Legislative Days 36-38
March 22, 2021, to March 25, 2021

​This week was quite something. Things started off with threats against legislators over election reformation bills that have passed. The Speaker and Lt. Governor wrote letters about the increase in violence and homicides over the last week, with many legislators speaking out for the victims. Multiple Ethics special orders against derogatory language and misconduct investigations against legislators were addressed and reprimanded. Many Election reformation and Law enforcement bills are being introduced at the local government level to be passed through the streamlined process to set precedent for future bills next session. Those bills were scrutinized on the floors of both chambers. All of this and more have occurred while we get within one week of Sine Die next Wednesday.
 
The 2022 Fiscal Year Budget (H.B. 81) passed the Senate with a substitute that the House subsequently disagreed with. The Senate insisted upon the substitute, and there was a Conference Committee appointed in both chambers to meet and discuss the bill. The next day the Conference Committees met. During the meeting, they spent most of the time passing condolences on each legislative body involved since they only disagreed on a minimal amount of the bill. The conference agreed that most differences were directed at the education budget, which the House did not include in their passage that the Senate did. Both bodies agreed to the inclusions set out for the education budget additions, and the 2022 Fiscal Year Budget will go to both the House and Senate floors for a final vote. If you are interested in the differences, the Conference Committee decided on you can view the details here.
 
The atmosphere in the House and Senate Chambers on Day 38 reminded me a lot of Crossover day. Both chambers went very late in the day as they worked to pass their respective bills in the opposite chamber. It was interesting to see how certain bills would be substituted and the other chamber needed to agree or disagree to the changes. I was able to see multiple bills be used as “vehicles” to pass bills that did not make it through the committee or floor vote prior to crossover. These bills would get added to bills that did pass – so long as the subject matter was somewhat (and sometimes only barely) related, brought to the floor, and passed, otherwise known as “vehicles” being used. These vehicles would have bills attached to them that did not make it through the bill process but were priority enough to be included so they could be passed. Hopefully, the many bills that have passed on Day 38 this week will help alleviate the burden of Sine Die.

Congratulations to Chairman of House Banks & Banking Committee Greg Morris on his recent appointment to the Georgia Department of Transportation’s State Transportation Board.  With his appointment, Chairman Morris announced his resignation from the House of Representatives where he has served since 1998.  Chairman Morris has always been a friend to our community banking industry.  Congratulations on your appointment!  Well deserved.
Click here to read more.

Congress today passed ICBA-advocated legislation to extend the Paycheck Protection Program ahead of its March 31 expiration.
 
Today's Senate vote—which followed last week's House passage—sends the extension to President Joe Biden to sign into law.
 
Background: Under existing law, any application not approved by March 31—even if it was submitted prior to that date—cannot receive PPP funds. The newly passed bill allows borrowers to apply for loans through May 31 and gives the SBA until June 30 to consider applications.
 
What it Means: This much-needed, two-month extension will ensure small-business and nonprofit applicants are not stranded by an abrupt shutdown. ICBA supports ensuring every potential borrower that needs a loan gets one.
 
What's Next: With the PPP extended, ICBA continues urging Congress and SBA to make the following program fixes:

• First-Draw Increase Eligibility: Allow borrowers with forgiven loans to apply for a loan increase.
• Second-Draw Eligibility: Allow those applying for a first draw in 2021 to apply for a second draw.
• Second-Draw Use of Proceeds: Establish a level of spending on ineligible expenses that would not disqualify borrowers from receiving a second loan.
• Farm Partnerships: Provide agricultural partnerships with equitable access to funding.
• Schedule C Borrowers: Allow Schedule C filers to apply for a loan increase under new SBA rules allowing them to use the gross income method.

More: PPP information and resources are available on the SBA and Treasury sites and ICBA's PPP and EIP News page.

On Wednesday, H.B. 334 was presented in the Senate Judiciary Full committee by Rep. Joseph Gullett (R), Dallas. During the meeting, Lori and I watched a new substitute get presented by Sen. Blake Tillery (R), Vidalia, for the first time. The substitute carved real-estate documents out of the applicability of the bill altogether, requiring the use of a physical and traditional notary, just like wills, estates, and trusts. The committee passed the substitute with a vote of five to four.

​For your reference, we have a tracking document that can be accessed at any time on our website that will show the bills we are tracking/monitoring. They are highlighted in different colors of importance for your convenience and are sorted from the top of the sheet by bill/resolution number. We are keeping everything up to date as much as possible, given the circumstances surrounding the Pandemic.
 
New Bills that CBA is Tracking
 
H.B. 818 was introduced in the House by Rep. Marvin Lim (D), Norcross. The bill relates to landlord and tenant to provide residential eviction diversion programs. The bill was assigned to the Judiciary committee.
 
H.B. 819 was introduced in the House by Rep. Marvin Lim (D), Norcross. The bill relates to foreclosures and creates a foreclosure resolution program within the Dept. of Community Affairs. The bill was assigned to the Judiciary committee.
 
Other Items:
 
Here is a bill we are tracking that did NOT cross over this session.  However, it was presented in committee after Crossover Day:
 
H.B. 181 Workplace Notices for New Employees sponsored by Rep. Marvin Lim (D), Norcross. The bill was presented in the House Industry & Labor committee for a hearing only. There was discussion that the employer burden needed to sufficiently accommodate current and new employees, especially for large companies with out-of-state and country employment. There was further discussion about the employer’s liability. The committee recommended further advisement before moving the bill further through the process.

All updates are current as of the writing of the blog.
 
H.B. 149 “S” Corporation Tax bill sponsored by Rep. Bruce Williamson (R), Monroe. The substitute bill was carried in the Senate by Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (R), Rome. The substitute bill was voted on by the Senate and passed with a vote of 52 – 1.
 
H.B. 244 Food Risk Reduction bill sponsored by Rep. Don Hogan (R), St. Simon’s Island. The bill was presented in the Senate Insurance & Labor committee. There was a brief walkthrough of the bill, and it received a vote of DO PASS
 
H.B. 306 Remote Communication and Meeting bill sponsored by Rep. Stan Gunter (R), Blairsville. A substitute bill was presented in the Senate Full Judiciary committee. There was some confusion since the committee did not have the substitute bill that was being presented. The committee recommended that no action be taken until the committee can look over the substitute bill in time for a later meeting. The substitute bill was presented in the Senate Full Judiciary committee for a second time. There was a brief discussion over the substitute, and its differences to S.B. 168, by Sen. Larry Walker (R), Perry.  This bill includes non-profits where the senate bill did not. The substitute bill received a vote of DO PASS.
 
H.B. 317 Innkeeper Taxation bill sponsored by Rep. Ron Stephens (R), Savannah. The substitute bill was presented in the Senate Finance committee. There was some discussion on the substitute bill and how the extra funds would be collected, and where it would go. An amendment was presented that had some controversy about how left-over funds collected could be returned to the municipality it originated. The amendment and substitute bill both received a vote of DO PASS.
 
H.B. 327 Organized Crime Act bill sponsored by Rep. Martin Momtahan (R), Dallas. A new substitute bill was presented in the Senate Full Judiciary committee for a hearing only. Sen. John Albers was present to co-present the bill since he had sponsored a similar bill to this one, S.B. 151, which did not cross over this session. There was a brief walkthrough of the bill followed by some testimony in favor of the bill. Since this was a hearing only, the bill will be brought back up in a later meeting. The substitute bill was presented again in the Senate Judiciary committee. There was more testimony this time, not just against but for the bill. The substitute bill puts back in the provisions for online marketplaces to record and keep its sellers’ current information. The substitute bill received a vote of DO PASS.
 
H.B. 333 Georgia Transparency & Campaign Finance Commission bill sponsored by Rep. Chuck Efstration (R), Dacula. The substitute bill was presented in the Senate Ethics committee for a second time. There was a discussion of adding an amendment to correct language regarding how PAC donations would be handled during the legislative session. The amendment and the new substitute bill received a vote of DO PASS. The substitute bill was then presented in the Senate Rules committee to add additional provisions to the bill. It was about to fail, so the Chairman moved to table the bill for a later meeting.
 
H.B. 363 Protection of the Elderly bill sponsored by Rep. John LaHood (R), Valdosta. The bill was presented in the Senate Judiciary Full committee. There was a brief walkthrough of the bill, and it received a vote of DO PASS. The bill was carried in the Senate by Sen. Brian Strickland (R), McDonough. An amendment was presented on the Senate floor for consideration. The amendment is S.B. 196 by Sen. Lester Jackson (D), Savannah. The amendment would revise the offense of improper sexual contact by the employee, agent, or foster parent. The amendment was adopted, and the bill was voted on by the Senate and passed with a vote of 47 – 0.
 
H.B. 451 Finished Good Inventory Tax Exemption bill sponsored by Rep. Eddie Lumsden (R), Armuchee. The substitute bill was carried in the Senate by Sen. Jeff Mullis (R), Chickamauga. The substitute bill was voted on by the Senate and passed with a vote of 53 – 0.
 
H.B. 465 Alarm Contractor False Alarm bill sponsored by Rep. Joseph Gullett (R), Dallas. A new substitute bill was presented in the Senate Rules committee. The new substitute changes the language from the property owner to alarm user for who will be responsible for the fees. The new substitute bill received a vote of DO PASS. The new substitute bill was carried in the Senate by Sen. Randy Robertson (R), Cataula. The new substitute bill was voted on by the Senate and passed with a vote of 41-7.
 
H.B. 477 Qualified Donation of Real Property bill sponsored by Rep. Sam Watson (R), Moultrie. The bill was presented in the Senate Finance committee. The committee recommended an amendment to lower the amount of funding from $30 million to $20 million based on previous performance of the program. The substitute bill received a vote of DO PASS.
 
H.B. 480 Registered Interior Designer Lien bill sponsored by Rep. Dale Washburn (R), Macon. The bill was presented in the Senate Regulated Industries committee. There was a brief walkthrough of the bill and the qualifications needed to be registered by the state. The bill received a vote of DO PASS.
 
H.B. 532 Dept of Labor Employment Security bill sponsored by Rep. Bill Werkheiser (R), Glennville. The substitute bill was presented in the Senate Insurance and Labor. There was a brief walkthrough of the substitute bill, and it received a vote of DO PASS.
 
H.B. 587 Georgia Economic Renewal Act of 2021 sponsored by Rep. Bruce Williamson (R), Monroe. A new substitute bill was presented in the Senate Finance committee. The new substitute will include priorities from the Governor relating to medical devices, pharmaceutical and medicine production, and personal protective equipment manufacturing incentives from H.B. 304 by Rep. Jodi Lott (R), Evans. The new substitute received a vote of DO PASS.
 
H.B. 611 Small Businesses Definition bill sponsored by Rep. Mike Cheokas (R), Americus. The substitute bill was carried in the Senate by Sen. Bruce Thompson (R), White. The substitute bill was voted on by the Senate and passed with a vote of 49 – 0.
 
H.B. 681 Financial Literacy for Students bill sponsored by Rep. Bill Yearta (R), Sylvester. The substitute bill was presented in the Senate Education & Youth committee for a hearing only. There was a brief walkthrough of the underlying main bill since the substitute changes were not available to the committee. The bill was tabled for a later meeting where the substitute will be addressed. A new substitute bill was presented in the Senate Education & Youth committee for a second time. The new substitute bill will include S.B. 51 by Sen. Bruce Thompson (R), White in its entirety to H.B. 681. The new substitute bill received a vote of DO PASS.
 
H.B. 714 was introduced in the House by Rep. Trey Kelley (R), Cedartown. A new substitute bill was presented in the Senate Insurance & Labor committee. The original substitute that passed out of the House late on Crossover was walked through and discussed. Sen. John Kennedy co-presented the new substitute bill and its changes. The new substitute bill received a vote of DO PASS.
 
S.B. 6 Tax Credit Return on Investment Act of 2021 sponsored by Sen. John Albers (R), Roswell. A substitute to the bill was reintroduced in the House Ways & Means Full committee. Chairman Blackmon disclosed that the substitute contains two House priority bills, H.B. 586 and H.B. 587, in their entirety have been added to this bill. The new substitute bill received a vote of DO PASS. During the next day’s Rules committee, the substitute bill was reassigned back to the House Ways & Means committee. A new substitute bill was presented in the House Ways & Means committee. Chairman Blackmon presented the new substitute, which included the failed  S.B. 148 by Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (R), Rome, in its entirety.
Additionally, the language that was added will include a CPA on the council. The new substitute received a vote of DO PASS. The new substitute bill was carried in the House by Rep. Shaw Blackmon (R), Bonaire. The new substitute bill was voted on by the House and passed with a vote of 152 – 14. The Senate moved to DISAGREE to the House substitute bill that they passed.
 
S.B. 49 Building Review Exemptions sponsored by Sen. Clint Dixon (R), Buford. The substitute bill was recommitted back to the House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs committee. The substitute bill was presented in the House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs committee for the third time. There was another walkthrough of the same substitute bill since there were no changes. The substitute received a vote of DO PASS.
 
S.B. 75 Termination of Residential Lease bill sponsored by Sen. Kim Jackson (D), Stone Mountain. The substitute bill was carried in the House by Rep. Houston Gaines (R), Athens. The substitute bill was voted on by the House and passed with a vote of 158 – 0.
 
S.B. 95 Public Hearing Teleconferencing bill sponsored by Rep. Frank Ginn (R), Danielsville. Last week, a substitute bill was presented in the House Governmental Affairs committee. There was a brief walkthrough of the substitute that came at the Governor’s request to included State Agencies, not just local governments but also for state-wide, state of emergencies. The substitute bill received a vote of DO PASS. This week a new substitute bill was presented in the House Rules committee to add language allowing teleconferencing during nonemergency occasions. The new substitute bill received a vote of DO PASS.
 
S.B. 114 Professional Licensing Board for Past Crimes bill sponsored by Rep. Randy Robertson (R), Catuala. The bill was carried in the House by Rep. Martin Momtahan (R), Dallas. The bill was voted on by the House and passed with a vote of 152 – 14.
 
S.B. 156 Chief Labor Officer bill sponsored by Sen. Marty Harbin (R), Tyrone. The substitute bill was presented in the House Industry & Labor committee. The substitute bill was presented in the House Industry & Labor committee for the second time. The substitute bill received a vote of DO PASS.
 
S.B. 195 Department of Agriculture Hemp Farming Housekeeping bill sponsored by Sen. Jeff Mullis (R), Chickamauga. The substitute bill was recommitted back to the House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs committee. A new substitute bill was presented in the House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs by Rep. Micah Gravely (R), Douglasville. The substitute would add his H.B. 645 in its entirety to S.B. 195. There was a discussion about the conflict of the bill code section titles they would be changing. The committee recommended removing S.B. 195’s hemp farming language and keep only H.B. 645’s medical cannabis language. The new substitute bill received a vote of DO PASS. A new substitute was presented in the House Rules committee. The new substitute bill will add H.B. 601 by Rep. Ron Stephens (R), Savannah, in its entirety to S.B. 195. The Rules committee’s new substitute bill was carried in the House by Rep. John Corbett (R), Lake Park, but presented in the House by Rep. Micah Gravely (R), Douglasville. The Rules committee’s new substitute was voted on by the House and passed with a vote of 165 – 1.
 
S.B. 238 Georgia Code Revision bill sponsored by Sen. Brian Strickland (R), McDonough. The substitute bill was carried by Rep. Chuck Efstration (R), Dacula. The substitute bill was voted on by the House and passed with a vote of 166 – 0.

Legislative Days 32-35
March 15, 2021 to March 18, 2021
  
This week, there have been some exciting events as we get within two weeks of Sine Die for this year's session. The continued slow down for getting bills scheduled to both chamber floors continued right at the beginning of the week. I have learned that this rivalry between the House and Senate  is an annual thing after Crossover day.
 
On Wednesday, Chief Justice Melton delivered his third and final State of the Judiciary address. He announced earlier this year that he would be leaving the Supreme Court of Georgia and his role as Chief Justice on July 1. . He was met with a warm welcome from the joint assembly and gave a speech about the justice system's accomplishments this year. However, he did talk about the incredible hardships that the justice system has had, especially the backlogs facing the judiciary as a result of the pandemic. He spoke about the multiple declarations of Judicial emergencies that he has had to renew every 30 days since the pandemic started to keep the whole system going. He praised the work being done in both the House and Senate to help alleviate these new stresses on the justice system and those affected by the pandemic needing assistance. He finished up with an overall reflection over the last year and how strong Georgia has been to get to this point today.
 
I had the honor of meeting Chief Justice Melton while working for the Fayette County State Court in 2018. I was invited by the then President of the Georgia Council of Municipal Court Judges to attend a round table committee meeting which Milton led. Afterward, I had the opportunity to meet with Melton. I believe he directly influenced my decision to get more involved in Legal and Governmental Affairs, which led me down the path to get to be a part of CBA today. I, like many other throughout the state of Georgia, am grateful for Chief Justice Melton’s service to our state.
 
Later in the week, the slowdown affecting both chambers were resolved until Thursday when a Senate bill overwhelmingly failed on the House floor 20 - 136. The House abruptly adjourned right after the vote until next week as soon as the Senate realized during their Floor deliberation on House bills what had happened. I witnessed the Senate immediately get halted and adjourned for the day in response to the House. Next week should prove to be interesting, to say the least, as it unfolds.

For your reference, we have a tracking document that can be accessed at any time on our website that will show the bills we are tracking/monitoring. They are highlighted in different colors of importance for your convenience and are sorted from the top of the sheet by bill/resolution number. We are keeping everything up to date as much as possible, given the circumstances surrounding the Pandemic.
 
New Bill that CBA is Tracking
No new bills added this week
 
Other Items:
Here is a bill we are tracking that did NOT cross over this session.  However, it was presented in committee after Crossover Day:
 
H.R. 117 House Study Committee on HOA's and Others sponsored by Rep. William Boddie (D), East Point. The bill was presented in the House Special Rules committee. The resolution was briefly walked through, and there was a discussion about the study committee's scheduling for the year. The committee recommended an amendment to the resolution to correct language issues, and both received a vote of DO PASS by committee substitute.

​All updates are current as of the writing of the blog.
 
H.B. 63 Lease Vehicle Tax Exemption sponsored by Rep. Shaw Blackmon (R), Bonaire. The bill was carried in the Senate by Sen. Steve Gooch (R), Dahlonega. The bill was voted on by the Senate and passed with a vote of 54 – 0.
 
H.B. 111 Housekeeping Bill sponsored by Rep. Bruce Williamson (R), Monroe. The bill was carried in the Senate by Sen. John Kennedy (R), Macon. The bill was voted on by the Senate and passed with a vote of 50 – 0.
 
H.B. 112 COVID-19 Liability and Immunities sponsored by Rep. Trey Kelley (R), Cedartown. The bill was carried in the Senate by Sen. Brian Strickland (R), McDonough. The bill was voted on by the Senate and passed with a vote of 36 – 17.
 
H.B. 138 Leased Property Crime Disclosure sponsored by Rep. Mesha Mainor (D), Atlanta. The substitute bill was presented for a hearing only in the Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs committee. There were concerns and testimony against the burden and liability on law enforcement agencies. Also, there was some discussion on why the bill only specifies apartments instead of student family housing and mixed property communities that are not only apartments. The committee recommended tabling the bill for a later meeting.
 
H.B. 241 Service Contract Insurance sponsored by Rep. Matthew Gambill (R), Cartersville. The Substitute bill was presented in the Senate Industries & Labor committee. There was a brief walkthrough of the bill, and it received a vote of DO PASS.
 
H.B. 333 Georgia Transparency & Campaign Finance Commission bill sponsored by Rep. Chuck Efstration (R), Dacula. The substitute bill was presented in the Senate Ethics committee. There was a discussion for clarification on how campaign funds can be used. The committee decided to table the bill for a later meeting.
 
H.B. 336 Hemp Farming bill sponsored by Rep. John Corbett (R), Lake Park. The substitute bill was carried in the Senate by Sen. Jeff Mullis (R), Chickamauga. The substitute bill was voted on in the Senate and passed with a vote of 45 – 7.
 
H.B. 451 Finished Good Inventory Tax Exemption bill sponsored by Rep. Eddie Lumsden (R), Armuchee. The bill was presented in the Senate Finance committee. There was a brief walkthrough of the bill, and it received a vote of DO PASS.
 
H.B. 465 Alarm Contractor False Alarm bill sponsored by Rep. Joseph Gullett (R), Dallas. The bill was presented in the Senate Government Oversight committee. There was a brief walkthrough of the bill and a short discussion about how the false alarm fee will be charged. The bill received a vote of DO PASS.
 
H.B. 470 Sub-Condominium Plat Recording bill sponsored by Rep. Dale Washburn (R), Macon. The bill was presented in the Senate Full Judiciary Committee. There was a brief walkthrough of the bill, and it received a vote of DO PASS.
 
H.B. 497 Annual Code Revision Commission bill sponsored by Rep. Chuck Efstration (R), Dacula. The bill was carried in the Senate by Sen. Brian Strickland (R). The bill was voted on by the Senate and passed with a vote of 54 – 0.
 
H.B. 498 Combined Family Farm and Dairy Farm Equipment Tax Exemption bill sponsored by Rep. Sam Watson (R), Moultrie. The bill was presented in the Senate Finance committee. There was a brief walkthrough of the bill, and it received a vote of DO PASS.
 
H.B. 611 Small Businesses Definition bill sponsored by Rep. Mike Cheokas (R), Americus. A substitute bill was presented in the Senate Finance committee. There was a brief walkthrough of the bill and the amendment that was passed on the House floor. The substitute bill received a vote of DO PASS.
 
S.B. 49 Building Review Exemptions sponsored by Sen. Clint Dixon (R), Buford. The substitute bill was presented in the House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs committee for a second time. There was a brief walkthrough of the bill, and it did not have any further questions. The bill received a vote of DO PASS.
 
S.B. 75 Termination of Residential Lease bill sponsored by Sen. Kim Jackson (D), Stone Mountain. The bill was introduced in the House and assigned to the House Judiciary committee last week. The bill was presented in the House Judiciary Full committee this week, and there was a brief discussion vetting the timing for this bill to go into effect and for who it will protect. The bill received a vote DO PASS.
 
S.B. 114 Professional Licensing Board for Past Crimes bill sponsored by Rep. Randy Robertson (R), Catuala. The bill was presented in the House Regulated Industries committee. There was a brief walkthrough of the bill, and it received a vote of DO PASS.
 
S.B. 143 Lien Conformity Statute bill sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Tippins (R), Marietta. The bill was presented in the House Full Judiciary Committee. There was a brief walkthrough of the bill, and it received a vote of DO PASS. The bill was carried in the House by Rep. Todd Jones (R), South Forsyth. The bill was voted on in the House and passed with a vote of 156 – 0.
 
S.B. 148 2021 Special Council on Tax Reform and Fairness for Georgians and the Special Joint committee on Georgia Revenue Structure bill sponsored by Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (R), Rome. The substitute bill was presented in the House Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight. There was discussion about the substitute, and those appointed to the committee would not include a CPA. The substitute bill received a vote of DO PASS. The substitute bill was carried in the House by Rep. Lee Hawkins (R), Gainesville. After being presented to the House, Floor deliberation occurred in opposition. The substitute bill was voted on and FAILED with a vote of 20 – 139.
 
S.B. 156 Chief Labor Officer bill sponsored by Sen. Marty Harbin (R), Tyrone. The substitute bill was presented in the House Industry & Labor committee. There was a brief walkthrough of the bill, followed by an extensive discussion about how this can help with the unemployment crisis. The Dept. of Labor commissioner was present and heavily questioned. The committee recommended tabling the bill for a later meeting.
 
S.B. 168 Telecommunication Meeting bill sponsored by Sen. Larry Walker III (R), Perry. The substitute bill was presented in the House Banks and Banking committee. There was a brief walkthrough of the substitute bill, and it received a vote of DO PASS. The substitute bill was carried in the House by Rep. Stan Gunter (R), Blairsville. The substitute bill was voted on in the House and passed with a vote of 161 – 0.
 
S.B. 193 Mobile Home Property Tax Sticker bill sponsored by Sen. Jeff Mullis (R), Chickamauga. The bill was presented in the House Governmental Affairs General Government Subcommittee. The bill was a brief walkthrough of the bill, and the bill received a vote of DO PASS. The bill was presented in the House Governmental Affairs Full committee and received a vote of DO PASS.
 
S.B. 195 Department of Agriculture Hemp Farming Housekeeping bill sponsored by Sen. Jeff Mullis (R), Chickamauga. The substitute bill was presented by Rep. John Corbett in Sen. Mullis's absence to the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs committee. Rep. Corbett pointed out the processing of hemp language changes that were the same in his Hemp bill, H.B. 336. The language exempts specific processes and procedures from being qualified practices. The substitute bill received a vote of DO PASS.
 
S.B. 201 Dept. of Revenues, Financial Institution Data Match bill sponsored by Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (R), Rome. A substitute bill was presented in the House Ways & Means Public Finance and Policy subcommittee. The substitute addresses the concerns that CBA had with the original bill that DOR introduced. The substitute bill received a vote of DO PASS. Finally, a new substitute bill was presented in the House Full Ways & Means committee, which removed language and applied it to the whole section related to the disclosure of information to an asset holder. The bill received a vote of DO PASS.
 
S.B. 238 Georgia Code Revision bill sponsored by Sen. Brian Strickland (R), McDonough. A substitute bill was presented in the House Code Revision committee. There was a brief walkthrough of the substitute bill, and it received a vote of DO PASS.

Legislative Days 28-31
March 8, 2021 to March 11, 2021
  
Monday, Day 28 of the legislative session, was Crossover day.  What does crossover day mean?  Crossover day is the last day for legislation to pass the chamber in which it was introduced and transfer to the other chamber for consideration.  Senate bills must pass the Senate, and House bills must pass the House. Any bill that does not receive a vote in its initial chamber by Day 28 cannot move on in the legislative process until the next legislative session.  However, CBA will continue to monitor bills throughout the remainder of the session to make sure no controversial topics are introduced or added that would adversely impact community banks. As a reminder, this is the first session of a 2-year legislative cycle and bills that did not crossover or that do not make it to the floor for a vote this session are carried over into the 2022 Legislative Session.
 
Committee meetings are now hosting the opposite chambers legislators to present their bills for the next process towards passage. The Rules committee Chairmen are starting to add each other bills to the floor for debate and voting.  Apparently, there had been some delay on the House side in scheduling Senate bills for a vote which caused some controversy in both Rules committees on Wednesday and Thursday morning. Following this apparent delay, the Senate made it clear that they would prevent any House Bills from being put on the Senate calendar until the House's hold up was resolved. Only one Senate Bill was put on the House's calendar this week, which caused the Senate Rules committee to declare that they will only match the House's pace by scheduling one House bill for Monday. At least the bill set for Monday will be the DBF Housekeeping Bill (H.B. 111), which gives us something to look forward to next week.  Gamesmanship and the power struggle between the House and Senate is alive and well again this session.  If nothing else, it provides some entertaining discussions during committee meetings.
 
In other news, through all the commotion down at the Capitol this week, Thursday was a day to celebrate Speaker Ralston's birthday, which included song and dance on the House floor from our legislators before the weekend.

For your reference, we have a tracking document that can be accessed at any time on our website that will show the bills we are tracking/monitoring. They are highlighted in different colors of importance for your convenience and are sorted from the top of the sheet by bill/resolution number. We are keeping everything up to date as much as possible, given the circumstances surrounding the pandemic.
 
New Bill that CBA is Tracking
 
H.B. 681 was introduced in the House on Wednesday, March 3rd by Rep. Bill Yearta (R), Sylvester.  The bill relates to competencies and core curriculum relative to quality basic education and provides a course of study in financial literacy for students in tenth or eleventh grade.  The bill was assigned to the Education committee.  The bill was presented in the House Education committee last week on Friday and received a vote of DO PASS by committee substitute.  A new substitute bill was presented and passed in the Rules committee for a minor language change that the Board of Education wanted adjusted.  Finally, the bill was voted on in the House and passed with a vote of 169 – 2. The bill was introduced in the Senate and was assigned to the Education & Youth committee.
 
H.B. 733 was introduced in the House by Rep. Tyler Smith (R), Bremen. The bill relates to definition regarding guaranteed asset protection waivers. The bill was assigned to the Insurance committee.
 
H.B. 746 was introduced in the House by Rep. Marvin Lim (D), Norcross. The bill relates to an employer’s duty to provide a safe place of employment. The bill was assigned to the Industry & Labor committee.
 
S.B. 291 was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Jennifer Jordan (D), Atlanta. The bill relates to compensation for occupational disease and includes COVID-19 within the meaning of occupational disease for essential workers. The bill was assigned to the Insurance & Labor committee.
 
Other Items:
 
This is a bill we are tracking that did NOT cross over this session.  However, it was presented in committee after Crossover Day:
 
H.B. 664 Georgia Industrialized Buildings Act sponsored by Rep. Mesha Mainor (D), Atlanta. The bill was presented in the House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs committee for a hearing only. Rep. Mainor described the alternative uses of unused shipping containers to become modular homes.

​All updates are current as of the writing of the blog.
 
H.B. 63 Lease Vehicle Tax Exemption sponsored by Rep. Shaw Blackmon (R), Bonaire. The substitute bill was presented in the Senate Finance committee. There was a brief walkthrough of the substitute bill and it received a vote of DO PASS.
 
H.B. 90 Timber Land Conversion sponsored by Rep. Bruce Williamson (R), Monroe. The substitute bill was voted on by the Senate and passed with a vote of 47 – 0.
 
H.B. 112 COVID-19 Liability and Immunities sponsored by Rep. Trey Kelley (R), Cedartown. The bill was presented to the Senate Judiciary Full committee. The bill was discussed and questioned extensively for the need of the liability protection to continue. There was further discussion about this continuation to still include gross negligence this far out from the initial beginning of COVID-19 pandemic. A proposed amendment failed to strike out gross negligence and leaving all other from the statue. The bill received a vote of DO PASS.
 
H.B. 138 Leased Property Crime Disclosure sponsored by Rep. Mesha Mainor (D), Atlanta. The substitute bill was voted on by the House and passed with a vote of 128 – 34. The substitute bill was introduced in the Senate and assigned to the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs committee.
 
H.B. 149 "S" Corporation Tax bill sponsored by Rep. Bruce Williamson (R), Monroe. The bill was presented in Senate Finance committee. There was brief discussion over the fiscal note that would have no impact on state revenues. The substitute bill received a vote of DO PASS.
 
H.B. 292 Board of Equalization Training Requirement bill sponsored by Rep. Noel Williams, Jr. (R), Cordele. The bill was presented in the Senate Finance committee. There was a brief walkthrough of the bill and it received a vote of DO PASS.
 
H.B. 317 Innkeeper Taxation bill sponsored by Rep. Ron Stephens (R), Savannah. The substitute bill was voted on by the House and passed with a vote of 147 – 22. The substitute bill was introduced in the Senate and assigned to the Finance committee.
 
H.B. 327 Organized Retail Crime Prevention Act bill sponsored by Rep. Martin Momtahan (R), Dallas. The substitute bill was voted on by the House and passed with a vote of 120 – 48. The substitute bill was introduced in the Senate and assigned to the Judiciary committee.
 
H.B. 333 Georgia Transparency & Campaign Finance Commission bill sponsored by Rep. Chuck Efstration (R), Dacula. The substitute bill was introduced in the Senate and assigned to the Ethics committee.
 
H.B. 336 Hemp Farming bill sponsored by Rep. John Corbett (R), Lake Park. The substitute bill was presented in the Senate Agriculture & Consumer Affairs committee. There was a brief walkthrough of the Annual Dept. of Agriculture bill on Hemp Farming. A proposed amendment failed to replace the misdemeanor penalty with a felony penalty. The original substitute bill received a vote of DO PASS.
 
H.B. 428 Computer Equipment Sales Tax Exemption bill sponsored by Rep. Chuck Martin (R), Alpharetta. The substitute bill was voted on by the House and passed with a vote of 170 – 0. The substitute bill was introduced in the Senate and was assigned to the Finance committee.
 
H.B. 451 Finished Good Inventory Tax Exemption bill sponsored by Rep. Eddie Lumsden (R), Armuchee. The bill was introduced in the Senate and assigned to the Finance committee.
 
H.B. 465 Alarm Contractor False Alarm bill sponsored by Rep. Joseph Gullett (R), Dallas. A substitute was passed in the Rules committee to update and correct a definition. The new substitute bill was voted on by the House and passed with a vote of 113 – 52. The substitute bill was introduced in the Senate and was assigned to the Government Oversight committee.
 
H.B. 497 Annual Code Revision Commission bill sponsored by Rep. Chuck Efstration (R), Dacula. The bill was presented in the Senate Judiciary Full committee. There was a brief walkthrough of the Annual Code Revision Commission bill and it received a vote of DO PASS.
 
H.B. 498 Combined Family Farm and Dairy Farm Equipment Tax Exemption bill sponsored by Rep. Sam Watson (R), Moultrie. The bill was voted on by the House and passed with a vote of 169 – 1. The bill was introduced in the Senate and was assigned to the Finance committee.
 
H.B. 532 Dept of Labor Employment Security bill sponsored by Rep. Bill Werkheiser (R), Glennville. The substitute bill was voted on by the House and passed with a vote of 165 – 5. The substitute bill was introduced in the Senate and was assigned to the Insurance & Labor committee.
 
H.B. 554 Revised lis pendens Procedure bill sponsored by Rep. Stan Gunter (R), Blairsville. The substitute bill was introduced in the Senate and assigned to the Judiciary committee.
 
H.B. 611 Small Businesses Definition bill sponsored by Rep. Mike Cheokas (R), Americus. The bill was voted on by the House and passed with a vote of 169 – 3. The bill was introduced in the Senate and was assigned to the Finance committee.
 
H.B. 620 Guardian and Ward bill sponsored by Rep. Rob Leverett (R), Elberton. The substitute bill was introduced in the Senate and assigned to the Judiciary committee. A new substitute bill was presented in the Senate Judiciary full committee. The new clarifying language changes that were added after the House passed the bill were discussed. The substitute bill received a vote of DO PASS.
 
H.B. 714 was introduced in the House by Rep. Trey Kelley (R), Cedartown. The bill was presented in the House Special Committee on Access to the Civil Justice System last Friday. Three amendments were presented during the meeting to correct language inconsistences and issues. The bill received a vote of DO PASS by committee substitute. A new substitute was presented and passed in the Rules committee to make final updates and correction to two definitions in the bill. Finally, the bill was voted on by the House and passed with a vote of 137 – 31. The substitute bill was introduced in the Senate and was assigned to the Insurance & Labor committee.
 
S.B. 49 Building Review Exemptions sponsored by Sen. Clint Dixon (R), Buford. The substitute bill was presented to the House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs committee for a hearing only. There was some discussion on what qualified an individual to be a building inspector as well as the reasoning as to why a conveniency fee would be collected when the municipality did not do the inspection. The bill is being held for another meeting.
 
S.B. 75 Termination of Residential Lease bill sponsored by Sen. Kim Jackson (D), Stone Mountain. The bill was introduced in the House and assigned to the Judiciary committee.
 
S.B. 95 Public Hearing Teleconferencing bill sponsored by Rep. Frank Ginn (R), Danielsville. The bill was presented in the House Governmental Affairs General Government subcommittee. The bill received a vote of DO PASS. The bill was then presented in the House Governmental Affairs Full committee for a hearing only. It was disclosed that the Governor’s Office is working on some language changes for the bill and the bill will be held for a later meeting.
 
S.B. 143 Lien Conformity Statute bill sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Tippins (R), Marietta. The bill was presented in the House Judiciary Scoggins Subcommittee. There was a brief walkthrough of the bill and it received a vote of DO PASS.
 
SB 156 Chief Labor Officer bill sponsored by Sen. Marty Harbin (R), Tyrone. The substitute bill was voted on by the Senate and passed with a vote of 32 – 18. The substitute bill was introduced in the House and was assigned to the Industry & Labor committee.
 
S.B. 193 Mobile Home Property Tax Sticker bill sponsored by Sen. Jeff Mullis (R), Chickamauga. The bill was reassigned from the House Ways & Means committee to the House Governmental Affairs committee.
 
S.B. 238 Georgia Code Revision bill sponsored by Sen. Brian Strickland (R), McDonough. The bill was voted on by the Senate and passed with a vote of 53 – 0. The bill was introduced in the House and was assigned to the Code Revision committee.

House Bills:
H.B. 19 - Due Process in Civil Forfeiture Act, by Rep. Sandra Scott (D), Rex.
 
H.B. 22 - Homeless Veterans Housing Authority, by Rep. Sandra Scott (D), Rex.
 
H.B. 29 - Annual Report on Wealth of Georgians, by Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick (D), Lithonia.
 
H.B. 74 – Unlawful to Defraud a Creditor’s Rights, by Rep. Dale Washburn (R), Macon.
 
H.B. 104 – Tax on Rental Agreements for Equipment, by Rep. Ron Stephens (R), Savannah.
 
H.B. 137 – Tax Credit for Property Condemnation, by Rep. Mitchell Scoggins (R), Cartersville.
 
H.B. 142 – Education Tax Credits for Insurance Companies, by Rep. Kasey Carpenter (R), Dalton.
 
H.B. 147 – License Endorsement for Establishing Residency, by Rep. Heath Clark (R), Warner Robins.
 
H.B. 151 – Terminate Tax Exemption on Public Property, by Rep. Rhonda Burough (D), Riverdale.
 
H.B. 181 – Workplace Notices for New Employees, by Rep. Marvin Lim (D), Norcross.
 
H.B. 184 – Unfair Trade Practice for Rental Property, by Rep. Marvin Lim (D), Norcross.
 
H.B. 197 – Sick Leave for Employee Family Care, by Rep. Regina Lewis-Ward (D), McDonough.
 
H.B. 198 – Georgia Higher Education Savings Plan, by Rep. Philip Singleton (R), Sharpsburg.
 
H.B. 204 – Prohibit Discrimination in Housing & Employment, by Rep. Sandra Scott (D), Rex.
 
H.B. 229 – Fair Business Practice Act and Digital Applications, by Rep. Kasey Carpenter (R), Dalton.
 
H.B. 230 – Protection from Discrimination on Hairstyles, by Rep. Kim Schofield (D), Atlanta.
 
H.B. 235 – Temporary Bonus Depreciation of Business Assets, by Rep. Will Wade (R), Dawsonville.
 
H.B. 243 – Local Government Annexation of Property, by Rep. Brad Thomas (R), Holly Springs.
 
H.B. 257 – Maternity Supportive Housing Act, by Rep. Ed Setzler (R), Acworth.
 
H.B. 260 – Cybersecurity Liability Protections, by Rep. Todd Jones (R), South Forsyth.
 
H.B. 299 – Military Fair Housing Act, by Rep, Sandra Scott (D), Rex.
 
H.B. 301 – Landlord to Tenant Notices, by Rep. Sam Park (D), Lawrenceville.
 
H.B. 311 – Insurance Tax Credits, by Rep. Viola Davis (D), Stone Mountain.
 
H.B. 332 – Restrict Employment Non-Compete Clause, by Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick (D), Lithonia.
 
H.B. 337 – Tangible Personal Property Tax Extension, by Rep. Ron Stephens (R), Savannah.
 
H.B. 344 – Landlord & Tennant General Warranty Rights, by Rep. Josh McLaurin (D), Sandy Springs.
 
H.B. 350 – Employee Jury Duty Participation Benefits, by Rep. Viola Davis (D), Stone Mountain.
 
H.B. 352 – Property Tax Bill Assessments, by Rep. Martin Momtahan (R), Dallas.
 
H.B. 356 – Prohibit Employment Age Discrimination, by Rep. Kim Schofield (D), Atlanta.
 
H.B. 379 – Employment Salary Information Disclosure, by Rep. Renitta Shannon (D), Decatur.
 
H.B. 380 – Employment Security Benefits, by Rep. Kim Schofield (D), Atlanta.
 
H.B. 389 – Definition of Employment Revision, by Rep. Todd Jones (R), South Forsyth.
 
H.B. 391 – Employment Policies Against Bullying, by Rep. Mandisha Thomas (D), Atlanta.
 
H.B. 393 – Tax on High-Technology Data Center, by Rep. Ron Stephens (R), Savannah.
 
H.B. 397 – Worker’s Comp. for Coemployer Employees, by Rep. Bill Werkheiser (R), Glennville.
 
H.B. 399 – Georgia Higher Education Savings Plan, by Rep. Heath Clark (R) Warner Robbins.
 
H.B. 408 – Property Dispossessory Initiation Procedure, by Rep. Sharon Cooper (R), Marietta.
 
H.B. 416 – Real Estate Transfer Tax Calculation, by Rep. Shaw Blackmon (R), Bonaire.
 
H.B. 417 – Real Estate Transfer Tax Calculation, by Rep. Shaw Blackmon (R), Bonaire.
 
H.B. 422 – Conservation Use Property, by Rep. David Knight (R), Griffin.
 
H.B. 426 – Property Sales with Tax Levies, by Rep. David Knight (R), Griffin.
 
H.B. 427 – Conservation Use Property, by Rep. David Knight (R), Griffin.
 
H.B. 429 – Business Property Tax, by Rep. David Knight (R), Griffin.
 
H.B. 467 – Landlord Consent Proof for Tenant Home Business, by Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick (D) Lithonia.
 
H.B. 482 – Valuation of Land for Agricultural Incentive Zones, by Rep. Marvin Lim (D), Norcross.
 
H.B. 483 – Owners Rights to Install Solar Energy Device, by Rep. Spencer Frye (D), Athens.
 
H.B. 487 – Destination Marketing Organization Tax Refund, by Rep. David Dreyer (D), Atlanta.
 
H.B. 500 – GA Agribusiness & Rural Jobs Act 2nd Round, by Rep. James Burchett (R), Waycross.
 
H.B. 504 – GA Agribusiness & Rural Jobs Act 2nd Round, by Rep. Bruce Williamson (R), Monroe.
 
H.B. 510 – Nonrefundable Earned Income Tax Credit, by Rep. Houston Gaines (R), Athens.
 
H.B. 522 – DBF Conduct Community Reinvestment Evaluations, by Rep. Marvin Lim (D), Norcross.
 
H.B. 524 – Landlord to Tenant Rights and Responsibility Notice, by Rep. Marvin Lim (D), Norcross.
 
H.B. 527 – Tax Credit for Retaining 90% of Employees, by Rep. Yasmin Neal (D), Jonesboro.
 
H.B. 549 – Georgia Safe Workplace Act, by Rep. Bee Nguyen (D), Atlanta.
 
H.B. 550 – Unfair Trade Practice for Failure to Disclose License, by Rep. Marvin Lim (D), Norcross.
 
H.B. 561 – Condominium Bulk Owner Termination Agreement, by Rep. Spencer Frye (D), Athens.
 
H.B. 563 – Tax Exemption for High-Technology Data Centers, by Rep. Todd Jones (R), South Forsyth.
 
H.B. 573 – Public Restriction of Property Tax Records, by Rep. Philip Singleton (R), Sharpsburg.
 
H.B. 581 – Insurance Consumer Bill of Rights Act, by Rep. Martin Momtahan (R), Dallas.
 
H.B. 584 – Daily Overtime Pay for Eligible Employees, by Rep. William Boddie (D), East Point.
 
H.B. 592 – Gross Negligence Standard for COVID-19, by Rep. Matthew Wilson (D), Brookhaven.
 
H.B. 594 – Tax on Transactions of Digital Goods & Services, by Rep. Kasey Carpenter (R), Dalton.
 
H.B. 598 – Insurer Liability for Refusing to Cover Losses, by Rep. Joseph Gullett (R), Dallas.
 
H.B. 607 – GA Veterans Work Opportunity Tax Credit, by Rep. Karen Bennett (D), Stone Mountain.
 
H.B. 616 – Potential Unique ID’s for Business & Entities, by Rep. Timothy Barr (R), Lawrenceville.
 
H.B. 618 – Elder Abuse Protection for Wills, by Rep. Bert Reeves (R), Marietta.
 
H.B. 636 – Employee Rest Break, by Rep. William Boddie (R), East Point.
 
H.B. 643 – Terminate Tax Exemption on Public Property, by Rep. Rhonda Burough (D), Riverdale.
 
H.B. 656 – COVID-19 Credit Report Protection Act, by Rep. Penny Houston (R), Nashville.
 
H.B. 664 – Georgia Industrialized Buildings Act, by Rep. Mesha Mainor (D), Atlanta.
 
HB. 674 – Financial Institutions Earned Wages Access Service, by Rep. Tom Kirby (R), Loganville.
 
H.B. 679 – Mobile Homes Display Tax Decals, by Rep. Mike Cameron (R), Rossville.
 
H.B. 698 – Paid Parental Leave for Employees, by Rep. Spencer Frye (D), Athens.
 
H.B. 699 – COVID-19 Worker Protections, by Rep. Spencer Frye (D), Athens.
 
H.B. 700 – COVID-19 Occupation Disease for Essential Workers, by Rep. Spencer Frye (D), Athens.
 
House Resolutions:
H.R. 53 – COVID-19 Pandemic Credit Reporting Moratorium, by Rep. Kim Schofield (D), Atlanta.
 
H.R. 72 – COVID-19 Negative Credit Reporting Moratorium, by Rep. Kim Schofield (D), Atlanta
 
H.R. 117 – House Study Committee on HOA’s and Others, by Rep. William Boddie (R), East Point.
 
H.R. 164 – Open-Space Land for Agricultural Incentive Zone, by Rep. Marvin Lim (D), Norcross.
 
H.R. 249 – Enact Legislation Related to Cannabis, by Rep. Micah Gravely (R), Douglasville.
 
Senate Bills:
S.B. 1 – Georgia All-Payer Claims Database, by Sen. Dean Burke (R), Bainbridge.
 
S.B. 14 – Employment Security Benefits for Personal File, by Sen. Tonya Anderson (D), Lithonia.
 
S.B. 24 – Raise Minimum Wage Law, by Sen. Gloria Butler (D), Stone Mountain.
 
S.B. 58 – Refundable Earned Income Tax Credit, by Sen. Elena Parent (D), Atlanta.
 
S.B. 63 – Fair Business Practice Act and Digital Applications, by Sen. Matt Brass (R), Newnan.
 
S.B. 96 – Veterans Health ID’s to be Valid for Notary Acts, by Sen. Lester Jackson (D), Savannah.
 
S.B. 136 – Repeal Arrest by Private Persons, by Sen. Gloria Butler (D), Stone Mountain.
 
S.B. 139 – Civil Forfeiture upon Criminal Conviction, by Sen. Gloria Butler (D), Stone Mountain.
 
S.B. 151 – Organized Retail Crime Prevention Act, by Sen. John Albers (R), Roswell.
 
S.B. 154 – Property Owners Association Property Assessment Cap, Sen. Donzella James (D), Atlanta.
 
S.B. 206 – Landlord & Tenant Past Evictions During COVID-19, by Sen. Nikki Merritt (D), Grayson.
 
S.B. 227 – Eminent Domain Alternative Process, by Sen. Harold Jones II (D), Augusta.
 
S.B. 243 – Revise the Offense of Improper Sexual Contact, by Sen. Jennifer Jordan (D), Atlanta.
 
S.B. 278 – Employee Protections for Reporting Violations of Law, by Sen. Nikki Merritt (D) Grayson.
 
Senate Resolutions:
S.R. 125 – Gender Diversity on Boards & Senior Management, by Sen. Lester Jackson (D), Savannah.

Legislative Days 25-27
March 1, 2021 to March 5, 2021

​​The legislature was in session three days during week 7, which allowed two full days of committee meetings.  This allowed committee-assigned bills to get through their vetting process and to have the opportunity to come to the floor for a vote before Crossover day.  The final adjournment schedule (H.R. 264) was passed and Sine Die was set as March 31, 2021. 
 
Under the new adjournment, the schedule sets out that Monday, March 8th (or Day 28 of the session), will be Crossover day.  Crossover is the last day that a bill can pass in one chamber and be sent to the next chamber.  Bills that fail to do so are no longer in consideration during the current session.  Since we are down to the wire to get bills crossed over, the House has instilled a debate rule that limits the amount of time a bill can be debated on the floor.  It has been fascinating to watch the legislative process and see how quickly a bill can move through the process and make it to the floor for a vote.  There will be a number of bills that are attempting to make it through the process that will not make it to the floor for a vote.  Bills that fail to crossover can be carried over and voted on next year.  

For your reference, we have a tracking document that can be accessed at any time on our website that will show the bills we are tracking/monitoring. They are highlighted in different colors of importance for your convenience and are sorted from the top of the sheet by bill/resolution number. We are keeping everything up to date as much as possible, given the circumstances surrounding the pandemic.
 
H.B. 656 was introduced in the House by Rep. Penny Houston (R), Nashville. The bill relates to commerce and trade and provides credit reporting protection to consumers who have experienced financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill was assigned to the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs committee.
 
H.B. 664 was introduced in the House by Rep. Mesha Mainor (D), Atlanta. The bill relates to units designed to be affixed to foundations or existing buildings and provides for the construction, design, and modification of industrialized buildings and tiny houses. The bill was assigned to the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs committee.
 
H.B. 679 was introduced in the House by Rep. Mike Cameron (R), Rossville. The bill relates to ad valorem taxation of property and grants counties the options of requiring that mobile homes procure and display decals.  The bill also revises the time for payment of related ad valorem taxes. The bill was assigned to the Ways & Means committee.
 
H.B. 698 was introduced in the House by Rep. Spencer Frye (D), Atlanta. The bill relates to labor and industrial relations and provides for paid parental leave for employees. The bill was assigned to the Industry & Labor committee.
 
H.B. 699 was introduced in the House by Rep. Spencer Frye (D), Atlanta. The bill relates to labor and industrial relations and provides protections for workers against COVID-19. The bill was assigned to the Industry & Labor committee.
 
H.B. 700 was introduced in the House by Rep. Spencer Frye (D), Atlanta. The bill relates to compensation for occupational disease and includes COVID-19 within the meaning of occupational disease for essential workers. The bill was assigned to the Industry & Labor committee.
 
H.B. 714 was introduced in the House by Rep. Trey Kelley (R), Cedartown. The bill relates to uninsured motorist coverage under motor vehicle liability policies and revises the liability of an insurer upon refusal to pay an insured for any loss pursuant to uninsured motorist coverage under motor vehicle liability policies.  The bill is similar to H.B. 598 by Rep. Joseph Gullett (R). The bill was assigned to the Special Committee on Access to the Civil Justice System committee.
 
H.R. 249 was introduced in the House by Rep. Micah Gravley (R), Douglasville.  The resolution urges the United States Congress to enact legislation and the State of Georgia to coordinate regarding financial services, insurance, investment, and taxation related to cannabis.  The resolution was assigned to the Regulated Industries committee. 
 
S.B. 278 was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Nikki Merritt (D), Grayson. The bill relates to employment security and provides protections for employees against retaliation for reporting violations of law. The bill was assigned to the Insurance and Labor committee.

H.B. 674 was introduced in the House by Rep. Tom Kirby (R), Loganville. The bill relates to financial institutions and provides requirements for earned wage access service providers and their required registration of the provider with the Department of Banking and Finance (DBF). The bill was assigned to the Industry & Labor committee.
 
The bill was presented to the House Industry & Labor committee. In the initial presentation on the bill, Bo Fears with the DBF pointed out numerous concerns/issues with the bill as drafted though he stated that DBF was neither for nor against the bill as drafted.  There were discussions that the bill would be moved to the House Banks & Banking Committee. 
 
The bill did not move and remained with the Industry & Labor Committee.  On Thursday, Rep. Kirby presented a substitute bill that removed DBF from the bill and inserted a rate cap based on current check casher statute, which would be 5% of wages or $5 whichever is greater.  The bill would allow an employee to request payment for wages that have been earned but not yet paid for a service fee and repayment would come from a deduction from the employee’s next pay check.  There were extensive discussions and testimonies on the bill and a few corporations that are in the Earned Wage Access space discussed how their company operates.  After a lengthy discussion on the pros/cons of the bill, a motion was made to table the bill for further discussion on this topic during the off session. 
 
CBA has concerns with the bill as this type of program appears to be an end-run around restrictions on pay day lending which would apply only to “Earned Wage Access Service Providers,” which do not fit clearly under the jurisdiction of any financial regulatory body. While banks are not expressly prohibited from being an Earned Wage Access Service Provider, it will likely be difficult for banks to offer the products referenced in this bill due to the regulatory scrutiny applied to small dollar consumer lending. The proponents of the bill go to great lengths to explain how the payroll advances are not actually loans, but we believe that this will be a distinction without a difference in the eyes of bank regulators. 

All updates are current as of the writing of the blog
 
H.B. 138 Leased Property Crime Disclosure sponsored by Rep. Mesha Mainor (D), Atlanta. The substitute bill was presented to the House Judiciary Full committee. Concerns discussed in the Judiciary Scoggins subcommittee were addressed in the substitute. There was discussion over what the origins of the bill were and how to implement this bill effectively with certain residency restrictions. The committee recommended an amendment and the substitute bill received a vote of DO PASS.
 
H.B. 244 Food Risk Reduction bill sponsored by Rep. Don Hogan (R), St. Simon's Island. The bill was voted on by the House and passed with a vote of 158 – 0. The bill was introduced in the Senate and assigned to the Industry and Labor committee.
 
H.B. 327 Organized Crime Act bill sponsored by Rep. Martin Momtahan (R), Dallas. A new substitute bill was presented in the House Judiciary Non-Civil Reeves subcommittee for a second time. Section 3 that caused controversy from last subcommittee meeting was taken entirely out through an amendment.  The change made the bill essentially the same as H.B. 488 from last year’s session. The substitute and amendment both received a vote of DO PASS. The substitute bill was presented to the House Full Judiciary Non-Civil committee. There was a brief walkthrough of the substitute bill and changes were discussed. The substitute bill received a vote of DO PASS.
 
H.B. 333 Georgia Transparency & Campaign Finance Commission bill sponsored by Rep. Chuck Efstration (R), Dacula. The bill was voted on by the House and passed with a vote of 164-0.
 
H.B. 334 Remote Online Notary bill sponsored by Rep. Joseph Gullett (R), Dallas. The bill was voted on by the House and passed with a vote of 167 – 2. The bill was introduced in the Senate and assigned to the Judiciary committee.
 
H.B. 336 Hemp Farming bill sponsored by Rep. John Corbett (R), Lake Park. The bill was introduced in the Senate and assigned to the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs committee.
 
H.B. 363 Protection of the Elderly bill sponsored by Rep. John LaHood (R), Valdosta. The bill was voted on by the House and passed with a vote of 171 – 0. The bill was introduced in the Senate and assigned to the Judiciary committee.
 
H.B. 389 Employment Security Bill sponsored by Rep. Todd Jones (R), South Forsyth. The substitute bill was presented in the House Industry & Labor committee. Changes in the substitute were walked through with highlight on how this bill will not affect workers compensation.  During the discussion of the bill, there was opposing testimony that led to being sure to consider the impact to certain employee’s that would fall under different categories of employment between Federal and State. The substitute bill received a vote of DO PASS.
 
H.B. 428 Computer Equipment Sales Tax Exemption bill sponsored by Rep. Chuck Martin (R), Alpharetta. The substitute bill was presented to the House Full Ways & Means committee. There was discussion on how some of the subcommittee changes had to be reinstated. Further discussion related to the proper procedure for claiming the tax credit at the point of sale. The substitute bill received a vote of DO PASS.
 
H.B. 451 Finished Good Inventory Tax Exemption bill sponsored by Rep. Eddie Lumsden (R), Armuchee. The bill was presented in the House Full Ways & Means committee. There was no discussion and the bill received a vote of DO PASS. The bill was voted on by the House and passed with a vote of 159-0.
 
H.B. 465 Alarm Contractor False Alarm bill sponsored by Rep. Joseph Gullett (R), Dallas. The bill was presented in the House Full Governmental Affairs committee. The only discussion on the bill was plan for an amendment to be added once the bill is in the senate about changing a date in the bill. The bill received a vote of DO PASS.
 
H.B. 470 Sub-Condominium Plat Recording bill sponsored by Rep. Dale Washburn (R), Macon. The bill was voted on by the House and passed with a vote of 165 – 0. The bill was introduced in the Senate and assigned to the Judiciary committee.
 
H.B. 477 Qualified Donation of Real Property bill sponsored by Rep. Sam Watson (R), Moultrie. The bill was voted on by the House and passed with a vote of 165 – 0. The bill was introduced in the Senate and assigned to the Finance committee.
 
H.B. 480 Registered Interior Designer Lien bill sponsored by Rep. Dale Washburn (R), Macon. The bill was voted on by the House and passed with a of 164 – 0. The bill was introduced in the Senate and assigned to the Regulated Industries and Utilities committee.
 
H.B. 497 Annual Code Department bill sponsored by Rep. Chuck Efstration (R), Dacula. The bill was voted on by the House and passed with a vote of 165 – 0. The bill was introduced in the Senate and assigned to the Judiciary committee.
 
H.B. 498 Combined Family Farm and Dairy Farm Equipment Tax Exemption bill sponsored by Rep. Sam Watson (R), Moultrie. The bill was presented in the House Full Ways & Means committee. The bill received a vote of DO PASS.
 
H.B. 532 Dept of Labor Employment Security bill sponsored by Rep. Bill Werkheiser (R), Glennville. The bill was presented in the House Industry & Labor committee for a second time. The Department of Labor commissioner was present to discuss and answer questions.  There was extensive discussion on how this bill will help to prevent unemployment fraud across the state. There was further discussion about how the Department of Labor has handled the unemployment crisis in Georgia today from COVID-19 and how this bill would help. An amendment was decided on for removing the investigators that this bill would enact for fraud investigation. The committee substitute bill received a motion of DO PASS.
 
H.B. 554 Revised lis pendens Procedure bill sponsored by Rep. Stan Gunter (R), Blairsville. The bill was voted on by the House and passed with a vote of 159-0.
 
H.B. 587 Georgia Economic Renewal Act of 2021 sponsored by Rep. Bruce Williamson (R), Monroe. A substitute bill was presented in the Rules committee to correct the way the new tax credits would be distributed to only new jobs this bill would create. The substitute bill received a vote of DO PASS. The bill was voted on by the House and passed with a vote of 157 – 14. The bill was introduced in the Senate and assigned to the Finance committee.
 
H.B. 611 Small Businesses Definition bill sponsored by Rep. Mike Cheokas (R), Americus. The bill was presented to the House Small Business Development committee. There was a short discussion over the new definition being changed to a three-tiered definition depending on the size and revenue of the small business classification. The bill received a vote of DO PASS. 
 
H.B. 620 Guardian and Ward bill sponsored by Rep. Rob Leverett (R), Elberton. A substitute bill was presented in the House Full Judiciary committee. During the discussion, an amendment to the bill was recommended to change a line of language that needed to be replaced. The committee substitute received a motion DO PASS. The bill was voted on by the House and passed with a vote of 164-0.
 
S.B. 75 Termination of Residential Lease bill sponsored by Sen. Kim Jackson (D), Stone Mountain.  The substitute bill was voted on by the Senate and passed with a vote of 48-0. 
 
S.B. 95 Public Hearing Teleconferencing bill sponsored by Rep. Frank Ginn (R), Danielsville.  The bill was presented in the Governmental Oversight committee last week. There was discussion on allowing public hearings and certain court cases to be held by teleconferencing purposes. The bill received a vote of DO PASS. The bill was voted on by the Senate and passed with a cote of 49 – 0. The bill was introduced in the House and assigned to the Governmental Affairs committee.
 
S.B. 114 Professional Licensing Board for Past Crimes bill sponsored by Rep. Randy Robertson (R), Catuala. The bill was voted on by the Senate and passed with a vote of 48 – 0. The bill was introduced in the House and assigned to the Regulated Industries committee.
 
S.B. 116 Maternity Support Housing Bill sponsored by Sen. Randy Robertson (R), Catuala. The bill was introduced in the House and assigned to the Health & Human Services committee.
 
SB 156 Chief Labor Officer bill sponsored by Sen. Marty Harbin (R), Tyrone. The bill was placed on the Senate Rules Calendar for a vote on Friday, but all bills were placed on the table so no action was taken on this bill. 
 
S.B. 168 Telecommunication Meeting bill sponsored by Larry Walker III (R), Perry. The substitute bill was voted on by the Senate and passed with a vote of 51 – 0. The bill was introduced in the House and assigned to the Banks & Banking committee.
 
S.B. 195 Department of Agriculture Hemp Farming Housekeeping bill sponsored by Sen. Jeff Mullis (R), Chickamauga. The substitute bill was voted on by the Senate and passed with a vote of 52 – 0. The bill was introduced in the House and assigned to the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs committee.
 
S.B. 238 Georgia Code Revision bill sponsored by Sen. Brian Strickland (R), McDonough. The bill was presented in the Senate Full Judiciary committee. It was explained that the bill will correct the Code where if an annotation is created under the Code it would be considered law by what a supreme courts decision left open. The bill received a vote of DO PASS.