Gold Dome Report - February 2018 #10

After breaking for Washington’s Birthday, the General Assembly began its all-out sprint to Crossover Day today with both chambers finishing their work before lunch only to reconvene in a flurry of committee meetings. Reports of many committees meeting today are included below, but check tomorrow’s Report and follow #GoldDomeReport on Twitter for late updates.

The House will take up six health-related bills on the floor tomorrow, including HB 769, the health recommendations emerging from the House Rural Development Council. The House will also consider provisions to decriminalize the provision of clean needles by syringe services programs, allow sharing of prescription drug monitoring program data, and increase the value of the rural hospital organization tax credit. Details on these bills and more in today’s Gold Dome Report.

In this Report:

• Committee Reports
• New Legislation
• Rules Calendars for Legislative Day 24

Committee Reports 

House Regulated Industries Committee

The House Regulated Industries Committee, chaired by Rep. Howard Maxwell (R-Dallas), met today to consider a number of propositions, including:

• HB 847, authored by Rep. Joyce Chandler (R-Grayson), is an interstate compact which would be known as the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact in Chapter 39 of Title 43.  It would allow the practice of telepsychology and provide for the temporary authorization for psychologists to practice by psychologists within and through states who enter this Compact.  It would address additional regulatory authority for the Georgia State Board of Examiners of Psychologists. Rep. Chandler spoke to the legislation’s role in expanding telehealth services in Georgia, and representatives of the Georgia Psychological Association fielded questions on the bill. Rep. Beth Beskin (R-Atlanta) inquired whether the bill expanded the scope of practice in Georgia for out-of-state practitioners, to which the answer was no. Rep. John Deffenbaugh (R-Lookout Mountain) asked whether such telehealth services were being reimbursed by insurance, the answer to which is yes. The Committee unanimously recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee.
• HB 915, authored by Rep. Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville), amends Titles 16, 42, and 48 to update the code relating to licensure, regulation, and education of massage therapists. Rep. Hawkins introduced the bill, and Judy LeFave of the Georgia Chapter of the American Massage Therapists Association, spoke on the bill. The bill was referred to the Professions Subcommittee to convene interested parties and work out a handful of remaining issues relating to the local government parts of the bill.

Senate Judiciary Committee

The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Sen. Jesse Stone (R-Waynesboro), met today to consider one bill. SB 375, authored by Sen. William Ligon (R-Brunswick), is the “Keep Faith in Adoption and Foster Care Act". Sen. Ligon stated that the bill would provide more opportunities to place children in homes and assurances to faith-based organizations that they can continue to operate according to their mission statements. Sen. Elena Parent (D-Atlanta) asked if, under the ADA and CRA of 1964, agencies could already deny placements with LGBT adoptive parents, to which Sen. Ligon answered yes. Sen. Parent also asked whether this legislation might restrict opportunities for adoptions rather than opening them up, to which Sen. Ligon disagreed. Sen. Josh McKoon (R-Columbus) asked a series of friendly questions to the author to articulate that the legislation would not prevent fit parents from adopting or limit LGBT couples from adopting. Sen. Ligon reinforced that the legislation is intended to make clear that the state will continue doing business with faith-based agencies. Sen. Parent continued to inquire as to whether the legislation was a solution in search of a problem, noting she had not seen an instance when a contract with a faith-based agency and the state has been denied. Sen. Parent further expressed her belief that State funds should not be used by agencies that discriminate for any reason. Sen. Harold Jones II (D-Augusta) also spoke against the bill, noting his belief that a court would ultimately find it unconstitutional.

No public testimony was taken, but Chairman Stone directed members to a summary of public testimony before the subcommittee prepared by the Senate Research Office. The Committee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee.

Senate Health and Human Services Committee

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee, chaired by Renee Unterman (R-Buford), had seven bills on their agenda today. The Committee will meet again on Thursday, and most likely, Friday morning at 8AM, to review the numerous bills still pending.

• SB 325, authored by Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick, (R-Marietta), is called the "Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Act."  This allows for the Georgia Composite Medical Board to administer the physician compact in this state so that physicians do not have to become recertified when they move to Georgia.  Sen. Unterman noted that it took her two years to get the nursing compact approved, so she hopes that the physician compact will not take that long.  There was no discussion and the Committee unanimously voted the bill DO PASS.
• SB 351, authored by Sen. Renee Unterman, (R-Buford), changes the regulations of advanced nursing practice across Georgia to better assist rural areas where healthcare is not as easily attainable.  The substitute bill presented today changes two things from the original bill.  It broadens the reach of the bill to include the entire state, not just rural areas.  Sen. Unterman noted that this provision will allow more people to find work.  In addition, it strikes out life threatening in reference to x-rays and MRIs.  RNs are not able to prescribe and can only practice with a protocol agreement.  Senator Unterman discussed the changes, but there was no public discussion.  The Committee unanimously voted the bill DO PASS.
• SB 359, authored by Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, (R-Rome), introduced the bill as the "Consumer Coverage and Protection for Out-of-Network Medical Care Act."  This bill is for emergency care, and protects the consumer from out-of-network fees during emergency situations. It was introduced and passed the Senate last year, but did not emerge from the House.  He noted that the hardest part to get the House to agree to is the rates.  The Medical Association of Georgia and GSRA support the bill.  The Committee discussed an amendment to add “usual and customary in-network rate.”  The Medical Association of Georgia noted that that language might be confusing, so the bill was held until Thursday for revisions.
• SB 382, authored by Sen. P.K. Martin, IV, (R-Lawrenceville), Optometrists guidance and consultation by the Department of Public Health; provide.  This bill will be heard on Thursday as Sen. Unterman is still working with Sen. Martin on revising this bill.
• SB 422, authored by Sen. Renee Unterman, (R-Buford), exempting pharmacists in clinical laboratories from provisions when performing certain tests.  There was very little discussion and the Committee unanimously voted the bill DO PASS.
• SB 420, authored by Sen. Michael “Doc” Rhett (D-Marietta), requires that health clubs have at least one functional automated external defibrillator on site at their facility if they have 100 or more clients.  Sen. Rhett introduced the bill by noting that he is still an active lifeguard.  One day, he was working and had to run across the street to the library to get a defibrillator when a client was having a heart attack.  There was a question about how these machines are regulated and as to how much they cost.  Legal counsel advised that the current regulations cover the functionality of these machines.  Sen. Rhett noted that these machines are around $1,000 plus the cost of training every two years (~$50).  One Committee Member moved that the minimum number of people be changed to 250 clients so as not to give an undue burden to smaller gyms, which was adopted.  It also exempts the person using the defibrillator from liability.  The Committee unanimously voted the bill DO PASS.
• SB 434, authored by Sen. Renee Unterman, (R-Buford), changes the name of the Georgia Board for Physician Workforce to the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce.  It also adds a nurse to the board.  She didn’t add a physician assistant as requested by Sen. Kirkpatrick as she is worried that would open the door for a representative from every type of healthcare practice in the state to the board—making it too cumbersome to be effective.  She also noted that there are many more nurses in this state.  Sen. Kirkpatrick noted that they voted internally to change their name at their last quarterly meeting, as well.  The Committee unanimously voted the bill DO PASS.

House Health and Human Services Committee

The House Health and Human Services Committee, chaired by Rep. Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta), met today and considered six propositions:

• HB 513, authored by Rep. Pam Dickerson (D-Conyers), requires the Department of Community Health to develop standards for and hospitals, infirmaries, and health departments to post a sign that indicates locations where a newborn child may be left such that the mother can avoid criminal prosecution. The Committee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee.
• HB 647, authored by Rep. Katie Dempsey (R-Rome), provides for a pilot program to provide coverage for the treatment and management of obesity and related conditions in the state’s health insurance plans. The pilot program will provide coverage of all FDA approved medications for chronic weight management for eligible participants in conjunction with obesity prevention, screening, and counseling benefits for up to 1,000 state employees over two years. Members of the Committee had numerous questions regarding the covered medications, how they work, and side effects. The Committee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee.
• HB 755, authored by Rep. Park Cannon (D-Atlanta), establishes a pilot program to provide preexposure prophylaxis drug assistance or services to persons at risk of being infected with HIV. The program will focus on four counties (Fulton, Fannin, Haralson, and Towns) identified by the CDC as currently at risk of an HIV outbreak due to the opioid crisis. The program is expected to cost approximately $380,000 for three years. Chairman Cooper requested that an amendment be offered to make it effective only upon appropriations. The Committee recommended the bill DO PASS by Committee Substitute (adopting Chairman Cooper’s recommendation) and be sent to the Rules Committee.
• HB 909, authored by Rep. Deborah Silcox (R-Sandy Springs), amends Title 31 to allow the Department of Public Health to designate perinatal facilities providing maternal or neonatal care. The legislation requires the department to create designation criteria and procedures, as well as post a list of designated centers. This bill was requested by the Department of Public Health to align Georgia with the 36 other states that have a similar designation program. Dr. Jane Ellis spoke on behalf of the bill for the Georgia OB/GYN Society. The Committee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee.
• HR 1016, authored by Rep. Karen Bennett (D-Stone Mountain), recognizes and proclaims the necessity for diabetes education in Georgia. The Committee recommended the resolution DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee.
• HR 1194, authored by Rep. David Knight (R-Griffin), creates the House Study Committee on Retrospective Emergency Room Policies. Rep. Knight made specific reference to Blue Cross Blue Shield’s post-care review policy, noting that it requires the patient to “play doctor” and try and determine if he or she is sick enough to go to the emergency room. Chairman Cooper and Rep. Ed Rynders (R-Albany) shared in Rep. Knight’s frustration. The Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals and Medical Association of Georgia spoke in favor of the legislation. The Committee recommended the resolution DO PASS and be sent to the Rules Committee.

House Insurance Committee – Life & Health Subcommittee

The Life & Health Subcommittee of the House Insurance Committee, chaired by Rep. Darlene Taylor (R-Thomasville), met to consider three propositions today:

• HB 689, authored by Rep. Rick Williams (R-Milledgeville), makes provisions for payment of funeral expenses for an intestate decedent who has bank assets or life insurance proceeds. The Subcommittee recommended the bill DO PASS and be sent to the full Insurance Committee.

The Subcommittee was also slated to consider HB 519, authored by Rep. Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta), which requires health benefit plans to utilize certain clinical review criteria to establish step therapy protocols for prescription drugs, and HB 799, also authored by Rep. Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta), which requires a hospital that treats an out-of-network patient for emergency care contact the patient’s insurer once the patient is stabilized if the patient requires post-stabilization care. Both were being considered as substitutes, but the Subcommittee did not have copies of the relevant substitutes. After waiting several minutes for the bills to arrive, the Subcommittee adjourned without taking action.

New Legislation

The following propositions were introduced in the House:

• HB 943 – Rep. Karen Mathiak (R-Griffin) proposed a new Code Section in the Insurance Code at O.C.G.A. § 33-24-59.23 to require health plans to provide coverage on or after July 1, 2018 for less addictive opioids, opioid addiction treatments and opioid alternative treatments.   Such coverage is to be provided to insured and enrolled individuals at the same cost or less cost than every Schedule II opioid medication outlined in O.C.G.A. § 16-13-26.  Such coverage is to have the same annual deductible, coinsurance or copayment or utilization review applicable to other similar covered benefits. It also requires that a health plan cover such less addictive opioid, opioid addiction treatment or opioid alternative treatment should the enrollee/insured switches to a new provider of health benefit policies for at least 30 days without requiring a prior authorization. There are key definitions for these elements for coverage included in the legislation:

'Less addictive opioid' means any opioid medication with less addictive potential than the Schedule II controlled substances listed in paragraph (1) or (2) of Code Section 16-13-26, including, but not limited to:
(A) Buprenorphine; and
(B) Embutramide.
'Opioid addiction treatment' means any treatment, including medication or therapy, for the treatment of addiction, including, but not limited to: (A) Cognitive behavioral therapy; (B) Buprenorphine based medication or injections; (C) Naloxone based medication or injections; (D) Naltrexone based medication or injections; and (E) In-patient and outpatient treatment for whatever length of time deemed medically appropriate by the patient's physician, prescriber, or other medical professional.
'Opioid alternative treatment' means any treatment, including medication or therapy or other intervention offered for the management of pain, that does not include an opioid medication listed as a Schedule II controlled substance in paragraph (1) or (2) of Code  Section 16-13-26, including, but not limited to:
(A) Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or any other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; (B) Corticosteroids; (C) Tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, gabapentinoids, or other similar drugs; (D) Anticonvulsants; (E) Injections, including local or regional anesthetic nerve blocks; (F) Physical therapy, occupational therapy, or cognitive behavioral therapy; and (G) Massage, acupuncture, or chiropractic care.

There is an exception in this coverage for an insurer – if they have a proven actuarial analysis showing that such have exceeded two (2) percent of the average premiums charged over the experience period and such will lead to an increase of two (2) percent or more on premiums charged. The bill was referred to the Insurance Committee.

• HB 947 – Rep. Penny Houston (R-Nashville) authored this legislation which seeks to amend O.C.G.A. § 48-5-504.40, tax exemptions for watercraft and all-terrain vehicles which are held in inventory.  Her proposal identifies “class I all-terrain vehicles” (essentially those 50 inches or less in width and 1,200 pounds or less) and “class II all-terrain vehicles” (those which are 65 inches or less in width and a weight of 2,000 pounds or less). The bill was referred to the Ways & Means Committee.
• HB 949 – Rep. David Clark (R-Buford) offered this legislation in the hopes of a Georgian bringing home the Gold in the Olympics.  His proposal seeks to exempt income earned as a result of winning an Olympic medal from State income tax at O.C.G.A. § 48-7-27(a)(16). The bill was referred to the Ways & Means Committee.
• HB 951 – Rep. Jason Shaw (R-Lakeland) proposed this Education Code initiative so as to establish the Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation in Chapter 18 of Title 20.  It will be housed within a college or institution of the University System of Georgia which awards Bachelor of Science degrees in rural community development.  The director of this new Center is to be appointed by the president of the college or institution where it is housed. This Center is to assume the business and responsibilities of the Centers of Innovation Agribusiness administered by the Department of Economic Development.  The legislation also provides for the establishment of a twelve-member Council to be known as the Georgia Rural Development Council which is to offer guidance to this Center.  The Council is tasked to study “conditions, needs, issues and problems affecting rural economic development.”  This would include examining population studies, access to healthcare, infrastructure, education, unemployment and economic growth incentives.   The Center is to provide centralized information and research hub for leadership training and best practices in the areas of community planning; industry specific assistance; and cooperative efforts with non-profit organizations, religious organizations and other higher education partners.  Among other requirements of this Center is an annual report to the General Assembly as well as development of a ten-year strategic plan. The bill was referred to the Small Business Development Committee.
• HB 955 – Rep. Spencer Frye (D-Athens) proposed this initiative which contains changes to Georgia’s HOPE scholarship and grant program in Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20.  It seeks to provide that HOPE grants cover the full cost of tuition. The bill was referred to the Appropriations Committee.
• HB 956 – Rep. Clay Pirkle (R-Ashburn) introduced this initiative to provide for a number of changes in the Veterinary Practice Act in Title 43.  It establishes a new purpose in O.C.G.A. § 43-50-2; adds new definitions in O.C.G.A. § 43-50-3; makes changes to actions to be taken by the State Board of Veterinary Medicine including quorum and vacancies on the Board in O.C.G.A. § 43-50-20; provides that the Board has the ability to inspect veterinary premises and equipment, including mobile veterinary clinics, and establish and publish annually a schedule of fees for licensing in O.C.G.A. § 43-50-21; eliminates requirements of inclusion that articles of incorporation, partnership or business organization documents are to reflect that a licensed veterinarian may practice veterinary medicine as an employee of a corporation, partnership or other business organization that the licensed veterinarian is not subject to the direction of anyone not licensed to practice veterinary medicine in Georgia in making veterinary medical decisions/judgments in O.C.G.A. § 43-50-30; amends applicant for licensure requirements (adding accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education or possession of a PAVE certificate) in O.C.G.A. § 43-50-31; eliminates O.C.G.A. § 43-50-32 and O.C.G.A. § 43-40-33; amends license renewability provisions in O.C.G.A. § 43-50-40 and O.C.G.A. § 43-50-41 (eliminates registration); permits temporary licenses to military spouses and transitioning service members in O.C.G.A. § 43-50-42; amends issuance of veterinary faculty licenses in O.C.G.A. § 43-50-43; clarifies individuals who are serving as volunteer health practitioners and permits veterinarians licensed by a state who are serving in a temporary capacity at one of Georgia’s institutions of higher learning the ability to be paid for service in O.C.G.A. § 43-50-44; makes it unlawful for any person to use the designation licensed veterinary technician, licensed veterinary technologist or any other designation indicating licensure status in O.C.G.A. § 43-50-45. The bill was referred to the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs.
• HR 1197 – Rep. Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta) offered this Resolution to urge the General Assembly to appropriate $75,000.00, when available, to fund inflammatory autoimmune related disease research, to address health disparities, and to fund an inflammatory autoimmune related telemedicine pilot in rural Georgia, working with the Department of Public Health and Council on Lupus Education and Awareness. The bill was referred to the Special Rules Committee.
• HR 1200 – Rep. David Dreyer (D-Atlanta) proposed this Resolution which recognizes and commends contributions made by Georgia’s family and professional caregivers who care for Georgia’s most vulnerable.
• HR 1222 – Rep. Spencer Frye (D-Athens) offered this Resolution which recognizes March 19, 2018 as Georgia Hearing Day at the State Capitol.

The following propositions were introduced in the Senate:

• SB 441 – Sen. Michael Williams (R-Cumming) authored this Tax Code revision so as to modify the rate of tax imposed on the Georgia taxable net income of individuals, lowering the rate from 6 percent to 4.5 percent in O.C.G.A. § 48-7-20. The bill was referred to the Finance Committee.
• SB 442 – Sen. Michael Williams (R-Cumming) offered this legislation addressing Chapter 7 of Title 48 regarding imposition, rate and computation and exemption of income taxes.  It seeks to create a tax credit for certain expenses by eligible educators (those who are a kindergarten through grade 12 teacher, instructor, or aide in a qualified school for at least 810 hours during a taxable year).  Specifically, it would allow for the period beginning January 1, 2018 and ending December 31, 2022 that a taxpayer is allowed a credit against tax imposed in O.C.G.A. § 48-7-20 in the amount of 50 percent of up to $500.00 of eligible expenses (books, supplies, equipment, software, services or other materials used in a classroom or instructional setting in a qualified school (it does allow for home study meeting certain requirements)) incurred during the tax year by that taxpayer – unused tax credit is not allowed to be carried forward to apply to succeeding years’ or prior years’ tax liability. The bill was referred to the Finance Committee.
• SB 444 – Sen. Renee Unterman (R-Buford) authored this bill which proposes to create an seventeen-member Georgia Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias State Plan Advisory Council in Article 8 of Chapter 6 of Title 49.  Eleven of these are from State agencies, organizations or elected officials; six appointments are made by the Governor from certain topical areas. This Council is to review and make recommendations regarding progress toward the goals of the State Plan and on progress in implementing resources and services to serve individuals with dementia related diseases around the State. The bill was referred to the Transportation Committee.
• SB 445 – Sen. Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega) authored this initiative which seeks changes to Title 32 and the contracts which are entered into by the State’s Department of Transportation.  It eliminates the current provision in subsection (d) of O.C.G.A. § 32-2-60, concerning the DOT’s authority to contract – which presently states that subsections (b) and (c) are only applicable to projects which are federal aid highway contracts. [Note, language in (b) and (c):

(b)  Persons, firms, or corporations submitting bids on department construction contracts are required to examine the site of the proposed work and determine for themselves the anticipated subsurface and latent physical conditions at the site prior to submitting a bid on the project. The submission of a bid shall be prima-facie evidence that the bidder has made such examination and is satisfied as to the conditions to be encountered in performing the work. The department does not in any way guarantee the amount or nature of subsurface materials which may be encountered and which must be excavated, graded, or driven through in performing the work on the project. The contractor shall not plead deception or misunderstanding because of variations from quantities of work to be performed or materials to be furnished as shown on the plans or minor variations from the locations or character of the work. Payment will be made only for actual quantities of work performed in accordance with the plans and specifications. The department shall not provide compensation above the amount bid on such project solely due to the encountering of subsurface or latent physical conditions at the site which are different from those anticipated by the bidder.
(c)(1)  Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) of this Code section, the department reserves the right to make, at any time during the progress of work, such increases or decreases in quantities and such alterations in the details of construction as necessary or desirable to satisfactorily complete the work. Such increases or decreases shall not invalidate the contract nor release the surety and the contractor agrees to perform the work as altered.
(2)  Whenever an alteration materially increases or decreases the scope of the work specified in the contract, a supplemental agreement acceptable to both parties shall be made. In the absence of a supplemental agreement acceptable to both parties, the department may direct that the work be done either by force account or at existing contract prices. Any force account agreement shall be in writing, specifying the terms of payment signed by the chief engineer, and agreed to in writing by the contractor.
(3)  Changes made by the engineer will not be considered to waive any of the provisions of the contract, nor may the contractor make any claim for loss of anticipated profits because of the changes, or by reason of any variation between the approximate quantities and the quantities of work as done.]

It requires in O.C.G.A. § 32-2-69(d) that a signed, notarized affidavit (per O.C.G.A. § 13-10-91(b) – verification of new employee eligibility) be submitted to DOT prior to the award of any contract.  It also adds a new Code Section at O.C.G.A. § 32-6-6 making it unlawful for an individual to use any portion of a road/state highway or any property owned by DOT for camping.  There is also a proposed revision to O.C.G.A. § 32-7-4 which permits DOT to accept the highest offer received to purchase a piece of property, listed for sale for at least 30 days, which is within 15 percent of the value of the property that DOT, the county or municipality may accept and convey such property in accordance with the provisions of O.C.G.A. § 32-7-4(c). The bill was referred to the Transportation Committee.

• SB 447 – Sen. Donzella James (D-Atlanta) offered this legislation which seeks to amend O.C.G.A. § 31-12-6, regarding the system for prevention of serious illness, severe physical or developmental disability, and death resulting from inherited metabolic and genetic disorders.  It seeks to add Tay-Sachs disease, cystic fibrosis, polycystic kidney disease, Huntington’s disease, Marfan syndrome, and neurofibromatosis to the genetic conditions identified by the Department of Public Health for inclusion in the system for the prevention of serious illness, severe physical or developmental disability and death. The bill was referred to the Health and Human Services Committee.
• SB 449 – Sen. Donzella James (D-Atlanta) authored this legislation which seeks to establish in Chapter 11 of Title 15 to raise the age that juveniles may be alleged to have committed a delinquent act.  Under current law, that age is 17 and this proposal seeks to raise it to the age of 18. It would make these changes throughout Chapter 11 in Title 15, relating to jurisdiction; detention of the youth; concurrent and original jurisdiction; waiver of juvenile court jurisdiction and transfer of cases to superior court; transfer criteria; places authorized for detention of a child before and after transfer order; traffic offenses and penalties; notice of student’s felony conviction to school superintendent; aggravated assault; aggravated battery; crime of contributing to the delinquency or dependency of a minor; obscene telephone contact; purchase, possession, etc. of a controlled substance or marijuana; manufacturing, distributing etc. near a public/private school; manufacturing, distributing, etc. of controlled substance, marijuana or counterfeit substance near park/public housing project; testimony of a child; committal of a person convicted of a felony; general offenses and penalties; mental health; court definitions in Title 37; classification and separation of inmates in Title 42; confinement in probation detention center in Title 42; definitions in Title 42; and sentence of youthful offenders, modification of order, review and participation in programs in Title 49. The bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee.
• SR 794 – Sen. Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga) proposed this Resolution which seeks to create the Joint Georgia-North Carolina and Georgia-Tennessee Boundary Line Commission. The bill was referred to the Rules Committee.

Rules Calendars for Legislative Day 24

The House will take up nine propositions on Wednesday:

• HB 161 – Drug related objects; employees of harm reduction organizations are not subject to certain offenses; provide (Betty Price, R-Roswell)
• HB 646 – Community Health, Department of; pilot program to provide coverage for bariatric surgical procedures; reinstate (Katie Dempsey, R-Rome)
• HB 697 – Sales and use tax; sale or use of tangible personal property to certain nonprofit health centers; extend exemption for five additional years (Darlene Taylor, R-Thomasville)
• HB 735 – Income tax credit; expenditures on the maintenance of a railroad track owned or leased by a Class III railroad; create (Patty Bentley, D-Butler)
• HB 769 – Health; recommendations from the House Rural Development Council; implement (Rick Jasperse, R-Jasper) (Will have an amendment on the Floor)
• HB 782 – Crimes and offenses; provisions relating to permissible users with access to prescription drug monitoring program data base; revise (Trey Rhodes, R-Greensboro)
• HB 827 – income tax; increase value of rural hospital organization tax credit to 100 percent; provisions (Trey Kelley, R-Cedartown)
• HB 856 – Board of Public Safety; add commissioner of community supervision (John Deffenbaugh, R –Lookout Mountain)
• HR 744 – Georgia Occupational regulatory Review Council;  perform periodic reviews of existing regulatory entities; encourage (Buzz Brockway, R-Lawrenceville)

The Senate will take up four bills on Wednesday:

• SB 319 --  “Consolidation of Fire Safety Services in Georgia Act"; enact; Department of Fire Safety; establish (John Albers, R-Roswell)
• SB 364 -- Delegation of Authority to Physician Assistants; higher supervisory ratio; completed a board approve anesthesiologist assistant program; authorize (Chuck Hufstetler, R-Rome)
• SB 365 -- Code Revision Commission; statutory portion of said Code; revise, modernize, correct errors or omissions in and reenact  (William Ligon, Jr., R-Brunswick)
• SR 685 -- Georgia Coast; bed of tidewater known as "Runaway Negro Creek"; rename to "Freedom Creek"  (Lester Jackson, D-Savannah)