GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE ROOM 131, STATE CAPITOL 30334 404-656-5082 1-800-282-5800 
Weekly Wrap-up #4 
Back to PIO 
The General Assembly will be in recess on Friday, February 15th allowing the Senate time to work on the state's supplemental budget. House members are also continuing their work on a $16.2 billion budget for fiscal year 2003, that would begin July 1st. The House will reconvene 1:30 pm Monday, February 18, 2002. The Rules Committee will meet Monday, February 18th at 11:00 am to set the next days legislative calendar. 
House Version of 2002 Midyear Budget - On Thursday the House passed HB 1001, the supplemental budget, by a vote of 129- 42 .This is a revised spending plan for the current fiscal year ending June 30th. It brings the fiscal year 2002 budget to $15.9 billion. The Senate will now begin writing its version of the midyear budget. 
The plan includes: $5 million to provide grants to rural hospitals for equipment and infrastructure, $2.5 million to buy land for a proposed multi-modal transit station in Downtown Atlanta, $21 million for the Governor's construction package, $38 million in bonds for construction projects at several rural technical colleges, $54 million for a complete overhaul of voting equipment throughout the state, $250,000 in start-up funding for health centers for migrant workers and other low-income residents, $600,000 to the Babies Born Healthy program to provide prenatal care to low income mothers, $150,000 to fund Life Flight helicopters that serve rural areas. 
To view spending proposals click here 
To go to the Legislative Budget Office click here 
Sales Tax Holiday - On Thursday the House passed HB 1312 by a vote of 170 - 1. This bill is part of the Governor's Legislative Package and creates two sales tax holidays. One would be March 29-30, providing a stimulus just before Easter, and Aug. 2-3, just before schools start. They would apply to essential clothing and footwear up to $100 each, computer equipment for personal use up to $1,500 and school supplies up to $20 per item. It is estimated to cost $11 million in state revenue and cost local governments statewide $4.4 million in revenue to implement the holidays. 
To view HB 1312 click here 
Victims Compensation - On Monday HB 1142 passed by a vote of 160 - 1. The measure, which is part of the Governor's Legislative Package, increases the maximum amount of compensation to victims of violent crimes from $10,000 to $25,000. To pay for the plan, parole fees would go up from $10 to $20 a month, and probation fees would rise from $3 to $9. It is projected that those two increases would raise an additional $8.6 million for victims. Lost wages, counseling, funeral costs and medical expenses for victims of such crimes as rape, homicide, vehicular homicide and hit and run accidents would be covered 
 
 by the funds. The money, which is paid through the Georgia Crime Victims Compensation Program, can be used only after victims and their families have exhausted insurance and other resources. 
Consumer Insurance Protections - HB 1078 which passed 164 - 2 on Monday, prohibits insurers from issuing an industrial life policy that allows for the collection of premiums amounting to more than 150 percent of the face amount of the policy. Policyholders who are 65 or older would also have the option of designating another person to serve as their official contact, which is a person who would have to be notified by the insurer in writing prior to the lapse, termination, or cancellation of an industrial life insurance policy. Industrial life policies have a small face amount and are often called "burial insurance". 
Environmental Regulations - On Wednesday the House passed HB 587 by a vote of 136 - 33. The bill requires the State Board of Natural Resources to consider the financial cost to businesses and the public of the environmental regulations it adopts. It also establishes a panel of business and environmental experts - the Advisory Committee on Risk Assessment and Cost-Benefit Analysis - to "prepare guidelines for use by the board, the department, and the division in conducting risk assessments and cost-benefit analyses." This panel would be tasked to develop proposed guidelines by June 30, 2003, hold at least three public hearings on the guidelines and then finalize their recommendations by December 31, 2003. 
Beach Sand Replacement - On Wednesday the House passed HB 1021 99 - 1. Beach quality sand dredged from coastal harbors, rivers, and inlets, if possible must be placed on adjacent coastal beaches under the bill. It also gives local governments along the coast and the Department of Natural Resources the authority to approve the locations for sand disposal. 
Sand Dunes - HB 1048 passed Tuesday by a vote of 163 - 0. The measure substitutes the words "sand dunes" for "dynamic dune field" in state law prohibiting the storage of watercraft on environmentally fragile sand dunes. Dynamic dune field has been interpreted by beachfront business operators as land in front of and behind dunes. The legislation is intended to clarify the law so businesses can avoid confusion over the proper location to store their goods. 
Diplomas for Veterans - HB 1068 passed on Monday 165 - 0. Under HB 1068, that passed on Monday 165 - 0, those who left high school to serve in the Korean or Vietnam war would be awarded a diploma. 
National Guard Pension Fund - HB 227, which passed Wednesday 164 - 0, creates the Georgia Military Pension Fund which would provide National Guard retirees with 20 years' of service $50 to $100 a month. 
Preventing Colon Cancer - HB 1100, Which is part of the Governor's Legislative Package, passed Thursday by a vote of 167- 4. Most Health insurance policies would be required to cover the cost of colorectal cancer screenings, exams and lab tests. According to statistics, detecting colorectal cancer early increases the five-year survival rate to about 90 percent. 
To view legislation click here 
Other Legislation Passed this Week 
Monday, February 11, 2002 - 16th Day of the Session 
HB 1216, A bill to amend Part 3 of Article 2 of Chapter 4 of Title 38 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Georgia Veterans Cemetery, so as to change its name to the Georgia Veterans 
 
 Memorial Cemetery; passed 158 - 0. 
HB 1221, A bill to amend Article 2 of Chapter 2 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state administration regarding revenue and taxation, so as to change the rate of interest paid with respect to certain refunds and certain past due taxes; passed 164 - 0. 
HR 140, A resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to provide for additional types of family owned farm entities which can qualify to receive the preferential assessment for property which is devoted to bona fide agricultural purposes; passed 162 - 0. 
HR 949, A resolution authorizing the conveyance of certain state owned real property located in Bartow County; passed 166 - 0. 
Tuesday, February 12, 2002 - 17th Day of the Session 
HB 357, A bill to amend Chapter 10 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to magistrate courts, so as to clarify training requirements for certification of magistrates who are active members of the State Bar of Georgia; passed 161 - 0. 
HB 765, A bill to amend Article 5 of Chapter 3 of Title 47 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to service creditable toward retirement benefits under the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia, so as to provide that any member of the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia may obtain creditable service for prior service with certain programs relating to early childhood development; passed 166 - 3. 
HB 1169, A bill to amend Article 1 of Chapter 32 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to municipal courts generally, so as to provide that misdemeanor offenses or ordinance violations tried in municipal courts may be tried upon a citation or an accusation; to amend Code Section 17-7-71, relating to trial of misdemeanors upon accusations, trial of misdemeanor motor vehicle violations upon citations, form and contents of accusations, amendment and service of accusations, and continuances, so as to change certain provisions relating to use of accusations in misdemeanor cases; passed 161 - 4. 
HB 1205, A bill to amend Subpart 5A of Part 3 of Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to North Georgia College Military Scholarships, so as to change the manner in which the remainder of abandoned scholarships is awarded; passed 161 - 0. 
HB 1210, A bill to amend Chapter 5 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to programs and protection for children and youth, so as to permit licensed child-caring and child-placing agencies and court appointed independent investigators with responsibility for placing children in homes for foster care or adoption access to records of child abuse; passed 162 - 0. 
HB 1236, A bill to amend Code Section 38-2-279 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to rights of public officers and employees absent on military duty as members of the organized militia or reserve forces, so as to change certain provisions relating to pay for 18 days and emergency pay; to authorize counties, municipalities, and other political subdivisions to provide pay for its public officers and employees during extended periods of service; passed 147 - 0. 
HR 838, A resolution designating the Veterans Parkway; passed 164 - 0. 
 
 HR 909, A resolution urging the Board of Regents to name the Animal and Dairy Science Complex at the University of Georgia in honor of Edgar L. Rhodes; passed 151 - 0. 
Wednesday, February 13, 2002 - 18th Day of the Session 
HB 557, A bill to amend Title 47 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to retirement and pensions, so as to provide that the board of directors of the Georgia Judicial Retirement System may provide a survivors benefit for members, retired members, and former members; to define a certain term; to establish a survivors benefits fund; passed 106 - 0. 
HB 1105, A bill to amend Part 8 of Article 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to access to records and hearings involving children, so as to authorize the photographing of every child who has absconded and subsequently returned to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice; passed 107 - 0. 
To view legislation click here 
Georgia House of Representatives Public Information Office