* The House will reconvene for its 30th Legislative Day on Tuesday, March 20, at 10:00 AM.

* 15 bills and 3 resolutions are expected to be debated on the floor.

Georgia House of Representatives

Daily Report

C ALENDAR

HB 77 - Motor vehicles; traffic-control signal monitoring devices; repeal provisions

- BILL SUMMARY: This bill will change certain provisions in Title 40 of the Code, dealing with traffic control signal monitoring devices (red light cameras). Primarily it provides that only certified peace officers may review and issue citations based on camera photos. Further, it provides for a split of the fees derived from a violation that exceed the operating costs of the cameras of 25% to the local government issuing the citation and 75% to the state trauma fund. Other provisions include the requirement of an engineering study to be performed at intersections containing cameras, and a loss of revenue to local governments that do not send their annual report by the February 1st deadline.

- Authored By: Rep. Barry Loudermilk of the 14th

- House Committee: Motor Vehicles

- Rule: Open

- Amendments(s): Cox AM: Effective Dec. 31, 2006

- Yeas: 110 ; Nays: 60

HB 94 - Supplemental appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2006 - June 30, 2007

- BILL SUMMARY: This bill makes certain changes to the General Appropriations Act that was approved on May 8, 2006. It will provide appropriated sums of money for the State Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2006, and ending June 30, 2007.

- Authored By: Rep. Glenn Richardson of the 19th

- House Committee: Appropriations

- Rule: Open

- Amendments(s): N/A

- Yeas: 171 ; Nays: 1

HB 109 - County and municipality; consolidation; provisions

- BILL SUMMARY: This bill allows counties without any incorporated cities to function as consolidated governments.

- Authored By: Rep. Ellis Black of the 174th

- House Committee: Governmental Affairs

- Rule: Open

- Amendments(s): N/A

- Yeas: 157 ; Nays: 3

HB 163 - Deferred Presentment Services Act; enact; repeal "payday lending" prohibition

- BILL SUMMARY: This bill amends Title 7 of OCGA by adding Chapter 9, titled "Deferred Presentment Services Act". The bill allows the operation of businesses that provide deferred presentment services in Georgia by properly licensed individuals. It describes the process of obtaining, renewing and changing a license as well as the conditions under which such license may be revoked or denied. In addition it establishes rules and regulations relating to the transactions, fees, contracts and notices between the licensee of deferred presentment services and the consumer. This bill also amends Chapter 17 of Title 16 of OCGA relating to payday lending.

- Authored By: Rep. Steve Tumlin of the 38th

- House Committee: Banks & Banking

- Rule: Modified-Open

- Amendments(s): N/A

- Yeas: 84; Nays: 84

HB 177 - Historic sites; initial investigation; state archeologist; notice; require

- BILL SUMMARY: This bill relates to individuals who search for relics on private property with permission of the owner. Currently, five days notice must be given to the State Archaeologist before a person may dig for relics on private property. This bill would reduce the number of days required for notice from five to one. The property owner must still grant permission.

- Authored By: Rep. Martin Scott of the 2nd

- House Committee: Natural Resources & Environment

- Rule: Open

- Amendments(s): N/A

- Yeas: 159; Nays: 0

HB 181 - Public safety and judicial facilities authorities; bond indebtedness; provide limitations

- BILL SUMMARY: This bill requires public safety and judicial facilities authorities to seek approval via referendum before issuing bonded indebtedness and to itemize project priorities.

- Authored By: Rep. Mike Jacobs of the 80th

- House Committee: Governmental Affairs

- Rule: Open

- Amendments(s): N/A

- Yeas: 136; Nays: 23

HB 185 - Death penalty; jury findings; aggravating circumstance; change provisions

- BILL SUMMARY: Relates to how judges impose the death penalty for a person convicted of murder. If the jury finds beyond a reasonable doubt that there was at least one statutory aggravating circumstance the judge may sentence the defendant to imprisonment for life without parole if a majority of the jury voted for a sentence for death or life without parole or sentence the defendant to death if upon their last vote at least eleven of the jurors voted for death. If the vote is 11-1 the decision will go to the judge. The bill does not require that the judge impose death but allows that the judge may impose a sentence of death or life imprisonment without parole.

- Authored By: Rep. Barry Fleming of the 117th

- House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil

- Rule: Modified-Structured

- Amendments(s): AM by Keen moving from 11:1 to 10:2

- Yeas: 106; Nays: 65

HB 186 - Sales and use tax; certain alternative fuel facilities; five year exemption

- BILL SUMMARY: HB 186 creates a sales tax exemption for sales of tangible property to, or used in or for the new construction of, a new alternative fuel facility in Georgia which is dedicated to the production and processing of ethanol, biodiesel, and butanol, when such fuels are derived from biomass materials. Biomass materials may include agricultural products, animal fats, or the wastes of such products or fats. The term "used in or for the construction" means when tangible personal property loses its character of tangible personal property when it is incorporated into a new facility. The term does not mean tangible personal property that is temporary in nature, leased or rented, tools, or other items not incorporated into the facility. The exemption will apply to sales occurring during the period July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2009. The bill specifies that the exemption applies when construction of the facility has begun on or after the effective date of this bill. The bill will not apply to sales of tangible personal property that occur after the production and processing of biodiesel, ethanol, or butanol has begun at the facility.

- Authored By: Rep. Jim Cole of the 125th

- House Committee: Ways & Means

- Rule: Structured

- Amendments(s): N/A

- Yeas: 155; Nays: 0

HB 214 - Jekyll Island - State Park Authority; renewal of property lease; provisions

- BILL SUMMARY: A bill relating to Jekyll Island a State Park Authority and the renewal lease to the authority. This will extend the existence of the authority consistent with such lease renewal to provide for legislative oversight of the authority. The lease will be extended 50 years in addition to the remainder 42 years. Jekyll Island will be taken out of the Recreation Oversight Committee and put into its own oversight committee. The bill gives Jekyll Island Authority certain administrative procedures to follow. Lastly, the bill plans to give the Jekyll Island Authority sales tax exemption.

- Authored By: Rep. Terry Barnard of the 166th

- House Committee: State Institutions & Property

- Rule: Modified-Structured

- Amendments(s): N/A

- Yeas: 130; Nays: 35

HB 218 - Georgia Ports Authority; employees; power of arrest; peace officers; require

- BILL SUMMARY: A bill related to the Georgia Ports Authority. This bill intends on changing certain provisions for the application of traffic laws and enforcement by security guards employed with the Georgia Ports Authority. It will change the designation of security guard to peace officer. This will require that those employees of the authority who are authorized to exercise the powers of arrest shall be certified peace officers subject to the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council.

- Authored By: Rep. Burke Day of the 163rd

- House Committee: Public Safety and Homeland Security

- Rule: Open

- Amendments(s): N/A

- Yeas: 152; Nays: 0

HB 227 - Consumer Choice for Television Act; enact

- BILL SUMMARY: A statewide franchise would add an additional option to the local franchising process currently in place. The cities/counties equitably by preserving franchise fees of up to 5% of gross revenues, preserving the local franchising process as an option for providers, allowing their continued local regulation of the right-of-way, preserving the ability of local governments to run Public, Educational, and Government (PEG) channels on the new networks, and allowing local governments to handle customer complaints. The holder of a state franchise shall comply with the customer service standards set forth by federal law. Each affected local governing authority shall receive and handle complaints from subscribers of the holder of a state franchise that reside in the affected local governing authority's jurisdiction. The Secretary of State's office shall conduct a rulemaking to establish uniform rules pursuant to which an affected local governing authority may resolve subscriber complaints and to establish any uniform procedures necessary to implement subsection (c) of Code Section 36-76-11.

- Authored By: Rep. Jeff Lewis of the 15th

- House Committee: Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications

- Rule: Modified-Structured

- Amendments(s): N/A

- Yeas: 166; Nays: 2

HB 229 - Education lottery; book allowances; fee payments; impose certain limitations

- BILL SUMMARY: House bill 229 will establish a true measure of decreasing lottery reserve funds prior to eliminating student funding. Under current law, students are in jeopardy of losing their book allowances if there is any decline in lottery funds for education. The legislation requires there to be an actual trend of less than 90% of a previous year-end budget before removing any funding currently issued to Hope Scholarship recipients. Under the new formula, during the first year all scholarships and grants for book allowances may not exceed $150.00 per academic year. If the trend continues the next year, such book stipends will be suspended entirely. Further more, if lottery funds remain in a declined state, mandatory institution fees will no longer be covered by the Hope Scholarship. This legislation does not affect students eligible for the federal Pell Grant program.

- Authored By: Rep. Ben Harbin of the 118th

- House Committee: Appropriations

- Rule: Modified-Structured

- Amendments(s): N/A

- Yeas: 161; Nays: 0

HB 280 - Controlled substances; sale of marijuana flavored products to minors; ban

- BILL SUMMARY: This bill makes the sale of marijuana flavored products to minors illegal and subject to a $1,000 fine per offense. A 'Marijuana flavored product' means any product, including lollipops, gumdrops, or other candy, which is flavored to taste like marijuana or hemp. The term shall include, but is not limited to, 'Chronic Candy,' 'Kronic Kandy,' or 'Pot Suckers.'

- Authored By: Rep. Judy Manning of the 32nd

- House Committee: Children & Youth

- Rule: Open

- Amendments(s): N/A

- Yeas: 133; Nays: 26

HB 318 - Public Retirement Systems Investment Authority Law; change certain provisions

- BILL SUMMARY: This bill relates to the Public Systems Investment Authority Law.

The bill:

•Allows large retirement systems to invest up to 20% (currently 10%) in foreign companies;

•Amends current law to allow large retirement systems to invest in real estate investments trusts that are organized as

business corporations or unincorporated trusts (currently code refers only to corporations); and

•Allows a U. S. company that is incorporated outside of the U.S. to be classified as a domestic company for investment purposes by clarifying which corporations is domestic and which are foreign in conformity with federal securities laws as regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

- Authored By: Rep. Tommy Benton of the 31st

- House Committee: Retirement

- Rule: Open

- Amendments(s): AM - Rep. May - Adopted; AM - Rep. Sims - Adopted

- Yeas: 133; Nays: 28

HB 363 - HOPE grants; eligibility requirements; Georgia Military College students; provide

- BILL SUMMARY: This legislation extends the eligibility of the HOPE grant to students attending Georgia Military College.

- Authored By: Rep. Larry O`Neal of the 146th

- House Committee: Appropriations

- Rule: Modified-Structured

- Amendments(s): N/A

- Yeas: 164; Nays: 0

HB 370 - Elbert County; office of magistrate judge; nonpartisan elections; provide

- BILL SUMMARY: No Summary Available

- Authored By: Rep. Tom McCall of the 30th

- House Committee: Governmental Affairs

- Rule: Open

- Amendments(s): N/A

- Yeas: 168; Nays: 0

HB 389 - Public transportation; limousine carrier; change definition; provisions

- BILL SUMMARY: Amends code section relating to public utilities and public transportation. This bill will change the definition of ‘motor common carrier’ to include every person owning, controlling, operating, or managing any motor propelled vehicle, and the lessees, receivers, or trustees of such person, used in the business of transporting for hire of persons or property, or both, on the public highways of Georgia as a common carrier. This term also includes, but is not limited to limousine carriers.

New code sections added include:

46-7-85.18

All advertisements have to include an authorization number from the Public Service Commission.

46-7-85.9

Each limousine carrier must have insurance with a company authorized to do business in Georgia. The policy will provide for the protection of passengers and property against injury caused by the carrier’s negligence. The commission determines and fixes the amounts, provisions, and limitations of the insurance for the carriers.

46-7-85.20

The commission is authorized to enforce the new code sections. Further authorization is granted to the commission to hear petitions from third parties who assert that the carrier has violated either section and may impose the penalties set out in Code Sections 46-7-90 and article 5 of Chapter 2 of this title.

46-7-85.21

Authority of the Public Service Commission granted herein applies to all vehicles listed in paragraph 5 of Code Section 46-7-85.1 that are managed, operated, owned, leased, rented or controlled by a carrier.

- Authored By: Rep. Jeff Lewis of the 15th

- House Committee: Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications

- Rule: Open

- Amendments(s): N/A

- Yeas: 151; Nays: 0

HB 408 - Insolvency funds exclusion; certain companies; provide exception

- BILL SUMMARY: This bill allows association or industrial insured captive insurance companies that issue workers' compensation insurance contracts to join and receive benefits from the Georgia Insurance Insolvency Pool. It becomes effective January 1, 2008.

- Authored By: Rep. Tom Knox of the 24th

- House Committee: Insurance

- Rule: Open

- Amendments(s): N/A

- Yeas: 160; Nays: 0

HB 424 - Workers' compensation; claim filings; benefits; examinations; provisions

- BILL SUMMARY: Claims filed with the Worker’s Compensation Board for which no benefits have been paid after July 1, 2007, will be dismissed with prejudice by operation of law if no hearing has been held within five years of the alleged date of injury; this change will not apply to claims filed for an occupational disease as defined by OCGA 34-9-280; the form used by the Board for filing claims will contain notice of this new provision. In cases where rehabilitation is required, employers will now have 20 days from the date of notification of the requirement to select a rehabilitation supplier; Current law provides for 15 days. Injured employee examinations may now include physical, psychiatric and psychological exams; charges for prescriptions and other items will be subject to Board approval; charges by physicians and hospitals are currently subject to Board approval. The total maximum compensation rate per week is raised from $450.00 to $500.00 and the total minimum is raised from $45.00 to $50.00; the minimum under which the employer shall pay the total weekly wage is raised from $45.00 to $50.00; the rate at which employers shall make disability payments is raised from $300.00 per week to $334.00 per week; the length of time (350 weeks) is not changed.

- Authored By: Rep. Mike Coan of the 101st

- House Committee: Industrial Relations

- Rule: Open

- Amendments(s): N/A

- Yeas: 151; Nays: 0

HB 487 - Elections; primaries; voting; provisions

- BILL SUMMARY: This bill lowers the threshold to win an election in statewide primaries and general elections from a majority to a plurality of 45%. Further , it changes the date of Georgia's presidential preference primary to the first Tuesday of February in a presidential election year.

- Authored By: Rep. Austin Scott of the 153rd

- House Committee: Governmental Affairs

- Rule: Modified-Structured

- Amendments(s): N/A

- Yeas: 154; Nays: 11

HB 505 - Human Resources, Department of; adult day centers; licensure; authorize charge fees

- BILL SUMMARY: Amends Article 7 of Chapter 5 of Title 49 of O.C.G.A. by adding a new Code section: 49-6-86. HB 505 authorizes the Department of Human Resources to charge application fees, license fess, and renewal fees. The amount per fee is to be established by the board of the Department of Human Resources in accordance with rules and regulations. The fees should be used to support the licensing, inspecting, and monitoring of adult day care centers. Fees may be refunded by the department as determined by the department. This act is only to become effective when funds are appropriated specifically for this act.

- Authored By: Rep. Mark Butler of the 18th

- House Committee: Human Relations & Aging

- Rule: Open

- Amendments(s): N/A

- Yeas: 160; Nays: 3

HB 536 - Vehicles and loads; fines for excess weight; provisions

- BILL SUMMARY: Article 2 of Chapter 6 of Title 32 of the OCGA is amended in Code Section 32-6-26, relating to weight of vehicle and load, by revising subsection (g). Weight limitations provided in this subsection may be exceeded on any public road of this state that is not an interstate highway, or when making a pickup or delivery on any public road of a county road system, without a permit only when the load on any single axle does not exceed 23,000 pounds, the load on any tandem axle does not exceed 46,000, and the maximum total gross weight of the vehicle and load does not exceed 80,000 pounds when: 1. hauling forest products from the forest to the first point of marketing or processing; hauling live poultry or cotton from farm to processing plant; hauling feed from feed mill to farm; hauling granite, or any other naturally occurring raw ore or mineral for further processing; hauling solid wasted or recovered materials from points of generation to a solid waste handling facility; or hauling concrete that is in a freshly mixed and unhardened state for delivery to a customer in the same or adjoining county.

No lift axle may be used in the computing of the total gross weight authorized for any vehicle or load under this paragraph.

Any vehicle hauling the above items or agricultural or farm product from a farm to the first point of marketing or processing shall be permitted a 5% variance from the weight limitations in the above paragraph within a 100 mile radius of the farm or point of origin. Any violators will be fined on the basis of the weight limitations of paragraph (1) of the code section, including the variance granted.

Any vehicle carrying a load permitted in this subsection at night shall have lights that are clearly visible for a distance of not less than 300 feet from the rear of the vehicle.

The article is further amended in Code Section 32-6-27 relating to the enforcement of load limitations by revising paragraph (1) of subsection (a) to include applicable variances to the fines for excess weight over limitations set forth by Georgia law.

- Authored By: Rep. Johnny Floyd of the 147th

- House Committee: Transportation

- Rule: Open

- Amendments(s): N/A

- Yeas: 166; Nays: 3

HB 549 - Children with disabilities; basic therapy services; establish requirements

- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would simplify the process of application and approval of medical therapy services for children with disabilities. Such services are entitled under the Medicaid Early Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment Program. Additionally, this bill would simplify the process and paperwork by which occupational, speech, and physical therapy services are applied for and received by eligible citizens.

- Authored By: Rep. Mark Burkhalter of the 50th

- House Committee: Health & Human Services

- Rule: Open

- Amendments(s): N/A

- Yeas: 167; Nays: 0

HB 559 - Health insurance; charter school teachers and employees; provisions

- BILL SUMMARY: This bill relates to health insurance plans for teachers and other school personnel in elementary and secondary education, so as to provide for teachers and employees of charter schools to be considered employees for purposes of participating in the health insurance plans for teachers and other school personnel.

- Authored By: Rep. Margaret Kaiser of the 59th

- House Committee: Education

- Rule: Modified-Structured

- Amendments(s): N/A

- Yeas: 157; Nays: 1

HR 195 - Hospitality Highway; dedicate GA 400

- BILL SUMMARY: Resolution designating the GA 400 corridor as the Hospitality Highway.

- Authored By: Rep. Amos Amerson of the 9th

- House Committee: Transportation

- Rule: Structured

- Amendments(s): N/A

- Yeas: 162; Nays: 0

HR 321 - Edward Sidney "Dick" Chambers Memorial Highway; dedicate

- BILL SUMMARY: Resolution dedicating the portion of SR 37 within the city limits of Funston, Georgia in Colquitt County as the Edward Sidney "Dick" Chambers Memorial Highway.

- Authored By: Rep. Richard Royal of the 171st

- House Committee: Transportation

- Rule: Structured

- Amendments(s): N/A

- Yeas: 162; Nays: 0

HR 351 - Joint Study Committee on Fulton County; create

- BILL SUMMARY: The Bill provides for the creation of the Joint Fulton County Study Committee to undertake a study of the conditions, needs, issues, and uses of the Fulton County government structure and operations and the problems found by the Fulton County Blue Ribbon Commission, and, make recommendations for any actions or legislation witch the committee deems necessary or appropriate. The Committee shall consist of 16 members, eight appointed by the Lieutenant Governor and eight appointed by the Speaker of the House. The Committee shall stand abolished on or before the convening of the 2008 Session.

- Authored By: Rep. Edward Lindsey of the 54th

- House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination

- Rule: Open

- Amendments(s): N/A

- Yeas: 158; Nays: 0

HR 369 - Baldwin, Charlton, Chatham, Coffee, and Columbia counties; convey property; authorize

- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution authorizes the conveyance of certain state owned real property located in the following Counties in Georgia: Baldwin, Charlton, Chatham, Coffee, Columbia, Forsyth, Fulton, Hall, McDuffie, Pulaski, Stephens, Tattnall, Treutlen, Troup, Wayne, and Whitfield.

- Authored By: Rep. Terry Barnard of the 166th

- House Committee: State Institutions & Property

- Rule: Open

- Amendments(s): N/A

- Yeas: 168; Nays: 0

* The House will reconvene Tuesday, March 20, at 10:00 AM, for its 30th Legislative Day of the 1st Regular Session of the 149th General Assembly.

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The Committee on Rules has fixed the calendar for the 30th Legislative Day, Tuesday,

March 20, and bills may be called at the pleasure of the Speaker.

RULES CALENDAR FOR NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY

HB 118 - Brunswick and Cobb Judicial Circuits; additional superior courts judge; provide

- BILL SUMMARY: HB 118 calls for an increase in the number of judges of the superior courts in the Brunswick and Cobb Judicial Circuits. Cobb Judicial Circuit's number of judges will rise from 9 to 10, and Brunswick Judicial Circuit's from 4 to 5.

- Authored By: Rep. Earl Ehrhart of the 36th

- House Committee: Judiciary

- Rule: Modified-Open

HB 152 - HOPE scholarships; home study course; provisions

- BILL SUMMARY: The bill would allow students who are home schooled and score within the 90th percentile on the SAT/ACT to receive the HOPE scholarship. The bill was amended in full committee to allow students reaching within the 85th percentile to receive the scholarship and the words home study were stricken throughout the bill to allow for Christian and unaccredited school students to qualify.

- Authored By: Rep. John Lunsford of the 110th

- House Committee: Higher Education

- Rule: Modified-Structured

HB 156 - Human Resources, Department of; child support collections fees; authorize

- BILL SUMMARY: HB 156 addresses the need to pay federal fees imposed upon states for child support recovery collections. This bill calls for the payment of the imposed federal fee through a $12.00 charge to the custodial parent to be paid in monthly installments of $1.00, as well as, a monthly $13.00 charge to the non-custodial parent. The fee is to be collected from both the custodial and non-custodial parent after the agency has collected $500.00 of child support annually, and will apply to "never TANF" recipients only.

- Authored By: Rep. Wendell Willard of the 49th

- House Committee: Judiciary

- Rule: Open

HB 169 - Sales and use tax; certain prepared food and beverage donations; provide exemption

- BILL SUMMARY: HB 169 creates a two year sales tax exemption for prepared food and beverages donated to non-profit organizations that provide hunger relief or donated following a natural disaster. Currently, if a restaurant donates food to charity, they are required to pay sales and use tax at the full retail value on this food.

- Authored By: Rep. Charles Martin of the 47th

- House Committee: Ways & Means

- Rule: Structured

HB 197 - Imprisonment sentence reviews; more than 12 years; three-judge panel; repeal

- BILL SUMMARY: Terminates the right of a defendant to have a sentence of 12 years or more reviewed by a three-judge panel. Current law provides that a defendant shall have the right to have a sentence of 12 or more years reviewed by a three-judge panel that will examine the sentence in light of the nature of the crime and the defendant’s prior criminal record to determine whether it is excessively harsh. No new sentences will be reviewed as of July 1, 2007, except for those sentences imposed prior to July 1, 2007; those must be received by September 1, 2007; any sentence with a review pending as of September 1, 2007 shall have its review completed by November 1, 2008. The president of The Council of Superior Court Judges of Georgia will cause all administrative measures necessary to conclude the business of the three-judge panel to be completed no later than January 1, 2009. All documents related to the activities of the three-judge panel are to be transmitted to the Department of Archives and History and all equipment and supplies will be distributed to judges of the superior courts. Any fees or expenses due will be paid out of funds that are appropriated for the operation of the superior courts in FY 2009.

- Authored By: Rep. Barry Fleming of the 117th

- House Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil

- Rule: Modified-Structured

HB 242 - Insurance; certain high deductible health plans; provide exemption

- BILL SUMMARY: HB 242 provides insurers with an exemption from state premium taxes equal to 2.25 percent of the premiums collected from Georgia residents for high deductible health plans sold or maintained in connection with a health savings account under the applicable provisions of Section 223 of the IRC. It also provides for an income tax deduction for the individual taxpayer for 100% of the premium paid for high deductible health plans established and used with a health savings account under the applicable provisions of Section 223 of the IRC to the extent the deduction has not been included in federal adjusted gross income and the expenses have not been included in itemized non-business deductions. This bill would become effective January 1, 2008.

- Authored By: Rep. Tom Knox of the 24th

- House Committee: Ways & Means

- Rule: Structured

HB 282 - Sales & use tax; repair of certain aircrafts; sale of parts; provide exemption

- BILL SUMMARY: HB 282 provides for a two year sales tax exemption on sales of engines, parts, equipment and other tangible personal property use in aircraft maintenance or repair, when such aircraft is repaired or maintained in Georgia, but not registered in Georgia.

- Authored By: Rep. Ron Stephens of the 164th

- House Committee: Ways & Means

- Rule: Structured

HB 340 - PeachCare; threshold income amount for eligibility; revise

- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would lower the threshold for eligibility in the Peachcare for Kids program to 200% of FPL, while granting the Board of Health the authority to revise this number to between 185% and 225% of FPL.

- Authored By: Rep. Glenn Richardson of the 19th

- House Committee: Health & Human Services

- Rule: Modified-Structured

HB 369 - Domestic relations; child custody proceedings; provisions

- BILL SUMMARY: HB 369 sets forth to provide for a shared parenting plan for divorced parents faced with child custody issues. This shared parenting plan will help parents to make joint decisions relating to the child’s education, health, extracurricular activities, and religious upbringing. Furthermore, this bill provides for a direct appeal for child custody issues.

- Authored By: Rep. Tom Rice of the 51st

- House Committee: Judiciary

- Rule: Modified-Structured

HB 380 - Tax collectors and commissioners; bill or notice mailing; change certain provisions

- BILL SUMMARY: This bill addresses the problem of tax commissioners sending notices of delinquent taxes to new owners in the records of the county board of tax assessors, only when it is "technologically feasible". In many instances the new owner is not getting a copy of this notice until after it is late, and interest and penalties are being assessed. There have been many instances of commissioners claiming it was not technologically feasible to notify the new owner in a timely manner. This bill removes this "if technologically feasible" language so that the new owner must be notified.

- Authored By: Rep. Calvin Hill of the 21st

- House Committee: Ways & Means

- Rule: Structured

HB 383 - Georgia Condominium Act; define terms; provisions

- BILL SUMMARY: Bill amends the Georgia Condominium Act so as to allow the creation of master condominium and sub-condominium associations. Further provides that a condominium owner is not required to have a certificate of occupation in order to own said condominium.

- Authored By: Rep. James Mills of the 25th

- House Committee: Judiciary

- Rule: Open

HB 430 - Property; railroads; provisions

- BILL SUMMARY: HB 430 excludes lands owned by railroad corporations and companies from adverse protection claims, prescription of incorporeal rights, and establishment of private ways by prescription. The exclusion of such lands applies only to railroad property that has been the subject of a formal abandonment before the Surface Transportation Board, the track has not been removed, and the railroad corporation or company has made a documented decision that it will not restore operations.

- Authored By: Rep. David Ralston of the 7th

- House Committee: Judiciary

- Rule: Modified-Open

HB 441 - Income tax; federal obligations; taxable income; revise provisions

- BILL SUMMARY: The purpose of HB 441 is to repeal provisions of legislation passed in 2005 dealing with the tax liability computations on interest or dividends earned from US obligations, interest derived from international banking, and income from off-shore banking. Current law stemming from the 2005 legislation requires corporations to subtract direct and indirect expenses attributable to the production of income from US obligations before taking a deduction. This bill will provide for only direct expenses to be subtracted from the deduction, as was the law before the 2005 legislation was enacted. When the change to current law was made in 2005, the fiscal impact was expected to be a tax charge of about $1 million; however that has actually been determined to have caused tax increases for our state and local banks in the amount of about $12.5 million, which was not the intent of the legislature.

- Authored By: Rep. Johnny Floyd of the 147th

- House Committee: Ways & Means

- Rule: Structured

HB 471 - Local government; privately constructed water systems; requiring ownership transfer; prohibit

- BILL SUMMARY: This bill will prohibit local governments from requiring transfer of the ownership of privately constructed water or sewage systems under certain conditions. It is narrowly drawn so as to apply to only one private system in one county in Georgia. The law will sunset January 1, 2009.

- Authored By: Rep. Ron Stephens of the 164th

- House Committee: Governmental Affairs

- Rule: Open

HB 626 - Physicians; retired; continuing education hours; provisions

- BILL SUMMARY: This bill would limit the requirement for continuing education among practitioners providing uncompensated care to no more than 40 hours annually, provided the physician is retired.

- Authored By: Rep. Tom Graves of the 12th

- House Committee: Health & Human Services

- Rule: Open

HR 121 - Rosa Parks and others; portraits in the state capitol; authorize

- BILL SUMMARY: House Resolution 121 is a bill that honors five key leaders in the civil rights and human rights movement: Mrs. Rosa Parks; Dr. Ralph David Abernathy, Sr.; Reverend Hosea L. Williams; Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery; and Reverend Joseph Everhart Boone. Their commitment to justice for black Americans and their devotion to timeless principles earn them a place of recognition of that service to this state and this nation as leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. House Resolution 121 also directs that a portrait of each be placed on the second floor of the state capitol building alongside the portrait of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

However, the bill does not address how the portrait is going to be maintained, i.e. funding. Also, the Capitol Standards Arts Commission must approve the placement of any art in the Capitol.

Sub LC 21 9286S offered is basically same as HR 121 but changes the wording on page 5 from "directs" the Capitol Art Standards Commission to "urges" the Capitol Art Standards Commission.

- Authored By: Rep. Tyrone Brooks of the 63rd

- House Committee: Special Rules

- Rule: Open

HR 273 - Congress; urge to end violence in Sudan

- BILL SUMMARY: A resolution urging that the United States Congress continues to press for strong measures to end the violence in Sudan. This resolution also urges that the Securities and Exchange Commission provide guidance to public pension fund managers in order to avoid investments, which may be supporting nations involved in the support of terrorism or human rights violations.

- Authored By: Rep. Tyrone Brooks of the 63rd

- House Committee: Interstate Cooperation

- Rule: Open

HR 322 - Joint Study Committee on Continuing Education and Collegiate Sports Programs for Students with Disabilities; create

- BILL SUMMARY: This resolution creates the Joint Study Committee on Continuing Education and Collegiate Sports Programs for Students with Disabilities.

- Authored By: Rep. Ben Harbin of the 118th

- House Committee: Higher Education

- Rule: Open

* The Rules Committee will next meet on Tuesday, March 20, at 9:00 AM, to set the Rules Calendar for the 31st Legislative Day.

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COMMITTEE ACTION REPORT

Children & Youth

HB 542 - Georgia Legislative Youth Advisory Council; create

- BILL SUMMARY: This bill creates the Georgia Legislative Youth Advisory Council to advise the legislature on issues relating to youth.

- Authored By: Rep. Carolyn Hugley of the 133rd

- Committee Action: Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Defense & Veterans Affairs

HR 523 - Local school systems; honor Veterans' Day; urge

- BILL SUMMARY: Urges all school systems in Georgia to honor Veterans Day.

- Authored By: Rep. John Yates of the 73rd

- Committee Action: Do Pass

Rules

HR 595 - House; amend Rules

- BILL SUMMARY: Prohibits reports from entering the floor to ask members to step out to the anteroom.

- Authored By: Rep. Glenn Richardson of the 19th

- Committee Action: Do Pass

State Institutions & Property

HR 524 - Gerald Dasher Memorial State Farmers' Market; dedicate

- BILL SUMMARY: A resolution that dedicates Gerald Dasher for his outstanding public service he rendered in Tattnall County. State Farmers’ Market in Glennville, Georgia will be known as Gerald Dasher Memorial State Farmers’ Market.

- Authored By: Rep. Terry Barnard of the 166th

- Committee Action: Do Pass

* Bills passing committees are reported to the Clerk’s Office, and are then placed on the General Calendar.

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COMMITTEE BROADCAST SCHEDULE

 

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

 

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Subcommittee One (Knox) Judiciary Non-Civil

132 CAP

 

9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Appropriations Health Subcommittee

403 CAP CANCELED

 

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

DEFENSE AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

606 CLOB

 

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Appropriations Special Projects Subcommittee

403 CAP

 

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Appropriations Human Resources Subcommittee

341 CAP

 

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Ways and Means Sales Tax Subcommittee

133 CAP

 

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Appropriations Higher Education Subcommittee

406 CLOB CANCELED

 

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS

506 CLOB

 

1:30 PM - 2:00 PM

Resolution Subcommittee of Transportation

606 CLOB

 

2:00 PM - 6:00 PM

GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS

506 CLOB

 

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

TRANSPORTATION

606 CLOB

 

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM	Appropriations Public Safety Subcommittee	403 CAP CANCELED
Thursday, March 22, 2007

 

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Special Committee on CON

606 CLOB

* This schedule is accurate at the time of this report, but meeting dates and times are subject to change. To view the most up to date meeting schedule, please visit http://www.legis.ga.gov and click on Meetings Notices. To view the live streaming video of the meeting, please visit the Georgia Legislative Network website.

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CONTACT: BRENT CRANFIELD
(404) 656-0305