Weekly wrap-up [House], No. 6 (Feb. 28, 2003)

GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE ROOM 131, STATE CAPITOL 30334 404-656-5082 1-800-282-5800
Weekly Wrap-up #6
Back to PIO The House of Representatives reconvened Wednesday, February 26th at 1:00 pm and met for three days. Lawmakers were in recess allowing budget writers to craft spending plans for 2003 and 2004. The House will convene again Monday, March 3rd at 10:00 am. Friday the 28th was the 22nd day of the 40 day session.
Water Resources - HB 237, which passed on Thursday by a vote of 141 - 27, are the recommendations from the Joint Comprehensive Water Plan Study Committee created in 2001. The bill allows for inter-basin water transfers outside the Metro Atlanta area but only to the adjacent county and approval would have to come from the state. Another provision of the measure stipulates large water users, such as farms and industries, could charge what they wanted for the water transfer rights. However, farmers would be required to perform self monitoring techniques to see how much water they are using. The proposal also creates an oversight committee made up of various department heads to advise the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) and the legislature on the effects the new rules and regulations may have upon various state departments. It also stipulates that any rules implemented by the EPD would have to be ratified by the General Assembly by passage of a joint House and Senate resolution. To view HB 237 click here
Teacher Tenure - HB 81 passed Thursday by a vote of 161- 8. Under the bill, teachers hired after July 1, 2000 would be re-granted fair dismissal hearing rights and could appeal a school system's decision to not renew their contract. The protections were curbed under HB 1187 which was adopted in the 2000 session. Supporters of the proposal want to make sure good teachers are not fired for political reasons. To view HB 81 click here
College Athletics - HB 194, which was adopted 155 - 8 on Thursday, allows schools to sue athletes who break certain rules that result in the forfeiture of games or bowl winnings. Currently, students are not included in those held liable for the infractions. The measure is intended to stop college athletes from signing with sports agents while they are still on the team. However, the bill does not eliminate the 72 hour grace period, or before the next game, athletes have to inform their school that they have signed with a sports agent.
Local Option Sales Tax - On Wednesday the House passed HB 287 by a vote of 122 - 14. The measure would let voters in consolidated governments, such as the cities of Athens, Columbus and Augusta, decide to collect up to a 2 percent local-option sales tax. Current law caps the tax at 1 percent.
Other Legislation Passed this Week

Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - Day 20 of the Session
HB 25, A bill to amend Code Section 20-2-850 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to sick and personal leave for teachers and other personnel, so as to provide for restoration of certain forfeited sick and personal leave after return to service for two consecutive years; passed 168 - 2.
HB 307, A bill to amend Code Section 43-45-9 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to examination for certification as a structural pest control operator, evidence from applicants as to employment of qualified operators, and insurance requirements, so as to change certain provisions relating to insurance requirements; passed 170 - 0.
Thursday, February 27, 2003 - Day 21 of the Session
HB 134, A bill to amend Code Section 16-12-60 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to bingo rules and regulations, so as to change the maximum amounts which may be awarded as prizes; passed 149 - 15.
HB 303, A bill to amend Part 3 of Article 1 of Chapter 2 of Title 38 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the state defense force, so as to provide that the state defense force is authorized to use certain state property; passed 168 - 0.
Friday, February 28, 2003 - Day 22 of the Session
HB 157, A bill to amend Part 6 of Article 4 of Chapter 5 of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to coastal management, so as to reestablish or continue such provisions until July 1, 2009; passed 155 - 0.
HB 166, A bill to amend Part 2 of Article 5 of Chapter 9 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to temporary disability compensation for law enforcement officers and firefighters who are injured in the line of duty, so as to provide temporary disability compensation for officially recognized or designated members of legally organized volunteer fire departments who are injured in the line of duty; passed 153 - 0.
HB 267, 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 board of trustees of such retirement system shall be authorized, under certain conditions, to establish an employee's contribution rate at not less than 3 percent nor more than 6 percent of the member's compensation; passed 156 - 0.
HB 347, A bill to amend Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to professions and businesses, so as to extensively revise the "Georgia Veterinary Practice Act"; to provide a short title; to provide for legislative purpose; to define certain terms; to provide for the State Board of Veterinary Medicine and its members, powers, and duties; to provide for licensing of veterinarians and regulation of the practice of veterinary medicine; passed 150 - 7.

To view legislation click here
Georgia House of Representatives Public Information Office