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House passes bills expanding tax-appeal window, requiring EMC disclosures, allowing optometrists to dispense certain drugs, and more
Summary
The Georgia House approved several Senate bills including SB141 (extends tax appeal period to 45 days), SB256 (EMC disclosure requirements), SB140 (permits optometrists to dispense ocular medications), SB93 (literacy policy), and SB121 (increased insurance requirements for DUI offenders). Vote tallies were recorded on the floor.
The Georgia House passed a package of Senate bills on Wednesday, including measures that extend tax-appeal windows, require electric membership cooperatives to disclose certain asset pledges, permit optometrists to dispense certain eye medications, and raise mandatory insurance requirements for drivers convicted of DUI.
SB141 (Department of Revenue; tax appeals): Representative Hong presented Senate Bill 141, an agency bill for the Department of Revenue that extends various taxpayer appeal periods from 30 days to 45 days. "This legislation aims to address inefficiencies and undue burdens within the Georgia tax system," Representative Hong said. The House adopted the committee substitute and passed the bill by recorded vote; the yeas were 66, the nays 0.
SB256 (electric membership corporation disclosures): Representative Martin presented Senate Bill 256, which requires electric membership corporations (EMCs) to disclose certain acquisitions and the assets pledged to affiliated gas companies; the discussion identified Cobb EMC and its affiliate Gas South as an example. The House passed the bill; the recorded tally showed 63 ayes and 1 nay.
SB140 (optometrists dispensing medications): Floor Leader Gamble presented Senate Bill 140, which permits doctors of optometry to dispense and sell pharmaceutical agents they are authorized to prescribe for eye-related treatment, excluding controlled dangerous substances. The bill’s supporters described it primarily as a convenience for patients. The House passed SB140 by a recorded vote of 166-0.
SB93 (Georgia Early Literacy Act companion): Senators and House supporters described Senate Bill 93 as complementary to prior House legislation aimed at ending certain instructional practices and preparing teachers to teach reading. Representative Park Cannon spoke in favor, saying the measure helps prepare teachers "for ensuring that we're giving them the best tools that they need to teach children across Georgia to read." The bill passed by recorded vote, yeas 168, nays 0.
SB121 (DUI insurance minimums): Chairman Lumsden presented SB121, which requires individuals convicted of DUI to carry higher liability and property damage coverage than the current statutory minimums for specified periods following conviction. The House adopted the rules committee substitute and passed the bill by recorded vote; the yeas were 157 and the nays were 11.
Votes at a glance (selected Senate bills passed): - SB141 (Revenue): extend appeal/refund periods from 30 to 45 days — Passed 66-0. - SB256 (Energy/EMC disclosures): require disclosure of pledged assets to affiliates — Passed 63-1. - SB140 (Optometry): allow dispensing/sale of prescribed ocular medications (non-controlled) — Passed 166-0. - SB93 (Early Literacy companion): supports teacher preparation for reading instruction — Passed 168-0. - SB121 (Insurance for DUI convictions): increases mandatory liability/property coverage after DUI convictions — Passed 157-11.
Each bill’s caption and floor debate are recorded in the House journal and committee reports; the transcript shows floor presentations by the bill sponsors and recorded roll-call tallies for passage.
