Weekly wrap-up [House] [Mar. 10, 1997]

Ga Ho.use Information Office - Weekly Wrap-up

http://www.state.ga.us/Legis/1997_98/house/hinfo/wrap_7.htm

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GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE ROOM 131, STATE CAPITOL 30334 404-656-5082 1-800-282-5800
Week #7 Wrap-up

The Teenage Driver Responsibility Act -- HB 681, which has been in the works for many months, was adopted by the House, 171 to 6, this past week. The bill has four main goals. First, to stop teenage DUI offenses; second, to stop teenage driving accidents; third, to use teenage driver licenses as a tool to keep them in school; and, fourth, to have firm but fair impact on all drivers.
Under the bill, teens under age 18 would have restricted licenses that limit the number of passengers allowed in the car, prohibit drinking while driving and impose a 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. nighttime driving curfew unless going to and from employment; school event; activity sponsored by a religious organization; medical, fire or law enforcement emergency. The bill also toughens drunken driving laws, including requiring a 24-hour jail term for first-time drunken drivers.
Under the section dealing with graduated licenses for teenagers 15 to 18 years of age, Instructional permits would be granted to 15 year olds as is currently the law upon passing the written examination. A Class D license would be issued to 16 year olds upon passing the driving test. The Class D license is limited by the following: No driving between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless: going to and from employment; school event; activity sponsored by a religious organization; medical, fire or law enforcement emergency. No driving with more than three other persons under age 21 in the vehicle who are not family members.
A teenager could obtain a regular license at age 18 ifhe or she has gone 12 consecutive months without a conviction ofDUI, eluding a police officer, drag racing, reckless driving, hit run, and any moving violation for which there is assessed four or more points on the driver's license.
A zero alcohol tolerance is the DUI standard for drivers age 15 to 21. Any blood-alcohol content of .02 percent or greater would be considered a DUI for any driver under the age of 21.
First time offenders with a blood alcohol content of .08 or more would have a mandatory jail sentence, upon conviction, of 24 hours. This provision applies for teenagers as well but they would have to be separated from the rest of the main prison population.
No teenager could obtain a license or instruction permit unless he or she is attending a public school, private school, or enrolled in home schooling authorized by law. Teenagers also could not have missed more than 10 consecutive school days of unexcused absences in.any semester or any consecutive quarter without having their license suspended.
The driver license of a student will be suspended for 60 day if the student is suspended from school for anyone ofthe following: Threatening, striking, or causing bodily harm to a teacher; possession or sale of drugs or alcohol on school grounds; possession or use of a weapon on school grounds. A student could obtain a temporary driving permit from the Department of Public Safety to drive to and from work ifhe or she demonstrates the necessity for such a permit. But such a permit would only be granted ifthe license is suspended for a school-related infraction or dropping out of school. No temporary permit would be granted for a DUI offense.
Other provisions include changing the nolo contendere plea for DUI charges to be treated as a conviction for all purposes, and second time offenders to undergo a clinical evaluation. And if indicated by such

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Ga Hquse Infonnation Office - Weekly Wrap-up

http://www.state.ga.us/Legis/1997_98/house/hinfo/wrap_7.htm

evaluation, must complete a substance abuse program.
Underage Drinking -- The House further targeted underage drinking in approving HB 250, which suspends for six months the driver license of any underage person caught trying to buy alcoholic beverages. The legislation also authorizes store clerks to obtain infonnation such as the name, address, and phone number for the arrest of persons under the age of 21 attempting to buy alcohol with fraudulent identification. The measure passed 158 to 12.
Supplemental Budget -- Also this past week House and Senate agreeded on HB 34, the state supplemental budget for the remainder of this fiscal year. The $900,000 the House had eannarked to help pay the $1.027 million debt the Paralympics owe for using the Olympic Village at Georgia Tech last summer was replaced with $500,000 to fund legacy programs for the U.S. Disabled Athletes Fund Inc. The USDAF is a successor to the Paralympics and the grant could free up legacy funds for reducing the $900,000 debt. To check on budget details click here
Georgia Future Communities Commission -- Passed by the House this past week were HB 489, HB 490, and HB 491, companion bills recommended by the Georgia Future Communities Commission, the Georgia Municipal Association and the Association County Commissioners of Georgia. HB 489, would implement the major recommendations made by the Georgia Future Communities Commission, and is the result of several months of negotiations between the GMA and the ACCG. The intent ofthe bill is to create a more rational approach to the provisions of local government services and regulations of land use by requiring cities and counties to minimize duplication and overlap in service delivery; and, to minimize conflicts between city and county use plans. HB 490, amends current law to require counties to meet and confer with cities, prior to calling a special county 1 percent sales tax referendum, and, to discuss projects to be included in the special county 1 percent sales tax package, including city-owned projects. HB 491, amends the Department of Community Affairs local government financial and operating reporting requirements to require the use of a unifonn chart of accounts for all cities and counties, as well as, require DCA to develop, in cooperation with GMA and ACCG, a Community Indicators Report that will be issued for every county and every city with an annual budget exceeding $250,000. The purpose is to help local taxpayers and policymakers understand and evaluate service delivery operations.
Anti-Choice Lawmakers Filibuster -- During the week anti-choice lawmakers filibustered to protest the House Judiciary Committee chainnan's refusal to bring a bill banning late-tenn abortions to the floor for a vote. HB 240 would outlaw late-tenn, or so-called partial-birth, abortions. It also would punish doctors with a fine of up to $5,000 and imprisonment of up to five years. The JUdiciary chainnan and other House leaders say the bill is unconstitutional. And it is unnecessary because Georgia law already severely restricts late-tenn abortions. Georgia prohibits abortions after the second trimester unless a doctor and two consulting doctors certify the abortion necessary to preserve the life and health ofthe woman.
Other Bills Sent to Senate -- HB 306, Intangible tax, nonpayment, amend provisions; HB 309, Elections, certain municipal offices, 4 year tenns; HB 496, Children & youth serv, authorize certain leasing of state property; HB 497, Children & youth services, damage to apparel, employees' compensation; HB 553, Insurance,certain medical benefits, reimbursement; HB 682, Alcoholic beverage sales, certain university system facilities; HB 290, Fireanns, state compliance with Brady Law; HB 378,Tax credits; certain businesses, extend exemption; HB 419, Ad valorem tax; heavy-duty equipment motor vehicles, provisions; HB 420, Professional Practices Commission; amend provisions; HB 465, Medical assistance, inpatient care for mental diseases; HB 533, Property, nonconfonning liens, provisions; HB 584, Workers' compensation, drug-free workplace, ins premium discount; HB 622, Dept of C & Y Services, change name to Dept of Juvenile Justice; HB 651, Death of person in another's care, required notification; HR 324, Trail of Tears Highway; designate; HR 366, Internet access, tax exempt, consensus of General Assembly; HB 193, Minors, certain willful or malicious acts, liability; HB 383, Education, litigation involving child, define certain tenn; HB 470, Hazardous materials, certain spills or releases, property lien; HB 493, Insurance fraud, change definition,civil immunity; HB 644, State symbols, designate official state tartan; HB 104, Special license plates, square and round dancers; HB

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Ga Hquse Information Office - Weekly Wrap-up

http://www.state.ga.us/Legis/1997_98/house/hinfo/wrap_7.htm

307, Financial inst, garnishment, additional requirements; HB 326, Law enf agency, investigate, missing Alzheimer's patient; HB 695, Motorcycles, operator safety training prog, transfer cert powers; and, HB 712, Deceptive trade practices, judgments, amend provisions. To check on legislation click here

Georgia House ofRepresentatives Public Information Office

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