HB 0005 |
Support | Change in Grants to Counties Formula for Juvenile Judge Salaries |
Johnnie Caldwell |
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|
7/1/2017 |
Effective Date |
Juvenile Justice |
Judiciary |
- |
|
|
| This legislation changes the current amount for juvenile court judgeship grants-to-counties funding. The grant increases from $85,000 to $100,000 per circuit, with an additional funding for circuits with four or more superior court judgeships, the grant will include $25,000 per superior court judgeship over four. For example a circuit with nine superior court judgeships would receive $225,000 per year for that circuit. |
HB 0015 |
Negotiating | Mandatory Electronic Filing for Civil Cases in Superior and State Courts |
Wendell Willard |
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|
3/30/2017 |
Senate Conference Committee Appointed 46th, 30th, 19th |
Judiciary |
Judiciary |
- |
|
|
| This legislation mandates all clerks of superior court accept electronically filed cases by January 1, 2018. The cost of such filing shall not exceed $7.00. The bill includes a hardship clause that extends that deadline for six months for counties who need additional time. An amendment was added to the bill that prohibits the Council of the Superior Court Clerks, any state entity, or governing authority of any local government from keeping any portion of the fee. NOTE: This bill has been added to SB 407, the Governor's Criminal Justice Reform Bill. |
HB 0061 |
Support | Sales Tax on Internet and Out of State Retailers |
Jay Powell |
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|
1/1/2019 |
Effective Date |
Ways & Means |
Finance |
- |
|
|
| This bill relates to the recurring issue of collecting sales tax on internet sales and other sales by out of state retailers. This bill creates a new vendor classification, 'delivery retailer', defined as a retailer that either collects more than $250,000.00 from retail sales to be delivered in Georgia or that conducts more than 200 such sales. A delivery retailer must 1) either collect and remit sales tax to the state or 2) notify the purchaser that the purchaser is required to file a sales and use tax return. In the second situation, the delivery retailer is also required to send to each purchaser (and copy the Department of Revenue) a tax statement listing purchase price, date of purchase, and other information. These changes would become effective in January of 2019. |
HB 0076 |
Inactive | Clerks of Court - Revisions to Recording Maps, Plats and Plans |
Rick Jasperse |
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|
5/8/2017 |
Effective Date |
Judiciary |
Judiciary |
- |
|
|
| This is clean up legislation for HB 1004 from the 2016 legislative session. All maps, plats, plans and condominium plans must now be submitted electronically to the clerk of superior court. The remainder of the bill was worked out over the interim between counties, cities, surveyors, engineers, architects and the clerks, specifying the format for the submittal of plats and plans, required data for plats, which plats must be certified by land surveyors, and other certification required for plats. Attempts to add language stating that maps not creating new roads or utilities do not need local approval prior to submittal to the clerk were unsuccessful. For the guidance document, click here. |
HB 0085 |
Neutral | Forest Land Conservation Valuation - Appraisal Methodology |
Jay Powell |
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|
1/1/2019 |
Effective Date |
Ways & Means |
Finance |
- |
|
|
| The substitute version of this bill changes the method of valuation of forest land conservation property by uncoupling that valuation from 2008 values as existing law provides. Instead, the valuation would first change to 2016 values and then reset every 3 years thereafter. In addition, this bill creates a new appraisal methodology for valuation of non-covenant timberland property (defined as property with the primary purpose of commercial timber production).The Department of Revenue (DOR) will develop a methodology each year for valuing such property via actual income data for such properties. However, the resulting values could not be less than 175% of the corresponding FLPA value for that property. DOR is allowed to withhold 3 percent administrative fee from FLPA assistance grants to counties, cities, or school districts. The bill is contingent upon ratification of an enabling constitutional amendment, HR 51. Local assessors and taxpayers would have the right to appeal DOR's appraisal methodology. |
HB 0093 |
Neutral | Sale and Use Tax Refunds - No Interest Payable |
John Corbett |
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|
3/29/2018 |
Senate Conference Committee Appointed 56th, 52nd, 30th |
Ways & Means |
Finance |
- |
|
|
| This bill changes refund procedures for purchasers with a certificate or exemption letter from the state revenue commissioner. If the certificate has been obtained but not used prior to a purchase, any refund of sales tax is made without interest. Under present law, no interest is due on refunds only if a certificate had not been obtained and used prior to a purchase. As amended, this bill adds requirements for certain large purchasers who may directly pay sales tax rather than pay sales tax to their vendors. The Senate added the text of SB 378 (Measuring Success Act) and SB 432 (repeal of certain tax exemptions). |
HB 0134 |
Inactive | Single County T-SPLOST Reforms |
James Epps |
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|
5/1/2017 |
Effective Date |
Ways & Means |
Finance |
- |
|
|
| 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 0146 |
Neutral | Requirement for Local Governments to Provide Cancer Benefit to All Firefighters |
Micah Gravley |
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|
1/1/2018 |
Effective Date |
Insurance |
State and Local Governmental Operations |
- |
|
|
| This legislation requires fire departments to purchase insurance coverage on each firefighter to pay claims for cancer diagnosed after serving at least 12 consecutive months as a firefighter in the department if the cancer or treatment makes them unable to perform their firefighter duties. |
HB 0149 |
Neutral | Requirement for Counties to Use Only GBI Approved Trauma Scene Cleanup Services and Consolidation of Fire Services |
Alan Powell |
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|
3/29/2018 |
Senate Disagreed House Amend or Sub |
Public Safety and Homeland Security |
Public Safety |
- |
|
|
| This legislation preempts county and city governments from requiring licenses or permits for trauma scene waste management practitioners or regulated waste transporters. When hiring a company to cleanup or remove trauma scene waste, counties and cities must hire a company approved by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. This bill was amended to include S.B. 319 which provides for the Consolidation of all Fire Services into a separate state agency. |
HB 0154 |
Support | Dental Hygienists may Provide Preventive Care Under Supervision of Dentist |
Sharon Cooper |
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|
1/1/2018 |
Effective Date |
Health & Human Services |
Health and Human Services |
- |
|
|
| This legislation allows dental hygienists to apply topical flouride and sealants and oral prophylaxis under general supervision in county hospitals and health facilities. |
HB 0160 |
Support | Georgia Commission on Transit Governance and Funding |
Kevin Tanner |
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|
1/8/2018 |
Senate Recommitted |
Transportation |
Transportation |
- |
|
|
| 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 0181 |
Support | Sales and Use Taxes - Availability of Information to Local Governments |
Jodi Lott |
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|
1/25/2018 |
Senate Committee Favorably Reported |
Ways & Means |
Finance |
- |
|
|
| This bill provides a mechanism by which the governing authority of a county or municipality can access sales and use tax information from the Department of Revenue (DOR). Present law prohibits DOR from disclosing tax information even to other governments. Under the substitute version of this bill, the governing authority appoints a designated officer or official who can request a report from DOR regarding identifying information on those vendors within that local jurisdiction who are currently remitting sales tax reports (actual sales tax numbers would not be obtainable). The designated officer could additionally request DOR to verify that sales tax receipts from particular vendors are accurately being remitted to the appropriate jurisdiction. The information retains its confidential status and is not subject to the Open Records Act. The information may be discussed by the governing authority in executive session. Disclosure of such confidential information by a local official is punishable as a misdemeanor. The text of this bill was also added to SB 216. |
HB 0183 |
Support | Georgia Geospatial Advisory Council |
Robert Dickey |
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|
7/1/2017 |
Effective Date |
State Planning & Community Affairs |
Natural Resources and the Environment |
- |
|
|
| This legislation transfers the Georgia Geospatial Advisory Council from the Department of Natural Resources to the Department of Community Affairs and removes the council's sunset. The Council makes recommendations on utilizing Georgia's geospatial capabilities to meet federal notification requirements, achieving governmental data interoperability and advancing geospatial technology among Georgia's state and local governments. |
HB 0189 |
Neutral | Contract Cancellation Act |
Sheila Nelson |
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|
3/29/2018 |
Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute |
Governmental Affairs |
State and Local Governmental Operations |
- |
|
|
| This legislation requires service contracts with counties that are entered into or renewed on or after July 1, 2017, to include: (1) specific performance and cost parameters; (2) a provision that allows the county to terminate the contract if the other party does not meet the performance criteria or if projected annual costs exceed the cost established in the contract; (3) a provision that the county may cancel the contract at any time of the other party fails to comply with applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations. The other party to the contract must submit quarterly reports to the board of commissioners showing compliance with the performance criteria and the actual costs that the county is required to pay. |
HB 0204 |
Oppose | Property Tax Bills - Not to Include Other Fees on Tax Bill |
Brett Harrell |
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|
1/8/2018 |
Senate Recommitted |
Ways & Means |
Finance |
- |
|
|
| As amended by the author before the Senate Finance Committee, this bill would prohibit the placement on property tax bills of nontax-related fees and assessments, unless that fee or assessment is established via the creation of a special tax district. Regardless of method of establishment of such fees, however, this bill would prohibit the filing of liens against property for nonpayment of fees or assessments -- only unpaid property taxes could result in a lien. As a result, this bill would indirectly repeal existing law authorizing the filing of liens for unpaid sanitation and water fees/bills. While the bill’s author maintains that placing such fees on property tax bills exposes the property owner to potential liens and losing of their homes due to unpaid fees, examples of that happening have not been provided. In contrast, placing fees on property tax bills provides convenience to citizens, lowers counties’ administrative costs, and results in higher collection rates. Because experience has shown that billing fees separately can significantly impact collections, counties could be faced with either raising fees for those who do pay in order to continue providing vital services, or shift those fees to property taxes. In addition, for those counties that currently do include fees on property tax bills, separating those billings will likely result in substantial administrative costs. More importantly, the loss of the ability to file liens would mean that counties would have to sue citizens for unpaid fees or raise fees on those citizens who do pay their bills. ACCG believes that the decision on whether to bill
separately or collectively for taxes and fees is best left to local officials,
who are better positioned to respond to the specific desires of their citizens. As amended in the Senate Finance Committee, the above subject was removed and replaced with unrelated language exempting non-profit organizations from the $5 transporation surcharge for hotel/motel stays. |
HB 0205 |
Support | Fracking Regulations |
John Meadows |
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|
5/8/2018 |
Effective Date |
Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications |
Regulated Industries and Utilities |
- |
|
|
| 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 0225 |
Oppose | Sales and Use Taxes - Ride Share Networks |
Jay Powell |
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|
1/8/2018 |
Senate Recommitted |
Ways & Means |
Finance |
- |
|
|
| As originally introduced, this bill would have applied sales and use taxes to ride share networks (such as Uber) as well as limousine and taxi services. As amended in a Senate committee, however, HB 225 would exempt all such ride services from sales and use taxes. |
HB 0238 |
Inactive | Solar Farms - Removal from Conservation Use Easements |
James Hatchett |
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|
4/17/2017 |
Effective Date |
Ways & Means |
Finance |
- |
|
|
| This bill amends both CUVA (Conservation Use Valuation Act) and FLPA (Forest Land Protection Act) and allows a property owner to use covenant property for solar generation of electricity without triggering a breach of the covenant. The portion of the property to be used for solar generation 1) must be removed from the covenant at the time the solar energy equipment is installed via boundary survey and 2) will be subject to ad valorem taxation at fair market value. |
HB 0251 |
Support | Allow EMS Personnel Access to Private Property During Declared State Emergency |
Darrel Ealum |
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|
7/1/2017 |
Effective Date |
Public Safety and Homeland Security |
Public Safety |
- |
|
|
| This legislation gives EMS and all first responders the right to enter private property during a disaster declared by the governor, for search and rescue, debris removal and providing aid. |
HB 0268 |
Neutral | Elections - Numerous Changes |
Barry Fleming |
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|
7/1/2017 |
Effective Date |
Governmental Affairs |
Ethics |
- |
|
|
| This legislation makes several changes to the elections laws, including the deadlines for election superintendents to complete their certification course; repeal of the nomination petition requirement; dates for filing the notice of candidacy; revisions to third-party filings for candidacy; removing references to municipal election registrars; the evidence of citizenship for voting purposes; requirements for personal identification on voter registration forms; provisions for changing a voter's address; polling places outside a voter's precinct; correcting printed and electronic ballots; application for an absentee ballot; oath of application absentee ballot; and the conduct of campaign activities in the vicinity to polling places. For the Senate's summary of the bill, please click here. |
HB 0280 |
Neutral | Guns - Campus Carry |
Mandi Ballinger |
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|
7/1/2017 |
Effective Date |
Public Safety and Homeland Security |
Judiciary |
- |
|
|
| This legislation allows for the licensed, concealed carrying of handguns on the property of a public technical school, vocational school, college or university, or other public institution of postsecondary education - applying to all license holders. Firearms will continue to be prohibited from athletic events, student housing (including fraternity and sorority houses), preschool or childcare space, college career academy or other specialized school, any room used for classes in which high school students are enrolled, rooms where disciplinary proceedings are conducted, |
HB 0285 |
Oppose | Ad Valorem Tax Assessments - Effect of Income Tax Credits |
David Knight |
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|
1/8/2018 |
Senate Recommitted |
Ways & Means |
Finance |
- |
|
|
| This bill changes the criteria that a tax assessor is required to apply in determining fair market value of property receiving certain income tax credits for ad valorem tax purposes. It is an effort to circumvent a recent court decision and limit the consideration of low income housing tax credits. The text of this bill was added to HB 196. |
HB 0292 |
Inactive | Guns - 2017 Omnibus Bill I |
Rick Jasperse |
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|
5/8/2017 |
Effective Date |
Public Safety and Homeland Security |
Judiciary |
- |
|
|
| HB 292 is this year's omnibus gun bull. Georgia will recognize carry licenses for those moving here from other states (which have reciprocity laws with Georgia) for 90 days, so long as the person abides by Georgia's laws; probate judges are authorized to provide information on gun safety; DNR must post a link on its Web site for hunting gun safety course information; folks who legally change their name can get a free replacement license (if within 90 days of their license registration); retired law enforcement officers from other states do not need a license. Any sheriff or retired sheriff, deputy or retired deputy sheriff, member or retired member of the Georgia State Patrol, member of retired member of GBI and retired law enforcement officer can carry a gun into a courthouse, unless the Sheriff providing security for the courthouse provides a lock box and screens out all other weapons by security personnel. |
HB 0319 |
Support | Increase Reimbursement to Counties for Habeas Corpus Proceedings |
William Werkheiser |
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|
7/1/2017 |
Effective Date |
Judiciary |
Judiciary |
- |
|
|
| This legislation increases the maximum amount that may be reimbursed by the state to the counties for court costs for habeas corpus proceedings at both the trial and appellate levels from $10,000 to $30,000 annually. |
HB 0340 |
Support | Title Ad Valorem Tax on Vehicles - Change Distribution Formula |
Shaw Blackmon |
---|
|
1/1/2018 |
Effective Date |
Ways & Means |
Finance |
- |
|
|
| As introduced, this bill provides for the comprehensive revision of the distribution of state and local TAVT proceeds. First, during a four-year phase in period, counties (and other local governments) first receive proceeds based upon the 2012 tax year ad valorem collections minus the amount of ad valorem tax collected in the current month. During that phase-in period, the remaining amount is split between the state and local governments on a graduated scale that shifts more money to the local governments. Following the phase in period, all vehicle ad valorem taxes and TAVT proceeds are split 30 percent to the state and 70 percent to local government. During the phase in period, the distribution of local TAVT proceeds among counties, schools, and cities remains the same as at present. Under a proposed substitute to the original bill, beginning in 2022 the county/schools/cities split would be at the average percentages those entities received from 2018 through 2021. More information is available here. As passed by the Senate Finance Committee, the above changes to the state/local distribution of TAVT was removed from the bill. As ultimately approved by both the Senate and House, HB 340 only changes the formula for calculation of TAVT on leased vehicles. |