First readers in House, 2022 March 4

FIRST READERS IN HOUSE FRIDAY, MARCH 04, 2022 TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATIVE DAY
*Rules Suspended
HB 1488. 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), as amended, so as to revise provisions relating to the composition and elections of the City of Pelham Board of Education; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 1489. By Representatives Momtahan of the 17th, Gullett of the 19th, Gravley of the 67th, and Kelley of the 16th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act creating the Board of Commissioners of Paulding County, approved April 17, 1975 (Ga. L. 1975, p. 2916), as amended, so as to provide for certain actions occurring within the fire districts of the county to be approved by the local board of education; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 1490. By Representatives Hagan of the 156th, Rich of the 97th, Jones of the 47th, Lim of the 99th, and Werkheiser of the 157th: 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 afford employees time off to vote on days of advance voting in addition to election days; to provide that employers may request that an employee provide proof that he or she presented himself or herself at the polling place; to provide that polling officers and absentee ballot clerks provide electors such proof upon request; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ELECTION INTEGRITY
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HB 1491. By Representatives Momtahan of the 17th, Powell of the 32nd, Stephens of the 164th, Gullett of the 19th, Ridley of the 6th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 46 of the O.C.G.A., relating to generation and distribution of electricity generally, so as to change certain provisions relating to "The Georgia Cogeneration and Distributed Generation Act of 2001" and the "Solar Power Free-Market Financing Act of 2015"; 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 1492. By Representatives Jones of the 47th and Cantrell of the 22nd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act incorporating the City of Milton in Fulton County, Georgia, approved March 29, 2006 (Ga. L. 2006, p. 3554), as amended, so as to modify the maximum income for a senior homestead exemption; to provide for definitions; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements; to provide for a referendum, effective dates, and automatic repeal; to provide for applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 1493. By Representatives Jones of the 47th and Cantrell of the 22nd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act incorporating the City of Milton in Fulton County, Georgia, approved March 29, 2006 (Ga. L. 2006, p. 3554), as amended, so as to increase the amount of a senior homestead exemption; to provide for definitions; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements; to provide for a referendum, effective dates, a contingent effective date, and automatic repeal; to provide for applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 1494. By Representatives Gullett of the 19th, Martin of the 49th, Anderson of the 10th, Momtahan of the 17th, and Gambill of the 15th: 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 certain disclosures prior to the sale or lease of distributed energy generation systems; to require a person installing
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such system to be licensed as an electrical contractor; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for penalties; to provide for exceptions; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
HB 1495. By Representative Dukes of the 154th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act creating the Board of Commissioners of Seminole County, approved August 16, 1920 (Ga. L. 1920, p. 610), as amended, so as to change the description of the commission districts; to provide for definitions and inclusions; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 1496. By Representatives Gullett of the 19th, Rich of the 97th, Anderson of the 10th, Dickey of the 140th, Gaines of the 117th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 3 of Title 4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to livestock running at large, so as to authorize a sheriff impounding livestock running at large to donate the livestock to an animal rescue organization or private individual instead of selling it at auction or killing it; to provide for notice; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER AFFAIRS
HB 1497. By Representatives Jones of the 47th and Cantrell of the 22nd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act incorporating the City of Milton in Fulton County, Georgia, approved March 29, 2006 (Ga. L. 2006, p. 3554), as amended, so as to repeal a homestead exemption for citizens of the City of Milton age 65 years or older meeting certain income requirements as found in Section 6.34 of the city charter; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements; to provide for a referendum, effective dates, a contingent effective date, and automatic repeal; to provide for applicability; 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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HB 1498. By Representative Holcomb of the 81st: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 5-5-41 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to requirements as to extraordinary motions for new trial generally, notice of filing of motion, limitations as to number of extraordinary motions in criminal cases, and DNA testing, so as to provide for remedies where evidence has been lost or destroyed by the state; to amend Article 3 of Chapter 5 of Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to disposition of property seized, so as to provide that court clerks maintain and store all physical evidence introduced in felony trials after conviction; to provide for the preservation and documentation of certain evidence; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL
HB 1499. By Representatives Park of the 101st, Efstration of the 104th, Clark of the 108th, Rich of the 97th, McClain of the 100th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act to continue and re-create the State Court of Gwinnett County, approved March 23, 1977 (Ga. L. 1977, p. 3331), as amended, particularly by an Act approved April 19, 2006 (Ga. L. 2006, p. 3718), so as to provide for an additional judge for the State Court of Gwinnett County; 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 1500. By Representatives Washburn of the 141st, Burns of the 159th, Watson of the 172nd, Powell of the 32nd, and Williamson of the 115th: 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 change certain provisions relating to certain boxing, wrestling, and martial art associations and federations; to revise a definition; to change the applicability of certain provisions as to matches, contests, or exhibitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on REGULATED INDUSTRIES
HB 1501. By Representatives Leverett of the 33rd, Williamson of the 115th, and Hatchett of the 150th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 39 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to regulation of employment of minors, so as to repeal certain provisions relating to employment certificate requirements for minors; to prohibit
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requiring such certificates of employment; to provide for definitions; to provide for the issuance of certificates of age upon request; to provide requirements for the issuance of certificates of age, blank forms, and authorized issuing officers; to authorize the employment of minors for certain work; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INDUSTRY AND LABOR
HB 1502. By Representatives Gaines of the 117th, Wiedower of the 119th, Collins of the 68th, Dempsey of the 13th, Williamson of the 115th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 15 of Chapter 6 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to serious traffic offenses, so as to require that persons convicted of driving under the influence reimburse the jurisdiction that incurred the costs of drawing and testing the person's blood; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL
HB 1503. By Representatives Evans of the 83rd, Oliver of the 82nd, Drenner of the 85th, Park of the 101st, Clark of the 108th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 2 of Title 46 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the general jurisdiction, powers, and duties of the Public Service Commission, so as to repeal a provision allowing for the recovery of financing costs for the construction of nuclear generation plants from Georgia's electric service customers; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
HB 1504. By Representatives McLaurin of the 51st, Schofield of the 60th, Beverly of the 143rd, Mitchell of the 106th, Kennard of the 102nd, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state government, so as to provide for definitions; to create the Office of the Department of Corrections Ombudsman; to provide for its powers, duties, and responsibilities; to provide for an ombudsman; to provide for such person's powers, duties, and responsibilities; to provide for a Corrections Oversight Committee; to provide for its composition, powers, duties, and responsibilities; to provide for inspections and
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reports; to provide for confidentiality; to provide for forms and hotlines for filing of complaints and inquiries; to provide for the investigation of complaints and resolution thereof; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on PUBLIC SAFETY & HOMELAND SECURITY
HB 1505. By Representatives Smith of the 18th, Gunter of the 8th, Scoggins of the 14th, and Fleming of the 121st: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 16-10-23 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to impersonating a public officer or employee, so as to provide for the offense of impersonating an officer of the court; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL
HB 1506. By Representatives Marin of the 96th, Park of the 101st, and Nguyen of the 89th: 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 November 22 shall be designated "Kimchi 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 1507. By Representatives Momtahan of the 17th, Gullett of the 19th, Gravley of the 67th, Kelley of the 16th, Alexander of the 66th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend a former local constitutional amendment, (Ga. L. 1982, p. 2511), which former local constitutional amendment was continued in effect as statutory law pursuant to Article VII, Section II, Paragraph IV of the Constitution of Georgia and which provided that the homestead of each resident of the Paulding County School District who is 65 years of age or over, regardless of income, shall be exempt from ad valorem taxation for educational purposes levied by or on behalf of the Paulding County School District, including ad valorem taxation to pay interest on or to retire school bond indebtedness, in the amount of 50 percent of the assessed value of such homestead minus any applicable exemptions otherwise provided by this Constitution on
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such homestead for educational purposes, 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 1508. By Representatives Wiedower of the 119th, Gunter of the 8th, Gravley of the 67th, Gaines of the 117th, and Ehrhart of the 36th: 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 expedite and prioritize processes for the termination of parental rights in certain cases involving parental incapacity and child maltreatment; to revise and to provide for definitions; to revise circumstances for when reasonable efforts by DFCS are not required; to revise requirements for nonreunification hearings; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to provide for applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on JUVENILE JUSTICE
HB 1509. By Representatives Gilliard of the 162nd, Stephens of the 164th, Jackson of the 165th, Hitchens of the 161st, Mallow of the 163rd, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act completely revising the laws relative to the governing authority of Chatham County, approved March 29, 1984 (Ga. L. 1984, p. 5050), as amended, so as to change the description of the commissioner districts; to provide for definitions and inclusions; to provide for the continuance in office of current members; to provide an effective date; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 1510. By Representatives Gilliard of the 162nd, Stephens of the 164th, Jackson of the 165th, Hitchens of the 161st, Mallow of the 163rd, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act relating to the school system of the City of Savannah and Chatham County, approved March 21, 1968 (Ga. L. 1968, p. 2636), 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
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provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION LOCAL
HB 1511. By Representatives Smith of the 18th, Greene of the 151st, Mathis of the 144th, Jenkins of the 132nd, and Evans of the 57th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 1 of Article 2 of Chapter 8 of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the "Georgia Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Act," so as to prohibit the permitting of new municipal solid waste landfills if construction of any portion of such landfill site will require the filling of any perennial stream where the Tallapoosa darter (Etheostoma tallapoosae), a species protected pursuant to Article 5 of Chapter 3 of Title 27, the "Endangered Wildlife Act of 1973," may be found; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT
HB 1512. By Representatives Powell of the 32nd, Benton of the 31st, and Tarvin of the 2nd: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the O.C.G.A., relating to state flag, seal, and other symbols, so as to revise provisions for the protection of government monuments, plaques, statues, banners, and other commemorative symbols; to expand provisions to cover certain privately owned monuments; to provide for interested parties for the protection of moments and for standing regarding the same; to provide for injunctive relief, expenses, and attorney's fees; to authorize the Attorney General and district attorneys to represent interested parties in actions to protect monuments; to provide that particularized or personal concrete injury are not required to bring an action to protect a monument; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on RULES
HB 1513. By Representatives Mainor of the 56th and Lim of the 99th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the O.C.G.A., relating to elementary and secondary education, so as to provide for the designation of a nonprofit organization to govern high school athletics in this state; to provide that such organization shall not be considered a state agency but shall be governed by laws relating to open meetings and the inspection of public records; to provide for definitions; to provide for a governing structure; to provide requirements for a board of directors; to
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authorize independent audits; to provide for the submission of audit reports to the Board of Education; to provide for a representative assembly; to provide for a public liaison advisory committee; to provide for due process and appeals; to provide for amendments to the bylaws; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on EDUCATION
HB 1514. By Representatives Mainor of the 56th and Bennett of the 94th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 33 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to physical therapists, so as to revise the definition of "physical therapy" to include ordering diagnostic imaging and using ultrasound; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
HB 1515. By Representatives Bentley of the 139th, Martin of the 49th, Dempsey of the 13th, Jackson of the 128th, Powell of the 32nd, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 20-3-411 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to definitions regarding tuition equalization grants at private colleges and universities, so as to revise the definition of approved school to include schools which were previously accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, are now accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, and meet other requirements; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on HIGHER EDUCATION
HB 1516. By Representatives Gaines of the 117th, Wiedower of the 119th, and Frye of the 118th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 10 of Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Georgia Music Hall of Fame Authority, so as to provide for definitions; to provide for the continuation in office of the members of the authority; to provide for membership, appointment, and qualifications; to repeal provisions relating to joint operation between the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame; to revise the corporate purposes and general powers; to provide for jurisdiction of actions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on CREATIVE ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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HB 1518. By Representatives Paris of the 142nd, Hutchinson of the 107th, Beverly of the 143rd, Davis of the 87th, and Schofield of the 60th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 31 of the O.C.G.A., relating to health, so as to repeal in its entirety Chapter 26, relating to the practice of midwifery; to amend Title 43 of the O.C.G.A., relating to professions and businesses, so as to provide for the licensure and regulation of community midwives; to amend Code Section 43-26-12 of the O.C.G.A., relating to exceptions to the operation of the "Georgia Registered Professional Nurse Practice Act," so as to provide for an exception relating to the practice of midwifery; 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 1519. By Representatives Knight of the 130th, Newton of the 123rd, Jasperse of the 11th, Hawkins of the 27th, and Hatchett of the 150th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 24 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance generally, so as to prohibit insurers from unilaterally changing network participation contracts impacting coverage, access to, or costs of ancillary services; to provide for definitions; 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 SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE
HB 1520. By Representatives Hawkins of the 27th, Jasperse of the 11th, Cooper of the 43rd, Bentley of the 139th, Dempsey of the 13th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health, so as to create the Georgia Council on Addressing Health Care Workforce Challenges; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for a definition; to provide for members and officers; to provide for meetings, agendas, quorum, and compensation; to provide for the commission's duties and powers; to provide for automatic repeal; 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 1530. By Representatives Neal of the 74th, Nix of the 69th, Hogan of the 179th, Evans of the 57th, Gambill of the 15th, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 20 of the O.C.G.A., relating to education, so as to provide for HOPE small business grants; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on REGULATED INDUSTRIES
*HB 1531. By Representatives LaHood of the 175th, Petrea of the 166th, Newton of the 123rd, Lott of the 122nd, and Williams of the 148th: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 7 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to regulation of hospitals and related institutions, so as to revise provisions relating to minimum staffing requirements in assisted living communities and memory care centers; to provide a definition; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on HUMAN RELATIONS & AGING
HR 896. By Representatives Hitchens of the 161st, Clark of the 147th, Bonner of the 72nd, Prince of the 127th, and Williams of the 168th: A RESOLUTION creating the House Study Committee on Alternative Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment Resources for Veterans; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on DEFENSE & VETERANS AFFAIRS
HR 897. By Representatives Hitchens of the 161st and Werkheiser of the 157th: A RESOLUTION honoring the life of Sheriff Quinton Rush and dedicating a road in his memory; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on TRANSPORTATION
HR 898. By Representative Metze of the 55th: A RESOLUTION recognizing and condemning threats of violence against historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and reaffirming support for HBCUs and their students; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on HIGHER EDUCATION
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HR 908. By Representatives Schofield of the 60th, Beverly of the 143rd, Boddie of the 62nd, Scott of the 76th, and McClain of the 100th: A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to create the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Fund; to authorize the dedication of certain revenues to be deposited into such fund; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on INDUSTRY AND LABOR *HR 920. By Representatives Ralston of the 7th, Jones of the 47th, Burns of the 159th, Beverly of the 143rd, Smith of the 134th, and others: A RESOLUTION condemning the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on RULES
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SENATE FIRST READERS IN HOUSE FRIDAY, MARCH 04, 2022
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATIVE DAY SB 403. By Senators Watson of the 1st, Albers of the 56th, Cowsert of the 46th, Robertson of the 29th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, and others: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 37 of the O.C.G.A., relating to mental health, so as to enact the "Georgia Behavioral Health and Peace Officer Co-Responder Act"; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES SR 504. By Senators Mullis of the 53rd, Hatchett of the 50th, Anderson of the 24th, and Gooch of the 51st: A RESOLUTION recognizing the significant role that Native American tribes have played in Georgia and dedicating a tree on the state capitol grounds in their honor; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on STATE PLANNING & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
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Locations