First readers in House, 1999 January 25

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FIRST READERS IN HOUSE MONDAY, January 25, 1999

Bill listed out of sequence indicates prefiled bill.
HB 23. By: Representatives McKinney of the 51st, Buckner of the 95th, Hegstrom of the 66th, Brooks of the 54th and Davis of the 60th: A BILL to amend Code Section 40-13-53 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to release of person arrested for traffic violation upon service of citation and complaint, so as to provide that failure to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk shall not be treated as a traffic violation pursuant to Code Section 40-13-60 but rather as a misdemeanor in accordance with Code Section 40-6-1; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on PUBLIC SAFETY
HB 149. By: Representatives Porter of the 143rd, Ray of the 128th, Floyd of the 138th, Coleman of the 142nd, Murphy of the 18th and others: A BILL to amend Part 10 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to capital outlay funds, so as to provide for legislative findings and intent; to define certain terms; to provide for low-wealth capital outlay grants to be made by the State Board of Education to local school systems; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on EDUCATION
HB 150. By: Representatives Westmoreland of the 104th, Jones of the 7lst, Trense of the 44th, Cash of the 108th and watson of the 70th: A BILL to amend Part 2 of Chapter 2 of Title 8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state building, plumbing, electrical, and other codes, so as to require counties and municipalities to notify permit holders of the existence of local amendments to state minimum standard codes at the time building permits are issued; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INDUSTRY
HB 151. By: Representatives Westmoreland of the 104th, Jones of the 7lst, Brown of the 130th, Trense of the 44th, Cash of the 108th and others: A BILL to amend Code Section 8-2-26 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the enforcement of state minimum standard codes applicable to construction, so as to provide that registered professional engineers may conduct inspections to determine code compliance; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INDUSTRY
HB 152. By: Representatives Westmoreland of the 104th, Jones of the 71st, Trense of the 44th, Cash of the 108th, Ragas of the 64th and others: A BILL to amend Chapter 3 of Title 8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to housing generally, so as to repeal Article 6 of said chapter, relating to documentation by home inspectors; to amend Chapter 14 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to electrical contractors, plumbers, conditioned air contractors, low-voltage contractors, and utility contractors, so as to provide for the licensing and regulation of home inspectors; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INDUSTRY
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HB 153. By: Representatives Porter of the 143rd and Campbell of the 42nd: A BILL to amend Article 4 of Chapter 10 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to magistrate courts and violations of ordinances of counties and state authorities, and Code section 16-7-21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the offense of criminal trespass, so as to authorize magistrate courts to impose 12 months' imprisonment for violations of county ordinances and ordinances of state authorities; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
HB 154. By: Representatives Westmoreland of the 104th, Jones of the 71st, Brown of the 130th, Trense of the 44th, Cash of the 108th and others: A BILL to amend Chapter 14 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to electrical contractors, plumbers, conditioned air contractors, low-voltage contractors, and utility contractors, so as to provide for the licensing and regulation of residential contractors; to provide for legislative purpose; to define certain terms; to provide for an additional Division of Residential Contractors within the State Construction Industry Licensing Board; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INDUSTRY
HB 155. By: Representatives Coleman of the 142nd and,Byrd of the 170th: A BILL to amend Code Section 15-6-3 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to terms of court for the superior courts, so as to change the terms of court for the counties of the Oconee Judicial CirCUit; to provide for a grand jury for each term of court in such circuit; and .for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
HB 156. By: Representatives Felton of the 43rd, Irvin of the 45th, Burkhalter of the 41st, Trense of the 44th and Bunn of the 74th: A BILL to amend Code Section 48-8-3 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to exemptions from sales and use taxes, so as to provide for an exemption for certain sales to or by nonprofit organizations having as their primary purpose the raising of funds for books, materials, and programs for public libraries; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
HB 157. By: Representatives Coleman of the 142nd, Allen of the 117th, Henson of the 65th, Williams of the 114th and Harbin of the 113th: A BILL to amend Chapter 34 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicle accident reparations, so as to provide for arbitration of property damage claims in cases where all motor vehicles involved in an accident are covered by a single insurer and the insurer has affirmed liability but the amount is in dispute; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
HB 158. By: Representatives Lucas of the 124th, Murphy of the 18th, Coleman of the 142nd, Smyre of the 136th, Skipper of the 137th and others: A BILL to amend Article 2 of Chapter 16 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, known as the "State Properties Code," so as to change the provisions relating to the membership and organization of the State Properties Commission; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on STATE INSTITUTIONS & PROPERTY
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HB 159. By: Representatives Graves of the 125th, Williams of the 83rd, Bannister of the 77th, Jones of the 71st, Tolbert of the 25th and
others: A BILL to amend Article 1 of Chapter 24 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding insurance generally, so as to provide for time limits for payment of claims under certain health benefit plans and provide for sanctions;
and for other purposes.

Referred to the Committee on INSURANCE

HB 160. By: Representatives Roberts of the 162nd and Hembree of the 98th: A BILL to amend Chapter 60 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia. Annotated, relating to general provisions applicable to counties and municipal corporations, so as to prevent counties and cities from prohibiting businesses from locating advertising banners or portable signs on their business premises; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on STATE PLANNING & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

HB 161. By: Representatives Royal of the 164th and Buck of the 135th: A BILL to amend Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to sales and use taxes, so as to provide for an exemption from sales and use tax with respect to the replacement, repair, or upgrading of certain machinery and machinery components; and for other purposes.

Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS

HB 162. By: Representative Jones of the 71st: A BILL to amend Part 2 of Article 15 of Chapter 1 of Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the "Fair Business Practices Act of 1975," so as to provide that it shall be an unfair business practice to discriminate against a person based on his or her gender in the pricing of goods or services; and for other purposes.

Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY

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HB 163. By: Representatives Brooks of the 54th, Mobley of the 69th, Ragas of the 64th, Stanley of the 50th and McKinney of the 51st:
A BILL to amend Article 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the state flag and other flags, so as to change the design and description of the state flag; and for other purposes.

Referred to the Committee on RULES

HB 164. By: Representatives Mueller of the 152nd and Pelote of the 149th: A BILL to amend Chapter 14 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the use of radar speed detection devices, so as to change the provisions relating to applications for permits; to repeal certain provisions relating to visibility of vehicle from which a speed detection device is operated; and for other purposes.

Referred to the Committee on MOTOR VEHICLES

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HB 165. By: Representatives Mueller of the 152nd, Stephens of the 150th, Day of the l53rd, Jackson of the l48th, Pelote of the 149th and others: A BILL to amend Chapter 1 of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions applicable to law enforcement officers and agencies, so as to authorize a sheriff or police chief of a local law enforcement agency to designate and equip police volunteers and to provide training to such police volunteers in the area and manner of traffic control; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on PUBLIC SAFETY
HB 166. By: Representatives Royal of the 164th and Buck of the 135th: A BILL to amend Article 3 of Chapter 5 of Title 28 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the "Georgia Fiscal Note Act," so as to change provisions relating to requests for and preparation of fiscal notes; to provide that fiscal notes shall be prepared by the state auditor and the Department of Audits without participation of the Office of Planning and Budget; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
HB 167. By: Representatives Royal of the 164th and Buck of the 135th: A BILL to amend Part 1 of Article 10 of Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding ad valorem taxation of motor vehicles and mobile homes, so as to change certain provisions regarding the value of motor vehicles to be added to the tax digest; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
HB 168. By: Representatives Stephens of the 150th, Day of the 153rd, Stancil of the 16th, Martin of the 145th and Tolbert of the 25th: A BILL to amend Part 1 of Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to tax exemptions, so as to provide a homestead exemption to certain residents with respect to state ad valorem taxes; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
HB 169. By: Representatives Stephens of the 150th, Day of the 153rd, Stancil of the 16th, Martin of the 145th and Tolbert of the 25th: A BILL to amend Part 1 of Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to tax exemptions, so as to change the increased assessed value homestead exemption for certain senior citizens whose household income does not exceed $30,000.00, so as to change the taxes to which such exemption shall be applicable; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
HB 170. By: Representatives Stephens of the 150th, Day of the 153rd, Tolbert of the 25th, Graves of the 125th and Martin of the 145th: A BILL to amend Code Section 48-5-306 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to notice of changes made to a taxpayer's ad valorem tax return, so as to provide for alternate methods of providing notice of assessments; to provide for additional information and disclosures which must be provided to the taxpayer; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
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HB 171By: Representatives Pelote of the 149th, Orrock of the 56th, Campbell of the 42nd, Trense of the 44th, Stephens of the 150th and others: A BILL to amend Part 14 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to certain educational programs, so as to provide that the Department of Education shall establish a course of rape prevention and personal safety; to encourage the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia to adopt a similar course; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on EDUCATION
HB 172. By: Representatives Coleman of the 142nd, Childers of the 13th, Sinkfield of the 57th, Dixon of the 168th, Powell of the 23rd and others: A BILL to amend Title 34 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating"lo tabor and indu~trial ~el~tioris,"s~ ~s to transfer the Division of Rehabilitation Services from the Department of Human Resources to the Department of Labor; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
HB 173. By: Representative Snow of the 2nd: A BILL to amend Code Section 25-12-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the definitions applicable to the regulation of fire extinguishers and suppression systems, so as to change the definition of the term "firm"; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INDUSTRY
HB 174. By: Representatives Mobley of the 69th, McClinton of the 68th, Taylor of the 134th and Teague of the 58th: A BILL to amend Article 6 of Chapter 8 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated! relating to the Indigent Care Trust Fund, so as to provide for the deposit of certain proceeds received from the settlement of a certain lawsuit against tobacco companies into that fund and provide for the retention or return of such proceeds under certain conditions; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on APPROPRIATIONS
HB 175. By: Representatives Buckner of the 95th, James of the 140th, McCall of the 90th and Sims of the 167th: A BILL to amend Article 2 of Chapter 10 of Title 2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, known as the "Georgia Marketing Act of 1981," so as to require the provision of a step or steps to certain spaces that are rented or leased to a tenant, vendor, or lessee by the Department of Agriculture; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER AFFAIRS
HB 176. By: Representatives Royal of the 164th and Buck of the 135th: A BILL to amend Code Section 48-5-7.4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to bona fide conservation use property, so as to change certain provisions regarding property ownership qualifications; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
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HB 177. By: Representatives Buckner of the 95th, James of the l40th and McCall of the 90th: A BILL to amend Article 2 of Chapter 10 of Title 2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, known as the "Georgia Marketing Act of 1981," so as to require the provision of electrical service to any space that is rented or leased to a tenant, vendor, or lessee by the Department of Agriculture; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER AFFAIRS
HB 178. By: Representatives Williams of the 83rd and Bailey of the 93rd: A BILL to amend Article 1 of Chapter 13 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the uniform traffic citation and complaint form, so as to provide that under certain circumstances more than one offense may be included in a traffic citation; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on MOTOR VEHICLES
HB 179. By: Representative Williams of the 83rd: A BILL to amend Article 3 of Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to other state symbols, so as to designate the official Garden and Nature Trail of Georgia; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on RULES
HB 180. By: Representatives Williams of the 83rd, Powell of the 23rd and Westmoreland of the 104th: A BILL to amend Chapter 4 of Title 46 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the distribution, storage, and sale of natural gas, so as to enact the "Natural Gas Market Act of 1999"; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INDUSTRY
HB 181. By: Representatives Wiles of the 34th, Channell of the 111th, Grindley of the 35th and Ehrhart of the 36th: A BILL to amend Code Section 16-12-171 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to prohibited acts regarding the sale of or distribution to minors of cigarettes and tobacco related objects, so as to make it unlawful for any minor to possess or attempt to purchase any cigarettes or tobacco related objects; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on SPECIAL JUDICIARY
HB 182. By: Representatives Martin of the 47th, Teper of the 61st, Bordeaux of the l51st, Squires of the 78th, Stuckey of the 67th and others: A BILL to amend Article 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to juvenile proceedings, so as to provide for the creation of the juvenile courts and their jurisdiction, administration, and expenses; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
HB 183. By: Representatives Twiggs of the 8th and Bridges of the 9th: A BILL to amend Code Section 52-7-13 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to boating safety zones and restrictions on use of motors and operation of house boats on certain lakes, so as to provide that with the exception of law enforcement or dam operation and maintenance craft, no motor in excess of 20 horsepower shall be used on any vessel being operated on Tugalo Lake; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on GAME, FISH & PARKS
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HB 184. By: Representative Greene of the 158th: A BILL to amend an Act creating the Board of Commissioners of Randolph County, so as to change the compensation of the chairperson and other members of the board of commissioners; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on STATE PLANNING & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LOCAL
HB 185. By: Representatives Hanner of the 159th and Royal of the 164th: A BILL to amend Chapter 13 of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the "Georgia Underground Storage Tank Act," so as to provide additional powers of the director of the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural Resources; to provide for the repayment of certain funds paid into the Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT
HB 186. By: Representative Greene of the 158th: A BILL to amend Code Section 27-3-1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the requirement of permission to hunt on lands of another and related matters, so as to provide for restrictions on hunting within 300 yards of a residential dwelling; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on GAME, FISH & PARKS
HB 187. By: Representatives Reaves of the 178th, Floyd of the 138th, Purcell of the 147th and James of the 140th: A BILL to amend Title 2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to agriculture, so as to enact into law the Southern Dairy Compact and provide for the entry into the compact by the State of Georgia together with all other jurisdictions legally joining in the compact; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER AFFAIRS
HB 188. By: Representatives Smith of the 12th, Murphy of the 18th, Royal of the 164th, Greene of the 158th, Heard of the 89th and others: A BILL to amend Chapter 3 of Title 7 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to industrial loans, so as to move the responsibility for regulating industrial loans from the Commissioner of Insurance to the commissioner of banking and finance; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on BANKS & BANKING
HB 189. By: Representatives Jenkins of the 110th, Smith of the 109th, Twiggs of the 8th, Walker of the 141st, Day of the 153rd and others: A BILL to amend Code Section 16-11-184 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to regulatory authority of local political subdivisions over firearms and limitations thereon, so as to reserve to the state the right to bring certain civil actions against firearms manufacturers, trade associations, and dealers; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on PUBLIC SAFETY
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HB 190. By: Representative Tolbert of the 25th: A BILL to amend an Act entitled "An Act to create a board of county commissioners for the County of Jackson," so as to provide that the board of commissioners of Jackson County shall be composed of a chairperson and four commissioners; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on STATE PLANNING & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS -
LOCAL
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HR 54. By: Representatives Felton of the 43rd, Campbell of the 42nd, Trense of the 44th, Burkhalter of the 41st and Irvin of the 45th: A RESOLUTION amending the Rules of the House of Representatives; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on RULES HR 55. By: Representatives Brooks of the 54th, Mobley of the 69th, Stanley of the 50th and McKinney of the 51st: A RESOLUTION reaffirming support for the principles embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on HUMAN RELATIONS & AGING HR 57. By: Representatives Poag of the 6th and Whitaker of the 7th: A RESOLUTION designating the C. F. "Coote" Mason Highway; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on TRANSPORTATION HR 58. By: Representatives Wiles of the 34th, Bannister of the 77th, Irvin of the 45th and Ehrhart of the 36th: A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to provide that no general bill creating or increasing any tax, fee, assessment, or charge by whatever designation that is imposed for state purposes shall become law unless such bill is approved by two-thirds of the members elected to each branch of the General Assembly in a roll-call vote; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS HR 59. By: Representative Williams of the 83rd: A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide by general law for tax credits, tax refunds, or other relief of tax liability; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS HR 60. By: Representative Hanner of the 159th: A RESOLUTION compensating Ms. Jennifer A. Jones; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on APPROPRIATIONS
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