Daily report, 2023 February 23

DAILY REPORT Thursday
February 23, 2023
House Budget & Research Office (404) 656-5050

23rd Legislative
Day

The House will reconvene for its 24th Legislative Day on Monday, February 27 at 10:00 a.m. The Rules Committee will meet at 9:00 a.m. Nine bills / resolutions are expected to be debated on the floor.

Today on the Floor

Rules Calendar
HB 36 Ad valorem tax; language required to be included in notices of current assessment; revise
Bill Summary: HB 36 amends O.C.G.A. 48-5-311 relating to county boards of equalization, duties, review of assessments, and appeals 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 amends O.C.G.A. 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:

Rep. Chuck Martin (49th) Ways & Means
Yeas: 170 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Structured 02-16-2023 Do Pass

HB 95

Revenue and taxation; Internal Revenue Code and Internal Revenue Code of 1986; revise terms and incorporate certain provisions of federal law into Georgia law
Bill Summary: HB 95 amends O.C.G.A. 48-1-2 relating to income tax definitions by providing an update to the definition of "Internal Revenue Code" to include 'Inflation Reduction Act' provisions, signed by the President on August 16, 2022, and the 'Consolidated Appropriations Act', signed by the President on December 29, 2022.

Among the changes made in federal legislation and addressed in the bill are the following: allowing defined contribution plans to provide participants with an option to receive matching contributions on a Roth basis; a one-time election for a qualified charitable distribution to a split-interest entity and an increase to the IRA charitable distribution limit; and cost recovery related to green energy properties.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. David Knight (134th) Ways & Means
Yeas: 172 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Structured 02-16-2023 Do Pass

HB 138 Revenue and taxation; update population bracket and census data for a certain property tax exemption for certain leased property
Bill Summary: HB 138 amends O.C.G.A. 48-5-40 relating to property tax exemptions by updating a homestead exemption for counties having populations between 23,500 and 23,675 on the 2010 U.S.

House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 23, 2023

Today on the Floor

Census with counties having populations between 25,400 and 25,500 on the 2020 U.S. Census.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Clint Crowe (118th) Ways & Means
Yeas: 170 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Structured 02-16-2023 Do Pass

HB 142 Education; establishment of unified campus police forces through agreements by colleges and universities; provide
Bill Summary: HB 142 provides for the establishment of unified campus police forces through agreements entered into by colleges and universities.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Mesha Mainor (56th)

Rule Applied:

Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee

Action:

Yeas: 157 Nays: 2

Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-15-2023 Do Pass

HB 162

Income tax; one-time tax credit for taxpayers who filed returns for both 2021 and 2022 taxable years; provide
Bill Summary: HB 162 provides a one-time income tax refund equal to the lesser of either the taxpayer's 2021 income tax liability or $250 for a taxpayer filing as single; $375 for taxpayer filing as head of household; or $500 for a married couple jointly filing a return. The refund will not be made available to nonresident alien individuals, individuals claimed as a dependent during the 2021 and 2022 tax years, or an estate or trust.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Lauren McDonald (26th) Ways & Means
Yeas: 170 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Structured 02-16-2023 Do Pass

HB 165

State government; public disclosure not required relative to inspection of public records; include certain documents from Department of Natural Resources
Bill Summary: HB 165 amends O.C.G.A. 50-18-72, which concerns public disclosures not required to be included as part of an inspection of public records, to include records from the Department of Natural Resources that contain information regarding the location or character of a historic resource that could lead to harm or theft related to the historic resource.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Kimberly New (64th) Natural Resources & Environment
Yeas: 169 Nays: 1

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Open 02-16-2023 Do Pass

HB 222

Insurance, Department of; clarify, streamline, and make transparent the practices of the department
Bill Summary: HB 222 clarifies that service contracts will only be sold or offered to consumers. The bill extends the probationary insurance license period from 12 to 24 months, and allows applicants to reapply between one and five years after a denial.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Eddie Lumsden (12th) Insurance
Yeas: 167 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-14-2023 Do Pass

HB 226

Social services; treatment services under Medicaid to persons with HIV; provisions
Bill Summary: HB 226 allows the Department of Community Health to submit a waiver request to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of the U.S. Health Department of Health and Human Services for the purpose of providing Medicaid coverage for HIV treatment services. Eligible individuals must have an HIV diagnosis, an income less than 138 percent of the federal poverty level,

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 23, 2023

Today on the Floor

and no health insurance.

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

Rep. Sharon Cooper (45th) Public Health
Yeas: Nays: Recommit to Rules

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-14-2023 Do Pass

HB 319 Education; abolish Georgia Higher Education Assistance Corporation
Bill Summary: HB 319 abolishes the Georgia Higher Education Assistance Corporation and transfers any obligations, liabilities, or assets to the Georgia Student Finance Authority.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Chuck Martin (49th) Higher Education
Yeas: 171 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 02-16-2023 Do Pass

HR 66

General Assembly; motor fuel and diesel fuel taxes; ratify Governor Brian P. Kemp's Executive Orders
Bill Summary: HR 66 ratifies executive orders issued by the governor between May 26, 2022 and January 10, 2023 related to suspension of the collection of motor fuel and diesel fuel taxes.

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

Rep. Matthew Gambill (15th) Ways & Means
Yeas: 170 Nays: 0 Adopted (Resolution)

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Structured 02-16-2023 Do Pass

Local Calendar
HB 354 Pike County; Probate Court; authorize assessment and collection of technology fee Bill Summary: A bill to authorize a technology fee by the Probate Court of Pike County.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Beth Camp (135th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 165 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

02-22-2023 Do Pass

HB 391 Early County; ad valorem tax for educational purposes; provide homestead exemption
Bill Summary: A bill to remove the expiration date of a homestead exemption from Early County school district ad valorem taxes.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Gerald Greene (154th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 165 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

02-22-2023 Do Pass

HB 395

Heard County; ad valorem tax for county and educational purposes; provide homestead exemption
Bill Summary: A bill to provide a homestead exemption from Heard County school district ad valorem taxes in the amount of $20,000 for residents of the school district who are 70 years of age or older.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. David Huddleston (72nd) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 165 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

02-22-2023

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 23, 2023

Today on the Floor

HB 422 Ware County; board of elections and registration; appointment of members; revise provisions
Bill Summary: A bill to revise the appointment of board members to the board of elections and registration of Ware County.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. James Burchett (176th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 96 Nays: 68

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

02-22-2023 Do Pass

HB 519 Emanuel County Public Facilities Authority; create Bill Summary: A bill to create the Emanuel County Public Facilities Authority.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Rep. Butch Parrish (158th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 165 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

02-22-2023 Do Pass

SB 6

City of Sylvania; expenditure of funds; provisions; revise Bill Summary: A bill to authorize the City of Sylvania to levy an excise tax.

Authored By: House Committee: Floor Vote:

Sen. Max Burns (23rd) Intragovernmental Coordination Local Yeas: 165 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

02-22-2023 Do Pass

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 23, 2023

Next on the Floor

Next on the Floor from the Committee on Rules
The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 24th Legislative Day, Monday, February 27, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker. The Rules Committee will next meet on Monday, February
27, at 9:00 a.m., to set the Rules Calendar for the 25th Legislative Day.

HB 122

Georgia Achieving A Better Life Experience (ABLE); governance of program by board of directors of Georgia Higher Education Savings Plan; provide
Bill Summary: HB 122 provides for membership of the board of directors for the Georgia Higher Education Savings Plan (GHESP). The board must consist of the following members: the governor as the chairperson; the chancellor of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia; the commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia; the executive director of the Georgia Student Finance Commission; the commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities; the commissioner of the Department of Community Health; the state auditor; the director of the Office of Planning and Budget; the commissioner of the Department of Revenue; and four governor-appointed directors, with at least one being a person with a disability, a family member of a person with a disability, or a disability advocacy professional. The state treasurer acts as the board's administrative officer.

The bill removes the specified maximum GHESP account balance of $235,000 and allows the board of directors to set a reasonable maximum amount.

The bill authorizes the GHESP board of directors to govern the Georgia Achieving A Better Life Experience (ABLE) Program Corporation.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Lee Hawkins (27th) Higher Education

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-21-2023 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 147

Safe Schools Act; enact
Bill Summary: HB 147 is the 'Safe Schools Act.' The bill requires the Professional Standards Commission (PSC) to consult with the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS), the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the Georgia Public Safety Training Center to create a school safety and anti-gang endorsement for eligible certificated professional personnel who volunteer to complete a training program approved by the PSC in multidisciplinary best practices for promoting and preserving safe schools, and for identifying and deterring youth gangs.

The legislation adds GEMA/HS to those agencies to which the school must submit their school safety plan. Schools are required to conduct intruder alert drills by October 1 of each school year and report to GEMA/HS when the drill is completed. All students are required to participate, but each system may allow an option for a parent/legal guardian to elect, in writing, that the child is not participating.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Will Wade (9th)

Rule Applied:

Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee

Action:

Modified-Structured 02-15-2023 Do Pass

HB 220

Property; means of enforcement of condominium and property owners' association instruments, rules, and regulations; provide
Bill Summary: HB 220 permits condominium associations to pursue injunctive relief without first pursuing other remedies after providing notice in accordance with terms of the instrument or 10 days' written notice if the instrument is silent. Notice will not be required in the event of a violation of the instrument or reasonable rules adopted by the association that presents a clear and imminent danger, or when injunctive relief would become moot if not granted before expiration of a notice period. Property owners in a planned subdivision containing no fewer than 15 individual plots will comply with all lawful provisions of covenants. Lack of compliance will be grounds for recovery of sums

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 23, 2023

Next on the Floor

due, damages, injunctive relief, or any other remedy available at law or in equity.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Rob Leverett (123rd) Judiciary

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-14-2023 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 237

State government; Southeast Georgia Soap Box Derby as official soap box derby of the State of Georgia; designate
Bill Summary: HB 237 designates the Southeast Georgia Soap Box Derby in Lyons, Georgia as the official soap box derby of the State of Georgia. The Department of Economic Development and other agencies are encouraged to coordinate advertising programs to promote tourism related to the derby.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Leesa Hagan (156th) Special Rules

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Open 02-14-2023 Do Pass

HB 254

Civil practices; alternative procedure for designation of official legal organ; provide
Bill Summary: HB 254 amends O.C.G.A. 9-13-142 concerning official legal organs (publications containing official legal notices). If no otherwise qualified publication has a paid circulation of at least 100 copies per issue in the county, the bill permits the probate court judge, sheriff, superior court clerk, or a majority of those officers to designate a newspaper as an interim legal organ. That designation will terminate once another newspaper meets the qualifications and is designated as the county's legal organ pursuant to the Code section.

The bill allows counties or municipalities required to publish a legal notice to also meet publishing requirements by posting the notice in a conspicuous place on the county or municipality's website as well as on a common statewide website. Corrections to errors made in the published legal notice will be made within two business days on the publishing website, the Georgia Public Notice website, and in the next edition of the legal organ or newspaper of general circulation. Postings will remain in place until the event or action being advertised has concluded, and will not exceed one year.

The bill amends legal advertisement rates by increasing the rate by $5 for each 100 words and $5 for each subsequent insertion.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. David Jenkins (136th) Judiciary

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-21-2023 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 268

Criminal Justice Coordinating Council; motor vehicle related crime prevention initiatives; establish grant program
Bill Summary: HB 268 establishes a grant program to provide funds from the criminal justice coordinating council to local law enforcement agencies and multi-jurisdictional task forces for the prevention, reduction, investigation, and prosecution of motor vehicle crimes. The bill establishes the Georgia Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Advisory Board and the required membership. The board will solicit and review applications for the grants, and make recommendations to the council for awards.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. John Corbett (174th)

Rule Applied:

Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee

Action:

Modified-Structured 02-16-2023 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 440 Education; authorize public and private schools to stock a supply of undesignated ready-to-use glucagon
Bill Summary: HB 440 allows public and private schools to stock a supply of glucagon and permits prescribers to provide such medication to schools.

Authored By: Rep. Doug Stoner (40th)

Rule Applied: Modified-Structured

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 23, 2023

Next on the Floor

House Committee:

Public Health

Committee Action:

02-21-2023 Do Pass

HB 444

Property; revise when an action may operate as a lis pendens
Bill Summary: HB 444 provides that no action involving an interest in real property will operate as a lis pendens, the official public notice that a property has a pending lawsuit or claim attached to it, until a lis pendens is issued by a court. Requirements for the issuance and effectiveness of a courtissued lis pendens are provided.

The clerks of superior courts must keep a lis pendens docket in which they record all notices of lis pendens on real property filed with them. Dismissal of any action by a plaintiff, the plaintiff's withdrawal, or the settlement or final judgement will be indicated on the face of the lis pendens record by the clerk. Actions involving claims against real property related to domestic relations are excepted from these new provisions.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Matt Reeves (99th) Judiciary

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-21-2023 Do Pass

HB 480

Workers' compensation; benefits; change certain provisions
Bill Summary: HB 480 revises O.C.G.A. 34-9-261 to raise the maximum weekly amount of temporary total disability of workers' compensation to $800. The maximum weekly amount of temporary partial disability of workers' compensation is increased to $533 in O.C.G.A. 34-9-262. The maximum total workers' compensation that can be paid to a surviving spouse after their spouse dies is increased to $320,000 in O.C.G.A. 34-9-265.

The bill states that in claims for workers' compensation in which there is not a surviving spouse, including situations in which a deceased employee and a person claiming they were dependent on that deceased employee and that they lived together continuously and in a relationship similar to a marriage, the person making the claim must prove that they received economic support from the deceased employee, including monetary support, food, or housing. Workers' compensation can now be terminated upon cohabitation in a relationship similar to marriage if that relationship involves economic support. No consideration is made for payments of financial support that are less than a period of three months.

The effective date of the bill is July 1, 2023 and applies to injuries that occur on or after that date.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Lehman Franklin (160th) Industry and Labor

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-16-2023 Do Pass

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 23, 2023

Committee Actions

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

Education Committee

HB 51

Education; local boards of education use vehicles other than school buses for transport of students; authorize
Bill Summary: HB 51 amends O.C.G.A. 20-2-1076 to allow local boards of education to utilize alternative means of transportation other than school buses to transport students to school and schoolrelated activities where appropriate.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Clay Pirkle (169th) Education

Committee Action:

02-23-2023 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 318

Education; reestablishment of Office of Charter School Compliance under State Charter Schools Commission
Bill Summary: HB 318 amends Chapter 2 of Title 20 to reestablish the Office of Charter School Compliance, create the Office of District Flexibility, and require administrative fees held back by the state or local school system for the administration of charter schools to be used solely for that purpose.

The Office of Charter School Compliance is reestablished under the State Charter Schools Commission and assists with the administration, review of, and creation of new local charter schools. The bill creates the Office of District Flexibility under the Department of Education to help school systems become and remain a charter system.

Up to three percent may be retained by local boards of education from the charter school funding to provide administrative services for the local charter school. The local board of education must spend these funds solely and directly on administrative services performed for the local charter school. Any funds not expended should be remitted to the local charter school each year by June 30th.

The Department of Education may retain up to three percent for the administration of state chartered special schools. Any funds not used by June 30th for the administration of the state chartered special school will be remitted to the school. The State Charter School Commission must follow the same structure relating to retaining and reimbursing state charter schools for the three percent administrative fee collected.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Scott Hilton (48th) Education

Committee Action:

02-23-2023 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 338 Student Technology Protection Act; enact
Bill Summary: HB 338, the 'Student Technology Protection Act', amends the 'Quality Basic Education Act' by revising O.C.G.A 20-2-324 to provide that schools promote the safe and appropriate use of technology.

By October 1, 2023, each local board of education and charter school governing body will adopt an acceptable use policy with the purpose of preventing and prohibiting any computer or network from accessing obscene materials. Each system will take necessary steps to implement and enforce the acceptable use policy to filter grade-appropriate content on school-owned devices.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Chris Erwin (32nd) Education

Committee Action:

02-23-2023 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 23, 2023

Committee Actions

HB 402

Education; water safety education information to parents of students under 18 years of age and to students 18 years of age and older; provide
Bill Summary: HB 402, the 'Edna Mae McGovern Act', amends O.C.G.A. 20-2-779.3 to require each public school to provide parents or students over 18 years of age with information on water safety education. At the beginning of each school year, the school will provide information to promote safety in, on, and around bodies of water. This may include information on local water safety courses and swim lessons.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Scott Hilton (48th) Education

Committee Action:

02-23-2023 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Higher Education Committee
HB 130 Georgia Student Finance Authority; student loan repayment for peace officers; provide
Bill Summary: HB 130 establishes a student loan repayment program for eligible full-time peace officers. The total repayment amount must not exceed $20,000 or the total student debt amount, whichever is less. Payments will be paid in annual installments for a period not exceeding five years.

The Georgia Student Finance Authority is authorized to establish rules and regulations to implement the program, and the program is contingent upon appropriation of funds by the General Assembly.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Matthew Gambill (15th) Higher Education

Committee Action:

02-23-2023 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 185

Education; provide for HOPE Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) grants
Bill Summary: HB 185 provides for the establishment of Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) grants. The grants would be awarded to eligible Georgia students enrolled on or before July 1, 2028, in authorized IPSE programs at qualified postsecondary institutions in an amount equal to the current academic year undergraduate tuition at each student's qualified institution.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Houston Gaines (120th) Higher Education

Committee Action:

02-23-2023 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 249 Education; needs based financial aid program; provide definition
Bill Summary: HB 249 provides Georgia College Completion Grant eligibility to students who have completed 70 percent of a four-year program or 45 percent of a two-year program. The maximum award amount per eligible student is set at $3,500, with no single payment exceeding $2,500.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Chuck Martin (49th) Higher Education

Committee Action:

02-23-2023 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Judiciary Committee

HB 298

Courts; exemption or deferment from jury service for natural or adoptive mothers of children six months of age or younger; provide
Bill Summary: HB 298 excuses or defers from jury service a natural or adoptive parent who has a child six months of age or younger and has custody of that child, with the excusal or deferment granted upon the parent executing an affidavit.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Lauren Daniel (117th) Judiciary

Committee Action:

02-23-2023 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 23, 2023

Committee Actions

HB 355

Property owners' associations; creating or enforcing covenants which infringe on a lot owners' right to use natural gas or solar energy device; prohibit
Bill Summary: HB 355 prohibits property owners' associations from banning or restricting a lot owner from using natural gas on the owner's property or generally from installing or using a solar energy device on the lot owner's property. Prohibition of a solar energy device is only allowed when that device has been determined by a court to violate a law or threaten public safety; when that device is used for a purpose other than generating electricity for the lot owner; when that device is located in a common area; or when the device is not located on a roof mounted along the slope of that roof or along the fence line of a fenced yard or patio. No association will require a permit or fee for using natural gas or a solar energy device.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Kasey Carpenter (4th) Judiciary

Committee Action:

02-23-2023 Do Pass

HB 375

Guardian and ward; authority of conservator and cooperation with guardian or other interested parties; define gross settlement
Bill Summary: HB 375, relating to conservatorships and guardians, defines "gross settlement" as the present value of all amounts paid or to be paid in settlement of the claim, including: cash; medical expenses; expenses of litigation; attorney's fees; and any amounts allotted to a structured settlement or other similar financial arrangement.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Rob Leverett (123rd) Judiciary

Committee Action:

02-23-2023 Do Pass

Juvenile Justice Committee

HB 144

George L. Burgess Act; enact
Bill Summary: HB 144 updates the rights of a ward in a guardianship by clarifying that a ward can communicate freely and privately with people other than the guardian through visitation, telephone calls, email, or personal mail. If a guardian violates the right of the ward to communicate, visit, or interact with others, in O.C.G.A. 29-4-22(b), then a ward or interested party can petition the court with evidence alleging that the guardian violated that right.

If the court finds the guardian violated the ward's right, then a court can impose a maximum fine of $1,000 for each violation. After two violations have been reported and ruled on by a court, the court can impose temporary suspension of the guardianship and appoint another guardian until the violations are resolved.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Regina Lewis-Ward (115th) Juvenile Justice

Committee Action:

02-23-2023 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 460

Courts; child's right to legal representation in legitimation cases; provide
Bill Summary: HB 460 provides a right to counsel for a child who is the subject of a legitimation petition and a child who is party to a hearing to determine whether continuation or termination of a temporary guardianship is in the best interests of a child. Custodians or guardians whom are subject to a sworn complaint or affidavit and any other respondent to a dependency proceeding have the right to an attorney at all stages of the dependency proceedings.

A child receiving extended care youth services from the Division of Family and Children Services is provided a right to counsel for all stages of dependency proceedings. The bill requires that affidavits or sworn complaints only be used when a child is taken into custody under exceptional circumstances.

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Committee Actions

A trial court can appoint an attorney for a child at all stages of proceedings for extended care youth services. The child will be provided notice of their right to an attorney and be given the opportunity to: use, waive the right, obtain an attorney of their choice, or obtain the court-appointed attorney in the court's discretion.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Mandi Ballinger (23rd) Juvenile Justice

Committee Action:

02-23-2023 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 462

Raise the Age Act; enact
Bill Summary: HB 462 is the 'Raise the Age Act'. The bill increases the jurisdiction of the juvenile court to include children who are 17 years old and revises various references in the Code to reflect this change. The bill establishes an implementation committee, which consists of 12 members and is responsible for conferring with appropriate agencies and interested parties regarding standards and practices of other jurisdictions, the most recent national standards, and the interested parties' views.

A superior court will maintain jurisdiction of those who are 17 years old at the time of the alleged crime, and are alleged to have committed criminal gang activity or are alleged to have committed an offense that would be a felony, if tried as an adult, for a second or subsequent time.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Mandi Ballinger (23rd) Juvenile Justice

Committee Action:

02-23-2023 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 499

Domestic relations; authorize child support and insurance policies for certain disabled children; provisions
Bill Summary: HB 499 provides a court the discretion to require either one spouse, or both spouses, to pay child support for a disabled child who has become an adult but lacks the ability to take care of themselves independently. The spouses can be in a divorce proceeding, living separately, or in state of separation. A "disabled child" is defined to be an individual who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities and that meets a disability under state or federal law.

The bill allows for modification of the award for child support if there has been a substantial change in the child's ability to provide support for themselves. The court can direct one or both parents to maintain life insurance for the benefit of a disabled child who has become an adult, but lacks the ability to take care of themselves independently. The bill will become effective July 1, 2023.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Bill Hitchens (161st) Juvenile Justice

Committee Action:

02-23-2023 Do Pass

HB 508

Crimes and offenses; orders be served on a respondent within 24 hours of the court's issuance of such order; provide
Bill Summary: HB 508 requires the clerk of a superior court to issue a summons and deliver it for service to the party whom the order is against within 24 hours of the issuance of an ex parte order under O.C.G.A. 16-5-94 for temporary relief for a petitioner or minor from stalking.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Mandi Ballinger (23rd) Juvenile Justice

Committee Action:

02-23-2023 Do Pass

HB 509 Crimes and offenses; burglary; include an act of family violence
Bill Summary: HB 509 expands the crime of burglary in the first and second degrees to include when a person enters the house, or other specified building or structure, of another person with the intent to commit an act of family violence.

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 23, 2023

Committee Actions

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Mandi Ballinger (23rd) Juvenile Justice

Committee Action:

02-23-2023 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Motor Vehicles Committee
HB 348 Motor vehicles; standards for signs warning of use of automated traffic enforcement safety devices; provide
Bill Summary: HB 348 requires warning signs for traffic safety enforcement devices and school zone speed limit reduction to display flashing yellow lights while the speed reduction is in effect. The speed limit may be enforced 30 minutes prior to and 30 minutes after the school starts; 30 minutes prior to and 30 minutes after the school dismisses unless the school campus is bisected by a highway; and when the driver is 10 miles per hour over the speed limit.

After a citation has been issued, the penalty must be paid within 60 days or the vehicle's registration will be suspended. The vehicle's registration will be reinstated upon receipt of payment and the collection of a $50 restoration fee.

The bill authorizes the suspension of vehicle registration for an unpaid fine for improperly overtaking a school bus. The vehicle's registration will be reinstated upon receipt of payment and the collection of a $50 restoration fee.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. J Collins (71st) Motor Vehicles

Committee Action:

02-23-2023 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Natural Resources & Environment Committee

HB 53

State Board of Registration for Foresters; independent state agency; provisions
Bill Summary: HB 53 removes the State Board of Registration for Foresters from within the Secretary of State and establishes the board as a separate entity administratively attached to the State Forestry Commission. Individuals nominated to the board by the governor must be confirmed by the Senate.

The board may issue cease and desist orders as well as impose a fine of no more than $500 for violations. The bill sets the registration fee for a license at $200 and allows for the amount to be adjusted according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. John Corbett (174th) Natural Resources & Environment Committee
Action:

02-23-2023 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 273 Board of Natural Resources; extend date by which rules and regulations must be in effect for purposes of establishing criminal violations
Bill Summary: HB 273 revises the effective date for rules and regulations promulgated by the Board of Natural Resources to January 1, 2023.

The bill makes the following changes to the composition of the Sapelo Island Heritage Authority: allows the governor to appoint a designee; increases the number of members from the Hog Hammock community from one to two; removes the commissioner of the Human Relations; and designates the commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources the chairperson and the governor as the vice chairperson of the authority.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Buddy DeLoach (167th) Natural Resources & Environment Committee
Action:

02-23-2023 Do Pass

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 23, 2023

Committee Actions

HB 336

Buildings and housing; prohibit Georgia state minimum standard codes from prohibiting use of certain refrigerants
Bill Summary: HB 336 stipulates that no provision within the Georgia state minimum standard codes will prohibit the use of a refrigerant if the refrigerant has been approved for usage after July 1, 2023 under the provisions of 42 U.S.C. 7671. The equipment containing the refrigerant must also be listed and installed according to standards stated in 42 U.S.C. 7671.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Brent Cox (28th) Natural Resources & Environment Committee
Action:

02-23-2023 Do Pass

HB 396 Oconee River Greenway Authority; add president of Georgia College and State University
Bill Summary: HB 396 adds the president of Georgia College and State University to the Oconee River Greenway Authority.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Kenneth Vance (133rd) Natural Resources & Environment Committee
Action:

02-23-2023 Do Pass

HB 436 Surface mining; revise maximum criminal penalties for violations
Bill Summary: HB 436 amends O.C.G.A. 12-4-84, relating to surface mining, by raising the maximum fine for violating requirements set in the Code section or for willfully misrepresenting information from $1,000 to $10,000.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. John Corbett (174th) Natural Resources & Environment Committee
Action:

02-23-2023 Do Pass

Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee

HB 424

Courts; office of sheriff; revise qualification requirements
Bill Summary: HB 424 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 their designee, must sign the affidavit and the person seeking to qualify must present the affidavit to elections officials in order to qualify.

The bill allows for any person desiring to run for sheriff to attend the basic law enforcement training course for peace officers as a pre-service candidate and to be reimbursed for tuition expenses upon being elected. These expenses are paid by the office of sheriff to which the candidate is elected.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Kenneth Vance (133rd) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee
Action:

02-23-2023 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 500 Crimes and offenses; offense of arson of law enforcement vehicle; provide
Bill Summary: HB 500 creates the offense of arson of a law enforcement vehicle. Any person convicted of the offense is punished by a fine up to $100,000 or by imprisonment for a minimum of five years with a maximum of 20 years, or both.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Deborah Silcox (53rd) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee
Action:

02-23-2023 Do Pass

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 23, 2023

Committee Actions

HB 505 Crimes and offenses; riot; provide for a felony penalty
Bill Summary: HB 505 makes the offense of riot a felony offense punishable by imprisonment for a minimum of one year up to a maximum of 20 years.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Mike Cheokas (151st) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee
Action:

02-23-2023 Do Pass

Transportation Committee

HB 516

Transportation, Department of; increase minimum amount for a public road construction or maintenance contract that prohibits negotiation
Bill Summary: HB 516 increases the minimum amount for a public road construction or maintenance contract that prohibits negotiation to $500,000. The bill allows for the exemption of the requirement to accept written public comment for 30 days in the event that the public has been afforded the opportunity for comment during the environmental phase of a public-private partnership. If the public is afforded the opportunity for comment during the environmental phase of a publicprivate partnership, the requirement that the department hold a public hearing is also waived.

The bill provides an exception to final approval of projects by the board when the board has previously approved the proposal based on a determination that the proposal provided the apparent best value to the state upon contract terms most satisfactory and advantageous to the state.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Derrick McCollum (30th) Transportation

Committee Action:

02-23-2023 Do Pass

Ways & Means Committee

HB 308

Revenue and taxation; certain medical preceptor rotations; revise tax credit
Bill Summary: HB 303 amends O.C.G.A. 48-7-29.22 to replace the structure for tax credits provided to a physician for medical preceptor rotations from a $500 credit for each of the first three rotations and a $1,000 credit for the fourth through 10th rotation in a calendar year to $1,000 for every medical preceptor rotation up to 10 in a calendar year.

The structure for an advanced practice registered nurse or physician assistant is also revised from a $375 credit for each of the first three rotations and a $750 credit for each of the fourth through 10th rotation in a calendar year to $750 for every preceptor rotation up to 10 in a calendar year. The bill adds licensed dentist as eligible for the same tax credit as a physician.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Mark Newton (127th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

02-23-2023 Do Pass

HB 311

Ad valorem tax; optional temporary tax relief to certain properties located in nationally declared federal disaster areas; provide
Bill Summary: HB 311 amends O.C.G.A. 48-5-33, relating to ad valorem taxation of property, to create an optional temporary tax relief mechanism for buildings damaged by a natural disaster that may be utilized by local governments, pursuant to Article VII, Section I, Paragraph III(h) of the Georgia Constitution.

During a disaster response operation, the local emergency management director of an impacted area will travel to and assess whether buildings damaged by the disaster are qualified as either "major" or "destroyed". Assessments will be provided to the relevant county tax commissioners, who will identify eligible tax parcel numbers within the assessment before providing the assessment to each affected governing authority located within the disaster area.

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 23, 2023

Committee Actions

Upon receipt of the report, a governing authority may adopt a resolution providing a defined amount of temporary tax relief to eligible damaged or destroyed buildings. The temporary tax relief may be offered in the form of either a millage rate reduction or a credit.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Lynn Smith (70th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

02-23-2023 Do Pass

HR 96

Ad valorem tax; rate reduction for sale or harvest of timber; provide - CA
Bill Summary: HR 96 amends the Georgia Constitution, relating to the ad valorem taxation of timber, by reducing the rate of taxation from 2.5 times the rate of other real property to the same rate as other real property, beginning January 1, 2025.

The resolution requires the General Assembly to annually appropriate funds to each county, municipality, or school district that experiences a revenue reduction resulting from the revised tax rate on timber in an amount equal to 50 percent of the revenue reduction for the jurisdiction's first three percent of ad valorem tax revenue and 100 percent of revenue loss that exceeds three percent of the jurisdiction's ad valorem revenue. The annual appropriation is to begin January 1, 2026. Ballot language is included.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Noel Williams (148th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

02-23-2023 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.legis.ga.gov to view upcoming events.

Monday - February 27, 2023 8:00 AM SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (House) 9:00 AM RULES COMMITTEE (House) 10:00 AM FLOOR SESSION (LD 24) (House) 1:00 PM PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE (House) 1:00 PM Education Policy Subcommittee (House) 1:00 PM SPECIAL RULES COMMITTEE (House) 2:00 PM AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER AFFAIRS COMMITTEE (House) 2:00 PM RETIREMENT COMMITTEE (House) 2:00 PM Insurance Property & Casualty Subcommittee (House)

506 CLOB

VIDEO Agenda

341 CAP

VIDEO Agenda

House Chamber VIDEO

606 CLOB

VIDEO Agenda

506 CLOB

VIDEO Agenda

415 CLOB

VIDEO Agenda

415 CLOB

VIDEO Agenda

506 CLOB

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515 CLOB

VIDEO

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