CummingHome.com Your free local source for news, events, and business in and around Cumming, GA

_GA-Cumming Home is the leading provider of local news and online community for Cumming, GA. Fill up on Cumming news, Cumming politics, Cumming business info, and Cumming sports, plus lots of local lifestyle info, including coupons and real estate.

home > local news > government & politics

Your Tax Dollars at Work - A Complete list of Bills passed by the Georgia State Legislature in 2009

Originally Published Jun 29, 2009, 11:08am (Updated Jun 29, 2009, 11:09am)

1 comment(s)

E-mail this page

Print this page

Ever wonder what really goes on during those 40 days at the state capital, when representatives from your hometown meet? Here's a complete list of what your state government accomplished in 2009...

Bill Number				Bill Summary

Senate Bills
SB 8				Allows students to administer epi-pens at school for severe allergic reactions
SB 13				A person may be sentenced to life without parole without the prosecutor seeking the death penalty first.
SB 14				Restricts any person who is on the National Sex Offender Registry or the state sexual offended registry from becoming elected or serving on a local board of education
SB 20				Prohibits sanctuary policies - A “sanctuary policy” is defined as any regulation, rule, policy, or practice which prevents local officials or employees from reporting a person’s immigration status or otherwise providing immigration status information while such local official or employee is acting within the scope of his or her official duties. Local governments that violate this legislation will be subject to the withholding of state funding or state administered federal funding. The Department of Community Affairs, the Department of Transportation, or any other state agency that provides funding to local governing bodies may require certification of compliance with this legislation as a condition of funding.
SB 24				Creates a new article outlining the sentencing options system, which provides administrative sanctions to probationers as an alternative to judicial modification or revocation of probation
SB 26				Clarifies certain provisions of the state’s Open Records Act by exempting certain email addresses as well as specific information related to neighborhood watch or public safety notification programs
SB 27				Establishes April as Confederate History Month
SB 30				This legislation would require suppliers of automotive gasoline under marketing agreements to offer unblended gasoline to gasoline distributors and gasoline dealers. The unblended gasoline must be suitable for blending with fuel alcohol, which is alcohol, methanol, or fuel grade ethanol. No supplier of automobile gasoline may stop a gasoline distributor or gasoline dealer in Georgia from being a fuel blender or from qualifying for any federal or state tax credit due to fuel blenders.
SB 31				Georgia Nuclear Energy Financing Act
SB 38				Authorizes the GBI to perform an autopsy on a person whose death occurs within a state owned or leased building or on the surrounding property of such building. also authorizes medical examiners to provide to an approved canine instructor or school human remains or biological substances for the purpose of search and rescue training.
SB 43				Boll Weevil Eradication Fund changes
SB 44				Preference for Georgia-Made Products in state purchases - This bill provides that public schools and state and local governments are to give a preference in purchases to Georgia-made products whenever reasonable and practicable.
SB 46				Corrects typographical errors in the Official Code of Georgia
SB 47				Corrects typographical errors in the Official Code of Georgia
SB 48				Corrects typographical errors in the Official Code of Georgia
SB 55				Requires tax assessors to factor in neighborhood foreclosures when assessing the value of a home
SB 61				Establishes the oversight and regulation of life settlement contracts
SB 63				Exempts certain health plans from licensing provisions
SB 64				Provides for mandatory HIV testing of any person who has been in the custody of a penal institution for one year or longer and who has not previously tested positive.
SB 69				Expands the definition of "sexual exploitation"
SB 76				Repeals the requirement for workers' compensation insurers to annually file certain cost and payment information with the Insurance Commissioner's Office
SB 79				Expands access to child abuse records to apply to near fatal incidents; includes a new definition for the term “near fatality,” which will mean an act that places a child in serious or critical condition as certified by a physician.
SB 80				Food safety, testing and record keeping
SB 82				Adds certain requirements on recyclers regarding transaction records; a personal identification card is a drivers license with name, address, and photograph.
SB 85				Creates the Georgia Aviation Authority
SB 86				Requires Georgia citizens to provide proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote
SB 89				Allows the consumption of food and beverages in a rapid rail station or intermodal bus station
SB 94				Insurance policies can include dependants up to age 25
SB 97				Changes the designation of the State Merit System of Personnel Administration to the State Personnel Administration
SB 98				Changes certain references to the State Merit System of Personnel Administration to the State Personnel Administration
SB 104				Anyone desiring to obtain an Assistant Laser Practitioner license must have 2,000 hours of administering cosmetic laser service, received 3 certificates of laser/intense pulse light courses which are taught by a licensed physician, or continuing education educator. These requirements are new and in addition to the existing requirements except that the Composite State Board of Medical Examiners (Board) may now not waive any education requirements associated non-Georgia licensed practitioners.
SB 109				Transfers certain duties and obligations from the Department of Administrative Services to the Council of Superior Court Judges of Georgia, the Council of State Court Judges of Georgia, the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of the State of Georgia, and the Council of Juvenile Court Judges in regard to retirement.
SB 110				Provides exception to prohibition against trapping wildlife on public roads
SB 111				Removes light voltage restrictions when hunting wildlife at night
SB 114				Eases the transfer and transition for school-aged children of active duty members of the military
SB 117				Made in Georgia Program - requires a website to be created and maintained by the depart. of economic development for georgia made products - companies must make at least 50 percent of their products in georiga in order to qualify.
SB 122				This bill repeals the Georgia Retiree Health Benefit Fund and creates two funds: the Georgia School Personnel Post-employment Health Benefit Fund and the Georgia State Employees Post-employment Health Benefit Fund. On August 31st, 2009, the Board of Community Health must identify the funds held in the Georgia Retiree Health Benefit Fund that account for the payments made into the fund for the postretirement health benefits for public school teachers and public school employees, and for the postretirement health benefits for state employees and transfer such funds to the appropriate newly-created fund for such purpose. The Department of Community Health maintains responsibility for the proper operation of the funds created.
SB 128				Authorizes that boat trailers, utility trailers, and noncommercial cattle and livestock trailers will be eligible to obtain permanent registration and license plates
SB 133				Revises the Health Share Volunteers in Medicine Act
SB 141				Changes provisions of the “Georgia Fair Lending Act” related to the recording and fees for deeds under the power of sale and deficiency judgments as well as notice to the current resident of the property about the pending foreclosure
SB 144				Repeals a provision that allows an applicant for an insurance agent’s license to be appointed as an agent by an authorized insurer prior to the actual issuance of the license
SB 151				Testimony from crime victims and their families - gives family members of crime victims greater options in how they present their testimony before a jury. Allowa the family to submit an audio or videotaped testimony, as well as allow family members to present their statement via teleconference or by other electronic means. Under this legislation, a judge retains the right to review the testimony and decide what to permit in court.
SB 152				Creates the Agriculture Commodity Commission for Ornamental Plants
SB 155				Provides for an additional exception to 25-foot stream buffer requirement for emphemeral stream
SB 165				Medicaid and PeachCare income eligibility verification - authorizes the Department of Community Health (DCH) to obtain income eligibility verification from the Department of Revenue for Medicaid and PeachCare applicants. The state revenue commissioner will notify DCH as to whether an applicant’s income exceeds the relevant income threshold. DCH will pay the commissioner for all costs incurred by the Department of Revenue.
SB 168				Eliminates the requirement for a candidate for the General Asssembly to file copies of campaign contribution disclosure reports with his or her county election superintendent (candiates are already required to file with the State Ethics Commission; this eliminates duplication); Also revises the rulemaking powers of the State Etics Commission; requires elected public officers to specially disclose campaign contributions from employees or officers of entities that they regulate; and provides process for reporting the names of General Assembly members who do not file tax returns.
SB 170				Prohibits companies with business in Sudan from bidding on state contracts
SB 172				Allows victims to recover for emotional and mental trauma without physical injury
SB 177				Group Term life Insurance Benefits for LRS and JRS - amends provisions relating to retirement and pensions under the Employees' Retirement System (ERS), the Judicial Retirement System (JRS), and the Legislative Retirement System (LRS). Specifically, this bill would affect any person who becomes a member of the Employees' Retirement System as an appellate court judge, a member of the Judicial Retirement System, or a member of the Legislative Retirement System on or after July 1, 2009. If this legislation is enacted, those persons would no longer be eligible for the group term life insurance (GTLI) coverage provided by their respective retirement system. Any current participants in GTLI will remain with coverage.
SB 193				Work release and transitional centers during final year of incarceration - authorizes the Department of Corrections to consider certain offenders for participation in a transitional center or work release program during the offender's final year of incarceration.
SB 196				Right of way violations resulting in serious injuries - provides for a 30-day driver’s license suspension for anyone convicted two or more times of causing serious injury to another person due to a right of way violation resulting in a collision with a motorcyclist, bicyclist, pedestrian, or farmer operating any vehicle used to transport agricultural products. In addition to the suspension, the driver will be fined from $500.00 up to $1,000.00 and imprisoned from 10 days up to 12 months. Such fine will be mandatory and may not be waived, suspended, or conditioned upon the completion of any course or prison sentence. This legislation also clarifies current language related to penalties for driving without license. Finally, Section 6 of this legislation increases the administrative fee, from $15.00 to $22.00, that DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Programs must pay to DDS by $7.00. To make up for the fee, such programs are authorized to charge $7.00 more, from $75.00 to $82.00, for the assessment component of their programs.
SB 198				authorizes the Director of the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) to use the administrative fees collected from emission inspection stations to cover the costs of achieving compliance with federal and state statutes relating to air quality. This bill also contains a provision that allows EPD to grant a person a time extension to obtain an emission inspection certificate in the case of economic hardship, when waiver requirements have not been met. The time extension allows the person to make needed repairs on a vehicle.
SB 199				Suspends annual training requirement for probate and magistrate judges in 2009
SB 200				Changes transportation governance; appoints a director of planning; provides procedures for public-private partnerships that afford the greatest gains in congestion mitigation or promotion of economic development.
SB 201				Voluntary contributions for cancer research - Under current law, the Department of Human Resources can promote and solicit voluntary contributions through individual income tax returns to support the breast, prostate, and ovarian cancer research fund. This bill specifies that such contributions may be for all types of cancer research.
SB 207				Allows public into some juvenile deprivation hearings - extended family members, friends, neighbors and others who are concerned about a child’s welfare will have the right to attend hearings. This legislation will open hearings in juvenile courts for abused and neglected children. Judges will retain the right to close a juvenile deprivation hearing if it is in the best interest of the child, and if a written reason is given.
SB 210				Honors Program for Home School Students - This bill allows for the inclusion of home school students in the Governors Honor’s Program.
SB 213				No liability for manufacturers based on industry-wide liability theories in defective product and public nuisance cases; holds companies and corporations liable for actions that actually cause harm to consumers. It prevents abuse of the system.
SB 240				Amends existing provisions relating to County Boards of Equalization including arbitration and appeals to superior court; allows property owners to take assessment disputes directly to arbitration.
SB 246				requires the Department of Juvenile Justice (“DJJ”) to provide at least 48 hours notice to victims if a child accused of a violent delinquent act is released from detention, and at least 24 hours notice if a child detained pending adjudication is released.

Senate Resolutions
SR 96				Urges the Board of Trustees and the president of Georgia Military College to maintain the school’s current military program. It would also designate Georgia Military College as the State of Georgia’s Military Junior College.
SR 176				Dedicates various roads and bridges in honor of various people.
SR 257				A resolution creating the Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias Task Force
SR 294				This resolution authorizes the conveyance of certain state-owned property in several counties (13). The State Properties Commission has deemed these conveyances to be in the best interest of the State of Georgia.
SR 333				A resolution honoring the memory of the late Lamar Mobley by naming a barn on the Di-Lane Plantation Wildlife Management Area after him

House Bills
HB 2				Updates and clarifies many existing provisions in Georgia law related to verifying the legal immigration status of incarcerated individuals or individuals seeking public benefits
HB 29				Allows service of pleadings by e-mail with consent
HB 46				Ratifies the Executive Order dated May 12th, 2008, stemming from the rise in prices of fuel oils used in off-road, agriculture uses. It codifies the suspension of the sales tax collected on off-road dyed fuel and extends it through May 31, 2009.
HB 49				Allows the Georgia Board for Physician Workforce to apply for grants and accept donations for the purpose of studying ways to enhance the medical education infrastructure and improve the physician workforce in our state.
HB 57				Designates the Department of Revenue as the state agency responsible for the administration of the federal Unified Carrier Registration Act of 2005, which includes participating in the development, implementation, and administration of the Unified Carrier Registration Agreement.
HB 59				Authorizes a sales tax exemption on pharmaceutical samples and medicines provided to patients and/or used in clinical trials
HB 60				Prohibits persons who are exempt from the requirements of the Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists Licensing Law (such as clergy members or students) from presenting themselves to the public as being licensed to practice professional counseling.
HB 63				Redevelopment Powers for TADs; PILOT Restriction Act
HB 64				Specifies that a funeral director must file a death certificate within 72 hours. Physicians must return certification specifying the cause of death to the funeral director within 30 days, and those who fail to do so may be reported to the Composite State Board of Medical Examiners
HB 68				Relates to the operations of funeral homes and crematories. Also states that crematoriums cannot be located within 1000 feet of a plotted subdivision.
HB 69				Allows a physician to issue a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) when there is oral or written consent from an authorized health care agent operating under a durable power of attorney
HB 71				Makes novelty licenses illegal
HB 74				Brings the Georgia Code in par with the federal tax code
HB 80				Current law allows a corporation that is not publicly owned to effectuate life insurance upon its employees in whom it has an insurable interest, if the insurance contract or contracts held by the corporation cover at least 100 employees. This legislation reduces the 100 employee minimum to two employees
HB 86				Requires absentee ballots to be counted by precinct and separate returns to be made showing the results by each precinct
HB 93				Gives the Georgia Medical Center Authority additional powers
HB 101				This legislation authorizes the commercial advertisements on or in transit vehicles or facilities owned or operated by a transit agency. Allows local governments to remove or leave asbestos pipes in right of ways in contained in existing utility facilities owned by the local government.
HB 116				Extens the sales tax exemption on aircraft parts used on airplanes not registered in Georgia through June 30, 2011
HB 117				Corrects committee references throughout Code
HB 118				2009 Fiscal Year Supplemental Budget
HB 119				2010 Fiscal Year Budget
HB 120				Authorizes the annual sales tax holiday for school supplies and energy efficient appliances. The school supply holiday is set for July 30 through August 2, 2009. The energy and water efficient appliance holiday is set for October 1 through October 4, 2009.
HB 121				Ratifies an Executive Order dated June 2, 2008, that suspended the collection of motor fuel prepaid taxes that should have taken effect on July 1st 2008. It expired on December 31, 2008.
HB 123				Transmitting images of a person engaging in, inducing or otherwise participating in any immoral or indecent act to a child under age 16 with the intent to arouse or satisfy the sexual desires of either the child or the person will be considered child molestation.
HB 126				Enacts the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act to replace the Georgia Electronic Record and Signatures Act
HB 127				Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act
HB 129				Authorizes a sales tax exemption for goods used in the renovation and expansion of a qualifying zoo
HB 141				Annual housekeeping bill for the Department of Banking and Finance, which addresses the regulation of financial institutions and commercial paper in Georgia
HB 143				Requires the full funding of the Homeowner Tax Relief Grant (HTRG) for 2009, but allows for discretionary funding subject to specific growth in revenue for subsequent fiscal years.
HB 145				Child Support: This bill changes the procedure for claiming “low income” as a deviation; if a noncustodial parent requests a low income deviation, he/she must demonstrate no earning capacity or that child support would create an extreme economic hardship.
HB 147				Professional bondsmen will be required to provide the clerks of court with the business name, complete address, telephone number and e-mail address for the purpose of receiving notices, and they will be required to keep the information current and accurate.
HB 149				This bill creates the ‘Move on When Ready Act” that allows eleventh and twelfth graders to attend college for high school course credit
HB 156				Provides that any elected magistrate judge or elected public officer performing ordered military duty is eligible for reelection; service of such military duty does not create a vacancy in the office. The bill also allows for these judges or public officers to qualify as candidates in absentia by mail, messenger, or agent during their military duty.
HB 157				Changes the conditions under which the book allowance or mandatory fees under HOPE may be reduced due to a lottery shortfall
HB 160 - Part I				Increased Driver’s License Reinstatement Fees - Part I of this legislation increases several driver’s license reinstatement fees. These fees are imposed and collected by the Department of Drivers Services (DDS).
HB 160 - Part II				Part II of this legislation directs DDS to impose and collect a $200.00 fee from any driver who is convicted of driving at a speed of 85 miles per hour or more on any road or highway or 75 miles per hour or more on any two-lane road or highway. Upon conviction, such driver will be classified as a “super speeder.”
HB 167				Adds a new judge to Cherokee County State Court
HB 170				Changes the terms for the leasing of state owned marshland or water bottoms from a market rate to a fixed rate of $1000 per acre
HB 173				Permits non-compete and non-solicitation clauses in employment and business contracts, with conditions
HB 181				Extends the sunset date to December 31, 2011, on the DOR Commissioner’s authority to make distributions of unidentifiable sales tax proceeds.
HB 184				Requires the Department of Human Resources to make available in electronic format information regarding the importance of being tested for Sickle Cell Disease and recommend that applicants for a marriage license obtain such blood test. The department must make the information available to the probates courts for dissemination to marriage license applicants.
HB 186				Extends the income tax credit for teleworking through FY2012. It also increases the available credit to $2.5 million for Fiscal Years 2011 and 2012.
HB 189				Requires private child support collection agencies operating in Georgia to register with the Secretary of State and file sample contracts with consumers with the Office of Consumer Affairs. Also revises the applicability of the Georgia Arbitration Code because the General Assembly finds that entities need to cooperate with each other to ensure parents with better options on child support obligations.
HB 193				Allows the State Board of Education to define the length of the school year as 180 days or the equivalent number of hours
HB 195				EMC members can serve as jurors when EMC is a party to a case
HB 202				Retirement and pensions; ensures that provisions in Title 47 are in compliance with requirements outlined in the Federal Internal Revenue Code. This bill authorizes the boards of all public retirement systems operating under Title 47 of O.C.G.A. to adopt any rules which are required to meet the necessary federal compliance standards.
HB 210				Amends provisions relating to membership in the Georgia Judicial Retirement System. Clarifies hat persons who are members as a result of their employment with the Office of Legislative Counselor or the Attorney General's Office will be subject to the same provisions applicable to solicitors-general of the state court. Also, it clarifies that the employer contributions paid on behalf of such members will be paid by the respective employers of the members.
HB 212				The State sales tax exemption for qualifying jet fuel purchases is extended through June 30, 2011. Delta and any other qualifying airlines that are exempt must have an excess of 750,000 takeoffs and landings in one year.
HB 216				Changes terms of court in Cordele circuit
HB 217				Sets forth the requirements for influenza vaccine protocol agreements between physicians and pharmacists or nurses
HB 221				Parties cannot use writs of mandamus or prohibition until a motion to recuse a judge has been filed
HB 226				Allows judges to require certain defendants sentenced to probation to complete a period of confinement in a probation detention center
HB 227				Allows voters who have obtained a restraining order or who are residents of family violence shelters to request that their addresses remain confidential
HB 228				Reorganizes state's health and human services agencies, placing duties into three departments: The Department of Community Health; The Department of Human Services; and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
HB 229				Requires schools to conduct annual fitness tests on students in grades first to twelfth
HB 233				Freezes all real property valuation assessments at zero percent from January 1, 2009, through the Sunday before the second Monday in January, 2011. This applies to real property assessed for county, county and independent school districts, and city purposes.
HB 237				Allows the adoptive parents of hard-to-place foster children to receive financial assistance regardless of whether the adoption is private or handled by the state.
HB 243				A teacher who receives a salary increase for holding national board certification will not receive the increase if they leave a teaching position after March 1, 2009
HB 245				Reduces max time a juvenile can be sentenced to a youth development center from 60 to 30 days
HB 248				Creates a voluntary, cost-effective program for the clean-up of hazardous waste sites. In order to enroll any qualifying property in the program, an applicant must submit to the Director of the Environmental Protection Division a voluntary remediation plan (plan) prepared by a registered professional engineer or geologist. This plan will be considered an application for enrollment and must include an application fee of $5,000.
HB 251				Allows students to transfer schools within their district
HB 254				DHR must attempt to locate the adult relatives of a child removed from the custody of his or her parents; requires notice of child placement procedures; provides for conditions that must be met prior to a child placement.
HB 261				Authorizes an income tax credit for the purchase of a single-family home within the six months after the effective date. The home must be owner-occupied. The credit is only available once and is 1.2 percent of the purchase price or $1,800 divided over three years.
HB 280				Provides salary increase for math and science teachers in 2010
HB 283				Eliminates cap on bar exam fee; This bill also increases the filing fee for writs of certiorari and appeals in the state Court of Appeals and Supreme Court from $80 to $300, except that criminal cases and habeas corpus cases will retain the $80 fee.
HB 300				Requires local school systems to provide information to parents on meningococcal meningitis disease and its vaccine
HB 302				Relates to telecommunications and competition development, and adds that a telecommunication company that charged a customer for a service from a non-affiliated third party must provide to the customer the ability to block the associated charge
HB 304				This legislation revises the rights of county appraisers and tax assessors and authorized agents of the county to go onto property to conduct official business: Before entering private property a written notice or a reasonable notice must be provided stating the purpose for which the person is entering. The Senate added language that requires notices to taxpayers of right to file a property tax return, and same will be provided on the county website and that an unremarried surviving spouses or minor children of disabled veterans will receive a homestead exemption up to $32,500 or on a subsequent homestead in that same county.
HB 306				Electronic pretrial release and monitoring
HB 308				Technical changes to GA LLC Act
HB 310				Statewide recycling program -statewide recycling program for state agencies is to include steel cans, plastic and glass bottles, and all grades of paper, including cardboard. The bill also states that the General Assembly finds that it is in the best interests of the state to encourage recycling and that state agencies can contribute in a meaningful way.
HB 312				Provides licensing and educaton requirements for mortgage brokers
HB 313				Revises provisions relating to the calculation of a student’s grade point average to determine HOPE eligibility so as to reflect the fact that Georgia no longer issues separate college preparatory and career/technical diplomas. Under this bill, all students enrolled in the ninth grade for the first time by the 2008-2009 school year must have a G.P.A. of at least 3.0 to meet achievement standards for the HOPE scholarship.
HB 315				Disclosure requirements for real estate brokers - requires all fees and other valuable consideration be disclosed by real estate brokers and salespersons for all real estate transactions. Failing to fully disclose, or preventing the disclosure of, such information will be considered an unfair trade practice.
HB 318				Ad valorem taxation on heavy duty vehicles - If a car or truck is used in a county other than the county where the owner claims a homestead exemption or domicile, then the car or truck must be returned to the county where the farm is located for taxation. Ad valorem taxation on heavy duty vehicles (including earth-movers) will be due the year of purchase until the end of 2011. There is only a two-year exemption so the best benefit will occur if the vehicle is purchased in 2010 rather than 2011. This exemption will not apply to publicly-traded companies.
HB 324				Court procedures must be the same for state and superior court
HB 326				Provides for the addition of two-year or other multi-year fishing and hunting licenses. Makes numerous changes to the fees and types of game and fish licenses and permits
HB 330				Workers' compensation provisions - result of the recommendations by the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Board.
HB 334				Authorizes the DOR commissioner to require electronic payment of tax liabilty
HB 343				Designates members of the Motor Carrier Compliance Division as Law Enforcement Officers
HB 344				Allows courts to impose an additional fee for each day a defendant is required to report to a day reporting center
HB 349				Sales and use tax exemption for new construction of civil rights museum
HB 358				Extends the sales tax exemption on prepared food and beverages which are donated to non-profit relief programs through June 30, 2011
HB 364				Sales and use tax; airplane flight simulation training device
HB 368				Annual drug update bill
HB 371				This bill revises the definition of 'large retirement system.' The definition would be expanded to include any public retirement system that has assets in excess of $200 million. Currently, certain public retirement systems that have assets in excess of $50 million and have an accumulated unfunded actuarial liability not greater than 25 percent of total assets may be classified as 'large retirement systems.' This legislation would also revise provisions relating to investments in foreign corporations or obligations for 'large retirement systems.' Currently, 'large retirement systems' may not invest more than 15 percent of the retirement system assets in such investments. If this legislation is enacted, the limitation would be removed for 'large retirement systems.'
HB 379				Eliminates an income tax loophole for use of captive Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT) to reduce income
HB 388				Option of Adoption Act: This bill would allow a “legal embryo custodian,” defined as a person who holds the legal rights to a human embryo, to contract with a “recipient intended parent,” or person who receives a relinquished embryo and who accepts full legal rights for the embryo and any child that may be born as a result.
HB 395				Extends a sales and use tax exemption for goods used in construction of a symphony hall through FY2011
HB 410				Repeals the requirement that high deductible health plans be issued in conjunction with a Health Savings Account (HSA) in order to qualify for an exemption from state and local premium taxes, as well as qualifying for a 100 percent deduction from income taxes in the amount of the premium paid. The exemption from local premium taxes is applicable for all taxable years beginning with January 2010 and sunsets on January 1, 2015. All other exemptions and deductions are applicable for all taxable years beginning with January 2009.
HB 427				Provides criteria for pervasive property in an enterprise zone
HB 436				Requires the Georgia Technology Authority to publish an annual expenditure report
HB 438				This legislation amends language regarding income tax credits for job creation; certain definitions are amended including “business enterprise” which will be broadened to include an enterprise or organization but which has registered and authorized to use the federal “E-Verify” system.
HB 439				This legislation allows credits to be taken the first year the job is created and the four years afterward. Businesses may also take credits against monthly or quarterly income withholding if the Economic Development Commissioner determines there to be a significant regional economic impact; this should assist businesses to use all the credits the year they are earned. Further, the availability of job retraining credits is constrained by expressing that retraining will not include mass-produced word processing software, data and information management, presentations, spreadsheets, e-mail, or operating systems. The credit can never exceed $2500 per full-time employee annually.
HB 440				Exempts rideshare programs from being classified as private carriers
HB 441				Authorizes a taxpayer to request an expedited payment of sales tax claim for refund from the DOR Commissioner
HB 444				Authorizes civil penalties and injunctive relief against tax preparers for understatement of liability
HB 452				Amends provisions relating to retirement and pensions under the Employees' Retirement System, the Judicial Retirement System, and the Legislative Retirement System. Any person who becomes a member of one of these retirement systems on or after July 1, 2009 will not be eligible to receive any postretirement benefit adjustments.
HB 453				Extends real estate sunset dates from 2012 to 2014
HB 455				This bill allows local boards of education, for the 2009-2010 school years, an extension when offering an employee who is certified by the Professional Standards Commission an employment contract. The current deadline to offer a contract is April 15 and will extend until May 15 with this legislation.
HB 457				Revises the definition of "disabled adult" to include a person with Alzheimer’s disease. The bill further provides that anyone who acts with specific intent to abuse, neglect, or exploit any disabled adult (including persons with Alzheimer’s) who is a resident of a long-term care facility will be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment of one to five years.
HB 464				Current law authorizes prisons to require inmates to reimburse the prison for the cost of medical services. This legislation makes an exception for severe mental health designations as determined by the Department of Corrections (DOC). This legislation also designates medication, prescribed for medical conditions unrelated to pregnancy or chronic illnesses, as a medical expense that could be reimbursed by the inmate. This legislation also provides that hospitals and hospital authorities that treat a state inmate for emergency services but do not have a contract with DOC will only be reimbursed up to the Medicaid reimbursement rate for emergency services. This provision does not prohibit DOC from negotiating higher fees or rates with providers.
HB 473				This legislation provides grants for clean energy properties supplied from federal funds for a limited period through December 31, 2012. The grants will apply to commercial properties placed into service between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2012. Grant recipients will not be eligible for income tax credits that apply to clean and/or solar energy. The Georgia Technology Authority will be exempt from sales and use taxation; this is from House Bill 435
HB 475				Revises requirements for nursing education programs for registered or licensed nurses
HB 476				Retirement benefit options under the Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund
HB 477				Removes a requirement that an application for certain creditable service be made within a certain period
HB 482				Exempts business inventory from state ad valorem tax
HB 484				Deems the dependent children of military personnel stationed in Georgia on active duty as residents for the purposes of receiving the HOPE scholarship
HB 485				Provides for alternative tax credits for base year port traffic
HB 487				Increases the amount of employee contributions paid by persons who first or again become members of the Fund on or after September 1, 2009 to $100 per month. Requires $1.00 to be paid to the Superior Court Clerks' Retirement Fund from fees charged and collected in each civil suit, action, case, or proceeding filed in the Superior Courts or in any other court of this State in which the clerk is eligible for membership in the Fund. The fund collects $2.00 for each criminal or quasi-criminal case for violation of violation of state law if the case is tried in a court in which the clerk is eligible for membership in the Fund.
HB 488				This bill amends provisions relating to retirement benefits under the Superior Court Clerks' Retirement Fund. It prohibits any member from being credited with service for any time in which the member was not in compliance with the training requirements outlined in Code Section 15-6-50(c) of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. Provisions of this legislation would apply to persons who first or again become members of the Superior Court Clerks' Retirement Fund on or after September 1, 2009.
HB 492				Provides that private residence clubs and private residence club developments are not time-share estates or time-share uses
HB 495				Creates a new statute that allows probate court judges to appoint associate probate court judges to serve concurrently with the appointing judge, subject to approval by the county governing authority; if a vacancy in probate court occurs after January 1 in the last year of a probate judge’s term of office, the person assuming the duties of the judge will be commissioned and will serve the remainder of the term of office. No special election will occur in this circumstance. The bill also states that probate courts will have jurisdiction over the appointment and removal of conservators of minors, guardians of incapacitated adults, conservators of incapacitated adults, and guardians of property.
HB 509				Establishes the Medical Practice Act of the State of Georgia. It provides for comprehensive revision of the membership and duties of the Composite State Board of Medical Examiners, and it revises licensing requirements for physicians, acupuncturists, physician assistants, respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists, and practitioners of orthotics and prosthetics.
HB 528				Homeowner associations that charge annual fees over $500 must provide expense list to homeowners
HB 529				This bill provides limited liability for landowners who allow people to come onto their land for the purpose of hunting, fishing or agritourism, provided that there is a warning sign posted and the guests sign a waiver. No county, municipality, consolidated government, or other political subdivision will adopt or enforce any ordinance, rule, regulation or resolution regulating crop management or animal husbandry practices involved in the production of agricultural or farm products on any private property. This bill encompasses language from Senate Bill 75.
HB 549				Requires clerks of superior courts to transmit monthly lists to the Secretary of State of all persons who identify themselves as not being United States citizens during qualification to serve as jurors, including their addresses, ages, and other identifying information in a format prescribed by the Secretary of State.
HB 550				Allows a mutual insurer to become a stock insurer that gives each policyholder payment as a paid-up life insurance policy with a cash value equal to 100 percent of the policyholder's equity in the insurer
HB 552				Prohibits any well or borehole to be drilled or used for injecting surface water into the Floridan aquifer in any county governed by the Georgia coastal zone management program before July 1, 2014
HB 555				This bill amends to the “Charter Schools Act of 1998” (Act) which originally only applied to schools approved by the local board of education. The Act now includes commission charter schools and the Georgia Charter Schools Commission. Additionally, the bill includes a provision that authorizes the Department of Education to ensure that any funds that are not used by the Georgia Charter Schools Commission will be returned to the Department of Education. A local charter school that is using a facility given to them by a local board is prohibited from selling or disposing of any such facility without the permission of the local board.
HB 575				Change in the criminal definition of kidnapping
HB 581				Georgia Works Job Creation and Protection Act of 2009: Extends Unemployment Benefits
HB 607				This legislation specifies that the Governor appoint to the Board of Public Safety, and with the advice and consent of the Senate, an individual who is a member of the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs.
HB 608				Expands definition of time share estate to include real property held in irrevocable trust
HB 639				Special license plates; protect wild dolphins in Georgia
HB 667				This bill requires parties to a hospital acquisition to pay the actual and reasonable costs and expenses incurred due to the retention of experts or consultants, directly to such experts or consultants within 30 days after notifying the Attorney General.

House Resolutions
HR 161				A resolution compensating Mr. John Jerome White
HR 279				A resolution authorizing nonexclusive easement grants for operation and maintenance of facilities and utilities in Candler, Cobb, Dawson, Douglas, Fulton, Grady, and Muscogee counties
HR 336				This resolution dedicates various roads and bridges in honor of various people.

Click HERE for more info...

Comments

1 comment(s) on this page. Add your own comment below.

Jim Callihan

Jul 7, 2009 5:22pm [ 1 ]

QUOTE: "Here's a complete list of what your state government accomplished in 2009... " END QUOTE:::

SB101 - not on the list, did this not become State law as of 7/1/09? Giving all drug companies 100% immunity from civil suit? Exposing the citizens of this State in hopes of "pharma growth"? (btw...didn't work out so well for Michigan when they pulled this treason/betrayal).

HOPING!!! It never became law and your list really is "complete"?

Add a Comment

Please be civil.

sitemap xml

First Name:
Last Name:
Your email address:
Type a Question Here:
Enter the security code shown:

CummingHome.com Your free local source for news, events, and business in and around Cumming, GA

_GA-Cumming Home is the leading provider of local news and online community for Cumming, GA. Fill up on Cumming news, Cumming politics, Cumming business info, and Cumming sports, plus lots of local lifestyle info, including coupons and real estate.

Your Tax Dollars at Work - A Complete list of Bills passed by the Georgia State Legislature in 2009

Comments

Add a Comment

More from Government & Politics

Local News

Visit Our Sponsors