Columbus, Georgia

5-07 2002 Legislative Session Final Report

Columbus Consolidated Government 2002 Legislative Session Final Report



The longest legislative session in recent history came to close Friday

afternoon, April 12, 2002. Following is the end of the session status of major

bills tracked for CCG:



Bills that Passed:



SB 386

This bill changed the weight limitations on load weight and axle weight

provisions for vehicles traveling on public roads other than national highways,

and listed hauling exemptions where a permit was not necessary to exceed the

limitations for these new weights, including one for freshly mixed, unhardened

concrete. It passed the House with a floor substitute on April 10, and the

Senate agreed to the House version on April 12.



SB 414

This bill relates to primaries and elections. It revises certain definitions

to include electronic voting and repeals certain provisions of law regarding

vote recorders. The bill also provides for certain instructions for ballots

and voting equipment and has the state provide a uniform system of direct

recording electronic voting equipment for use by counties in the state by

2004. The bill allows municipalities to acquire such systems and counties to

acquire additional such equipment at their own expense, so it also allows for

the use of bonds for acquiring the systems. It also provides for provisional

ballots, for the method of voting and counting such ballots, and for certain

notifications to people voting provisional ballots. The bill passed the House

with a floor amendment on April 3, and the Senate agreed to the House version

on April 12.



SR 723

This resolution commended Columbus Water Works on the occasion of its 100th

anniversary of providing a vital service to the people of Muscogee County and

the Middle Chattahoochee Valley. It was adopted in the Senate on February 27.



HB 1025

This bill relates to the exemption of urban transit systems from the state

sales and use tax by changing definitions, placing the regulation under the

Department of Motor Vehicle Safety, and changing the requirements for

certificate expiration. It passed the Senate on April 2.



HB 1106

This bill changes the population requirements for the definition of homestead

using 2000 census numbers to counties not having a population under 19,200 and

not more than 19,750 for ad valorem tax exemptions. It passed the Senate on

April 2.



HB 1128

This is the ?sovereign immunity? bill. It rescinds sovereign immunity for

cities and counties for damage arising out of the negligent use of motor

vehicles. The bill also requires the governments to have liability insurance

coverage with limits set up to $700,000 by 2008. It has passed the Senate on

April 3 and the House agreed to the Senate version, which increased the

liability coverage limits, on April 9.



HB 1154

This bill requires notice to be given by all persons or companies for timber

harvesting. It allows the counties and municipalities to promulgate ordinances

requiring notice, but the bill lists requirements that the ordinances must

conform to. The bill also amends provisions on the power of counties to

enforce rules for the efficient operation of the county road system and for the

powers of municipalities enforcing parking rules on municipal street systems

and for the obstructing, encroaching on, or injuring of public roads. It

passed the Senate by committee substitute on April 2. The House agreed to the

Senate substitute as amended by the House on April 9, and the Senate then

agreed to the House amendment to the Senate substitute on April 12.



HB 1278

This bill allows the removal of a member of the county board of tax assessors

for ?failure to perform the duties or requirements or meet the qualifications

imposed?? and defines ?failure to perform the duties.? It was withdrawn and

recommitted to Committee on April 9, and it also passed out of that committee

on the same day. The Senate passed the bill on April 10.



HB 1406

This bill relates to the redevelopment of brownfields sites by allowing new

owners of a polluted site to be exempt from responsibility for cleaning up any

groundwater problems as long as the soil at the site is cleaned to EPD

standards. The exemption extends to third party liability for any previous

releases as well. The original party responsible for the pollution is still

required to clean up the groundwater. It raises the fee on solid waste

disposal from 50 cents per ton to 65 cents per ton in 2003 and 75 cents per ton

by 2008. Hazardous waste fees are increased by 15%. It passed the Senate with

a floor amendment on April 10, and the House agreed on April 12.



HB 1407

This bill provides that state government may, in the course of participation in

federal programs, under certain conditions administer and provide services

through contracts with charitable, religious, or private organizations, and it

provides that state government may, in the course of participation in federal

programs, under certain conditions provide beneficiaries of assistance with

certificates, vouchers, or other forms of disbursement which are redeemable

with charitable, religious, or private organizations. The bill also

promulgates limitations and conditions for when this may be done and how the

money is to be used. It passed the Senate with a floor amendment on April 3,

and the House agreed on April 9.



HB 1663

This bill provides a new charter for the county-wide government of Columbus

dividing it into eight districts, which are described in the bill, for the

purpose of revising the districts for the city council elections. It passed

the Senate with a floor substitute on April 10, and the House agreed on April

10.



HB 1669

This bill defines ?subrecipient? for the purpose of receiving a state grant,

and makes provisions for the audit of amounts granted that are greater than

$5,000and for certification of grants less than $5,000. It passed the Senate

on April 10, but the House disagreed on April 12. The Senate insisted on its

position, and the House receded from its disagreement on April 12.



HR 1105

This bill creates the Joint Construction Codes Study Committee. It replaced HR

1039, and the intent is to have consistency in the state?s construction codes

and standards since that regulates the building industry. The bill provides

for who should be appointed to the committee and for the scope of study. It

was agreed to in both houses on April 12.



Bills that Died:



SB 288

This bill would have tied Deputy Sheriff salaries to state correctional officer

salaries. It never made it out of Senate Corrections.



SB 319

This bill would have changed the length of time after payment that a person

could have claimed a refund for taxes or license fees from a county or

municipality from three to five years (original version had from three to ten

years). It died in House Rules.



SB 322

This bill changed several provisions dealing with fire protection and safety,

such as general requirements for firefighters, equipment and clothing, workers?

compensation insurance, suspension or revocation of certificates of compliance,

firefighter standards and training, and definitions relative to workers?

compensation. It never made it out of Senate Public Safety.



SB 376

This bill would have given magistrate courts increased jurisdiction over

certain misdemeanors. It died in Senate Judiciary.



SB 437

This bill would have increased salaries for full-time juvenile court judges

paid with state funds. It died in House Rules.



SB 468

This bill would have prohibited a license officer from issuing an ambulance

service license to a government or governmental agency unless the government or

governmental agency could prove that they could provide the proposed ambulance

service more cost efficiently than a competing private service. It never made

it out of Senate Health & Human Services.



SB 508

This bill would have provided eligibility for unemployment benefits for victims

of domestic violence, as well as having changed provisions for unemployment

insurance in general. Due to the questionable process in the Senate Insurance

& Labor Committee meeting on March 18, 2002, the bill never made it out of

Rules.



SR 489

This resolution proposed an amendment to the Constitution which would have

authorized the General Assembly to provide by law for additional penalties or

fees in any case in any court in this state which imposed a fine for all

offenses against criminal and traffic laws and to allocate the funds from the

additional penalties or fees for traffic and pedestrian safety programs. It

died in Senate Judiciary.



HB 490

This bill would have provided job tax credits, in addition to business

enterprise credits, for business enterprises located in designated less

developed areas. It died in Senate Finance & Public Utilities.



HB 669

This bill was last session?s version of HB 1128, the sovereign immunity bill,

which passed.



HB 1014

This bill increased the reimbursement amount to $20.00 per day from the

Department of Corrections for housing inmates in county jails and correctional

institutions after the fifteen day transfer period has expired. It also

provides for periodic increase in the rate. It died in House State

Institutions & Property.



HB 1030

This bill would have allowed DHR to promulgate rules and regulations for the

operation of land disposal sites for septic tank wastes that receive waste from

one business and also for those that receive waste from more than one

business. It also would not allow the operation of such facilities that were

not in operation as of January 1, 2002 after July 1, 2002, unless permitted by

the Department. It died in Senate Natural Resources.



HB 1187

This bill would have prohibited money from being drawn from the treasury of the

local government except pursuant to certain specific authority. It died in

House Rules.



HB 1225

This bill would have changed the length of time after payment that a person

could have claimed a refund for taxes from a county or municipality from three

to ten years. It died in House Ways & Means.



HB 1227

This bill, like HB 1225 (above), would have changed the time period from three

years to seven years. It also died in House Ways & Means.



HB 1251

This bill would have given a $1,000 tax credit per qualifying child for

expenses related to qualified child care. It never made it out of House Ways &

Means.



HB 1275

This bill would have allowed the use of radar speed detection devices while

permits are pending. It died in House Motor Vehicles.



HB 1283

This bill would have allowed the imposition of a special county one percent

sales and use tax to be used for the maintenance and repair of any

transportation facility. The amount of the proceeds was not to exceed five

percent of the total proceeds collected under the tax. It died in House Ways &

Means.



HB 1286

This bill is like HB 1227, but it changes the ?he? to ?such taxpayer? regarding

who shall specify the claim in writing. It also died in House Ways & Means.



HB 1374

This bill would have exempted certain records relating to local government

employees out from the Open Records Act. It did not make it out of House

Judiciary.



HB 1394

This bill would have allowed municipalities to place a local excise tax, not to

exceed three percent, on sales by the drink of wine or beer. It died in the

Regulated Beverages Committee.



HB 1431

This bill would have required the state revenues commissioner to compile an age

questionnaire for use with the homestead exemption and have an amendment added

to the application for the state homestead exemption, which would require

applicants to state their age.



HB 1486

This bill would have allowed for a lump sum payment out of the State

Indemnification Fund to be made to the surviving spouse and minor children of a

law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty. It also would have

provided health and dental insurance coverage for the spouse and minor

children. The bill died in House Appropriations.



HB 1490

This bill would have compensated county coroners $125.00 for each state inmate

whose execution was carried out in that county. It was compensation for

attending the execution and issuing the death certificate. The bill died in

Senate Judiciary.



HB 1505

This bill would have required that at least 25% of the surplus from the county

fine and forfeiture fund be used for indigent defense. It died in Senate

Appropriations.



HB 1523

This bill would have prioritized the expenditures made from the State Public

Transportation Fund and where the funds from the motor fuel tax were to be

expended. It also exempted certain fuel from the motor fuel tax and created a

second motor fuel tax at a rate of four percent. It passed the House on April

1, but was never taken up in the Senate.



HB 1558

This bill would have allowed an exemption from the state sales and use tax for

certain local development authority projects, which were the subject of

interstate competition, to attract new or expanded industrial or business

operations. It never made it out of House Ways & Means.



HB 1603

This bill related to property tax exemptions and deferrals by presuming that a

landowner had dedicated his land for a public road if the land had been used

that way for at least seven years. It also presumed that a political

subdivision had accepted the dedication if it had performed maintenance or

repair to that land. The bill died in House Ways & Means.



HB 1610

This bill would have required the county and municipal courts to record the

amount of all speeding fines on interstate highways and for the DMVS to compile

the data in a report of the total fines charged to be available in those

courts. It also provided for the citation forms to be updated to accommodate

this new data requirement. The bill died in House Motor Vehicles.



HR 987

This resolution proposed a Constitutional amendment to have the coroner be an

elected county official. It died in House Rules.



HR 1112

This resolution proposed a Constitutional amendment to repeal the funding of

education by ad valorem taxes, and instead would have imposed a new one percent

sales and use tax on motor fuel to fund education prior to the college of

postsecondary levels. It died in House Ways & Means.



HR 1150

This resolution proposed a Constitutional amendment to have an additional

penalty fine imposed in any case where a fine is already imposed for criminal

offenses or traffic violations, and have the additional money allocated to the

Georgia State Indemnification Fund to provide a lump sum payment to the

surviving spouse and children of a law enforcement officer killed in the line

of duty. It died in House Appropriations.



The above bills were ones that CCG either supported or opposed. All other

bills being tracked for CCG can be reviewed on the tracking sheet, which is

also attached to this email.



Also, to view the full text of any of these bills, please go to:

http://www.legis.state.ga.us/Legis/2001_02/fulltext/sb288.htm

Please remember to change the bills number at the end of the web address to

access different bills.









































































































Columbus Consolidated Government Bill Tracking Sheet 2002 Legislative Session



H.B. 121

(closely monitor)

Stancil,Steve 16 th

Scheid,Chuck 17 th

Pinholster,Garlan 15 th The ?Georgia Homeowner Protection Act,? which would

require homeowner warranties before a building permit could be issued.

Industry; House Second Readers 01/12/01



H.B. 320

(closely monitor)

Ehrhart,Earl 36 th

Stancil,Steve 16 th

Pinholster,Garlan 15 th Allows third parties to participate in mediation issues

of zoning decisions. State Planning & Community Affairs; House Second Readers

02/01/01



H.B. 348

(closely monitor)

Benfield,Stephani 67 th

Irvin,Bob 45 th

Millar,Fran 59 th

Ragas,Arnold 64 th Provides that certain parties shall have standing to bring

or join an action challenging a zoning or land use decision. Judiciary; House

Second Readers 02/02/01



H.B. 490

(support)

Jamieson,Jeanette 22 nd

Holmes,Bob 53 rd

Teper,Doug 61 st Provides income tax credits for business enterprises in

designated less developed areas. House Ways & Means and Senate Finance &

Public Utilities; Senate Read & Referred 03/07/01



H.B. 614

(closely monitor)

Campbell,Tom 42 nd

Bordeaux,Tom 151st

Burkhalter,Mark 41 st Allows cities to place moratoriums on zoning. State

Planning & Community Affairs; House Second Readers 02/15/01



H.B. 669

(oppose)

Bordeaux,Tom 151st

Martin,Jim 47 th Waiver of sovereign immunity and requiring insurance.

Judiciary; House Second Readers 02/21/01



H.B. 709

(closely monitor)

Harbin,Ben 113th

Jackson,Bill 112th

Purcell,Ann 147th

Powell,Alan 23 rd BEST Amendment for border counties that would allow the

Commissioner of ITT to grant special provisions to keep industry in border

states from going to other states by giving income tax credits. Ways & Means;

House Second Readers 02/26/01



H.B. 1012

(track)

Ehrhart,Earl 36 th

Westmoreland,Lynn 104th

Lunsford,John 109th Creates the Major Airport Operations Board.

Transportation; House Second Readers 01/16/02



H.B. 1014

(support)

Greene,Gerald 158th Specifies the rate of reimbursement from the Department of

Corrections for housing state inmates in county jails and correctional

institutions. State Institutions& Property; House Second Readers 01/17/02



H.B. 1021

(track)

Day,Burke 153rd

Murphy,Thomas 18 th

Walker,Larry 141st

Skipper,Jimmy 137th

Rogers,Carl 20 th

Hanner,Bob 159th Repeals certain provisions regarding river and harbor

development, and provides for the regulation of maintaining navigation inlets,

harbors, and rivers. House Natural Resources & Environment and Senate Natural

Resources; House Agreed 03/01/02



H.B. 1025

(support)

Buck,Thomas 135th

Royal,Richard 164th

Sims,Chuck 167th

Jamieson,Jeanette 22 nd

Heard,Keith 89 th Changes certain provisions regarding the exemption of state

sales and use tax with respect to urban transit systems. House Ways & Means

and Senate Finance & Public Utilities; Senate Passed 04/02/02



H.B. 1030

(support)

Powell,Alan 23 rd

Smith,Clint 19 th

Shanahan,Tom 10 th

Hanner,Bob 159th

McCall,Tom 90 th Provides that the DHR shall have the power and duty to

promulgate rules governing the operation of land disposal sites for septic tank

wastes that receive less than 50,000 gallons of waste, and that no such

facility shall operate after July 1, 2002, unless permitted by the department.

House Natural Resources & Environment and Senate Natural Resources; Senate

Second Readers 02/11/02



H.B. 1084

(track)

Irvin,Bob 45 th Creates the Georgia Airport Management Authority. Transportation;

House Second Readers 01/28/02



H.B. 1106

(support)

Lunsford,John 109th

Cash,Steve 108th Revises and changes the population and census application of

certain provisions relating to the definition of homestead for ad valorem tax

exemptions. House Ways & Means and Senate Finance & Public Utilities; Senate

Passed 04/02/02



H.B. 1112

(track)

Parham,Bobby 122nd Relates to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to change provisions

relating to registration of motor vehicles; to change certain provisions

relating to processing by private persons of applications for registration; to

change certain provisions relating to special license plates for members of

active reserve components of the United States; to change certain provisions

relating to registration of vehicle where commissioner is not satisfied as to

ownership of vehicle and bond; to regulate certain use of motor vehicles or

other equipment by certified law enforcement officers employed by the DMVS.

House Motor Vehicles and Senate Finance & Public Utilities; Senate Passed

04/10/02



H.B. 1128

(oppose)

Bordeaux,Tom 151st

Davis,J 60 th

Hammontree,Allen 4 th

Benfield,Stephani 67 th

Massey,Warren 86 th

Orrock,Nan 56 th Waiver of sovereign immunity and requiring insurance. House

Judiciary and Senate Insurance & Labor; Senate Passed 04/03/02 and House Agreed

to Senate version 04/09/02



H.B. 1133

Barnard,Terry 154th Relates to the organization of county government, so as to

authorize the General Assembly by local Act to exempt the governing authority

of a county or consolidates government from a provision requiring a supplement

in compensation for any member of such a governing authority who successfully

completes certain training by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government. State

Planning & Community Affairs; House Second Readers 01/31/02



H.B. 1138

Parrish,Butch 144th

Royal,Richard 164th Relates to redemption of property sold for taxes, so as to

change certain provisions regarding amounts payable for such redemption. Ways

& Means; House Favorably Reported with a Substitute 02/26/02



H.B. 1154

(oppose)

Floyd,Johnny 138th Provides that county governing authorities may by ordinance

require notice of certain timber harvesting operations; to prescribe the

content of such notice and related procedures; to provide penalties for

violations; to prohibit local governing authorities from imposing other notice,

bond, or permit requirements for timber harvesting or forest products hauling

operations; and relating to highways, bridges, and ferries, so as to change

certain provisions relating to powers of counties; to change certain provisions

relating to powers of municipalities; to change certain provisions relating to

obstructing, encroaching on, or injuring public roads. House State Planning &

Community Affairs and Senate Natural Resources; Senate Passed by Committee

Substitute 04/02/02; House Agreed to the Senate Substitute as amended by the

House 04/09/02; Senate Agreed to the House Amendment to the Senate Substitute

04/12/02



H.B. 1163

(track)

Dodson,Ron 94 th

Rogers,Carl 20 th

Powell,Alan 23 rd

Birdsong,Ken 123rd

Cash,Steve 108th Relates to the DHR, so as to prohibit a county or municipality

from requiring a certified septic tank installer or pumper who has provided a

$2,500.00 bond from furnishing a code compliance bond; to provide for a

certified septic tank installer or pumper to file a copy of a bond with the

county or municipal health department in the political subdivision where the

work is being done. House Health & Ecology and Senate Veterans & Consumer

Affairs; Senate Passed 04/09/02



H.B. 1187

(oppose)

Irvin,Bob 45 th

Shanahan,Tom 10 th Relates to adoption and form of local government budgets, so

as to provide that no money shall be drawn from the treasury of the local

government except pursuant to certain specific authority. State Planning &

Community Affairs; Favorably Reported 02/11/02



H.B. 1188

(track)

Irvin,Bob 45 th Relates to authority of local governments to enter into certain

one-year or less contracts, so as to include Section 501(c)(4) organizations.

State Planning & Community Affairs; Favorably Reported 02/11/02



H.B. 1218

Powell,Alan 23 rd

Coleman,Terry 142nd Relates to local government, so as to require local

governmental entities to publish or advertise contracts and bids for service of

goods via the Georgia Procurement Registry. State Planning & Community

Affairs; Favorably Reported with a Substitute 03/07/02



H.B. 1225

(oppose)

Day,Burke 153rd

Stephens,Ron 150th

Mueller,Anne 152nd

Manning,Judy 32 nd Relates to refunds of taxes and license fees by counties and

municipalities, so as to increase the period of time for which refunds for

taxes may be claimed from three years to ten years. Ways & Means; House Second

Reader 02/06/02



H.B. 1227

(oppose)

Day,Burke 153rd

Stephens,Ron 150th

Mueller,Anne 152nd

Manning,Judy 32 nd Relates to refunds of taxes and license fees by counties and

municipalities, so as to increase the period of time for which refunds for

taxes may be claimed from three years to seven years. Ways & Means; House

Second Readers 02/06/02



H.B. 1236

(track)

Williams,Roger 5 th

Birdsong,Ken 123rd

Hammontree,Allen 4 th

Johnson,Terry 35 th

Manning,Judy 32 nd

Smith,Clint 19 th Relates to the rights of public officers and employees absent

on military duty as a member of the organized militia or reserve forces, so as

to change certain provisions relating to pay for eighteen days and emergency

pay; to authorize counties, municipalities, and other political subdivisions to

provide for pay for its public officers and employees during extended periods

of service. House Defense & Veterans Affairs and Senate State & Local

Governmental Operations; Senate Passed 04/03/02



H.B. 1251

(support)

Ehrhart,Earl 36 th

Westmoreland,Lynn 104th

Kaye,Mitchell 37 th

Wiles,John 34 th

Lunsford,John 109th Relates to the imposition, rate, and computation of income

tax, so as to provide for a tax credit for certain amounts expended for

qualified child care expenses. Ways & Means; House Second Readers 02/06/02



H.B. 1275

(oppose)

Forster,Ronald 3 rd

Bunn,Barbara 74 th

Snow,Mike 2 nd

Bridges,Ben 9 th

West,Jack 101st Relates to use of radar speed detection devices, so as to

remove the requirement that the streets, roads, and highways upon which such

devices may be used must be approved. Motor Vehicles; House Second Readers

02/08/02



H.B. 1278

(oppose)

Mueller,Anne 152nd

Day,Burke 153rd

Stephens,Ron 150th Relates to county boards of tax assessors, so as to change

provisions relating to removal of members of such boards; to broaden the

grounds for removal so that a member of the board of tax assessors may be

removed by the county governing authority for any due cause shown. House Ways

& Means and Senate Finance & Public Utilities; Senate Withdrawn and Recommitted

to Committee 04/09/02; Committee Favorably Reported 04/09/02; Senate Passed

04/10/02



H.B. 1283

(support)

Mueller,Anne 152nd

Day,Burke 153rd

Stephens,Ron 150th Relates to imposition of special county one percent sales

and use tax, so as to authorize use and expenditure of tax proceeds for the

maintenance and repairs of certain capital outlay projects. Ways & Means;

House Second Readers 02/08/02



H.B. 1286

(oppose)

Mueller,Anne 152nd

Day,Burke 153rd

Stephens,Ron 150th

Bordeaux,Tom 151st

Pelote,Dorothy 149th Relates to refunds of taxes and license fees by counties

and municipalities, so as to increase the period of time for which refunds for

taxes may be claimed. Ways & Means; House Second Readers 02/08/02



H.B. 1321

Westmoreland,Lynn 104th

Royal,Richard 164th

Buck,Thomas 135th

Ehrhart,Earl 36 th

Kaye,Mitchell 37 th Relates to the general provisions of ad valorem taxation

property, so as to provide that an owner of property devoted to bona fide

agricultural purposes who is age sixty-five or older and who has maintained the

property for bona fide agricultural purposes for a ten-year covenant period may

qualify for preferential assessment if such owner enter into a renewal covenant

for a period of three years. House Ways & Means and Senate Finance & Public

Utilities; Senate Passed by Committee Substitute 04/10/02; House Agreed 04/12/02



H.B. 1331

(track)

Amerson,Amos 7 th

Pinholster,Garlan 15 th

Forster,Ronald 3 rd

Joyce,Brian 1 st

Snow,Mike 2 nd

Rogers,Carl 20 th Relates to local authorization and regulation of sales of

alcoholic beverages on Sunday, so as to authorize counties and municipalities

in which sale of alcoholic beverages is lawful for consumption on the premises

in certain licensed establishment if approved by referendum. Regulated

Beverages; House Second Readers 02/12/02



H.B. 1374

(support)

Buck,Thomas 135th

Hugley,Carolyn 133rd

Taylor,Maretta 134th

Smith,Vance 102nd

Roberts,Danae 132nd Relates to when public disclosure of public records is not

required, so as to provide that public disclosure shall not be required for

certain records relating to local government employees. Judiciary; House

Second Readers 02/14/02



H.B. 1394

(support)

Stanley,LaNett 50 th

Stanley,Pamela 49 th

Holmes,Bob 53 rd

Dean,Douglas 48 th

Reed,Kasim 52 nd

Brooks,Tyrone 54 th Relates to local excise taxes regarding sales by the drink,

so as to authorize such taxes with respect to sales by the drink of wine or

fermented beverages in municipalities. Regulated Beverages; House Second

Readers 02/18/02



H.B. 1401

(track)

Mobley,Barbara 69 th

Mangham,Randal 75 th

McClinton,Jo Ann 68 th

Watson,Stan 70 th

Millar,Fran 59 th

Brooks,Tyrone 54 th Relates to redemption of property sold for taxes so as to

change certain provisions regarding the amount payable for redemption of

property sold for taxes; to provide for a different premium amount for tax sale

purchasers that are not a county, municipality, or other political

subdivision. Ways & Means; House Second Readers 02/18/02



H.B. 1405

(track)

Birdsong,Ken 123rd

Murphy,Thomas 18 th

Walker,Larry 141st

Skipper,Jimmy 137th

Buck,Thomas 135th

Jenkins,Curtis 110th Relates to rights of public officers and employees absent

on military duty as members of organized militia or reserve forces, so as to

authorize a salary differential for citizen soldiers who are public officers or

employees. House Defense & Veterans Affairs and Senate Defense, Science, &

Technology; Senate Passed by Committee Substitute 04/03/02; House Disagreed

04/09/02; Both Houses Insisted on their positions 04/10/02; Conference

Committee Appointed; Conference Committee Report Adopted 04/12/02



H.B. 1406

(support)

Shanahan,Tom 10 th

Hanner,Bob 159th

Stokes,Jim 92 nd

McCall,Tom 90 th

Jackson,Bill 112th

Drenner,Karla 66 th Relates to waste management, so as to change the amount of

certain fees; to extend the period certain fees and surcharges shall be

collected; to provide for certain powers and duties of the Director of the EPD;

to change the criteria for property qualifying for a limitation of liability to

site contamination. House Natural Resources & Environment and Senate Natural

Resources; Senate Passed with a Floor Amendment 04/10/02; House Agreed 04/12/02



H.B. 1407

(concerned over some absence of language)

Smith,Charlie 175th

Smith,Clint 19 th

Turnquest,Henriet 73 rd

Dukes,Winfred 161st Relates to state government in general, so as to provide

that state government may, in the course of participation in federal programs,

under certain conditions administer and provide services through contracts with

charitable, religious, or private organizations. House State Planning &

Community Affairs and Senate Interstate Cooperation; Senate Passed with a Floor

Amendment 04/03/02; House Agreed 04/09/02



H.B. 1409

(track)

Buck,Thomas 135th

Hugley,Carolyn 133rd

Taylor,Maretta 134th

Smith,Vance 102nd

Roberts,Danae 132nd

Smyre,Calvin 136th Amends an Act creating the Muscogee County School District,

so as to change the description of the education districts. House Local

Legislation and Senate State and Local Government Operations; Senate Passed

03/01/02



H.B. 1418

(track)

Golick,Rich 30 th

Wix,Don 33 rd

Johnson,Terry 35 th

Collins,Ginger 29 th

Manning,Judy 32 nd

Cooper,Sharon 31 st Relates to exemptions from sales and use taxation, so as to

provide for an exemption for sales to certain local government authorities.

House Ways & Means and Senate Finance & Public Utilities; Senate Passed 04/10/02



H.B. 1431

(oppose)

Smith,Lynn 103rd

Buck,Thomas 135th

Royal,Richard 164th

Jamieson,Jeanette 22 nd

Jennings,Paul 63 rd Relates to ad valorem property tax exemptions, so as to

require the state revenues commissioner to compile a an age questionnaire for

use with homestead exemptions; to provide for amendment to the application for

the state homestead exemption so as to require applicants to state their age.

Ways & Means; House Second Readers 02/19/02



H.B. 1486

(support)

Bunn,Barbara 74 th

Smith,Vance 102nd

Yates,John 106th

Callaway,Gene 81 st

Hines,Rodger 38 th

Bridges,Ben 9 th Relates to the Georgia State Indemnification Fund, so as to

provide for lump sum payment to the surviving spouse, minor child or children,

or surviving spouse and minor child or children of a law enforcement officer

killed in the line of duty; also, to provide for health and dental insurance

coverage for the same. Appropriations; House Second Readers 02/25/02



H.B. 1487

(track)

Manning,Judy 32 nd

Parsons,Don 40 th

Johnson,Terry 35 th

Ehrhart,Earl 36 th

Wix,Don 33 rd

Collins,Ginger 29 th Relates to compensation of county boards of health, so as

to revise and change the population and census application of certain

provisions regarding ex-officio members. House State Planning & Community Affairs and Senate Health & Human Services;

Senate Read & Referred 03/01/02



H.B. 1490

(support)

Lunsford,John 109th

Westmoreland,Lynn 104th

Walker,Larry 141st

Ehrhart,Earl 36 th

Jenkins,Curtis 110th Relates to general provisions relative to coroners, so as

to provide for additional state compensation for the coroners of certain

counties for each state inmate whose death sentence is carried out in any such

county. House State Institutions and Senate Judiciary; Senate Read & Referred

03/08/02



H.B. 1505

(oppose)

Murphy,Thomas 18 th Relates to claims against and disposition of county fine and

forfeiture funds, so as to provide for the use of a certain portion of the

surplus from the fine and forfeiture fund for purposes of legal defense of

indigents. House Appropriations and Senate Appropriations; Senate Read &

Referred 03/26/02



H.B. 1511

Jenkins,Curtis 110th Relates to the applicability of the article on violation of

ordinances of county and state authorities and imposition of suspended

sentences, so as to provide for increased jail punishment. Special Judiciary;

Favorably Reported 02/28/02



H.B. 1512

(track)

Reed,Kasim 52 nd

Stanley,LaNett 50 th

Stanley,Pamela 49 th

Brooks,Tyrone 54 th

Ashe,Kathy 46 th Provides for the creation of County Building Authorities.

State Planning & Community Affairs; House Third Reader 03/26/02



H.B. 1523

(support)

Murphy,Thomas 18 th

Coleman,Terry 142nd

Walker,Larry 141st

Buck,Thomas 135th

Smyre,Calvin 136th

Twiggs,Ralph 8 th State Public Transportation Fund; sales tax on motor fuel.

Appropriations; House Passed 04/01/02



H.B. 1547

(track)

Skipper,Jimmy 137th

Coleman,Terry 142nd

Royal,Richard 164th

Greene,Gerald 158th

Hanner,Bob 159th

Holland,Ray 157th Relates to compensation of magistrates, so as to change

certain provisions regarding the minimum salary of chief magistrates and other

magistrates. House Appropriations and Senate Appropriations; Senate Passed

04/09/02



H.B. 1548

(track)

Lunsford,John 109th

Murphy,Thomas 18 th

Cash,Steve 108th

Westmoreland,Lynn 104th

Yates,John 106th Relates to county settlement of boundary disputes. House

Judiciary and Senate Judiciary; Senate Passed 04/02/02



H.B. 1554

(track)

Morris,Greg 155th Relating to elections and primaries generally, so as to change the

method by which political party primaries are conducted. Governmental Affairs;

House Second Reader 02/27/02



H.B. 1558

(support)

Borders,Ron 177th

Shaw,Jay 176th

Buck,Thomas 135th

Black,Ellis 178th Relates to sales and use tax exemption, so as to provide an

exemption for certain local development authority projects which are the

subject of interstate competition to attract new or expanded industrial or

business operations. Ways & Means; House Second Reader 02/27/02



H.B. 1603

(oppose)

Everett,Doug 163rd

Squires,Mary H. 78 th

Davis,J 60 th

Stokes,Jim 92 nd

Rice,Tom 79 th

Bridges,Ben 9 th Relates to property tax exemptions and deferrals, so as to

provide that a landowner shall be presumed to have dedicated land for a public

road if such land has been used as such for at least seven years; to provide

that a political subdivision shall be presumed to have accepted such dedication

if it has performed maintenance or repair to such land. Ways & Means;

Favorably Reported 03/18/02



H.B. 1610

(oppose)

Barnard,Terry 154th

Snow,Mike 2 nd

Coleman,Terry 142nd

Jamieson,Jeanette 22 nd

Powell,Alan 23 rd

Stephens,Ron 150th Relating to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to provide for

reporting by courts and compilation by the DMVS the amount of speeding fines

imposed in certain cases. Motor Vehicles; House Second Readers 03/01/02



H.B. 1663

(support)

Buck,Thomas 135th

Smyre,Calvin 136th

Taylor,Maretta 134th

Hugley,Carolyn 133rd

Smith,Vance 102nd

Roberts,Danae 132nd Amends an Act providing a new charter for the county-wide

government of Columbus, so as to revise the districts for the election of

members of the city council. House Local Legislation and Senate State & Local

Government Operations; Senate Passed by a Floor Substitute 04/10/02; House

Agreed 04/10/02



H.B. 1669

(support)

Henson,Michele 65 th

Coleman,Terry 142nd

Walker,Larry 141st

Royal,Richard 164th

Ashe,Kathy 46 th

Dean,Douglas 48 th Relates to local government budgets and audits, so as to

change certain provisions relating to grant certification. House

Appropriations and Senate Banking & Financial Institutions; Senate Passed by

Committee Substitute 04/10/02; House Disagreed 04/12/02 and the Senate Insisted

on its position; House Receded from its disagree position 04/12/02, so it

passed.



H.B. 1708

Smyre,Calvin 136th Relates to powers of development authorities generally, so as to

change certain provisions relating to powers of appointment. State Planning &

Community Affairs; House Second Readers 03/19/02



H.B. 1710

Twiggs,Ralph 8 th Relates to definitions under the ?Georgia Peace Officer

Standards and Training Act,? so as to change the definition of the term ?peace

officer;? to include within the definition of the term ?peace officer? certain

personnel of county jails. Public Safety; House Second Readers 03/19/02



H.B. 1724

Epps,Carl 131st

Skipper,Jimmy 137th Relates to determination of location of retail package

store licensed by municipal or county governing authorities, so as to authorize

local governing authorities to waive a certain restriction under certain

conditions. Regulated Beverages; Favorably Reported 03/25/02



H. B 1726

Squires,Mary H. 78 th Relates to criminal procedure, so as to authorize counties

and municipalities to establish programs for compensation to owners and

operators of property which is damaged by graffiti; to provide that such

compensation may be in the form of cash compensation or services or materials

or a combination thereof. State Planning & Community Affairs; House Second

Readers 03/19/02



H.B. 1744

Keen,Jerry 174th Relates to exemptions from state sales and use tax, so as to change

certain provisions regarding the exemption of certain food and beverage sales;

to remove certain limitation preventing the application of such exemption with

respect to certain local sales and use taxes. Ways & Means; House First

Readers 03/19/02



H.R. 391

(no longer have a position)

Stancil,Steve 16 th

Walker,Larry 141st

Royal,Richard 164th

Pinholster,Garlan 15 th

Shanahan,Tom 10 th

Ehrhart,Earl 36 th The ?blighted property? resolution where ad valorem taxes

would be increased on property left ?blighted.? House State Planning &

Community Affairs and Senate Economic Development, Tourism and Cultural

Affairs; Senate Passed 04/09/02



H.R. 905

Holmes,Bob 53 rd

Watson,Stan 70 th

Ashe,Kathy 46 th

Wilkinson,Joe 43 rd

Willard,Wendall 44 th

Mangham,Randal 75 th Creates the Commission on Regional Transportation. House

Rules; Lost 03/26/02



H.R. 987

(oppose) Proposes an amendment to the Constitution, so as to provide that a

coroner shall be a county officer where such office has not been abolished by

local constitutional amendment and for the election, term, qualifications,

powers, and duties thereof. Public Safety; Favorably Reported 03/07/02



H.R. 1074

Greene,Gerald 158th

Stallings,Tracy 100th

Houston,Penny 166th

Skipper,Jimmy 137th

Walker,Larry 141st

Channell,Mickey 111th Creates the Joint Local Road Assistance Program Study

Committee. House Rules and Senate Transportation; Senate Passed 04/11/02



H.R. 1079

(track)

Keen,Jerry 174th Proposes an amendment to the Constitution so as to repeal the

provisions requiring the funding of education by ad valorem taxation and

provide for the imposition of a sales and use tax of one percent in each county

in this state, the proceeds of which shall be used exclusively for educational

purposes prior to the college or postsecondary level. Ways & Means; House

Second Readers 02/12/02



H.R. 1105

(support)

Stancil,Steve 16 th

Walker,Larry 141st

Royal,Richard 164th

Pinholster,Garlan 15 th

Shanahan,Tom 10 th

Ehrhart,Earl 36 th Creates the Joint Construction Codes Study Committee. House

Rules and Senate Finance & Public Utilities; Senate Passed with a Floor

Amendment 04/10/02; House Agreed to the Senate Amendment as Amended by the

House 04/12/02; Senate Agreed to the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment

04/12/02



H.R. 1111

(track) Proposes an amendment to the Constitution regarding classification and

taxation of property which have been hazardous waste sites. House Ways & Means

and Senate Natural Resources; Senate Passed 04/10/02



H.R. 1112

(oppose)

Holmes,Bob 53 rd

Watson,Stan 70 th

Ashe,Kathy 46 th

Wilkinson,Joe 43 rd

Willard,Wendall 44 th

Mangham,Randal 75 th Proposes an amendment to the Constitution so as to repeal

the provisions requiring the funding of education by ad valorem taxation and

provide for the imposition of a sales and use tax of one percent in each county

in this state, the proceeds of which shall be used exclusively for educational

purposes prior to the college or post secondary level. Ways & Means; House

Second Readers 02/18/02



H.R. 1150

(support)

Greene,Gerald 158th

Stallings,Tracy 100th

Houston,Penny 166th

Skipper,Jimmy 137th

Walker,Larry 141st

Channell,Mickey 111th Proposes an amendment to the Constitution so as to

authorize the General Assembly to provide by law for an additional penalty to

be imposed in any case in which any court in this state shall impose a fine for

any offense against a criminal law or traffic law of this state or political

subdivision thereof to be allocated to the Georgia State Indemnification Fund

for the specific purpose of providing a lump sum payment to assist with

immediate living and funeral expenses and health and dental insurance coverage

to the surviving spouse, minor child or children, or surviving spouse and minor

child or child of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

Appropriations; House Second Readers 02/25/02



S.B. 236

(closely monitor)

Brush,Joey 24 th

Lee,Daniel 29 th

Ray,Billy 48 th Requires that all flood plains be shown on subdivision plats.

Judiciary; Senate Read & Referred 02/22/01



S.B. 288

(oppose)

Jackson,Carol 50 th Ties the Deputy Sheriff salaries to state correctional

officers salaries. Corrections; Senate Read & Referred 03/02/01



S.B. 318

(track)

Johnson,Eric 1 st Provides that any municipal corporation in an area of the state

which the EPD has a policy of refusing any additional permits to withdrawn,

divert, or impound water which on January 1, 2001, was exceeding the withdrawal

limit of its permit through an error or without malicious intent shall have the

authority to withdraw the same amount of water per capita as the largest

municipal corporation located in such area for the duration of its permit.

Natural Resources; Senate Read & Referred 01/15/02



S.B. 319

(oppose)

Johnson,Eric 1 st

Thomas,Regina 2 nd Changes the length of time after payment that a person may

claim a refund for taxes or license fees from a county or municipality from

three to ten years. Senate Finance & Public Utilities and House Ways & Means;

House Committee Favorably Reported 04/02/02



S.B. 322

(oppose)

Streat,Van 19 th Changes certain provisions relating to fire protection and

safety, such as general requirements; equipment and clothing; personnel;

insurance relative to fire departments; suspension or revocation of

certificates of compliance; firefighter standards and training; and definitions

relative to workers? compensation. Public Safety; Senate Read & Referred

01/15/02



S.B. 330

(track)

Hecht,Greg 34 th

Starr,Terrell 44 th Provides that enforcement officers of counties containing

an airport or landing strip controlled by another political subdivision shall

have jurisdiction within such facility to acquire, establish, develop, operate,

maintain, or control airports or landing fields. Also, as relating to criminal

offenses, provides that it shall be unlawful to carry certain items to a public

gathering. Senate Judiciary and House Special Judiciary; House Passed 04/03/02



S.B. 354

Thompson,Steve 33 rd Relates to reports and distributions by collecting officer of

the intangible recording tax, so as to provide for a four percent commission as

compensation to the collection officer in counties having a certain

population. Senate Finance & Public Utilities and House Ways & Means; House

Passed 04/09/02



S.B. 358

Mullis,Jeff 53 rd

Bowen,Rooney 13 th

Blitch,Peg 7 th

Williams,Tommie 6 th

James,Donzella 35 th

Brown,Robert 26 th Relates to regulation of fire extinguishers and suppression

systems, so as to change the powers and authority of the Commissioner with

regard to licensees or permitees who violate the provisions. Senate Insurance

& Labor and House Public Safety; House Passed by Committee Substitute with a

Floor Amendment 04/02/02; Senate Agreed 04/12/02



S.B. 365

Marable,Richard 52 nd

Dean,Nathan 31 st

Hill,Jack 4 th

Walker,Charles 22 nd Relates to organization and administration regarding

public buildings of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency. Senate Public Safety and House State Planning & Community Affairs; House

Committee Favorably Reported with a Substitute 04/01/02



S.B. 376

(support)

Kemp,Rene 3 rd

Marable,Richard 52 nd

Thomas,Don 54 th

Mullis,Jeff 53 rd

Harp,Seth 16 th

Jackson,Carol 50 th Relates to magistrate courts, so as to provide for

increased jurisdiction over certain misdemeanors. Judiciary; Senate Read &

Referred 01/31/02



S.B. 386

(oppose)

Dean,Nathan 31 st

Marable,Richard 52 nd Relates to weights of vehicles and loads, so as to change

certain provisions relative to exemptions; to provide an exemption for

ready-mixed concrete. Senate Transportation and House Transportation; House

Passed with a Floor Substitute 04/10/02; Senate Agreed 04/12/02



S.B. 396

Gingrey,Phil 37 th

Crotts,Mike 17 th

Tanksley,Charlie 32 nd

Harp,Seth 16 th

Cheeks,Don 23 rd

Brown,Robert 26 th Relates to government records which are not required to be

disclosed to the public, so as to provide that disclosure shall not be required

for certain records which would compromise the security of government

facilities against terrorist or other attack. Senate Judiciary and House

Public Safety; House Passed by Committee Substitute with a Floor Amendment

04/09/02; Senate Agreed to the House Substitute as amended by the Senate

04/12/02; House never agreed to Senate amendment, so the bill died.



S.B. 405

(track)

Polak,Mike 42 nd

Thomas,Nadine 10 th

Burton,Joe 5 th

Stokes,Connie 43 rd

Ladd,Bart 41 st

Butler,Gloria 55 th Relates to payment of county taxes, so as to revise and

change the population and census application and certain provisions regarding

payment of ad valorem taxes in installments. Senate Finance & Public Utilities

and House Ways & Means; House Passed with a Floor Amendment 04/02/02; Senate

Agreed 04/12/02



S.B. 408

(track)

Thomas,Nadine 10 th Relates to the Employee Benefit Plan Council, so as to

allow employees of the Federal-State Shipping Point Inspection Service and the

Georgia Firefighters? Pension Fund to participate in the state?s flexible

employee benefit plan; to allow payroll deductions for the purchase of benefits

by such employees. Senate State and Local Government Operations and House

State Planning & Community Affairs; House Passed 04/10/02



S.B. 414

(support)

Hill,Jack 4 th

Thomas,Nadine 10 th

Ragan,Harold 11 th Relates to primaries and elections generally; to provide,

among other things, for municipalities to acquire electronic voting equipment.

Senate Ethics and House Governmental Affairs; House Passed with a Floor

Amendment 04/03/02; Senate Agreed 04/12/02



S.B. 437

(support)

Thompson,Steve 33 rd

Tanksley,Charlie 32 nd

Meyer von Bremen, 12 th

Hecht,Greg 34 th Relates to juvenile court administration, so as to provide for

salary adjustments for full-time juvenile court judges who are paid with state

funds. Senate Ethics and House Appropriations; House Committee Favorably

Reported with a Substitute 04/09/02



S.B. 466

Fort,Vincent 39 th

Scott,David 36 th

Paul,Rusty 40 th

Thomas,Nadine 10 th

Tate,Horacena 38 th

Price,Thomas 56 th Relates to tax executions, so as to repeal certain

provisions regarding the selling and transferring of tax executions in lot

blocks. Finance & Public Utilities; Senate Read & Referred 02/18/02



S.B. 468

(oppose)

James,Donzella 35 th Relates to the duties of license officer with respect to

the issuance of ambulance service license, so as to change certain duties as it

relates to a government or governmental agency applying for a license. Health

& Human Services; Senate Read & Referred 02/19/02



S.B. 508

(oppose)

Thompson,Steve 33 rd

Stokes,Connie 43 rd

Tanksley,Charlie 32 nd Enacts the ?Employment Security and Enhancement Benefit

Act of 2002;? includes compensation for victims of domestic violence.

Insurance & Labor; Senate Second Reader 03/25/02



S.B. 510

(track)

Mullis,Jeff 53 rd Relates to appointment of county board members, so as to provide

for the removal of county board members upon initial conviction of crimes

involving moral turpitude. Senate Ethics and House State Planning & Community

Affairs; House Second Reader 03/27/02



S.B. 511

(track)

Mullis,Jeff 53 rd

Paul,Rusty 40 th

Thomas,Don 54 th Relates to counties, municipal corporations and other

governmental entities, so as to provide that municipalities and municipal

authorities that construct, operate, and maintain certain public utility

services and extend such services beyond the incorporated limits of such

municipalities shall be subject to all applicable ordinances, resolutions, and

regulations of the political subdivision into which such services are extended

for the construction, operation, and maintenance of such services. Finance &

Public Utilities; Senate Read & Referred 02/28/02



S.B. 515

Mullis,Jeff 53 rd

Paul,Rusty 40 th

Thomas,Don 54 th Relates to fire protection and safety, so as to change certain

provisions relating to general requirements, equipment and clothing, personnel,

and insurance, relative to fire departments. Senate Public Safety and House

Public Safety; House Second Reader 03/27/02



S.B. 522

(track)

Ladd,Bart 41 st Relates to the homestead option sales and use tax, so as to

clarify and change certain provisions regarding the purposes for which such tax

may be levied and collected and proceeds expended; to clarify and change

certain provisions regarding expenditure of proceeds; to clarify and change

certain provisions regarding the submission of tax imposition and

discontinuation questions to voters. Finance & Public Utilities; Senate Read &

Referred 03/01/02



S.B. 554

(track)

Mullis,Jeff 53 rd Relates to expenses charged to counties, so as to provide that

the Department of Juvenile Justice shall provide for the cost of care and

support of children in temporary custody of the department. Appropriations;

Senate Read & Referred 03/18/02



S.R. 229

(closely monitor)

Lamutt,Robert 21 st

Polak,Mike 42 nd Creates the Underground Utility Interception Study Committee.

Defense, Science, & Technology; Senate Recommitted 01/14/02



S.R. 468

(track)

Seabaugh,Mitch 28 th

Lee,Daniel 29 th

Johnson,Eric 1 st

Cable,Susan 27 th

Williams,Tommie 6 th

Price,Thomas 56 th Proposes an amendment to the Constitution to provide for the

appropriation of revenue collected on the sales and use tax on motor fuel for

local assistance road programs. Finance & Public Utilities; Senate Read &

Referred 01//15/02



S.R. 469

(track)

Seabaugh,Mitch 28 th

Williams,Tommie 6 th Proposes an amendment to the Constitution to provide an

annual allocation of one-quarter of the total amount of proceeds collected

pursuant to state-wide sales and use tax. Each county shall receive an

allocation in an amount proportionate to the amount of state sales and use tax

collected in that county during such year. Finance & Public Utilities; Senate

Read & Referred 01/15/02



S.R. 480

(track)

Harp,Seth 16 th

Johnson,Eric 1 st

Crotts,Mike 17 th

Stephens,Bill 51 st

Hamrick,William 30 th

Paul,Rusty 40 th Proposes an amendment to the Constitution to allow public

money to be used by religious or sectarian organizations and denominations and

houses of worship for the purpose of providing nonsectarian public health or

social services to people in need. Judiciary; Senate Read & Referred 01/16/02



S.R. 489

(oppose)

Polak,Mike 42 nd Provides for additional penalty fees in court to fund traffic and

pedestrian safety programs. Judiciary; Senate Read & Referred 01/18/02



S.R. 723

(support)

Harbison,Ed 15 th

Harp,Seth 16 th A Resolution commending Columbus Water Works on the occasion of

it?s 100th anniversary of providing a vital service to the people of Muscogee

County and the Middle Chattahoochee Valley. Senate Adopted 02/27/02