JUDICIAL COUNCIL OF GEORGIA ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS

LEGISLATIVE REPORT

Tuesday, February 18, 2020 legislation.georgiacourts.gov Legislative Day 13

After a long recess that lasted through Monday, February 17, the General Assembly returned on Tuesday, February 18, for Legislative Day 13. Committees were again busy examining legislation and both chambers held votes on the floor. Rules calendars remain short, but it is likely that floor activity will increase as Crossover Day nears.

HB 792, the amended budget for FY 2020, was passed out of the House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, February 18 (LD 13). The bill will be voted on by the full House of Representatives on Wednesday, February 19 (LD 14). The current tracking document for the AFY 2020 budget can be found here.

Both chambers stand adjourned until Wednesday, February 19, at 10:00 a.m. for Legislative Day 14.

This report is a compilation of 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 & Committee Action

HB 440 - Juvenile Code; juvenile court to include children who are under the age of 18 years; change jurisdiction Sponsor: Rep. (R – Canton) Action: HB 440 received a hearing from the House Juvenile Justice Committee (2/18/2020).

HB 538 - Revenue and taxation; all questions of law decided by the Georgia Tax Tribunal be decided without deference to the rules, determinations, or interpretations of the Department of Revenue; require Sponsor: Rep. Todd Jones (R – South Forsyth) Action: HB 759 passed the House with a vote of 158-8 (2/18/2020).

HB 576 - Courts; distribution priority of partial payments of fines, bond forfeitures, and costs; provide Sponsor: Rep. Rick Williams (R – Milledgeville) Action: HB 576 received a hearing from the House Judiciary Non-Civil Setzler Subcommittee (2/18/2020).

HB 757 - Elections; determination of qualifying periods for special elections; provide Sponsor: Rep. (R – Harlem) Action: HB 757 received a Do Pass by Substitute from the House Governmental Affairs Committee (2/18/2020).

HB 759 - Controlled substances; Schedule IV; change certain provisions Sponsor: Rep. (R – Swainsboro) Action: HB 759 passed the House with a vote of 163-1 (2/18/2020).

HB 765 - Courts; increase in the minimum compensation for chief magistrates; provide Sponsor: Rep. (R – Cartersville) Action: The House vote on HB 765 was postponed to Legislative Day 14 (2/18/2020).

HB 792 - Supplemental appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020 Sponsor: Speaker (R – Blue Ridge) Action: HB 792 received a Do Pass by Substitute from the House Appropriations Committee; and, passed out of House Rules (2/18/20).

HB 799 - Motor vehicles; prohibition regarding eligibility of certain violators to receive early reinstatement of their driver’s licenses and limited driving permits; repeal Sponsor: Rep. (R – Bonaire) Action: HB 799 received a Do Pass from the House Judiciary Non-Civil Setzler Subcommittee (2/18/2020).

HB 847 - Hemp farming; definitions, penalties and criminal background checks; provide Sponsor: Rep. John Corbett (R – Lake Park) Action: HB 847 received a Do Pass from the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee (2/18/2020).

SB 295 - Courts and Revenue and Taxation; cost-of-living and general performance-based increases; revise Sponsor: Sen. John Wilkinson (R – Toccoa) Action: SB 295 passed the Senate with a vote of 50-1 (2/18/2020). Floor & Committee Meeting Schedule*

Wednesday, February 19, 2020 – Legislative Day 14

9:00 AM House Rules 341 CAP 10:00 AM House Floor Session House Chamber 10:00 AM Senate Floor Session Senate Chamber ADJ Senate Rules 450 CAP 1:00 PM House Public Safety Lumsden 406 CLOB Subcommittee HB 641 - Georgia Bureau of Investigation; grant powers and duties to identify and investigate violations of the Georgia Computer Systems Protection Act and other computer crimes HB 787 - Crimes and offenses; weapons carry license reciprocity in this state; expand HB 859 - Motor vehicles; tinting of windows or windshields; provide maximum monetary penalty

1:00 PM Senate Public Safety Mezz 1 SB 226 - Use of Safety Belts in Passenger Vehicles; all occupants of a passenger vehicle shall be restrained by a seat safety belt; provide 2:00 PM House Judiciary Non-Civil 403 CAP Reeves Subcommittee HB 754 - Crimes and offenses; intent to distribute controlled substances and marijuana; change the date of incorporation of local ordinances by reference HB 885 - Penal institutions; certain information within inmate files of the Department of Corrections shall not be classified as confidential state secrets when requested by the district attorney; provide 3:00 PM Senate Health & Human 450 CAP Services SB 272 - Controlled Substances; sale to and by minors of drug products containing dextromethorphan; prohibit 4:00 PM Senate Judiciary 307 CLOB SB 318 - Education;Fr public forums at public institutions of higher education; provide SB 344 - Witness or Criminal Defendant; certain proceedings conducted by video conference; requirements; provide

Thursday, February 20, 2020 – Legislative Day 15

9:00 AM House Rules 341 CAP 10:00 AM House Floor Session House Chamber 10:00 AM Senate Floor Session Senate Chamber ADJ Senate Rules 450 CAP 1:30 PM House Judiciary Non-Civil Setzler Subcommittee HB 858 - Criminal procedure; placement of a notice of a pending sale of unclaimed personal property by a law enforcement agency on their 515 CLOB website; authorize HB 911 - Crimes and offenses; offenses of improper sexual conduct by a foster parent in the first and second degrees; provide 4:00 PM Senate Judiciary 307 CLOB Fr

Friday, February 21, 2020 – Legislative Day 16

8:00 AM House Judiciary Non-Civil 132 CAP HB 799 - Motor vehicles; prohibition regarding eligibility of certain violators to receive early reinstatement of their driver’s licenses and limited driving permits; repeal 9:00 AM House Rules 341 CAP 10:00 AM House Floor Session House Chamber 10:00 AM Senate Floor Session Senate Chamber ADJ Senate Rules 450 CAP

*Schedule reflects meetings relevant to the judiciary. This meeting schedule is up to date at the time of this report, but meeting dates and times are subject to change. Please visit the House Meetings page and the Senate Meetings page for a complete list of meetings, the most current schedules and agendas. Tracy Mason Senior Assistant Director Governmental & Trial Court Liaison (404) 463-0559 [email protected]

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

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

Darron Enns Policy Analyst (404) 656-5453 [email protected]

Legislative Interns Franchesca Badia Athena Zhang

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