JUDICIAL COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS

WEEKLY LEGISLATIVE REPORT

March 24, 2017 legislation.georgiacourts.gov Week 11 (Legislative Days 36-38)

After several days of busy committee meetings but few floor votes, both chambers ended the week with long debate calendars. Only two legislative days remain for the 2017 session. It is expected that both of these days will be busy as many bills move towards final passage.

Both chambers have agreed to the Conference Committee version of HB 44, the State budget for Fiscal Year 2018. The tracking document with the final appropriations can be found here. The Criminal Justice Reform bills were passed on the House floor late Friday – SB 174 and SB 176 will go back to the Senate for a final “agree” and SB 175 has achieved final passage. House and Senate Rules Committees are both expected to meet Monday, March 27.

The General Assembly will reconvene on Tuesday, March 28, for Legislative Day 39.

This report is a compilation of the items acted on this week affecting Georgia’s judiciary. To view more legislation pertaining to the judiciary, as well as bill summaries, previous reports, and committee meeting schedules, please visit legislation.georgiacourts.gov.

Floor and Committee Action

Legislation Supported by the Judicial Council

HB 5 - Courts; compensation of juvenile court judges; change provisions Sponsor: Rep. Johnnie Caldwell, Jr. (R – Thomaston) Action: HB 5 received a Do Pass as amended from the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee B (3/22/17); and received a Do Pass by Substitute by the Senate Judiciary Committee (3/23/17).

HB 308 - Domestic relations; child support; enact provisions recommended by Georgia Child Support Commission Sponsor: Rep. Beth Beskin (R – Atlanta) Action: HB 308 received a Do Pass from the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee B (3/22/17); and received a Do Pass by the Senate Judiciary Committee (3/23/17).

Other Bills

HB 9 - Crimes and offenses; use of device to film under or through person's clothing under certain circumstances; prohibit Sponsor: Rep. (R – Bonaire) Action: HB 9 received a Do Pass by the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee A (3/21/17); and received a Do Pass by Committee Substitute by the Senate Judiciary Committee (3/23/17).

HB 14 - Courts; sheriff to collect and deposit certain fees; provide Sponsor: Rep. Jeff Jones (R – Brunswick) Action: HB 14 was passed by the Senate with a vote of 53-0 (3/20/17).

HB 15 - Courts; certain civil pleadings to be filed electronically; require Sponsor: Rep. (R - Sandy Springs) Acton: HB 15 was passed out of Senate Rules; and no action was taken by the Senate (3/24/17).

HB 44 - General appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018 Sponsor: Rep. (R – Blue Ridge) Action: The House and Senate adopted the Conference Committee Report for HB 44; Transmitted to Governor (3/22/2017).

HB 67 - Crimes and offenses; entering a motor vehicle with the intent to commit a theft or felony; provide for increased punishment Sponsor: Rep. (D – East Point) Action: HB 67 was passed out of Senate Rules (3/23/17); and no action was taken by the Senate (3/24/17).

HB 88 - Superior courts; qualifications for judges; revise Sponsor: Rep. (R – Harlem) Action: HB 88 received a Do Pass by Committee Substitute by the Senate Rules Standing Committee (3/21/17); was passed out of Senate Rules (3/23/17); and was passed by the Senate by Substitute with a vote of 54-0 (3/24/17). HB 116 - Juvenile Code; provide superior court with exclusive original jurisdiction for cases involving aggravated assault; provisions Sponsor: Rep. (R – Marietta) Action: HB 116 received a Do Pass by Committee Substitute by the Senate Public Safety Committee (3/21/17).

HB 126 - Courts; Judicial Qualifications Commission; change provisions Sponsor: Rep. Wendell Willard (R – Sandy Springs) Action: HB 126 received a Do Pass by Committee Substitute by the Senate Judiciary Committee (3/20/17).

HB 137 - Crimes and offenses; restrictions on contingency fee compensation of an attorney appointed in forfeiture actions; change provisions Sponsor: Rep. Scot Turner (R – Holly Springs) Action: HB 137 received a Do Pass from the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee B (3/22/17); and received a Do Pass by Committee Substitute by the Senate Judiciary Committee (3/23/17).

HB 159 - Domestic relations; adoption; substantially revise general provisions Sponsor: Rep. Bert Reeves (R – Marietta) Action: HB 159 was recommitted to the Senate Judiciary Committee by the Senate Rules Committee (3/21/17); and no action was taken by the Senate Judiciary Committee (3/23/17).

HB 185 - Probate court; associate judges; change provisions Sponsor: Rep. Christian Coomer (R – Cartersville) Action: HB 185 received a Do Pass by the Senate Judiciary Committee (3/20/17).

HB 192 - Banks, trust companies, and corporations; responsibilities and standard of care of directors and officers; change provisions Sponsor: Rep. Beth Beskin (R – Atlanta) Action: Action: HB 192 was passed by the Senate with a vote of 41-10 (3/24/17).

HB 197 - Fair Business Practices Act; requirements for solicitations of services for obtaining a copy of an instrument conveying real estate; provide Sponsor: Rep. (R – Marietta) Action: HB 197 received a Do Pass from the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee B (3/22/17); and received a Do Pass by the Senate Judiciary Committee (3/23/17).

HB 203 - Breach of restrictive covenants; provide accrual periods of rights of action; provisions Sponsor: Rep. Brian Strickland (R – McDonough) Action: HB 203 received a Do Pass from the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee B (3/22/17); and received a Do Pass by the Senate Judiciary Committee (3/23/17).

HB 221 - Commerce and trade; powers of attorney to a uniform Act; update and conform provisions Sponsor: Rep. (R – Dacula) Action: HB 221 was passed by the Senate with a vote of 52-0 (3/24/17)

HB 249 - Controlled substances; collect more information regarding dispensing and use; provisions Sponsor: Rep. (R – Dawsonville) Action: HB 249 was passed out of Senate Rules (3/20/17); and was passed by the Senate with a vote of 50-0 (3/22/17).

HB 258 - Crimes and offenses; sentencing for persons who knowingly commit aggravated assault upon a peace officer; provisions Sponsor: Rep. (R – Hartwell) Action: No action was taken on HB 258 by the Senate Public Safety Committee (3/21/17).

HB 261- Penal institutions; certain individuals sentenced between March 18, 1968 and October 31, 1982; allow to petition court for first offender status Sponsor: Rep. (R – Glennville) Action: HB 261 was passed by the Senate with a vote of 54-1 (3/24/17).

HB 293 - Evidence; procedure relating to child's testimony of sexual contact or physical abuse; provide effective date Sponsor: Rep. Deborah Silcox (R – Sandy Springs) Action: HB 293 received a Do Pass as amended from the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee B (3/22/17); and received a Do Pass by the Senate Judiciary Committee (3/23/17).

HB 319 - Habeas corpus; maximum amount counties may be reimbursed for certain costs; increase Sponsor: Rep. Bill Werkheiser (R – Gainesville) Action: HB 319 was passed out of Senate Rules (3/20/17); and was passed by the Senate with a vote of 50-0 (3/22/17).

HB 337 - State Tax Execution Modernization Act; enact Sponsor: Rep. Bruce Williamson (R – Monroe) Action: HB 337 was passed by the Senate with a vote of 53-0 (3/20/17).

HB 341 - Crimes and offenses; mandatory terms for trafficking individuals for sexual servitude; provisions Sponsor: Rep. Bert Reeves (R – Marietta) Action: HB 341 was passed by the Senate by Substitute (3/24/17).

HB 344 - Paternity; parties beyond movants in a child support case request a genetic test; allow Sponsor: Rep. (R – Rome) Action: HB 344 received Do Pass from the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee B (3/22/17); and received a Do Pass by the Senate Judiciary Committee (3/23/17).

HB 391 - Safe Place for Newborns Act of 2002; revise provisions Sponsor: Rep. David Clark (R – Buford) Action: HB 391 was passed by the Senate with a vote of 53-0 (3/20/17).

HB 453 - County law library; board of trustees; add chief judge of magistrate court Sponsor: Rep. (D – Atlanta) Action: HB 453 was passed out of Senate Rules (3/23/17); and was passed by the Senate with a vote of 52-0 (3/24/17).

HB 497 - Juvenile proceedings; filing a petition for delinquency when informal adjustment or other nonadjudicatory procedures are used; extend period Sponsor: Rep. Chuck Efstration (R – Dacula) Action: HB 497 received a Do Pass from the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee B (3/22/17); and received a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee (3/23/17).

SB 1 - "The Protect Act- Protecting Georgians Against Terrorism"; revise the definition of domestic terrorism Sponsor: Sen. Bill Cowsert (R – Athens) Action: SB 1 received a Do Pass by Committee Substitute from the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee (3/22/17).

SB 15 - Crimes and Offenses; weapons carry license; add to the category of former law enforcement officers Sponsor: Sen. Michael ‘Doc’ Rhett (D – Marietta) Action: SSB 15 passed out of the House with a vote of 149-2 (3/24/17).

SB 16 - Low THC Oil; definition; provisions relating to conditions eligible for use; change Sponsor: Sen. Ben Watson (R – Savannah) Action: SB 16 received a Do Pass by Committee Substitute by the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee (3/20/17).

SB 45 - Invasions of Privacy; to film under or through a person's clothing; prohibit the use of a device Sponsor: Sen. Larry Walker (R – Perry) Action: SB 45 received a Do Pass by Committee Substitute by the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee (3/20/17).

SB 99 - Georgia Crime Information Center; purging a person’s hospitalization information for purpose of National Instant Criminal Background Check; provide for a judicial procedure Sponsor: Sen. Elena Parent (D – Atlanta) Action: SB 99 received a Do Pass by Committee Substitute by the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee (3/20/17).

SB 104 - Kidnapping, False Imprisonment and Related Offenses; human trafficking hotline model notice in government buildings; require posting Sponsor: Sen. Donzella James (D – Atlanta) Action: SB 104 received a Do Pass by the House Judiciary Non Civil Committee (3/21/17).

SB 121- "Jeffrey Dallas Gay, Jr., Act" Sponsor: Sen. Butch Miller (R – Gainesville) Action: SB 121 was passed out of the House with a vote of 163-0 (3/24/17).

SB 125 - Physician Assistants; authority to prescribe hydrocodone compound products; authorize a physician to delegate to a physician assistant Sponsor: Sen. Rick Jeffares (R – McDonough) Action: SB 125 received a Do Pass by Committee Substitute by the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee (3/22/17).

SB 130 - Right To An Attorney; waiver of the right to counsel; provisions; clarify Sponsor: Sen. Blake Tillery (R – Vidalia) Action: SB 130 received a Do Pass by Committee Substitute by the House Judiciary Civil Committee (3/21/17).

SB 149 - School Resource Officers; training requirements; provide Sponsor: Sen. Emanuel Jones (D – Decatur) Action: SB 149 received a Do Pass by Committee Substitute by the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee (3/20/17; and was passed by the House with a vote of 148-7 (3/24/17).

SB 154 - Assault and Battery; public safety officer while engaged in his or her official duties; provide for the offenses of aggravated assault and aggravated battery Sponsor: Sen. Greg Kirk (R – Americus) Action: SB 154 received a Do Pass by Committee Substitute as amended by the House Judiciary Non Civil Committee (3/21/17).

SB 160 - "Back the Badge Act of 2017" Sponsor: Sen. Tyler Harper (R – Ocilla) Action: SB 160 received a Do Pass by Committee Substitute by the House Judiciary (Non-Civil) Committee (3/20/17); and was passed by the House with a vote of 102-44 (3/24/17).

SB 168 - Child Abuse; permitted to access child abuse records by department, or county, or other state or local agency; extend; Central Child Abuse Registry; permit access Sponsor: Sen. Butch Miller (R – Gainesville) Action: SB 168 passed out of the House with a vote of 151-0 (3/24/17)

SB 174 - Georgia Council on Criminal Justice Reform; reform for individuals supervised under accountability courts; provide Sponsor: Sen. John Kennedy (R – Macon) Action: SB 174 received a Do Pass by Committee Substitute from the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee (3/20/17); and was passed by the House by Substitute with a vote of 156-0 (3/24/17).

SB 175 - Juvenile Code; juvenile court proceedings; enact reforms Sponsor: Sen. John Kennedy (R – Macon) Action: SB 175 was passed by the House with a vote of 155-2 (3/24/17).

SB 176 - Georgia Council on Criminal Justice Reform; driving privileges; enact reforms Sponsor: Sen. John Kennedy (R – Macon) Action: SB 176 received a Do Pass by Committee Substitute by the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee (3/20/17); and was passed by the House by Substitute with a vote of 154-1 (3/24/17).

Committee Meeting Schedule*

Monday, March 27, 2017 - In Recess

1:30 PM House Rules 341 CAP

TBD Senate Rules 450 CAP

Tuesday, March 28, 2017 – Legislative Day 39

10:00 AM House Session House Chamber

10:00 AM Senate Session Senate Chamber

Wednesday, March 29, 2017 – In Recess No meetings scheduled.

Thursday, March 30, 2017 - Legislative Day 40

10:00 AM House Session House Chamber

10:00 AM Senate Session Senate Chamber

*This meeting schedule is up to date at the time of this report, but meeting dates and times are subject to change

Tracy Mason Assistant Director Governmental & Trial Court Liaison (404) 463-0559 [email protected]

Tyler Mashburn Legislative Liaison (404) 651-7616 [email protected]

Robert Aycock Trial Court Liaison (404) 463-1023 [email protected]

LaShawn Murphy Trial Court Liaison (404) 651-6325 [email protected]

James Rodatus Policy Analyst (404) 656-5453 [email protected]

Legislative Interns Michalette Haywood Heather Johnston Carlos Ramirez

www.georgiacourts.gov legislation.georgiacourts.gov Twitter: @GACourtsLegis & @GACourts