First readers in House, 2010 March 24

FIRST READERS IN HOUSE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24,20 10 TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATIVE DAY
*Rules Suspended
HB 1444. By Representative Holt of the 112th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act to provide a new charter for the City of Social Circle, approved May 5, 2005 (Ga. L. 2005, p. 3627), so as to remove a certain geographical area from the corporate limits of said city; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 1445. By Representatives Stephens of the 161st, Gordon of the 162nd, Stephens of the 164th, and Bryant of the 160th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to local boards of education, so as to provide for a period of residency for board members; to provide that no person shall serve as a member of a local board of education unless he or she possesses a high school diploma or a general educational development diploma; to provide for applicability; to provide for staggered two-year terms, to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
HB 1446. By Representatives Abdul-Salaam of the 74th, Jordan of the 77th, Heckstall of the 62nd, Dodson of the 75th, Sinkfield of the 60th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide for the holding of a nonbinding referendum in Clayton County in conjunction with the 2010 general primary election on the question of whether Clayton County should become a full participant in MARTA (the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) and should levy a sales tax in support of MARTA and Clayton County's public transportation needs; to provide for related matters; to require submission of this Act for preclearance pursuant to Section 5 of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 1447. By Representatives Williams of the 4th, Dickson of the 6th, and Weldon of the 3rd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to authorize the governing authority of the City of Dalton to levy an excise tax pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 48-13-51 of the O.C.G.A.; to provide procedures, conditions, and limitations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL

HB 1448. By Representatives Williams of the 4th, Dickson of the 6th, and Weldon of the 3rd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to authorize the governing authority of Whitfield County to levy an excise tax pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 48-13-5 1 of the O.C.G.A.; to provide procedures, conditions, and limitations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 1449. By Representative Houston of the 170th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 7 of Title 3 1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to regulation of hospitals and related institutions, so as to require nursing homes to determine if a new resident is a registered sexual offender; to require notice to families or guardians of residents if an individual who is a registered sexual offender is admitted as a resident to a nursing home; to provide for definitions; to provide for limited liability; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL
HB 1450. By Representatives Oliver of the 83rd, Mayo of the 91st, Williams of the 89th, Stephenson of the 92nd, Henson of the 87th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act creating the State Court of DeKalb County, formerly known as the Civil and Criminal Court of DeKalb County, approved February 14, 1951 (Ga. L. 1951, p. 2401), as amended, particularly by an Act approved April 25, 2002 (Ga. L. 2002, p. 4607), so as to change certain fees; to provide for certain fees; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 1451. By Representatives Dickson of the 6th, Williams of the 4th, and Weldon of the 3rd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act providing a new charter for the City of Varnell, approved May 4, 1992 (Ga. L. 1992, p. 6670), as amended, so as to change the corporate boundaries of said city; to provide for election by majority vote for mayor and councilmembers; to change provisions relating to cosigning checks by the mayor; to change provisions relating to the city clerk, city treasurer, city administrator, municipal court clerk, police chief, and municipal court judge; to eliminate the position of city marshal; to provide for additional positions; to revise provisions relating to rules and regulations; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL

HB 1452. By Representative Allison of the 8th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide a homestead exemption from Towns County school district ad valorem taxes for educational purposes in the amount of $8,000.00 of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that county; to provide for definitions; to specifL the terms and conditions of the exemption and the procedures relating thereto; to provide for applicability; to provide for a referendum, effective dates, and automatic repeal; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 1453. By Representative Allison of the 8th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide for a homestead exemption from City of Hiawassee ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes in the amount of $8,000.00 of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that city; to provide for definitions; to specify the terms and conditions of the exemption and the procedures relating thereto; to provide for applicability; to provide for a referendum, effective dates, and automatic repeal; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 1454. By Representative O'Neal of the 146th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants, so as to provide that the Georgia Board of Dentistry is an independent state agency; to provide for transfer; to revise provisions for purposes of conformity; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
HB 1455. By Representatives Manning of the 32nd, Cooper of the 41st, Dooley of the 38th, Teilhet of the 40th, Ehrhart of the 36th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act reincorporating the City of Marietta, approved March 23, 1977 (Ga. L. 1977,p. 3541), as amended, so as to modify provisions relating to the meetings of the city council; to provide for agenda work sessions; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL

HB 1458. By Representative Austin of the 10th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act creating and establishing the State Court of Habersham County (formerly the City Court of Habersham County), approved February 13, 1941 (Ga. L. 1941, p. 65l), as amended, particularly by an Act approved April 4, 1997 (Ga. L. 1997, p. 3937), so as to provide that the judge and solicitor of said court shall be full-time positions; to change the compensation of the judge and solicitor of said court; to provide that neither the judge nor the solicitor of said court shall practice law; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 1459. By Representatives Louderrnilk of the 14th, Mangham of the 94th, Neal of the lst, Everson of the 106th, and Collins of the 95th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 21 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to a brief period of quiet reflection, so as to clarify that the daily moment of quiet reflection in public schools shall accommodate students who wish to exercise their freedom of religion to engage in silent prayer or silent meditation; to provide for legislative findings; to provide that students may reflect on an inspirational poem or reading, pray silently, or meditate silently during the moment of quiet reflection; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
HB 1460. By Representative Benfield of the 85th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 1 of Article 7 of Chapter 14 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to foreclosure in general, so as to prevent the conditioning of a sale of a foreclosed home upon the buyer's purchase of title insurance from a particular insurer or upon the buyer's purchase of escrow services from a particular buyer; to provide for legislative findings; 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 1466. By Representatives Ralston of the 7th, Hugley of the 133rd, Heard of the 114th, Smyre of the 132nd, Porter of the 143rd, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 8 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Department of Community Affairs, so as to create the Martin Luther King, Jr. Advisory Council; to provide for membership on the commission; to provide for terms and duties of members; to provide for an annual report; 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
HR 1769. By Representative Scott of the 153rd: A RESOLUTION honoring the life of Aubrae Gunderson and dedicating a road in her memory; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on TRANSPORTATION

HR 1770. By Representatives Franklin of the 43rd, Jerguson of the 22nd, Byrd of the 20th, Holt of the 112th, Reese of the 98th, and others: A RESOLUTION informing Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Carol W. Hunstein that Georgia is a republic, not a democracy; recognizing the great differences between these two forms of government; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
HR 1781. By Representatives Ashe of the 56th, Gardner of the 57th, Bruce of the 64th, Benfield of the 85th, Taylor of the 55th, and others: A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to provide that funds derived from motor fuel taxes shall be appropriated for and grants made for all activities incident to providing and maintaining an adequate system of public roads and bridges in this state and for any or all transportation purposes, including public transit; to authorize the General Assembly to allocate and specifL and direct the use of such funds by general law; to provide for submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
HR 1782. By Representatives Dickson of the 6th, Coleman of the 97th, Lindsey of the 54th, Cox of the 102nd, Burns of the 157th, and others: A RESOLUTION urging local boards of education in these economically difficult times to impose salary reductions on school administrators in the same manner as for teachers and other school system employees; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on EDUCATION
HR 1784. By Representatives Gordon of the 162nd, Stephens of the 161st, and Long of the 61st: A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to remove the prohibition of casino gambling; to authorize dedication of revenue from taxation of casino gambling; to provide for related matters; to provide for submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on REGULATED INDUSTRIES
HR 1785. By Representative Benfield of the 85th: A RESOLUTION requesting the United States Congress to adopt legislation that promotes jobs and innovative energy development, heightens national energy and economic security, positions the United States to be an international leader in the field of clean energy, and addresses the consequences of climate change without preempting states' rights to control emissions and to promote renewable energy; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT

*HR 1822. By Representatives Bearden of the 68th, Benton of the 3 lst, Nix of the 69th, Collins of the 27th, Jerguson of the 22nd, and others: A RESOLUTION urging Attorney General Thurbert Baker to join with other state attorneys general from around the nation in mounting a legal challenge to the constitutionality of the recently enacted federal health care reform legislation; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS

SENATE FIRST READERS IN HOUSE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24,2010
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATIVE DAY
SB 338. By Senators Staton of the 18th, Rogers of the 21st, Pearson of the 5lst, and Douglas of the 17th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 32-6-76 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to restrictions on directional signs, so as to allow the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame Authority to designate signs commemorating significant sporting achievements; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM
SB 343. By Senators Shafer of the 48th, Hudgens of the 47th, Mullis of the 53rd, Hawkins of the 49th, Powell of the 23rd, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 10 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to obstruction of public administration and related offenses, so as to clarify that the crime of impersonating an officer includes firefighters and public safety personnel; to provide for 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
SB 354. By Senators Shafer of the 48th, Mullis of the 53rd, Butterworth of the 50th, Moody of the 56th, and Hudgens of the 47th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 32-7-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to procedure for abandonment of public roads and streets, so as to further declare the authority of counties and municipalities to remove roads and streets from their road and street systems when it is determined that removal is in the best public interest; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on TRANSPORTATION
SB 401. By Senators Seabaugh of the 28th, Rogers of the 21st, Heath of the 3 lst, Cowsert of the 46th, Chapman of the 3rd, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 9 of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to air pollution control, so as to permit the Governor to delay implementation of the requirements of any federal program to implement a cap and trade system or any other program to address greenhouse gas emissions or motor vehicle fuel economy until a comprehensive assessment of such program can be made and the Governor finds that the implementation will benefit the citizens of Georgia; to provide for legislative intent; to provide a short title; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT

SB 443. By Senators Smith of the 52nd, Hawkins of the 49th, Thomas of the 54th, Unterinan of the 45th, Mullis of the 53rd, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 21A of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the "Medicaid Care Management Organizations Act," so as to create the Medicaid Care Management Organization Legislative Oversight Committee; to provide for its membership, terms, and meetings; to provide for its duties; to provide for cooperation with other agencies; to provide for an annual report; to provide for expenses for members; to provide for an audit; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
SB 455. By Senator Grant of the 25th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 16 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the "State Properties Code," is amended by modifLing certain provisions relating to acquiring real property through cominission and procedures and funds for such acquisitions; to authorize the State Properties Commission to accept deeds containing reversions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on STATE INSTITUTIONS & PROPERTY
SB 472. By Senators Grant of the 25th, Hill of the 4th, Mullis of the 53rd, Hamrick of the 30th, Cowsert of the 46th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 42-9-43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to information to be considered by the State Board of Pardons and Paroles generally, conduct of investigation and examination, determination as to grant of relief, and notice to victims, so as to clarifL the meaning of 'entirely incapacitated' for purposes of granting medical reprieves authorized by the Constitution of Georgia; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
SR 821. By Senators Shafer of the 48th, Mullis of the 53rd, Rogers of the 21st, Williams of the 19th, Thompson of the 33rd, and others: A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to authorize the General Assembly to allow the Georgia Department of Transportation to enter into multiyear construction agreements without obligating present funds for the full obligation to the state under the full term of such agreements; to provide for procedures, conditions, and limitations; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on TRANSPORTATION

SR 1083. By Senators Grant of the 25th, Hill of the 4th, Butterworth of the 50th, Goggans of the 7th, Crosby of the 13th, and others: A RESOLUTION authorizing the leasing of certain State owned real property in Baldwin County, Georgia; authorizing the conveyance of certain State owned real property located in Clinch County, Georgia; authorizing the conveyance of any State interest in certain real property in Colquitt County, Georgia, authorizing the renting of certain State owned real property in Fulton County, Georgia, authorizing the conveyance of certain State owned real property located in Lee County, Georgia; authorizing the conveyance of certain State owned real property located in Muscogee County, Georgia; and to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on STATE INSTITUTIONS & PROPERTY
SR 1199. By Senators Hawkins of the 49th, Balfour of the 9th, Goggans of the 7th, Shafer of the 48th, Tolleson of the 20th, and others: A RESOLUTION directing the Professional Standards Commission to temporarily modify its rules relating to professional learning requirements for certificate renewal and creating the Certification and Professional Learning Task Force; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on EDUCATION