2018/01/26 Report (21)

Date of Last Recorded Action: 3/29/2024

HB 0181 SupportSales and Use Taxes - Availability of Information to Local Governments Jodi Lott
1/25/2018 Senate Committee Favorably Reported Ways & Means Finance -
2017/02/03-Report 2017/02/24 - Report 2017/03/06 - Report 2017/03/10 - Report 2017/03/24 - Report
2018/01/26 Report Larry Ramsey Revenue & Finance Sales Tax-Local

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 0302 SupportProperty Tax Millage Rate - Notice Requirements Randy Nix
2/15/2018 House Withdrawn, Recommitted Ways & Means --
2017/02/10 - Report 2017/02/17-Report 2017/02/24 - Report 2018/01/26 Report 2018/02/02 Report
2018/02/09 Report 2018/02/16 Report Larry Ramsey Property Tax Revenue & Finance
This bill changes the requirements regarding the advertising, notice, and adoption of millage rates. Specifically, it rewords the contents of the ad such that the focus is on the proposed millage rate rather than a tax increase. The ad can be combined with the required five year tax history.
HB 0690 NeutralTitle Ad Valorem Tax - Used Leased Vehicles Jason Ridley
2/20/2018 Senate Read and Referred Ways and Means Finance -
2018/01/26 Report Larry Ramsey Property Tax Revenue & Finance Sales Tax-Local
This bill amends the definition of 'fair market value' for TAVT purposes by including used motor vehicles in a provision formerly dealing with new motor vehicles that are leased. The effect is that after 1/1/19, for a used motor vehicle that is leased, fair market value will be the total of the base payments of the lease agreement. 
HB 0693 OpposeProhibits Liens on Property Where Solid Waste Fees Are Delinquent Brett Harrell
2/21/2018 Senate Read and Referred Ways and Means Natural Resources and the Environment -
2018/01/19 Report 2018/01/26 Report 2018/02/09 Report 2018/02/16 Report 2018/02/23 Report
Forfeitures, Fees, and Fine Add Ons Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment Property Tax Revenue & Finance
Solid Waste
This legislation would repeal the state law that permits local governments to place liens on properties for unpaid trash fees without going to court first. Local governments would still have other collection options, including filing a claim in Magistrate Court; a judgment from Magistrate Court can still be filed as a lien against the property of the debtor. Because direct filing of trash liens provides another tool for local government collection of unpaid fees, ACCG opposes this legislation.

The House passed HB 693 on 2/20/18. Vote Tally Link 
HB 0696 NeutralSales Tax Exemption - High Tech Data Centers Trey Kelley
1/1/2019 Effective Date Ways and Means Finance -
2018/01/26 Report 2018/02/23 Report 2018/03/16 Report 2018/03/2 Report 2018/03/23 Report
Larry Ramsey Revenue & Finance Sales Tax-Local
This bill expands an existing sales and use tax exemption, applicable to both state and local sales tax, for the sale or lease of computer equipment or high-technology data center equipment incorporated or used in a high-technology data center. As amended in the Senate, to qualify for the exemption, a data center would be required to have an investment plan demonstrating a minimum investment over a ten-year period. There are tiered minimum investment thresholds depending on county population, with the threshold rising as population rises.
HB 0697 NeutralExtension of Sales Tax Exemption for Non-Profit Health Centers Darlene Taylor
7/1/2018 Effective Date Ways and Means Finance -
2018/01/26 Report 2018/02/02 Report Larry Ramsey Revenue & Finance Sales Tax-Local
This bill extends the sunset for two existing sales and use tax exemptions, both of which apply to both state and local sales tax, for sales to nonprofit health centers and sales to nonprofit volunteer health clinics. Each exemption is currently set to expire on June 30, 2018. If the bill passes, the new expiration date for each exemption will be June 30, 2023.
HB 0703 SupportCreation of the Governor's Office of Public Safety Support Bill Hitchens
5/7/2018 Act 439 Public Safety and Homeland Security Public Safety -
2018/01/26 Report 2018/02/09 Report 2018/03/16 Report Debra Nesbit Emergency Management/Preparedness
EMS/Ambulance Fire Services Health and Human Services Law Enforcement Public Safety and Courts
This legislation creates the Governor's Office of Public Safety Support which will provide peer to peer counseling for public safety officers who experience traumatic events.  This office will be housed within the Department of Public Safety and will be staffed by employees of the department.  The legislation is contingent on funding.
HB 0716 NegotiatingPre-Arrest Diversion for Drug and Mental Health Treatment Act Paulette Rakestraw
1/23/2018 House Second Readers Judiciary - Non-Civil --
2018/01/26 Report Criminal Procedure Debra Nesbit District Attorneys Health and Human Services
Law Enforcement Public Safety and Courts Solicitors
 This legislation sets forth requirements for local law enforcement to transport any citizen request transportation to a substance abuse treatment programs as well as a number of additional administrative duties. There is no funding or resources available to assist in the provision of the required services.
HB 0731 NeutralSales Tax Exemption - Feminine Hygiene Products Debbie Buckner
1/25/2018 House Second Readers Ways and Means --
2018/01/26 Report Larry Ramsey Revenue & Finance Sales Tax-Local
This bill creates a new state sales and use tax exemption for feminine hygiene products. As currently drafted, the exemption will not apply to local sales and use taxes.
HB 0733 SupportLoan Forgiveness for Psychiatrist and Mental Health Professionals Providing Services in Rural Areas Kimberly Alexander
1/29/2018 House Second Readers Health and Human Services --
2018/01/26 Report Debra Nesbit Economic Development General County Government Health and Human Services
 This legislation includes psychiatrists and mental health professionals who are eligible for student loan cancellation.
HB 0736 NeutralAllow Issuance of Permits for Pop-up Restaurant Services in Business or Residential Buildings Ricky Williams
1/29/2018 House Second Readers Regulated Industries --
2018/01/26 Report Debra Nesbit General County Government Health and Human Services Land Use/Zoning
 This legislation allows for businesses or residential building owners to apply to the county for permits to operate for no longer than three (3) hours per day, and requires those food services to comply with all catering rules.
HB 0737 NeutralCourt Ordered Blood Test for those Arrested who have Significant Exposure to HIV, Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C to Protect Law Enforcement Officers Clay Cox
2/5/2018 House Committee Favorably Reported Public Safety and Homeland Security --
2018/01/26 Report Debra Nesbit Health and Human Services Insurance Insurance
Law Enforcement Personnel/Employment Public Safety and Courts
 This legislation allows law enforcement to request those arrested who have significant exposure to HIV, Hepatitis B, or hepatitis C to have a blood test in order to protect their personal health.  If the arrestee refuses a judge may order the test be administered with the cost to be borne by the officer, arrestee, or the Department of Public Health.  The determination of payment for the test shall be made by the judge issuing the order.
HB 0741 SupportAd Valorem Taxation - Consideration of Income Data John Corbett
1/29/2018 House Second Readers Ways and Means --
2018/01/26 Report 2018/02/02 Report Larry Ramsey Property Tax Revenue & Finance
This bill amends the definition of 'fair market value' for ad valorem tax purposes. Currently, the income approach is required to be used if data is available and the bill will change this standard to merely being 'considered' rather than required. Also, under current law, if the owner voluntarily supplies actual income and expense data, it is required to be considered. The bill will change this standard to the data merely being one component of the fair market value determination.
HB 0751 Support911 Legislation - Georgia Emergency Communications Authority Act Alan Powell
7/1/2018 Effective Date Public Safety and Homeland Security Public Safety -
2018/01/26 Report 2018/02/09 Report 2018/02/16 Report 2018/03/09 Report 2018/03/16 Report
911 Debra Nesbit Health and Human Services Public Safety and Courts Revenue & Finance
This legislation is similar to 911 legislation passed last year.  It increases the prepaid fee to $1.50, eliminates cost recovery, and reduces the administrative fee retained by the providers from 3 percent to 1 percent.  Please click here for a detailed summary by section.  Please click here for talking points.
HB 0756 SupportSPLOST - Annual Reporting Deadline Scott Hilton
3/12/2018 Senate Read Second Time Ways and Means Finance -
2018/01/26 Report 2018/02/02 Report 2018/02/09 Report 2018/03/09 Report Larry Ramsey
Revenue & Finance Sales Tax-Local
This bill makes several changes to the requirements for annual reporting and publication of SPLOST proceeds and the expenditure thereof. Currently, reports are due within 180 days of the end of each calendar year. The bill changes "calendar year" to "fiscal year." For those counties with non-calendar year fiscal years, this would allow for SPLOST reports to be on the same schedule as annual audits, which are also due within 180 days of the end of the fiscal year.
HR 0158 SupportTrust Funds - Authorize General Assembly to Create Truly Dedicated Fees Via Statute Jay Powell
2/15/2018 Senate Read and Referred Ways & Means Appropriations -
2018/01/26 Report 2018/02/16 Report Appropriations Revenue & Finance Todd Edwards
This proposed constitutional amendment authorizes the General Assembly to establish, by statute, true and dedicated trust funds whereby fees collected for a specific purpose (e.g. Hazardous Waste Trust Fund, Solid Waste Trust Fund, Joshua's Law, etc.) must actually go to that purpose rather than be redirected to the state's General fund.  Said fees would sunset within 10 years of their establishment, unless reauthorized; would require a 2/3rds majority of both the House and Senate to pass; could be redirected in a Governor's declared financial emergency; and could be redirected with a majority vote of both the House and Senate.             
SB 0257 NeutralFood Animal Cruelty? Must Consult Dept. of Agriculture before Filing Charges Bill Heath
3/21/2018 House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Agriculture and Consumer Affairs -
2018/01/26 Report 2018/02/02 Report 2018/03/23 Report Agriculture Animal Control
Criminal Procedure General County Government Law Enforcement Public Safety and Courts Todd Edwards
This legislation requires local law enforcement officers to consult with a Department of Agriculture Category II veterinarian before filing criminal charges related to animal cruelty/husbandry of "food animals" - to confirm whether or not such conduct is in accordance with customary and standard practice.  A food animal is one raised for the production of an edible product intended for consumption by humans.   
SB 0329 EvaluatingBoards of Health - Subject to State Tort Claims Act Renee Unterman
1/19/2018 Senate Read and Referred -Judiciary -
2018/01/26 Report General County Government Government Immunity Health and Human Services Larry Ramsey
This bill would make Boards of Health subject to tort lawsuits in the same manner as the State of Georgia and state agencies.
SB 0343 EvaluatingDrug Recognition Expert Certification Requirement Change - New Certification Requirement Upon Expiration of Current Certification Ed Harbison
1/24/2018 Senate Read and Referred -Public Safety -
2018/01/26 Report Debra Nesbit Health and Human Services Law Enforcement Public Safety and Courts
Training
 This legislation requires that officers certified as a drug recognition expert obtain training prior to recertification.  Existing certifications are valid until expiration.
SR 0587 EvaluatingEnglish is Georgia's Official Language Joshua McKoon
1/29/2018 Senate Read Second Time -Rules -
2018/01/26 Report Econ. Dev. & Transportation General County Government Public Safety and Courts Todd Edwards
In making English Georgia's official language, this proposed Constitutional amendment, among other provisions, prohibits local governments from using any other language for any documents, regulations, orders, transactions, proceedings, meeting, programs or publications.  There are nine exceptions, particularly related to teaching English, public safety, crime victims and criminal defendants, and terms of art.  Any resident or anyone doing business in Georgia has standing to sue for injunctive relief for any violations of this provision.          
SR 0613 EvaluatingEnglish is Georgia's Official Language David Shafer
1/24/2018 Senate Read and Referred -Rules -
2018/01/26 Report Econ. Dev. & Transportation Economic Development General County Government Health and Human Services
Law Enforcement Magistrate Court Personnel/Employment Probate Court Public Safety and Courts
Revenue & Finance State Court Superior Court Todd Edwards Traffic Enforcement
In declaring English as Georgia's official language, this proposed Constitutional amendment, among other provisions, prohibits counties from adopting any law, ordinance, decree, program or policy using any other language for any official documents, regulations, orders, transactions, proceedings, meetings, programs or publications.  There are nine exceptions, particularly related to teaching English, public safety, crime victims and criminal defendants, and terms of art.  Any resident or anyone doing business in Georgia has standing to sue for injunctive relief for any violations of this provision.          
Green background on status indicates a bill has been acted on the last recorded legislative day.








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