First readers in House, 2022 January 25

FIRST READERS IN HOUSE TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2022
SIXTH LEGISLATIVE DAY
HB 856. By Representatives Schofield of the 60th, Scott of the 76th, Davis of the 87th, Burnough of the 77th, Park of the 101st, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 28 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding the General Assembly, so as to provide for the establishment of the Legislative Commission on the Disparate Impact of COVID-19; to provide for a definition; to provide for membership, appointments, vacancies, chairperson, quorum, and expenses; to provide for powers and duties; to provide for a report; to provide for automatic repeal; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on RULES
HB 858. By Representatives Scott of the 76th, Beverly of the 143rd, Davis of the 87th, Schofield of the 60th, and Dreyer of the 59th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 16 of Title 9 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Uniform Civil Forfeiture Procedure Act, so as to provide for hearings upon the seizure of certain property; to provide that certain properties shall not be subject to forfeiture; to provide for a definition; to provide for criteria; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
HB 859. By Representatives Scott of the 76th, Beverly of the 143rd, Davis of the 87th, and Schofield of the 60th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 16 of Title 9 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Uniform Civil Forfeiture Procedure Act, so as to provide that certain property is exempt from seizure or forfeiture under the Uniform Civil Forfeiture Procedure Act; to provide for a duty of the Attorney General; 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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HB 860. By Representatives Scott of the 76th, Beverly of the 143rd, Davis of the 87th, and Schofield of the 60th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 16 of Title 9 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Uniform Civil Forfeiture Procedure Act, so as to require reporting of property seized and forfeited to the Carl Vinson Institute of Government of the University of Georgia; to provide for a definition; to require the reporting of certain information; to establish a case tracking system and searchable public website of such information; to provide for reporting requirements; to provide for civil penalties; to provide for audits and public information; to provide for a duty of the Attorney General; to provide for rules; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
HB 861. By Representatives Scott of the 76th, Schofield of the 60th, Davis of the 87th, Hugley of the 136th, Buckner of the 137th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 3 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20, Article 1 of Chapter 1 of Title 42, and Chapter 1 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health, inmate policies, and general provisions regarding social services, respectively, so as to increase access to disposable menstrual products in public schools, penal institutions, certain social service shelters, and housing facilities; to provide for definitions; to require the provision of disposable menstrual products to certain persons at no cost; to authorize the Department of Education to promulgate model policies and guidance for local boards of education; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
HB 863. By Representatives Scott of the 76th, Schofield of the 60th, Buckner of the 137th, Hugley of the 136th, Davis of the 87th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, so as to require the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia to make menstrual hygiene products available at no cost to students in certain facilities or portions of facilities of institutions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on HIGHER EDUCATION
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HB 864. By Representatives Scott of the 76th, Hugley of the 136th, Schofield of the 60th, Buckner of the 137th, Davis of the 87th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to public assistance, so as to provide for the submission of a waiver request by the Department of Human Services to permit the recipients of certain public assistance benefits to use such benefits for the purpose of purchasing diapers or menstrual hygiene products if the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service makes such waiver available to states; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
HB 937. By Representative Henderson of the 113th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 7 of Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to medical assistance generally, so as to provide for Medicaid coverage for annual mammograms at no cost to the recipient; to provide for submission of a state plan amendment or waiver, if necessary; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
HB 938. By Representative Jones of the 53rd: 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 provide that June 6 of each year shall be "Women's Golf Day" in Georgia; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on STATE PLANNING & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
HB 939. By Representatives Mainor of the 56th, Cantrell of the 22nd, Paris of the 142nd, Jackson of the 128th, Hagan of the 156th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 1 of Article 6 of Chapter 3 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to the rights and privileges of patients and their representatives regarding examination and treatment
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for mental illness, so as to provide for notice of admission and daily updates from a facility to the parent or legal guardian of an involuntary minor patient under 12 years of age; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
HB 940. By Representatives Scott of the 76th, Davis of the 87th, Schofield of the 60th, and Burnough of the 77th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 4 of Title 53 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to wills, so as to provide for electronic wills; to provide for applicable law; to provide for execution of electronic wills; to provide for revocation; to provide for attestation and self-proving wills; to provide for certified paper copies; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
HB 941. By Representatives McLeod of the 105th, Beverly of the 143rd, Scott of the 76th, McClain of the 100th, Bazemore of the 63rd, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to comprehensively revise elections and voting by repealing Act No. 9 (Senate Bill No. 202) approved on March 25, 2021 (Ga. L. 2021, p. 14); to amend Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the O.C.G.A., relating to elections and primaries generally, so as to revise certain definitions; to amend Chapter 35 of Title 36 of the O.C.G.A., relating to home rule powers, so as to repeal the delay of reapportionment of municipal corporation election districts when census numbers are delayed; to amend Title 50 of the O.C.G.A., relating to general provisions regarding state government, so as to repeal certain limitations on the submission and suspension of emergency rules by the State Election Board; 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 942. By Representatives Wade of the 9th and Ralston of the 7th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act creating the Board of Commissioners of Dawson County, approved March 27, 1995 (Ga. L. 1995, p. 3689), as amended, particularly by an Act approved September 21, 2011 (Ga. L. 2011 Ex. Sess., p. 326), so
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as to change the description of the commissioner districts; to provide for definitions and inclusions; to provide for continuation in office of current members; to provide for effective dates; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 943. By Representatives Wade of the 9th and Ralston of the 7th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act providing for an elected Board of Education of Dawson County, approved March 23, 1977 (Ga. L. 1977, p. 3529), as amended, particularly by an Act approved September 21, 2011 (Ga. L. 2011 Ex. Sess., p. 322), so as to change the description of the education districts; to provide for definitions and inclusions; to provide for continuation in office of current members; to provide for effective dates; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 944. By Representative Holmes of the 129th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act creating the board of commissioners of Jasper County, approved July 23, 1923 (Ga. L. 1923, p. 255), as amended, particularly by an Act approved February 15, 2012 (Ga. L. 2012, p. 3573), so as to revise the districts for the election of members of the board of commissioners; to provide for definitions and inclusions; to provide for the continuation in office of current members; 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 945. By Representative Holmes of the 129th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act creating the Board of Commissioners of Butts County, approved February 24, 1941 (Ga. L. 1941, p. 793), as amended, particularly by an Act approved September 21, 2011 (Ga. L. 2011 Ex. Sess., p. 380), so as to revise the districts for the election of members of the board of commissioners; to
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provide for definitions and inclusions; to provide for continuation in office of current members; to provide for effective dates; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 946. By Representative Holmes of the 129th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act providing for the election of the members of the Board of Education of Butts County, approved March 30, 1987 (Ga. L. 1987, p. 4919), as amended, particularly by an Act approved September 21, 2011 (Ga. L. 2011 Ex. Sess., p. 386), so as to revise the districts for the election of members of the board of education; to provide for definitions and inclusions; to provide for continuation in office of current members; to provide for effective dates; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 947. By Representative Holmes of the 129th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act reconstituting the Board of Education of Jasper County, approved April 5, 1993 (Ga. L. 1993, p. 4622), as amended, particularly by an Act approved February 12, 2012 (Ga. L. 2012, p. 3579), so as to change the description of the education districts for the board of education; to provide for definitions and inclusions; to provide for the continuation in office of current board members; 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 948. By Representatives Rhodes of the 120th and Leverett of the 33rd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act providing for the election of members of the Board of Education of Wilkes County, approved March 18, 1986 (Ga. L. 1986, p. 4091), as amended, particularly by an Act approved September 21, 2011 (Ga. L. 2011 Ex. Sess., p. 432), so as to change the description of the education districts; to provide for
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continuation in office of certain current board members; to provide for effective dates; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 949. By Representative Rhodes of the 120th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act creating a Board of Commissioners of Oglethorpe County, approved February 13, 1986 (Ga. L. 1986, p. 3586), as amended, particularly by an Act approved September 21, 2011 (Ga. L. 2011 Ex. Sess., p. 423), so as to revise the districts for the election of members of the board of commissioners; to provide for a definition and inclusions; to provide for the continuation in office of the current members; 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 950. By Representative Rhodes of the 120th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act providing for the election of members of the Board of Education of Oglethorpe County, approved March 31, 1967 (Ga. L. 1967, p. 2370), as amended, particularly by an Act approved September 21, 2011 (Ga. L. 2011 Ex. Sess., p. 427), so as to provide new district boundaries; to provide for definitions and inclusions; to provide for the continuation in office of the current board members; to provide for election and terms of office of subsequent members; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 951. By Representative Leverett of the 33rd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act providing for a board of commissioners of Elbert County, approved February 27, 1875 (Ga. L. 1875, p. 253), as amended, particularly by an Act approved February 13, 1986 (Ga. L. 1986, p. 3598), so as to change the description of the commissioner districts; to provide for definitions and
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inclusions; to provide for continuation in office of current members; 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 952. By Representative Leverett of the 33rd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act reconstituting and recreating the Board of Education of Elbert County, approved February 13, 1986 (Ga. L. 1986, p. 3578), as amended, so as to change the description of the education districts; to provide for definitions and inclusions; to provide for continuation in office of current members; to provide for election and terms of office of subsequent members; 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 953. By Representative Leverett of the 33rd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act creating the Board of Commissioners of Lincoln County, approved February 25, 1949 (Ga. L. 1949, p. 1228), as amended, particularly by an Act approved April 5, 2002 (Ga. L. 2002, p. 4909) and by an Act approved March 27, 2012 (Ga. L. 2012, p. 4561), so as to change the description of the commissioner districts; to define certain terms and provide for certain inclusions; to provide for continuation in office of current members; to provide for related matters; to provide effective dates; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 954. By Representative Leverett of the 33rd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act providing for the election of members of the Board of Education of Lincoln County, approved March 10, 1986 (Ga. L. 1986, p. 3661), as amended, particularly by an Act approved May 13, 2002 (Ga. L. 2002, p. 5766) and by an Act approved March 27, 2012 (Ga. L. 2012, p. 4565), so as to change the description of the education districts; to define certain terms and provide for certain
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inclusions; to provide for continuation in office of current members; to provide for related matters; to provide effective dates; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 955. By Representatives Williams of the 148th, Hogan of the 179th, Mathis of the 144th, and Gilliard of the 162nd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act creating the Board of Commissioners of Crisp County, approved August 6, 1908 (Ga. L. 1908, p. 295), as amended, particularly by an Act approved April 24, 2013 (Ga. L. 2013, p. 3580), so as to change the descriptions of commissioner districts and posts for the election of members of the board of commissioners; to provide for definitions and inclusions; to provide for continuation in office of current members; to provide for effective dates; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 956. By Representatives Williams of the 148th, Hogan of the 179th, Mathis of the 144th, and Gilliard of the 162nd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to reconstitute the Board of Education of Crisp County; to provide for legislative purpose; to provide for the composition and election of said board; to provide for election districts; to provide for terms of office; to provide for qualifications for office; to abolish the current Board of Education of Crisp County on a date certain and shorten the terms of office of certain members of such board; to provide for a referendum; to provide for effective dates; to repeal a local constitutional amendment proposed by a certain resolution act; to repeal a specific act; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 957. By Representative Parrish of the 158th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act to reconstitute the Board of Education of Candler County, approved January 15, 1993 (Ga. L. 1993, p. 3529), as amended, particularly by an Act approved February 15, 2012 (Ga. L. 2012, p. 3591), so as to revise the districts for the election of members of the board of education; to provide for
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definitions and inclusions; to provide for qualifications and manner of election; to provide for related matters; to provide effective dates; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 958. By Representative Parrish of the 158th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act creating a Board of Commissioners of Candler County, approved March 23, 1933 (Ga. L. 1933, p. 430), as amended, particularly by an Act approved February 15, 2012 (Ga. L. 2012, p. 3585), so as to change the description of the commissioner districts; to provide for definitions and inclusions; to provide for continuation in office of current members; to provide for effective dates; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 959. By Representatives Smith of the 133rd, Smith of the 134th, and Buckner of the 137th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act relating to the Board of Commissioners of Harris County, approved March 17, 1869 (Ga. L. 1869, p. 170), as amended, particularly by an Act approved February 27, 2012 (Ga. L. 2012, p. 3677), so as to change the description of the commissioner districts; to provide definitions and inclusions; to provide for the continuation in office of current members; 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 960. By Representatives Leverett of the 33rd, Barr of the 103rd, Oliver of the 82nd, and Wilson of the 80th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 12 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Governor, so as to establish the Office of the Inspector General; to provide for definitions; to provide for duties; to provide certain powers; to provide procedures for the application of the duties and powers of such office; to provide a duty to report certain actions; 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 961. By Representatives Efstration of the 104th, Oliver of the 82nd, Williamson of the 115th, Smith of the 18th, Hatchett of the 150th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 51-12-33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to reduction and apportionment of award or bar of recovery according to percentage of fault of parties and nonparties, so as to authorize apportionment of damages in single-defendant lawsuits; to provide for evidence of fault of nonparties; to provide for related matters; to provide for applicability; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
HB 962. By Representatives Scott of the 76th, Beverly of the 143rd, Davis of the 87th, and Carter of the 92nd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 1 of Article 4 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to dangerous instrumentalities and practices, so as to provide for the reporting of a lost or stolen firearm; to provide for penalties for failure to report; to provide for an exception; to provide for the entry of information regarding such firearm into the criminal justice information system; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on PUBLIC SAFETY & HOMELAND SECURITY
HB 963. By Representatives Parrish of the 158th, Stephens of the 164th, and Burchett of the 176th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 13 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to controlled substances, so as to change certain provisions relating to Schedule I controlled substances and Schedule IV controlled substances; to change certain provisions relating to the definition of dangerous drugs; to provide an effective date; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
HB 964. By Representatives Mainor of the 56th, Cantrell of the 22nd, Lim of the 99th, Wilkerson of the 38th, and Sharper of the 177th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 81 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to local government budgets and audits, so as to require local constitutional officers to annually report audits of discretionary funds to the
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General Assembly; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
HB 965. By Representatives Mainor of the 56th, Jackson of the 128th, Thomas of the 65th, Jones of the 53rd, and Mallow of the 163rd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 2 of Article 15 of Chapter 1 of Title 10 and Article 1 of Chapter 7 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Fair Business Practices Act and landlord and tenant in general, respectively, so as to provide that certain landlords shall provide certain notices to existing and prospective tenants with regard to certain crimes occurring on the premises being leased; to provide for an additional declared unlawful act relative to landlord and tenant transactions; to provide a definition; to provide for sanctions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
HB 966. By Representatives Thomas of the 65th, Drenner of the 85th, Evans of the 83rd, Jones of the 53rd, and Buckner of the 137th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 3 of Title 46 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to electrical service, so as to require that retail consumers view a solar awareness presentation prior to purchasing certain solar technology; to provide for a short title; to provide for definitions; to require certain documentation; to provide for the Public Service Commission to develop such solar awareness presentation and to promulgate certain rules and regulations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
HB 967. By Representatives Scott of the 76th, Jackson of the 64th, and Davis of the 87th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 17-10-1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to fixing of sentence, suspension or probation of sentence, change in sentence, eligibility for parole, prohibited modifications, and exceptions, so as to provide for an alternative sentence of military service for certain defendants; to provide for requirements; to provide for resentencing for failure to meet requirements; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL
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HB 968. By Representatives Scott of the 76th, Davis of the 87th, Schofield of the 60th, Sharper of the 177th, and McLeod of the 105th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 4 of Title 25, Code Section 31-11-52, and Chapter 8 of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to firefighter standards and training, certification and recertification of, and training for, paramedics and cardiac technicians, and employment and training of peace officers, respectively, so as to provide for ethics and diversity training for such professions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on PUBLIC SAFETY & HOMELAND SECURITY
HB 969. By Representatives Smith of the 18th, Williams of the 148th, Erwin of the 28th, Gaines of the 117th, and Gambill of the 15th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 13 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance holding company systems, so as to update the regulation of insurance company holding systems per direction from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners; to provide for definitions; to provide guidelines for group capital calculation in insurance company holding systems; to provide guidelines for liquidity stress test framework in insurance company holding systems; to provide standards governing transactions within an insurance holding company system when an insurer is deemed to be in a hazardous financial condition; to provide protections for an affiliate in an insurance holding company system when a domestic insurer is subject to certain proceedings; to provide clarifications on confidentiality and to extend confidentiality protections to third-party consultants designated by the Commissioner; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INSURANCE
HB 970. By Representatives Scott of the 76th, Davis of the 87th, Schofield of the 60th, and Williams of the 168th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 4 of Title 38 of the O.C.G.A., relating to veterans benefits, so as to enact the "Veterans Postsecondary Education Act"; to provide a short title; to provide for certain educational benefits to veterans, their spouses, and children; to provide for in-state resident tuition rates for minor children and spouses of veterans enrolled in the university system of higher learning and public postsecondary education programs; to provide for a fee waiver of online postsecondary course work; to provide course credit based on military experience, education, and
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training; to provide for the development and implementation of certain nursing degree programs for veterans; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on HIGHER EDUCATION
HB 971. By Representatives Scott of the 76th, Beverly of the 143rd, Schofield of the 60th, Davis of the 87th, and McLeod of the 105th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 15-5-24, Article 4 of Chapter 11 of Title 16, and Article 1 of Chapter 2 of Title 35 of the O.C.G.A., relating to the duties of the Administrative Office of the Courts, dangerous instrumentalities and practices, and the Department of Public Safety, respectively, so as to provide for the offenses of failure to store a firearm in a secure manner; to provide for definitions; to provide for penalties; to provide for exceptions; to require that a gun lock be furnished to the buyer in all retail firearm sales made by firearm dealers; 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 PUBLIC SAFETY & HOMELAND SECURITY
HB 972. By Representatives Belton of the 112th, Gambill of the 15th, Powell of the 32nd, Collins of the 68th, Jackson of the 128th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 10A of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to licensing provisions regarding professional counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists, so as to change certain definitions; to provide for an additional member to the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists; to change the licensing requirement and exceptions; to change the eligibility for licensure requirements; to remove the ability of the board to issue a license without examination; to change the requirement for licensure in professional counseling; to eliminate certain continuing education requirements; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on REGULATED INDUSTRIES
HB 973. By Representatives Collins of the 68th, Hitchens of the 161st, Powell of the 32nd, and Lumsden of the 12th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 10 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to Governor's Office of Highway Safety, so as to provide the
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director with authority to employ peace officers; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on PUBLIC SAFETY & HOMELAND SECURITY
HB 974. By Representatives Gullett of the 19th, Gunter of the 8th, Scoggins of the 14th, Jones of the 25th, Holcomb of the 81st, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to recordation and registration of deeds and other instruments, so as to require electronic filing; to provide for the effect of a missing or incorrect tax parcel identification number on a recorded instrument; to amend Chapter 14 of Title 44, relating to mortgages, conveyances to secure debt, and liens, so as to require certain information on the first page of security deeds; to provide for an effective date; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
HB 975. By Representatives Scoggins of the 14th, Werkheiser of the 157th, Cheokas of the 138th, Rhodes of the 120th, Greene of the 151st, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the O.C.G.A., relating to elections and primaries generally, so as to provide for the ability of the judge of the probate court to cease acting as superintendent of elections; to provide for the creation of a board of elections and the selection and appointment of members to take the place of the judge of the probate court; to provide for offices and equipment; to provide for the board's performance of certain functions and duties for certain municipalities; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
HB 976. By Representatives Schofield of the 60th, Jackson of the 128th, Scott of the 76th, Buckner of the 137th, Bentley of the 139th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to agriculture, so as to establish the Black Farmer Restoration Office; to provide definitions; to establish and provide requirements for the Farm Conservation Corps; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER AFFAIRS
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HB 977. By Representatives Schofield of the 60th, Kirby of the 114th, Hugley of the 136th, Carter of the 92nd, Scott of the 76th, 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 JUDICIARY
HB 978. By Representatives Smith of the 70th, Stephens of the 164th, England of the 116th, Greene of the 151st, and Dempsey of the 13th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 2 of Article 5 of Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to county boards of tax assessors, so as to provide that each county board of tax assessors shall review and conduct full appraisals of all properties located in any declared federal disaster areas to determine if the appraised value of such properties still reflects their fair market values after such disaster; to provide for adjustments in value for the effects of the disaster; to provide for certain notices to property owners; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
HB 979. By Representatives Mallow of the 163rd, Holcomb of the 81st, Stephens of the 164th, Evans of the 57th, and Lim of the 99th: 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, computation, and exemptions from income taxes, so as to provide for a tax credit for lower income individuals who lease dwellings under certain conditions; to provide for conditions and limitations; to provide for rules and regulations and forms; 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
HR 594. By Representatives Smith of the 70th, Stephens of the 164th, England of the 116th, Greene of the 151st, and Dempsey of the 13th: A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Georgia so as to provide that county and municipal governing authorities shall be authorized to grant temporary tax relief to properties severely damaged or destroyed as a result of a disaster
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and located within a nationally declared disaster area; to provide for related matters; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS HR 595. By Representatives Evans of the 83rd, Washburn of the 141st, Buckner of the 137th, Thomas of the 21st, Thomas of the 65th, and others: A RESOLUTION urging the Georgia Building Authority to plan for sustainable materials management and safe drinking water on the capitol campus properties; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on STATE PROPERTIES
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SENATE FIRST READERS IN HOUSE TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2022 SIXTH LEGISLATIVE DAY
SB 335. By Senator Gooch of the 51st: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act creating the Board of Commissioners of Lumpkin County, approved April 13, 2001 (Ga. L. 2001, p. 4272), as amended, particularly by an Act approved September 21, 2011 (Ga. L. 2011 Ex. Sess., p. 331), so as to reconstitute the board of commissioners; to change the description of the commissioner districts; to provide for definitions and inclusions; to provide for continuation in office of current members; to provide for effective dates; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
SB 336. By Senator Walker III of the 20th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act revising and restating the law relating to the Bleckley County Board of Education and school superintendent, approved April 20, 2012 (Ga. L. 2012, p. 5588), so as to provide new district boundaries; to provide for definitions and inclusions; to provide for continuation in office of the current members; to provide for effective dates; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
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