HB1003: HB1003 Public officers and employees; daily expense accounts of members of the General Assembly; revise provisions

26 LC 47 3779 House Bill 1003 By: Representatives Wilkerson of the 38th, Lupton of the 83rd, Panitch of the 51st, Kendrick of the 95th, Campbell of the 35th, and others A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Code Section 45-7-4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to annual1 salaries of certain state officials and cost-of-living adjustme nts, so as to revise provisions2 related to daily expense accounts of members of the General Assembly; to provide members3 of the General Assembly with an additional security expense all owance; to provide for4 related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:6 SECTION 1.7 Code Section 45-7-4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to annual salaries8 of certain state officials and cost-of-living adjustments, is a mended by revising9 subparagraph (a)(22)(C) and adding a new subparagraph to read as follows:10 "(C) In addition to any other compensation and allowances authorized for members of11 the General Assembly, each member may be reimbursed for per diem differential and12 for actual expenses incurred in the performance of duties as a member of the General13 Assembly in an amount not to exceed $7,000.00 $10,000.00 p e r y e a r . E x p e n s e s14 reimbursable up to such amount shall be limited to one or more of the following15 purposes: lodging, meals, per diem differential, postage, personal services, printing and16 H. B. 1003 - 1 - 26 LC 47 3779 publications, rents, supplies (including software), telecommunications, transportation,17 utilities, purchasing or leasing of equipment, and other reasonable expenditures directly18 related to the performance of a member's duties. If equipment purchased by a member19 has a depreciated value of $100.00 or less when such member lea ves office, the20 equipment does not need to be returned to the state. No reimbursement shall be made21 for any postage which is used for a political newsletter. No r eimbursement shall be22 paid for lodging or meals for any day for which a member receives the daily expense23 allowance as provided in this paragraph. Eligible expenses sha ll be reimbursed24 following the submission of vouchers to the legislative fiscal office in compliance with25 the requirements of this subparagraph and subject to the provisions of subparagraph (E)26 of this paragraph. Such vouchers shall be submitted in such fo rm and manner as27 prescribed by the Legislative Services Committee pursuant to subparagraph (E) of this28 paragraph, provided that each such voucher shall be accompanied by a supporting29 document or documents, or legible copies thereof, showing payment for each expense30 claimed or an explanation of the absence of such documentation; in addition, each such31 voucher shall include a certification by the member that the information contained in32 such voucher and supporting document or documents, or legible copies thereof, is true33 and correct and that such expenses were incurred by the member. The provisions of34 Code Section 16-10-20 shall be applicable to any person submitt ing such certified35 vouchers and supporting documents or copies the same as if the General Assembly36 were a department or agency of state government. No such vouch er or supporting37 document shall be required for per diem differential.38 (C.1) In addition to any other compensation and allowances authorized for members39 of the General Assembly, each member may be reimbursed for actual security related40 expenses incurred in the performance of duties as a member of the General Assembly41 in an amount not to exceed $10,000.00 per year. Expenses reimb ursable up to such42 amount shall be limited to security improvements for the member 's residence,43 H. B. 1003 - 2 - 26 LC 47 3779 including, but not limited to, monitoring expenses, or security services when44 undertaking, traveling, or otherwise related to duties as a mem ber of the General45 Assembly. If security equipment purchased by a member has not become a fixture to46 real property and has a depreciated value in excess of $100.00 when such member47 leaves office, the equipment shall be returned to the state. Eligible expenses shall be48 reimbursed following the submission of vouchers to the legislat ive fiscal office in49 compliance with the requirements of this subparagraph and subject to the provisions of50 subparagraph (E) of this paragraph. Such vouchers shall be submitted in such form and51 manner as prescribed by the Legislative Services Committee pursuant to subparagraph52 (E) of this paragraph, provided that each such voucher shall be accompanied by a53 supporting document or documents, or legible copies thereof, sh owing payment for54 each expense claimed or an explanation of the absence of such d ocumentation; in55 addition, each such voucher shall include a certification by th e member that the56 information contained in such voucher and supporting document o r documents, or57 legible copies thereof, is true and correct and that such expenses were incurred by the58 member. The provisions of Code Section 16-10-20 shall be applicable to any person59 submitting such certified vouchers and supporting documents or copies the same as if60 the General Assembly were a department or agency of state government."61 SECTION 2.62 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.63 H. B. 1003 - 3 -