Daily report, 2022 March 24

Thursday March 24,
2022

COMMITTEE DAY REPORT

House Budget & Research Office (404) 656-5050
The House will reconvene for its 35th Legislative Day on Friday, March 25 at 10:00 a.m. The Rules Committee will meet at 9:00 a.m. Seven bills are expected to be debated 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, Friday, March 25, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker. The Rules Committee will next meet on Friday, March 25, at
9:00 a.m., to set the Rules Calendar for the 36th Legislative Day.

SB 226

Sale or Distribution of Harmful Materials to Minors; provisions of Code Section 16-12-103 shall be applicable to libraries operated by schools; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 226 requires local boards of education to create a complaint resolution policy for local schools by January 1, 2023. The complaint resolution policy must allow for parents or guardians to submit complaints to the school's principal, or the principal's designee, about inappropriate content that is harmful to minors and available to the students at the school. The school's principal or designee is then required to investigate whether the material is harmful to minors within seven business days from receipt of the complaint, and within 10 business days of the complaint, the school principal or designee must confer with the parent or guardian and inform him or her whether the material was deemed to be harmful to minors and whether access will be removed or restricted moving forward.

Appeals of a decision under this policy will be heard by the local board of education within 30 days of a written appeal. If a local board of education determines that the text or material at issue in an appeal is harmful to minors, then the title of that text or material shall be available for electronic review on the website of the local board of education within 15 business days from the determination date and will be available for at least one year afterward. If the appealed material is physical in nature, then a parent can view that content in person at the school's media center.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Jason Anavitarte (31st) Judiciary Non-Civil

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-09-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 345

State Government; state and local governments from mandating vaccine passports; prohibit
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 345 prohibits state and local governments from requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of providing services, accessing a facility, issuing licenses or permits, performing duties, and other matters.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Jeff Mullis (53rd) Health & Human Services

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 03-22-2022 Do Pass

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 24, 2022

Committee Actions

SB 470

Mortgage Lenders and Brokers; different categories of felony convictions for purposes of investigations of mortgage loan originator applicants; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 470 replaces the term "agent" with the term "covered employee" in the list of persons the Department of Banking and Finance shall revoke mortgage licenses to because of a felony conviction. "Covered employee" is defined as a mortgage lender or broker employee involved in residential mortgage loan-related activities for Georgia properties who has access to loan origination, processing, or underwriting information.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Randy Robertson (29th) Banks & Banking

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 03-23-2022 Do Pass

SB 500

Commerce; a litigation bar on governmental entities regarding certain statewide opioid litigation; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 500 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 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:

Sen. Brian Strickland (17th) Judiciary

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 03-21-2022 Do Pass

SB 514

"Unmask Georgia Students Act"; enact
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 514 amends Chapter 12 of Title 20 of the O.C.G.A. to create the 'Unmask Georgia Students Act.' SB 514 provides that no local board of education, local school superintendent, governing body of a charter school, or school personnel can make or enforce any rules that require students to wear face masks or face coverings while present in any area of a school, unless that rule allows a parent or guardian to elect their child be exempt from such rule. If a parent exempts their child from the rule, they are not required to provide a reason or show any certification of a child's health status. A student cannot suffer any adverse disciplinary or academic consequences as a result of the decision of the parent. SB 514 is repealed on June 30, 2027.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Clint Dixon (45th) Education

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 03-21-2022 Do Pass

SB 543

Wrongful Death; a parent who is determined to be responsible for the homicide of his or her child shall have no right of recovery against the value of the child's life; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 543 clarifies Georgia's slayer statute by prohibiting an individual who kills, conspires to kill, or procures the killing of another from subsequently claiming a right to recover from the decedent's estate.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Sonya Halpern (39th) Judiciary

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 03-17-2022 Do Pass

SB 581

Property Boundary Lines; plane coordinates for defining and stating geographic position within this state as the Georgia State Plane Coordinate System; designate

Bill Summary: Senate Bill 581 designates the Georgia State Plane Coordinate System as the system

for defining and stating geographic positions for property surveying within the state. Continued use

of legal descriptions under the old system remain valid in the new system designation.

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

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

House Committee:

Small Business Development

Committee Action:

03-22-2022 Do Pass

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 24, 2022

Committee Actions

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

Game, Fish, & Parks Committee

SB 553

Watercraft; any person 15 years of age or older to operate a Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 vessel; authorize
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 553 allows a person 15 years or older to operate a Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 vessel on state waters if the individual has proper identification or an instruction permit and is accompanied by an adult that is 18 years or older. The accompanying adult must also be authorized to operate the vessel and be able to take control of the vessel.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Randy Robertson (29th) Game, Fish, & Parks

Committee Action:

03-24-2022 Do Pass

Health & Human Services Committee

HR 998

General Assembly; biomarker testing as a necessary part of precision medicine; recognize benefits
Bill Summary: House Resolution 998 recognizes the benefits of biomarker testing in the treatment of cancer and supports ways that awareness can be used to support personalized accessible patient care.

Authored By: House Committee:

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

Committee Action:

03-24-2022 Do Pass

SB 496

Death Investigations; medical examiner's inquiry when a pregnant female dies and an inquest; require
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 496 requires a medical examiner's inquiry in cases where a woman dies within 365 days of being pregnant. This requirement is waived in cases when such woman dies from the result of a motor vehicle accident or when the cause of death is known. Coroners or medical examiners notified of such death are required to order an inquiry through a regional perinatal center.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Dean Burke (11th) Health & Human Services

Committee Action:

03-24-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 573

Hospitals and Health Care Facilities; hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to utilize surgical smoke evacuation systems during surgical procedures to protect patients and health care workers from the hazards of surgical smoke; require
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 573 requires hospitals to adopt policies to reduce exposure to surgical smoke.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Matt Brass (28th) Health & Human Services

Committee Action:

03-24-2022 Do Pass

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 24, 2022

Committee Actions

Higher Education Committee

SB 333

Education; agents and agent's permits; to repeal definitions of such terms; provisions; remove
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 333 amends O.C.G.A 20-3-250 relating to nonpublic postsecondary educational institutions. The bill expands educational institutions exempted from application of general provisions to include institutions offering education or training through employment experiences or other short courses that do not specifically grant degrees. SB 333 removes language related to agents and agent's permits, updating how these apply to nonpublic postsecondary educational institutions. Institutions applying to operate postsecondary activities are required to have a financial assessment, and the director of the commission can impose or eliminate bond requirements based on that. The bonds must have a rating of at least a B+.

SB 333 revises Tuition Guaranty Trust Fund participation requirements. Under current law, postsecondary institutions, which were first authorized to operate in Georgia on or after July 1, 1990, were required to participate in the trust fund for five years, but under the provisions of this bill, the institution is required to participate for seven years. SB 333 eliminates the cap on the trust fund, removes bankruptcy of a participating institution as grounds for reimbursements from the trust fund, and prohibits one institution from using more than 10 percent of the total trust fund unless authorized by a two-thirds majority vote of the commission. SB 333 increases the balance of the trust fund from $500,000 to at least $10 million by July 1, 2040.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. John Albers (56th) Higher Education

Committee Action:

03-24-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 397

General Educational Development (GED) Diplomas; update and replace terminology; state approved high school equivalency (HSE) diplomas; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 397 amends the O.C.G.A titles 15, 20, 25, 40, 42, and 43 to update terminology from "general educational development (GED) diplomas" by replacing it with "state approved high school equivalency (HSE)." Current law provides for a HOPE GED voucher issued upon the receipt of a GED diploma, but SB 397 updates it to the HOPE HSE voucher and allows those funds to go toward the cost of an approved exam instead of a reward on the back end.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Russ Goodman (8th) Higher Education

Committee Action:

03-24-2022 Do Pass

Intragovernmental Coordination - Local Committee
HB 1550 Bryan County; board of elections and registration; add two members Bill Summary: House Bill 1550 adds two members to the Bryan County Board of Elections and Registration.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Ron Stephens (164th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-24-2022 Do Pass

HB 1556 Fulton County; ad valorem tax for educational purposes; provide homestead exemption
Bill Summary: House Bill 1556 provides a $10,000 homestead exemption from Fulton County School District taxes for residents who are older than 65 years of age.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Chuck Martin (49th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-24-2022 Do Pass

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 24, 2022

Committee Actions

HB 1570 Gwinnett County; State Court; provide for an additional judge Bill Summary: House Bill 1570 provides an additional judge for the Gwinnett County State Court.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Chuck Efstration (104th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-24-2022 Do Pass

HB 1578 Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit; chief judge; provide for designation
Bill Summary: House Bill 1578 provides for the designation of the chief judge of the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Trey Rhodes (120th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-24-2022 Do Pass

HB 1585 Cherokee County; State Court; modify compensation of judges
Bill Summary: House Bill 1585 modifies the compensation of the judges of the Cherokee County State Court. Each of the judges shall receive annual compensation equal to 95 percent of the base salary paid to a judge of the Cherokee County Superior Court, plus 95 percent of the county supplement paid to a judge of the superior court.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Wesley Cantrell (22nd) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-24-2022 Do Pass

SB 612 City of Stockbridge; corporate limits of such municipality; change
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 612 changes the corporate limits of the city of Stockbridge and provides for the city council districts.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Emanuel Jones (10th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

03-24-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Judiciary Non-Civil Committee

SB 479

Firearms by Convicted Felons and First Offender Probationers; each firearm in the possession or attempted possession of certain offenders shall be charged as a separate offense; specify
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 479 increases the penalty for those 1) who are on probation as a felony first offender, who are on probation for a felony, or who have been convicted of a felony in Georgia or elsewhere, and 2) who receive, possess, or transport a firearm. This bill makes it a separate violation for each firearm that is connected to the crime.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Bo Hatchett (50th) Judiciary Non-Civil

Committee Action:

03-24-2022 Do Pass

Motor Vehicles Committee

SB 510

Motor Vehicle; operation of motor vehicles by Class D license holders with certain passengers in the vehicle; remove a restriction
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 510 provides that during the first 12 months of issuance, a Class D license holder is prohibited from driving on the highways in this state with more than one passenger who is under age 21 and not in the driver's immediate family. After the first 12 months of issuance, a Class D license holder is prohibited from driving on the highways in this state with more than three

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 24, 2022

Committee Actions

passengers who are not in the driver's immediate family.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Frank Ginn (47th) Motor Vehicles

Committee Action:

03-24-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 556

Drivers' Licenses; issuance of a driver's license to current and retired peace officers at no charge; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 556 requires the Department of Public Safety to offer an instructional course to educate drivers on best practices for interacting with law enforcement officers.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Bruce Thompson (14th) Motor Vehicles

Committee Action:

03-24-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Natural Resources & Environment Committee
HR 1025 State of Georgia; recognize copper as critical; urge for inclusion on official United States Geological Survey Critical Minerals List
Bill Summary: House Bill 1025 recognizes copper as crucial to Georgia's economy and urges its inclusion on the United States Geological Survey's List of Critical Minerals.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Bruce Williamson (115th) Natural Resources & Environment Committee
Action:

03-24-2022 Do Pass

HR 1050 Water conservation; commend outstanding advancements made by Atlanta metro region and all Georgians; urge continued initiatives
Bill Summary: House Bill 1050 commends the achievements of the Atlanta metro region and all Georgians related to water conservation. The resolution also urges Georgians to continue water conservation efforts to help growing communities, the agricultural industry, and the state's economy.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Lynn Smith (70th) Natural Resources & Environment Committee
Action:

03-24-2022 Do Pass

Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee

SB 183

Office of Sheriff; qualification requirements; revise
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 183 requires peace officers who want to qualify as candidates for the office of sheriff to be in good standing with the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Council. The bill requires the executive director of the POST Council to create and provide for an affidavit attesting to the person's compliance with the new standard for qualifying. The director, or his designee, must sign the affidavit, and the person seeking to qualify must present the affidavit to elections officials in order to qualify.

The bill defines criteria for what qualifies as "in good standing with POST Council."

SB 183 includes clean up in Georgia Code relating to school zone speed detection cameras and the provisions for assessment of civil monetary penalties, the appeal process, and the recourse provided for the local government who was not able to collect payment for penalties.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Randy Robertson (29th) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee
Action:

03-24-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 24, 2022

Committee Actions

SB 259

Dangerous Instrumentalities and Practices; firearms and the carrying and possession of firearms and weapons; revise various laws
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 259 revises the prohibition on the creation of a multijurisdictional database of those who have been issued a weapons carry license to include a prohibition on creating a database of those who have applied for a permit. SB 259 allows the judge of the probate court to implement online application processes for weapons carry licenses and renewal licenses. The probate court is also authorized to accept a weapons carry license application by first-class mail.

The legislation prohibits local governments from prohibiting the discharge of firearms on a parcel of land that is ten acres or more when the owners or lawful occupants consent to the discharging of firearms. Local governments are required to dispose of all seized firearms at least once every 12 months during any time in which there is an inventory of five or more firearms. If they do not comply, a person interested in purchasing a firearm may bring an action to compel the disposition of the property.

SB 259 removes places of worship from unauthorized locations a weapon or long gun may be carried and allows places of worship to operate according to law governing private property.

The legislation amends Code to provide for prohibited actions by a government official or employee during a declared state of emergency; to provide limits upon the emergency powers of the governor; and to provide for civil remedy.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Jeff Mullis (53rd) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee
Action:

03-24-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 319 "Georgia Constitutional Carry Act of 2021"; enact
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 319 repeals the requirement for a weapons carry license for those who are not otherwise ineligible to possess and carry a firearm.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Jason Anavitarte (31st) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee
Action:

03-24-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 339

'Green Call Act'; enact
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 339 amends the definition of "disabled adult" as used in relation to a Mattie's Call to include military service members and veterans who may have an undiagnosed medical condition.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (32nd) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee
Action:

03-24-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 404

Emergency Medical Services Personnel; Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to retain certain fingerprints under certain conditions; authorize
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 404 authorizes the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to retain fingerprints obtained if the Department of Public Health is participating in a program in which they are providing criminal background checks that are authorized for the purpose of determining suitability for employment, placement, registration, a permit, or a license for an agency or entity that is participating in the federal program which allows for the ongoing and continuing review of the individual's criminal history as it relates to emergency medical services personnel. The department is required to notify the individual whose fingerprints are taken of the parameters of retention.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. John Albers (56th) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee
Action:

03-24-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 24, 2022

Committee Actions

State Planning & Community Affairs Committee

SB 108

Commission for the Blind and the Visually Impaired; create
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 108 creates the Commission for the Blind and the Visually Impaired. The directions and supervision of Georgia Industries for the Blind will transfer from the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency to the commission under the Department of Human Services. The commission's role is to facilitate the operations by blind people and others with disabilities of vending facilities on state property. In addition, the commission may provide or acquire property and enter into rental agreements for needed space.

The purpose for the establishment of a commission for the blind and the visually impaired is to ensure that blind, visually impaired, or deaf-blind people have access to quality services throughout the State of Georgia so that they may attain independent living skills, maximize successful career opportunities, and increase independence and self-sufficiency.

The commission shall meet quarterly and at other times as it shall determine. The commission shall appoint an executive director as well as develop and carry out a state plan for vocational rehabilitation services for blind or visually impaired individuals. The commission shall publish an annual report including accomplishments, findings, and recommendations for improvement based on its activities and performance.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Gail Davenport (44th) State Planning & Community Affairs Committee
Action:

03-24-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Transportation Committee

HR 999

Transportation, Department of; study truck safety and to consider permitting such vehicles to use the far-left lane of travel; urge
Bill Summary: House Resolution 999 urges the Georgia Department of Transportation to study truck safety with regard to permitting such vehicles to use the far-left lane of travel and to report any and all findings to the House Committee on Transportation.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Tom Kirby (114th) Transportation

Committee Action:

03-24-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 558

Department of Transportation; meetings for the election of board members; amend notice provisions
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 558 allows for the call of a caucus for the purposes of a Department of Transportation board election to be sent via email rather than by mail. The bill also cleans up language relating to contracting for public-private partnerships and alternative contracting methods. HB 558 adds the Department of Transportation to the Code section relating to when public disclosure not required by a state agency and adds the data of vehicle information, or personally identifiable information to those records not required for disclosure.

SB 558 also provides a length increase from 80 feet to 84 feet for modular unit transporters. This increase would be permissible when the vehicle has been issued a permit.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Steve Gooch (51st) Transportation

Committee Action:

03-24-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 24, 2022

Committee Actions

SB 586 Road Projects; the use of the design-build contracting method by counties; authorize Bill Summary: Senate Bill 586 authorizes counties to use the design-build contracting method.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Steve Gooch (51st) Transportation

Committee Action:

03-24-2022 Do Pass

SR 463 Joint Study Committee on the Electrification of Transportation; create
Bill Summary: Senate Resolution 463 creates the Joint Study Committee on the Electrification of Transportation.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Steve Gooch (51st) Transportation

Committee Action:

03-24-2022 Do Pass

Ways & Means Committee
SB 330 "Giving the Gift of Life Act"; enact Bill Summary: Senate Bill 330 prohibits insurance companies from canceling, modifying, or refusing to issue life insurance based on an individual's status as an organ donor.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. John Albers (56th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

03-24-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 370

"Fostering Success Act"; enact
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 370 establishes a tax credit for contributions to "foster care support organizations," which are defined as being the aging-out programs of the Technical College System of Georgia Foundation, a Governor's Office of Planning and Budget certified aging-out program of the University System of Georgia Foundation, or any 501(c)(3) corporation that has the primary function of operating an aging-out program, operating as or supporting a Georgia-licensed childplacing agency, or disbursing funds directly to one or more of the prior listed entities. Taxpayers are allowed a 100-percent income tax credit for qualified donations to foster care support organizations provided that for the first six months of each year, a single individual or head of household shall not be allowed a credit of more than $2,500; a married couple, individual who is a member of a limitedliability company, a shareholder of a Subchapter 'S' corporation, or a partner in a partnership shall not be allowed a credit of more than $5,000; and a corporation shall not be allowed a credit of more than 10 percent of the corporation's income tax liability. This tax credit has an annual aggregate cap of $20 million.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Bill Cowsert (46th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

03-24-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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

Friday - March 25, 2022

9:00 AM

RULES COMMITTEE

10:00 AM

FLOOR SESSION (LD 35)

341 CAP House Chamber

VIDEO VIDEO

Agenda

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