House Bill 218

Chair's Name: Austin Scott

Committee: Governmental Affairs

House Sponsor: Mike Jacobs

HB 218 requires public safety and judicial facilities authorities to seek approval through a referendum before issuing bonded indebtedness and requires project priorities to be itemized.

This committee substitute received a Do Pass recommendation from the Governmental Affairs Committee and comes to the House Floor under the Open Rule. 

Chairman Scott�s opinion of this legislation:

WHAT PROBLEM/OPPORTUNITY DOES THIS LEGISLATION ADDRESS?

Current law allows the jurisdictions that participate in the MARTA sales tax (Fulton, Dekalb, and the City of Atlanta) to have a public safety and judicial facilities authority, which may float a maximum of $50 million in revenue bonds.  There is no accountability mechanism for the projects funded by these bonds.

WHAT IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THIS LEGISLATION?

To require the jurisdictions that have this type of authority to fund the projects directly out of general funds, use the general obligation bond process, or require public approval of the process.

THIS LEGISLATION:

• Reduces the Size of Government:

Put limitations on the power of the above type of authority.

• Reduces the Tax Burden on our Citizens:

Place limitations on the bonding capacity of these authorities.

• Increases Personal Responsibility:

Increase public accountability for these projects