GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
ROOM 505, LOB 30334
404-656-5082     1-800-282-5800

Daily Report Number 13
February 6, 2004

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Today’s calendar was quite small with only three items, all of which were non-controversial.

HB 340, which passed 94-0, removes an old provision of Georgia code requiring the state Department of Public Safety to provide the warden at Georgia State Prison with a vehicle. The law has been on the books for more than 50 years, and has outlived its necessity.

Next up on today’s calendar was HB 618 which seeks to establish a retirement system for the state’s many magistrate court judges. The legislation creates a seven-member Board of Commissioners of the Magistrates Retirement Fund. Five of these members must be full-time chief magistrates who are members of the retirement fund, and all would be appointed by the Governor. This board will set up guidelines and oversee the operation of the Magistrates Retirement Fund.

Magistrates willing to participate in the retirement program would contribute $105 per month into the fund. Additional money for the retirement system would come from an additional $3 filing fee on cases which are handled by magistrate courts. Participating members could not collect benefits before age sixty, and would not be allowed to collect benefits while they still serve as a magistrate. Benefits would be calculated using a formula which pays the beneficiary 4 percent of his or her monthly salary multiplied by their number years in credible service. Members would be vested after only eight years of service, but would only be allowed to claim a maximum of 20 years credible service in their benefits’ calculation.

Lawmakers realize the valuable and growing role magistrates play locally in Georgia’s legal system. HB 618 passed by a vote of 99-1.

Finally, HB 794 extends an ad-valorem tax exemption to the Southern Legislative Conference for a regional headquarters they will build in Atlanta. The SLC is an arm of the National Conference of State Legislatures which has a similar exemption. The measure passed 92-3.

Georgia House of Representatives
Public Information Office

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