install, operate, and maintain overhead and underground utilities and associated equipment to serve Loftiss Regional Youth Detention Center for $10. Authored By: Rep. Gerald Greene (151st) Rule Applied: Modified-Open Page 4 of 9 House of Representatives House Committee: Floor Vote: Floor Action: Daily Report for February 15, 2022 Today on the Floor State Properties Yeas: 157 Nays: 0 Adopted (Resolution) Committee Action: Amendments: 02-09-2022 Do Pass Postponed Until Next Legislative Day HB 961 Torts; authorize apportionment of damages in single-defendant lawsuits; provide for evidence of fault of nonparties Bill Summary: House Bill 961 amends Code Section 51-12-33 to authorize apportionment of damages in single-defendant lawsuits rather than solely in multi-defendant lawsuits. In lawsuits against one or more defendants, following a reduction of damages attributed to the plaintiff's percentage of fault, the damages shall be apportioned to the liable person or persons according to each person's percentage of fault. Authored By: Rep. Chuck Efstration (104th) Rule Applied: Structured Local Calendar HB 1300 Jasper County; Water and Sewer Authority; revise membership Bill Summary: House Bill 1300 revises the membership of the Jasper County Water and Sewer Authority. Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Rep. Susan Holmes (129th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 140 Nays: 14 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: 02-14-2022 Do Pass SB 414 Board of Commissioners of Long County; description of the commissioner districts; change Bill Summary: Senate Bill 414 changes the description of the Long County Board of Commissioners' districts. Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Sen. Blake Tillery (19th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 140 Nays: 14 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: 02-14-2022 Do Pass SB 415 Board of Education of Long County; description of the education districts; change Bill Summary: Senate Bill 415 changes the description of the Long County Board of Education's districts. Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Sen. Blake Tillery (19th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 140 Nays: 14 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: 02-14-2022 Do Pass SB 453 "Macon Water Authority Act,"; description of the electoral districts; change Bill Summary: Senate Bill 453 changes the description of the electoral districts of the Macon-Bibb County Water Authority. Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote: Sen. John Kennedy (18th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 140 Nays: 14 Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments: 02-14-2022 Do Pass Page 5 of 9 House of Representatives Daily Report for February 15, 2022 Committee Actions Committee Actions Bills passing committees are reported to the Clerk's Office and are placed on the General Calendar. Health & Human Services Committee HB 629 Health; sale and dispensing of contact lenses; eliminate certain restrictions Bill Summary: House Bill 629 removes the in-person assessment requirement for ophthalmologists in the dispensing and sale of contact lenses. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Mark Newton (123rd) Health & Human Services Committee Action: 02-15-2022 Tabled HB 1186 Speech-language pathologists and audiologists; revise licensing provisions Bill Summary: House Bill 1186 expands the eligibility for persons who can have a non-diagnostic electro-physiologic screening done by a non-licensed audiologist from age three and under to birth through 22 years of age. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Penny Houston (170th) Health & Human Services Committee Action: 02-15-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 1219 Georgia Board of Dentistry; revise composition Bill Summary: House Bill 1219 increases the number of members of the Georgia Board of Dentistry from 11 to 17. The number of members who are dentists increases from nine to 13 and adds a member who has direct knowledge of the education of dental students in this state appointed by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Penny Houston (170th) Health & Human Services Committee Action: 02-15-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 1276 Community Health, Department of; statistical reports data relating to state health plans be posted on department website; require Bill Summary: House Bill 1276 requires the Department of Community Health to post on its website statistical reports with data relating to administered state health plans. Reports must include the number and type of enrolled providers; primary care providers per 1,000 people; hospital utilization and costs; membership and beneficiary enrollment data; prescription drug spending data; financial results by aid category; and long-term care data. Updates on the reports will be posted at least biannually. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Lee Hawkins (27th) Health & Human Services Committee Action: 02-15-2022 Do Pass Industry and Labor Committee HB 389 Employment security; change definition of employment to include services performed by an individual for wages Bill Summary: House Bill 389 codifies existing case law to determine whether work classifies a person as an employee or an independent contractor. Further, the bill provides for an enforcement mechanism, which adds a civil penalty paid to the Department of Labor when an employer misclassifies its employees. Fines for companies with less than 100 employees are capped at $2,500 for each misclassified employee, while fines for companies with 100 or more employees are capped Page 6 of 9 House of Representatives Daily Report for February 15, 2022 Committee Actions at $7,500 for each misclassified employee. The bill states that employment does not include services performed by or facilitated through a network company, so long as the network company has a written contract with the individual that expressly states that the network company shall not unilaterally prescribe specific dates, times, or a minimum number of hours that an individual is required to be logged onto the network company's application. To apply, the contract must not be terminated by the network company if a person does not: accept a specific delivery or transportation request: restrict an individual from performing transportation or delivery services through other network companies; and contractually restrict an individual from working in any other lawful occupation or business. The bill defines "ride share network service" and "network company." Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Todd Jones (25th) Industry and Labor Committee Action: 02-15-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 397 Labor and industrial relations; specific allocation between a professional employer organization and a coemployer client as to the responsibility to obtain worker's compensation coverage for the employees of the coemployer; require Bill Summary: House Bill 397 requires professional employer organizations to provide workers' compensation coverage for all of a co-employer's employees who are subject to Title 34, Chapter 9, if it provides that coverage for any employee of the co-employer. Individuals who perform services for temporary help contracting firms are not considered employees of professional employer organizations. The bill also adds professional employer organization to the definition of "employing unit" under O.C.G.A. 34-8-34. Professional employer organizations are required to post a surety bond to cover potential tax liability under O.C.G.A. 34-8-172 and are added to the immunity provided to construction design professionals in O.C.G.A. 34-9-11. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. William Werkheiser (157th) Industry and Labor Committee Action: 02-15-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute Judiciary Committee HB 1088 Property; nonjudicial foreclosure of time-share estates; authorize Bill Summary: House Bill 1088 authorizes non-judicial foreclosures of time-share estates by an owners' association. The notice of sale shall be in writing sent by registered/certified mail or overnight delivery no later than 30 days prior to the date of the proposed sale, or alternatively by advertising in a local newspaper. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Stan Gunter (8th) Judiciary Committee Action: 02-15-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 1294 Property; timing of sending notice when an abandoned mobile home has been determined to be derelict; provide Bill Summary: House Bill 1294 provides landowners three days to send notice, rather than sameday notice, to all responsible parties upon a determination by a local government agent that an abandoned mobile home is derelict. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. John Corbett (174th) Judiciary Committee Action: 02-15-2022 Do Pass HB 1321 Commerce; litigation bar on governmental entities regarding certain statewide opioid litigation; provide Page 7 of 9 House of Representatives Daily Report for February 15, 2022 Committee Actions Bill Summary: House Bill 1321 concerns statewide opioid settlements and the state accessing the full amount of any settlement. It provides that entry into a statewide opioid settlement agreement bars past, present or future claims on behalf of any governmental entity seeking to recover against an entity released under the relevant settlement agreement. The bar does not apply to bellwether claims of any entity, provided that the claim is not brought in or selected by the court in relationship to the National Prescription Opiate Litigation, Case No.: MDL 2804 as a bellwether claim. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. James Burchett (176th) Judiciary Committee Action: 02-15-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute HB 1361 Civil practice; Attorney General is to be served and heard in defense of all Acts of the General Assembly when challenged in any court action; clarify Bill Summary: House Bill 1361 requires that if a General Assembly act is alleged to be unconstitutional or invalid in an action, the attorney general shall be served with a copy and shall be entitled to be heard in defense of the act, including appearing as a party if deemed appropriate by the attorney general. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Rob Leverett (33rd) Judiciary Committee Action: 02-15-2022 Do Pass HR 707 House Study Committee on Homicide Cold Case Resources; create Bill Summary: House Resolution 707 creates an eight-member House Study Committee on Homicide Cold Case Resources, designed to evaluate what actions can be done to assist the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in investigating homicide cold cases. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. William Werkheiser (157th) Judiciary Committee Action: 02-15-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute Motor Vehicles Committee HB 1194 Motor vehicles; federal regulations regarding safe operation of commercial motor vehicles and carriers; update reference date Bill Summary: House Bill 1194 is the annual update to the 'Uniform Carriers Act.' It updates the effective date from January 1, 2021, to January 1, 2022, to comply with federal law. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Clint Crowe (110th) Motor Vehicles Committee Action: 02-15-2022 Do Pass HB 1232 Motor vehicles; temporary license plates and operating permits; revise terminology Bill Summary: House Bill 1232 provides for the issuance of temporary operating permits in lieu of temporary license plates in specified instances. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Matt Barton (5th) Motor Vehicles Committee Action: 02-15-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute Retirement Committee HB 925 Georgia Judicial Retirement System; prohibition of granting postretirement benefit adjustments to any individual who became a member on or after July 1, 2009; remove Bill Summary: House Bill 925 allows members of the Georgia Judicial Retirement System (JRS) to receive post-retirement benefit adjustments, on or after July 1, 2022, if granted by the Board of Page 8 of 9 House of Representatives Daily Report for February 15, 2022 Committee Actions Trustees. Currently, individuals who became members of JRS after July 1, 2009, were not eligible to receive a post-retirement benefit adjustment. This bill is certified by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts as a non-fiscal retirement bill. Authored By: House Committee: Rep. Steven Sainz (180th) Retirement Committee Action: 02-15-2022 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. Wednesday - February 16, 2022 8:00 AM JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL 8:00 AM CANCELED Appropriations General Government Subcommittee 9:00 AM Appropriations Economic Development Subcommittee 132 CAP HYBRID VIDEO Agenda 506 CLOB HYBRID VIDEO Agenda 506 CLOB HYBRID VIDEO Agenda 9:00 AM CANCELED AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS COMMITTEE 406 CLOB HYBRID VIDEO Agenda 9:00 AM RULES COMMITTEE 341 CAP VIDEO Agenda 10:00 AM JUDICIARY COMMITTEE 10:00 AM Education Academic Support Subcommittee 132 CAP HYBRID VIDEO Agenda 406 CLOB HYBRID VIDEO Agenda 10:00 AM INSURANCE COMMITTEE 11:00 AM EDUCATION COMMITTEE 11:00 AM Regulated Industries Regulatory Subcommittee 12:00 PM HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE 1:00 PM CANCELED HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE 1:00 PM STATE PROPERTIES 1:00 PM BUDGET & FISCAL AFFAIRS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE 1:00 PM Public Safety & Homeland Security Subcommittee A 1:30 PM Ways & Means Ad Valorem Subcommittee 606 CLOB HYBRID VIDEO Agenda 406 CLOB HYBRID VIDEO Agenda 415 CLOB VIDEO Agenda 506 CLOB HYBRID VIDEO Agenda 606 CLOB HYBRID VIDEO Agenda 403 CAP VIDEO Agenda 341 CAP HYBRID VIDEO Agenda 406 CLOB VIDEO Agenda 403 CAP HYBRID VIDEO Agenda 2:00 PM Ways & Means Income Tax Subcommittee 403 CAP HYBRID VIDEO Agenda 2:00 PM GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE 406 CLOB HYBRID VIDEO Agenda 3:00 PM ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS 403 CAP HYBRID VIDEO Agenda COMMITTEE 3:00 PM Public Safety & Homeland Security Subcommittee B 4:00 PM Appropriations Public Safety Subcommittee 406 CLOB HYBRID VIDEO Agenda 341 CAP HYBRID VIDEO Agenda Page 9 of 9