While West Georgia is in recovery mode due to the brutal storms on Sunday, lawmakers returned to a blustery Atlanta to work through several bills on Rules Calendars in the House and Senate. Both bodies began the day early in an effort to have last minute committee meetings before Crossover Day on Thursday. Due to the lateness of the day in winding up floor debates, both chambers saw a number of committee meeting cancellations for those which planned to meet this afternoon. The House and Senate dealt with a number of measures which we highlight in our updates below in today’s #GoldDomeReport.

In this Report:

• House, Senate Approve Health and Education Measures
• Committee Updates
• New Legislation
• Rules Calendars for Legislative Day 27          

House, Senate Approve Health and Education Measures

Despite a lengthy Rules Calendar, the House moved through its business swiftly, offering little debate for the majority of bills that passed including the following:

• HB 233, authored by Rep. David Knight (R-Griffin), amends Title 26 to create the “Pharmacy Anti-Steering and Transparency Act”. The bill prohibits nonresident pharmacies from sharing patient and prescriber data with affiliates for commercial purposes, presenting a claim for a service provided based on referral from an affiliate, or mailing a prescription to a patient when the prescriber calls for an in-person consultation. It also requires such pharmacies to file an annual disclosure statement of its affiliates. The bill PASSED by a 170-1 vote.
• HB 242, authored by Rep. Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville), amends Title 43 to provide for the regulation of massage therapy education programs, applying to the programs both inside and outside of the state. It also defines what is a “massage therapy business.”  There are also requirements for the State Board overseeing this profession such as: it requires it to periodically evaluate board recognized educational programs and develop and enforce standards for continuing education courses required of licensed massage therapists. It further requires licensed massage therapists to maintain liability insurance. The bill PASSED by a 156-13 vote.
• HB 323, authored by Rep. David Knight (R-Griffin), amends Title 33 to add new restrictions on actions by pharmacy benefits managers. These new restrictions include prohibitions on referring an insured to an affiliated pharmacy for the provision of pharmacy care services; transferring or sharing records containing patient-identifiable and prescriber-identifiable data to an affiliated pharmacy for any commercial purpose; making any false or misleading statement to an insured, pharmacist, pharmacy, dispenser, or dispenser practice; restricting an insured from utilizing any in-network pharmacy or dispenser practice; and, implementing any medication management program that alters or denies access to ongoing therapy. The bill PASSED by a 170-0 vote.
• HB 374, authored by Rep. John LaHood (R-Valdosta), amends Title 31 to provide that qualified medication aides in hospice care may administer medications according to the instruction of a licensed physician. The bill PASSED by a 165-0 vote.

The Senate took up the following bills of note today:

• SB 60, authored by Sen. P.K. Martin, IV (R-Lawrenceville), is intended to help educate coaches and teachers about the threat of sudden cardiac arrest. The bill requires schools to post information on the warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest, hold an informational meeting for parents, and obtain informed consent before participation in sports. The bill also creates a protocol for responding to students who faint or pass out while participating in sports, and it requires medical clearance before a student who passes out or faints returns to participation. This legislation PASSED by a 54-0 vote and moves to the House.
• SB 142, authored by Sen. Larry Walker (R-Perry), amends Title 33 to require that a statement indicating that a subscribers health policy is fully insured is included on a subscriber’s health insurance identification card. This requirement would be for health and dental insurance. A late arriving amendment was adopted to exempt group model health maintenance organizations from the requirement.  The bill was passed by a 56-0 vote and now moves to the House.
• SB 168, by Sen. Greg Kirk (R-Americus), is the fix from 2018 of the Nurse Compact in Chapter 26 of Title 43. The legislation last year added language to the Compact which rendered it void. Thus, this bill repeals that language so as to allow Georgia to participate in the Nurse Compact. The bill PASSED by a 55-0 vote and moves to the House.

Committee Updates

House Education Committee

The House Education Committee, chaired by Rep. Rick Jasperse (R-Jasper), met to consider several propositions this afternoon:

• HB 83, authored by Rep. Demetrius Douglas (D-Stockbridge), amends Title 20 to require elementary schools to schedule recess for children in grades K-5 and provides definitions for acceptable forms of recess. The Committee recommended the bill DO PASS by Committee Substitute and be sent to the Rules Committee.
• HB 86, authored by Rep. Tommy Benton (R-Jefferson), amends Title 20 to provide that performance ratings for certain teachers, procedural deficiencies on the part of the local school system or charter school in conducting an evaluation under O.C.G.A. 20-2-210, and job performance shall be subject to complaint under the statutory complaints policy. Rep. Benton presented a substitute to the bill that addressed certain issues brought up in the committee process. The Committee recommended the bill DO PASS by Substitute and be sent to the Rules Committee.
• HB 527, authored by Rep. Robert Dickey (R-Musella), amends Title 20 to change program weights for funding purposes in the QBE funding formula. According to Rep. Dickey, the bill simply “trues up” the ratios and weights in the QBE formula. The Committee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee.
• HB 444, authored by Rep. Bert Reeves (R-Marietta), amends Title 20 to rename the “Move on When Ready Act” to the “Dual Enrollment Act.”  It establishes new definitions and permits a ‘covered eligible high school student” the ability to take a maximum of 30 hours of covered dual credit courses (delivered on-site or on-line).  It also permits a student to take noncovered dual credit courses (those after 30 at their own expense or using lottery funds (but counting towards the 190 quarter hour or 127 semester hour caps). Chairman Jasperse discussed a substitute to the bill, which now provides (among other things) for counseling at the beginning of dual enrollment, the 15 hour mark, and the 30 hour mark; and raises the maximum hours in a semester to 16. Rep. Reeves noted that they need to get the bill moving ahead of Crossover Day, but he remains committed to addressing issues with the bill going forward. The Committee recommended the bill DO PASS by Substitute and be sent to the Rules Committee.
• HB 464, authored by Rep. Martin Momtahan (R-Dallas), seeks to require that local boards of education have a public comment period during every meeting which would be included on the agenda.  Further, it does not require that the local board of education require notice by an individual prior to the date of a meeting as a condition of addressing the local board during that comment period.            Chairman Jasperse offered an amendment to provide that the public comment period be provided “during every regular monthly meeting.” The amendment was adopted, and the Committee recommended the bill DO PASS by Committee Substitute and move on to the Rules Committee.

The following bills were assigned to subcommittee:

• HR 367 -- Academic Support
• SB 48 -- Academic Achievement
• SB 68 -- Academic Support

The Committee was also scheduled to hear HB 32, a proposition by Rep. Kevin Tanner (R-Dawsonville) that amends Title 20 to clarify duties of the Chief Turnaround Officer and establish the Georgia Turnaround Collaborative. However, Rep. Tanner could not be present today, so the Committee will meet tomorrow at 1PM or upon adjournment to consider the bill. 

House Education Committee -- Academic Innovation Subcommittee

The Academic Innovation Subcommittee of the House Education Committee, chaired by Rep. Dave Belton (R-Buckhead), met this afternoon to hear one bill. HB 263, authored by Rep. Valencia Stovall (D-Forest Park), amends Title 20 to allow a student to be enrolled in a school using an address other than their parent or guardian’s if their parent or guardian can provide proof that an individual living in the school’s attendance zone has authorized the parent or guardian to use their address to establish residency. No vote was taken on the bill.

The Subcommittee was also slated to hear HB 421, which is authored by Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Savannah) and amends Title 20 to prevent any local board of education from beginning their school calendar prior to the second week of August. However, Chairman Belton announced at the outset of the meeting that the bill would not be heard today.

Senate Education and Youth Committee

The Senate Education and Youth Committee, chaired by Sen. P.K. Martin IV (R-Lawrenceville), held its last meeting before Crossover Day this morning to consider five propositions this morning:

• SB 163, authored by Sen. Bruce Thompson (R-White), amends Title 20 to allow homeschooled students to participate in extracurricular and interscholastic activities sponsored by his/her resident school system. The bill was previously heard and held by the Committee. Sen. Thompson proposed an amendment that would restrict a student who withdraws from a local school system to enter homeschool from participating in activities for 12 months. Sen. Ellis Black (R-Valdosta) expressed concerns about what implication this bill could have on interstate competition between schools. The Committee recommended by a 5-3 vote that the bill DO PASS by Substitute and be sent to the Rules Committee.
• SB 165, authored by Sen. Bruce Thompson (R-White), amends Title 20 to create a designation for a non-profit organization to govern high school athletics for public schools. A private school that wishes to compete with public schools may join the organization. This bill is targeted at discontent with the Georgia High School Association, and Jason Anavitarte, a member of the Paulding County School Board, spoke of those issues. Sen. Elena Parent (D-Atlanta) asked whether this bill would eliminate the GHSA, to which Sen. Thompson noted he intended to “reform” the Association. She also expressed concern that no one from GHSA was present to speak on the bill. 4-3 vote
• SB 209, authored by Sen. Emanuel Jones (D-Decatur), amends Title 20 to eliminate the star rating for financial efficiency in the state’s indicators of quality of learning in individual schools and school systems. The bill was requested by the Department of Education, and DOE CFO Ted Beck explained that the financial efficiency metrics will still be publicly available, but the bill will keep DOE from having to force rank school districts and create “winners and losers.” The Committee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee.
• SB 219, authored by Sen. Jen Jordan (D-Atlanta), amends Title 20 to require high school students and students seeking a GED diploma to correctly answer 60 percent of the questions on the United States Citizenship Civics Test for purposes of being eligible to receive a high school diploma or a GED diploma. During the last hearing on the bill, the Department of Education expressed concern about additional State testing required under the bill. Sen. Jordan presented a substitute of the bill that would include the test as part of the required U.S. History teaching curriculum to be administered by the district. The Committee recommended the bill DO PASS by Substitute and be sent to the Rules Committee.   
• SR 266, authored by Sen. Ellis Black (R-Valdosta), encourages the Georgia High School Association to perform a thorough assessment of its operations and practices. The resolution was presented as a substitute that makes it a joint resolution rather than a Senate resolution. The Committee recommended the bill DO PASS by Substitute and be sent to the Rules Committee.

Chairman Martin noted that SB 102 was on the calendar, but it will be held for work later in the legislative session and over the interim.

Senate Health and Human Services

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee, chaired by Sen. Ben Watson (R-Savannah), met early this morning to address a piece of legislation offered by Sen. Larry Walker, III (R-Perry), which will make changes to allow Georgia to implement the federal Family First Prevention Services Act which was signed into law in February 2018.  SB 225 addresses Titles 15, 49 and 50. The federal legislation addresses how Georgia may use Title IV-E funds, focusing more on prevention services. The bill identifies a number of “definitions” such as family and permanency team, qualified individual, and qualified residential treatment program. It outlines what must be documented by DFCS if a child is placed in a qualified residential treatment program and what DFCS must maintain if a child remains in a qualified residential treatment program for six months or more (consecutive or non-consecutive). There are requirements enumerated for the periodic review of the child in a court hearing and what must be reviewed for a child to be placed in a qualified residential treatment program at least 30 days after such placement.  After such placement, the court must have a hearing in 60 days to make such determinations on the assessment.  Sen. Walker and DFCS Director Tom Rawlings presented the legislation for consideration for the implementation of Family First Prevention Services Act on October 1, 2019.  This bill is a part of the Governor’s legislative package to conform to federal laws (Indian Child Welfare Act, Family First Prevention Services Act, Chafee, and Fair Hearings Act).  Georgia’s implementation, as permitted, will occur on October 1, 2020  (a one-year delay). A hearing was held over the summer 2018 which outlined the Family First Prevention Services Act provisions in an effort to educate many in the House and Senate on the federal act.  Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick noted that she has a residential treatment program in her district and wanted to make sure that there were no negative impacts on that facility. She was assured that there are processes in place to help providers.  Governor Kemp has identified funding in the budget to help with experts to allow providers to make the switch to become qualified residential treatment programs. A motion DO PASS was made by Sen. Kirk; a second was from Sen. Hufstetler.  The legislation received a unanimous DO PASS recommendation.

Senate Judiciary Committee

Chairman Jesse Stone (R-Waynesboro) and his Committee worked through a long agenda to a packed Committee room before the Senate Floor Session commenced:

• SB 222, by Sen. Jesse Stone (R-Waynesboro), extends the Georgia Council of Criminal Justice Reform.  Reports from the Council will only be generated every two years rather than annually, There were changes from original legislation which Chairman Stone enumerated.  Additional agencies have been added as they  weighed in heavily on the Council’s work.  Council membership is retained at 15; agencies are Departments of Corrections, Community Supervision, Juvenile Justice, Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.  The Council will be extended until June 30, 2026. Sen. John Kennedy (R-Macon) moved DO PASS; a second by Sen. Elena Parent (D-Atlanta).  The bill received a DO PASS recommendation.
• SB 167, by Sen, Matt Brass (R-Newnan), was presented by LC 48 0061.  The legislation amends O.C.G.A. 15-11-211. Foster parents of a dependent child are given more preference in determining permanency of the child.  It gives DFCS requirements around timing for such determination (six months from the removal of the child).  Sen. Parent moved DO PASS; her motion carried with a DO PASS recommendation.
• SB 229, by Sen. Randy Robertson (R-Cataula), was presented which would create  the parent accountability courts in Chapter 1 of Title 15.  A new Substitute was before the Committee: LC  44 0099S.  45 of 49 judicial circuits have these family accountability courts.  If folks cannot pay child support, it helps folks avoid incarceration by trying to help them solve issues around.  These courts have brought in $7.5 million child support payments.  The legislation creates the authority of these courts.  They are sometimes referred to as “PACS” or parental accountability responsibility courts..”  The Department of Human Services will work with the courts on standardized practices, and the Department of Law will provide legal guidance to the parental accountability courts.   They deal with civil issues; they will not modify child support obligations.  The bill is necessary to standardized the practice across the circuits. The changes in the latest Substitute - oversight of the Codes impacted with additional Code Sections referenced. It will be a savings to the state and provide support to the children.  No one spoke to the proposal.  Sen. Blake Tillery (R-Vidalia) moved DO PASS; his motion carried and the bill moves to Senate Rules.
• SB 58, by Sen. Zahra Karinshak (D-Duluth), was presented by LC 41 1927S. It is an amendment to Taxpayer False Claims Act in O.C.G.A. 23-3-122.  A similar law exists in 29 other states and will help protect taxpayer dollars. The language “upon written approval by the attorney general (“AG”)” (what is required by the whistleblower which has no value and AG can dismiss action at any point) is removed.  It is important to get to the courthouse first; that’s how a whistleblower wins.  It requires now the AG to make a quick decision in a vacuum.  It also addresses service of documents in regards to a Medicaid claim; that language was left in.  The change proposed is similar to what takes place in other states.  Mr. Michael Sullivan, a former federal prosecutor, was present to give his expertise and experience on False Claims Act cases.  Chairman Stone asked about bringing Medicaid false claims; however, Medicaid false claims are addressed in another Code section and not under Title 23.  The Federal False Claims Act was enacted under President Reagan.  In 2005, states were encouraged to pass their own false claims acts.  Has AG opposed this?  No, Sen. Karinshak has informed them, including the hearing on the bill today.  Sen. Bill Cowsert (R-Athens) asked about Medicaid fraud claims act and whether it requires “clearance” by AG - no.  Sen. Bill Heath (R-Bremen) asked if taxpayers’ confidentiality (of information) was put at risk?  No as any personal information would be redacted according to Sen. Karinshak. Sen. Heath asked if an attorney could subpoena information on tax filings? No, according to Mr. Sullivan. For instance, it would not address someone claiming too many deductions. Sen. Elena Parent (D-Atlanta) moved DO PASS. The motion carried and bill moves to Senate Rules Committee.
• SB 150, Sen. Jen Jordan (D-Atlanta), was presented by LC 28 9282ER.  It intends to clear up law on domestic violence and individuals who have been convicted of crimes from either receiving, possessing, or transporting guns. It brings federal and state law into alignment.  Sen. Jordan indicated the legislation was brought because of law enforcement issues.  Two prosecutors Sherry Boston and Stephanie Woodward spoke to the bill and spoke on behalf of PAC, DAs and Solicitors.  It protects victims of domestic violence.  It is against US law to possess a firearm if you have been convicted of domestic violence battery. Law enforcement officers see these individuals as the most dangerous calls and it will hopefully help protect these officers.  They also wish to protect domestic violence victims.  Ms. Woodward stated this is bipartisan and will help individuals be kept alive. The Commission on Family Violence has seen mass shooters have involvement with domestic violence. www.safergeorgia.com This website has 10 years of data. Sen. Blake Tillery (R-Vidalia) appreciates the legislation.  Intimate partner relationships (line 18 of the bill) foster children, stepparents, or folks living or formerly living in the household (no time limit with a large net).  Sen. Tillery has language which he would like to offer.  There is no definition for “intimate partner violence” in Georgia law.  Ms. Boston indicated she did not want to see multiple definitions in the Code. Tillery amendment is addressing the living as intimate partners (who lived in the same household and had a sexual relationship without being married). It would exclude violence of family members living in the same household according to Ms. Boston.  Ms. Woodward stated that she feared that it would require proving the couple has had a sexual relationship.  18 USC 922 is the federal reference. Several terms defined are in 18 USC 921. “Intimate partner” is defined there.   Sen. Harold Jones II (D-Augusta) stated the language which would follow simple battery language.  Sen. Harold Jones II (D-Augusta) argued that, as a former prosecutor, the stated was the best language.  Sen. Tillery’s concern was the removal of a constitutional right.  Sen. Jordan indicated that was why they asked for tracking of the federal language. Sen. Bill Heath (R-Bremen) asked how the amendment would fit in the bill before the Committee.  He asked that the Committee to look at lines 72-73, asking to strike “suffering from a disability as a result of this Code section.”  Sen. Parent indicated that it was a legal disability.  The amendment which was offered was a reflection of the gun rights organizations and restoring rights when actions are brought. At the federal level, there is no restoration of rights. Two former victims spoke in favor of the legislation. April Ross, one such victim who is a Fulton County prosecutor and a survivor of domestic violence, said the legislation was highly important.  The damage is broader than just to the individual. Jane Paulson also spoke to her experience.  Her husband had 74 firearms in her home; he left the court with a handgun in his truck and planned his attack on her and their family.  Several law enforcement officers spoke in favor of the legislation. Sen. Kennedy moved DO PASS on the proposal.  Sen. Tillery asked for amendment which would include a new definition for “intimate partner.”  The Tillery Amendment failed.  Sen. Heath proposed an amendment to amend lines 72-73 “suffering from a disability…” and his Amendment failed for lack of a second on his motion.  An amendment was offered to add Section 5 was presented by Sen. Ligon and that was adopted.  The legislation was moved DO PASS by Committee Substitute as amended; the motion carried and bill removes to Rules Committee.
• SB 164, by Sen. Bill Cowsert (R-Athens), proposed to address procedures regarding pre-trial release in Title 17.  In particular, this addresses bonds for individuals when they fail to show up in court (cash bond, property bond and commercial bond). Another type of arrangement is OR bond but no security is actually put up in those instances and these are generally used in less serious offenses. This legislation allows some expediting of the bond process.  Lines 57-60 addresses when a court sets a schedule and cannot meet the amount - then there will be a hearing within 48 hours (not a new concept). It is in several court rules (for instance uniform superior court rules). The legislation outlines when “own recognizance” form of bonds is permitted for which types of crimes.  Sen. Parent (D-Atlanta) asked about how this legislation intersects with SB 407 (2018); it closes loophole created by that bill according to Sen. Cowsert. Sen. Stone asked legislative counsel about the definition of “bail” and not making reference to OR.  OR is giving no security to guarantee appearance at court.
  
  
  • Several individuals spoke to the proposal.  Some argued that you must release a person on a misdemeanor and cannot deny them; it is about whether folks can afford such - make it apply to all -not just poor folks.
  • Council of Magistrate Court Judges and Council of Superior Court Judges opposed the legislation. There have been attempts to find alternatives to cash bail; this legislation takes state back to Walker v. Calhoun court case. SB 407 addressed several of the crimes’ bonds. It is intriguing to the judges that the sheriff is provided the power to release someone.  It is an end run around criminal justice reform. 
  • Marissa McCall Dodson spoke on behalf of the Southern Center for Human Rights, which opposed the legislation.  Georgia is a national leader on criminal justice reform, assessing what was going on in the system.  The bill’s provisions were not recommended by the Council on Criminal Justice Reform.  Folks accused of a crime; incarceration in the bill is punishing folks before being found guilty.  Ms. Dodson indicated that the legislation is pushed by the bail industry; cash bail does not keep the public safe.  This forces local jurisdictions to jail folks who are not safety risks. 
  • Sara Garrity, a Southern Center for Human Rights, opposed the bill - speaking as the attorney in the Walker case.  It would require cities and counties have more in their jails with minor offenses and many cannot afford bail in those cases. Sometimes courts do not meet daily; it does say 48 hours before a judge but does not say what exactly is to happen.  Her fear is that it is unconstitutional.
  • Jill Travis, Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, echoed folks concerns and opposed the legislation.  She asked the Committee to move slowly on the legislation. 
  • Natasha Alladina, Georgia Justice Project, spoke in opposition to the bill - it penalizes the poor. 
  • Another individual noted that the bill criminalizes individuals who are poor.  You are innocent until proven guilty. 

Work needs to be done on the bill; Sen. Ligon asked that no action be taken on the legislation. Sen. Stone indicated he would work with the stakeholders.  Thus, no action was taken at today’s meeting on this bill.

• SB 221, by Sen. Martin Harbin (R-Tyrone), was presented.  This is the 2019 version of “religious freedom,” and would be known as the “Religious Freedom Restoration Act.” Sen. Harbin asked that he make a comparison between the federal versus the state law.  He asked for another opportunity to present the legislation when there is proper time to address protection of the first amendment. Thus, the bill was held.

New Legislation

The following legislation of interest was introduced in the Senate today:

• SB 231, by Sen. Randy Robertson (R-Cataula), addresses call center operations in Chapter 7 of Title 50.  It requires that an employer which intends to relocate a call center (a place of 50 or more employees (excluding part time) or who in the aggregate work at least 1,500 hours each week (excluding overtime).  This also applies to a call center which has one or more facilities or operating units within such call center.  The employer is to notify the commissioner of the Department of Economic Development at least 120 days prior to such relocation if those calls consist of at least 30 percent of that call center’s total volume when measured against the previous 12 month average call volume.  Failure to do so can result in the Commissioner of the Department of Economic Development notifying the Attorney General who is required commence an action for a civil penalty against that employer and assess a penalty of not more than $10,000.00 for each day that the employer fails to provide appropriate notice.  Further, the Commissioner of the Department of Economic Development is to comprise a list of each such employer which relocates a call center and the Commissioner then notify each state agency and political subdivision of the state that provides the employers on such list with any grants, loans or tax credits – those employers are then ineligible from receiving any grants, loans or tax credits for five years from the date of the relocation.  It does allow a process for the Commissioner to waive the disqualification in certain instances.
• SB 232, by Sen. Sheikh Rahman (D-Duluth), offers this legislation to repeal Georgia’s law on Low THC Oil Patient Registry in O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-18.  It also proposes creating the “Controlled Substances Therapeutic Relief Act” in Chapter 34 of Title 43 allowing medical marijuana for qualifying patients (someone who has been diagnosed by a physician as having a debilitating medical condition).  The legislation defines “debilitating medical condition” as one or more of the following: “A) cancer, glaucoma, positive status for human immunodeficiency virus, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, hepatitis C, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, agitation of Alzheimer’s disease, post-traumatic stress disorder, or the treatment of such conditions; B) a chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or its treatment that produces one or more of the following: cachexia or wasting syndrome, severe and chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures, including those characteristic of epilepsy, or severe and persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristic of multiple sclerosis, or C0 any other medical condition or its treatment added by the department pursuant to Code Section 43-34-123.” They would be allowed two ounces of usable marijuana during a 14-day period. This program would be overseen by the Department of Public Health and would have an established registry.  It also proposes that the Department of Revenue allow for the creation of a minimum of three in-state medical marijuana dispensaries.

Rules Calendars for Legislative Day 27

The House is expected to consider the following measures on Tuesday for Legislative Day 27:

• HB 227 - Insurance; discrimination against victims of family violence to include victims of sexual assault; expand prohibitions
• HB 239 - Georgia Business Court; establish
• HB 253 - Professions and businesses; occupational therapists; update and revise various provisions
• HB 314 - Georgia Uniform Certificate of Title for Vessels Act; enact
• HB 365 - Alternative ad valorem tax; motor vehicles; lower tax rate imposed
• HB 367 - Corporate Governance Annual Disclosure Act; enact
• HB 368 - Insurance; division of a domestic insurer into two or more resulting domestic insurers; provide
• HB 456 - Local government; elect an annual report in lieu of a biennial audit; increase expenditure amount
• HB 491 - Insurance; regulation of insurance company holding systems; update
  Structured Rule

House Rules Committee Chairman Jay Powell (R-Camilla) indicated that the Rules Committee will have at least one Supplemental Rules Calendar tomorrow.

The Senate is expected to consider the following measures on Tuesday for Legislative Day 27:

• SB 9 -- Invasion of Privacy; sexual extortion; prohibit; definitions; elements of the crime; provide
• SB 29 -- Waiver of Immunity for Motor Vehicle Claims; definition to clarify sheriff, deputy sheriff, other agent, servant, or employee of sheriff's office; include
• SB 56 -- "Consumer Coverage and Protection for Out-of Network Medical Care Act"
• SB 77 -- State Flag, Seal, and other Symbols; additional protections for government statues; provide
• SB 92 -- Professional Licensing Boards; refuse to issue a license; borrower in default under an educational loan issued through the Georgia Higher Education Assistance Corporation; prohibit
• SB 95 -- Local Government; terms for contracts for utility services; change
• SB 104 -- Resuscitation; parental requirement for consent; revise
• SB 109 -- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse; delegation by a physician; order radiographic imaging tests in non-life-threatening situations; authorize
• SB 122 -- Motor Vehicle Franchise Practices; protection of certain consumer data in motor vehicle sales or lease transactions; provide
• SB 135 -- Workers' Compensation; certain provisions; change
• SB 144 -- Taxes on Tobacco Products; issuance of special event tobacco permits; authorizing off-premise sales of certain tobacco products; provide
• SB 146 -- Alcoholic Beverages; retail package liquor stores conduct tasting events; samples of alcoholic beverages may be served; provide
• SB 161 -- Education; weighted scores for certain coursework for purposes of determining HOPE scholarship and Zell Miller scholarship eligibility; provide
• SB 173 -- 'Georgia Educational Scholarship Act'
• SB 175 -- Teachers Retirement System of Georgia; certain public employers to make employer and employee contributions; require
• SB 176 -- Employees' Retirement System of Georgia; certain public employers; make employer and employee contribution on behalf of retired members; require
• SB 183 -- Revenue and Taxation; each person that files FORM 1099-K with the Internal Revenue Service shall also file electronically to the state revenue commissioner on or before federal deadline; provide
• SB 184 -- State Employees' Health Insurance Plan; services covered and furnished by a federally qualified health center are reimbursed at no less than the Medicare maximum; provide
• SB 188 -- Reinsurance of Risks; adequate regulation of reinsurers; incorporation of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners reinsurance model into the Georgia Insurance Code; provide
• SB 192 -- Captive Insurance Companies; definitions; use of a registered agent to receive service of process; letters of credit; provide
• SB 202 -- Title Insurance; lender's security interest; personal property taken by the lender as collateral for a commercial loan; allow
• SB 207 -- Georgia Board for Physician Workforce; change name; board's membership; revise
• SB 208 -- Drivers Licenses; implied consent notices; revise