First readers in House, 1999 March 10

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FIRST READERS IN HOUSE WEDNESDAY, March 10, 1999

*Rules suspended. A bill listed out of sequence indicates prefiled bill.

HB 12. By: Representatives Manning of the 32nd, Crawford of the !29th, Bridges of the 9th and Grindley of the 35th: A BILL to amend Code Section 16-7-21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to criminal trespass, so as to provide for a misdemeanor criminal penalty for persons who knowingly and without authority enter the dwelling house of another; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on SPECIAL JUDICIARY
HB 952. By: Representatives Jackson of the !48th, Bordeaux of the !51st, Pelote of the !49th, Mueller of the 152nd, Stephens of the !50th and others: A BILL to provide for a homestead exemption from certain City of Thunderbolt advalorem taxes for municipal purposes in an amount equal to the amount by which the current year assessed value of a homestead exceeds the adjusted assessed value of such homestead for the taxable year immediately preceding the taxable year in which this exemption was first granted to the current owner of such homestead; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on STATE PLANNING & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LOCAL
HB 953. By: Representative Jamieson of the 22nd: A BILL to amend an Act continuing and re-creating the State Court of Stephens County, so as to change from four to two the number of annual terms of said court; to change the compensation of the judge and solicitor of said court; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on STATE PLANNING & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LOCAL
HB 954. By: Representatives Stallings of the lOOth and West of the lOlst: A BILL to repeal an Act creating the Mcintosh Reserve Historical Authority; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on STATE PLANNING & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LOCAL
HB 955. By: Representative Jamieson of the 22nd: A BILL to amend an Act continuing and re-creating the State Court of Stephens County, so as to change the compensation of the judge and solicitor of said court; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on STATE PLANNING & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LOCAL

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HB 956.

By: Representatives Yates of the 106th and Sanders of the 1Q7th:

A BILL to amend an Act creating the Griffin-Spalding County School

System, so as to change the provisions relating to the compensation

of the chairperson and members of the Griffin-Spalding Coupty Board

of Education; and for other purposes.



Referred to the Committee on STATE PLANNING & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LOCAL

HB 957. By: Representatives Evans of the 28th and Reese of the 85tn:
A BILL to amend an Act increasing the homestead exemption from certain ad valorem taxes levied by Forsyth Co~nty fo; county purposes, so as to increase the amount of such exemption qver a three-year period; to amend an Act providing a howestead exemption from Forsyth County ad valorem taxes for c6unty ad valorem taxe~ for county purposes for certain residents 65 years or over; qnd for
other purposes.

Referred to the Committee on STATE PLANNING & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LOCAL

HB 958. By: Representative Campbell of the 42nd:
A BILL to amend Code Section 7-4-12 of the Official Cqd~ of Georgia
Annotated, relating to interest on judgments, so gS to P+Qviq~ that the amount of judgment upon which ini~rest may be ch~rgeq ijhall include attorney'~ fees awarded and court co~ts a~ses~ed; ~nd for
other purposes.

Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY

HB 959. By: Representative Kaye of the 37th:
A BILL to amend Chapter 2 of Title 21 of th~ Official Code ot
Georgia Annotated, relating to elections and primaries generally, so as to provide for the nomination and election of candidates by a straight plurality vote; to change a definition; to change provisions for filling a vacancy caused by a candidate's withdrawal, death, or disqualification; and for other purposes.

Referred to the Committee on GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS

HB 960. By: Representatives Evans of the 28th and Reese of the 85th: A BILL to amend an Act creating a new charter for the City of Cumming, so as to create the Municipal Court of the City of Cumming in lieu of the Police Court of the City of Cumming; and for other purposes.

Referred to the Committee on STATE PLANNING & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LOCAL

HB 961. By: Representatives Evans of the 28th and Reese of the 85th: A BILL to amend an Act creating the Board of Commissioners of
Forsyth County, so as to change the compensation and per diem
expense allowance of the chairperson and members ot the board of
commissioners; and for other purposes.

Referred to the Committee on STATE PLANNING & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LOCAL

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HB 962. By: Representatives Evans of the 28th and Reese of the 85th: A BILL to amend an Act creating and establishing a civil service system in Forsyth County for the employees of Forsyth County, so as to exempt certain employees of the sheriff from the civil service system and from any rights, protections, privileges, or right of appeal under the civil service system; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on STATE PLANNING & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LOCAL
HB 963. By: Representative Jamieson of the 22nd: A BILL to amend an Act granting a new charter to the City of Lavonia, so as to change and extend the corporate limits of such city; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on STATE PLANNING & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LOCAL
HB 964. By: Representatives Stancil of the 16th, Walker of the 141st, Buck of the 135th, Pinholster of the 15th and Royal of the 164th: A BILL to amend Article 1 of Chapter 82 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding bonds, so as to require the reporting of certain information with respect to any bonds, notes, or other obligations of any political subdivision or public entity; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
*HB 965. By: Representatives Jackson of the 148th, Day of the 153rd, Pelote of the 149th, Mueller of the 152nd and Stephens of the 150th: A BILL to provide for a homestead exemption from certain City of Savannah ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes in an amount equal to the amount by which the current year assessed value of a homestead exceeds the adjusted assessed value of such homestead for the taxable year immediately preceding the taxable year in which this exemption was first granted to the current owner of such homestead; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on STATE PLANNING & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LOCAL
HB 966. By: Representative Greene of the 158th: A BILL to provide a homestead exemption from City of Cusseta ad valorem taxes for city purposes, including taxes levied by the city to pay interest on and to retire bonded indebtedness, in the amount of the assessed value of the homestead for certain residents of that city who are 65 years of age or over; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on STATE PLANNING & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LOCAL
HB 967. By: Representative Brown of the 130th: A BILL to amend Code Section 20-2-188 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to student transportation, so as to specify the load limit for school buses; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on EDUCATION
HB 968. By: Representatives Snelling of the 99th and Hembree of the 98th: A BILL to provide a new charter for the City of Douglasville; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on STATE PLANNING & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LOCAL
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*HB 969. By: Representatives Roberts of/the 162nd and Dukes of the 1~1st: A BILL to amend an Act creating a Board of Commissioners of Dougherty County, so as to change the compensation of the chairperson and members of the board; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on STATE PLANNING & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LOCAL
HB 970. By: Representatives Hembree of the 98th and Snelling of the 99th: A BILL to provide a new charter for the City of Lithia Springs; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on STATE PLANNING & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LOCAL
HB 971. By: Representatives Powell of the 23rd, Parham of the 122nd and McCall of the 90th: A BILL to amend Title 32 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to highways, bridges, and ferries, Chapter 2 of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Department of Public Safety, and Chapter 7 of Title 46 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor carriers, so as to transfer certain law enforcement functions from the Department of Transportation and the Public Service Commission to the Department of Public Safety; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on MOTOR VEHICLES
HB 972. By: Representative Jenkins of the 110th: A BILL to create the Jasper County Water and Sewer Authority; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on STATE PLANNING & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LOCAL
HB 973. By: Representative Jenkins of the 110th: A BILL to amend an Act entitled "An Act to abolish the present mode of compensating the coroner of Monroe County," so as to change the compensation of the coroner; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on STATE PLANNING & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LOCAL
HB 974. By: Representative Jenkins of the llOth: A BILL to provide a homestead exemption from certain Monroe County ad valorem taxes for county purposes in the amount of $12,000.00 of the assessed value of the homestead of certain residents of that county and a homestead exemption from Monroe County ad valorem taxes for county purposes in the amount of $20,000.00 of the assessed value of the homestead for certain residents of that county who have annual incomes not exceeding $20,000.00 and who are 65 years of age or over; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on STATE PLANNING & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LOCAL
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SENATE FIRST READERS IN HOUSE WEDNESDAY, March 10, 1999
SB 35. By: Senators Cagle of the 49th, Johnson of the 1st, Price of the 56th and others: A BILL to amend Subpart 2 of Part 2 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to public school disciplinary tribunals, so as to provide that local boards of education may establish disciplinary tribunals which include residents of the school district; to provide for the membership of residents of the school district on certain disciplinary tribunals which are required by law; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on EDUCATION
SB 77. By: Senators Cheeks of the 23rd, Kemp of the 3rd, Streat of the 19th and others: A BILL to amend Code Section 33-34-6 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the selection of motor vehicle repair facilities, so as to provide that motor vehicle insurers may not designate certain repair facilities to establish the cost of repairs; to provide for applicability; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INSURANCE
SB 101. By: Senators Madden of the 47th, Streat of the 19th and Jackson of the 50th: A BILL to amend Code Section 20-2-182 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to program weights under the Quality Basic Education Formula, so as to provide for the funding of school social workers to serve students in grades two through five who are rece1v1ng remedial education services; to provide for an effective date; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on EDUCATION
SB 115. By: Senators Ragan of the 11th, Meyer von Bremen of the 12th and Williams of the 6th: A BILL to amend Chapter 12 of Title 42 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, known as the "Prison Litigation Reform Act of 1996," so as to provide for payment from a prisoner's inmate account for costs and fees associated with the filing of a petition for writ of habeas corpus by a prisoner; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on STATE INSTITUTIONS & PROPERTY
SB 126. By: Senators Perdue of the 18th, Thomas of the lOth and Hecht of the 34th: A BILL to amend Article 2 of Chapter 8 of Title 42 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the state-wide probation system, and Article 1 of Chapter 10 of Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the procedure for sentencing and imposition of punishment, so as to eliminate the two-year limit on supervised probation for probationers who have committed crimes against childr~n; and for other purposes.
Re~~red to the Committee on STATE INSTITUTIONS & PROPERTY
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SB 146. By: Senators Ray of the 48th, Hecht of the 34th, Kemp of the 3rd and others: A BILL to amend Article 2 of Chapter 14 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to training and certification of court reporters, so as to change the composition of the Board of Court Reporting of the Judicial Council by expanding the membership thereof; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
SB 148. By: Senators Fort of the 39th, Scott of the 36th, Brown of the 26th and others: A BILL to amend Chapter 6 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to sexual offenses, so as to provide that certain motor vehicles shall be contraband and shall be forfeited; to provide for seizure and condemnation of such motor vehicles; to provide for practices, procedures, and requirements relative to the seizure, forfeiture, and disposal of such motor vehicles; to provide for exceptions; to provide for notices; to provide for disposition of proceeds; to provide for security interests and other interests in such motor vehicles and the proceeds derived therefrom; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
SB 152. By: Senators Brush of the 24th, Bowen of the 13th, Perdue of the 18th and others: A BILL to amend Code Section 20-8-5 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the law enforcement powers of school security personnel in each public school system of the state, so as to remove a population restriction relating to the carrying of firearms or weapons by school security personnel certified by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on PUBLIC SAFETY
SB 159. By: Senators Williams of the 6th, Blitch of the 7th and Gillis of the 20th: A BILL to amend Code Section 27-4-130.1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to open seasons, creel and possession limits, and minimum size limits for certain finfish species, so as to provide that there shall be no possession limit on flounder and whiting for certain vessels; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on GAME, FISH & PARKS
SB 164. By: Senators Ray of the 48th, Cagle of the 49th and James of the 35th: A BILL to amend Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to criminal procedure, so as to change certain prov1s1ons relating to bailable offenses; to change certain provisions relating to punishments for certain violations of Code Section 40-6-391; to amend Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to change certain provisions relating to limited driving permits for certain offenders; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on SPECIAL JUDICIARY
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SB 180. By: Senators Fort of the 39th, Walker of the 22nd, Lee of the 29th and others: A BILL to amend Title 41 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to nuisances, so as to provide for actions to abate and enjoin drug related nuisances; to provide for legislative findings and definitions; to provide who may file an action; to provide for complaints, affidavits, jurisdiction, and venue; to provide that complaints shall allege evidence of illegal activities relating to drugs and adverse impact; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
SB 182. By: Senators Brush of the 24th and Hill of the 4th: A BILL to amend Code Section 20-2-200 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the regulation of certificated professional personnel by the Professional Standards Commission, so as to provide that an applicant for a renewable certificate who plans to teach grades K-3 shall be required to have taken a minimum of three courses in teaching reading; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on EDUCATION
SB 205. By: Senators Walker of the 22nd, Fort of the 39th, Cheeks of the 23rd and others: A BILL to amend Chapter 8A of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to professional boxing, so as to amend certain definitions; to change the name of the State Boxing Commission to the Georgia Boxing Commission; to clarify the powers and duties of the commission; to authorize the commission to designate a nationally recognized boxing registry; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on STATE PLANNING & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
SB 210. By: Senators Walker of the 22nd, Thompson of the 33rd, Tanksley of the 32nd and others: A BILL to amend Chapter 20A of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the "Patient Protection Act of 1996," relating to managed care plans, and Chapter 21 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health maintenance organizations, so as to require managed care plans and health maintenance organizations to make certain additional disclosures and include additional access to and reimbursement of out of network providers and hospitals; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INSURANCE
SB 218. By: Senators Thompson of the 33rd, Stokes of the 43rd and Tanksley of the 32nd: A BILL to amend Code Section 42-8-34 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to imposition of probation in criminal cases, so as to provide for the imposition of a new one-time fee when a defendant is placed on probation or another program under the supervision of the Department of Corrections; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on STATE INSTITUTIONS & PROPERTY
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SB 230. By: Senators Thompson of the 33rd, Stokes of the 43rd, Tanksley of the 32nd and others: A BILL to amend Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state government, so as to enact the ''Year 2000 Readiness Act"; to provide a short title; to define terms; to authorize certain state regulatory agencies to investigate certain entities under their regulatory jurisdiction with respect to the adequacy, security, and accomodation afforded by their services; to authorize investigation and require certain reports and information; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INDUSTRY
SB 231. By: Senators Lee of the 29th and Bowen of the 13th: 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 recognize the reliability of laser speed detection devices; to provide for admissibility of results; to provide for self-authentication; to provide an effective date; and for otner purposes.
Referred to the Committee on PUBLIC SAFETY
SB 235. By: Senators Hill of the 4th, Thomas of the lOth, Jackson of the 50th and others: A BILL to amend Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elections and primaries generally, so as to provide for early voting and to make conforming changes; to provide for powers and duties of boards of elections, boards of elections and registration, and municipalities regarding early voting; to provide for opening of the main office of the board of registrars or early ballot clerk; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
SB 238. By: Senator Dean of the 31st: A BILL to provide for the payment of salary supplements from county funds of the counties of the Tallapoosa Judicial Circuit to the judges of the superior court and district attorney of the Tallapoosa Judicial Circuit; to provide for the time, amount, and manner of payments from each county; to repeal a specific former Act; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on STATE PLANNING & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
SB 241. By: Senators Walker of the 22nd, Thompson of the 33rd, Stokes of the 43rd and others: A BILL to amend Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health, so as to create a new Department of Community Health and transfer to that department certain functions and duties previously performed by the Department of Medical Assistance, Health Planning Agency, and State Personnel Board; to provide for legislative intent and definitions; to create a Board of Community Health and provide for the appointment, qualification, terms, organization, removal, and compensation and expenses of its members; to specifically repeal Chapter 37 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health care personnel, and Article 6 of Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, "The Medical Assistance for the Aged Act"; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on HEALTH & ECOLOGY
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SB 242. By: Senators Thompson of the 33rd, Tanksley of the 32nd and Stokes of the 43rd: A BILL to amend Code Section 35-2-1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the creation and composition of the Board of Public Safety, so as to change the composition of such board; to provide for the appointment and terms of office of new members of such board; to make editorial revisions; to provide an effective
date; and for other purposes.

Referred to the Committee on PUBLIC SAFETY

SB 245. By: Senator Kemp of the 3rd: A BILL to amend Article 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 19 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the "Child Support Recovery Act," so as to provide for a 36 month review cycle for certain child support orders; to provide for a later review and modification in certain circumstances; to provide for notice to obligors and obligees of the right to request a review, notice of a review 30 days before the commencement of a review., and notice of a proposed adjustment or determination that there shall be no change; and for other purposes.

Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY

SB 251.

By: Senators Streat of the 19th, Ragan of the 11th, Meyer von Bremen

of the 12th and others:



A BILL to amend Title 2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,

relating to agriculture, so as to create the Georgia Agricultural

Facilities Authority; to provide for the purpose of the authority

with respect . to the provision nf public agricultural facilities and

assistance in the financing of public and private agricultural

facilities; to provide for the membership, powers, duties,

operations, and functions of the authority; and for other purposes.

Referred to the Committee on AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER AFFAIRS

SB 253. By: Senators Butler of the 55th, Thomas of the 54th, Madden of the 47th and others: A BILL to amend Article 2 of Chapter 2 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles generally, so as to provide for special license plates and decals celebrating the year 2000 and promoting programs to benefit children and adolescents with severe emotional problems; to provide for licensing and other agreements; to provide for design and rights; and for other purposes.

Referred to the Committee on MOTOR VEHICLES

SB 256. By: Senators Streat of the 19th, Cheeks of the 23rd and Huggins of the 53rd: A BILL to amend Article 2 of Chapter 6 of Title 32 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to dimensions and weight of vehicles and loads, so as to change certain provisions relating to width of vehicles and loads; to change certain provisions relating to permits for excess weight and dimension; to provide an effective date; and for other purposes.

Referred to the Committee on MOTOR VEHICLES

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SB 259. By: Senators Hecht of the 34th, Kemp of the 3rd, Meyer von Bremen of the 12th and others: A BILL to amend Code Section 9-11-28 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to persons before whom depositions may be taken, and Article 2 of Chapter 14 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, "The Georgia Court Reporting Act," so as to change provisions relating to disqualification of court reporters from reporting depositions for interest; to prohibit specified contracts; to provide for exceptions; to provide definitions; and for other purposes.

Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY

SB 262. By: Senator Kemp of the 3rd: A BILL to amend Article 1 of Chapter 18 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions ~pplicable to district attorneys, so as to create the honorary office of district attorney emeritus; to provide for qualifications of such office; to provide procedures to allow certain retired prosecuting attorneys to assist district attorneys or to be appointed district attorney pro tempore; to provide for compensation; and for other purposes.

Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY

SR 175. By: Senators Johnson of the 1st and Gillis of the 20th: A RESOLUTION creating the Joint Study Committee on Water Management and Allocation; and for other purposes.

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Referred to the Committee on RULES

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