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GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
ROOM 505, LOB 30334
404-656-5082 1-800-282-5800
Daily Report Number 18
February 16, 2004
Back to PIO
As the leader of the New South, Georgia has succeeded in putting many
of its racial injustices in the past. Unfortunately, there are some Georgians
who still feel the lingering effects of the old ways of operation. Falling
into this category are some of this state’s African-American police
officers who were previously denied membership in the Peace Officers’
Annuity and Benefit Fund. These dedicated officers performed the same
duties as their white counterparts, but were denied the opportunity to
secure their retirements through participation in a group retirement system.
It was not until 1976 that African Americans were allowed into the retirement
fund.
HB 1027 would take a first step toward remedying that situation. It would allow any police officer, regardless of race, to buy back their credible years of service prior to 1976. This option would only be available to current members in the retirement system. Retirees are not included in the bill’s language. Persons wishing to purchase time would be required to provide proof of credible service for the period in question. The cost for the buyback would be $10 per month of credible service purchased. Finally, any police officer wishing to buy previous service must request to do so by December 31, 2004.
House members believe Georgia’s police officers are dedicated and loyal public servants who are deserving of this state’s gratitude. They also believe that any man or woman who has made such a sacrifice should have that service honored. Lawmakers voted 162-3 to pass HB 1027 and send it to the Senate for consideration.
Along the same lines, House members passed HB 480 by a vote of 164-0. The legislation would allow members of Georgia’s state Employees Retirement System (ERS) to purchase up to three years of credible service toward their retirement. State employees wishing to exercise this option must apply to do so at the same time they are petitioning to begin their retirement. Because the employee would be responsible for the full actuarial cost of the additional years, there is no cost to the state or the ERS. HB 480 does contain one stipulation which forbids any employee from purchasing the necessary years of credible service to be considered vested in the retirement fund.
Persons whose property tax debt has been sold to private interests could soon find it easier to contact the holder of their debt under legislation that passed the House today. HB 1170 arose from a growing concern over out-of-state companies purchasing tax sale properties in Georgia. Instances have arisen where it proved difficult for the property owner to contact these companies in order to pay their back taxes and redeem their property. Furthermore, once the debt has been paid, a number of owners complained of investors who are slow to release the property from the payment lien, making it impossible for the owner to sell or refinance their property.
The authors of HB 1170 are attempting to resolve this situation by doing two things. First, in cases where property owners pay their back taxes and redeem their property, investors would be required to submit a quitclaim deed to the property owner within 15 days of payment. Secondly original language would have required any person, company, or investment group which buys at least 20 properties per year from tax sales within the same county to have an office within that county to serve as a point of contact.
There were members who felt the county office requirement was too strict. They suggested such a stringent requirement could result in many investors deciding not to purchase property tax debts, making it harder for local governments to raise funds. An amendment was offered to relax the requirement by only mandating that these investors maintain an office within the state. The amendment was adopted, and the revised version of HB 1170 passed by a vote of 132-36.
Lawmakers also considered legislation making it easier for hospitals to collect for medical services rendered. Currently, hospitals, traumatic burn units, and nursing homes have only 30 days after a patient has been discharged to notify involved parties and begin the process of filing a lien for the collection of any unpaid bills. HB 1303 would change that language to state merely that the facility must notify the former patient at least 30 days prior to filing such a lien. The authors of the proposal pointed out that the previous requirement was not administratively possible for the majority of Georgia’s hospitals. The legislation passed by a vote of 165-0.
Finally, House members voted 165-1 to pass HB 1174 dealing with the manufactured home industry. Recently, Congress passed legislation requiring all states to adopt safety and enforcement guidelines governing the manufacture of prefabricated homes in the United States. States failing to do so would fall under the jurisdiction of the federal department of Housing and Urban Development. Rather than surrender the authority, House lawmakers drafted HB 1174, which gives the State Insurance Commissioner enforcement and regulation authority over the manufactured home industry in Georgia. The Commissioner would govern the industry mainly within the standards set forth in the federal “1974 National Manufactured Housing construction and Safety Standard Act.” Among these duties would be inspecting home manufacturing facilities and their products, and levying fines against companies whose manufactured homes fail safety inspections. The Commissioner would also be tasked with developing and operating a dispute resolution system for Georgia’s manufactured home industry. Finally, the increased cost of regulating the manufactured home industry would be paid by the industry itself in the form of increased licensing and inspection fees.
Other items receiving passage on the House floor today include:
- HB 1234 (166-0)– deals with the 191 vehicles which are licensed
by the state to carry seafood, poultry, and other meats for sale from
the vehicle. The bill seeks to make licensing more efficient and uniform
by causing all new license to expire on December 31 of each year, rather
than throughout the year.
- HB 1238 (168-0)– would extend a current sales and use tax exemption
for defense contractors– such as the Lockheed Corp.– working
on government projects. The current exemption would expire in 2005.
The extension would last until 2007.
- HB 1278 (168-0)– deals with the assignment of guardianship for
minor or incompetent parties receiving workers compensation awards.
Currently, only a state probate court can appoint a guardian in such
cases. The proposal seeks to allow any court having competent jurisdiction
over the beneficiary, such as an out-of-state court, to appoint a guardian
should one be needed.
Georgia House of Representatives
Public Information Office
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