Daily report, 2023 February 8

DAILY REPORT Wednesday
February 8, 2023
House Budget & Research Office (404) 656-5050

15th Legislative
Day

The House will reconvene for its 16th Legislative Day on Thursday, February 9 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

Rules Calendar
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: Floor Vote:

Rep. Bill Hitchens (161st)

Rule Applied:

Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee Action:

Yeas: 164 Nays: 2

Amendments:

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: Floor Vote:

Rep. Brad Thomas (21st) Transportation
Yeas: 167 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

Modified-Structured 01-26-2023 Do Pass

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.

House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 8, 2023

Committee Actions

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: Floor Vote:

Rep. Bruce Williamson (112th) Banks & Banking
Yeas: 164 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

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: Floor Vote:

Rep. Gerald Greene (154th) Judiciary
Yeas: 168 Nays: 0

Rule Applied: Committee Action: Amendments:

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

Next on the Floor from the Committee on Rules
The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 16th Legislative Day, Thursday, February 9, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker. The Rules Committee will next meet on Thursday, February
9, at 9:00 a.m., to set the Rules Calendar for the 17th Legislative Day.

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

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-07-2023 Do Pass

House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 8, 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

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 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

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 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

Rule Applied: Committee Action:

Modified-Structured 02-07-2023 Do Pass

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

Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee

HB 33

State Board of Veterinary Medicine; independent state agency attached to the Department of Agriculture; provisions
Bill Summary: HB 33 amends O.C.G.A. 43-50-20 to create a separate budget unit for the State Board of Veterinary Medicine (SBVM) and administratively attach the agency to the Department of Agriculture budget. The bill outlines the powers, duties, and responsibilities of the SBVM executive director.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Beth Camp (135th) Agriculture & Consumer Affairs

Committee Action:

02-08-2023 Do Pass

HB 132

Buildings and housing; amend Georgia state minimum standard codes to authorize certain uses of ungraded lumber; require
Bill Summary: HB 132 amends O.C.G.A. 8-2-23 to allow the use of ungraded lumber in construction of accessory structures not containing habitable space on property zoned or primarily used for residential or agricultural purposes.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. David Jenkins (136th) Agriculture & Consumer Affairs

Committee Action:

02-08-2023 Do Pass

House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 8, 2023

Committee Actions

Banks & Banking Committee

HB 84

Commerce and trade; provide for commercial financing disclosures
Bill Summary: HB 84 requires providers of certain commercial financing transactions to disclose with each transaction the total amount of funds provided to the business in the transaction, the total amount of funds disbursed to the business after any fees, withholdings, or third-party payments, the total amount to be paid to the provider under the transaction terms, the total dollar cost of the transaction, and a statement of whether there are any costs or discounts associated with prepayment under the transaction. No broker shall solicit or collect an advance fee from a business to provide services as a broker, nor shall a broker make any false representations in offering his or her services or offer his or her services in a publication without disclosing necessary contact information. The attorney general may take action to enforce these provisions, and the bill contains civil penalties for violations of these provisions.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Trey Rhodes (124th) Banks & Banking

Committee Action:

02-08-2023 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Governmental Affairs Committee

HB 17

Elections; sealing of ballots in secure containers; provide
Bill Summary: HB 17 provides requirements for the storage, handling, and security of specified election materials including provisional ballots, tabulated ballots, ballot drop boxes, absentee ballots collected from ballot drop boxes, and all other absentee ballots. The bill prohibits the handling of voted ballots without a poll official being present.

The bill allows for public notice of logic and accuracy testing for ballot marking devices to be posted on a website or in a newspaper. Regarding mail-in absentee ballot requests, the bill requires the issuance and mailing of absentee ballots within three days of request receipt.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Alan Powell (33rd) Governmental Affairs

Committee Action:

02-08-2023 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 193

Local government; increase dollar values of certain public works construction contracts exempt from bidding requirements
Bill Summary: HB 193 increases the contract value amount from $100,000 or less to $250,000 or less for a public works construction contract that is exempt from specified contracting and bidding requirements.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Victor Anderson (10th) Governmental Affairs

Committee Action:

02-08-2023 Do Pass

Intragovernmental Coordination - Local Committee
HB 93 Mitchell County; Board of Commissioners; revise provisions of compensation Bill Summary: A bill to amend the compensation of the Mitchell County Board of Commissioners.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Joe Campbell (171st) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-08-2023 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 8, 2023

Committee Actions

HB 134 Dalton, City of; city council; change description of election wards Bill Summary: A bill to change the city council districts for the City of Dalton.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Kasey Carpenter (4th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-08-2023 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 160 City of Albany Community Improvement Districts Act; enact
Bill Summary: A bill to provide for the creation of community improvement districts in the City of Albany.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Gerald Greene (154th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-08-2023 Do Pass

HB 199 Brooks County; appointment of county surveyor; provide Bill Summary: A bill to abolish the office of elected county surveyor of Brooks County.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. John LaHood (175th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-08-2023 Do Pass

HB 210 Harris County; levy an excise tax Bill Summary: A bill to authorize Harris County to levy an excise tax.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Vance Smith (138th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-08-2023 Do Pass

HB 240 Clay County; Probate Court; authorize assessment and collection of technology fee Bill Summary: A bill to provide a technology fee for the Probate Court of Clay County.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Gerald Greene (154th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-08-2023 Do Pass

HB 255 Brantley County; Board of Education; change compensation of members
Bill Summary: A bill to provide for the compensation of the Board of Education of Brantley County.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. John Corbett (174th) Intragovernmental Coordination Local

Committee Action:

02-08-2023 Do Pass

Judiciary Non-Civil Committee

HB 196

Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission; subject to Administrative Procedure Act and laws governing open meetings and records; provide
Bill Summary: HB 196 makes the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission subject to the Administrative Procedures Act (Chapter 13 of Title 50), Open and Public Records (Chapter 14 of Title 50), and Inspection of Public Records (Chapter 18 of Title 50). The maximum amount of Class 1 production licenses for medical cannabis is increased from two to six, while the maximum amount of Class 2 production licenses for medical cannabis is increased from four to 11. The additional licenses are awarded to previous applicants who were notified of their successful applications, and to applicants who filed post-award protests and appealed the administrative decisions denying their applications. If an applicant applied for both Class 1 and Class 2, then that applicant has the option to choose which class of license to operate under, although that applicant is not eligible to receive both

House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 8, 2023

Committee Actions

types of licenses. The aggregate number of additional licenses that can be awarded under this bill is capped at eight licenses.

The Access to Medical Cannabis Commission is authorized to issue an additional dispensing license to each registered production licensee to be located at the licensee's production facility. The bill also allows each dispensary to sell low THC oil/products from any production licensee in the state. Members of the House Regulated Industries Committee and the Senate Economic Development Committee will be members of the joint oversight committee overseeing the Access to Medical Cannabis Commission, and the chairmen of each committee will serve as co-chairmen of the joint oversight committee. The oversight committee will have the ability to conduct independent audits and investigations of the Access to Medical Cannabis Commission, as deemed necessary. Further, the bill adds ulcerative colitis to the list of medical conditions eligible for patients to obtain low THC oil.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Alan Powell (33rd) Judiciary Non-Civil

Committee Action:

02-08-2023 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 197

Wesley's Law; enact
Bill Summary: HB 197 adds specific liability to the felony-murder statute when a person commits a violation under O.C.G.A. 16-13-26 by manufacturing or distributing any controlled substance that includes fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, regardless of intent. Lack of knowledge is prohibited as a defense to the charge. This bill also increases penalties for purchasing, possessing, or having under his or her control any controlled substance, when that controlled substance is fentanyl. If the aggregate weight, including any mixture that is between four grams and 13 grams, then the penalty is imprisonment of between seven to 10 years and a maximum fine of $50,000. If the aggregate weight, including any mixture that is between 14 grams and 27 grams, then the penalty is imprisonment between 10 to 20 years and a maximum fine of $100,000. If the aggregate weight is 28 grams or more, then the penalty is a minimum imprisonment of 25 years and a maximum fine of $250,000. No criminal sentence added by the bill can be suspended, probated, deferred, or withheld. No charge can be reduced to a lesser offense or served concurrently with any other offense.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Derrick McCollum (30th) Judiciary Non-Civil

Committee Action:

02-08-2023 Tabled

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.

Thursday - February 9, 2023

8:00 AM NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE (House) 606 CLOB

VIDEO Agenda

8:00 AM Appropriations General Government Subcommittee (House) 515 CLOB

VIDEO Agenda

8:00 AM INSURANCE COMMITTEE (House)

406 CLOB

VIDEO Agenda

8:00 AM JUDICIARY COMMITTEE (House)

132 CAP

VIDEO Agenda

9:00 AM RULES COMMITTEE (House)

341 CAP

VIDEO Agenda

9:00 AM SPECIAL RULES COMMITTEE (House)

406 CLOB

VIDEO Agenda

9:00 AM Motor Vehicles Driver Safety & Services Subcommittee (House) 606 CLOB

VIDEO Agenda

10:00 AM FLOOR SESSION (LD 16) (House)

House Chamber VIDEO

1:00 PM EDUCATION COMMITTEE (House)

506 CLOB

VIDEO Agenda

House of Representatives

Daily Report for February 8, 2023

Committee Meetings

1:00 PM TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE (House) 1:00 PM INFORMATION & AUDITS COMMITTEE (House)

606 CLOB 406 CLOB

VIDEO Agenda VIDEO