March 14 - March 18, 2005 Legislative Week # 10

T HIS W EEK ON THE F LOOR:

Friday, March 18

House was not in Session

Thursday, March 17

SB 53 - Paternity; petition of legitimation of child; provide consent of mother/father - relating to petition for legitimation of a child, notice to mother, court order, effect, and intervention by father, so as to provide that legitimation of a child may take place contemporaneously with the establishment of paternity with the consent of the mother and the father

- Authored by: Sen. Preston Smith (R-Rome)

- House Civil Judiciary Committee Substitute: LC 34 0345S/hss

- Rep. Wendell Willard (R-Atlanta) presented the bill to the House

- Floor Amendments: None

- Y: 153 N: 3

SB 133 - Fireworks; definitions; certain combustible compositions; prohibit sale to 16 year olds; penalty - This legislation would allow the sale of wire/wood sparklers in Georgia. It also prohibits the sale of sparklers to persons under 18 years of age, prohibits the selling of sparklers over the gram weight of 100 grams, and makes it unlawful to use sparklers over 100 grams of weight indoors.

- Authored by Sen. Don Balfour (R-Snellville)

- House Regulated Industries Committee Substitute: LC 19 6553S/hss

- Floor Amendments: None

- Y: 67 N: 96

- Bill Fails

SB 146 - GBI; change director's title; Antiterrorism Task Force; change certain prov - relating to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, so as to change a definition; to change the title of the director; to change certain provisions concerning authorizing the Antiterrorism Task Force to share information and work with other agencies; to amend Code Section 25-2-33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to release of fire loss information by insurers on request by state official, and Code Section 45-7-7 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to compensation and allowances of certain officials not be changed without giving public notice, so as to correct the title of the director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation

- Authored by: Sen. Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga)

- House NonCivil Judiciary Committee: Favorable as passed by Senate

- Rep. Jay Neal (R-LaFayette) presented the bill to the House

- Floor Amendments: None

- Y: 150 N: 0

SR 54 - "Future of Georgia Forestry"; Joint Study Committee; create - This resolution creates the Joint "Future of Georgia Forestry" Study Committee. The major focus of the committee would be to study the industry as a whole, to determine the issues behind the recent marked decline in Georgia's forest industry from $30.5 billion in 2001 to $20.2 billion in 2003, to re-examine the forest policy in the State, and to develop a comprehensive plan for the State to sustain and expand the benefits of its forest lands and forest products industries.

- Authored by: Sen. Ross Tolleson (R-Perry)

- House Natural Resources & Environment Committee: Favorable as passed by Senate

- Floor Amendments: AM 25 0825 - Adopted

- Y: 149 N: 1

SR 67 - CA: Fishing/Hunting; managed by law/regulation - A resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to provide that the tradition of fishing and hunting and the taking of fish and wildlife shall be preserved for the people and shall be managed by law and regulation for the public good; to provide for submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection

- Authored by: Sen. Eric Johnson (R-Savannah)

- House Game, Fish & Parks Committee: Favorable as passed by Senate

- Rep. Earl Ehrhart (R-Powder Springs) presented the bill to the House

- Floor Amendments: None

- Y: 152 N: 0

M OTIONS TO A GREES/ D ISAGREE

HB 37 - Sandy Springs, City of; incorporate; new charter - This bill creates the City of Sandy Springs.

- Authored by: Rep. Joe Wilkinson (R-Sandy Springs)

- House Agrees to Senate Amendment: Y: 129 N: 29

HB 188 - Registered sexual offender; publish photo in legal organ – This bill will allow local newspapers to publish the picture of people who have been put on sexual offender registration list.

- Authored by: Rep. Sue Burmeister (R-Augusta)

- House Disagrees to Senate Amendment: Y: 143 N: 9

HB 212 - Juvenile court; guardian ad litem; training for deprivation cases - Requires certain training for guardians ad litem appointed for children in deprivation cases.

- Authored by: Rep. Judy Manning (R-Marietta)

- House Agrees to Senate Amendment: Y: 150 N: 0

HB 217 - Athletic trainers; service in schools; licensing requirements; exception - relating to athletic trainers, so as to provide that students, teachers, or other persons who serve as athletic trainers for a public or private elementary school or high school in this state must be licensed as an athletic trainer; to provide an exception for a student-trainer, assistant-trainer, or similar person who functions under the advice, consent, and supervision of a physician or a licensed athletic trainer;

- Authored by: Rep. Jay Neal (R-LaFayette)

- House Agrees to Senate Amendment: Y: 150 N: 3

HB 264 - Commission on Interstate Cooperation; change certain provisions - as to change certain provisions relating to creation and membership of the Georgia Commission on Interstate Cooperation

- Authored by: Rep. Ron Forster (R-Ringgold)

- House Agrees to Senate Amendment: Y: 164 N: 1

HB 293 - State Accounting Office; create – This bill will create an Accounting office for the State of Georgia.

- Authored by: Rep. Larry O’Neal (R-Warner Robbins)

- House Agrees to Senate Amendment: Y: 151 N: 0

HB 416 - Torts; asbestos or silica claims; definitions and provisions - Physical impairment shall be an essential element of an asbestos claim. A limitations period shall be set for filing a claim. Pending claims under certain conditions may be dismissed. Provides for forum non conveniens

- Authored by: Rep. David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge)

- House Agrees to Senate Amendment: Y: 152 N: 1

Wednesday, March 16

House was not in Session

Tuesday, March 15

SB 100 - Georgia Residential Mortgage Fraud Act; define offense; provide penalties - relating to offenses involving theft, so as to provide for the "Georgia Residential Mortgage Fraud Act"; to provide a short title; to provide for definitions; to define the criminal offense of residential mortgage fraud; to provide for venue; to provide penalties; to authorize district attorneys and the Attorney General to investigate and prosecute cases of residential mortgage fraud; to provide for the forfeiture of real and personal property; to amend Chapter 14 of Title 16 of the O.C.G.A., the "Georgia RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) Act," so as to include residential mortgage fraud within the definition of racketeering activity

- Authored by: Sen. Bill Hamrick (R-Carrollton)

- House Banks & Banking Committee: Favorable as passed by Senate

- Rep. Ed Lindsey (R-Atlanta) presented the bill to the House

- Floor Amendments: Hatfield Amendment, Bordeaux Amendment, & AM 34 0044 adopted without objections

- Y: 134 N:2

SB 121 - Tollway Authority; motorist identity, travel history on project; exempt record – This bill provides that public disclosure is not required for any information obtained by the State Road and Tollway Authority in connection with its operation of a toll project, to the extent such records would reveal the identity, financial accounts, or travel history of an individual. This is aimed at protecting the information on Cruise Card applications, which could be dangerous in the wrong hands.

- Authored by: Sen. Dan Moody (R-Alpharetta)

- House Judiciary-Civil Committee Substitute: LC 29 1830S/hss; Withdrawn

- Rep. Wendell Willard (R-Atlanta) presented the bill to the House

- Floor Amendments: Lunsford Amendment withdrawn; Floor substitute adopted

- Y: 165 N: 2

SB 124 - Licensing Board for Residential/General Contractors; method of appointing members - This legislation changes the method of appointing board members. It follows the uniformed statewide standard for appointments to boards in the State of Georgia. It pushes up the effective date to be licensed, and asks the State for “seed money” for the new state board…board to reimburse the State.

- Authored by Sen. Mitch Seabaugh (R-Sharpsburg)

- House Regulated Industries Committee: Favorable as passed by Senate

- Rep. Graves presented the bill to the House

- Floor Amendments: None

- Y: 158 N: 1

SB 134 - Juvenile Justice; persons violate terms/ conditions of probation; change prov. - relating to juvenile proceedings, so as to provide that the Department of Juvenile Justice operate certain programs for persons who violate the terms and conditions of probation; to provide that the Department of Juvenile Justice operate certain community based alternative programs under certain circumstances; to change provisions relating to disposition of a delinquent child

- Authored by: Sen. Brian Kemp (R-Athens)

- House Judiciary-NonCivil Committee Substitute: LC 29 1851S/hss

- Rep. David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) presented the bill to the House

- Floor Amendments: AM 29 0352 failed by vote of 37:128

- Y: 148 N: 18

SR 33 - Gwinnett University Center; approve creation of four-year college - The Resolution would create a new four-year college in Gwinnett County by the Board of Regents; Chancellor Meredith spoke in favor of the resolution and gave information to the committee about the growing need in that area for a four-year institution.

- Authored by: Sen. Don Balfour (R-Snellville)

- House Higher Education Committee: Favorable as passed by Senate

- Rep. John Heard (R-Lawrenceville) presented the bill to the House

- Floor Amendments: None

- Y: 161 N: 2

SB 107 - Developmental Highway System; additional route – This bill adds an additional route to the Developmental Highway System of the State.

- Authored by: Sen. Tommie Williams (R-Lyons)

- House Transportation Committee Substitute: LC 34 0310S/hss

- Rep. Mickey Channell (D-Greensboro) presented the bill to the House

- Floor Amendments: None

- Y: 159 N: 0

SB 129 - Public Transit; unlawful to solicit money /sell goods and services to operators/passengers; penalties - This bill prohibits “pan handling” on all public transit systems. Violators will be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined.

- Authored by: Sen. David Adelman (D-Decatur)

- House Transportation Committee: Favorable as passed by Senate

- Rep. Jill Chambers (R-Atlanta) presented the bill to the House

- Floor Amendments: None

- Y: 150 N: 4

SB 99 - MARTA Act; code of ethics; conflict of interest; board members; provisions - This legislation simply adds to the MARTA Act a provision regarding the removal of a member of the board of directors found in violation of a provision of a code of ethics approved by the Board.

- Authored by: Sen. Dan Moody (R-Alpharetta)

- House Transportation Committee: Favorable as passed by Senate

- Rep. Jill Chambers (R-Atlanta) presented the bill to the House

- Floor Amendments: None

- Y: 154 N: 0

Monday, March 14

SB 49 - Annual Reports, Budgets, Audits; General Assembly members; notification of availability - All state agencies are required by law to send hard copies of audits & reports. This legislation simply changes the language to notify General Assembly members of the availability of reports rather than sending hard copies.

- Authored by: Sen. Brian Kemp (R-Athens)

- House Special Rules Committee: Favorable as passed by Senate

- Rep. Hill presented the bill to the House

- Floor Amendments: None

- Y: 163 N: 0

SB 55 - Accountancy, Board; change composition; certification; provisions - This legislation relates to the State Board of Accountancy and removes references to any registered public accountants. You can no longer get a degree as a “registered public accountant”, and this legislation just cleans up that language.

- Authored by Sen. Mitch Seabaugh (R-Sharpsburg)

- House Regulated Industries Committee: Favorable as passed by Senate

- Rep. David Knight (R-Griffin) presented the bill to the House

- Floor Amendments: None

- Y: 159 N: 3

SB 89 – Controlled Substances, Schedule 1; definitions, exceptions; change - relating to controlled substances, so as to change certain provisions relating to Schedule I controlled substances; to change certain provisions relating to the definition of dangerous drug

- Authored by: Sen. Don Thomas (R-Dalton)

- Judiciary-NonCivil Committee: As passed by Senate

- Rep. Graves presented the bill to the House

- Floor Amendments: None

- Y: 166 N: 0

SB 97 - Juvenile Court Supervision Fees; used for truancy intervention services - relating to juvenile court supervision fees, so as to provide that fees may be used for truancy intervention services

- Authored by Sen. Bill Hamrick (R-Carrollton)

- Non-Civil Judiciary Committee: Favorable as passed by Senate

- Rep. David Knight presented the bill to the House

- Floor Amendments: None

- Y: 159 N: 3

* The House is in session on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday of next week.

* The House will convene at 1:00 PM on Monday, March 21, 2005.