GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE ROOM 131, STATE CAPITOL 30334 404-656-5082 1-800-282-5800 
Weekly Wrap-up #9 
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The House of Representatives convened Monday, April 7, 2003 at 10:00 am after recessing the past week to work on the state's $16.3 billion budget for fiscal year 04 which begins July 1st. House members will reconvene Monday, April 14th at 1:00 pm. For the remainder, members have voted to be in session April 14th, 15th and 16th, take one day of recess before the 40th day, and finish Sine Die on Friday April 18th. Of course, this is subject to change. Friday was the 36th day of the 40 day session. 33rd Day - Tuesday, April 8th was the 33rd day of the 40 day regular session of the General Assembly. Bills must have passed at least one chamber by this day or they are effectively dead for the year. Visit from President Carter - Former President of the United States and Governor of the State of Georgia, Jimmy Carter, addressed a joint session of the General Assembly at 10:30 am on Tuesday, April, 8th. He was being recognized for winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts to advance 
democracy and human rights and to promote economic and social development. New State Flag - After hours of debate, HB 380 passed on Tuesday by a vote of 111-67 and is a compromise version of Governor Sonny Perdue's legislation to have a referendum on the state flag. The measure changes our state banner to a design similar to the flag that flew prior to 1956 with two red bars surrounding a white bar, the state seal encircled by 13 stars on a blue field in the upper left corner, and the words "In God We Trust" on the white bar. If signed by the governor, it would be immediately hoisted above the state capitol. Then, a statewide referendum would be held next March 4th where Georgians could vote yes-or-no on the new flag design. If a majority voted no, then a second referendum would be held in July where Georgians would choose between the pre-1956 flag and the post-1956 design that features the Confederate battle emblem. To go to HB 380 click here 
State Budget - On Monday the House adopted HB 122 by a vote of 114 - 63. This is the house version of the state's $16.3 billion budget for fiscal year 2004 which begins July 1st. Georgia is facing a revenue shortfall of approximately $400 million and the spending plan makes up a portion of that through $263 million in cuts from the Governor's original proposal. Some reductions include $148 million in midyear adjustments moved into the supplemental budget process next year, $30 million for the development of the Daimler-Chrysler assembly plant site near Savannah (the $30 million has been transferred to the budget bond construction package), $35 million from the Governor's $100 million annual bond request for the Governor's Road Improvement Program, which goes to build four lane roads in rural Georgia, $32 million in local 
 
 K-12 school-construction bond funds, $15 million from the state's green-space program and $5 million earmarked for an effort to boost the state's share of local indigent-defense programs from 11 percent to 20 percent. To go to the House Appropriation Committee click here To go to the Legislative Budget Office click here Uniform Indigent Defense System - On Monday the House passed HB 770 by a vote of 130 42. Under the bill, five-member local committees would select public defenders heading offices in each of the state's 49 judicial circuits. Overseeing the system will be a 15-member Georgia Public Defender Standards Council that will establish uniform standards of legal representation and have the authority to remove incompetent public defenders. Also, legal representation would only be guaranteed for indigent criminal defendants in Superior and Juvenile courts. The system would begin January 1st, 2005 and it is estimated to cost $45 to $60 million. In 2001, the state funded 11 percent of the $55 million system and an estimated 170,000 defendants qualified for a publicly funded defender in Georgia. A federal court has threatened to step in and mandate a system unless lawmakers make changes that provide adequate representation for all. To go to HB 770 click here Ethics - HB 771 passed on Monday by a vote of 168 - 0 and addresses matters related to ethics. Some provision include a reduction in the total contributions allowed to statewide campaigns from $16,000 to $8,000 and a reduction allowed to a legislators campaign from $6,000 to $5,000, provide the Secretary of State and appointment to the State's Ethics Commission, prohibit filling a state appointment by anyone who has contributed to the Governor's campaign within the last 60 days, full disclosure of gifts given to state employees who are responsible for selecting government contracts and clarification of expenses that are campaign expenses. To go to HB 771 click here Power Lines - HB 373, which passed on Monday 126 - 44, requires power companies to acquire a certificate of need from the Public Service Commission before constructing power lines. The commission shall grant such a certificate of need if the electric transmission line company demonstrates a public necessity. Within 20 days after the filing of an application for a certificate of need, the commission shall set a date, time, and location for a public hearing on the application, which may be no sooner than 60 days after the date on which it was filed. Those appealing will be represented before the Public Service Commission by the Consumer's Utility Council. Currently, there is no appeal process when power companies declare eminent domain. To go to HB 373 click here 
Hunting - HB 815 passed on Monday by a vote of 118 - 54. Under the bill, hunting clubs would be required to acquire state permits every year for using hounds or other dogs to hunt deer. Permit numbers would have to be displayed on the members dogs and vehicles and would cost $25 for a two day hunt and $100 for an annual permit. The measure also allows hunting alligator at night with a light and shooting from boats. The bill also makes hunting licenses valid for a full year. Hunting licenses currently expire on March 31st of every year. Boosting Foreign Tourism - On Monday the House passed HB 324, 163 - 8. The measure establishes a 21-member council to see that there are not gaps or duplications in services that state agencies provide to foreigners, from tourists to exchange students to consular officials. The International Affairs Coordinating Council would be made up primarily of the heads of state departments that deal with international issues, including Agriculture, Labor and the University System. 
 
 Identity Theft - HB 213, which passed on Monday 149 - 0, requires merchants to partially remove credit card numbers from receipts by allowing only the last five numbers of a credit card or debit card number on printed receipts. Also, the bill exempts handwritten and carbon-copy receipts, so small businesses wouldn't be forced to buy credit card machines, and would not apply to Internet or out-of-state transactions. Man-Made Wetlands - HB 413 passed on Tuesday 161 - 0 and provides a tax credit to property owners and developers who build man-made wetlands for storm-water runoff from parking lots, driveways, rooftops and streets. Stronger Beer - HB 645, which passed Tuesday 125 - 26, raises the maximum allowed in any malt beverage from 6 percent to 14 percent. This would permit many more imported beers to be sold in Georgia. Expanding Retail and Day-Care Businesses - HB 748, which passed on Monday 164 - 0, allows day-care businesses to be included as permitted uses within enterprise zones. Smoking Around Children - HB 175 passed on Tuesday 109 - 52 and makes it illegal to smoke in a closed motor vehicle with no ventilation while a child is restrained in a child passenger restraining system. Those guilty would face a fine of $15. Aquarium Tax Credit - HB 43, which passed Monday 125 - 2, waives sales taxes on materials used to build a proposed aquarium next to Centennial Park in downtown Atlanta. Practicing Optometry Illegally - SB 85 passed on Thursday 142 - 6 and increases the penalty for practicing optometry without a license from a misdemeanor to a felony. 
To view legislation click hereOther Legislation Passed this Week Monday, April 7th - 32nd Day of the Session HB 148, 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 provide for an exemption with respect to the sale or use of liquefied petroleum gas or other fuel used for certain horticultural purposes; passed 163 - 1. HB 182, A bill to amend Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to improve enforcement of Uniform Rules of the Road; to regulate use of traffic law compliance monitoring devices in enforcing certain such rules; to provide for related inspection of motor vehicle registration records; to provide that certain maximum speeding fine limitations shall not apply to speeding in a school speed zone; passed 163 - 0. HB 191, A bill to amend Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles, so as to provide for the voluntary cancellation of the registration of certain vehicles and the restoration thereof; to provide definitions; to provide for an exception for insurers for reporting certain insurance coverage for fleet insurance policies; to change the fees for lapse and restoration fees; passed 167 - 0. HB 226, A bill to amend Code Section 15-10-60 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the applicability of the article on violation of ordinances of county and state authorities and imposition of suspended sentences, so as to provide for increased jail punishment; passed 149 - 17. HB 246, A bill to amend Article 4 of Chapter 18 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to inspection of public records, so as to change certain provisions relating to inspection of public records, printing of computerized indexes of county real estate records, time for determination of whether requested records are subject to access, and electronic access to records; to provide that certain requests may be required to be in writing; passed 161 - 0. 
 
 HB 261, A bill to amend Chapter 13 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to controlled substances, so as to change the listings of controlled substances and dangerous drugs; to provide for exempt over-the-counter controlled substances; to prohibit office based opioid treatment by dispensing any controlled substance to a patient with opioid addiction; passed 150 - 0. HB 291, A bill to amend Code Section 50-5-67 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to competitive bidding procedures with respect to the Department of Administrative Services, so as to provide that certain powers of the commissioner of administrative services shall not terminate; passed 166 - 0. HB 304, A bill to amend Part 3 of Article 3 of Chapter 5 of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to water well standards, so as to change certain provisions relating to definitions; to change certain provisions relating to powers and duties of the State Water Well Standards Advisory Council; to change certain provisions relating to licensing of water well contractors generally, applications for trainee licenses, and related violations; passed 166 - 0. HB 319, A bill to amend Code Section 19-11-9.1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the duty to furnish information about obligor to department, use of information obtained, and penalty for noncompliance, so as to provide for the acceptance of a certification of noneligibility for issuance of a social security number by the Department of Motor Vehicle Safety; to amend Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to issuance, expiration, and renewal of drivers' licenses, so as to provide for other information to be included in an application for a driver's license; passed 166 - 4. HB 321, A bill to amend Chapter 6 of Title 32 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to regulation of maintenance and use of public roads, so as to provide that proposed or existing subdivisions that access a state highway system shall be required to obtain Department of Transportation approval prior to undertaking additions or changes to plats that might affect road safety; passed 99 - 60. HB 346, A bill to amend Part 2 of Article 3 of Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to sales tax for educational purposes, so as to provide that when certain sales taxes for educational purposes are imposed, each board of education expending proceeds of the tax shall undergo a performance audit or performance review of such expenditures; to provide for contracts for such performance audit or review; passed 166 - 2. HB 423, A bill to amend Code Section 36-37-6 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the disposition of municipal property generally, so as to provide that a municipal corporation may lease municipal property for up to 20 years to a nonprofit corporation for certain purposes related to recreation; passed 148 - 14. HB 427, A bill to amend Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elections and primaries generally, so as to clarify the definition of precinct; to authorize the Secretary of State to develop, program, and build ballots for use by counties and municipalities using direct recording electronic (DRE) voting systems; to require election superintendents to complete a certification program; to repeal the provisions of law establishing the Twenty-first Century Voting Commission and the pilot projects for electronic voting; to amend Code Section 50-12-101 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to assignment of numbers by board to proposed constitutional amendments and Constitutions; passed 115 - 55. HB 493, A bill to amend Chapter 3 of Title 3 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the regulation of alcoholic beverages generally, so as to authorize the governing authority of a 
 
 county or municipality to permit the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises until 4:30 A.M. each day and beginning at 12:30 P.M. on Sundays; to provide that such authorization shall be by resolution or ordinance approved in a referendum; passed 113 - 47. HB 497, A bill to amend Chapter 9 of Title 46 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to transportation of freight and passengers generally, so as to create the East Central Georgia Railroad Excursion Authority; passed 129 - 14. HB 519, A bill to amend Code Section 12-3-318 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to purposes for which income, gifts, grants, appropriations, bonds, or loans may be used by the Lake Lanier Islands Development Authority, so as to require certain allocation of certain funds received by the authority; passed 154 - 0. HB 581, A bill to amend Article 22 of Chapter 1 of Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, known as the "Georgia Motor Vehicle Franchise Practices Act," so as to provide that the Department of Motor Vehicle Safety shall enforce the Act rather than the Department of Revenue; passed 167 -0. HB 599, A bill to amend Title 5 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to appeal and error, so as to provide that a request for postconviction DNA testing shall be made through an extraordinary motion for new trial; to provide for postconviction DNA testing of evidence in certain criminal cases; to provide procedures, conditions, and standards for the conduct of postconviction DNA testing of evidence; to provide for the state to appeal in criminal cases in which an extraordinary motion for new trial is granted; 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 standards for the retention of evidence in criminal cases; passed 164 - 2. HB 614, A bill to amend Code Section 42-5-51 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to jurisdiction over certain misdemeanor offenders, designation of place of confinement of inmates, reimbursement of counties, and transfer of inmates to federal authority, so as to change certain provisions relating to reimbursement rates; passed 165 - 0. HB 619, A bill to amend Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance, so as to provide for the issuance of group accident and sickness insurance under a franchise group plan; to provide for definitions; to provide for conversion, portability, and continuation; passed 161 - 1. HB 628, A bill to amend Chapter 1A of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to occupational regulation legislation review, so as to change the provisions relating to occupational regulation legislation review; to provide for evaluation of businesses and professions; to change the composition of the Georgia Occupational Regulation Review Council; to change the provisions relating to referral of a bill to the council; passed 168 - 0. HB 666, A bill to amend Code Section 36-81-7 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to requirement of audits, so as to change the amount of annual expenditures of local governments requiring annual audits; passed 148 - 12. HB 688, A bill to amend Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance, so as to enact the "Georgia Vehicle Protection Product Act"; to provide for a short title; to provide for definitions; to provide for scope and exemptions; to provide for registration and filing requirements of warrantors; to provide for financial responsibility; to provide for warranty reimbursement policy requirements; passed 168 -1. HB 719, A bill to amend Code Section 40-2-76 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to alternative fueled vehicle license plates, so as to add hybrid vehicles to the definition of alternative fueled vehicles; to amend Code Section 32-9-4 of the Official Code of Georgia 
 
 Annotated, relating to designation of travel lanes and use of such lanes, so as to provide for the authorization of hybrid vehicles to use designated travel lanes; passed 168 - 0. HB 722, A bill to amend Code Section 19-13-4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to protective orders and consent agreements, issuance, expiration, and enforcement, so as to change the duration of temporary protective orders; passed 167 - 0. HB 777, A bill to amend Article 3 of Chapter 17 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state depositories, so as to provide for letters of credit issued by the Federal Home Loan Bank to be accepted to secure state funds on deposit in state depositories; passed 154 - 0. HB 792, A bill to amend Article 4 of Chapter 11 of Title 9 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to parties in civil actions, so as to provide for the comprehensive revision of provisions regarding class actions; passed 170 - 0. HB 798, A bill to amend Article 6 of Chapter 14 of Title 2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the "Vidalia Onion Act of 1986," so as to change certain provisions relating to definitions; to change certain provisions relating to rules and regulations and enforcement of said article; to change certain provisions relating to marketing season opening date; passed 170 - 0. HR 228, A resolution strongly urging the Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs to address with the public the health dangers of certain cosmetic coverings of the teeth and to encourage efforts to remove those unscrupulous and unlicensed providers of such coverings; passed 149 - 4. HR 357, A resolution recognizing America's search and rescue dogs, commending their handlers and related organizations, and authorizing and directing the erection of a monument in honor thereof at the southwest corner of the Department of Agriculture building across from Capitol Square; passed 131 - 1. 1st Uncontested Resolution Calendar: HR 65, A resolution creating the House Study Committee on Technology Education; HR 397, A resolution creating the Joint MARTA Finance Study Committee; HR 406, A resolution designating that overpass between Commercial Heights and SR 96 East in the City of Fort Valley which connects U.S. 341 and SR 96 East as the Gamaliel Hilson Memorial Overpass; passed 154 - 0. 2nd Uncontested Resolution Calendar: HR 263, A resolution creating the Subsequent Injury Trust Fund Joint Study Committee; HR 407, A resolution creating the House Study Committee on Special License Plates; passed 148 - 0. 
Tuesday, April 8th - 33rd Day of the Session 
HB 20, A bill to amend Code Section 15-21-112 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to additional penalty for violation of Code Section 40-6-391, so as to increase said penalty; to amend Chapter 15 of Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to victim compensation, so as to change certain provisions relating to persons eligible for awards; passed 105 - 19. HB 26, A bill to amend Code Section 12-3-621 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to prohibited acts as to archeological, aboriginal, prehistoric, or historic sites, notification of the state archeologist before beginning the investigation or disturbance of a site, and penalties, so as to provide an exemption from the prohibition against disturbing certain submerged archeological, aboriginal, prehistoric, or historic sites; passed 136 - 1. HB 88, A bill to amend Chapter 13 of Title 9 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to executions and judicial sales, and Chapter 3 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia 
 
 Annotated, relating to tax executions, so as to prohibit the sale of tax executions; to make it unlawful to sell such tax executions; passed 118 - 51. HB 114, A bill to amend Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elections generally, so as to provide that the election superintendent shall ensure that all ballots are counted before closing the election superintendent's office after a primary or election; passed 144 - 5. HB 301, A bill to amend Chapter 13 of Title 9 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to executions and judicial sales, so as to provide for limitation of damages in civil actions by successful bidders for property sold in certain judicial and certain nonjudicial sales that are later rescinded; passed 146 - 0. HB 309, A bill to amend Code Section 36-62-5.1of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to joint development authorities, so as to authorize the creation and activation of a joint development authority between a county of this state and a contiguous county of an adjoining state; passed 166 - 0. HB 316, A bill to amend Article 5 of Chapter 5 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to records checks for persons supervising children, so as to provide that an employer may conduct criminal background checks from the National Crime Information Center of the Federal Bureau of Investigation on employees or volunteers supervising children; passed 130 - 0. HB 318, A bill to amend Chapter 6 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to services for the aging, so as to enact the "Adult Day Center Licensure Act"; to provide a short title; to define terms; to provide the Department of Human Resources with the authority to promulgate regulations for the operation of adult day centers; passed 163 - 10. HB 326, A bill to amend Article 1 of Chapter 9 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state officers and employees, so as to provide for liability coverage for nonprofit hospitals with emergency rooms for damages arising out of the provision of authorized services; to provide for the terms and conditions under which such nonprofit hospitals shall be covered by any liability insurance policy administered by the commissioner of administrative services; passed 126 - 3. HB 359, A bill to amend Code Section 45-12-35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to rewards for the detection or apprehension of perpetrators of felonies, so as to remove certain limitations with respect to the offering of such rewards by the governing authority of a county or municipality; passed 171 - 0. HB 367, A bill to amend Article 2 of Chapter 12 of Title 53 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to creation and validity of express trusts, so as to provide for oral trust agreements for personal property; passed 160 - 0. 
HB 414, A bill to amend Article 6 of Chapter 7 of Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to demurrers, motions, and special pleas and exceptions, so as to create time limits for filing pretrial motions; passed 163 - 2. HB 531, A bill to amend Article 1 of Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding ad valorem taxation of property, so as to provide for preferential assessment of environmentally contaminated property; to change certain provisions regarding definitions; to change certain provisions regarding assessment of property; passed 168 - 1. 
 
 HB 590, A bill to amend Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elementary and secondary education, so as to exempt teachers desiring to transfer to Georgia from other states from the Praxis examinations in certain circumstances; passed 161 - 2. HB 594, A bill to amend Article 1 of Chapter 18 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the state employees' health insurance plan, so as to provide that the Board of Community Health is authorized to contract with the community service boards for the inclusion in such plan of any person who retires as an employee of a community service board with at least ten years of actual service and after attaining the age of 60 years; passed 151 - 15. HB 598, A bill to amend Code Section 33-1-9 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance fraud, so as to provide that persons who, as an agent or representative, solicit, negotiate, procure, or effectuate insurance coverage on behalf of an insurer who is not authorized to do business in this state or take certain actions with regard to such insurance commit insurance fraud; passed 160 - 0. HB 616, A bill to amend Code Section 40-5-27 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to examination of applicants, so as to provide that no on-the-road driving test is required of applicants moving from another state with a valid privilege in the other state; passed 159 - 3. HB 689, A bill to amend Code Section 36-82-61 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to definitions regarding Article 3 of Chapter 82 of Title 36, the "Revenue Bond Law," so as to change the definition of "undertaking"; to remove the referendum requirement with respect to revenue certificates issued for gas generation and distribution systems; passed 130 - 2. HB 708, A bill to amend Code Section 45-1-4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to complaints or information regarding fraud, waste, and abuse in state programs and operations, so as to change certain provisions regarding complaints or information regarding fraud, waste, or abuse in state programs and operations; passed 168 - 0. HB 709, A bill to amend Code Section 48-8-6 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to limitations and restrictions on certain local taxes, so as to provide that certain taxes shall be excluded in computing the limitation on the total amount of local sales and use taxes which may be levied; to provide certain exemptions from certain local sales and use taxes; passed 166 - 0. HB 726, A bill to amend Code Section 43-15-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to definitions pertaining to professional engineers and land surveyors, so as to revise the definition of the term "land surveying"; passed 165 - 3. HB 735, A bill to provide for the Department of Labor a supplemental appropriation, pursuant to and in accordance with provisions of Code Section 34-8-81 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the creation and purposes of the Employment Security Administration Fund, and Code Section 34-8-85 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, of additional funds which are otherwise available to the Department of Labor out of funds credited to and held in this state's account in the Unemployment Trust Fund by the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States pursuant to Section 903 of the Social Security Act, as amended, for the purpose of providing for the payment of expenses of administration of Chapter 8 of Title 34 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated; passed 164 - 0. HB 757, A bill to amend Code Section 26-2-268 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to information labels affixed to cases of eggs, so as to provide for the use of certain labeling information concerning expiration dates on eggs; passed 133 - 0. HB 772, A bill to amend Code Section 16-12-60 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to rules and regulations relative to the operation of bingo games, so as to provide that 
 
 members of a bona fide auxiliary unit of a licensed organization may assist in the operation of bingo games operated by such parent organization notwithstanding the fact that such auxiliary unit holds its own bingo license; passed 156 - 1. HB 778, A bill to amend Code Section 16-12-120, relating to certain acts in public transit buses, rapid rail cars, or stations and penalty, so as to provide that a person may consume and possess bottled water in a public transit bus, rapid rail car, or rapid rail station; passed 140 - 1. HB 846, A bill to amend the Official Code of Georgia Annotated so as to change references to certain committees of the Georgia Senate and House of Representatives in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated to conform such references to committee names as adopted by resolution by the Georgia Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively; to provide for editorial revision; passed 166 - 0. HB 865, A bill to amend Article 3 of Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state symbols, so as to designate the Funk Heritage/Bennett Center at Reinhardt College as Georgia's official Frontier and Southeastern Indian Interpretive Center; passed 113 - 4. HB 866, A bill to amend Chapter 3 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to county and district departments, boards, and directors of family and children services, so as to provide for the appointment of a county director to serve in more than one county; to provide for the appointment of an acting county director; to provide for such employees as may be necessary to provide services in multiple counties; passed 117 - 13. HB 893, A bill to amend Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to commerce and trade, so as to provide for legislative findings; to provide for definitions; to provide for certain certifications by tobacco manufacturers; to provide for a directory data base of certifying tobacco manufacturers; to establish a prohibition against sales by tobacco manufacturers not included in the directory data base; to require an in state agent for service of process; to provide for reporting requirements; to provide for penalties; to provide for administrative review; to amend Chapter 11 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to cigar and cigarette taxes, so as to prohibit the sale of certain cigarettes; passed 159 - 7. HB 903, A bill to amend Code Section 50-18-72 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to exceptions from the requirements of public disclosure, so as to exempt disclosure of certain personal information; passed 116 - 7. HR 399, A resolution urging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission not to adopt its proposed rules for standard market design of electricity markets; urging Congress to take such steps as are necessary to assure that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission not adopt its proposed rules for standard market design; passed 116 - 7. Uncontested Resolution Calendar: HR 591 A resolution designating the Judge Jim Weeks Intersection; HR 132, A resolution designating the Keith Kalland Connector; passed 160 -1. Wednesday, April 9th - 34th Day of the Session SB 14, A bill to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Department of Agriculture, so as to change certain provisions relating to authorized imposition of penalties in lieu of other actions in proceedings before the Commissioner; to repeal conflicting laws; passed 139 - 24. SB 78, A bill to be entitled an Act to amend Title 7 of the O.C.G.A., relating to banking and finance, so as to provide for the use of a collection agency to collect fees owed to the state; to provide for the disclosure of a bank & a poss examination information to its holding company; to 
 
 provide for changes in dissolution proceedings; to enable a bank or trust company to organize as a limited liability company; to provide for minimum capital stock requirements for established banks and trust companies; to require compliance with minimum age laws for mergers; to authorize all banks to operate automated teller machines statewide; to provide for certain changes in preferred shares of credit unions; to provide for certain definitions related to the sale of checks; to repeal conflicting laws; passed 145 - 20. SB 94, A bill to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 12-5-295 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to exemptions from the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act of 1970, so as to provide that such Act shall not apply to the owners of certain property; to repeal conflicting laws; passed 145 - 20. SR 49, A resolution requesting that the United States Congress enact a Medicare prescription drug benefit; passed 154 - 7. Thursday, April 10th - 35th Day of the Session SB 37, A bill to be entitled an Act to amend Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to regulate the use of electric personal assistive mobility devices; to define certain terms; to change certain provisions relating to powers of local authorities generally; to provide for certain equipment requirements for garbage trucks or sanitation trucks; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; passed 152 - 4. SB 155, A bill to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 18 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to deferred compensation plans, so as to provide that qualified defined contribution plans authorized for the state and its political subdivisions may accept contributions from employers and employees; to repeal conflicting laws; passed 154 - 1. Uncontested Resolution Calendar - HR 261, A resolution creating the House Study Committee on Sales and Use Tax Simplification; passed 91 - 50. Friday, April 11th - 36th Day of the Session SB 7, A bill to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 11 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to emergency medical services, so as to provide for the licensure and regulation of air ambulance services; to provide for definitions; to exempt air ambulances and air ambulance services from a certain program; to establish requirements for licensure; to provide for application for licensure; to require ambulances to comply with standards; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; passed 142 - 1. SB 104, A bill to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 16-9-20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to deposit account fraud, so as to increase the maximum service charge; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; passed 133 - 18. Uncontested Resolution Calendar: SR 120, A resolution authorizing the granting of nonexclusive easements for operation and maintenance of facilities, utilities, and ingress and egress, in, on, over, under, upon, across, or through property owned by the State of Georgia in Baldwin, Bibb, Cherokee, Clarke, Crisp, Floyd, Forsyth, Glynn, Habersham, Hall, Jasper, McDuffie, McIntosh, Morgan, and Screven Counties, Georgia, and Hamilton County, Tennessee; to repeal conflicting laws; SR 121, A resolution authorizing the conveyance of certain State owned real property located in Macon County, Georgia; authorizing the conveyance of certain State owned real property located in Muscogee County, Georgia; authorizing the conveyance of certain State owned real property located in Richmond County, Georgia; authorizing the conveyance of certain State owned real property located in Talbot County, Georgia; authorizing the conveyance of certain State owned real property located in Troup County, Georgia; 
 
 authorizing the conveyance of certain State owned real property located in Decatur County, Georgia; to repeal conflicting laws; passed 130 - 0. To view legislation click here 
Georgia House of Representatives Public Information Office