Yesterday in the Georgia Legislature – Feb. 14, 2022

Here’s what happened in the Georgia Legislature Day 16. (February 14 was Legislative Day 16)
This informal report on Georgia legislative activities does not include every action by the House & Senate.

House Floor Votes

1. Roll Call – no recorded vote
2. Local Calendar (these bills were voted on – most were Census updates to county districts)
3. HB 1134 – Rep. Chuck Efstration This measure gives the Attorney General additional jurisdiction when it comes to ‘criminal gang related activity.’ It also gives the office the authority to employ law enforcement officers for the purposes of cracking down on criminal gang activity. (Passed 101-56)
4. HB 963 – Rep. Butch Parrish This is the annual update on definitions for the Controlled Substances Act which defines Scedule I and Schedule IV controlled substances. (Passed 157-0)
5. HB 1089 – Rep. Vance Smith This bill increases the fine from violations of the motor vehicle registration requirements. Currently the fine is $25 and this bill increases the fine to $145 for each violation.  (Passed 151-6)
6. HB 1154 – Rep. John Carson This is an amendment to the Cobb County Commissioners districts based on the 2020 Census. (Passed 95-64)
7. Re: HB 1154 – The House then voted to ‘Immediately Transmit’ the bill to the Senate (Passed 95-61)
8. HB 1028 – Rep. Ginny Ehrhart This bill changes the Cobb County School districts based on the last Census. This is the measure that prompted a dispute in a recent House committee during which Rep. Darlene Taylor called for security regarding Rep. David Wilkerson (who represents Cobb) (Passed 94-59)
9. Re: HB 1028 – The House then voted to ‘Immediately Transmit’ the bill to the Senate (Passed 94-59)
10. HB 907 – Rep. Tyler Paul Smith  This measure addresses when special elections can be held AND include a question for voters related to sales and use taxes for transportation (TSPLOST) (Passed 122-31)
11. HB 841 – Rep Matt Dollar This bill to incorporate the City of East Cobb already passed the House 2/1/22. It was sent to the Senate, amended slightly, and sent back to the House for final approval. It now goes to the Governor’s desk. (Passed 96-42)

Senate Floor Votes

1. Morning Roll Call
2. Senate Local Calendar vote – These bills were voted on. (All Passed 53-0)
3. In Re: HB 907 – This was a Motion to Engross the bill (a procedural vote) (Passed 34-20)
4. HB 907 – Rep. Tyler Paul Smith This is the same measure from above voted on by the House. The bill on when special elections can include votes on TSPLOST was amended in the House and Senate, with each chamber needing to sign off on amendments made by the other. It now goes to the Governor’s desk for signature. (Passed 43-11)
5. SB 84 – Sen. John Albers SB 84 addresses the Peace Officers Annuity and Benefit Fund to amend who may be eligible for the fund. In Section 3 of the bill, ‘communications officers’ or dispatch officers, who are certified and maintain compliance with POST may be eligible for the fund. The bill also adds language to require the Georgia Emergency Communications Authority and the Department of Revenue to coordinate to ensure the fund receives adequate funding for the addition. (Passed 52-2)
6. SB 316 – Sen. Jason Anivitarte This bill makes any offense of stalking a ‘high and aggravated misdemeanor’ if the offense is committed by an adult against a minor who is under the age of 18 (Passed 33-21)
7. SB 341 – Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick This measure addresses the guidelines for prior authorization of prescribed medications used by persons for ‘ongoing medication therapy.’  (Passed 52-0)
8. SB 364 – Sen. Blake Tillery This measure addresses class action lawsuits against persons who are sued for violating provisions pertaining to telephone solicitations (Passed 52-0)

Miss something from Georgia Legislature Day 16? Let us know.

Other Legislative Day Rundowns

• Yesterday In The Georgia Legislature – Feb. 1-2, 2022
• Yesterday in the Georgia Legislature – Jan. 24-26, 2022