Columbus, Georgia

2005 Georgia General Assembly

February 25, 2005

Week 6 Session Report

Days 22-25

Overview

This week, the Georgia General Assembly was in session, considering legislation

Tuesday through Friday, days 22 through 25 respectively. Next week, they will

be off Monday and Tuesday, the 28th and March 1,st to work on the budget.

Session work will resume Wednesday the 2nd for the 26th legislative day. The

General Assembly has yet to outline a schedule beyond next week.

Highlights for the week include:

? Budget work Continues

? High Risk Pool for Insurance passes subcommittee with a new funding

mechanism ? Statewide Smoking ban passes Senate

? Open Records Legislation tabled in the Senate

? Asbestos bill Passes House

? Legislators introduce bills in response to the Choicepoint security

breach ? Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine files Executive Order,

placing Choicepoint on Notice ? Mail Order Pharmacy Passes Senate

Budget

Budget Conferees continue to meet regarding the Supplemental FY05 Budget. The

House and Senate are continuing to work toward a mutually agreed upon proposal.

One area of disagreement is about the issuance of new bonds.

Appropriations hearings continue for the FY06 budget.

Open Records Bill

HB 218, allowing state officials to maintain secrecy about negotiations with

businesses that are considering relocating to Georgia was tabled in the Senate

this week. The bill will allow economic development officials to keep

information about their negotiations confidential, until the conclusion of

those negotiations. Republicans as well as Democrats in the Senate voiced

concerns with the bill. Although Senate Republicans agreed upon amendments

narrowing the scope of the bill, the bill was tabled.

Asbestos Bill

HB 414, establishing new guidelines for asbestos and silica cases passed the

house. This bill requires the suing party to have a sworn affidavit from a

doctor on the physical conditions created by exposure to asbestos or silica.

This would extend to current cases, although the plaintiff would have 120 days

after the bill is signed to file the doctor's affidavit.

ChoicePoint

In 2004, criminals, posing as legitimate businesses, accessed personal data

stored by ChoicePoint Inc., a firm that maintains databases of background

information on individuals. According to the Atlanta Journal and Constitution,

the Atlanta-based company says it has 10 billion records on individuals and

businesses, and sells data to 40 percent of the nation's top 1,000 companies

and over 35 government agencies.

In response to the security breach, several legislators introduced legislation

protecting Georgia consumers from future such actions.

? SB 230 by Senator Hamrick, and others: requires investigative consumer

reporting agencies to give notice to consumers of security breaches

? SB 245 by Senator Heath and others: requires a person of business that

conducts business in the state and that owns or licenses computerized data that

includes personal information to disclose in specified ways any breach of the

security of the data to any resident of GA whose personal information may have

been acquired by an unauthorized person.

? SB 251 by Senator Shafer and others: requires certain business entities

to give notice to consumers of security breaches and provides for causes of

actions and damages for unauthorized or improper access of personal information

of consumers.

Oxendine Response to ChoicePoint

Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine issued an Executive Order (Case No.

2005C-112)

Background:

? Choicepoint is currently listed on the Commissioner of Insurance?s

approved list of third party providers which may file scoring models on behalf

of property and casualty insurers writing business in the state

? Placement on the list is subject to ChoicePoint?s continuing compliance

with applicable statutes and approval may be withdrawn at the Commissioner's

discretion;

Action by Commissioner

(1) ChoicePoint is placed on probationary status for a period of ninety

(90) days.

(2) ChoicePoint shall institute procedures that provide for the immediate

notification to

customers and consumers in the event future security breaches result in the

release of private information to unauthorized or inappropriate users

(3) ChoicePoint shall establish a rapid response plan including a dedicated

telephone number, website link, adequate personnel and appropriate public

service announcements to communicate with impacted persons in the event of

future security failures, and;

(4) ChoicePoint shall perform a system-wide internal audit, conducted by a

reputable

independent security firm, to verify that adequate security measures are

implemented and maintained to ensure data security.

(5) Failure to comply with this Order and to implement these safeguards within

ninety (90) days of this Order will result in: The removal of ChoicePoint from

the Commissioner?s Approved List; and notification to all property and casualty

insurers regulated by the Commissioner that the use of ChoicePoint?s scoring

model is prohibited in underwriting and pricing.

Notables for the week:

This week there was the following action regarding specific bills you may be

interested in:



Bills Introduced:

HB 505 related to compensation of coroners and deputy coroners

HB 521 related to qualification for sheriffs

HB 527 comprehensive revision of provisions regarding payment of excess

proceeds of a sale by tac commissioner

HB 553 related to waste disposal sites

HB 547 related to single family construction impact fees

HB 557 related to inspection of roads and bridges

HB 560 related to changing the valuation of real property established on appeal

HB 570 the Interlocal Cooperation Act

HB 604 related to regional development centers (feel for reviewing actions by

local governments)

SB 223 related to building mapping informaiton systems





Committee and Chamber Action

HB 570 related to Interlocal Cooperation Act; PASSED Committee

SB 32 related to the nonpartisan election of probate court judges; PASSED

Committee

SB 80 nonpartisan elections of Sheriffs; PASSED SENATE

SB 90 Smoke Free Air Act; PASSED SENATE

SB 129 makes it illegal to solicit money/ sell goods or services for a fee to

the operator or passengers of a public transit bus or rapid rail car; PASSED

SENATE





Attached, please find tracking sheet outlining all of the legislation we are

following on your behalf. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel

free to contact me.

________________________________________________________________

Client Name: Columbus Consolidated Government

2005 Legislative Session Tracking Sheet



Bill/Author Summary/Status/Comments

HB 1

Royal, Richard 171st





House Adopted 02-15-05

Opposed Relates to bona fide conservation use property, so as to provide for

additional acts which shall not constitute a breach of a conservation use

covenant



Senate Natural Resources and the Environment

Senate First Read 02-16-05

HB 6

Bridges, Ben 10th

Day, Burke 163rd











Opposed Relates to the payment into county treasuries of fines and forfeitures,

as well as arrests, trials, and appeals relative to prosecution of misdemeanor

traffic offenses, so as to provide for payment of certain moneys arising from

traffic fines the the Georgia Department of Public Safety for payment into the

state treasury



House Judiciary Non-Civil

House Second Read 01-24-05

HB 23

Hill, Calvin 21st

Scheid, Chuck 22nd

Byrd, Charlice 20th Repeals certain provisions authorizing a tire disposal fee



House Natural Resources and the Environment

House Second Read 02-03-05

HB 29

Brooks, Tyrone 63rd

Jones, Sheila 44th

Thomas, Mable 55th

Mangham, Randal 94th

Opposed Prohibits the use of electroshock devices by law enforcement officers





House Public Safety

House Second Read 01-25-05

HB 30

Brooks, Tyrone 63rd

Hugley, Carolyn 133rd

Smyre, Calvin 132nd

Holmes, Bob 61st

Marin, Pete 96th Requires policies that prohibit law enforcement officers from

impermissibly using race or ethnicity in determining whether to stop a motorist

and requires annual training of law enforecement officers



House Public Safety

House Second Read 01-25-05

HB 34

Mitchell, Billy 88th

Brown, Jeff 69th

Rynders, Ed 152nd

Graves, David 137th

Bruce, Roger 64th











Support Relates to student health, by enacting the ?Georgia?s Children?s Vision

Improvement and Learning Readiness Act of 2005?; allows the State Board of

Education to apply for federal funds to develop a state program to provide

comprehensive eye examinations for children entering first grade; provides for

the development of program eligibility criteria, a list of providers, a system

of provider reimbursement, and a method for evaluation and reporting



House Education

House Second Read 01-24-05

HB 35

Mitchell, Billy 88th Relates to general provisions regarding administration of

mental health, developmental disabilities, addictive diseases and other

disability services, so as to provide for the Community Service Board Overview

Commission



House Human Relations and Aging

House Second Read 01-26-05

HB 36

Willard, Wendell 49th

Geisinger, Harry 48th

Wilkinson, Joe 52nd Revises the provisions of law relating to creation of new

municipal corporations by eliminating certain minimum distance requirements and

providing for the authorization and regulation of alcoholic beverage sales in

new municipalities under certain circumstances



House Governmental Affairs

House Second Read 01-25-05

HB 42

Floyd, Hugh 99th

Marin, Pete 96th Relates to adoption of hearing policies and procedures and

standards for the exercise of zoning power, so as to require investigation,

reports and consideration of effects of zoning decisions on local school systems



House Judiciary

House Second Read 01-24-05

HB 53

Powell, Alan 29th

McCall, Tom 30th

Jamieson, Jeanette 28th



Opposed Regulates interbasin and intrabasin transfers of surface water and

ground water





House Natural Resources and Environment

House Second Read 01-12-05

HB 55

Powell, Alan 29th

McCall, Tom 30th

Jamieson, Jeanette 28th



Opposed River Basin Protection Act; provides for protection of river basins,

regulates insterbasin transfers of water, and provides for an in-stream flow

policy



House Natural Resources and Environment

House Second Read 01-12-05

HB 62

Powell, Alan 29th

Jamieson, Jeanette 28th

Roberts, Jay 154th

Morris, Greg 155th Relates to elections and primaries generally so as to provide that

the General Assembly by local law may provide for the nonpartisan election of

clerks of the superior court, sheriffs, tax receivers, tax collectors and tax

commissioners



House Governmental Affairs

House Second Read 01-24-05

HB 63

Powell, Allan 29th

Jamieson, Jeanette 28th







Support Relates to elections and primaries, so as to provide for the nonpartisan

election of clerks of the superior court, sheriffs, tax receivers, tax

collectors, and tax commissioners



House Governmental Affairs

House Second Read 01-24-05

HB 75

Sims, Chuck 169th











Opposed Relates to primaries and elections, so as to provide that it shall be

illegal for certain persons to engage in certain election related activities

and to provide that a court or administrative body may revoke or suspend a

person?s right to vote under certain circumstances



House Governmental Affairs

House Second Read 01-25-05

HB 77

Stephens, Ron 164th











Opposed Changes the provisions relating to priorities of fines, forfeitures,

surcharges, additional fees, and costs in cases of partial payments into the

court and provides for funding for local juvenile diversion programs through a

fine surcharge



House Judiciary Non-Civil

House Second Read 01-25-05

HB 79

Stephens, Ron 164th











Opposed Changes the provisions relating to priorities of fines, forfeitures,

surcharges, additional fees, and costs in cases of partial payments into the

court and provides for funding for local juvenile diversion programs through a

fine surcharge



House Judiciary Non-Civil

House Second Read 01-25-05

HB 89

Coleman, Terry 144th











Opposed Relates to the withdrawal, death, or disqualification of candidates, so

as to provide that, when a dandidate withdraws, the election superintendent

shall cause the name of such withdrawn candidate to be removed from the ballot

if possible



House Governmental Affairs

House Second Read 01-26-05

HB 96

Marin, Pete 96th

Floyd, Hugh 99th

Thomas, Brian 100th

Casas, David 103rd

Coan, Mike 101st

Support Relates to abatement of nuisances generally, so as to change certain

provisions relating to definitions relative to county and municipal abatement

powers





House State Planning and Community Affairs

House Second Read 01-26-05

HB 98

Golick, Rich 34th

Roberts, Jay 154th

Smith, Lynn 70th

Jones, Jan 46th

Support

House Adopted 01-31-05 Creates the Georgia Land Conservation Council and provides for is

membership, powers, duties and, operations





Senate Adopted 02-14-05

Conference Committee

HB 152

Setzler, Ed 35th

Burkahalter, Mark 50th

Royal, Richard 171st

Keen, Jerry 179th Provides for enhanced redevelopment powers, duties, and

authority and sales and use taxation for a limited duration



House Ways and Means

House Second Read 01-28-05

HB 173

Lunsford, John 110th







Opposed Expands the ad valorem exemption for veterans organizations to include

certain additional nonprofit veterans organizations



House Ways and Means

House Second Read 01-28-05

HB 177

Lunsford, John 110th













Support Provides that it shall be unlawful for any official, officer, or

employee of this state or of any department, agency, board, bureau, commission,

or authority of this state or of any county, municipality, or authority thereof

to employ or to use any public funds to pay any person who is in the United

States in violation of the laws of the United States



House Governmental Affairs

House Second Read 01-28-05

HB 186

Mitchell, Billy 88th

Mosley, Henson 178th

Floyd, Hugh 99th

Meadows, John 5th

Henson, Michele 87th

Opposed Expands the purposes for which federal funds may be used by a county or

municipal corporation







House State Planning and Community Affairs

House Second Read 01-31-05

HB 192

Buckner, Gail 76th

Manning, Judy 32nd

Henson, Michele 87th

Orrock, Nan, 58th

Buckner, Debbie 130th

Opposed Provides that local victim assistance funds collected by the courts

shall be paid directly to the county governing authority or the district

attorney





House Judiciary

House Second Read 1-31-05

HB 220

Jackson, Lester 161st







Support Provides for an optional bidding preference for local businesses with

respect to local government contracts that are subject to competitive bidding

procedures



House Governmental Affairs

House Second Read 02-02-05

HB 241

Maddox, Gene 172nd

Keown, Mike 173rd

Support Provides for the nonpartisan election of sheriffs



House Governmental Affairs

House Second Read 02-02-05

HB 265

Ralston, David 7th

Crawford, Mack 127th Provides that the intangible recording tax may be prorated

among the counties in which the real property is located



House Judiciary

House Second Read 02-07-05

HB 268

Crawford, Mack 127th

Fleming, Barry 117th

Ralston, David 7th Changes the provisions relating to the compensation of

district attorneys, assistant district attorneys, district attorney

investigators, and assistant district attorneys who temporarily substitute for

a district attorney who dies or resigns during the term of office



House Judiciary

House Second Read 02-07-05

HB 269

Davis, Steve 109th

Jacobs, Mike 80th

Talton, Willie, 145th

Lunsford, John 110th

Watson, Stan, 91st Provides that educational facilities plans for local systems

shall anticipate needs for seven years





House Education

House Second Read 02-07-05

HB 271

Smyre, Calvin 132nd

Smith, Vance 129th

Hugley, Carolyn 133rd

Smith, Richard 131st

Buckner, Debbie 130th

House Adopted 02-10-05 Provides a new charter for the county-wide government of

Columbus, GA approved April 5, 1993







Senate State and Local Government Operations

Senate First Read 02-14-05

HB 294

Miller, Phyllis 106th

Benfield, Stephanie 85th

Day, Burke 163rd

Smith, Vance 129th

Mumford, Robert 95th

Support Provides for photographic speed-monitoring systems and definitions and

operating requirements for such systems







House Judiciary Non-Civil

House Committee Favorably Reported 02-09-05

HB 304

Burmeister, Sue 119th

Yates, John 73rd

Shaw, Jay 176th

Cummings, Bill 16th

Rice, Tom 51st Relates to general provisions concerning specific, business, and

occupation taxes, so as to change the provisions relating to the imposition and

determination of the among of certain regulatory fees by local governments



House Ways and Means

House Second Read 02-08-05

HB 349

Dodson, Ron 75th

Mitchell, Billy 88th

Barnes, Mike 78th

Stephens, Ron 164th Relates to investigation of charges against a sheriff and

suspension of a sheriff so as to change the maximum period of time for a

suspension and an extension of a suspension



House Judiciary Non-Civil

House Second Read 02-09-05

HB 359

Drenner, Karla 86th

Benfield, Stephanie 85th

Gardner, Pat 57th

Morgan, Alicia 39th

Bruce, Roger 64th Provides that the ballot or other materials at the voting

booth shall allow the voter to view all sections of a proposed constitutional

amendment at the time that he or she votes



House Rules

House Second Read 02-09-05

HB 370

Kidd, Jane 115th

Jacobs, Mike 80th

Bordeaux, Tom 162nd

Smith, Bob 113th

England, Terry 108th Provides for an exemption from ad valorem taxation for

certain charitable institutions





House Ways and Means

House Second Read 02-09-05

HB 403

Jackson, Lester 161st

Stephens, Ron 164th

Bordeaux, Tom 162nd

Bryant, Bob 160th

Carter, Buddy 159th Provides for the nonpartisan election of clerks of superior court

and coroners





House Governmental Affairs

House Second Read 02-10-05

HB 420

Smyre, Calvin 132nd

Hugley, Carolyn 133rd

Smith, Vance 129th

Smith, Richard 131st

Buckner, Debbie 130th

Support Provides for the cession of concurrent jurisdiction to the United States

over certain lands within the state used for the National Infantry Museum





House State Institutions and Properties

House Second Read 02-14-05

HB 426

Reece, Stacey 27th

Cooper, Sharon 41st

Stephens, Ron 164th

Buckner, Debbie 130th

Oliver, Mary Margaret 83rd Enacts the ?Georgia Smokefree Air Act of 2005? which

prohibits smoking in certain facilities





House Health and Human Services

House Second Read 02-14-05

HB 433

Coleman, Terry 144th

Crawford, Mack 127th

Cheokas, Mike 134th

Parrish, Butch 156th

Ray, Robert 136th Provides for the nonpartisan election of clerks of superior

court, sheriffs, tax collectors, tax receivers, tax commissioners, and coroners



House Governmental Affairs

House Second Read 02-15-05

HB 493

Scott, Austin 153rd Authorizes the use and expenditure of the special county 1

percent sales and use tax for county maintenance and operation purposes



House Ways and Means

House Second Read 02-17-05

HB 508

Sims, Chuck 169th

Mosley, Hinson 178th Provides for the minimum salaries for coroners of certain

counties and periodic cost-of-living or general performance based increases for

coroners



House Appropriations

House Second Read 02-18-05

HB 521

Crawford, Mack 127th

Talton, Willie 145th

Barnard, Terry 166th Requires candidates for sheriff to be certified peace

officers in good standing at the time of qualifying for election to the office



House Governmental Affairs

House Second Read 02-18-05

HB 527

Stephens, Ron 164th

Lindsey, Edward 54th Provides for the comprehensive revision of provisions

regarding payment of excess proceeds of a tax sale by tax commissioners or tax

collectors



House Ways and Means

House Second Read 02-18-05

HB 533

Lewis, Jeff 15th

Smith, Bob 113th

Loudermilk, Barry 14th

Graves, David 12th

Opposed Increases he applicable distance for solid waste disposal sites from

county or city boundaries





House Public Utilities and Telecommunications

House Second Read 02-22-05

HB 546

Maddox, Gene 172nd

May, Jeff 111th

Reese, Bobby 98th

Mumford, Robert 95th Relates to affidavits which must accompany charges of

professional malpractice, identification of medical bills and authentication of

writing, reporting of need for protective services for elder person or disabled

adults and immunity from liability, and when a coroner shall hold an inquest

and procedures connected with such an inquest



House Health and Human Services

House Second Read 02-22-05

HB 547

Lunsford, John 110th

Mosley, Hinson 178th





Opposed Provides a maximum amount of impact fees which may be imposed with

respect to the construction of a new single family residence



House Governmental Affairs

House Second Read 02-22-05

HB 557

Burkhalter, Mark 50th Repeals certain duties of county police with respect to

inspection of roads and bridges



House Public Safety

House Second Read 02-23-05

HB 560

Martin, Chuck 47th

Jones, Jan 46th

Geisinger, Harry 48th Changes certain provisions regarding the circumstances

under which county boards of tax assessors can change the valuation of real

property established on appeal



House Ways and Means

House Second Read 02-23-05

HB 570

Scott, Martin 2nd

Fleming, Barry 117th

Murphy, Quincy 120th

Day, Burke 163rd

Smyre, Calvin 132nd Provides for the comprehensive regulating of interlocal

agreements





House Interstate Cooperation

House Committee Favorably Reported 02-24-05

HB 604

Geisinger, Harry 48th

Mosley, Hinson 178th Provides that the Department of Community Affairs may

adopt procedures by which regional development centers may charge a fee for

reviewing certain proposed actions by local governing authorities



House State Planning and Community Affairs

House Second Read 02-24-05

HR 1

Royal, Richard 171st









Opposed Authorizes the General Assembly to provide by general or local law for

limitations upon the rate of increase of the ad valorem tax millage rate and

value of property for certain purposes



House Ways and Means

House First Read 01-12-05

HR 3

Royal, Richard 171st











Opposed Proposes an amendment to the Constitution so as to authorize the General

Assembly to provide by general or local law for limitations upon the rate of

increase of the ad valorem tax millage rate and value of property for certain

purposes



House Ways and Means

House First Read 01-12-05

HR 6

Brooks, Tyrone 63rd

Epps, Carl Von 128th

Mangham, Randal 94th

Jones, Sheila 44th

Thomas, Mable 55th

Opposed Urges all law enforcement and correctional agencies in the State of

Georgia to suspend the use of all electroshock devices



House Public Safety

House Second Read 01-25-05

HR 58

Keen, Jerry 179th

Richardson, Glenn 19th

Burmeister, Sue 119th

Jamieson, Jeanette 28th



Opposed Eliminates the provisions requiring the local funding of education by ad

valorem taxation and provide for the imposition of a state sales and use tax at

a rate not to exceed 3 percent



House Ways and Means

House Second Read 01-27-05

HR 168

Heard, Keith 114th

Kidd, Jane 115th Declares the acquisition, establishment, operation, and

administration of the system of public transportation of passengers for hire in

any city, county or consolidated government to be an essential governmental

function and a public purpose to authorize the creation of a public corporation

or authority for such purpose



House Governmental Affairs

House Second Read 02-09-05

SB 3

Smith, Preston 52nd

Johnson, Eric 1st

Seabaugh, Mitch 28th

Stephens, Bill 27th

Hamrick, Bill 30th



Senate Favorably Reported 02-01-05 Tort Reform; amends titles relating to civil

practice, evidence and torts, so as to provide for substantive and

comprehensive revisions of provisions regarding civil practice, evidentiary

matters, and liability in tort actions in general and actions related to health

care in particular (amend OCGA Titles 9, 24, and 51).



House Special Committee on Civil Justice Reform

House Favorably Reported 02-10-05

SB 30

Pearson, Chip 51st

Seabaugh, Mitch 28th

Williams, Tommie 19th

Cagle, Casey 49th

Heath, Bill 31st Relates to proceedings before a special master, so as to

provide for inverse condemnation proceedings





Senate Judiciary

Senate First Read 01-24-05

SB 32

Smith, Preston 52nd

Mullis, Jeff 53rd

Tolleson, Russ 20th

Kemp, Brian 46th

Hill, Judson 32nd Relates to the election and term of judges of the probate

court so that the office shall be elected on a nonpartisan basis



Senate Judiciary

Senate Committee Favorably Reported 02-24-05

SB 50

Hamrick, Bill 30th

Seabaugh, Mitch 28th

Pearson, Chip 51st

Heath, Bill 31st

Hill, Judson 32nd

Opposed Relates to a personal property tax exemption for certain property, so as

to increase the amount of such exemption







Senate Finance

Senate First Read 01-25-05

SB 56

Thomas, Don 54th

Unterman, Renee 45th

Harbison, Ed 15th

Hooks, George 14th

Pearson, Chip 51st

Senate Adopted 02-08-05 Relates to hospitalization for tuberculosis









House Health and Human Services

House Second Read 02-10-05

SB 59

Hamrick, Bill 30th Relates to establishment of county diversion centers, so as to

authorize the establishment of county probation diversion centers for certain

offenders, which will be under the control of the sheriff of the county



Senate Public Safety and Homeland Security

Senate First Read 01-26-05

SB 64

Douglas, John 17th





Support Repeals the requirement that officers enforcing traffic laws have a blue

light on the roof of their vehicles



Senate Public Safety and Homeland Security

Senate Second Read 02-14-05

SB 65

Brown, Robert 26th





Opposed Provides authority to the state revenue commissioner to investigate

property tax valuations



Senate Finance

Senate First Read 01-27-05

SB 70

Thompson, Steve 33rd

Stoner, Doug 6th

Mullis, Jeff 53rd

Powell, J.B. 23rd

Thompson, Curt 5th

Support Includes land used as or dedicated for use as a cemetery within the

definition of greenspace for a limited purpose







Senate Natural Resources and the Environment

Senate First Read 01-28-05

SB 72

Thompson, Steve 33rd

Stoner, Doug 6th

Powell, J.B. 23rd

Thompson, Curt 5th Relates to program weights relative to state funding of local

school systems, so as to provide for compliance with maximum class size

requirements for each individual classroom



Senate Education and Youth

Senate First Read 01-28-05

SB 80

Williams, Tommie 19th

Staton, Cecil 18th

Goggans, Greg 7th

Tolleson, Russ 20th

Johnson, Eric 1st

Senate Adopted 02-23-05

Support Provides for the nonpartisan election of sheriffs











House Governmental Affairs

House First Read 02-24-05

SB 86

Chapman, Jeff 3rd

Williams, Tommie 19th

Goggans, Greg 7th

Johnson, Eric 1st

Whitehead, Jime 24th

Opposed Changes certain proivisons relating to the nature of the right of

eminent domain







Senate Judiciary

Senate Second Read 02-08-05

SB 90

Thomas, Don 54th

Reed, Kasim 35th

Unterman, Rene 45th

Schaefer, Nancy 50th

Miles, Steen 43rd

Senate Adopted 02-23-05 Enacts the Georgia Smokefree Air Act of 2005 to prohibit smoking

in certain facilities and areas







House Health and Human Services

House First Read 02-24-05

SB 113

Butler, Gloria 55th

Henson, Steve 41st

Fort, Vincent 39th

Miles, Steen 43rd

Seabaugh, Mitch 28th

Support Establishes the Emergency Telephone System Fund and authorizes the use

of 911 fund money to establish and operate a 311 nonemergency phone system





Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee

Senate First Read 02-03-05

SB 129

Adelman, David 42nd

Weber, Dan 40th

Moody, Dan 56th

Miles, Steen 43rd

Zamarripa, Sam 36th



Senate Adopted 02-23-05 Provides that it shall be unlawful to solicit money or sell

goods or services for a fee to the operator or passengers of a public transit

bus or rapid rail car within the confines of such vehicle or inside the paid

area of a rapid rail or intermodal bus station



House Transportation

House First Read 02-24-05

SB 181

Hamrick, Bill 30th

Mullis, Jeff 53rd Enacts the Nursing Home Accountability Act of 2005 which

relates to death investigations



Senate Health and Human Services

Senate First Read 02-14-05

SB 183

Douglas, John 17th

Moody, Dan 56th

Starr, Terrell 44th

Miles, Steen 43rd

Staton, Cecil 18th Relates to adoption of hearing policies and procedures and

standards for the exercise of zoning power, so as to require investigation,

reports, and consideration of effects of zoning decisions on local school

systems



Senate State and Local Governmental Operations

Senate First Read 02-14-05

SB 192

Thomas, Don 54th

Thompson, Curt 5th

Mullis, Jeff 53rd











Support Provides that any emergency rescue or public safety worker who suffers a

condition or impairment of health that is caused by hepatitis, meningococcal

meningitis, or tuberculosis, that requires medical treatment, and that results

in total or partial disability or death shall be presumed to have a disability

suffered in the line of duty unless the contrary is shown by competent evidence



Senate Insurance and Labor

Senate First Read 02-15-05

SB 223

Harbison, Ed 15th

Johnson, Eric 1st

Brown, Robert 26th Provides for the development and implementation of a state-wide first responder

building mapping information system



Senate Public Safety and Homeland Security

Senate First Read 02-22-05