Kathleen Bowen (96)
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Date of Last Recorded Action: 5/7/2024

HB 0001 NeutralSpace Flight: Activities, Definitions & Liability Jason Spencer
7/1/2017 Effective Date Judiciary Science and Technology -
2017/03/17 - Report Code Enforcement General County Government Kathleen Bowen Land Use/Zoning
This legislation was introduced for Camden County who has an interest in creating a spaceport; however, the bill applies statewide by allowing the commercial space industry to operate in Georgia. More information on the Spaceport Camden project can be found here.
HB 0068 NegotiatingConstruction Zones - Required Emergency Pull Off Andrew Welch
1/25/2017 House Second Readers Transportation --
2017/01/27-Report Econ. Dev. & Transportation Kathleen Bowen Mandate Roads
This legislation requires counties to provide an emergency pull off shoulder for the entire distance of a road expansion project that is wide enough for a vehicle to safely exit the road or to bypass traffic in a construction zone. ACCG is working with the author to address concerns.
HB 0134 InactiveSingle County T-SPLOST Reforms James Epps
5/1/2017 Effective Date Ways & Means Finance -
2017/02/17-Report 2017/02/24 - Report 2017/03/06 - Report 2017/03/17 - Report 2017/03/24 - Report
Kathleen Bowen Revenue & Finance Sales Tax-Local Transportation Funding

This legislation adds flexibility, clarifications and enhancements to the existing Single County T-SPLOST law. This bill allows Single County T-SPLOST to fund state transportation projects and removes dates that are no longer relevant so now all counties, with the exception of Fulton County who has their own code section, would follow the same Single County T-SPLOST law. It also permits more than one Single County T-SPLOST to be levied at the same time as long as the amount does not exceed 1 percent and allows cities to bond their T-SPLOST projects. Lastly, the bill clarifies that after January 1, 2018, Regional T-SPLOST and a Single County T-SPLOST cannot be on the ballot at the same time.

A more detailed description of HB 134 can be found here.

HB 0150 NeutralState Road and Tollway Authority: Failure to Pay Alan Powell
7/1/2018 Effective Date Transportation Transportation -
Econ. Dev. & Transportation Forfeitures, Fees, and Fine Add Ons Kathleen Bowen Public Safety and Courts Revenue & Finance
Traffic Enforcement Transportation
This legislation allows the State Road and Tollway Authority to place a hold on the motor vehicle registration of a vehicle upon which a toll was not paid.  It also allows for setoff of the amount owed on income tax refunds.
HB 0160 SupportGeorgia Commission on Transit Governance and Funding Kevin Tanner
1/8/2018 Senate Recommitted Transportation Transportation -
2017/01/27-Report 2017/02/10 - Report 2017/02/17-Report 2017/03/06 - Report Econ. Dev. & Transportation
Kathleen Bowen Transit
This legislation creates the Georgia Commission on Transit Governance and Funding. The commission will study and assess the needs and funding methods for mass transportation for any one or more metropolitan areas in Georgia.
HB 0205 SupportFracking Regulations John Meadows
5/8/2018 Effective Date Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications Regulated Industries and Utilities -
2017/02/03-Report 2017/02/24 - Report 2017/03/06 - Report 2017/03/17 - Report 2017/03/24 - Report
2018/02/02 Report 2018/03/09 Report Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment Revenue & Finance
Sales Tax-Local Water Quality Water Quantity

This legislation amends the Oil and Gas Deep Drilling Act of 1975. It requires the creation of regulations governing hydraulic fracturing. Counties and cities have the ability to adopt local zoning or land use ordinances limiting the location or timing of fracking activities to protect natural resources, human life and human welfare. A three percent severance tax will be required from the sale price of the gas and oil obtained. Counties, where the fracking occurs, can enact local ordinances or resolutions to levy its own severance tax, which can't exceed nine cents per barrel of oil or two cents per thousand cubic feet of gas.  

HB 0215 NeutralT-SPLOST - Cities and Counties May Issue Bonds upon Voter Approval Meagan Hanson
2/7/2017 House Second Readers Ways & Means --
2017/02/03-Report Kathleen Bowen Revenue & Finance Sales Tax-Local Transportation Funding
This bill amends the single county TSPLOST and clarifies that a qualified municipality can issue general obligation bonds in conjunction with the levy of single county TSPLOST, in the same manner as the county. The language of this bill tracks the general SPLOST law on this issue. The text of this bill was incorporated into HB 134 that passed during the 2017 General Assembly session.
HB 0235 NeutralSpeed Limit Posting in Urban or Residential Districts Spencer Frye
2/7/2017 House Second Readers Governmental Affairs --
2017/02/03-Report Econ. Dev. & Transportation Kathleen Bowen Law Enforcement Mandate
Public Safety and Courts Roads Traffic Enforcement
This legislation decreases the lowest speed limit that counties can establish on roads in an urban or residential district from 25 to 20 miles per hour.
HB 0248 NeutralAutomated Driving System Rules Trey Kelley
2/8/2017 House Second Readers Transportation --
2017/02/10 - Report Econ. Dev. & Transportation Kathleen Bowen Public Safety and Courts Revenue & Finance
Traffic Enforcement
This legislaton creates rules and regulations to provide for the operation of motor vehicles with automated driving systems on public roads.
HB 0328 NeutralGDOT Revisions to FlexAuto Lanes Sam Watson
7/1/2017 Effective Date Transportation Transportation -
Econ. Dev. & Transportation Kathleen Bowen Public Safety and Courts Roads Traffic Enforcement
Transportation
This legislation, supported by the Georgia Department of Transportation, updates rules of the road, addresses the weight of idle reducing technology and would remove the time and location limit regarding the use of "FlexAuto" lanes. 
HB 0332 SupportGeorgia Outdoor Stewardship Act Sam Watson
7/1/2019 Effective Date Natural Resources & Environment Appropriations -
2017/02/17-Report 2018/02/23 Report 2018/03/2 Report 2018/03/23 Report 2018/03/30 Report
Kathleen Bowen Land Conservation Nat. Res. & the Environment Revenue & Finance

This bill creates the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship program. The intent of this legislation is to provide dedicated funding for state parks and state wildlife management areas as well as support to local parks and trails. Forty percent of the proceeds of all state sales tax from outdoor recreation items would be appropriated for the protection and preservation of conservation land. The General Assembly has the ability to increase this amount up to the 80%. 

Counties would be eligible to apply for grants and loans from this newly created trust fund. A Board of Trustees of the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund is created to oversee the grant/loan applications. The composition of the board could include representatives from local government.

In addition, each county in which is located 20,000 acres or more of unimproved real property belonging to the state and under the custody or control of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GA DNR), in which such state-owned property exceeds 10 percent of the taxable real property in the county, and in which such property represents 10 percent or more of the assessed tax digest of the county may receive from the GA DNR an annual grant. Only land acquired with Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund money would be used in the calculation of this grant. 

The bill is contingent upon a proposed constitutional amendment, found in HR 238, which would be placed on the ballot for the November, 2018 state-wide general election.

Additional Information:  https://georgiaoutdoorstewardship.org/ 

HB 0379 NeutralGeorgia Public Road Authority Act Kevin Tanner
2/17/2017 House Second Readers Transportation --
2017/02/17-Report Econ. Dev. & Transportation Financing General County Government Government Immunity
Kathleen Bowen Procurement Revenue & Finance Roads Transportation
Transportation Funding
This legislation creates the Georgia Public Road Authority, which would have the ability to issue revenue bonds on behalf of counties and municipalities for the construction of local public roads. This Authority would also have the power to issue bonds for “public-private initiatives”.
HB 0387 NeutralSolid Waste Management - Coal Ash (Utilities) Jeff Jones
2/17/2017 House Second Readers Natural Resources & Environment --
Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment Solid Waste Water Quality
This legislation addresses the disposal of coal combustion residuals (coal ash) and requires certain electric utilities and power producers to convert to dry storage.
HB 0388 EvaluatingSolid Waste Management - Coal Ash (Landfills) Jeff Jones
2/17/2017 House Second Readers Natural Resources & Environment --
2017/02/17-Report Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment Solid Waste
This legislation addresses the disposal of coal combustion residuals (coal ash) in landfills. Landfill owners would be required to create a managment plan if they receive or are planning to receive coal ash. In addition, landfill owners would be required to notify the local governing authorities of the county, and any city within the county in which the landfill is located, upon the initial submission of a said plan or upon submission of an amended plan.  
HB 0413 InactivePetroleum Pipelines: Regulations and Permitting Don Parsons
5/9/2017 Effective Date Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications Regulated Industries and Utilities -
Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment
This legislation provides guidelines on the use of eminent domain, siting, permitting and construction of petroleum pipelines in Georgia. New pipeline construction or an expansion requires a permit from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD). This bill also requires notice be placed in the county legal organ where the proposed new or expanded pipeline will be located and requires notice be provided to landowners whose property is located within 1,000 feet of the proposed new or expanded pipeline.
HB 0438 NeutralOff-Road Vehicle Restrictions in Public Spaces Patricia Gardner
3/30/2017 House Withdrawn, Recommitted Motor Vehicles --
2017/02/24 - Report Econ. Dev. & Transportation General County Government Kathleen Bowen Law Enforcement
Public Safety and Courts Roads Traffic Enforcement
This legislation limits the ability to drive off-road vehicles on a highway or in a public space in a manner which poses a direct threat of harm to persons or property. 
HB 0451 NegotiatingExceptions to County Road Restrictions James Epps
3/30/2017 House Withdrawn, Recommitted Governmental Affairs --
2017/02/24 - Report Econ. Dev. & Transportation General County Government Kathleen Bowen Law Enforcement
Preemption Public Safety and Courts Roads Traffic Enforcement
This legislation requires counties and cities to allow vehicles weighing over 36,000 pounds or longer than 30 feet to use any county and city roads if the vehicle is making a delivery on the road, using the road as the route to make a delivery or pick up, providing service on the road, or if avoiding the road would cause the driver to go more than ten miles out of the most direct route. This legislation allows counties and cities to adopt a local ordinance that would make the driver justify the presence of their vehicle on a restricted road.  
HB 0465 NeutralIndustrial Hemp Commission John Pezold
2/24/2017 House Second Readers Judiciary Non-Civil --
Agriculture Econ. Dev. & Transportation Georgia Bureau of Investigation Health and Human Services Kathleen Bowen
Law Enforcement Nat. Res. & the Environment Public Safety and Courts Sheriff
This legislation creates the Industrial Hemp Commission. This commission will oversee, regulate and promote the research and development of industrial hemp and hemp products in Georgia. 
HB 0472 NeutralMotor Vehicles - Rules for Speed Coordination (Platooning) James Epps
7/1/2017 Effective Date Public Safety and Homeland Security Transportation -
Econ. Dev. & Transportation Kathleen Bowen Public Safety and Courts Traffic Enforcement
This legislation provides that the non lead vehicle in a procession when speed is coordinated automatically is exempt from the prohibition against following too closely.
HB 0473 NeutralService Animal Accommodations Tom Kirby
2/14/2018 House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute Health and Human Services --
2017/02/24 - Report 2018/02/16 Report Animal Control Econ. Dev. & Transportation General County Government
Health and Human Services Kathleen Bowen Transit
This legislation provides that physically and mentally impaired individuals must be provided full access to trains, buses, streetcars and other modes of public transportation, as well as to areas where the general public is invited. Individuals may be accompanied by service animals when the animal provides assistance with a major life functions, such as ambulating, seeing, hearing, learning, working and interacting with others.  Service animals that provide only emotional support, comfort or companionship are not required to be allowed.
HB 0481 NeutralDrone Ordinances Kevin Tanner
7/1/2017 Effective Date Transportation Transportation -
2017/03/06 - Report 2017/03/24 - Report Code Enforcement Econ. Dev. & Transportation General County Government
Kathleen Bowen Land Use/Zoning Preemption Public Safety and Courts

This legislation preempts local governments from adopting ordinances regulating the use of drones except for ordinances adopted before April 1, 2017, ordinances that enforce Federal Aviation Administration restrictions or ordinances prohibiting the launch, recovery or intentional landing of drones on county property.

HB 0512 OpposeStorm Water Utility Fees - Water Neutral Properties Regina Quick
3/1/2017 House Second Readers Natural Resources & Environment --
Forfeitures, Fees, and Fine Add Ons Health and Human Services Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment Revenue & Finance
Stormwater Water Quality
This legislation prohibits counties and cities from assessing stormwater utility fees on properties certified as a water-neutral site by a professional engineer. The property owner would be responsible for submitting the proof of certification. 
HB 0516 NeutralIncrease in "Live-Aboard" Days on Vessels from 90 to 120 Days Jason Spencer
3/3/2017 House Second Readers Natural Resources & Environment --
Econ. Dev. & Transportation Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment Tourism
This legislation amends the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act of 1970 by increasing the days one could live aboard a vessel from 90 days to 120 days during any calendar year. 
HB 0604 EvaluatingMass Transit Sales Tax Ron Stephens
3/22/2017 House Second Readers Ways and Means --
Econ. Dev. & Transportation Kathleen Bowen Revenue & Finance Sales Tax-Local Transportation Funding
This bill creates another single county TSPLOST at a rate of up to 1% for up to 40 years. It can only be levied by a county that: 1) does not levy regional TSPLOST; 2) is not a metropolitan county special district; 3) is levying either SPLOST, MARTA, or the 2% LOST for certain consolidated governments. The proceeds can only be expended for mass transportation.
HB 0665 NeutralNotices for Abandoned Vessels Eddie Lumsden
3/9/2018 Senate Read Second Time Natural Resources and Environment Natural Resources and the Environment -
Kathleen Bowen Law Enforcement Nat. Res. & the Environment
If an abandoned vessel is determined to be stolen, the local law enforcemnt officers or agency should notify only the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The bill removes the Georgia Crime Information Center from being an agency requiring such notification.
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