Georgia Legislative Watch

Your inside source to the Gold Dome

Archive for February, 2007

On second thought…

Posted: Wednesday, February 28th, 2007 @ 7:58 pm in News | No Comments »

It doesn’t look like things will be getting any busier in Atlanta:

The State Capitol will stand nearly empty for two weeks. Some committees will soldier on, but for the most part lawmakers will flee for home, to re-introduce themselves to the spouse and kids.

Already, this session has earned a reputation for lethargy — not necessarily a bad thing if you don’t like strangers peering into your bedroom or your wallet.

As of Wednesday, the 26th day of a 40-day gathering, the House had experienced only two full-fledged debates — one over gun legislation, and a second over a retirement fund investment bill.

The action in the Senate has been only slightly more exciting.

The main reason for the torpidity — as well as the recess until mid-March — can be laid at the feet of PeachCare, and Gov. Sonny Perdue’s wrestling match with the U.S. government.

This of course is driving Chris and I nuts because this is the first session we’ve been running and there isn’t much going on.

New Legislation Posted Wednesday, February 28 2007

Posted: Wednesday, February 28th, 2007 @ 7:18 am in News | No Comments »

HB581 - Certificate of Need; extensive revision; provide
HB583 - Insurance; insureds send legal action notices to their insurers; require
HB584 - Agritourism activities; regulation; provisions
HB585 - Ad valorem property tax; qualified motor vehicles; provide for the elimination
HB586 - Alternative attorneys; capital cases; counsel appointment and fees; change matters
HB587 - Gas; public convenience and necessity certificates; provide for revocation
HB588 - Maysville, City of; provide new charter
HB589 - Hospitals; circulating nurses for surgical services; provide requirements
HB590 - Traffic-control signal monitoring devices; violations; lower penalty
HB591 - Early Care and Learning, Department of; day-care centers and others; transfer duties to
HB592 - Insurance; uninsured motorist coverage; provisions
HB593 - Bona fide conservation use property; agritourism; change certain provisions
HB594 - Tax returns; counties; tax commissioner closes books on March 1; provide
HB595 - Lifetime honorary hunting and fishing licenses; certain military veterans; provide
HB596 - Water pollution control; surface water returns; regulate
HB597 - Medical services; physician’s fees; require board approval
HB598 - Agriculture Commissioner; hearings; initial and final decisions; change certain provisions
HB599 - Juvenile proceedings; adoption; provisions
HB600 - Cobb County Probate Court; chief investigator and others; change compensation
HB601 - Jackson County; new commissioner districts; provisions
HB602 - School board members; selling school supplies; penalty; provide exception
HB603 - Education; secondary school teachers; alternative teaching certifications; provide
HB604 - Territory annexation; comprehensive revisions; provide
HB605 - Public office; prohibited employment; aliens; repeal certain provisions
HB606 - University System of Georgia; intellectual properties; provisions
HB607 - Excise tax; public accommodation furnishings; change certain provisions
HB608 - Safety belts; required use; eliminate certain exceptions
HB609 - Counties; housing state inmates awaiting transfer; increase reimbursement rate
HB610 - Outdoor advertising signs; highways; certain height limitations; provisions
HB611 - State Construction Industry Licensing Board; Class I; provide changes
HB612 - School bus drivers; certain cellular phone use; prohibit
HB613 - Juvenile proceedings; hearings; general public; admit
HB614 - Teachers Retirement System; creditable service; certain school systems; provide
HB615 - Bulloch County; coroner; compensation and expenses; change certain provisions
HB616 - McIntosh County; county manager; provide
HB617 - Special license plates; Georgia municipal clerks; provide
HB618 - Union City, City of; ad valorem tax; 65 years or older; provide homestead exemption
HB619 - Bianca Walton Anti-Bullying Act; enact
HB620 - PeachCare for Kids Protection Act of 2007; enact
HB621 - Cobb County Probate Court; judge and clerk; change compensation
HB622 - Income tax credit; prescribed hearing aids; provide
HB623 - Cobb Judicial Circuit; superior court judges; provide supplement
HB624 - Cobb County; Board of Commissioners; change compensation
HB625 - PeachCare for Kids Protection Act of 2007; enact
HB626 - Physicians; retired; continuing education hours; provisions
HB627 - Local government; downtown development authorities; provisions
HB628 - Health care data; available to consumers; provide
HB629 - Education; attendance reports; provide electronically
HB630 - Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote; enact
HB631 - Speed detection devices; certain highways; remove restriction on use
HB632 - Woodstock, City of; ad valorem tax; municipal purposes; provide homestead exemption
HB633 - Woodstock, City of; ad valorem tax; city purposes; provide homestead exemption
HB634 - Sales and use tax exemptions; food sales; off-premises consumption; change provisions
HB635 - Forest Park, City of; Redevelopment Powers Law; authorize
HB636 - McIntosh County; probate judge; partisan elections; provide
HR417 - Brown, James; honor and invite family to House
HR420 - Congress and President of the United States; 20 U.S.C. Section 1091(r); urge to repeal
HR421 - Real estate transfer tax and intangible recording tax; increases; authorize - CA
HR422 - House Climate Study Committee; create
HR424 - House Study Committee on the Power of Arrest and Peace Officer Certification in Georgia; create
HR425 - House Study Committee on Tanning Salon Consumer Protection; create
HR426 - Joint Higher Education Finance and Formula Study Committee; create
HR427 - House Self-employment Assistance Program; create
SB238 - Evidence; tampering; remove requirement that such offense involve another person
SB239 - Farm Laborers; provide a definition
SB240 - Employees’/Teachers Retirement; membership/participation in any public retirement system may be transferred or terminated; procedures
SB241 - Health Insurance; comprehensively revise the laws of Georgia
SB242 - Chattooga County; provide homestead exemption; based on income for certain residents
SB243 - Ethics in Government Act; change provisions
SB244 - Town of Tallulah Falls; town council; quorum, voting and special meetings; change provisions
SB245 - Alcoholic Beverages; consumption on the permises; auhorize governing authority of county/municipality
SB246 - Buildings; advisory committee on industralized buildings; appointment/vacancies; change composition
SB247 - Cobb County, State Court of; change compensation of judges
SB248 - Cobb County, State Court of; change compensation of solicitor-general
SB249 - Sexual Offender Registration Review Board; register with sheriff of any county where offender resides
SB250 - Public Property; roofing of state owned buildings/facilities; provide standards
SB251 - Motor Vehicles; require establishment by Dept. of Revenue of internet website for stolen/towed motor vehicles
SB252 - Firearms Dealers; transfer authority for regulation to state revenue commissioner
SB253 - Advance Practice Registered Nurses; on-site patient evaluation; provide examination
SB254 - Georgia State Indeminification Commission; composition; define certain terms
SB255 - Death Penalty; provide moratorium on the administration of a death sentence
SB256 - Outdoor Advertising Signs; height limitations; conditions for lowering of existing signs
SB257 - Dropout Detention Act; revise the age of mandatory education
SB258 - Controlled Substances; ban sale of marijuana/hemp flavored candy; provide for penalties
SB259 - Warrants; issuance of search warrants by judicial officers; change provisions
SB260 - License Plates; revenue commissioner entitled to seize the license plates;vehicle’s registration has been revoked/canceled
SB261 - Tybee Island, City of; council terms/qualifications for office
SR355 - Health Care Transformation; create joint study committee
SR357 - Major Byron S. McGuire, Sr. Memorial Bridge; dedicating
SR361 - PeachCare for Kids; provide for imposition of a state/use tax at rate of 1 percent; health care coverage for all Georgia children-CA
SR363 - Mental Health Service Delivery Commission; create
SR364 - Georgia Capital Punishment Study Committee; create
SR365 - Transporation Funding; create joint study committee

Legislation Status Changes for Wednesday, February 28 2007

Posted: Wednesday, February 28th, 2007 @ 7:18 am in News | No Comments »
Bill Status Effective Date
SB16 Animal Fighting Act; change certain provisions Senate Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
SB30 Armed Forces of U.S.; members; prohibit certain uses of names/pictures; provide penalties Senate Passed/Adopted 2007-02-27
SB41 Civil Practice; provide for service upon persons residing in gated/secured communities; state-wide registration of permanent process servers Senate Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
SB42 Child Support Recovery; authorize Dept. of Human Resources to impose fees on child support collections Senate Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
SB124 O.C.G.A.; correct errors/omissions; Title 21 Senate Passed/Adopted 2007-02-27
SB125 Motor Vehicles; speed restrictions; instruments charging violations of speed regulations; specify two-lane or highway Senate Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
SB128 Child Advocate, Office of; provide confidentiality of records Senate Passed/Adopted 2007-02-27
SB131 Subsequent Injury Trust Fund; payment of assessments; change certain provisions Senate Passed/Adopted 2007-02-27
SB134 Hospital; acquisitions; notice to the Attorney General; change certain provisions Senate Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
SB106 Bonds; surety for good behavior; extend the period Senate Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
SB67 Superior Courts; specify costs not be considered contingent expenses Senate Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
SB88 Care of a Grandchild Act; provide subsidy to certain grandparents raising grandchildren under certain circumstances Senate Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
SB91 Traffic Offenses; fleeing/attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle; punishment; change provisions Senate Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
SB98 Crimes/Offenses; Georgia Bureau of Investigation investigate certain offenses against minors, including subpoena power Senate Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
SB100 Crime; knowingly manufacturing, selling, or distributing false identification documents; increase certain penalties Senate Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
SB101 Agricultural Facilities; redefine a term Senate Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
SB103 O.C.G.A; correct errors/omissions Senate Passed/Adopted 2007-02-27
SB104 O.C.G.A; corret errors/omissions; Title 47 Senate Passed/Adopted 2007-02-27
SB135 Criminal Reproduction; increase penalties; provide forfeiture of certain items Senate Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HR417 Brown, James; honor and invite family to House House Passed/Adopted 2007-02-27
HR351 Joint Study Committee on Fulton County; create House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
SB139 Georgia Public Defender Standards Council; transfer from judicial branch to executive branch Senate Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
SR326 U.S. Congress; urge to reform U.S. sugar policy Senate Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
SR133 Augusta, Georgia, Environmental Issues; create joint study committee Senate Passed/Adopted 2007-02-27
SR154 Joint Human Services Transportation Study Commission; create Senate Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
SR246 Indigent Defense; create Joint Study Committee Senate Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
SR263 Commuter Rail; Athens to Atlanta; urging U.S.Congress to provide funding Senate Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
SR279 Senate; provide four-year terms of office for members CA Senate Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
SB140 Circuit Public Defender; change composition of selection panels; removal; terms Senate Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
SB220 Warehousemen; agricultural warehouse receipt requirements, obtaining printed forms, electronic receipts; change provisions Senate Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
SB188 Foster Parents Bill of Rights; children who are privatley placed; provide administrative hearing for aggrieved parties Senate Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
SB141 Georgia Public Defender Standards Council; change composition Senate Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
SB142 Circuit Public Defenders; may hire additional personnel; authorized by local law Senate Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
SB148 Saving the Cure Act; create the Newborn Umbilical Cord Blood Bank for postnatal tissue and fluid; Georgia Commission for Saving the Cure Senate Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
SB158 Gwinnett Judicial Circuit; salary supplements for the judges; change provisions Senate Passed/Adopted 2007-02-27
SB165 Agricultural Commodity Commissions; ratification of commissions; change certain provisions Senate Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
SB179 Campaign Contributions; persons acting on behalf of a public utility; Public Service Commission; repeal the prohibition Senate Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
SB186 City of Homerville Water and Sewer Authority; create Senate Passed/Adopted 2007-02-27
HB357 Revenue and taxation; define certain terms; provisions House Passed/Adopted 2007-02-27
HB485 Special license plates; certain existing plates; special tag renewal fee; specify House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB487 Elections; primaries; voting; provisions House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB493 Doraville, City of; ad valorem tax; certain residents; provide homestead exemption House Passed/Adopted 2007-02-27
HB499 Chatham County; certain judges; change compensation House Passed/Adopted 2007-02-27
HB501 Hiawassee, City of; ad valorem tax; municipal purposes; provide homestead exemption House Passed/Adopted 2007-02-27
HB502 Towns County School District; ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption House Passed/Adopted 2007-02-27
HB505 Human Resources, Department of; adult day centers; licensure; authorize charge fees House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB506 Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit; judges; provide compensation supplement House Passed/Adopted 2007-02-27
HB363 HOPE grants; eligibility requirements; Georgia Military College students; provide House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB368 Public Safety, Department of; sell and purchase of motor vehicles; allow commissioner House Passed/Adopted 2007-02-27
HB369 Domestic relations; child custody proceedings; provisions House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB374 Hotel motel tax; definitions; change certain provisions House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB386 Superior court fees; instrument recordings; provide additional fees House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB410 Municipal Option Sales Tax Act; enact House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB418 Wild animal licenses; water buffalo; add exemption House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB433 Meat and dairy processing plants; licenses; change certain provisions House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB457 Revenue, Department of; special license plates; process all applications; provisions House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB508 Rockdale County State Court; salary of the judge; change provisions House Passed/Adopted 2007-02-27
HB509 Young Harris, City of; ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption House Passed/Adopted 2007-02-27
HB510 Boating safety zones; Lake Oconee; certain vessels; change certain provisions House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB513 Eastern Judicial Circuit; salary of chief judge; provide additional supplement House Passed/Adopted 2007-02-27
HB520 Lawrenceville, City of; Redevelopment Powers Law; authorize House Passed/Adopted 2007-02-27
HB522 Public Service Commission; gas companies; interstate capacity assets; provisions House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB17 Motor vehicle leases; insurance coverage; provisions House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB156 Department of Human Resources; child support collections fees; authorize House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB162 Sales and use tax; performing arts amphitheater facilities; exemption House Passed/Adopted 2007-02-27
HB163 Deferred Presentment Services Act; enact; repeal “payday lending” prohibition House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB174 Drivers’ licenses; instruction permit and Class D; mobile phones; prohibit use House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB179 Walton Judicial Circuit; create House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB182 Property tax digest; positive taxallocation increments; prohibit use House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB183 Motor vehicles; certificates of title; definitions; change certain provisions House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB186 Sales and use tax; certain alternative fuel facilities; five year exemption House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB148 State sales and use tax; aquariums; exemption House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB139 Estates and wills; descent and distribution; provisions House Passed/Adopted 2007-02-27
HB30 Housing authorities; private enterprise agreement; redefine House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB48 Georgia State Indemnification Fund; definitions; change terms House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB50 The Interstate Compact for Juveniles; enact; repeal previous compact House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB69 Driver’s records; online; Department of Driver Services; charging fee; prohibit House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB78 Bona fide conservation use property; additional acts; provisions House Passed/Adopted 2007-02-27
HB101 Public records; agricultural or food systems information; provisions Senate Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB105 Animals; poultry; revise certain provisions Senate Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB109 County and municipality; consolidation; provisions House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB128 Sales and use tax; certain school supplies; clothing; period of time; exempt House Passed/Adopted 2007-02-27
HB191 Board of Education of Colquitt County; nonpartisan elections; provide House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB193 Sales and use tax; jet fuel; additional exemption House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB202 Department of Transportation; contractors; eligibility; provisions House Passed/Adopted 2007-02-27
HB274 Notaries; qualifications; application; change certain provisions House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB280 Controlled substances; sale of marijuana flavored products to minors; ban House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB292 Civil practice process; gated and secured communities; provide for service House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB311 Georgia HERO Scholarship; qualifying term of service; change definition House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB320 Columbus, City of; Redevelopment Powers Law; authorize Senate Passed/Adopted 2007-02-27
HB321 Bona fide conservation use property; assessment; change certain eligibility requirements House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB341 St. Marys, City of; Redevelopment Powers Law; authorize Senate Passed/Adopted 2007-02-27
HB353 Revenue and taxation; unclaimed property; provisions House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB266 Camden County; Redevelopment Powers Law; exercise all powers Senate Passed/Adopted 2007-02-27
HB265 Local government; county surveyors; repeal provisions of law House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB203 Department of Human Resources; task force onchronic kidney disease; establish House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB219 Certain local sales and use tax; motor fuels; prepayments; provisions House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB221 Professional malpractice charges; affidavit; change certain provisions House Passed/Adopted 2007-02-27
HB225 State income tax; certain college savings plans; change certain provisions House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB232 Georgia Development Impact Fee Act; change definitions; provisions House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB247 Local government; water and sewer systems; change certain provisions House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB254 Limited driving permits; certain offenders; allow issuance House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB259 Certain nonprofit organizations; certain noncash prizes; allow give away House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB264 Homestead option sales and use tax; disbursing proceeds; change manner and method House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HB354 Local government; homeowner tax relief grant notification; provisions House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27
HR55 Family literacy; local communities; express support House Committee Favorably Reported 2007-02-27

SR365 - Transporation Funding; create joint study committee

Posted: Wednesday, February 28th, 2007 @ 7:17 am in Resolutions, Legislation | No Comments »

SR365 - Transporation Funding; create joint study committee
Sponsored by: Mullis,Jeff 53rd

A RESOLUTION creating the Joint Study Committee on Transportation Funding; and for other purposes.

SR364 - Georgia Capital Punishment Study Committee; create

Posted: Wednesday, February 28th, 2007 @ 7:17 am in Resolutions, Legislation | No Comments »

SR364 - Georgia Capital Punishment Study Committee; create
Sponsored by: Fort,Vincent 39th

A RESOLUTION creating the Georgia Capital Punishment Study Commission to study the death penalty; to provide for the powers, duties, and compensation of its members; to urge the General Assembly to act in response to recommendations from the study commission; and for other purposes.