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HOUSE INFORMATION
OFFICE
ROOM 505, LEGISLATIVE OFFICE BUILDING
ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30334
404-656-5082 1-800-282-5800
Weekly Wrap-up #8
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House lawmakers reconvened Tuesday, March 9th, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. for the 30th day of the session. On Monday, March 8th, Wednesday, March 10th and Thursday, March 11th the House was in recess to conduct committee business and work on the 2004 amended budget and the 2005 state budget. The House will reconvene Monday, March 15th at 10:00 a.m. for the 32nd day of the session. The House has also voted to be in recess Tuesday, March 16th and Thursday, March 18th of next week.
On another note, lawmakers took time out on Friday with a moment of silence for Rep. Roger Bruce (D-Atlanta) who is hospitalized in intensive care at Emory Medical Center.
Atlanta Sewer Improvements - Tuesday saw the passage of HB 1612, 137-31. Under the bill, Fulton County would be required to have a special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) referendum on the ballot for sewer and water infrastructure improvements if the Atlanta City Council passes a resolution calling for a SPLOST referendum requesting to do the same. It also says Fulton County must enter into a contract with Atlanta on the division of the SPLOST funds within 30 days of passage of Atlanta's resolution. The money will be divided between city and county governments based on their respective populations, The Commissioner of Revenue would also be instructed to withhold funds from Fulton County if they do not place a SPLOST referendum on the ballot. This legislation is intended to help the city of Atlanta with court ordered sewer improvements. Total costs for these sewer enhancements is expected to reach $3.2 billion. The tax would generate approximately $100 million a year for Atlanta.
Water Policy - The House passed HB 1615 on Friday 108-61. Inter-basin transfers, which is taking water from one river basin and piping it across more than two counties into another river basin, would be prohibited under the legislation unless allowed by the state Environmental Protection Division. However, the EPD director would have to consider 22 factors such as the future water needs for homes, businesses and farms that draw from the river or underground aquifer where the water would be taken. Water conservation must also be taken into consideration. Another provision stops the practice of moving water within the same basin across more than four counties. And finally the bill would forbid any new intrabasin transfers within the metro Atlanta area from the Etowah River north of Lake Allatoona. It was also amended to make provisions in this bill moot when the expected state-wide water plan is passed.
Racial Profiling - HB 1327 passed on Friday 116-34 and says racial profiling can not be used to stop a vehicle. It also requires police to report the gender and race of every motorist they pull over. Under the bill, officers would be required to record the gender and race of every person in the car, and write down why the car was pulled over and whether the vehicle was searched. Another provision mandates police officers have annual training on ethnicity and racial profiling. However, the bill clearly states a persońs race or ethnicity could still be used to confirm a previously obtained description of a suspect. The U.S. Attorney General has stated that profiling is not allowed in federal law enforcement. Some 30 states have passed laws against racial profiling.
Symphony Hall Tax Credit - HB 1511, which was adopted on Tuesday 163-4, will exempt sales taxes on building materials for the proposed $300 million symphony hall up for construction in midtown Atlanta. The tax credit is estimated to cost the state about $6 million in lost sales taxes. Woodruff Arts Center, the current home of the Atlanta Symphony, would be replaced and plans call for a building with an adjustable ceiling for better sound that would be connected to an office tower. The new symphony Hall is scheduled to be completed in 2008.
Judicial Emergency Act - HB 1450 passed on Tuesday 159-9 and allows the Chief Justice of Georgia's Supreme Court or the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals to declare a state of emergency during a natural disaster, civil disturbance, or other emergency situation that will interfere with a citizen's, litigant's, state official's, or other person's ability to comply with court deadlines. They could then authorize procedures to keep the judicial system in Georgia operating.
Teacher Background Checks - HB 1151 passed on Tuesday 165-0 and requires background checks on teachers, principles and other certified professional school personnel in elementary and secondary education be done in a 90 day period instead of a the current 200 day period.
Pro Wrestling - HB 558 was adopted on Tuesday 149 - 16 and adds pro wrestling to the sports that are regulated by the state. The bill requires organizers to pay $1,000 licensing fees plus a $250-per-match fee to the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission of the Secretary of State's Office. Olympic-style wrestling which most high schools compete in is exempt under the legislation.
Car Tags for Retired Military - HB 274 was adopted on Tuesday 162-0 and creates a specialty licence plate for the men and women who are retirees from the military reserves, or National Guard. Georgia currently has a specialty tag for active reservists and guardsmen, but not for retirees.
Tax Credit for New Coke Museum - HB 1528 passed on Friday 151-5 and would exempt sales taxes on building materials for the construction of the proposed World of Coke museum which will be next to the new Georgia Aquarium in downtown Atlanta.
Publishing School Superintendent's Contract - HB 1123 was passed on Friday 92-36 and says that each local school system must publish in the legal organ of the county a summary of the financial compensation and benefits of any initial contract or reissued contract of the appointed county school superintendent. Motion to Reconsider
Organ Donor Tax Credit - HB 1410 passed on Friday 148-0 and provides a state income tax credit to organ donors for lost wages. The legislation would cap the tax credit at $10,000.
Dredging Sand - HB 727, which was adopted 142-0 on Tuesday, requires beach sand that was removed from coastal Georgia be used to replenish the state's beaches.
To view legislation click here
Other Legislation Passed this Week
Tuesday, March 9, 2004 - 30th day of the Session
HB 975, A bill to amend an Act entitled "An Act to continue the Fulton County School Employees Pension Fund," so as to change the provisions of such Act relating to the grant and calculation of cost-of-living benefit increases; to authorize the board of trustees of such retirement fund to grant such increase under certain conditions; passed 141-26.
HB 1416, A bill to amend Article 1 of Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to ad valorem taxation of property, so as to change certain provisions relating to bona fide conservation use property, residential transitional property, application procedures, penalties for breach of covenant, classification on tax digest, and annual report; to expressly include certain property devoted to production of wildlife by maintaining wildlife habitat within the meaning of bona fide conservation use property; passed 162-1.
HB 1431, A bill to amend Code Section 9-13-80 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to executions being cancelled when satisfied and private rights of action, so as to provide specific deadlines and remedies for cancellation of record of fully satisfied judgment executions; to provide alternative methods to cancel fully satisfied judgments; passed 154-0.
HB 1598, A bill to amend Article 1 of Chapter 13 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions concerning specific, business, and occupation taxes, so as to provide that counties and municipalities that require permits for the installation, replacement, or improvement of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, plumbing, or electrical systems in a building or structure shall permit applicants to apply for such permits by mail or through certain electronic media and shall provide for certain alternative means of paying any fees associated with the issuance of such permits; passed 163-0.
HR 1096, A resolution to promote health education and physical activity in Georgia schools; passed 161-4.
HR 1404, A resolution designating the Joy N. KIeeman Memorial Bikeway; passed 161-0.
Uncontested Resolution Calendar - HR 1262, A resolution honoring the Military Veterans of Burke County and designating the Burke (star) Veterans Parkway; A BILL to amend Code Section 9-11-41 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to dismissal of actions, so as to change certain provisions relating to a plaintiff's voluntary dismissal; passed 170-1.
Friday, March 12th, 2004 - 31st day of the Session
HB 656, A bill to amend Code Section 10-1-393 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to unfair or deceptive practices in consumer transactions, so as to require that consumer reporting agencies notify consumers when a person other than a person with whom the consumer already has a business relationship makes an inquiry concerning the consumer's file with such agency; passed 140-0.
HB 984, A bill to amend Article 2 of Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to imposition, rate, and computation of income taxes, so as to change certain provisions regarding the designation of counties as less developed areas for purposes of certain income tax credits; to provide for such designation with respect to portions of certain counties; to provide for such designation with respect to tax credits for existing manufacturing and telecommunications facilities or manufacturing or telecommunications support facilities; passed 162-0.
HB 1245, A bill to amend the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, so as to correct typographical, stylistic, capitalization, punctuation, and other errors and omissions in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated and in Acts of the General Assembly amending the Official Code of Georgia Annotated; to reenact the statutory portion of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, as amended; to provide for necessary or appropriate revisions and modernizations of matters contained in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated; passed 161-0.
HB 1246, A bill to amend Title 47 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to retirement and pensions, so as to correct typographical, stylistic, and other errors and omissions in Title 47 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated and in Acts of the General Assembly amending Title 47 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated; passed 164-0.
HB 1247, A bill to amend Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elections, so as to correct typographical, stylistic, and other errors and omissions in Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated and in Acts of the General Assembly amending Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated; passed 167-0.
HB 1297, A bill to amend Code Section 45-9-81 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to definitions relative to the Georgia State Indemnification Fund, so as to provide a short title; to change the definition of a certain term; to provide for a rebuttable presumption that certain conditions contracted by firefighters were contracted in the line of duty; passed 161-0.
HB 1304, 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 timely payment for goods and services purchased by local boards of education; to amend Chapters 60 and 80 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating, respectively, to general provisions applicable to municipal corporations, counties, and other governmental entities, so as to provide for timely payment for goods and services purchased by local governments and local authorities; passed 126-3.
HB 1335, A bill to amend Chapter 10 of Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to sentence and punishment for crimes, so as to provide that the superior court sentence review panel shall be required to provide an opinion or memorandum of decision when a sentence is reduced; to clarify sentences subject to review; passed 154-2.
HB 1372, A bill to amend Article 3 of Chapter 9 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to costs and compensation of judges of the probate court, so as to increase the minimum salary for judges of the probate court who also hold and conduct elections or are responsible for conducting elections for members of the General Assembly under any applicable general or local law of this state; passed 143-20.
HB 1444, A bill to amend Code Section 48-7-127 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to tax penalties, so as to provide that it shall be illegal for any person knowingly to coerce, induce, or threaten an individual falsely to declare himself or herself to be an independent contractor or falsely to claim that an individual employed by such person is an independent contractor in order to avoid or evade the withholding and payment of taxes; passed 149-0.
HB 1512, A bill to amend Chapter 9 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to chiropractors, so as to provide for additional authority for the board to condition any sanction for a nonclinical infraction, including the authority to expunge or delete such infraction from the disciplinary record of any licensee; passed 165-3.
HB 1559, A bill to amend Chapter 70 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to coordinated and comprehensive planning and service delivery by counties and municipalities, so as to exempt sheriffs, clerks of the superior courts, judges of the probate courts, and tax commissioners from the definition of the term "local government"; passed 114-49.
HB 1698, 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 require providers of in-service or continuing education for teachers and other professional personnel to offer such in-service or continuing education online; to provide for treatment by the Professional Standards Commission; passed 161-7.
HR 1373, A resolution designating the Julien B. Roddenbery, Sr. Memorial Drive; passed 152-0.
To view legislation click here
Georgia House of Representatives
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