​February 22, 2022 to February 24, 2022
 
Along for the Ride
Lawmakers enjoyed a four-day weekend in their districts to observe President’s Day on February 21st .  The tempo of session was relatively slow this week for this point in the session: two days in chamber and one day of committee meetings.  It’s analogous to riding to the top of a roller coaster; the session has been steady and disciplined during the ascent.  But all that stops next week: the roller coaster has reached the apex and we can clearly see the high-speed loops, rolls, and turns that await us.  For the next five weeks, the legislature has only one weekday off.  The pace will be grueling as the General Assembly races downhill towards Crossover Day on March 15 and sine die on April 4.

H.B. 1389 was introduced in the House by Rep. Teri Anulewicz (D), Smyrna.  The bill defines workplace harassment and allows a right of action for workplace harassment.  The bill was assigned to the Industry and Labor Committee.

H.B. 1395 was introduced in the House by Rep. Josh McLaurin (D), Sandy Springs.  The bill provides for the acceptance of electronic copies of titles issued in another state or country.  The bill was assigned to the Motor Vehicles Committee. 

H.B. 1400 was introduced in the House by Rep. Alan Powell (R), Hartwell.  The bill revised the number of Class 1 and Class 2 production licenses that can be issued by the Medical Cannabis Commission Oversight Committee.  The bill was assigned to the Regulated Industries Committee.
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H.B. 1413 was introduced in the House by Rep. Trey Rhodes (R), Greensboro.  The bill authorizes local governments to establish and adopt commercial property assessed clean energy and storm resiliency (C-PACER) programs.  CBA has concerns with the bill as drafted relating to lien priority status for commercial properties.  CBA will work with the author of the bill and other interested parties to mitigate the concerns that we have with the language.  The bill was assigned to the Governmental Affairs Committee.  

Floor Updates
H.B. 334 Remote Online Notary by Rep. Joseph Gullett (R), Dallas.  The House insisted on their position and appointed a Conference Committee. 
 
H.B. 500 Georgia Agribusiness and Rural Jobs Act by Rep. James Burchett (R), Waycross.  The bill was passed by the House with a vote of 153-11. 
 
H.B. 1088 Non-judicial Foreclosures for Time-Share Estates by Rep. Stan Gunter (R), Blairsville.  The bill was passed by the House with a vote of 141-18.
 
Committee Actions
H.B. 916 Superior and State Court Appellate Practice Act by Rep. Rob Leverett (R), Elberton.  The bill was passed as a substitute by the Judiciary Committee. 

H.B. 931 Contents of Certificates of Title by Rep. Wes Cantrell (R), Woodstock.  The bill was passed by the Ways & Means Subcommittee. 

H.B. 960 Office of the Inspector General by Rep. Rob Leverett (R), Elberton.  The bill was passed as a substitute by the Judiciary Committee.

H.B. 997 Ad Valorem Timber Exemption by Rep. Sam Watson (R), Moultrie.  The bill was passed by the Ways & Means Committee.

H.B. 1352 Disposition of Unclaimed Property and Certain Wills by Rep. Vance Smith, Jr. (R), Pine Mountain.  The bill was passed as a substitute by the Judiciary Committee.

H.R.686 Ad Valorem Tax Rate Reduction for Timber by Rep. Sam Watson (R), Moultrie.  The resolution was passed by the Ways & Means Committee.

S.B. 345 Prohibit Vaccine Passports by Sen. Jeff Mullis (R), Chickamauga.  The bill was passed as a substitute by the Health and Human Services Committee. 

S.B. 371 Credit Repair Services Organizations by Sen. Larry Walker III (R), Perry.  The bill was passed as a substitute by the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee. 

S.B. 493 Non-judicial Foreclosure for Time-Share Estates by Sen. Jeff Mullis (R), Chickamauga.  The bill was passed as a substitute by the Judiciary Committee.

Hearings Only
H.B. 1278 Sales Tax Exemption for Renovation or Expansion of Museums by Rep. Patty Bentley (D), Butler.  The bill was presented to the Ways & Means Committee.

H.B. 1350 Notices to Beneficiaries Regarding Probate Wills by Rep. Will Wade (R), Dawsonville.  The bill was presented to the Judiciary Committee.

S.B. 154 Cap on Assessments by Property Owners’ Associations by Sen. Donzella James (D), Atlanta.  The bill was presented to the Judiciary Committee.

S.B. 471 Online Public Sales Under Tax Levies by Sen. Randy Robertson (R), Cataula.  The bill was presented to the Judiciary Committee.

S.B. 485 Statute of Frauds by Sen. Greg Dolezal (R), Cumming.  The bill was presented to the Judiciary Committee.

February 14, 2022 to February 17, 2022
 
Session Approaches Midpoint
After three days in session this week, lawmakers will return to Atlanta following President’s Day for legislative days 19 and 20, marking the midpoint of the forty-day session.  Now entering the third quarter, lawmakers will shift their attention away from introducing bills and towards the vetting process both at the committee level and on the Chamber floors.  Daily debate calendars will continue to grow and committees will continue their methodical work through priority measures.

Despite the focus on the legislative session, the political landscape is always shifting in the background.  Just this week, Senator Lindsey Tippins (R), Marietta, and Representative Terry England (R), Auburn, announced they would not seek reelection.  England is the Chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee and works year-round on Georgia’s budget.  Tippins serves as Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee.  In just three short weeks, the line between lawmaking and campaigning will blur even further when candidates descend on the state capitol for qualifying.  Several other veteran lawmakers are expected to announce their retirement before then.

H.B. 1310 was introduced in the House by Rep. Emory Dunahoo (R), Gillsville.  The bill requires an appraisal provision in residential and commercial fire and extended coverage insurance policies and provides guidelines for appraisal of amount of loss.  The bill was assigned to the Insurance Committee.
 
H.B. 1334 was introduced in the House by Rep. Stan Gunter (R), Blairsville.  The bill includes tiny homes on wheels in the definition of “mobile homes” and provides that mobile homes shall be returned for taxation primarily in the county where they are functionally located.  The bill was assigned to the Ways & Means Committee.

H.B. 1350 was introduced in the House by Rep. Will Wade (R), Dawsonville.  The bill requires executors to send notices to beneficiaries regarding the filing of petitions to probate wills and requires judges of probate courts to verify such notices.  The bill was assigned to the Judiciary Committee. 

H.B. 1352 was introduced in the House by Rep. Vance Smith (R), Pine Mountain.  The bill relates to the disposition of unclaimed property and provides for the handling of certain wills.  The bill was assigned to the Judiciary Committee. 
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H.B. 1360 was introduced in the House by Rep. Will Wade (R), Dawsonville.  The bill would repeal intangible recording tax.  The bill was assigned to the Ways & Means Committee.

S.B. 502 was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Brian Strickland (R), McDonough.  The bill would change the definition of employment to include services performed by an individual for wages unless the Department of Labor makes a contrary determination based upon evidence that such individual has been free from control or direction over the performance of such services.  The bill was assigned to the Insurance and Labor Committee. 

S.B. 524 was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Nikki Merritt (D), Grayson.  The bill provides for civil penalties and benefit recapture from employers that move call centers from this state.

Floor Updates
S.B. 331 Employee Work Hours by Sen. John Albers (R), Roswell.  The bill was passed by the Senate with a vote of 31-21. 
 
Committee Actions
H.B. 389 Change Definition of Employment by Rep. Todd Jones (R), Cumming.  The bill was passed as a substitute by the Industry and Labor Committee. 
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H.B. 500 Agribusiness and Rural Jobs Act by Rep. James Burchette (R), Waycross.  The bill was passed as a substitute by the Ways & Means Committee.  

H.B. 891 Department’s Housekeeping Bill sponsored by Rep. Bruce Williamson (R), Monroe.  The bill was passed by the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee.    
 
H.B. 899 LIBOR sponsored by Rep. Bruce Williamson (R). Monroe.  The bill was passed by the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee.    
 
H.B. 916 Superior and State Court Appellate Practice Act by Rep. Rob Leverett (R), Elberton.  The bill was presented in the Gunter Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee as a substitute.
 
H.B. 960 Office of the Inspector General by Rep. Rob Leverett (R), Elberton.  The bill was presented in the Gunter Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee as a substitute.
 
H.B. 974 Deeds Requiring Electronic Filing by Rep. Joseph Gullett (R), Dallas.  The bill was withdrawn from the General Calendar and returned to the Judiciary Committee.  The bill was passed as a substitute.    
 
H.B. 1088 Nonjudicial Foreclosure of Time-Share Estates by Rep. Stan Gunter (R), Blairsville.  The bill was passed as a substitute by the Judiciary Committee.  This bill is similar to S.B. 493 Nonjudicial Foreclosure of Time-Share Estates by Sen. Jeff Mullis (R), Chickamauga. 
 
H.B. 1294 Dereliction Notices for Abandoned Mobile Homes by Rep. John Corbitt (R), Lake Park.  The bill was passed by the Judiciary Committee.
 
S.B. 470 Felony Convictions by Mortgage Lenders and Brokers by Sen. Randy Robertson (R), Cataula.  The bill was passed by the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee as a substitute.
 
 
Hearings Only
H.B 997 Ad Valorem Timber Exemption by Rep. Sam Watson (R), Moultrie.  The bill was presented to the Ways & Means Committee.
 
H.B. 1093 Use Restrictions on Residential Dwellings by Rep. Dale Washburn (R), Macon.  The bill was presented to the Judiciary Committee.
 
S.B. 439 Property Owner Appearance in Dispossessory Proceedings by Sen. Lindsey Tippins (R), Marietta.  The bill was presented to the Judiciary Committee.  

February 7, 2022 to February 11, 2022
 
First of Several Committee Workdays
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In recent years, the General Assembly has started earmarking specific days in the legislative schedule as committee workdays.  This reflects the critical role committees play in the process: they are the workhorses of the legislature, allowing for division of labor and subject matter expertise.  This system enables the scrutiny of a large number of bills and resolutions during the short forty-day session.

The Speaker of the House and Lt. Governor assign newly introduced measures to standing committees in the House and Senate, respectively.  It is then up to the Chair of the committee to determine if a bill will be considered.  The vast majority of bills are introduced, only to languish and ultimately expire in committee, without so much as a hearing.

Committees are able to amend the measure, even over the objection of the author.  Once the committee has “perfected” the bill, they take their own vote.  A majority of affirmative votes advances the bill to the Rules Committee for further consideration.

Wednesday was one of these committee workdays and several more are built into the current schedule.  As more measures come out of committee and are eligible for deliberation by the full chamber, the debate calendars in the House and Senate will continue to grow.

H.B. 1177 was introduced in the House by Rep. Debra Bazemore (D), South Fulton.  The bill prohibits any employer from seeking salary history information about an applicant during the hiring process and imposes civil penalties for violations.  The bill also requires employers to make certain disclosures in job positing.  The bill was assigned to the Industry and Labor Committee. 
 
H.B. 1221 was introduced in the House by Rep. Matthew Gambill (R), Cartersville.  The bill requires lien filings for amounts of $10,000 and less include a copy of the contract on which the claim is based and a copy of a letter demanding payment be sent by registered or certified mail or statutory overnight delivery by the claimant to the owner of the property or the contractor.  The bill was assigned to the Judiciary Committee. 

H.B. 1294 was introduced in the House by Rep. John Corbett (R), Lake Park.  The bill provides for the timing of sending notice by a landowner when an abandoned mobile home as been determined to be derelict.  The bill was assigned to the Judiciary Committee.

H.B. 1296 was introduced in the House by Rep. Gregg Kennard (D), Lawrenceville.  The bill prohibits inheritance by an abandoning spouse and provides inheritance by an abandoning spouse’s descendants.  The bill was assigned to the Judiciary Committee.

S.B 470 was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Randy Robertson (R), Cataula.  The bill provides for different categories of felony convictions for purposes of investigations of mortgage loan originator applicants.  The bill was assigned to the Banking and Financial Institutions Committee.

S.B. 471 was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Randy Robertson (R), Cataula.  The bill authorizes online public sales under tax levies and executions.  The bill was assigned to the Judiciary Committee. 

S.B. 485 was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Greg Dolezal (R), Cumming.  The bill relates to the statute of frauds and provides that agreements with a value in excess of $10,000 shall be in writing.  The bill was assigned to the Judiciary Committee. 

S.B. 491 was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Gail Davenport (D), Jonesboro.  The bill creates a qualified down payment savings program to be implemented by the Department of Revenue.  The bill was assigned to the Banking and Financial Institutions Committee. 

S.B. 493 was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Jeff Mullis (R), Chickamauga.  The bill authorizes nonjudicial foreclosure of time-share estates.  This bill is similar to H.B. 1088 Nonjudicial Foreclosure of Time-Share Estates by Rep. Stan Gunter (R), Blairsville.  The bill was assigned to the Judiciary Committee.
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S.B. 494 was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Steve Gooch (R), Dahlonega.  The bill prohibits local governments from prohibiting certain use restrictions on residential dwellings.    This bill is similar to H.B. 1093 Use Restrictions on Residential Dwellings by Rep. Dale Washburn (R), Macon.  The bill was assigned to the State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

Floor Updates
H.B. 891 Department’s Housekeeping Bill sponsored by Rep. Bruce Williamson (R), Monroe.  The bill was unanimously adopted by the House and has been assigned to the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee.    
 
H.B. 899 LIBOR sponsored by Rep. Bruce Williamson (R). Monroe.  The bill was unanimously adopted by the House and has been assigned to the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee.    
 
Committee Actions
H.B. 974 Deeds Requiring Electronic Filing by Rep. Joseph Gullett (R), Dallas.  The bill was amended in the Judiciary Committee to still allow filing of paper copies and not fully mandate electronic filing.  The bill passed committee as amended.  In effect, the amendment guts the bill.  CBA will continue to monitor the process of the bill. 

H.B. 1088 Nonjudicial Foreclosure of Time-Share Estates by Rep. Stan Gunter (R), Blairsville.  The bill was presented in the Scoggins Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee as a substitute.  The substitute bill clarifies that this applies to time shares only.  The bill moves on to full Committee.  Concerns with the bill remain from several parties as there are questions as to whether or not title insurance would be available on the property after the nonjudicial foreclosure.  Interested parties are working with the author of the bill to potentially modify language.   This bill is similar to S.B. 493 Nonjudicial Foreclosure of Time-Share Estates by Sen. Jeff Mullis (R), Chickamauga. 

H.R. 579 Georgia Commission on Sustainability and Economic Opportunity by Rep. Don Parsons (R), Marietta.  A substitute resolution was presented to the Small Business Development Committee.  The author stated that the substitute changes the abolishment date of the Commission to December 31, 2022 and the report could be reported anytime prior to the abolishment date.  The resolution passed committee as amended.

H.R. 627 Bureaucratic Hindrances to Businesses by Rep. Bill Yearta (R), Sylvester.  The resolution was passed by the Small Business Development Committee. 

S.B. 331 Employee Work Hours by Sen. John Albers (R), Roswell.  The bill was passed by the Industry and Labor Committee. 
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S.B. 374 Data Analytic Center by Sen. Blake Tillery (R), Vidalia.  The bill was passed by the Science and Technology Committee. 
 
Hearings Only
H.B. 137 Condemnation of Real Property sponsored by Rep. Mitchell Scoggins (R), Cartersville.  The bill was presented to the Public Finance & Policy Subcommittee of the Ways & Means Committee. 
 
H.B. 500 Agribusiness and Rural Jobs Act sponsored by James Burchett (R), Waycross.  The bill was presented to the Income Tax Subcommittee of the Ways & Means Committee. 
 
H.R. 581 Lottery Games to Support Economic Development by Rep. Yasmin Neal (D), Jonesboro.  The resolution was presented to the Lottery Oversight-Gaming subcommittee of the Regulated Industries Committee.  

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February 1, 2022 to February 3, 2022
 
The session resumed on Tuesday, February 1st and completed days nine through 11 of the session.   While the House and Senate were only in session three days this week, nearly two hundred bills were introduced and assigned to committee.  Most of these measures are local legislation.

Even as the congressional and state redistricting process makes headlines, local commission and school board districts must also be reapportioned following the census.  In post-census sessions, local legislation typically accounts for about 55% of all bills passed.

Thankfully, these measures are not debated and voted on individually, but rather grouped and considered each day as part of the local calendar.  “Local courtesy” typically prevails – so long as the legislative delegation from the impacted city or county agrees on the need for the measure, other members will generally defer to them and support passage.

H.B. 1088 was introduced in the House by Rep. Stan Gunter (R), Blairsville.  The bill relates to the miscellaneous provisions regarding time-share projects and programs and authorizes nonjudicial foreclosure of time-share estates.  The bill was assigned to the Judiciary Committee.   On Wednesday, February 2nd, the Scoggins Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing only for the bill.  Some concerns were expressed regarding title insurance availability after the non-judicial foreclosure.  The author of the bill committed to working on a substitute for the next hearing.  CBA will continue to monitor the changes to this bill.

H.B. 1091 was introduced in the House by Rep. Martin Momtahan (R), Dallas.  The bill revised the duty of an owner or occupier of land to an invitee when such owner or occupier prohibits the carrying or possession of weapons.  The bill was assigned to the Judiciary Committee.

H.B. 1093 was introduced in the House by Rep. Dale Washburn (R), Macon.  The bill prohibits local governments from placing restrictions on land or residential dwellings that are subject to a landlord-tenant relationship, contract, lease, or rental agreement.  The bill was assigned to the Judiciary Committee. 

H.B. 1149 was introduced in the House by Rep. Rhonda Burnough (D), Riverdale.  The bill enacts the “Georgia Evictions Records Restriction Act” and makes changes to demand for possession, procedure upon a tenant’s refusal, and concurrent issuance of a federal lease termination notice, so as to enact the.  The bill was assigned to the Judiciary Committee. 

H.B. 1152 was introduced in the House by Rep. Meisha Mainor (D), Atlanta.  The bill requires merchants to accept cash for purchases and requires that any cash overpayment to be remitted to the state treasury.  The bill was assigned to the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee. 

H.B. 1177 was introduced in the House by Rep. Debra Bazemore (D), South Fulton.  The bill prohibits any employer from seeking salary history information about an applicant during the hiring process and imposes civil penalties for violations.  The bill also requires employers to make certain disclosures in job positing.  The bill was assigned to the Industry and Labor Committee. 

H.R. 686 was introduced in the House by Rep. Sam Watson (R), Moultrie.  The resolution proposes an amendment to the Constitution to provide for a reduction in the rate of the ad valorem tax assessment of timber at sale or harvest.  The resolution was assigned to the Ways & Means Committee.
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S.B. 439 was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Lindsey Tippins (R), Marietta.  The bill states that the owner of a property or tenement at issue in a dispossessor proceeding shall be allowed to appear during a trial of the issue individually.  The bill was assigned to the Judiciary Committee.  

Floor Updates
S.B. 332 Inform Consumers Act sponsored by Sen. John Albers (R), Roswell.  The bill was unanimously adopted by the Senate and has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee. 
 
Committee Actions
S.B. 96 Veterans Health ID Cards for Notaries by Sen. Lester Jackson (D), Savannah.  The bill was presented to the Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security Committee and was passed favorably. 

S.B. 319 Georgia Constitutional Carry Act of 2021 by Sen. Jason Anavitarte (R), Dallas.  The bill was presented to the Judiciary Committee and was passed favorably.
 
S.B. 363 Solicitations for Corporate Filings or Employment or Labor Posters by Sen. Blake Tillery (R), Vidalia.  The bill was presented to the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee and was passed favorably as a substitute, which doubled the fines for violations. 
 
S.B. 364 Telephone Solicitations by Sen. Blake Tillery (R), Vidalia.  The bill was presented to the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee and was passed favorably. 
 
Hearings Only
H.B. 733 Guaranteed Asset Protection Waiver sponsored by Rep. Tyler Paul Smith (R), Bremen.  The bill was presented to the Property & Casualty Subcommittee of the Insurance Committee.  The author and the Insurance Commissioner’s Office are working on substitute language for consideration at a subsequent meeting.

H.B. 916 Superior and State Court Appellate Practice Act by Rep. Rob Leverett (R), Elberton.  The bill was presented to the Gunter Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee. 

H.B. 960 Office of the Inspector General by Rep. Rob Leverett (R), Elberton.  The bill was presented to the Gunter Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee. 

H.B. 974 Deeds Requiring Electronic Filing by Rep. Joseph Gullett (R), Dallas. The bill was presented to the Scoggins Subcommittee of the  Judiciary Committee.

Both H.B. 891 Department of Banking and Finance’s Housekeeping bill and H.B. 899 LIBOR were presented to the Banks & Banking Committee by Rep. Bruce Williamson (R), Monroe.  The bills were both passed favorably by the committee.  While previous House Banks & Banking Chairman Greg Morris insisted on having a least one hearing on the Department’s Housekeeping bill before allowing a vote, his successor Rep. Noel Williams, Jr. (R), Cordele, was content to let both measures advance after a single meeting. 
 
The House Rules Committee placed both bills on the Rules Calendar for consideration by the full Chamber on Monday, February 7th.   

Registration is open for the 2022 ICBA Capital Summit, the industry’s premier advocacy event scheduled for May 1-4 in Washington, D.C.

Details: This year’s Capital Summit will bring community bankers from across the country to Washington to interact with leading policymakers and advocate top advocacy priorities—in person.

Speakers: Invited speakers include Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Senate Banking Committee member Tim Scott (R-S.C.).​

Hotel: The summit will be held at the Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown Hotel—walking distance to various destinations in the nation’s capital—with more information on the way once it is available.