Friday April 1,
2022

DAILY REPORT 39th Legislative Day

House Budget & Research Office (404) 656-5050

The House will reconvene for its 40th Legislative Day on Monday, April 4 at 10:00 a.m. The Rules Committee will meet at 9:00 a.m.

Today on the Floor

Conference Committee Reports
HB 409 Judicial Legal Defense Fund Commission; establish
Bill Summary: House Bill 409 establishes the Judicial Legal Defense Fund Commission to facilitate the provision of state-funded legal representation to justices of the Supreme Court, judges of the Court of Appeals, the Georgia State-wide Business Court, and superior courts when these judges are sued for actions taken pursuant to their official duties.

The commission shall be governed by five members appointed by the chief justice of the Supreme Court, the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the House, and the Council of Superior Court Judges of Georgia. The Council's appointment shall be a member of the judiciary. The appointments are subject to advice and consent of the Senate. The bill provides for the terms, occurrence of vacancies, officers, and voting of the membership.

In the event that a suit is filed against a judge and the attorney general does not provide representation and the costs of litigation are not covered by an insurance policy maintained by the Department of Administrative Services, it shall be the purpose of the commission to evaluate requests for representation and determine if the suit seeks relief from actions taken pursuant to the judge's official duties. With the assistance of the State Bar of Georgia, the commission shall maintain a list of attorneys to provide representation to the judges subject to the governor's approval.

If the commission endorses a judge's request to receive representation funded by the Judicial Legal Defense Fund, which is also established in the bill and funded by the Governor's Emergency Fund, the judge shall select an attorney from the list maintained by the commission and the attorney shall prepare an estimated budget for the representation. The judge's request, commission's endorsement, selected attorney, and attorney's budget shall be sent to the governor for approval. In the event that the attorney exceeds his or her budget, the attorney must submit an amended budget for approval.

House Bill 409 also provides that when a district attorney or solicitor-general's office is conflicted out of prosecuting a case, the district attorney shall notify the executive director of the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council to appoint an attorney to act in the place of that office.

Authored By: Rep. Stan Gunter (8th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Conference Committee Reports: The House adopted the Conference Committee Report with a vote of 146-10.

The Senate has adopted the Conference Committee Report.

(Adoption of the conference committee report represents final passage of the bill.)

House of Representatives

Daily Report for April 1, 2022

Today on the Floor

Motions to Insist
HB 1381 Local government; water and sewer authority board members to complete yearly continuing training courses; require
Bill Summary: House Bill 1381 requires members of local water or sewer authorities to complete training courses on water, sewer, or environmental quality programs. The required training will serve as a prerequisite for the authority to receive specified funding.

Authored By: Rep. Ron Stephens (164th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Insist: (A motion to insist sends the bill back to the Senate for consideration.)

HB 1425 Medical cannabis; Governor to issue initial Class 1 and Class 2 production licenses for a limited time period; authorize
Bill Summary: House Bill 1425, concerning medical cannabis licensing, cancels the November 23, 2020, competitive application request for proposals and directs the Medical Cannabis Commission to take all needed steps to purchase or obtain necessary quantities of low-THC oil or other similar products from an available legal source. The commission is directed to take all necessary steps to provide for low-THC oil dispensation, including the development and issuance of dispensing licenses for independent pharmacies and designated universities. The commission shall issue a new competitive application request no later than December 31, 2022, to award two initial Class 1 production licenses and four initial Class 2 production licenses. Applicants who submitted prior applications may submit a proposal without paying an additional application fee. Reporting requirements to the Medical Cannabis Commission Oversight Committee are established. The application request will be managed by the Department of Administrative Services, evaluated by an independent third party, and subject to state purchasing and open records laws. For every increase of 50,000 patients, the commission shall issue one additional Class 1 and one additional Class 2 license. Ulcerative colitis is added to the list of eligible conditions.
Authored By: Rep. William Werkheiser (157th) Rule Applied: Modified-Structured Motions to Insist: (A motion to insist sends the bill back to the Senate for consideration.)

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 creates the Prosecuting Attorneys' Oversight Commission, which consists of a five-member investigative panel and a three-member hearing panel. The investigative panel is responsible for investigating alleged conduct that constitutes grounds for discipline, which is specifically outlined in the bill and includes various grounds such as mental or physical incapacity; willful misconduct in office; willful and persistent failure to perform duties; conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude; conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice; allowing an assistant district attorney or assistant solicitor-general to commit acts that would constitute removal; and violating the State Bar of Georgia's Rules of Professional Conduct. Complaints made to the investigative panel are required to show evidence that constitutes a ground for discipline, and if the complaint makes an allegation on the basis of a charging decision, plea offer, or one of the other specific issues in the bill, then the complaint must also show that it was plausible that the decision was made based on one of the specific criteria, such as undo bias or an undisclosed conflict of interest.

The bill also provides for the suspension of compensation of certain public officials when the official is suspended from their respective office due to a felony indictment.

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

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Insist: (A motion to insist sends the bill back to the Senate for consideration.)

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for April 1, 2022

Today on the Floor

Motions to Recede
SB 164 HIV Tests; modernization of HIV related laws to align with science; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 164 modernizes human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) laws. These revisions ensure that laws and policies support current understanding of best public health practices for preventing and treating HIV, scientific evidence about routes of transmission, and the public health goals of promoting HIV prevention and treatment.

Additionally, this bill provides that persons charged with exposing someone to HIV through sexual acts must express the intent to transmit HIV and pose a significant risk of transmission based on current scientifically supported levels of risk of transmission. Furthermore, this bill removes criminal penalties for people living with HIV who share hypodermic needles or syringes.

Authored By: Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (52nd)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

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

Motions to Agree
HB 246 Motor vehicles; issuance of replacement licenses and permits; increase fee
Bill Summary: House Bill 246 increases the fee for a replacement permit or license from $5 to $10. The bill increases the cost of a limited driving permit from $25 to $32 and the replacement fee from $5 to $10.

Authored By: Rep. Sam Watson (172nd)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

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

HB 342

Professions and businesses; certain advertisements related to plumbing; prohibit
Bill Summary: House Bill 342 prohibits any person from advertising as a master plumber or journeyman plumber without first obtaining a license from the Division of Master Plumbers and Journeyman Plumbers.

Authored By: Rep. Dale Washburn (141st)

Rule Applied: Modified-Open

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

HB 343

Game and fish; rebuttable presumption of violation by individuals in possession of hunting paraphernalia while on others' lands; provide
Bill Summary: House Bill 343 states that an individual in possession of certain hunting paraphernalia creates a rebuttable presumption that the individual has not obtained permission to hunt on private lands. The bill provides a peace officer with the discretion to enforce this Code section.

The fine for a first violation is increased from $500 to $975, a second violation in a two-year period is increased from $1,000 to $2,000, and the fine for a third violation in a two-year period is increased from $2,000 to $3,000.

Authored By: Rep. Trey Rhodes (120th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

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

HB 586

Georgia Economic Recovery Act of 2021; enact
Bill Summary: House Bill 586 amends O.C.G.A. 48-8-3, relating to exemptions from sales and use taxes, by providing an extension to the sunset on the state and local sales tax exemption for the sale of tickets, fees, or charges for admission to a fine arts performance or exhibition conducted by a 501(c)(3) organization or a museum of cultural significance, provided that the organization's or museum's primary mission is to advance the arts in Georgia through December 31, 2027.

House Bill 586 also amends O.C.G.A. 48-7-29.12, relating to the tax credit for the qualified donation of real property, by extending the sunset date from December 31, 2021, to December 31, 2026 and

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Today on the Floor

establishing an annual cap of $4 million.

Authored By: Rep. Sam Watson (172nd)

Rule Applied: Structured

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

HB 620

Guardian and ward; payment of certain settlements involving claims of minors; clarify and revise procedures and requirements
Bill Summary: House Bill 620 amends and updates provisions of the Code relating to the settlement of claims of minors. The maximum amount of the value of a minor's personal property, or the value of a minor's anticipated settlement, that may be received or accepted by the minor's guardian without becoming a conservator or court approval is raised from $15,000 to $25,000.

For proposed settlements of a minor's legal claim, the bill revises the definition of "gross settlement" and creates a new definition of "net settlement" to differentiate and clarify when a conservator must be appointed to submit a proposed settlement and which court must approve a proposed settlement.

When a minor has no assets, other than an interest in a legal claim, the requirement for a conservator to obtain a bond to settle the claim is delayed until the value of such interest is determined.

With respect to wrongful death, if there is no surviving spouse and a wrongful death action is brought by a minor, the natural guardian shall qualify as a conservator and obtain court approval of a settlement.

Authored By: Rep. Rob Leverett (33rd)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

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

HB 752

Psychiatric Advance Directive Act; enact
Bill Summary: House Bill 752 provides for a psychiatric advance directive for competent adults to set their mental health preferences. The bill allows patients to establish their wishes related to treatment, medications, and establish an agent to make decisions on their behalf if they are unable to do so. The directive is effective upon signature of the patient as witnessed by two competent adults and can be revoked under certain circumstances. The provider or facility shall comply with the directive to the fullest extent possible, and providers acting in line with the directive are protected from certain liabilities. The bill contains the Georgia Psychiatric Advance Directive form that is to be completed by patients in accordance with the law. Health care facilities are authorized to prepare or offer a directive if requested by the patient or if the offer is not coercive.

Authored By: Rep. Sharon Cooper (43rd)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

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

HB 884 Professions and businesses; expedited licenses for military spouses; provisions
Bill Summary: House Bill 884 requires professional licensing boards under the purview of the secretary of state to provide expedited licenses by endorsement within 90 days from the application date, and receipt of all the required materials, to spouses of military service members within Georgia.

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

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

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

HB 934

Sales and use tax; special district mass transportation; local government; provisions
Bill Summary: House Bill 934 amends 48-8-262, relating to Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST), by allowing the tax to continue until the approved timeframe has expired regardless if the amount of tax collected has surpassed the originally estimated amount when an intergovernmental agreement exists. The bill also restricts when a referendum on a TSPLOST may be held in any year to the Tuesday after the first Monday in November or, in even-numbered years, the date of the presidential preference primary if one is held that year or the date of the general primary.

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for April 1, 2022

Today on the Floor

Authored By: Rep. Rob Leverett (33rd)

Rule Applied: Structured

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

HB 1303 Education; transition a pilot program for elementary agricultural education to an ongoing program
Bill Summary: House Bill 1303 revises O.C.G.A. 20-2-154.3, relating to a pilot program for agricultural education in elementary schools, to transition the pilot to an optional ongoing program. The Department of Education will provide a program evaluation to the House and Senate related committees by December 31, 2022.

Authored By: Rep. Robert Dickey (140th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

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

HB 1541 Cobb County; Probate Court; change compensation of sheriff, chief deputy and others
Bill Summary: House Bill 1541 changes the compensation of the sheriff, chief deputy, assistant chief deputy, and executive assistant to the sheriff of Cobb County. The sheriff's salary shall not exceed $170,000, and the chief deputy's salary shall not exceed $159,665. The assistant chief deputy's salary shall not exceed $155,067, and the executive assistant's salary shall not exceed $83,261.

Authored By: Rep. Erick Allen (40th)

Rule Applied:

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

HB 1557 Paulding County; Board of Commissions; provide office of county manager
Bill Summary: House Bill 1557 provides for the duties, powers, and role of the county manager of Paulding County.

Authored By: Rep. Micah Gravley (67th)

Rule Applied:

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

Motions to Disagree
HB 1381 Local government; water and sewer authority board members to complete yearly continuing training courses; require
Bill Summary: House Bill 1381 requires members of local water or sewer authorities to complete training courses on water, sewer, or environmental quality programs. The required training will serve as a prerequisite for the authority to receive specified funding.

Authored By: Rep. Ron Stephens (164th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Motions to Disagree: (A motion to disagree sends the bill back to the Senate for consideration.)

HB 1437 Income tax; revise rates of taxation on income
Bill Summary: House Bill 1437, the 'Tax Reduction and Reform Act of 2022,' amends Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the O.C.G.A., relating to income taxes, by eliminating the personal income tax brackets and replacing them with a tax rate of five and one quarter percent. HB 1437 eliminates the standard deductions of $5,400 for single and head of household taxpayers and $7,100 for married taxpayers filing a joint return, as well as the additional deductions of $1,300 for taxpayers over the age of 65 or blind. The bill increases the personal exemptions from $2,700 to $12,000 for single and head of household taxpayers and from $7,400 to $24,000 for married taxpayers filing a joint return. The bill allows taxpayers to elect to apply the sum of the taxpayer's charitable donations used in computing the taxpayer's federal taxable income in lieu of the personal exemption.

Authored By: Rep. Shaw Blackmon (146th)

Rule Applied: Structured

Motions to Disagree: (A motion to disagree sends the bill back to the Senate for consideration.)

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for April 1, 2022

Today on the Floor

Rules Calendar
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: Floor Vote: Floor Action:

Rep. Sharon Cooper (43rd) Health & Human Services
Yeas: 153 Nays: 0 Adopted (Resolution)

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-24-2022 Do Pass

SB 10

"Jaye Mize Law"; promoting illegal drag racing and laying drags; provide for an offense
Bill Summary: Section I amends O.C.G.A. 16-10-23 to make it a felony offense to impersonate an officer of the court with punishment of imprisonment of between one to five years, a maximum fine of $1,000, or both.

Section II makes it a crime to intentionally, secretly place or direct someone else to place a global positioning system (GPS) on a motor vehicle when the car owner or lessee has a protective order against the person placing the GPS.

Section III provides discretion to judges when a person fails to appear for court so that the court can order that person's driver's license be reinstated in lieu of the case being fully adjudicated. The uniform traffic citation is amended to say that the failure to appear may result in suspension of the driver's license. Further, this allows the court to waive the fee to reinstate the driver's license.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Emanuel Jones (10th) Judiciary Non-Civil
Yeas: 155 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-29-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 96

Notaries Public; identification of persons for whom notaries perform notarial acts shall be evidenced; valid Veterans Health Identification Card issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 96 allows notaries to accept a valid Veterans Health Identification Card issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as confirmation of identity.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Lester Jackson (2nd) Defense & Veterans Affairs
Yeas: 158 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-29-2022 Do Pass

SB 116

Children and Youth Services; registration of maternity supportive house residences to provide housing for pregnant women; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 116 allows for registration of maternity-supportive housing residences providing housing for pregnant and postpartum women aged 18 years or older. Registrants will be required to pay a $250 registration fee to the Department of Human Services, and registration certificates will be valid for one year. The department will not have authority to implement regulations for registration of maternity homes, but can maintain submitted records. No municipality can constrain the establishment of a maternity home to an extent beyond that of a single-family residence. Non-profits administering housing can partner with other organizations or agencies to provide wraparound services for residents.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Randy Robertson (29th) Health & Human Services
Yeas: 103 Nays: 57

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-29-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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House of Representatives

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Today on the Floor

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 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 legislation allows a sheriff to be compensated by a supplement for official services by up to two courts.

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. This provision gives the governing body of the county or municipality to apply for the permit for such devices.

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

Sen. Randy Robertson (29th) Public Safety & Homeland Security
Yeas: 89 Nays: 52 Tabled

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-24-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 276

County Law Libraries; authorize the charging and collection of law library fees in county recorders' courts and magistrate courts; allow county governing authorities
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 276, the 'Child Victim Protection Act of 2022,' revises Section 9-3-33.1 of the Code, relating to actions for childhood sexual abuse. Civil actions for recovery of damages suffered as a result of childhood sexual abuse committed on or after July 1, 2015, may be brought within four years (extended from two years) from the date that the plaintiff knew or had reason to know of the abuse, and the abuse resulted in injury established by competent medical or psychological evidence.

Effective July 1, 2022, a plaintiff between the age of 23 and 38 years old may bring a civil action for recovery of damages because of childhood sexual abuse. When such actions are brought against a person who was a volunteer or an employee of an entity with the duty to care for the plaintiff or the person and the plaintiff were engaged in some activity under the control of the entity, damages will only be awarded if there is a preponderance of evidence that: finds gross negligence on the part of the entity; the entity knew or should have known of the alleged conduct; and the entity failed to take remedial action.

A look-back period of one year is established as of July 1, 2022, during which a plaintiff of any age, who was previously barred by a statute of limitations, may file an action for recovery of damages suffered as a result of childhood sexual abuse against a perpetrator or an entity. If filed against an entity, the plaintiff must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the entity owed a duty of care to the plaintiff and: the entity knew of the abuse by an employee or volunteer and intentionally allowed the abuse to continue; or knew the employee or volunteer committed previous abuse against another individual and intentionally or fraudulently harbored, concealed, or withheld information about the prior act, resulting in the plaintiff's injury.

Actions against an entity shall not include actions or inactions occurring before July 1, 1988. Individual members or owners of unincorporated associations are not liable for the actions of the association. Sovereign and governmental immunity is expressly waived for actions pursued against entities during the look-back period.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. John Kennedy (18th) Judiciary
Yeas: 151 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-29-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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Today on the Floor

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: Floor Vote:

Sen. John Albers (56th) Higher Education
Yeas: 155 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-24-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 352

Professions; issuance of expedited licenses by endorsement for certain licenses to spouses of firefighters, healthcare providers, and law enforcement officers who relocate to the State of Georgia; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 352 incorporates the definition of "firefighter" from O.C.G.A. 45-9-81, creates a new definition for "healthcare provider," and incorporates the definition of "law enforcement officer" from O.C.G.A. 45-9-81.

This bill changes the requirements for military spouses to obtain an expedited license by endorsement to require that the spouse not be the subject of an investigation or a disciplinary proceeding by a processional licensing board in his or her previous state.

Further, spouses of firefighters, healthcare providers, or law enforcement officers are eligible to receive expedited licenses by endorsement so long as the individual applying and his or her spouse meet certain requirements.

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

Sen. Bruce Thompson (14th) Regulated Industries
Yeas: Nays: Recommit to Rules

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-29-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 382 Child Molestation; misdemeanor convictions for the offense of aggravated child molestation by raising the minimum age of victims from 13 to 14; revise provisions
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 382 is the 'Georgia Dangerous Sexual Predator Prevention Act.'
Section II changes the name of the Sexual Offender Registration Review Board to the Sexual Offender Risk Review Board.
Section III provides courts with the discretion to sentence someone with imprisonment for life, or a split sentence that is term of imprisonment followed by probation for life, if he or she was previously convicted of a sexual felony and subsequently convicted of: 1) aggravated assault with the intent to rape; 2) kidnapping which involves a victim who is less than 14 years of age; 3) trafficking an individual for labor servitude or sexual servitude; 4) rape; 5) aggravated sodomy; 6) statutory rape when the individual convicted was 21 years of age or older; 7) child molestation or aggravated child

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molestation; 8) enticing a child for indecent purposes; 9) improper sexual contact by employee, agent, or foster parent in the first degree; 10) incest; 11) aggravated sexual battery; or 12) sexual exploitation of children. Further, the bill clarifies that each individual violation of the crime of sexual exploitation of children can be charged as its own count in a charging document.

"Sexual felony" is defined as a felony conviction of one of the following crimes: 1) aggravated assault with the intent to rape; 2) kidnapping which involves a victim who is less than 14 years of age; 3) trafficking an individual for labor servitude or sexual servitude; 4) rape; 5) aggravated sodomy; 6) statutory rape when the individual convicted was 21 years of age or older; 7) child molestation or aggravated child molestation; 8) enticing a child for indecent purposes; 9) improper sexual contact by employee, agent, or foster parent in the first degree; 10) incest; 11) aggravated sexual battery; or 12) sexual exploitation of children.

Section III revises the minimum age of the "Romeo and Juliet" clause for the crime of child molestation to 13 years old.

Section IV changes the time that a defendant receiving a probated sentence has to report to the Risk Review Board to within 60 days of being sentenced.

Section V changes the definition of the "Board" in O.C.G.A. 35-3-4 to reflect the Sexual Offender Risk Review Board.

Section VI clarifies the procedure for when the court seeks additional information involving a sentence that could be life imprisonment and provides timelines when risk assessment evaluations need to be made by the Sexual Offender Risk Review Board. Further, a procedure that is also retroactive is created in which the Department of Community Supervision files a petition to terminate the probation of someone who has served 10 years if the probationer has: paid all restitution owed; not had the probation revoked; not been arrested for anything other than a non-serious traffic offense; and not been classified as a sexually dangerous predator. If the petition is not granted, a petition shall be filed every five years afterward until the probationer meets the requirements.

Section VII makes the punishment provisions applicable to all offenses committed on or after July 1, 2022.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Randy Robertson (29th) Judiciary Non-Civil
Yeas: 136 Nays: 1

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-31-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 445

National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974; civil penalties; revise
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 445 amends the state civil penalties available for violations of the 'National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974' by removing the $1,000 maximum penalty and replacing it with the penalty set by federal regulation in 24 C.F.R. Section 3282.10.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Max Burns (23rd) Regulated Industries
Yeas: 158 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-29-2022 Do Pass

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

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violation for each firearm that is connected to the crime.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Bo Hatchett (50th) Judiciary Non-Civil
Yeas: 96 Nays: 64

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-24-2022 Do Pass

SB 511

County Boards of Equalization; handling of appeals of property tax assessments; revise certain deadlines
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 511 amends 48-5-311, relating to property tax appeals to county boards of equalization, by reducing the time the county boards of tax assessors have to respond to a taxpayer's property tax appeal from 180 days to 90 days and increasing the time county boards of equalization have to set a date for a hearing from 15 days to 90 days. If no hearing is scheduled within the 180 days from the time the taxpayer submits their appeal, the taxpayer's asserted value shall become the assessed fair market value of the property; however, if the fair market value of a property is set due to the lack of a hearing, the value of that property shall not be used as a comparison to other properties in other tax appeals.

For appeals to hearing officers, the time the county board of tax assessors has to review a taxpayer's appeal is reduced from 90 to 60 days and the time the taxpayer has to respond back to the board is reduced from 30 days to 15 days. Notices may be sent to the taxpayer via email if the taxpayer provides an email address.

Code Section 33-1-25, relating to the 'Georgia Agribusiness and Rural Jobs Act,' is amended by allowing a second round of funding of $100 million to be available for capital investments. The bill also increases the application fee from $5,000 to $25,000 and establishes an annual maintenance fee of $7,500 for all rural funds. The bill requires rural funds to submit an initial report to the Department of Community Affairs within 15 days after each capital investment rather than the current report due date of the second anniversary of the initial credit. Rural funds must also include the fund's total eligible capital investments as a percentage of its total capital investments in its annual report.

Code Section 48-5-311, relating to the creation of county boards of equalization, duties, review of assessments, and appeals, is amended by allowing a taxpayer with tangible personal property having a fair market value greater than $200,000 to appeal directly to a hearing officer. The bill also amends 48-5-306, relating to the annual notice of current assessment, contents, posting notice, and new assessment description, by requiring that the option to appeal directly to a hearing officer for tangible personal property with a fair market value of greater than $200,000 be included on the notice of assessment.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Lee Anderson (24th) Ways & Means
Yeas: 92 Nays: 48

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Structured 03-31-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 539

Wiretapping, Eavesdropping, Surveillance; use of any device to photograph or record patients in a health care facility shall be unlawful; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 539 amends O.C.G.A. 16-11-62 to prohibit the unknowing photography or recording of activities of patients that occur in a facility operated by a county board of health without the consent of all patients observed. The punishment is a felony with imprisonment of between one to five years, a maximum fine of $10,000, or both.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Bo Hatchett (50th) Judiciary Non-Civil
Yeas: 154 Nays: 9

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-29-2022 Do Pass

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SB 576

Grandparents or Family Members Visitation Rights; provisions regarding visitation actions brought by certain grandparents of minor children; revise
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 576 relates to grandparent visitation rights and establishes that if one of the parents of a minor child dies, is incapacitated, or is incarcerated, the court may award reasonable visitation if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that it is in the best interests of the child and the health or welfare of the child is harmed unless visitation is granted. Based on an evaluation of the grandparent's relationship prior to the death, incapacitation, or incarceration of the child's parent, the court shall consider and may find that harm to the child can result from denial of visitation. A rebuttable presumption is created that a child denied contact with his or her grandparent or who is not provided minimal opportunity for contact may suffer emotional injury harmful to the child's health.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Brian Strickland (17th) Judiciary
Yeas: 164 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-29-2022 Do Pass

SB 605

Employment Security; certain nonprofit organizations have the option of making installment payments to finance unemployment benefits paid to its employees for certain time periods during the COVID-19 public health emergency; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 605 allows a nonprofit organization that previously elected to make payments in lieu of contributions for unemployment insurance between January 1, 2020, and January 1, 2022, and that owes more than $360,000 for any year to elect to make those payments over a threeyear period in equal monthly installments without any penalties or interest. This option only applies to nonprofit organizations that had unemployment insurance coverage during that year and the insurance provider denied coverage for unemployment claims arising from the public health emergency during that period. These provisions stand repealed on December 31, 2026.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Dean Burke (11th) Industry and Labor
Yeas: 153 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-23-2022 Do Pass

SB 610

Department of Community Health; conduct a comprehensive review of provider reimbursement rates for home and community based services covered by the waiver programs; require
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 610 requires the Department of Community Health to conduct a comprehensive review every four years of provider reimbursement rates for home and communitybased waiver services and programs and propose rate models, policy changes, and fiscal projections.

SB 610 instructs the Department of Community Health to submit a waiver request to the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services allowing private mental health institutions to qualify for Medicaid reimbursement.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Sally Harrell (40th) Human Relations & Aging
Yeas: 154 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 03-29-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SR 596 Isaiah "Coach" Berry Memorial Intersection; Barrow County; dedicate Bill Summary: Senate Resolution 596 is the annual Senate road dedication package. The House substitute includes the following Senate and House Resolutions:
SR 596, dedicating the intersection of State Route 81 and Tom Miller Road in Barrow County as the Isaiah "Coach" Berry Memorial Intersection;
SR 308, dedicating the intersection at SR 6/US 278 and SR 101/6BU in Polk County as the Sergeant Barry Henderson Memorial Intersection;
SR 391, dedicating the portion of State Route 36 from the Butts/Lamar County line to Jones Road in
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Daily Report for April 1, 2022

Today on the Floor

Lamar County as the Dr. Benny Tate Parkway;
SR 411, dedicating the portion of State Route 94 from State Route 121 to the Georgia/Florida state line in Charlton County, Georgia, as the Sheriff Ernest "Dobie" Conner Highway;
SR 412, dedicating the intersection of U.S. 27 and Alabama Street in Carroll County as the Dr. Samuel D. Thomas I Memorial Intersection;
SR 503, dedicating the bridge on State Route 166 over Dog River Reservoir in Douglas County as the Bill Hembree Bridge;
SR 519, dedicating the intersection at State Route 75 Connector/Appalachian Parkway and NOK Drive in White County as the Officer Carol Leigh Ledford Memorial Intersection;
SR 520, dedicating the intersection of U.S. 19 and Cleveland Street/Glenn Gooch Parkway in Union County as the Carlton Colwell Intersection;
SR 521, dedicating the intersection of State Route 400 and Dawson Forest Road in Dawson County as the Mike Berg Intersection;
SR 428, dedicating the intersection of State Route 400 and Harmony Church Road/Lumpkin Campground Road in Dawson County as the Edna Jo Mize Intersection;
SR 499, dedicating the portion of State Route 400 from Mansell Road in Fulton County to State Route 20 in Forsyth County as The Technology Corridor;
SR 476, dedicating the intersection of U.S. 27 and Pearl Drive in Walker County as the Doris Greene Mullis Memorial Intersection;
SR 487, dedicating the intersection of State Route 341 and Gordon Street/10th Street in Walker County as the Congressman Gordon Lee Memorial Intersection;
SR 557, dedicating the intersection of State Route 157 and State Route 136 in Walker County as the McLemore Resort Community Intersection;
SR 555, dedicating the intersection of State Route 136 and State Route 189 in Dade County as the Commissioner Allan Bradford Memorial Intersection;
SR 589, dedicating the interchange of Interstate 59 at Deer Head Cove Road in Dade County as the Ralph and Beatrice Rumley Memorial Interchange;
SR 637, dedicating the intersection of State Route 341 and Euclid Avenue in Walker County as The Honorable Mayor Ray Crowder Intersection;
HR 684, dedicating the intersection at State Route 6 and State Route 100 in Polk County as the Judge Dan Winn Intersection;
HR 841, dedicating the portion of State Route 82 within the city limits of Enigma in Berrien County as the Bobby Rowan - Enigma Parkway;
HR 867, dedicating the intersection at U.S. 76 and State Route 288 south of the Hiwassee River in Towns County as the Sheriff Jay Vernon Chastain, Sr., Memorial Intersection;
HR 878, dedicating the bridge on State Route 268 over Broxton Creek in Coffee County as the PFC Charles E. Day and SFC Jerome Day Bridge;
HR 918, dedicating the bridge on State Route 20 over the CSX Rail Line south of Reid Street in Gwinnett County as the Judge Ramn Alvarado Bridge;

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HR 931, dedicating the intersection of State Route 92 and Sandy Plains Road in Cobb County as the Kip Klein Memorial Intersection;
HR 937, dedicating the portion of State Route 57 within the boundaries of Long County as the Deputy Sheldon Whiteman Memorial Highway;
HR 940, dedicating the intersection of State Route 20 and East Crogan Street in Gwinnett County as the Judge Emily Pate Powell Intersection;
HR 938, dedicating the bridge on State Route 284 over Lake Lanier in Hall County as the Carl Rogers Bridge;
HR 939, dedicating the bridge on State Route 66 over Brasstown Creek in Towns County as the Reverend James "Jimmy" Richard Rogers, Sr., Bridge;
HR 1001, dedicating the portion of U.S. 27 within the city limits of Hamilton in Harris County as the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Highway;
HR 1002, dedicating the portion of U.S. 80 from the city limits of Swainsboro to the city limits of Twin City in Emanuel County, Georgia, as the Sheriff Tyson Stephens Memorial Highway;
HR 1028, dedicating the bridge on State Route 166/Langford Parkway over the I-75/I-85/Downtown Connector in Fulton County as the Gregory Stalls, Sr., Memorial Bridge;
HR 1047, dedicating the bridge on State Route 136 over Talking Rock Creek in Pickens County as the N.C. Low, Jr., Memorial Bridge;
HR 1084, dedicating the portion of State Route 13 from Interstate 75/Interstate 85 to Peachtree Road in Fulton County, Georgia as the Jovita Moore Memorial Highway;
HR 1102, dedicating the portion of State Route 17 from the southern Elberton city limits (mile marker 9) to the Broad River (mile marker 0) in Elbert County as the Representative Thomas Allen McCall Highway;
HR 1104, dedicating the portion of State Route 3 from Ivan Allen, Jr., Boulevard to Martin Luther King, Jr., Drive in Fulton County, Georgia, as the Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame Highway;
HR 1105, dedicating the portion of State Route 85 Connector from State Route 16 to State Route 85 as the Huie Bray Memorial Highway;
HR 1124, dedicating the intersection of U.S. 1/U.S. 23/State Route 4 and South Augusta Avenue in Ware County as the Ken Bennett Memorial Intersection;
HR 1125, dedicating the intersection of U.S.1/Scapa Dryer Road and Fulford Road in Ware County as the Colonel Frank Norton Crossing;
HR 1167, dedicating the bridge on State Route 92 over Lake Allatoona in Cobb County as the Mayor's Bridge;
HR 941, dedicating the interchange of Interstate 516 and U.S. Route 17/Ogeechee Road in Chatham County as the Doug Weathers Interchange;
HR 942, dedicating the U.S. Route 17 Bridge east of Red Gate Farms Road over the CSX Rail Line in Chatham County; and
Repealing the "HBCU Presidents' HERO Bridge" (2021 Session) and dedicating the portion of Interstate 20 from Northside Drive to Joseph E. Lowery Boulevard as the HBCU Presidents' HERO

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

Sen. Frank Ginn (47th) Transportation
Yeas: 145 Nays: 0 Adopted (Resolution)

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Open 03-31-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Postponed Until Next Legislative Day
SB 256 County Boards of Health; comprehensive reorganization; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 256 requires proper identification for any in-person and online purchase of dextromethorphan. The bill also requires any trade association representing manufacturers of overthe-counter finished drug products containing dextromethorphan to provide a list of such products marketed by members to any requesting retail business.

Authored By: Sen. Dean Burke (11th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

SB 591

Secondary Metals Recyclers; shall be illegal for certain persons to purchase, possess, obtain, or sell used, detached catalytic converters, used utility wire, or used communications copper; provide
Bill Summary: Section 1-1 of Senate Bill 591 amends O.C.G.A. 10-1-350 to create new definitions for "copper wire," "used communications copper," and "used utility wire." The bill amends O.C.G.A. 10-1-351 to define the term "used, detached catalytic converter."

Section 1-2 of the bill makes it a crime to receive, dispose of, or retain a used, detached catalytic converter, or any non-ferrous parts of a catalytic converter, that a person knows or should know was stolen. This does not apply to a person receiving, disposing of, or retaining those items if the intent is to return them to the owner.

Further, it is unlawful for any person to purchase, solicit, or advertise for the purchase of a used, detached catalytic converter or any non-ferrous parts of a catalytic converter, unless the person is a registered secondary metals recycler as required in O.C.G.A. 10-1-359.1.

Violations of this section are punishable as "theft by receiving stolen property" as provided in O.C.G.A.16-8-12.

Under Section 1-4, secondary metals recyclers are allowed to pay in cash, but are prohibited from: paying any seller more than $100 in cash for any transaction, limited to two per seller, per day, per registered location; and paying cash to any seller for catalytic converters or coils, used utility wire, used communications copper, copper wire, or a battery. This section does not apply to transactions between business entities, unless that transaction is related to catalytic converters.

Section 1-5 makes O.C.G.A. 10-1-358 applicable to catalytic converters, which relates to entities that are exempt from the Article 14, Chapter 1, of Title 10. This bill also revises an exemption for vendors that do not both generate and sell regulated metal property in the course of its business.

Part 1 of the Act is effective on July 1, 2022. Part 2, which removes the cash-payment language and limitations, is effective on January 1, 2025.

Authored By: Sen. Bo Hatchett (50th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

Local Calendar
HB 1603 Sylvester, City of; Public Facilities Authority; revise definition of "project" Bill Summary: House Bill 1603 revises the definition of "project" as it relates to the city of Sylvester Public Facilities Authority and provides for the reversion of assets upon the dissolution of
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the authority.
Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Bill Yearta (152nd) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 153 Nays: 6

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-30-2022 Do Pass

SB 636

Board of Education of Warren County; compensation provisions for the chairperson and for members of the board; revise
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 636 revises the compensation for the Warren County Board of Education. The chairperson shall receive $250 per meeting and the other members of the board shall receive $200 per meeting.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Max Burns (23rd) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 153 Nays: 6

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

03-30-2022 Do Pass

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Committee Actions

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

Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight Committee
HB 1608 Audits and Accounts, Department of; require certain financial disclosures from entities performing work related to fiscal notes
Bill Summary: House Bill 1608 requires the state auditor to collect an annual financial disclosure from any entity that performs work on fiscal notes. These disclosures shall be compiled into a report for the chairpersons of the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Finance Committee, and findings shall be reported to the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Mike Cheokas (138th) Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight Committee
Action:

04-01-2022 Do Pass

SB 53

Georgia Technology Authority; power and duty to establish standards for state agencies' website design, navigation, and accessibility; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 53 changes the technology empowerment fund to the technology oversight fund. All allocations from the fund must be approved by the Technology Oversight Committee, which shall be comprised of the following: the chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations; the chairperson of the Senate Appropriations Committee; one member of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker of the House; one member of the Senate appointed by the president of the Senate; the director of the Office of Planning and Budget; an individual appointed by the governor; and the state auditor. The chair of the committee is the state chief information officer, who shall be a non-voting member except in instances of a tie. The directors of the House Budget and Research Office and Senate Budget and Evaluation Office are non-voting members of the committee.

Any proposal made to the Technology Oversight Committee must be approved by a majority vote of a quorum, which is set at four members. Members may attend virtually, and quarterly reports of the operations of the technology oversight fund shall be provided to the Georgia Technology Authority board, the Office of Planning Budget, the Senate Budget and Evaluation Office, and the House Budget and Research Office.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (52nd) Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight Committee
Action:

04-01-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Health & Human Services Committee

SB 456

Health; requirements relating to the use of abortion-inducing drugs; provide
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 456 requires that abortion pills only be prescribed by a qualified physician after an in-person exam. During the exam, the physician must perform an ultrasound, determine blood type, document results, and obtain informed consent. A follow-up visit is required to be scheduled no later than 30 days after drug administration.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Bruce Thompson (14th) Health & Human Services

Committee Action:

04-01-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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Committee Actions

Intragovernmental Coordination - Local Committee
HB 1614 Forsyth County; levy an excise tax Bill Summary: House Bill 1614 authorizes the governing authority of Forsyth County to levy an excise tax.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Todd Jones (25th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

04-01-2022 Do Pass

SB 321 DeKalb County; salary of certain judges, judicial officers, and county officers; increase
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 321 revises the compensation of certain judges, judicial officers, and county officers of DeKalb County.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Emanuel Jones (10th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

04-01-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 641 Chattahoochee Hills Convention and Visitors Bureau Authority; create
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 641 creates the Chattahoochee Hills Convention and Visitors Bureau Authority.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Matt Brass (28th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

04-01-2022 Do Pass

Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee
HR 1082 House Study Committee on State and Local Law Enforcement Salaries; create Bill Summary: House Resolution 1082 creates the House Study Committee on State and Local Law Enforcement Salaries.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Mike Cheokas (138th) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee
Action:

04-01-2022 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.

Monday - April 4, 2022 8:00 AM HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
8:00 AM Special Committee on Election Integrity
8:00 AM CREATIVE ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE 10:00 AM FLOOR SESSION (LD 40)

506 CLOB HYBRID

VIDEO Agenda

606 CLOB

VIDEO Agenda

HYBRID

406 CLOB

VIDEO Agenda

House Chamber VIDEO



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