House of Representatives Daily Report for March 4, 2021 Committee Actions

Thursday COMMITTEE DAY March 4, 2021 REPORT

House Budget & Research Office (404) 656-5050

 The House will reconvene for its 2nd Legislative Day on Friday, March 5 at 9:30 a.m.  The Rules Committee will meet at 8:30 a.m.

Committee Actions Bills passing committees are reported to the Clerk's Office and are placed on the General Calendar.

Appropriations Committee

HB 81 General appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022 Bill Summary: HB 81, the FY 2022 budget, is based on a revenue estimate of $27.2 billion, an increase of $1.3 billion, or 5.2%, over original FY 2021 budget.

The bill and tracking sheet may be found on the House Budget and Research Office website.

Authored By: Rep. (7th) House Appropriations Committee 03-04-2021 Do Pass by Committee Committee: Action: Substitute

Economic Development & Tourism Committee

HR 129 General Assembly; provide for net proceeds of one or more lottery games to support economic development purposes and programs; authorize - CA Bill Summary: HR 129 proposes a constitutional amendment to direct the net proceeds of one or more games operated within a lottery to be used for economic development purposes.

Authored By: Rep. (74th) House Economic Development & Tourism Committee 03-04-2021 Do Pass Committee: Action:

HR 184 General Assembly; provide by law for pari-mutuel betting on horse racing; authorize - CA Bill Summary: House Resolution 184 amends the Constitution to allow the General Assembly to provide by law for the operation and regulation of pari-mutuel betting on horseracing and to increase the minimum funding for the educational shortfall reserves.

The resolution amends the amount of lottery proceeds that are to be appropriated to educational shortfall reserves from 10 percent of the net proceeds of the lottery for the preceding year to not less House of Representatives Daily Report for March 4, 2021 Committee Actions

than 50 percent or more than 60 percent of the net proceeds of the lottery for the preceding three years.

The resolution also specifies that 10 percent of the proceeds from the taxation of pari-mutuel betting on horse racing will be disbursed to the Special Health Care Fund, which shall be utilized for the provision of health care to Georgia citizens; 50 percent of the proceeds will be disbursed to the Opportunity Fund, which shall be utilized for the provision of pre-kindergarten and postsecondary educational services to Georgia citizens whose household income is below the state's median household income; and the remaining 40 percent will be disbursed to the general fund of the State Treasury. The resolution also provides the following ballot question: "Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize pari-mutuel betting on horse racing in the state of Georgia and to increase the minimum funding requirement for the educational shortfall reserves?"

Authored By: Rep. Ron Stephens (164th) House Economic Development & Tourism Committee 03-04-2021 Failed Committee: Action:

HR 248 Savannah Logistics Technology Innovation Corridor; designate Bill Summary: HR 248 establishes all of Chatham, Bryan, Effingham, Bulloch, and Liberty Counties as the official technology innovation corridor in the state of Georgia.

Authored By: Rep. Ron Stephens (164th) House Economic Development & Tourism Committee 03-04-2021 Do Pass by Committee Committee: Action: Substitute

Education Committee

HB 681 Education; course of study in financial literacy for students in tenth or eleventh grade; provide Bill Summary: House Bill 681 requires the State Board of Education to prescribe a program of study in personal financial literacy during high school. The program will include the following areas: types of bank accounts; balancing a checking account; money management; investments; postsecondary education financial planning; completing loan applications; receiving inheritance; basics of personal insurance policies; and other financial transactions regularly entered into during adulthood. Each local board of education shall begin a financial literacy program in the 2021-2022 school year.

Authored By: Rep. Bill Yearta (152nd) House Education Committee 03-04-2021 Do Pass by Committee Committee: Action: Substitute

Health & Human Services Committee

HB 627 Professions and businesses; athletic trainers; revise and update definitions Bill Summary: House Bill 627 requires athletic training students to be under the direct supervision of a physician or licensed athletic trainer. Additionally, the bill requires certification for a license approved by the Georgia Board of Athletic Trainers.

Authored By: Rep. John LaHood (175th) House Health & Human Services Committee 03-04-2021 Tabled Committee: Action:

HB 653 Georgia Pharmacy Practice Act; pharmacy care; revise definition Bill Summary: House Bill 653 expands the definition of "pharmacy care" by including the ordering and administering of tests that have been cleared or approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration, such as viral and serology COVID-19 tests. A pharmacist conducting these tests will only do so at a pharmacy or other facility that is approved under a certificate of waiver from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

House of Representatives Daily Report for March 4, 2021 Committee Actions

Authored By: Rep. (11th) House Health & Human Services Committee 03-04-2021 Do Pass by Committee Committee: Action: Substitute

Higher Education Committee

HB 1 Forming Open and Robust University Minds (FORUM) Act; enact Bill Summary: House Bill 1 creates the 'Forming Open and Robust University Minds (FORUM) Act'. The bill provides that the unrestricted outdoor areas of the campuses of the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia's institutions are public forums for their campus communities. The institutions shall not prohibit expressive activities in those areas or designate any campus areas as a "free speech zone". Institutions may maintain and enforce restrictions for expression so long as the restrictions are narrowly tailored to serve a significant institutional interest and employ criteria that is clear, published, neutral, and provides ample alternative means for expression. Restrictions must also allow the community to assemble spontaneously and to distribute literature.

Individuals may engage in expressive activities that do not materially and substantially disrupt the functions of the institution. Disruptions do not include conduct protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. The bill does not prevent an institution from prohibiting student-on- student harassment or unlawful activities.

Policies, regulations, and expectations of student expression on campus will be made public by the institution. The institutions will also develop materials, programs, and procedures regarding student expression for all individuals responsible for the education or discipline of students.

The State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia shall publish an annual report related to its actions on free expression. The report will be shared with the governor and General Assembly on July 1 of each year.

Authored By: Rep. (72nd) House Higher Education Committee 03-04-2021 Do Pass by Committee Committee: Action: Substitute

HB 7 Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act; enact Bill Summary: House Bill 7 amends O.C.G.A. 20-3-66 to provide that students who are identified as homeless or from a foster home situation are eligible for in-state tuition at University System of Georgia institutions for 10 years or until the student achieves a baccalaureate degree, as well as eligible for in-state tuition at Technical College System of Georgia's institutions for 10 years or until the student achieves a diploma, certificate, or baccalaureate degree. The bill clarifies that students from a homeless situation does not include an individual who is a non-citizen or has been incarcerated in any correctional institution, detention center, jail, or other similar facility after having been convicted of a crime in the past 12 months.

HB 7 provides that state-funded foster care assistance is not to be considered income for the purposes of determining financial aid within the limits of federal law.

Authored By: Rep. Sandra Scott (76th) House Higher Education Committee 03-04-2021 Do Pass by Committee Committee: Action: Substitute

HB 120 Georgia Resident In-State Tuition Act; enact Bill Summary: HB 120 amends O.C.G.A. 20-3-66 to provide conditions for students to be classified as opportunity students for the purposes of tuition or fees at institutions of the University System of Georgia (USG) and the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). Students qualify as an opportunity student if they have graduated from a Georgia high school or obtained a Georgia GED diploma; have maintained a domicile either independently or as the dependent child of a parent since January 1, 2013; have not reached the age of 30 when initially applying for admission at a House of Representatives Daily Report for March 4, 2021 Committee Actions

postsecondary institution; are not a non-immigrant alien according to 8 U.S.C. Section 1101; are a verified recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals; and have not been convicted of a felony, high and aggravated misdemeanor, or three or more other misdemeanors.

Opportunity students qualify for opportunity tuition of which the tuition amount will be equal to the out-of-state tuition multiplied by the opportunity tuition factor rate. The opportunity tuition factor rate is a percentage amount established by either the USG or the State Board of the TCSG.

The Board of Regents of the USG and the State Board of the TCSG are authorized to classify lawfully present non-citizen students as in-state for tuition, but they will not be required to provide that classification to individuals not lawfully present in the state.

Authored By: Rep. (4th) House Higher Education Committee 03-04-2021 Do Pass by Committee Committee: Action: Substitute

HB 291 Education; tuition equalization grants at private colleges and universities; expand definition of approved school Bill Summary: House Bill 291 amends O.C.G.A. 20-3-411 to expand eligibility to receive tuition equalization grants to include higher education institutions with a current physical presence in Georgia for at least five years and accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and either the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or a regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. These institutions must also have a four- year average passage rate of at least 85 percent for the National Council Licensure Examination and admit students who have a high school diploma, GED diploma, or a degree from an accredited postsecondary institution. Eligible institutions do not include Bible schools or colleges, or graduate schools or colleges of theology or divinity.

Authored By: Rep. (13th) House Higher Education Committee 03-04-2021 Do Pass by Committee Committee: Action: Substitute

HB 617 Postsecondary education; student athletes may receive compensation for use of name, image, or likeness; provide Bill Summary: House Bill 617 creates O.C.G.A. 20-3-680 to allow student athletes to receive compensation for the use of the athlete's name, image, or likeness as long as such compensation is not in exchange to attend, participate, or perform at a particular postsecondary education institution. HB 617 requires the postsecondary institution to provide a financial literacy and life skills workshop at the beginning of the student's first and third academic years.

Authored By: Rep. Chuck Martin (49th) House Higher Education Committee 03-04-2021 Do Pass by Committee Committee: Action: Substitute

Industry and Labor Committee

HB 389 Employment security; change definition of employment to include services performed by an individual for wages Bill Summary: House Bill 389 codifies existing case law regarding the balancing test when determining whether work classifies a person as an employee or an independent contractor. Further, the bill adds an enforcement mechanism, which adds a civil penalty paid to the Department of Labor for when an employer is misclassifying its employees. Fines for companies with less than 100 employees are capped at $2,500 for each misclassified employee, while fines for companies with 100 or more employees are capped at $7,500 for each misclassified employee.

Authored By: Rep. (25th) House Industry and Labor Committee 03-04-2021 Do Pass by Committee Committee: Action: Substitute House of Representatives Daily Report for March 4, 2021 Committee Actions

HB 674 Financial institutions; earned wage access service providers; provide requirements Bill Summary: HB 674 allows for, and regulates, a system in which employees can access their earned wages prior to the traditional pay date of their company, so long as they directly agree to do so with the third-party company that offers the services and the employer allows for this service. This bill requires certain reporting information to be disclosed to the employee prior to entering into a contract, and caps the transaction fee at five percent of the wages earned by the consumer for that pay period, or at $5 if that is greater than the percentage amount. Any amount that is provided to the employee, including any transaction fee, will be automatically deducted from his or her check on the date it is formally paid by the employer.

The third party service providers are prohibited from engaging in various practices, including charging interest, late fees, or prepayment fees; soliciting tips, and engaging in debt collection activities for amounts owed. This bill states that any payments made under the provisions of this bill are not loans, the activity is not lending activity, and any permitted transaction fees shall not be considered as interest.

Authored By: Rep. (114th) House Industry and Labor Committee 03-04-2021 Tabled Committee: Action:

Intragovernmental Coordination - Local Committee

HB 533 City of Sylvester Public Facilities Authority Act; enact

Bill Summary: House Bill 533 creates the Sylvester Public Facilities Authority.

Authored By: Rep. Bill Yearta (152nd) House Intragovernmental Coordination - Committee 03-04-2021 Do Pass by Committee Committee: Local Action: Substitute

HB 604 Bartow County; school district ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption Bill Summary: House Bill 604 provides $60,000 homestead exemption from the assessed value of a home for residents of the Bartow County School District who are 65 years or older; an $80,000 exemption from the assessed value of the home for residents who are 75 years or older; and a full exemption for residents who are 80 years or older.

Authored By: Rep. (14th) House Intragovernmental Coordination - Committee 03-04-2021 Do Pass by Committee Committee: Local Action: Substitute

HB 623 Cohutta, City of; provide new charter

Bill Summary: House Bill 623 provides a new charter for the town of Cohutta.

Authored By: Rep. (6th) House Intragovernmental Coordination - Committee 03-04-2021 Do Pass Committee: Local Action:

HB 625 Tri-County Natural Gas Authority Act; enact

Bill Summary: House Bill 625 creates the Tri-County Natural Gas Authority.

Authored By: Rep. (120th) House Intragovernmental Coordination - Committee 03-04-2021 Do Pass Committee: Local Action:

House of Representatives Daily Report for March 4, 2021 Committee Actions

HB 634 Wilkinson County; Magistrate Court; provide one-year terms of office for magistrates Bill Summary: House Bill 636 provides one-year terms of office for magistrate judges in Wilkinson County.

Authored By: Rep. (144th) House Intragovernmental Coordination - Committee 03-04-2021 Do Pass Committee: Local Action:

HB 658 Franklin-Hart Airport Authority; members and employees; revise provisions Bill Summary: House Bill 658 revises the provisions regarding members and employees of the Franklin-Hart Airport Authority transacting certain business with the authority. No member or employee of the authority shall have any financial interest, profit, or benefit in any contract, work, or business of the authority, nor in the sale, lease, or purchase of property to or from the authority; however, a member or employee of the authority may lease, purchase, or sell real property to the authority if the member or employee first complies with the provisions of subsection (c) of O.C.G.A. 16-10-6.

Authored By: Rep. (32nd) House Intragovernmental Coordination - Committee 03-04-2021 Do Pass Committee: Local Action:

Judiciary Committee

HB 138 Property; certain landlords shall provide certain notices to existing and prospective tenants with regard to certain crimes occurring on the premises being leased; provide Bill Summary: House Bill 138 requires that county and municipal law enforcement agencies post on the agency's website a monthly summary or list of certain crimes that occurred at an apartment building or complex that consists of ten or more rental units. The address of the apartment building or complex must be provided for each crime. "Apartment complex" is defined in the bill to mean a group of buildings that contain apartments situated in a single location that are all managed by a single entity. Such reports must be maintained on the agency's website for at least two years, and paper copies must be made available for the public. Any county or municipal law enforcement agency that employs less than ten full-time or part-time peace officers is excluded from the reporting requirement.

Authored By: Rep. Mesha Mainor (56th) House Judiciary Committee 03-04-2021 Do Pass by Committee Committee: Action: Substitute

HB 358 Emergency Management Act; provide when a declaration of a state of emergency or disaster by the Governor shall expire Bill Summary: House Bill 358 amends article 3 of Chapter 3 of Title 38 of the Code, relating to emergency powers, to provide that any state of emergency or disaster that is declared by the governor shall not exist for more than 30 consecutive days, or 30 non-consecutive days within a 90-day period, unless authorized by concurrent resolution of the Senate and House of Representatives for initial or successive periods not longer than 90 days.

The governor shall issue a call for a special session of the General Assembly for any state of emergency or disaster extending beyond 30 days, and such session shall convene, in person or virtually, at 10:00 a.m. on the 30th day, unless sooner called. The General Assembly shall meet at the State Capitol; however, pursuant to the call for special session, the General Assembly may meet at a designated location or virtually in accordance with the rules of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

In addition to the authority to terminate a declared state of emergency or disaster, the bill allows the General Assembly, by concurrent resolution, to prescribe limitations to a state of emergency or disaster at any time.

House of Representatives Daily Report for March 4, 2021 Committee Actions

Authored By: Rep. (35th) House Judiciary Committee 03-04-2021 Do Pass by Committee Committee: Action: Substitute

HB 479 Criminal procedure; revise certain arrest powers; provisions Bill Summary: House Bill 479 repeals the citizen's arrest statute from the Code, provides instances in which law enforcement officers may make arrest outside of their jurisdiction, and establishes when certain private citizens may detain individuals.

Law enforcement officers may make an arrest for an offense outside of their jurisdiction: if the offense is committed in an officer's presence or within an officer's immediate knowledge; when in immediate pursuit of an offender for an offense committed within the officer's jurisdiction; or while assisting another law enforcement officer in the jurisdiction of the other officer.

Owners and employees of a retail establishment may detain an individual if they reasonably believe that the individual committed, or attempted to commit, theft by shoplifting, refund fraud, or theft by unlawful use of receipts or Universal Product Code labels. Owners and employees of a food service establishment may detain an individual if they reasonably believe that the individual committed, or attempted to commit, theft by taking or theft of services. Weight inspectors with the Motor Carrier Compliance Enforcement Section of the Department of Public Safety when needed for purposes of his or her duties, and licensed or registered private detective or private security businesses when conducting their business, may detain individuals. Any of these private persons who detain an individual shall either release the individual or contact law enforcement within a reasonable time. Any individual detained by these private persons who is not released shall be surrendered to a law enforcement officer along with any personal belongings removed from the individual.

Nothing in this bill shall be construed to limit or alter any immunity or defense provided under Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 16. Except in circumstances involving use of force in defense of self or others, involving use of force in defense of habitation, or involving use of force to prevent the commission of a forcible felony, any of the private persons provided for in the bill who detain an individual shall not use force which is intended or likely to cause great bodily harm or death, but may use reasonable force to the extent the private person reasonably believes is necessary to detain the individual.

Code Section 51-7-60, relating to the preclusion of recovery for detention or arrest of persons suspected of shoplifting, is amended to conform to the provisions created by the bill.

Authored By: Rep. Albert Reeves (34th) House Judiciary Committee 03-04-2021 Do Pass by Committee Committee: Action: Substitute

Judiciary Non-Civil Committee

HB 231 Crimes and offenses; victims of stalking; expand applicability of protective orders Bill Summary: House Bill 231 creates a separate temporary protective order (TPO) for dating violence that is not covered by a TPO for family violence. These TPOs cover felonies, simple battery, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, and stalking, so long as it is between two people with whom there has been a pregnancy together or who are in a "dating relationship". "Dating relationship" is defined as a committed, romantic relationship that involves an intimacy level above those of mere friends, although the definition does not require sexual involvement. A hearing shall be held on a filed petition within 10 days, at which time the petitioner must prove the allegations by a preponderance of the evidence. The presiding judge shall consider the factors specifically outlined to confirm the existence of a dating relationship.

Authored By: Rep. (117th) House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee 03-04-2021 Do Pass by Committee Committee: Action: Substitute

House of Representatives Daily Report for March 4, 2021 Committee Actions

HB 258 Crimes and offenses; response to State v. Williams, 2020 Ga. LEXIS 85; provisions Bill Summary: House Bill 258 clarifies that consent of an alleged victim under the age of 16 is not a defense for crimes of sexual battery and aggravated sexual battery.

Authored By: Rep. (180th) House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee 03-04-2021 Do Pass by Committee Committee: Action: Substitute

HB 562 Criminal procedure; add DFCS case managers to people for whom arrest warrants may be issued only by certain judicial officers Bill Summary: HB 562 requires that an arrest warrant of a Department of Family Child Services (DFCS) case manager, being brought for an offense alleged to have been committed while in the official's work capacity, be issued by a superior court judge, state court judge, or probate court judge.

Authored By: Rep. Kasey Carpenter (4th) House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee 03-04-2021 Do Pass Committee: Action:

Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee

HB 495 Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Sexual Offender Registration Review Board; revise duties Bill Summary: House Bill 495 provides that the analysis of criminal history record information of an offender be provided by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to the Sexual Offender Registration Review Board if the board requests such for assistance in determining a sexual offender's risk assessment classification. The legislation authorizes the board to employ investigators to complete the analysis of information, including but not limited to, criminal history record information, in determining risk assessment. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is required to maintain at least one position under its administration and supervision who will facilitate the provision of the summarized criminal history record information to the board from the Georgia Crime Information Center and the National Crime Information Center.

Authored By: Rep. (110th) House Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee 03-04-2021 Do Pass Committee: Action:

HB 534 Crimes and offenses; promoting illegal drag racing and laying drags; provide for offense Bill Summary: HB 534 establishes a crime and penalty for promoting, organizing, or participating in illegal drag racing or laying drags, as well as reckless stunt driving. The violator of this law is guilty of a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature and faces suspension of his or her driver's license and possible imprisonment. Penalties graduate based on the number of convictions a person receives.

Authored By: Rep. Josh Bonner (72nd) House Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee 03-04-2021 Do Pass by Committee Committee: Action: Substitute

HB 631 Georgia Crime Information Center; develop a system to collect information on an individual's ability to communicate with law enforcement or emergency responders; provisions Bill Summary: House Bill 631 establishes the requirement for the Georgia Emergency Communications Authority to provide standards for operation and maintenance of an information system by a local government within an emergency 9-1-1 system which supports the collection, storage, retrieval, and dissemination of information, voluntarily submitted, indicating that an individual has a physical, mental, or neurological condition which impedes their ability to communicate with a law enforcement officer or emergency responder.

Authored By: Rep. (138th) House Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee 03-04-2021 Do Pass by Committee Committee: Action: Substitute House of Representatives Daily Report for March 4, 2021 Committee Actions

HB 640 Crimes and offenses; firearms and the carrying and possession of firearms and other weapons; revise various laws Bill Summary: House Bill 640 amends Georgia statute in various sections relating to carrying and possession of firearms.

Section One allows places of worship to operate like private property owners and allow or prohibit firearms as they desire.

Section Two requires probate courts to accept applications for weapons carry licenses and renewal licenses on a first-come, first-serve basis, for a minimum of seven hours daily, during normal business hours of the court. The legislation provides for a 22-day grace period, after which, if there is no denial or issuance of a license, the applicant who is otherwise eligible for a license may conceal carry in this state until notified by the court that the application has been denied. The probate court is additionally authorized to implement online application processes for licenses. The bill requires that an applicant is free of any conviction of use or possession of a controlled substance for at least five years. This section strengthens the prohibition on creating databases on weapons carry licenses and sharing.

Section Three requires municipalities that have seized firearms to auction them off at least once every 12 months.

Section Four waives sovereign immunity for any claims that a probate has failed to do its duty in processing applications.

Authored By: Rep. Tyler Smith (18th) House Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee 03-04-2021 Do Pass by Committee Committee: Action: Substitute

Small Business Development Committee

HB 691 Economic Development, Department of; define innovation, innovative product or service, and startup Bill Summary: HB 691 amends Title 50, relating to the Department of Economic Development, by defining innovation, innovative product, and start-up. "Innovation" means the use of a new idea, a new or emerging technology, or a new use of existing technology to address a problem, provide a benefit, or offer a product or service. "Innovative product or service" means a product or service that includes an innovation. "Start-up" is an entity that offers an innovative product or service as its principal function; is registered as a business in the state; has its principal place of business in the state; and was created or developed by one or more people who have never owned more than 25 percent of any business that has had more than $100,000 in gross receipts in a single year.

Authored By: Rep. Mike Cheokas (138th) House Small Business Development Committee 03-04-2021 Do Pass Committee: Action:

Special Committee on Access to Quality Health Care Committee

HB 164 Prescription Drug Consumer Financial Protection Act; enact Bill Summary: House Bill 164, known as the 'Prescription Drug Consumer Financial Protection Act', requires health insurers to pass along at least 80 percent of all prescription drug rebates to enrollees at the point of sale of prescription drugs. The effective date of the bill is January 1, 2022.

Authored By: Rep. (78th) House Special Committee on Access to Committee 03-04-2021 Do Pass by Committee Committee: Quality Health Care Action: Substitute House of Representatives Daily Report for March 4, 2021 Committee Actions

HB 447 State employees' health insurance plan; all contracts contain provisions relating to disclosure of cost related data; require Bill Summary: House Bill 447 requires all State Health Benefit Plan contracts to include a provision requiring the disclosure to the state and, upon request, to the General Assembly of all cost-related data relative to the health plan, including spread pricing and negotiated prices, rebate accounting, reimbursement rates, net profits, consulting fees, claims payment information, networks, and quality information. The bill makes this data subject to open records and no longer considered a confidential trade secret.

Authored By: Rep. David Knight (130th) House Special Committee on Access to Committee 03-04-2021 Tabled Committee: Quality Health Care Action:

HB 448 Social services; all contracts for health care coverage or services under Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids Program contain provisions relating to disclosure of cost related data; require Bill Summary: House Bill 448 requires all Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids contracts to include a provision requiring the disclosure to the state and, upon request, to the General Assembly of all cost- related data relative to the health plans, including spread pricing and negotiated prices, rebate accounting, reimbursement rates, net profits, consulting fees, claims payment information, networks, and quality information. The bill makes this data subject to open records and no longer considered a confidential trade secret.

Authored By: Rep. David Knight (130th) House Special Committee on Access to Committee 03-04-2021 Tabled Committee: Quality Health Care Action:

Ways & Means Committee

HB 575 Ad valorem tax; authorize on premises processing and marketing of agricultural products as a qualifying conservation use Bill Summary: House Bill 575 adds a new Code section relating to Local Option Sales Taxes that allows any consolidated government created by the consolidation of a county and one or more municipalities to impose an addition one percent local option sales tax. The additional one percent must be approved by a resolution of the governing authority of the consolidated government. A referendum on the additional one percent must also be approved. Following the imposition of the additional tax, the consolidated government imposing the tax must reduce the millage rate for ad valorem taxation of tangible property. For the year following the initial year of imposition, the millage rate for ad valorem taxation must be reduced by seven mills and for the following years, the millage rate for ad valorem taxation must be reduced by an amount that in aggregate equals the amount of revenue generated by the additional one percent local option sales tax. The additional one percent expires after five years and must be approved by referendum to be continued.

Authored By: Rep. Robert Dickey (140th) House Ways & Means Committee 03-04-2021 Do Pass by Committee Committee: Action: Substitute

Committee Meeting Schedule This meeting schedule is up to date at the time of this report, but meeting dates and times are subject to change. To keep up with the latest schedule, please visit www.house.ga.gov and click on Meetings Calendar.

03/05/2021 8:30 AM RULES (House) 341 CAP VIDEO Agenda

03/05/2021 9:30 AM FLOOR SESSION (LD27) (House) House Chamber VIDEO

03/05/2021 12:30 PM SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ACCESS TO THE CIVIL JUSTICE 132 CAP HYBRID VIDEO

SYSTEM (House)

House of Representatives Daily Report for March 4, 2021 Committee Meetings