First readers in House, 2015 January 29

FIRST READERS IN HOUSE THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015
EIGHTH LEGISLATIVE DAY
Legislation not listed consecutively indicates those prefiled.
HB 20. By Representative Carson of the 46th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the imposition, rate, computation, and exemptions from state income taxes, so as to clarify that certain allocations to owners of certain entities shall be governed by Georgia 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 WAYS & MEANS
HB 36. By Representatives Randall of the 142nd, Epps of the 144th, Peake of the 141st, Dickey of the 140th, and Beverly of the 143rd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act entitled "Macon Water Commissioners Pension Plan," approved December 30, 1953 (Ga. L. 1953, p. 2831), as amended, particularly by an Act approved May 1, 2012 (Ga. L. 2012, p. 5637), so as to repeal a provision permitting the assignment of pension rights; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 130. By Representatives Bentley of the 139th, Kaiser of the 59th, Jones of the 53rd, and Abrams of the 89th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to primaries and elections generally, so as to provide that all applications for voter registration shall be processed by the Secretary of State and the appropriate county registration officials within 45 days of initial receipt of such applications; to provide for remedies for failure to timely process such applications; to provide a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
HB 131. By Representatives Dickerson of the 113th, Drenner of the 85th, Waites of the 60th, and Thomas of the 56th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 20-2-751.4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to policies in public schools prohibiting bullying, so as to prohibit cyberbullying; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to provide for an effective date and for applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on EDUCATION
- 1 -

HB 132. By Representatives Buckner of the 137th, Glanton of the 75th, Holcomb of the 81st, and Smith of the 41st: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 2 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to competencies and core curriculum, so as to require the State Board of Education to develop comprehensive civics education curricula; to consider approaches for teaching civic education; to provide for consultation with local boards of education and voluntary associations; to provide for implementation; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on EDUCATION
HB 133. By Representatives Holcomb of the 81st and Prince of the 127th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 80 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to provisions applicable to counties, municipal corporations, and other governmental entities, so as to provide that any service contract such entities enter into shall contain a termination clause; to provide that poor performance or cost overrun shall constitute cause for termination of the contract; to provide for applicability; to provide a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
HB 134. By Representatives Bennett of the 94th, Beasley-Teague of the 65th, Mabra of the 63rd, Randall of the 142nd, Abrams of the 89th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to imposition, rate, and computation and exemptions from state income taxes, so as to provide for a State Work Opportunity Tax Credit as a state income tax credit incentive to be provided to private sector employers to hire individuals from certain target groups of job seekers who face employment barriers; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
HB 135. By Representatives Howard of the 124th, Williams of the 87th, and Thomas of the 56th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to education, so as to enact the "Too Young to Suspend Act"; to provide for a short title; to provide for definitions; to prohibit the suspension or expulsion of pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students except after the commission of certain offenses; to provide for alternatives to discipline of such students; to provide for the issuance of guidelines; to provide for reporting requirements; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on EDUCATION
HB 136. By Representatives Smith of the 125th and Jackson of the 128th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 50-5-67 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to competitive bidding procedures for state purchasing, so as to require a cost comparison prior to entering into certain private service contracts; to prohibit the state from entering into private service contracts unless financially advantageous compared to performance of the contract by public employees; to provide
- 2 -

for a short title; 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 GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
HB 137. By Representatives Marin of the 96th, Jordan of the 77th, Abrams of the 89th, Mitchell of the 88th, and Williams of the 168th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 4 of Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the official state language, so as to require reasonable access to public services for non-English speakers; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on SPECIAL RULES
HB 138. By Representatives Dawkins-Haigler of the 91st, Trammell of the 132nd, Stephenson of the 90th, Hugley of the 136th, Mitchell of the 88th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 34 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding labor and industrial relations, so as to prohibit employers from requesting username, password, or other means of accessing an account or service for the purpose of accessing personal social media through an electronic communications device of employees or prospective employees with certain exceptions; to provide for penalties; to provide a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INDUSTRY AND LABOR
HB 139. By Representatives Stephens of the 165th and Thomas of the 56th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Subpart 2 of Part 1 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to compulsory attendance in elementary and secondary education, so as to enact the "Dropout Deterrent Act"; to provide for a short title; to revise the age of mandatory education; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on EDUCATION
HB 140. By Representatives Anderson of the 92nd and Bryant of the 162nd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions for state government, so as to provide that information pertaining to certain contracts with state agencies be open for inspection; to provide a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
HB 141. By Representatives Fludd of the 64th and Mayo of the 84th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 8 of Title 34 of the O.C.G.A., relating to employment security, so as to provide that the Commissioner of Labor may establish a self-employment assistance program; to change certain provisions relating to withdrawals from the Unemployment Trust Fund for expenditures under the "Employment Security Law"; to change certain provisions relating to benefits to be paid pursuant to rules and
- 3 -

regulations prescribed by the Commissioner; to change certain provisions relating to the procedure for judicial review of final decisions of the Board of Review of the Department of Labor; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INDUSTRY AND LABOR
HB 142. By Representatives Bell of the 58th and Oliver of the 82nd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2A of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to student scholarship organizations, so as to require that otherwise eligible schools or programs maintain nondiscriminatory practices in order to qualify to receive scholarship disbursements; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on EDUCATION
HB 143. By Representatives Wilkerson of the 38th and Mosby of the 83rd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state administration and enforcement of taxation, so as to provide for definitions; to provide for an actuarial investigation and a legislative procedure for review and perfection of all bills proposing tax exemptions; to provide for 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 WAYS & MEANS
HB 144. By Representatives Gordon of the 163rd and Randall of the 142nd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Subpart 3 of Part 1 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to student records, so as to enact the "Student Online Personal Information Protection Act"; to provide for definitions; to provide for requirements for operators of online educational sites, services, and applications regarding certain student information; to provide for certain security measures; to provide for statutory construction; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on EDUCATION
HB 145. By Representatives Beverly of the 143rd and Douglas of the 78th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 10 of Chapter 2 of Title 20, Title 36, and Part 1 of Article 3 of Chapter 5 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to contracts and purchases by public schools, local government, and general authority, duties, and procedure relative to government purchasing, respectively, so as to modify provisions relating to contractual and purchasing preferences for Georgia service providers and certain supplies, materials, equipment, and agricultural products grown, manufactured, or produced in this state; to provide for a short title; 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 AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER AFFAIRS
- 4 -

HB 146. By Representatives Frazier of the 126th and Thomas of the 39th: A BILL to be entitled an Act 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 portable voter registration in this state; to provide for name changes and eligibility for voting under such new name; to provide for voting after moving to new address; to provide for certain maintenance of the state-wide voter registration list; to provide a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
HB 147. By Representatives Powell of the 32nd, Knight of the 130th, Peake of the 141st, and Hatchett of the 150th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles, so as to provide for an initial two-year registration period for certain vehicles; to provide for certain fees; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on MOTOR VEHICLES
HB 148. By Representative Dickey of the 140th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to authorize the governing authority of the City of Byron 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 149. By Representatives Rogers of the 10th, Powell of the 32nd, Ballinger of the 23rd, Jasperse of the 11th, Roberts of the 155th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 6 of Title 32 of the O.C.G.A., relating to dimension and weight of vehicles and loads, so as to provide authority to the Department of Public Safety to enter into agreements and take action regarding weight of vehicles and loads; to amend Article 1 of Chapter 2 of Title 35 of the O.C.G.A., relating to general provisions relative to the Department of Public Safety, so as to provide for authority of the Department of Public Safety to operate vehicle weigh stations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on TRANSPORTATION
HB 150. By Representatives Dickerson of the 113th, Yates of the 73rd, Smith of the 125th, Anderson of the 92nd, Stephenson of the 90th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 48-7-40.26 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to an income tax credit for film, video, or digital production in Georgia, so as to provide for an additional credit amount for productions that employ veterans; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
- 5 -

HB 151. By Representatives Williams of the 168th, Howard of the 124th, and Ealum of the 153rd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5B of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the state accounting office, so as to direct the state accounting officer to pay state obligations to vendors within a certain time period; to provide that, if such payments are not made within the time specified, the state will owe interest equal to 12 percent per annum; to provide for information from state agencies; to provide for promulgation of rules and regulations; to provide for a short title; to provide for an effective date; to provide for applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
HB 152. By Representatives Duncan of the 26th, Dudgeon of the 25th, Tankersley of the 160th, Martin of the 49th, Frye of the 118th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 3 of Title 3 of the O.C.G.A., relating to the regulation of alcoholic beverages generally, so as to impose certain requirements upon holders of certain alcohol licenses and those who issue such licenses; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on REGULATED INDUSTRIES
HB 153. By Representatives Weldon of the 3rd, Willard of the 51st, Reeves of the 34th, Kelley of the 16th, Oliver of the 82nd, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 19 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the regulation of the practice of law, so as to provide for a civil action for damages; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
HB 154. By Representatives Weldon of the 3rd, Willard of the 51st, Reeves of the 34th, Kelley of the 16th, Oliver of the 82nd, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 15-10-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the jurisdiction of magistrate courts, so as to increase the fine amount for contempt of court; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
HB 155. By Representatives Randall of the 142nd, Stephens of the 164th, and Bennett of the 94th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 12 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the control of hazardous conditions, preventable diseases, and metabolic disorders, so as to require registration with the vaccination registry by persons who administer vaccines and by pharmacies, agencies, or businesses employing persons who administer vaccines; to amend Article 2 of Chapter 34 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to medical practice, so as to provide that certain pharmacists and nurses who enter into an influenza vaccine protocol agreement with a physician shall register with the vaccination registry; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
- 6 -

HB 156. By Representatives Rice of the 95th, Powell of the 32nd, and Oliver of the 82nd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 48-5C-1 of the O.C.G.A., relating to definitions, exemption from taxation, allocation and disbursement of proceeds collected by tag agents, fair market value of vehicle appealable, and report, so as to change the manner for determining fair market value of motor vehicles subject to the tax; to amend Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to provide for an expiration period for temporary license plates; to require that applications be submitted to the county where the vehicle will be registered; to provide for extensions of the registration period under certain circumstances; to provide for conditional titles for certain motor vehicles; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
HB 157. By Representatives Cooke of the 18th, Allison of the 8th, Quick of the 117th, Hightower of the 68th, Clark of the 147th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 6-2-5 of the O.C.G.A., relating to lawful flight over lands and waters of this state, so as to provide that no aircraft shall be operated in the airspace above private property extending from the surface up to a distance of 100 feet above the surface for the purpose of searching or engaging in surveillance without a search warrant or permission of the property owner, and any evidence obtained by an aircraft within such protected zone without a search warrant or permission of the owner of the property shall be inadmissible in the courts of this state; to amend Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 17 of the O.C.G.A., relating to searches with warrants; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL
HB 158. By Representatives Rice of the 95th, Powell of the 32nd, and Oliver of the 82nd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 48-5C-1 of the O.C.G.A., relating to definitions, exemption from taxation, allocation and disbursement of proceeds collected by tag agents, fair market value of vehicle appealable, and report, so as to change the manner for determining fair market value of motor vehicles subject to the tax; to amend Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to provide for an expiration period for temporary license plates; to require that applications be submitted to the county where the vehicle will be registered; to provide for extensions of the registration period under certain circumstances; to provide for conditional titles for certain motor vehicles; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
HB 159. By Representatives Maxwell of the 17th, Yates of the 73rd, Roberts of the 155th, Williams of the 168th, and Ealum of the 153rd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 40-2-85.1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to special and distinctive license plates for veterans, so as to provide for issuance of such plates for use on motorcycles; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on MOTOR VEHICLES
- 7 -

HB 160. By Representatives Dunahoo of the 30th, Jasperse of the 11th, Chandler of the 105th, Gravley of the 67th, Rogers of the 29th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 27 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to wildlife trapping, trappers, and fur dealers, so as to repeal a provision prohibiting the trapping of raccoons in certain counties; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on GAME, FISH, & PARKS
HB 161. By Representatives Chandler of the 105th, Welch of the 110th, Weldon of the 3rd, Kendrick of the 93rd, Dickerson of the 113th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to imposition, rate, composition, and exemptions from income taxes, so as to create a new exemption for contributions used to promote the well-being of certain children; to provide for procedures, conditions, and limitations; 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 WAYS & MEANS
HB 162. By Representatives Shaw of the 176th, Efstration of the 104th, Taylor of the 173rd, Lumsden of the 12th, and Maxwell of the 17th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the department and Commissioner of Insurance, so as to provide for insurance compliance self-evaluative privilege; to provide for intent; to provide for definitions; to provide for an insurance compliance self-evaluative audit document as privileged information; to provide for inadmissibility in certain legal actions; to provide for applications and exceptions; to provide for the burden of proof; to provide for related matters; to provide for an automatic repeal date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INSURANCE
HB 163. By Representatives Dukes of the 154th and Henson of the 86th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 34 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding labor and industrial relations, so as to prohibit employers from requesting credit checks on employees or prospective employees with certain exceptions; to provide for penalties; to provide a civil cause of action; to provide for definitions; to provide a short title; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INDUSTRY AND LABOR
- 8 -

HB 164. By Representatives Martin of the 49th and Casas of the 107th: A BILL to be entitled an Act 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 extend the suspension of professional learning requirements for certification renewal; to extend the timeline for revision of certification renewal rules for purposes of conformity; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on EDUCATION HR 104. By Representative Tanner of the 9th: A RESOLUTION honoring the life of Mr. Bill T. Hardman and dedicating a road in his memory; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on TRANSPORTATION HR 105. By Representative Kidd of the 145th: A RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of Mr. William Love Walton and dedicating a bridge in his memory; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on TRANSPORTATION HR 106. By Representatives Brockway of the 102nd, Barr of the 103rd, Allison of the 8th, Teasley of the 37th, Clark of the 98th, and others: A RESOLUTION encouraging Congress to Convey Title and Jurisdiction of Federal Public Lands to the States; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTERSTATE COOPERATION
- 9 -