Weekly wrap-up [House], No. 2 (2004)

House Information Office Room 505, Legislative Office Building
Atlanta, Georgia 30334 404-656-5082 1-800-282-5800
Weekly Wrap-up #2
Back to PIO The House of Representatives reconvened January 26, 2004 at 1:00 pm for the 6th legislative day after a week of budget hearings on the Governor's proposed $16 billion spending plan. On Wednesday, the General Assembly was in recess allowing committees to hold meetings. The House Rules Committee will begin meeting on Monday February 2nd, to set the calendar for the next legislative day. Lawmakers will also go back into session Monday at 1:00 pm for the 10thlegislative day.
Memorial Service - On Wednesday the House Chamber was used to hold a memorial service for the late Ralph Twiggs who was a representative for 30 years. He passed away last September after battling cancer for one year and died of pneumonia after being admitted to a hospital in Houston. Longtime colleagues who could not make it to the funeral wanted to pay their respects by holding a memorial service. Those who spoke included Governor Sonny Perdue and former House Speaker Tom Murphy. Having chaired various House Committees, the Towns County native was a Chairman of the House Transportation Committee and represented Towns, Union, Rabun, and part of White counties. He was survived by 3 grandchildren 1 son and 2 daughters.
Tapping Reserve Fund - HB 1207 was approved on Thursday 175-0 and authorizes the General Assembly to draw down from the revenue shortfall reserves $208,632,306 for Fiscal Year 2004 and 7 million for State Fiscal Year 2005.
Poultry Producers - On Thursday the House passed HB 648, 111-62. The measure gives poultry growers three business days to have contracts with poultry producers reviewed by an attorney. Other provisions require processors to provide growers with statistical information and allow growers to be present when the processors weighs their poultry. Poultry, at $2.4 billion, is the number one agricultural product in Georgia
Hunting and Fishing Rights - HR 985, was adopted on Thursday 154-14 and proposes an amendment to the Constitution saying that hunting and fishing and the taking of game and fish shall be preserved and managed for the public good. If passed by the General Assembly, Georgia citizens would get the chance to vote on the amendment on the November ballot. Hunting and fishing generates $170 million in state sales taxes and income tax annually, directly supports 50,000 jobs in Georgia, and has a total economic impact of $4 billion annually.
Paid Leave for Parents - HB 1058 passed on Tuesday and allows, but does not mandate, employers to give 8 hours of paid leave per year to their employees who want to volunteer at

their child's schools, attend one of their child's school related events or go to a parent teacher conference. Parents wishing to take leave would be required to provide reasonable notice to their employer. Employers could also verify the time was spent on school activities.
Contributing to College Savings Plan - HB 1118 passed on Tuesday 165-0 and allows state employees to directly contribute a portion of their paycheck to the Georgia Higher Education Savings Plan. Under the Higher Education savings Plan, Georgians can earn interest that is tax exempt on the money they save for their child's college education.
Honoring Veterans - HR 614, which passed on Thursday 172-1 would set up a Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home Trust Fund with proceeds from proposed specialized license plates going to the state's two veterans nursing homes. The measure would have to be approved by the voters on the November ballot.
Disabled Parking Permits - HB 1176 was passed on Thursday 169-2 and includes blind people in the list of disabled people eligible for handicap parking permits. The parking permit would be issued to the blind person, and could be used by their caregivers or others when helping with their transportation needs.
Green Tree Frog - HB 365 passed on Tuesday 156-3 and makes the Green Tree Frog the official state amphibian. There are currently 43 state symbols.
Other Legislation Passed this Week Monday, January 26, 2004 - 6th day of the Session HB 363, 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 provide for supplying copies of electronic text versions of certain textbooks to local boards of education upon request; to authorize local boards of education to provide electronic versions of textbooks to schools and students; passed 171-0.
HB 472, A bill to amend Chapter 17 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to charitable solicitations, so as to change the term of registration for solicitor agents; to change the registration fee; to change certain disclosure requirements; passed 162-8.
HB 987, A bill to amend an Act entitled "An Act to provide a pension and retirement plan and fund for certain employees and officers of the Macon Board of Water Commissioners," so as to define a certain term; to raise the employee contribution; to increase the benefit calculation factor; to change the vesting provision; to grant a cost of living adjustment to retirees and beneficiaries; passed 172-0. Tuesday, January 27, 2004 - 7th day of the Session

HB 677, A bill to amend Article 7 of Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to setoff debt collection through state income tax refunds, so as to provide for setoff of a state income tax refund due an individual against debt to the Department of Corrections for probation fees or debt to another for restitution ordered by a court as part of the sentence after conviction of a crime in certain circumstances; passed 156-0.
Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 8th day of the Session
HB 58, A bill to amend Article 3 of Chapter 2 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state enforcement regarding revenue laws, so as to provide for additional requirements of the state revenue commissioner in the event a tax lien is erroneously placed on property of a taxpayer; passed 171-0.
HB 156, A bill to amend Part 1 of Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to ad valorem tax exemptions, so as to provide for an exemption for all tangible personal property consisting of inventory of a business taxpayer; passed 141-31.
HB 198, A bill to amend Part 10 of Article 17 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the "Georgia Professional Standards Act," so as to revise provisions relating to the Professional Standards Commission and its powers and duties; to provide that members of local boards of education shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the commission; passed 138-32.
HB 821, A bill to amend Article 4 of Chapter 18 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to pretrial intervention and diversion programs, so as to allow certain courts to create and administer pretrial intervention and diversion programs; passed 173-0.
HB 1063 A bill to amend Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to change the definition of motorized cart; to exempt persons from driver's license requirements when operating motorized carts under certain circumstances; to change certain provisions relating to authority of local bodies regarding motorized carts and crossing of streets under jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation; 169-0.
Georgia House of Representatives Public Information Office