First readers in House, 2020 February 21

FIRST READERS IN HOUSE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020 SIXTEENTH LEGISLATIVE DAY
HB 962. By Representatives Lumsden of the 12th, Powell of the 32nd, Jones of the 25th, Taylor of the 173rd, and Bentley of the 139th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 50-5-51 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to power, authority, and duty of the department of administrative services, so as to provide new authority for the department to enter into or authorize agreements with private for profit organizations; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
HB 963. By Representatives Gilliard of the 162nd and Bruce of the 61st: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 30 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to handicapped persons, so as to create the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired; to provide for a short title; to provide for definitions; to provide for the purpose of the commission and the policy of this state; to provide for the composition and appointment of commission members; to provide for an executive director; to provide for duties and powers; to provide for an annual report; to require the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency to consult with the commission; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
HB 964. By Representative Mitchell of the 88th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 4 of Title 1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to holidays and observances, so as to designate the month of November of each year as "Diabetes Awareness Month" in Georgia; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on SPECIAL RULES
HB 965. By Representatives Bazemore of the 63rd, Bruce of the 61st, Boddie of the 62nd, Metze of the 55th, and Jackson of the 64th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act to incorporate the City of South Fulton in Fulton County, Georgia, approved April 26, 2016 (Ga. L. 2016, p. 3726), as amended, so as to require review of ordinances by committees prior to adoption; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 966. By Representatives Burchett of the 176th, Corbett of the 174th, Pirkle of the 155th, McCall of the 33rd, Ridley of the 6th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 6 of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to forest resources and other plant life, so as to regulate the harvest and sale of palmetto berries; to provide for definitions; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for certificates of harvest; to provide for records of harvest activities and purchase transactions; to provide for prohibited acts; to provide for stop sale, stop
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use, and removal orders; to provide for seizure of berries; to provide for home or personal use of berries; to provide for penalties and restitution; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER AFFAIRS
HB 967. By Representatives Smith of the 133rd, Smith of the 134th, Smyre of the 135th, Hugley of the 136th, and Buckner of the 137th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act establishing the Municipal Court of Columbus, Georgia, approved August 12, 1915 (Ga. L. 1915, p. 63), as amended, particularly by an Act approved March 29, 1983 (Ga. L. 1983, p. 4443) and an Act approved June 2, 2010 (Ga. L. 2010, p. 3956), so as to provide that the sheriff of Muscogee County shall be the ex officio marshal of said court; to consolidate said marshal's office into the said sheriff's department; to provide for related matters; to provide for effective dates; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 968. By Representatives Efstration of the 104th, Fleming of the 121st, Burns of the 159th, Williamson of the 115th, Hatchett of the 150th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 3 of Title 9 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to limitations on recovery for deficiencies connected with improvements to realty and resulting injuries, so as to clarify actions that may be brought pursuant to Code Section 9-3-51 regarding deficiencies in connection with improvements to realty; to provide for related matters; to provide for applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
HB 969. By Representative Efstration of the 104th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 4 of Chapter 3 of Title 8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to fair housing, so as to change certain provisions pertaining to unlawful practices in selling or renting dwellings and the procedures, remedies, and judicial review related thereto; to correct certain cross-references; to clarify that complaints of discriminatory housing practices may be filed with the federal government as well as the administrator of the Commission on Equal Opportunity; to specify how such dual complaints shall be handled; to provide for administrative proceedings to be conducted by administrative law judges; to provide for conforming amendments; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
HB 970. By Representatives Smith of the 133rd, Smyre of the 135th, Rich of the 97th, Hatchett of the 150th, Buckner of the 137th, 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 the imposition, rate, computation, and exemptions from state income taxes, so as to revise procedures, conditions, and limitations relating to tax credits for the rehabilitation of historic structures; to authorize promulgation of regulations; to provide for preapproval of additional tax credits for current recipients of
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tax credits; to provide for related matters; to provide for effective dates; to provide for applicability; to provide for an automatic repeal and for reenactment of prior provisions; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
HB 971. By Representatives Gravley of the 67th, Reeves of the 34th, Jackson of the 128th, Holcomb of the 81st, Gullett of the 19th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Juvenile Code, so as to require annual training for juvenile court intake officers; to provide for the consideration of evidence, including hearsay evidence, in certain juvenile proceedings; to revise a time frame relating to extended care youth services; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUVENILE JUSTICE
HB 972. By Representatives Houston of the 170th, England of the 116th, Knight of the 130th, Parsons of the 44th, and Corbett of the 174th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 5 of Chapter 2 of Title 46 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to miscellaneous offenses and penalties, so as to provide for penalties for violations of pipeline safety standards and regulations prescribed and enforced by the Public Service Commission; to provide for a definition; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
HB 973. By Representatives Paris of the 142nd, Beverly of the 143rd, Bennett of the 94th, Trammell of the 132nd, Smyre of the 135th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 1-4-1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to public and legal holidays and leave for observance of religious holidays not specifically provided for, so as to designate June 19 of each year as a state holiday; to provide for legislative findings; to revise the number of holidays that are observed in Georgia; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
HB 974. By Representatives Lumsden of the 12th, McCall of the 33rd, Watson of the 172nd, Pirkle of the 155th, Jasperse of the 11th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 48-5-41 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to property exempt from ad valorem taxation, so as to exempt from ad valorem taxation 40 percent of the fair market value of property used exclusively for feeding, breeding, or managing poultry and which lies within a tract of land covenanted as bona fide conservation use property; to provide for related matters; to provide for a referendum; to provide for effective dates, applicability, and automatic repeal; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
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HB 975. By Representatives McCall of the 33rd and Powell of the 32nd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide a homestead exemption from Madison County ad valorem taxes for county purposes in the amount of $8,000.00 of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that county who are 70 years of age or older in addition to existing senior exemptions; 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 compliance with constitutional requirements; 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 976. By Representatives Tankersley of the 160th, Burns of the 159th, and Parrish of the 158th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to create the Bulloch County Public Facilities Authority and to provide for the appointment of members of the authority; to provide for a short title; to confer powers upon the authority; to provide for purpose and scope of operations of the authority; to provide for definitions; to authorize the issuance of revenue bonds of the authority; to fix and provide the venue and jurisdiction of actions relating to any provisions of this Act; to provide for moneys received and trust funds; to provide for tort immunity; to provide for tax exemption, rates, charges, and revenues; to provide for effect on other governments; to provide for construction of act and severability; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 977. By Representatives Jones of the 91st, Davis of the 87th, Carter of the 92nd, Kendrick of the 93rd, and Mitchell of the 88th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 16-13-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to conditional discharge for possession of controlled substances as first offense and certain nonviolent property crimes, dismissal of charges, and restitution to victims, so as to authorize counties and municipal corporations to adopt ordinances governing and punishing the possession of one ounce or less of marijuana; to amend Code Section 36-1-20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to ordinances for governing and policing of unincorporated areas of county, so as to authorize certain counties to adopt ordinances governing and punishing the possession of one ounce or less of marijuana; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL
HB 978. By Representatives Nguyen of the 89th, Hugley of the 136th, Cannon of the 58th, Gardner of the 57th, Hutchinson of the 107th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 30 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the "Disabled Adults and Elder Persons Protection Act," so as to prohibit retaliation against a person relating to a report that a disabled adult or elder person is in need of protective services or has been the victim of abuse, neglect, or exploitation; to provide for a right of action; to provide for relief; to provide for statutory construction; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on HUMAN RELATIONS & AGING
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HB 979. By Representatives Martin of the 49th, Jones of the 47th, Hatchett of the 150th, Silcox of the 52nd, and Harrell of the 106th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to ad valorem taxation of property, so as to modify provisions for contracting with or between a county, municipality, or the county tax commissioner for services by the county tax commissioner to assess and collect municipal and special district taxes and prepare the tax digest; to prohibit additional remuneration for tax commissioners paid on a salary basis; to provide for recapture of erroneously received funds; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
HB 980. By Representatives Anulewicz of the 42nd, Stephens of the 164th, Wilensky of the 79th, Henson of the 86th, and Carpenter of the 4th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 66 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to zoning procedures, so as to define the term "family" in relation to local governments exercising zoning powers or administering and enforcing building, housing, or property maintenance codes; to define other terms; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
HB 981. By Representative Mitchell of the 88th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Titles 16, 20, and 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to crimes and offenses, education, and health, respectively, so as to specifically authorize counties and cities to exercise local control over certain activities related to smoking and vaping; to allow for certain regulations governing sales of tobacco products and vapor products to minors; to amend the "Georgia Smoke-free Air Act of 2005" to include electronic smoking devices; to change the short title of such Act and to make conforming changes to the penalty and other provisions related to such Act; to provide for definitions; 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 982. By Representatives Jones of the 167th, Clark of the 98th, and Morris of the 26th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 7 of Chapter 10 of Title 9 and Article 2 of Chapter 8 of Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to continuances relative to civil practice and procedure and continuances relative to trial, respectively, so as to provide for and revise the granting of continuances and stays in civil and criminal cases at certain times and intervals for members and certain staff of the General Assembly for purposes of fulfilling their responsibilities to the General Assembly; to provide for related matters; to provide for applicability; to provide a short title; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on RULES
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HB 983. By Representatives Williams of the 145th, Hitchens of the 161st, Powell of the 32nd, and Lumsden of the 12th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 1 of Title 42 of the O.C.G.A., relating to Sexual Offender Registration Review Board, so as to revise the information required to be provided by sexual offenders when they register; to allow a sexual offender who is in a state or privately operated hospice facility, skilled nursing home, or residential health care facility, with the approval of the sheriff of the county where such sexual offender resides, to satisfy the annual registration requirements by registering at any time during the sexual offender's month of birth; to remove the requirement that a sexual offender who resides in a state or privately operated hospice facility, skilled nursing home, or residential health care facility, with the approval of the sheriff of the county where such sexual offender resides, be fingerprinted; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL
HB 984. By Representatives Burchett of the 176th, Fleming of the 121st, Boddie of the 62nd, Sainz of the 180th, McLaurin of the 51st, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend 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 change provisions relating to sentencing; to provide credit for time served; to change provisions relating to the commencement of a sentence when the case has been appealed; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL
HB 985. By Representative Erwin of the 28th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act to provide a new charter for the City of Homer, approved May 17, 2004 (Ga. L. 2004, p. 4033), so as to provide for election districts of the city council; to provide descriptions of such council districts; to provide for staggered terms of councilmembers; to provide for the manner of election of the mayor and councilmembers; to provide for the continuation in office of the current mayor and members of the city council; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 986. By Representatives Jackson of the 64th, Bazemore of the 63rd, Bruce of the 61st, Boddie of the 62nd, and Dreyer of the 59th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 62 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to development authorities, so as to provide that members of a county or municipal governing authority appointed as directors of development authorities shall not serve as chairpersons or chief executive officers of such authorities; to provide that county development authorities for certain counties must obtain the consent of certain municipalities and school systems to acquire property or undertake projects within such municipalities; to provide for a definition; 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
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HR 1215. By Representatives Gilliard of the 162nd, Hitchens of the 161st, Oliver of the 82nd, Gordon of the 163rd, Stephens of the 164th, and others: A RESOLUTION recognizing Judge Willie J. Lovett, Jr., and dedicating a building in his memory; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on STATE PROPERTIES HR 1216. By Representatives Gilliard of the 162nd, Hitchens of the 161st, Gordon of the 163rd, Stephens of the 164th, and Petrea of the 166th: A RESOLUTION recognizing Ms. Betty Ann DiPietro Rapp and rededicating a road on Georgia Ports Authority property in her honor; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on TRANSPORTATION HR 1217. By Representatives Gilliard of the 162nd and Gordon of the 163rd: A RESOLUTION honoring Mr. Marvin Leon Curtis, Jr., and dedicating a building in his memory; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on STATE PROPERTIES HR 1218. By Representative Houston of the 170th: A RESOLUTION honoring the life of Mr. James Edward Giddens and dedicating a road in his memory; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on TRANSPORTATION
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