Yesterday in the Georgia Legislature – Feb 22, 2023

This is an informal rundown of the legislative happenings. This update is from the most recent legislative day – 02/22/23, or Day 22

All of these bills now head to the Senate for consideration.

HB 121 – Rep. Victor Anderson
LINK: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/63750 
WHAT IT DOES:

• Adds code section to define ‘wakeboarding’ and ‘wakesurfing’ in OCGA 52-7-13.1
• Adds a list of prohibited times and locations for wakeboarding & wakesurfing to include:
  • Between sunset and sunrise
  • On a body of water less than 50 acres in size
  • On body of water where the width is less than 400 feet
  • Within 200 feet of a shoreline or a dock, pier, boathouse, or other structure located  completely or partly on the water
  • When not wearing a lifejacket
• Exclusions apply if the DNR commissioner has issued permits for certain tournaments and events ($$$)

CONCERN:  North Korea called. They want their Kim Jong Anderson back.
This is not the proper role of government. Additionally, most rivers are not 400 ft wide but people can wakeboard on them without issue or danger to anyone. Not all bodies of water are created equal.
PASSED: 164-6 (NO VOTES: Byrd, Carpenter, Horner, Rhodes, Ridley (6th), Ridley (20th))

HB 167 – Rep. Martin Momtahan 
LINK: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/63834 
WHAT IT DOES:

• amends the list of individuals with a suspended, revoked, or canceled license eligible to apply for a limited driving permit by adding persons not in compliance with a child support order. 

CONCERN:  To God be the dang glory. How is anyone supposed to pay child support if they can’t get to work? Finally.
PASSED: Passed 168-0

HB 203 – Rep. Mark Newton
LINK: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/63908 
WHAT IT DOES:

• This bill pertains to sale/dispensary of prescriptions of/for contact lenses and glasses 
• Defines contact lens, dispensing, kiosks, eye examinations, spectacles, prescriptions, 
• Prohibits over-the-counter sales of eyeglasses with more than  +3.25 diopters.
• Prohibits anyone writing prescriptions for glasses/contacts without the proper licensing AND without performing an eye exam
• Requires that the person dispensing maintain liability insurance

CONCERN:  Same bill passed the House in 2021, but failed to reach final approval because it made it a misdemeanor on 1st and 2nd offense and FELONY on the third offense (with $1,000 fine). This version makes it a civil penalty with up to $11,000 fine paid to the Attorney General’s Office. It passed 155-0 in 2021, so apparently it is the desire of the House to have this legislation, but this is at least an improvement from unnecessarily making it a criminal act. 
PASSED: Passed 171-0

HB 207 – Rep. Trey Rhodes
LINK: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/63944 
Substitute: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20232024/214745 
WHAT IT DOES:

• Adds language to modify code section to apply to when operating vessels in the ‘coastal waters of the state’
  • Still includes all vessels except those that are manually propelled, recreational vessels less than 16 feet in length,  and nonmotorized open sailboats that are less than 26 feet in length
• Changes language on ‘duty to render assistance and identify self/vessel’
  • Strike current code on crashes on waterways and replaces with more specific language about”
    • Immediately stopping the vessel
    • Providing name/registration information/license information (if requested)
    • Rendering aid to any other person, so long as it can be done so safety without threatening their own vessel/passengers, including transporting to doctor/surgeon/hospital
    •  Immediately notify law enforcement if a person/persons in other vessel appear unconscious, unable to communicate, deceased, etc.
    • Requires driver to remain at scene, unless leaving to contact emergency personnel is absolutely necessary
  • Failing to do anything of these, knowingly and willingly, is punishable by 1-5 years in prison.
• Includes other clean-up language like changing ‘man’ to ‘individual, etc.

CONCERN:  Very specific exclusions. If it was about safety, wouldn’t it apply to everyone? (minus canoes, kayaks, and paddle boats) Also, Hit & Run in a vehicle is not necessarily a felony, which this would be with spending 1-5 years in prison.
PASSED: Passed 170-0

HB 226 – Rep. Sharon Cooper
LINK: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/63980 
WHAT IT DOES:

• allows the Department of Community Health to submit a waiver request to Medicare/Medicaid to provide treatment to people with HIV
  • To be eligible for the waiver to be submitted on their behalf, the person must:
    • Not have health insurance
    • Have an income < 138% of the federal poverty level

CONCERN: I would imagine the health care associated with NOT treating them is far more costly than treating them.  
PASSED:

HB 285 – Rep. Lehman Franklin 
LINK: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/64087 
WHAT IT DOES:

• Strikes existing code section which caps ERS retirement from an aggregate investment cap of 5%

CONCERN:  Risk it all!
PASSED: 171-0

HB 299 – Rep. Brad Thomas 
LINK: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/64137 
WHAT IT DOES:

• Adds ‘United States Space Force’ to every reference of the US military

CONCERN:  None.
PASSED: 168-0

HB 317– Rep Darlene Taylor
LINK:https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/64163
WHAT THE BILL DOES:

• Adds a new code section (47-19-11) to define ‘funeral services’ for the purpose of allowing group life insurance benefits paid to a retiree or a vested individual’s beneficiary for use of the benefits to pay for funeral services so long as the person being paid is licensed by the State Board of Funeral Services.
• This is only for state employees.
• The request for payment of the funeral services must be submitted in writing by the beneficiary with the death certificate number in order for the State Employees’ Assurance Department to pay for the services.

CONCERN: None, as it is for employees of the state. 
PASSED: 171-1 (Rep. Michelle Au)

HR 157 – Rep. Gerald Greene
LINK: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/64246 
WHAT IT DOES:

• Annual conveyance bill

CONCERN:  None.
PASSED: 168-0

HR 158 – Rep. Gerald Greene
LINK: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/64247 
WHAT IT DOES:

• Annual easements bill

CONCERN:  None.
PASSED: 163-0