First readers in House, 2021 February 9

FIRST READERS IN HOUSE TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 09, 2021 FOURTEENTH LEGISLATIVE DAY
HB 325. By Representatives Momtahan of the 17th, Gullett of the 19th, Mathis of the 144th, Belton of the 112th, Gravley of the 67th, and others: 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 revise the definition of "absentee elector"; to provide for reasons for voting by absentee ballot; to provide for certain exceptions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ELECTION INTEGRITY
HB 326. By Representatives Momtahan of the 17th, Gullett of the 19th, Mathis of the 144th, Jones of the 25th, Belton of the 112th, and others: 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 that voting devices or systems used in primaries, elections, and runoffs in this state shall not utilize any form of wireless network cards or wireless technology; to provide for the removal or disabling of such cards or technology before using such systems or devices in voting; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ELECTION INTEGRITY
HB 327. By Representatives Momtahan of the 17th, Kelley of the 16th, Efstration of the 104th, Reeves of the 34th, Allen of the 40th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to prevent organized retail crime; to amend Chapter 1 of Title 10 of the O.C.G.A., relating to selling and other trade practices, so as to provide for definitions; to provide for certain record-keeping and reporting requirements for the sale and purchase of stored value cards; to provide for certain record-keeping and reporting requirements for the sale of goods by third-party sellers on online marketplaces; to provide for penalties for failure to comply; to provide for confidentiality; to amend
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Article 1 of Chapter 8 of Title 16 of the O.C.G.A., relating to theft, so as to define certain terms relating to retail property fencing, shoplifting, and refund fraud; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL
HB 328. By Representatives Momtahan of the 17th, Gullett of the 19th, and Parsons of the 44th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 5 of Title 46 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to telephone service general provisions, so as to establish a one-time right of way permit fee and reduce annual right of way use fees as due compensation paid to municipal authorities by telephone companies that do not have retail, end user customers located within the boundaries of the municipal authority; to provide certain notice requirements; to establish a civil penalty; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
HB 329. By Representatives Lewis-Ward of the 109th, Wilkerson of the 38th, and Bennett of the 94th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, so as to suspend school and school system ratings and report cards for the 2020-2021 school year, subject to certain exceptions; to provide that for the purposes of designating high needs schools, a school's school climate rating for the 2019-2020 school year shall apply to the 2020-2021 school year as well; to revise a definition; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on EDUCATION
HB 330. By Representatives Werkheiser of the 157th, Wiedower of the 119th, Gaines of the 117th, Holcomb of the 81st, and Boddie of the 62nd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 5 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding drivers' licenses, so as to provide for the waiver of reinstatement and restoration fees for certain persons; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on MOTOR VEHICLES
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HB 331. By Representative Frazier of the 126th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide a new charter for the City of Sardis; to provide for incorporation, boundaries, and powers of the city; to provide for related matters; to repeal a specific Act; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 332. By Representatives Kendrick of the 93rd, McClain of the 100th, Moore of the 95th, Park of the 101st, Stephens of the 164th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 4 of Chapter 8 of Title 13 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to restrictive covenants in contracts, so as to prohibit covenants in agreements between employers and low-wage employees that restrict competition after the term of employment; to require employers to provide prior notification to employees and prospective employees whose employment is conditioned upon the acceptance of a contract containing such covenants; to provide courts with the power to use competition restrictions as remedial measures; 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 INDUSTRY AND LABOR
HB 333. By Representatives Efstration of the 104th, Holcomb of the 81st, Nix of the 69th, and Smyre of the 135th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to ethics in government, so as to revise the powers and duties of the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission; to provide for and revise a short title; to revise definitions; to revise procedures for the initiation of complaints; to revise requirements for certain accounts, the disposition and expenditure of certain contributions, filings, registrations, and records of accounts; to revise how maximum contribution limits are implemented; to revise purposes requiring registration 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 JUDICIARY
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HB 334. By Representatives Gullett of the 19th, Jones of the 25th, Leverett of the 33rd, Kelley of the 16th, and Burchett of the 176th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 6 of Title 15 and Article 1 of Chapter 17 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to clerks of superior courts and general provisions regarding notaries public; to amend Part 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 2 of Title 44 and Article 4 of Chapter 18 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to recording of deeds and other real property transactions and inspection of public records; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
HB 335. By Representatives Kennard of the 102nd, McLaurin of the 51st, Beverly of the 143rd, Kendrick of the 93rd, Mitchell of the 88th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 10 of Title 17 and Chapter 8 of Title 42 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to procedure for sentencing and imposition of punishment and probation, respectively, so as to provide that no court shall impose a period of probation that exceeds 24 months; to provide for conforming changes; to revise requirements for active probation supervision; to eliminate probation for life for persons convicted of certain serious violent felonies; to eliminate certain special terms of probation; to revise certain probation requirements; to provide for related matters; to provide for applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL
HB 336. By Representatives Corbett of the 174th, Dickey of the 140th, Pirkle of the 155th, Jasperse of the 11th, and Watson of the 172nd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 23 of Title 2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to hemp farming, so as to provide for compliance with federal laws and regulations; to provide for history reports; to provide for disposal of lots of hemp; to provide for sampling and random testing of hemp; 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
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HB 337. By Representative Stephens of the 164th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding sales and use taxes, so as to extend the sunset provision for an exemption for sales taxes on certain tangible personal property sold or used to maintain, refit, or repair a boat during a single event; to provide for automatic repeal; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
HB 338. By Representatives DeLoach of the 167th, England of the 116th, and Williams of the 168th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 40-5-36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to veterans' licenses, honorary licenses, and other distinctive drivers' licenses, so as to revise qualifications for issuance of veterans' driver's licenses; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on MOTOR VEHICLES
HB 339. By Representatives Drenner of the 85th, Hugley of the 136th, Mitchell of the 88th, Kausche of the 50th, and Schofield of the 60th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to conservation and natural resources, so as to create the Environmental Justice Commission; to provide a short title; to define certain terms; to provide for membership; to provide for the duties of the commission; to provide that as a prerequisite for obtaining certain permits in neighborhoods consisting of persons of color or from low-income families applicants shall take certain actions to mitigate health hazards; to provide that governmental agencies shall consider the disproportionate effect of environmental hazards on people of color or people from low-income families in implementing certain environmental policies; to provide that no person in Georgia shall be excluded from any state funded program or activity because of race, color, or national origin; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT
HB 340. By Representatives Blackmon of the 146th, Clark of the 147th, Corbett of the 174th, and Williams of the 168th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 40-5-36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to veterans' licenses, honorary licenses, and other distinctive
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drivers' licenses, so as to revise qualifications for issuance of veterans' driver's licenses; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on MOTOR VEHICLES
HB 341. By Representatives Wilson of the 80th, Oliver of the 82nd, and Holcomb of the 81st: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act to incorporate the City of Brookhaven in DeKalb County, approved April 16, 2012 (Ga. L. 2012, p. 5527), as amended, so as to provide for the filling of vacancies in the offices of mayor and councilmembers of more than 12 months; to provide for the filling of vacancies in the offices of mayor and councilmembers of less than 12 months; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 342. By Representatives Washburn of the 141st, Powell of the 32nd, Jasperse of the 11th, Kelley of the 16th, and Momtahan of the 17th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 14 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to electrical contractors, plumbers, conditioned air contractors, low-voltage contractors, and utility contractors, so as to prohibit certain advertisements related to plumbing; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER AFFAIRS
HB 343. By Representatives Rhodes of the 120th, LaRiccia of the 169th, Corbett of the 174th, LaHood of the 175th, and Burns of the 159th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 27-3-1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to requirement of permission to hunt on lands of another, written permission, enforcement, and immunity of landowner from civil liability, so as to provide for a rebuttable presumption of violation of said Code section by individuals in possession of hunting paraphernalia while on others' lands; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on GAME, FISH, & PARKS
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HB 344. By Representative McLaurin of the 51st: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 5 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to covenants and warranties, so as to provide that a general warranty of title shall not limit or encumber rights arising from the relationship of landlord and tenant; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
HB 345. By Representatives Bruce of the 61st, Thomas of the 65th, Bazemore of the 63rd, Metze of the 55th, Jackson of the 64th, and others: 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 change the corporate boundaries of the municipality; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 346. By Representative LaRiccia of the 169th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 11 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to emergency medical services personnel, so as to authorize the administration of hydrocortisone sodium succinate to patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia under certain conditions; to provide for definitions; to provide for requirements; to provide for immunity; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
HB 347. By Representatives Gullett of the 19th, Momtahan of the 17th, Scoggins of the 14th, Gunter of the 8th, and Gambill of the 15th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 42-1-19 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to petition for release from registration requirements, so as to revise certain risk assessment classifications regarding the state sexual offender registry; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on PUBLIC SAFETY & HOMELAND SECURITY
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HB 348. By Representatives Davis of the 87th, Scott of the 76th, Schofield of the 60th, McLeod of the 105th, and Burnough of the 77th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 8 of Title 34 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to employment security, so as to provide the date on which a claim for unemployment benefits shall be deemed to have been filed; to provide for the payment of certain unemployment benefits if an initial decision as to an individual's claim has not be made within a certain time period; to provide that certain unemployment benefits paid to an individual shall not be considered an overpayment of benefits; to provide for the payment of an additional amount by the department if a determination is not made within a certain number of days; to require reporting of such activity to the district attorney; 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 INDUSTRY AND LABOR
HB 349. By Representatives McLeod of the 105th, Hutchinson of the 107th, Kennard of the 102nd, Scott of the 76th, Mitchell of the 106th, 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 revise certain definitions; to codify best practices; to remove inconsistencies; to provide for the timing of certain hearings and filings; to provide for the provision of certain reports; to provide for the appointment of guardians ad litem and their powers, duties, and responsibilities; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUVENILE JUSTICE
HB 350. By Representatives Davis of the 87th, Scott of the 76th, Schofield of the 60th, McLeod of the 105th, and Burnough of the 77th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Titles 34 and 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to labor and industrial relations and revenue and taxation, respectively, so as to provide certain benefits related to jury duty participation; to provide for employees to maintain the same benefits of employment even though their attendance is required for jury duty or for other judicial processes; to provide certain unemployment benefits for individuals who serve as jurors; to change a definition; to provide for a tax deduction for certain child care costs to individuals who serve as jurors; to provide employers with an income tax credit for certain expenses incurred in hiring temporary
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replacement employees to perform the job duties of employees who serve as jurors; to provide for a definition; to provide for certain conditions and limitations; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INDUSTRY AND LABOR
HB 351. By Representatives Davis of the 87th, Scott of the 76th, Schofield of the 60th, McLeod of the 105th, Burnough of the 77th, and others: A BILL To be entitled an Act to amend Article 6 of Chapter 3 of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Division of Forensic Services, so as to provide for the establishment of a section of handwriting analysis in the Division of Forensic Services; to provide for its staffing and duties; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on PUBLIC SAFETY & HOMELAND SECURITY
HB 352. By Representatives Momtahan of the 17th, Knight of the 130th, Washburn of the 141st, Kelley of the 16th, Gullett of the 19th, and others: 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 provide that property tax bills shall include the amounts of assessments levied for each of the three immediately preceding tax years; to provide for a homestead exemption from ad valorem taxes for all purposes in an amount equal to the amount by which the current year assessed value of a homestead exceeds the adjusted base year assessed value of such homestead; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements; to provide for a referendum, effective dates, and automatic repeal; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
HB 353. By Representatives Jones of the 25th, Kausche of the 50th, Martin of the 49th, Anulewicz of the 42nd, Holcomb of the 81st, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 6 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to driving on right side of roadway, overtaking and passing, and following too closely, so as to clarify what constitutes an obstruction for
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purposes of exceptions to when a vehicle is to drive on the right side of the roadway; to provide for proper operation of a motor vehicle when overtaking a bicyclist; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on MOTOR VEHICLES
HB 354. By Representatives Williams of the 145th, Powell of the 32nd, Collins of the 68th, Bentley of the 139th, Mathis of the 144th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to professions and businesses, so as to require the State Board of Cemeterians and the State Board of Funeral Service to report suspected unlawful activity to the sheriff's office and the Attorney General; to require the Attorney General to provide notice of such suspected unlawful activity to the appropriate prosecuting attorney; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on REGULATED INDUSTRIES
HB 355. By Representatives Wiedower of the 119th, Jones of the 25th, Smith of the 70th, Gaines of the 117th, Burns of the 159th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 5 of Chapter 6 of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Georgia Carbon Sequestration Registry, so as to provide for the inclusion of building products in construction on the registry; to provide for definitions; to allow participants in the registry to voluntarily report the utilization of carbon sequestration and embodied carbon results; to provide for an advisory committee; to provide for certified third-party organizations to measure the amount of carbon sequestered from building materials that sequester carbon dioxide; to require the State Forestry Commission to publish a list of certified organizations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT
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HB 356. By Representatives Schofield of the 60th, Scott of the 76th, Davis of the 87th, Hugley of the 136th, Carter of the 92nd, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 34-1-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to prohibition of age discrimination in employment, so as to change the age of individuals protected by such prohibition; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INDUSTRY AND LABOR
HB 357. By Representative Campbell of the 171st: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act to provide a new charter for the City of Pelham, approved April 28, 2016 (Ga. L. 2016, p. 3859), so as to reduce the size of the city council; to revise the power of the mayor to vote at city council meetings; to revise when newly elected mayors or council members take office; to provide for election by plurality of votes; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 358. By Representatives Setzler of the 35th, Barr of the 103rd, Tarvin of the 2nd, Ehrhart of the 36th, Hill of the 3rd, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 3 of Title 38 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to emergency powers, so as to provide when a declaration of a state of emergency or disaster by the Governor shall expire; to provide for extensions by the General Assembly; to provide for limitations on emergency powers; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
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HR 98. By Representatives Thomas of the 21st, Carson of the 46th, Wade of the 9th, Crowe of the 110th, Cheokas of the 138th, and others: A RESOLUTION opposing the measures set out in H.R. 1 and S. 1 and urging the Congressional Delegation to avoid any federal action that infringes on the constitutional power of states to manage, control, and administer elections; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ELECTION INTEGRITY
HR 117. By Representatives Boddie of the 62nd, Bruce of the 61st, Alexander of the 66th, and Thomas of the 65th: A RESOLUTION creating the House Study Committee on Homeowners' Associations, Condominium Owners' Associations, and Property Owners in Community Associations; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on SPECIAL RULES HR 118. By Representatives Drenner of the 85th, Hugley of the 136th, Cannon of the 58th, Bazemore of the 63rd, Mitchell of the 88th, and others: A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Stacey Abrams; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on SPECIAL RULES
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SENATE FIRST READERS IN HOUSE TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 09, 2021
FOURTEENTH LEGISLATIVE DAY SB 5. By Senators Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Burke of the 11th, Watson of the 1st, Hufstetler of the 52nd, and Au of the 48th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to professions and businesses, so as to provide patient protection measures for patients undergoing sedation in certain settings; to provide for patients under conscious sedation in dental settings and for dental procedures in medispas; to provide for patients under varying levels of sedation in physician offices and medispas; to provide for definitions; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for enforcement; to provide for statutory construction; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
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