House Bill 107

Chair's Name: Jeff Lewis

Committee: Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications

House Sponsor: Jan Jones

HB 107 requires public utilities or companies to line itemize franchise fees on their bills to customers.  This requirement does not affect system-wide rates of any public utilities or companies.

This committee substitute received a Do Pass recommendation from the Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications Committee and comes to the House Floor under the Open Rule. 

Chairman Lewis� opinion of this legislation:

WHAT PROBLEM/OPPORTUNITY DOES THIS LEGISLATION ADDRESS?

Current law does not require franchise taxes collected by local governments to be itemized on customers� bills.  Current law does require the itemization of local and state sales taxes on customers� bills.  These franchise taxes, like sales taxes, are passed on fully to customers, but there is a lack of transparency to customers. The bill requires itemization of fees collected from public utilities or companies as a result of franchise agreements or contracts.  The bill does not apply to fees included in system-wide charges or base rates of a public utility or company.

WHAT IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THIS LEGISLATION?

Georgia citizens benefit from increased transparency of fees and taxes that are voted upon and collected by local governments.

THIS LEGISLATION:

�         Reduces the Tax Burden on our Citizens

Citizens would have the information to decide if they support franchise tax decisions made by their elected representatives

�         Increases Personal Responsibility

Citizens can make better decisions with transparency of information about taxes and fees