First readers in House, 2007 January 31

FIRST READERS IN HOUSE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31,2007
TWELFTH LEGISLATIVE DAY
Legislation not listed consecutively indicates those pre-filed.
HB 22. By Representatives Keown of the 173rd, Peake of the 137th, Black of the 174th, England of the 108th, and Benton of the 31st: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 46 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to telephone and telegraph service, so as to provide that calls made by ADAD equipment for the purpose of the solicitation of votes for candidates for public office be included in the state do-not-call list; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
HB 210. By Representative Scott of the 153rd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 31 of the O.C.G.A., relating to health, so as to provide for extensive revision of the certificate of need program; to revise and add definitions; to revise the declaration of policy for state health planning; to revise threshold amounts for expenditures; to revise the composition and duties of the Health Strategies Council; to revise the duties of the Department of Community Health; to revise provisions relating to existing exemptions; to provide for set times to accept applications for capital projects; to require ambulatory surgical centers to provide indigent care; to provide for the establishment of minimum quality standards as a consideration for approval of a certificate of need; to provide for a letter of intent for proposed new clinical health services; to amend various other titles of the O.C.G.A. so as to revise provisions for purposes of conformity; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON CERTIFICATE OF NEED
HB 21 1. By Representatives Scott of the 153rd and Roberts of the 154th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to authorize Tift County to exercise all redevelopment and other powers under Article IX, Section 11, Paragraph VII(b) of the Constitution and Chapter 44 of Title 36 of the O.C.G.A., the "Redevelopment Powers Law," as amended; to provide for a referendum; to provide effective dates; to provide for automatic repeal under certain circumstances; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION -
LOCAL
HB 212. By Representatives Scott of the 153rd and Roberts of the 154th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to authorize the City of Tifton to exercise all redevelopment and other powers under Article IX, Section 11, Paragraph VII(b) of the Constitution and Chapter 44 of Title 36 of the O.C.G.A., the "Redevelopment Powers Law," as amended; to provide for a referendum; to provide effective dates; to provide for automatic repeal under certain circumstances; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on NRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION -
LOCAL

HB 213. By Representative Bridges of the 10th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 18 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to deferred compensation plans, so as to repeal a special pay plan for deferred payment of special compensation to reduce federal tax burden for state employees; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
'Referred to the Committee on CODE REVISION
HB 214. By Representatives Barnard of the 166th, Smith of the 70th, Stephens of the 164th, Parsons of the 42nd, Lane of the 158th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 1 of Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Jekyll Island- State Park Authority, so as to provide for a renewal of the property lease to the authority; to extend the existence of the authority consistent with such lease renewal; to provide for legislative oversight of the authority; to provide for legislative intent; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on STATE INSTITUTIONS & PROPERTY
HB 215. By RepresentativesHeard of the 114th, Smith of the 113th, and McKillip of the 115th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act establishing a City Court in the County of Clarke, formerly known as the State Court of Clarke County, Georgia, approved September 8, 1879 (Ga. L. 1878-79, p. 291), as amended, so as to repeal certain provisions relating to the office of the clerk of the State Court of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia; to provide for continuing the existing term of the present judge of said court; to provide that the present judge of the court be designated chief judge; to provide that the current compensation of the present judge of the court shall be the compensation to be paid to the chief judge of said court; to add a judge to said court; to provide for the appointment, election, term of office, and compensation of said additional judge and for the election of successors to such judge; to provide effective dates; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION -
LOCAL
HB 216. By Representatives Porter of the 143rd, Hugley of the 133rd, Randall of the 138th, Ashe of the 56th, Jamieson of the 28th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 20-2-157 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the uniform reporting system for certain purposes, so as to provide that the reporting system based on a "B" average to determine eligibility for HOPE and other postsecondary scholarships will become effective only upon the development and implementation of a minimum state-wide standard for honors courses; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on HIGHER EDUCATION
HB 217. By Representatives Rogers of the 26th, Harbin of the 118th, Smith of the 113th, Manning of the 32nd, Smith of the 131st, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 3 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to county boards of health, so as to modify standards for county boards of health reviewing soil reports; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT

HB 218. By Representative Day of the 163rd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 52-2-10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the application of traffic laws and enforcement by security guards employed with the Georgia Ports Authority, so as to require that those employees of the authority who are authorized to exercise the powers of arrest shall be certified peace officers subject to the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY
HB 219. By Representatives Royal of the 171st, O'Neal of the 146th, Roberts of the 154th, and Black of the 174th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to revenue and taxation, so as to provide for prepayments of certain local sales and use taxes with respect to motor fuels; to provide for procedures, conditions, and limitations; to change certain provisions regarding penalties; to change certain provisions regarding taxation of motor fuel; to change certain provisions regarding sales and use tax exemptions regarding motor fuel; to change certain provisions regarding refunds of motor fuel taxes; to change certain provisions regarding the second motor fuel tax; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
HB 220. By Representative Day of the 163rd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 28 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the General Assembly, so as to repeal Chapter 8, relating to the Georgia Criminal Justice Improvement Council; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on CODE REVISION
HB 221. By Representatives Heard of the 104th and Willard of the 49th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 9-1 1-9.1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the affidavit required to accompany charges of professional malpractice, so as to change certain provisions regarding when an affidavit is required to accompany an action for damages alleging professional malpractice; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
HB 222. By Representatives Mitchell of the 88th, Willard of the 49th, Millar of the 79th, Oliver of the 83rd, Lunsford of the 1loth, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 4 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the authority of counties to buy property sold under tax executions, so as to prohibit county tax commissioners from purchasing property offered for sale under tax executions or tax foreclosure proceedings; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS

HB 223. By RepresentativesButler of the 18th,Nix of the 69th, and Bearden of the 68th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide for a method of distribution of the net proceeds of the sales tax for education purposes levied in Carroll County; to provide for the method of distribution of proceeds of such tax between the Carroll County School District and the independent school districts located wholly or partially within Carroll County, including particularly the City of Carrollton School System and the City of Bremen School System; to provide for authority under Article VIII, Section VI, Paragraph IV of the Constitution; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 224. By RepresentativesBurkhalter of the 50th and Smith of the 113th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 41 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to residential and general contractors, so as to change certain provisions relating to creation of the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors, membership, divisions, vacancies, qualifications, terms, and meetings; to change certain provisions relating to appointment of members, chairperson, meetings and quorums, and assistance from professional licensing boards division; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on REGULATED INDUSTRIES
HB 225. By Representatives Royal of the 171st, Golick of the 34th, Roberts of the 154th, Keen of the 179th, O'Neal of the 146th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 48-7-27 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to computation of taxable net income for state income tax purposes, so as to change certain provisions regarding the deduction for contributions to certain college savings plans; to provide an effective date; to provide applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
HB 226. By Representatives Ralston of the 7th, Willard of the 49th, and Burkhalter of the 50th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to crimes involving obscenity in general, so as to strike existing provisions relating to criminal distribution and dissemination of obscene materials and insert new provisions relating to the same subject; to define the nature of the offense, define terms, provide an affirmative defense, and provide for other related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL
HB 227. By Representatives Lewis of the 15th, Martin of the 47th, Stephens of the 164th, Ehrhart of the 36th, Watson of the 91st, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 36 of the O.C.G.A., relating to local government, so as to provide for the expedited franchising of cable and video services by the Secretary of State; to provide for a short title; to provide for definitions; to provide franchise options for cable service providers and video service providers; to provide a process for the issuance of a state franchise; to provide for transfers, modifications, and terminations of a state franchise; to provide for franchise fees; to require customer service; to provide for public, educational, and governmental programming under a state

franchise; to provide a service outlet to municipalities and counties and complimentary basic cable service or video service to public schools and public libraries over such service outlet; to provide certain limitations on requirements that may be imposed upon holders of a state franchise; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
HB 228. By Representatives Porter of the 143rd, Hugley of the 133rd, Randall of the 138th, Ashe of the 56th, Jarnieson of the 28th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 7 of Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to HOPE scholarships and grants, so as to remove the hourly caps on HOPE scholarships at public postsecondary institutions; to remove the hourly caps on HOPE scholarships at private postsecondary institutions; to remove the hourly caps on HOPE grants at a branch of the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on HIGHER EDUCATION
HB 229. By RepresentativesHarbin of the 118th, Hembree of the 67th, and Smith of the 113th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 27 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relating to the lottery for education, so as to impose certain limitations on book allowances and mandatory fee payments under certain circumstances; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on APPROPRIATIONS
HB 230. By Representatives Tumlin of the 38th and Morris of the 155th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 2 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state administrationof revenue and taxation, so as to reenact certain provisions regarding penalties, fees, and costs with respect to tax deficiencies; to reenact procedures with respect thereto; to reenact criminal penalties with respect to false returns or failure to obey certain subpoenas or orders; to reenact certain provisions regarding local penalties, fees, and costs with respect to certain tax deficiencies; to reenact procedures with respect thereto; to reenact certain powers, duties, and authorities of the state revenue commissioner with respect to the foregoing; to provide for a contingent effective date; to provide for automatic repeal under certain circumstances; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
HB 231. By Representatives Smith of the 129th, Ralston of the 7th, Rogers of the 26th, Graves of the 12th, and Floyd of the 147th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 6 of Title 32 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to regulation of maintenance and use of public roads generally, so as to provide that, in the removal of vehicles or obstructions from roadways where there is determined to be a threat to public health or safety or to mitigate traffic congestion, where towing services are so ordered to remove such obstructions such companies shall be guilty for instances of gross negligence only; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on TRANSPORTATION

HB 232. By Representatives Lindsey of the 54th, Lunsford of the 1loth, Geisinger of the 48th, Jones of the 46th, and Smith of the 113th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 71 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the "Georgia Development Impact Fee Act," so as to change definitions; to increase community participation in development impact fee advisory committees; to provide for the expenditure of impact fees; to change certain provisions relating to deposit and expenditure of fees and an annual report; to correct cross-references; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
HB 233. By Representatives Ralston of the 7th, Mumford of the 95th, Bearden of the 68th, and Oliver of the 83rd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 30 and Code Section 3 1-8-81 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to protection of disabled adults and elder persons and definitions for the "Long-term Care Facility Resident Abuse Reporting Act," respectively, so as to revise the definition of the term "exploitation"; to change provisions relating to criminal penalties; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL
HB 234. By Representative Channel1of the 116th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to create a board of elections and registration for Greene County and to provide for its powers and duties; to provide for definitions; to provide for the composition of the board and the selection and appointment of members; to provide for the qualification, terms, and removal of members; to provide for oaths and privileges; to provide for meetings, procedures, and vacancies; to relieve certain officers of powers and duties and to provide for the transfer of functions to the newly created board; to provide for certain expenditures of public funds; to provide for compensation of members of the board and personnel; to provide for offices and equipment; to provide for the board's performance of certain functions and duties for certain municipalities; to provide for related matters; to provide for submission for preclearance under Section 5 of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended; to provide effective dates; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION -
LOCAL
HB 235. By Representatives Shipp of the 58th, Tumlin of the 38th, Porter of the 143rd, Cooper of the 41st, Hugley of the 133rd, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 9 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to consent for surgical or medical treatment, so as to provide that a surrogate decision-making panel shall be included as a last resort entity that is authorized to consent to surgical or medical treatment on behalf of an incapacitated person; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for the establishment of surrogate decision-making panels; to provide for ad hoc hospital committees; to provide for immunity; to provide for compliance with federal privacy law; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY

HB 236. By Representatives Randall of the 138th, Porter of the 143rd, Hugley of the 133rd, Smyre of the 132nd, and Gardner of the 57th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 49-5-273 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the creation and operation of the Peachcare for Kids Program, so as to provide that state appropriations may be used for the program even if matching federal funds are not available; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INSURANCE
HB 237. By Representatives Martin of the 47th, Stephens of the 164th, Lewis of the 15th, Watson of the 91st, Royal of the 171st, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 48-8-3 of the Oficial Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to exemptions from state sales and use tax, so as to change certain provisions regarding exemptions with respect to the sale of certain manufacturing machinery, certain primary handling equipment, certain aircraft machinery or equipment, certain parts, machinery clothing, molds, dies, or tooling, and certain air or water pollution eliminating machinery and equipment; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
HB 238. By Representatives Freeman of the 140th, Shaw of the 176th, Mitchell of the 88th, Cole of the 125th, Tumlin of the 38th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 3 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state license requirements and regulations for the manufacture, distribution, and sale of malt beverages, so as to provide for additional requirements with respect to carbon dioxide filters; to provide for costs; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on REGULATED R\JDUSTRIES
HB 239. By Representatives Lane of the 158th, Jerguson of the 22nd, and Burns of the 157th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 27 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to game and fish, so as to change certain provisions relating to rules and regulations of the Board of Natural Resources used to establish game and fish criminal violations; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on GAME, FISH, & PARKS
HB 240. By Representative Harbin of the 118th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 1 of Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to "The Retail Installment and Home Solicitation Sales Act," so as to increase the authorized maximum delinquency charge for late installment payments; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER AFFAIRS

HB 241. By Representatives Chambers of the 81st, Cooper of the 41st, and Drenner of the 86th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 43-29-7 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to license requirements for dispensing opticians, qualifications of applicants, subjects to be tested on examination, and issuance and display of license, so as to specify certain requirements for practical training and experience for an applicant to obtain licensure through an apprenticeship program; to provide for credit for previous training and experience; to provide for alternative means of obtaining the required education, training, and experience for licensure; to prohibit the use of certain titles unless a person is licensed; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on REGULATED INDUSTRIES
HB 242. By Representatives Knox of the 24th, Hembree of the 67th, Keen of the 179th, Ehrhart of the 36th, and Watson of the 91st: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 8 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to fees and taxes regarding insurance, so as to provide for an exemption for certain high deductible health plans sold or maintained in connection with a health savings account with respect to state insurance premium taxes; to amend Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to income taxes, so as to provide that the taxable net income of any taxpayer of this state shall not include premiums paid for high deductible health plans established and used with a health savings account; to provide for conditions and limitations; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to provide for applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
HB 243. By Representatives Hembree of the 67th, Ehrhart of the 36th, Smith of the 113th, Knight of the 126th, Gardner of the 57th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 7 of Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to HOPE scholarships and grants, so as to revise the definition of "eligible postsecondary institution"; to provide that enrollment in postsecondary courses at a branch of the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education will not count against the hourly caps for HOPE grants; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on HIGHER EDUCATION
HB 244. By Representative Sims of the 169th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 16 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to death investigations, so as to provide for certain notification requirements; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL
HR 127. By Representatives Reese of the 98th, Cox of the 102nd, Coan of the lOlst, Sheldon of the 105th, Heard of the 104th, and others: A RESOLUTION urging the United States Congress to amend the citizenship laws of the United States to provide that persons born in this country to alien parents become citizens at birth only if the mother is in this country legally; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
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HR 128. By Representatives Holmes of the 61st, Brooks of the 63rd, Marin of the 96th, Thomas of the 55th, Hugley of the 133rd, and others: A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to provide that persons convicted of felonies involving moral turpitude may not register, remain registered, or vote while incarcerated but may register and vote while serving any period of probation or parole; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
HR 129. By Representatives Buckner of the 130th, Channel1 of the 116th, Ralston of the 7th, Bearden of the 68th, McKillip of the 115th, and others: A RESOLUTION urging the Composite State Board of Medical Examiners to adopt new rules pursuant to Code Section 43-34-26.3; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
HR 130. By Representative Davis of the 109th: A RESOLUTION dedicating the Ed Echols Memorial Highway; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on TRANSPORTATION
HR 146. By Representatives Lane of the 158th, Burns of the 157th, Parrish of the 156th, Carter of the 159th, Stephens of the 164th, and others: A RESOLUTION designating portions of State Route 26 (U.S. 80) in Bulloch County in honor of the memory of Dr. Charles Emory Bohler; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on TRANSPORTATION
HR 147. By Representatives Lane of the 158th, Burns of the 157th, Parrish of the 156th, Smith of the I 13th, Carter of the 159th, and others: A RESOLUTION honoring the memory of Coach Erskine "Erk" Russell, expressing regret at his passing, and designating portions of State Route 26 (U.S. 80) in Bulloch County as the Erk Russell Highway; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on TRANSPORTATION

SENATE FIRST READERS IN HOUSE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31,2007 TWELFTH LEGISLATIVE DAY
SB 14. By Senators Rogers of the 2 lst, Murphy of the 27th, Staton of the 18th, and Douglas of the 17th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 6 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to clerks of superior courts, so as to change sunset dates for real estate or personal property filing fees; to change a sunset date relating to collection and remittance of real estate or personal property filing fees; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY