Daily report, 2023 February 7

DAILY REPORT Tuesday
February 7, 2023
House Budget & Research Office (404) 656-5050

14th Legislative
Day

The House will reconvene for its 15th Legislative Day on Wednesday, February 8 at 10:00 a.m. The Rules Committee will meet at 9:00 a.m. Four bills / resolutions are expected to be debated on the floor.

Today on the Floor

The House convened for its 14th Legislative Day of the 2023 Session. No legislative action was taken.
Next on the Floor from the Committee on Rules
The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 15th Legislative Day, Wednesday, February 8, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker. The Rules Committee will next meet on Wednesday,
February 8, at 9:00 a.m., to set the Rules Calendar for the 16th Legislative Day.

HB 35

Georgia Ports Authority; provide for powers; expand arrest authority of officers
Bill Summary: HB 35 gives authority to Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) employees designated as security personnel and peace officers the responsibility of preserving and protecting GPA properties or projects. Persons designated as peace officers have the power to arrest for traffic offenses committed and to investigate motor vehicle accidents occurring on any property under GPA jurisdiction and upon any private or public property within one mile thereof. Ports peace officers are given additional duties and powers of policing within the jurisdiction of GPA, its property, and its facilities.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Bill Hitchens (161st)

Rule Applied:

Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee

Action:

Modified-Structured 02-01-2023 Do Pass

HB 52

Transportation, Department of; amend notice provisions relative to meetings for election of board members; provisions
Bill Summary: HB 52 allows for the call of a caucus for a Department of Transportation board election to be sent via email rather than by mail. The bill clarifies language relating to contracting for public-private partnerships and alternative contracting methods. HB 52 amends O.C.G.A governing the length of modular unit transporters to allow for an increased length from 80 feet to 84 feet when a permit is purchased. Code Section 45-16-23 is amended to allow any coroner or county medical examiner to delegate to medical personnel the power to perform the duties of the coroner or county medical examiner when an accident on an interstate highway or limited-access road results in a death and a significant traffic flow disruption. The Georgia Department of Transportation is added to the list of state agencies exempt from open records when a motorist's data on public roadways reveals their vehicle information or other personally identifiable information.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Brad Thomas (21st) Transportation

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 01-26-2023 Do Pass

House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 7, 2023

Next on the Floor

HB 55

Banking and finance; provide for definitions; provisions
Bill Summary: HB 55 is the annual revision of Title 7 of the Code, relating to banking and finance, by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. Superfluous/redundant language is clarified and removed, terminology is updated, and language is added to conform Title 7 to other parts of the Code.

HB 55 permits banks, trust companies, and credit unions that do not exercise trust powers to contract with banks, trust companies, or credit unions to provide trust services to their customers or members. With respect to credit unions, HB 55 aligns how permissive investments are measured in other parts of the Code to create a uniform measure solely on the net worth of the credit union while permitting credit unions to invest in general obligations issued by states and municipalities without any investment limitation.

HB 55 makes changes to licensing requirements related to money service business representatives by eliminating the licensure requirement if there is a limited possibility of consumer harm or if there is a federal regulator that would have regulatory oversight.

Additionally, the bill sets forth standards that licensed money transmitters must maintain and requires permissive investments to be maintained by licensees.

With respect to installment lenders, HB 55 exempts 501(c)(3) non-profit corporations from being licensed as installment lenders as long as they do not impose any interest or fees. HB 55 permits installment lenders to charge compound interest rather than requiring them to do so.

Finally, HB 55 authorizes the establishment of a foreign bank branch in Georgia.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Bruce Williamson (112th) Banks & Banking

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-01-2023 Do Pass

HB 77

Dougherty Judicial Circuit; superior court; provide for a fourth judge
Bill Summary: House Bill 77 increases the number of superior court judges in the Dougherty Judicial Circuit from three to four. The fourth judge will be appointed for a term beginning July 1, 2023 continuing through December 31, 2024. His or her successor will be elected at the nonpartisan judicial election in 2024.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Gerald Greene (154th) Judiciary

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 01-31-2023 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 7, 2023

Committee Actions

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

Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications Committee

HB 73

Public utilities; written disclosure statement with any agreement for sale or financing of distributed energy generation systems; provisions
Bill Summary: HB 73 provides guidelines related to electrical service received through a solar energy procurement agreement. Every seller of distributed energy generation systems that is not an electric supplier must obtain a certificate of authority from the Public Service Commission (PSC). The PSC is directed to establish the rules and requirements to obtain such certification by December 31, 2023. The certification application must ensure that all sellers require appropriate background checks of all employees or contactors; provide contact information accessible to the public; possess adequate capital and are financially viable; and meet any requirement the commission may deem necessary. A certificate of authority may be revoked, suspended, or adjusted by the PSC. The bill outlines the process for public hearings, decisions concerning applications, and appeals for a certificate authority.

Anyone who installs a distributed energy generation system must be licensed as a general contractor, residential contractor, or an electrical contractor. All distributed energy generation sellers must provide to each buyer and lessee as part of any agreement a written disclosure statement.

Before January 1, 2024, the PSC must create a standard written disclosure statement form and a solar awareness presentation to be posted on the commission's website. Any seller that does not provide a written disclosure statement or provides a written disclosure statement that fails to meet the requirements set by the commission will be liable for a civil penalty for each violation. The civil penalty may not exceed the purchase price of the system or the amount a financed system would have cost the lessee to purchase at the time the agreement is signed.

This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2023, and apply to contracts executed on or after January 1, 2024.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Joseph Gullett (19th) Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications

Committee Action:

02-07-2023 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 92

Public utilities and public transportation; percentage limitation as to amount of investments an electric membership corporation may make and maintain in a gas affiliate; modify
Bill Summary: HB 92 increases the limit on the amount of investments an electric membership corporation can make or maintain in a gas affiliate from 15 to 30 percent of its net utility plant.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Houston Gaines (120th) Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications

Committee Action:

02-07-2023 Do Pass

Motor Vehicles Committee
HB 119 Uniform rules of the road; procedure for passing stationary vehicles; provide Bill Summary: HB 119 changes the 'Spencer Pass Law' by requiring drivers to move over for any vehicle displaying flashing yellow, amber, red, or blue lights.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. John Corbett (174th) Motor Vehicles

Committee Action:

02-07-2023 Do Pass

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 7, 2023

Committee Actions

HB 120

Motor vehicles; standards for issuance of limited driving permits for certain offenders; provide
Bill Summary: HB 120 amends the list of individuals with a suspended, revoked, or cancelled license eligible to apply for a limited driving permit by adding persons convicted of driving under the influence of a controlled substance or marijuana.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. John Corbett (174th) Motor Vehicles

Committee Action:

02-07-2023 Do Pass

HB 175

Motor vehicles; federal regulations regarding safe operation of commercial motor vehicle and carriers; update reference date
Bill Summary: HB 175 updates the 'Uniform Carriers Act' to change the effective date to January 1, 2023, to comply with federal law.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Lauren Daniel (117th) Motor Vehicles

Committee Action:

02-07-2023 Do Pass

HB 183 Motor vehicles; temporary license plates and operating permits; revise terminology
Bill Summary: HB 183 provides for the issuance of temporary operating permits in lieu of temporary license plates in specified instances.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Matt Barton (5th) Motor Vehicles

Committee Action:

02-07-2023 Do Pass

Public Health Committee

HB 129

Public assistance; expand temporary assistance for needy families eligibility criteria to pregnant women
Bill Summary: HB 129 expands the eligibility criteria for temporary assistance for needy families(TANF) to pregnant women.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Soo Hong (103rd) Public Health

Committee Action:

02-07-2023 Do Pass

HB 143

Community Health, Department of; include continuous glucose monitors as a pharmacy benefit for Medicaid recipients; require
Bill Summary: HB 143 requires the Department of Community Health to cover continuous glucose monitors through Medicaid as a pharmacy benefit. Eligibility for coverage includes a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and patient or caregiver training. Additionally, a patient must have use of daily insulin or a history of problematic hypoglycemia to receive the benefit. An in-person or telehealth visit is required within six months prior to and every six months after initial prescription.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Danny Mathis (149th) Public Health

Committee Action:

02-07-2023 Do Pass

HR 95 Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Awareness Day; fourth Wednesday in February; designate
Bill Summary: HR 95 recognizes the fourth Wednesday in February of each year as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Awareness Day.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Sharon Cooper (45th) Public Health

Committee Action:

02-07-2023 Do Pass

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 7, 2023

Committee Actions

Regulated Industries Committee

HB 76

Professions and businesses; education, experience, and training requirements for licensure in marriage and family therapy; revise provisions
Bill Summary: HB 76 revises the requirements for an associate marriage and family therapist license to allow the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education to determine the coursework requirements and the type, and minimum amount of hours, of clinical experience applicants must have. The bill also revises the clinical experience requirements for those currently licensed as an associate marriage and family therapist, those with a qualifying master's degree, and those with a qualifying doctorate degree.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Alan Powell (33rd) Regulated Industries

Committee Action:

02-07-2023 Do Pass

HB 155

Professions and businesses; issuance of licenses by endorsement for spouses of firefighters, healthcare providers, and law enforcement officers who relocate to Georgia; provide
Bill Summary: HB 155 incorporates the definition of "firefighter" from OCGA 45-9-81, creates a new definition for "healthcare provider," and incorporates the definition of "law enforcement officer" from OCGA 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 as long as the individual applying and his or her spouse meet certain requirements.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Chuck Martin (49th) Regulated Industries

Committee Action:

02-07-2023 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 all upcoming events.

Wednesday - February 8, 2023 8:00 AM AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
(House) 8:00 AM SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (House) 9:00 AM RULES COMMITTEE (House) 10:00 AM FLOOR SESSION (LD 15) (House)
1:00 PM HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE (House) 1:00 PM Appropriations Health Subcommittee (House) 1:00 PM BANKS & BANKING COMMITTEE (House) 1:00 PM PUBLIC SAFETY & HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE
(House) 2:00 PM Insurance Property & Casualty Subcommittee (House)

606 CLOB
506 CLOB 341 CAP House Chamber 606 CLOB 341 CAP 506 CLOB 406 CLOB
415 CLOB

VIDEO Agenda

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House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 7, 2023

2:00 PM 2:00 PM
3:00 PM
3:00 PM
3:00 PM 3:30 PM 3:30 PM
4:00 PM
4:30 PM

GAME, FISH & PARKS COMMITTEE (House) 403 CAP

DEFENSE AND VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE (House)

506 CLOB

GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE 606 CLOB (House)

INDUSTRY AND LABOR COMMITTEE (House)

506 CLOB

Ways & Means Sales Tax Subcommittee (House) 403 CAP

JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL COMMITTEE (House) 132 CAP

Ways & Means Public Finance & Policy Subcommittee (House)

403 CAP

Ways & Means Income Tax Subcommittee (House)

403 CAP

Ways & Means Ad Valorem Subcommittee (House)

403 CAP

Committee Meetings
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