Weekly wrap-up [House] [No. 3 (Feb. 8, 2002)]

GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE ROOM 131, STATE CAPITOL 30334 404-656-5082 1-800-282-5800
Weekly Wrap-up #3
Back to PIO The Rules Committee now determines which bills get voted on in the House Chamber. They will be meeting in room 404 of the State Capitol every morning for the remainder of the session to set the legislative calendar for the next session day. To visit the Rules Committee click here
Governor's State of the State Address - Governor Barnes came before a joint session of the General Assembly on Wednesday, February 6th at 11:00 am to give his annual State of the State address. He reported the future of Georgia is bright and secure and took the opportunity to introduce some new proposals. They include extending unemployment benefits to an additional 13 weeks to help laid off workers, a $16 increase in weekly unemployment benefits to a maximum of $300 per week and paying unemployment benefits to women who are out of work because they are victims of domestic violence. To benefit businesses, the Governor is also pushing $129 million in tax relief this year through an extension of the moratorium on unemployment taxes they have to pay.
Highlighting the Governor's speech was a proposal for two state tax free holidays for back to school shopping. He called it the "Shop Georgia " holiday and they would be March 29-30, and August 2-3, which is right before most schools start in Georgia. Exempted under the tax free proposal would be clothing costs up to $100, school supplies up to $20 per item and personal computer equipment up to $1,500.
Describing the holiday the Governor said it "will boost the economy, provide immediate tax relief, help families with back to school expenses and help to bridge the digital divide by making it easier for working families to afford a computer." Consumers would save an estimated $11 million from the holidays. To view the Governor's State of the State Address click here To go to the Governor's web page click here
Improving Blighted Property - HR 391 passed Tuesday 154 - 10. Under the bill, city and county governments would have the option to pass a local ordinance allowing them to raise millage rates for improving blighted property .If the owner of such a property refuses to make improvements, then the local government could raise their property taxes. But if they make improvements and maintain their property, then the owner would be eligible for a property tax cut. To protect a persons home, an amendment was a adopted exempting a property containing a permanent residence of either an owner or someone renting. If passed by the General Assembly, the measure will go on the general election ballot this November as constitutional amendment.
School Safety - HB 161, which passed on Monday 169 - 0, requires school visitors to sign in and allows school resource officers the authority to arrest people on site for trespassing. Currently, school systems don't have the authority to arrest people on school grounds unless they refuse to

leave.
Reporting Environmental Violations - On Monday the House passed HB 1004 by a vote of 135 - 33. Under the bill, those calling with some environmental complaints to the Environmental Protection Division, would have to give their names, addresses and phone numbers. The EPD would then have to tell the alleged violator who it was who made the complaint. Anonymous complaints would still be allowed against industries, but not for a family farm or private citizen.
Victim's Family Notification HB 1070 passed on Friday by a vote of 166 - 0. The bill would require the state to provide the families of murder victims an update on the case at least every six months. It would only apply in capital cases where the family requests it be done. The state now is required to notify victims' families of any direct appeals but there is no requirement for notification of other litigation and things considered collateral attacks such as a petition for habeas corpus.
Cell Phones in Schools - On Thursday the House passed HB 1044 by a vote of 161 - 0. The bill gives local school boards the authority to determine whether or not to allow students to carry phones and pagers. Current state law bans students from taking cellphones and beepers to school.
Nursing Mothers - SB 221 passed on Monday by a vote of 157 - 6. The measure removes a provision in current law requiring mothers breast feeding to act in a discreet and modest way. However, the bill also says breast feeding is only permissible where a mother and baby are allowed access.
Computer Disposal - HB 2 passed Tuesday 163 - 1. The measure establishes an advisory council to make recommendations on how the state can best dispose of outdated computer equipment. The advisory council will be abolished after 2005.
Military Tax Breaks - HB 1035 passed Tuesday by a vote 165 - 0. Under the proposal, Georgia military personnel while serving in foreign land would be exempt from state income taxes if they serve for six months.
Hunting Season - HB 1158 passed on Thursday 165 - 0. Open hunting season on deer would be expanded by one week under this bill. Instead of starting Sept. 7 it would begin Sept. 14, and hunters would be allowed to bag 10 does and two bucks, up from six does and two bucks. Bear season also would be extended by one week..
Cross Bow Hunting - HB 1174 passed Thursday by a vote of 158 - 2. The measure lifts bans on the use of crossbows for hunting small or big game. To view legislation click here
Other Legislation Passed this Week
Monday, February 4, 2002 - 11th Day of the Session HB 728, A bill to amend Chapter 8 of Title 13 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to illegal and void contracts generally, so as to change certain provisions relating to

regulation of tractor or farm equipment manufacturers, distributors, and dealers; to define certain terms; to regulate sales of certain tractors or farm equipment; to regulate the establishment and relocation of dealerships; passed 165 - 2. HB 1108, A bill to amend Code Section 12-9-46 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to powers and duties of the Board of Natural Resources relative to the Georgia Motor Vehicle Emission Inspection and Maintenance Act, designation of the commissioner of natural resources or director of the Environmental Protection Division as the board's agent, and the duties of the director, so as to further describe a certain power; passed 146 - 18. HB 1065, A bill to amend Code Section 9-11-4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to process, so as to provide that summons may be served by private detectives; passed 156 - 10. HB 1025, A bill to amend Code Section 48-8-3 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to exemptions from state sales and use tax, so as to change certain provisions regarding the exemption with respect to urban transit systems; passed 162 - 0. HB 1049, A bill to amend Article 2 of Chapter 20 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to leaves of absence for public officers and employees, so as to provide for state employees to receive a leave of absence, with pay, for serving as an organ or bone marrow donor; to provide a definition of the term ""organ""; passed 168 - 0. HB 1066, A bill to amend Chapter 1 of Title 51 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to torts, so as to provide for a limitation on the liability of certified child safety passenger technicians and sponsoring organizations; passed 168 -0.
Wednesday, February 6, 2002 - 13th Day of the Session HB 995, A bill to amend Code Section 47-3-41 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the annuity savings fund of the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia, so as to provide that the minimum employee's contribution to such retirement system shall be 4 percent; passed 156 - 0. HR 806, A resolution creating the Joint Ethanol Production Study Committee; passed 152 - 5.
Thursday, February 7, 2002 - 14th Day of the Session HB 116, A bill to amend Code Section 45-10-70 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to holding office in political subdivision, political party, or political organization by nonelective state officers or employees, so as to provide that nonelective state officers and employees may use annual and personal leave to fulfill the duties or functions of such elective or appointive offices that occur during the officer's or employee's work hours and to provide an additional amount of unpaid leave equal to one-half of the total amount of leave allotted to the officer or employee each year to fulfill the duties or functions of such elective or appointive offices that occur during the officer's or employee's work hours; passed 154 - 13. HB 1077, A bill to amend Code Section 45-18-32 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to administration of deferred compensation plans, so as to authorize employees of the Lake Allatoona Preservation Authority, the Georgia Federal-State Shipping Point Inspection Service, and the Georgia Firefighters' Pension Fund to participate in the state deferred compensation program; and for other purposes. passed 153 - 0. HB 1090, A bill to amend Code Section 50-21-26 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to notice of a claim against the State of Georgia, commencement of action, examination

of records to facilitate investigation of a claim, and the confidential nature of the documents and information furnished, so as to change provisions relative to the notice of claim; passed 158 - 0. HB 1223, A bill to amend Title 14 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to corporations, partnerships, and associations, so as to provide a flat fee for foreign corporations transacting business in the state without a certificate of authority; to delete multiple year and partial year references where a flat fee is specified; to specify that professional corporations or limited liability companies may serve as the registered agent for service for a limited partnership; to clarify the Secretary of State's $10.00 filing fee for acceptance of service in the applicable Code sections; to amend Code Section 10-1-416, relating to the appointment of the Secretary of State as agent for service of process, so as clarify filing fee; passed 164 - 0.
Friday, February 8, 2002 - 15th Day of the Session HB 1179, A bill to amend Code Section 40-5-26 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to applications of minors for drivers' licenses and distinctive licenses for persons under age 21, so as to provide that licensed driver training instructors may under certain conditions act as agents for parents or guardians for purposes of such applications; passed 158 - 3. HB 1185, A bill 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 II; to change certain provisions relating to general registration requirements; to regulate certain opioid treatments; to change certain provisions relating to the definition of dangerous drug; passed 154 0.
To view legislation click here
Georgia House of Representatives Public Information Office