2018/02/16 Report (54)
Use the drop down to the left to select the next 25 bills to display.

Date of Last Recorded Action: 3/29/2024

HB 0079 NeutralRequire Law Enforcement to Purge Tag Reader Information John Pezold
7/1/2018 Effective Date Public Safety and Homeland Security Public Safety -
2018/02/16 Report 2018/03/09 Report Debra Nesbit Econ. Dev. & Transportation General County Government
Law Enforcement Open Records/Meetings Act Public Safety and Courts Traffic Enforcement
This legislation allows law enforcement to use high speed cameras to capture images of license plates.  However, the data captured from the images may not be used for anything other than law enforcement purposes.  The data must be destroyed no later than 30 months after it is collected unless the data is needed for law enforcement purposes.  The collected data is exempt from the open records law.
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2/15/2018 House Withdrawn, Recommitted Ways & Means --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 0327 SupportTitle Ad Valorem Tax on Vehicles - Amendments Jay Powell
3/27/2018 Senate Tabled Ways and Means Finance -
2017/02/17-Report 2018/02/09 Report 2018/02/16 Report 2018/02/23 Report 2018/03/16 Report
2018/03/23 Report Larry Ramsey Property Tax Revenue & Finance

The text of this bill was added to HB 329 and adopted, effective July 1, 2019. This bill would make several changes to the calculation and distribution of title ad valorem tax (TAVT). Rather than the current law which provides for annual adjustment of the state/local split based on prior year collections, local governments will continue to collect ad valorem taxes on pre-2013 vehicles. TAVT proceeds be split between the state and local governments on a 65/35 (state/local) basis. The local share would be distributed as follows: 1) for vehicles registered in unincorporated areas, 51% of the local proceeds would be paid to the county and 49% to the school system; and 2) for vehicles registered in incorporated areas, 49% would be paid to the school system, 28% to the county, and 23% to the city. There are also provisions to accommodate MARTA in the three counties in which MARTA sales tax is collected. 

As adopted, the formula for calculating TAVT on used cars is unchanged. The TAVT rate for out-of-state registrations is lowered from 7% to 3%. Certain minor changes are also included, such as no longer charging full TAVT when a vehicle is retitled as a result of a divorce from one spouse to the other.

HB 0381 SupportAbandoned Mobile Homes - Method for Removal John Corbett
5/1/2019 Effective Date Judiciary Judiciary -
2017/02/17-Report 2018/02/09 Report 2018/02/16 Report 2018/03/16 Report 2018/03/23 Report
Code Enforcement General County Government Magistrate Court Progressing Legislation Property Tax
Public Safety and Courts Revenue & Finance Tags/Titles Tax Commissioner Todd Edwards
This legislation establishes a process whereby private property owners can have abandoned mobile homes removed from their land.  Local governments may elect to provide a qualified "local agent" to make a determination, at the request of a property owner, whether a mobile home is abandoned, derelict or intact.  If deemed abandoned, the local government posts a notice, then the property owner notifies the last known mobile home owner (or posts a legal notice if no responsible party can be ascertained), which begins a process whereby the property owner can pay for the removal of the mobile home.  A hearing procedure is provided in magistrate court for aggrieved mobile home owners in this process.  Neither the local government nor the local agent shall bear any liability with respect to any lawful actions taken under this law.  Action: counties wishing to participate must first appoint a qualified local agent.    
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 0489 NeutralGeorgia Procurement Registry - Require Posting Tom McCall
7/1/2018 Effective Date Governmental Affairs Economic Development and Tourism -
2018/02/16 Report 2018/03/16 Report 2018/03/2 Report Compensation General County Government
Mandate Procurement Public Works Todd Edwards

This bill requires cities and counties, if they are soliciting a bid or proposal opportunity for goods and services valued at $10,000 or more, or public works contracts for over $100,000, to post the advertisement on the Georgia Procurement Registry at no cost to the local government.  It is then optional for the local government to advertise the bid or proposal opportunity in the legal organ or their website.  Action: the above notices must be posted on the Georgia Procurement Registry.         

      

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 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 0769 SupportRecommendations on Healthcare from House Rural Development Council Rick Jasperse
7/1/2018 Effective Date Health and Human Services Health and Human Services -
2018/02/02 Report 2018/02/16 Report 2018/03/16 Report 2018/03/23 Report Debra Nesbit
Health and Human Services
This legislation requires that all plans administered by the State of Georgia to streamline and expedite the credentialing and billing processes for providers and establishes the Rural Center for Health Care Innovation and Sustainability within the State Office of Rural Health.  The bill also provides for the creation of micro-hospitals which have two to seven beds in a rural community which provide services seven days a week and 24 hours per day to stabilize patients.  Finally the legislation provides for a grant program to offset the costs of insurance for physicians who maintain a practice in medically underserved areas of the state.
HB 0792 SupportReauthorize Hazardous Waste Trust Fund / Increase in Landfill Host Fee Terry Rogers
6/30/2018 Effective Date Ways and Means Natural Resources and the Environment -
2018/02/02 Report 2018/02/09 Report 2018/02/16 Report 2018/03/16 Report 2018/03/23 Report
Forfeitures, Fees, and Fine Add Ons Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment Revenue & Finance Solid Waste

This legislation renews the fees that make up the Hazardous Waste Trust Fund (HWTF) for one year, from July 1, 2018 to July 1, 2019. Most of the fees come from the state’s 75-cent per-ton tipping fee on solid waste going into Georgia’s landfills – a fee counties pay if they own/operate landfills. 

This legislation also includes language to increase the state’s minimum local solid waste cost reimbursement (host) fee from $1 to $2.50 per ton on waste going to privately owned landfills. The $1 minimum fee has been in existence since 1992 and for the past ten years, ACCG has included in our policy platform a request for the host fee to increase.  ACCG was supportive of the efforts led by Sen. Burt Jones to increase this fee. 

Details: 
  • Host fee minimum increases from $1 to $2.50 per ton but not effective until July 1, 2019. This increase only applies to a municipal solid waste disposal facility that is owned by a private entity. 
  • Coal ash minimum fee is $1 per ton until 2025 when it will then increase to the $2 per ton minimum fee.
  • Inert waste, construction and demolition waste minimum is $1 per ton.
  • All of these fees are the minimum, not the ceiling. Counties can negotiate host fees, other fees and charges above the minimum. No host fees are to be reduced if they are in existence on July 1, 2019.
  • 50% of the host fee collected shall be used for these purposes:
    • To offset the impact of the facility
    • Public education efforts 
    • Cost of solid waste management
    • Administration of the local/regional solid waste management plan
    • Repair of damage to roads and highways associated with the facility
    • Enhancement of litter control programs
    • Ground-water and air monitoring and protection
    • Remediation and monitoring of closed or abandoned facilities
    • Infrastructure improvements associated with the facility
    • Reserve fund allocation
    • Acquisition of property adjacent or in reasonable proximity to the facility to serve as beautification, environmental, buffering or recreational purposes
    • Fees not used for the above purposes (the remaining 50%) can be used for other governmental expenses.
 
HB 0796 OpposeSales Tax Holidays John Corbett
2/5/2018 House Second Readers Ways and Means --
2018/02/16 Report Larry Ramsey Revenue & Finance Sales Tax-Local
This bill seeks to restore the previously expired 'sales tax holiday' for school supplies, clothing, and certain computer-related equipment. The new holiday periods would be  August 4-5, 2018, and September 29-30, 2018. No changes are made to the list of exempt items. 
HB 0811 SupportInformation Sharing with Tax Collection Agencies Jay Powell
5/3/2018 Effective Date Ways and Means Finance -
2018/02/09 Report 2018/02/16 Report 2018/03/09 Report 2018/03/2 Report Larry Ramsey
Revenue & Finance Sales Tax-Local
This bill authorizes the Department of Revenue to contract with data companies for the purpose of identifying taxpayers who are not complying with requirements to collect and remit state and local sales taxes. Such vendors would be required to maintain the confidentiality of any taxpayer-specific records used in providing these services.
HB 0814 SupportCoroners - Counties Allowed to Set Salary Ricky Williams
3/12/2018 Senate Read Second Time Governmental Affairs State and Local Governmental Operations -
2018/02/02 Report 2018/02/16 Report 2018/02/23 Report 2018/03/09 Report Compensation
Coroners/Medical Examiners General County Government Public Safety and Courts Todd Edwards

This legislation authorizes counties to establish the compensation of coroners and deputy coroners, unless said salaries are already covered by local legislation.  Counties with a population of less than 34,999 must continue to offer the state's minimum salaries.  Counties are able to offer COLAs and longevity increases (which are currently required), but there can be no double dipping on state, then local COLAs.  Counties can elect not to set these salaries, but maintain the status quo spelled out in state law.          

HB 0833 NeutralProfessional Land Surveyors - Redefine Paulette Rakestraw
2/26/2018 Senate Read and Referred Regulated Industries Regulated Industries and Utilities -
2018/02/09 Report 2018/02/16 Report Econ. Dev. & Transportation General County Government Nat. Res. & the Environment
Roads Todd Edwards
This legislation, mirroring SB 425, results from negotiations with ACCG and other stakeholders and changes several provisions relating to professional land surveyors.  Surveyors’ training hours are increased, but they no longer have to take five semester hours of training in hydrology.  Three semester hours of hydrology, and passage of a hydrology exam, are required if a surveyor seeks licensure to design storm water management plans, facilities, water distribution lines, or sanitary sewer collection systems.   Lastly, officers and employees of local governments or authorities engaged in gathering, processing, managing and sharing of geospatial and photogrammetric data for cataloging or mapping purposes are not required to be licensed surveyors.
HB 0835 NeutralSpecial Event Tobacco Permits - Authorize Jodi Lott
2/23/2018 Senate Read and Referred Ways and Means Finance -
2018/02/09 Report 2018/02/16 Report Alcohol/Tobacco General County Government Health and Human Services
Land Use/Zoning Revenue & Finance Todd Edwards
This bill authorizes licensed tobacco dealers to apply to the State Revenue Commissioner to be granted special event tobacco permits for off-premise sales of cigars, cigarettes, or loose or smokeless tobacco.  This $10 permit allows said sales offsite from the licensed location (so long as the new site has a specific address), may be authorized for between one and ten days (so long as specific dates are listed), and there is no limit on how many permits a dealer may be issued.
HB 0858 NegotiatingOccupation Tax - Expansion of Businesses Exempt from Gross Receipts Tax Shaw Blackmon
2/12/2018 House Second Readers Ways and Means --
2018/02/09 Report 2018/02/16 Report Business and Occupation Tax Larry Ramsey Revenue & Finance
This bill adds more professions/occupations to the so-called "$400.00 Club" and will allow contractors and others who are required to be licensed by the state to choose what type and amount of occupation tax they pay. They can choose the amount that would otherwise be determined under general law, or, they can choose a set amount of $400.00. Importantly, anyone in this 'club' cannot be required to provide local government with any information regarding gross receipts. The author has agreed to pursue a study committee rather than this bill.

 

 
HB 0867 EvaluatingRevision of Requirements for Transaction of Business of the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council Bill Hitchens
7/1/2018 Effective Date Public Safety and Homeland Security Public Safety -
2018/02/16 Report Debra Nesbit Law Enforcement Public Safety and Courts
This legislation changes the required quorum of the Georgia Peace Officer Standards Training Council (P.O.S.T) from seven members to eleven members.
HB 0876 NeutralBuilding Codes - Locals Cannot Prohibit Wood Construction John Corbett
7/1/2018 Effective Date Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Agriculture and Consumer Affairs -
2018/02/09 Report 2018/02/16 Report 2018/02/23 Report 2018/03/23 Report Code Enforcement
Fire Services General County Government Preemption Public Safety and Courts Todd Edwards
This legislation preempts local governments from prohibiting the use of wood as a construction material so long as such use conforms to all applicable state minimum standard codes and the Georgia State Fire Code.  Several cities, concerned with fire safety, have enacted such ordinances.       
HB 0889 EvaluatingDefinition Change for Those Eligible for the Georgia Indemnification Fund Payments Micah Gravley
2/15/2018 House Committee Favorably Reported Public Safety and Homeland Security --
2018/02/16 Report Debra Nesbit EMS/Ambulance Fire Services Law Enforcement
Public Safety and Courts
This legislation creates a new definition of public safety officer that includes all law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicans, emergency management specialist, state highway employees and prison guards.  The bill also clarifies eligibility for payment of benefits in certain circumstances.
HB 0899 NeutralPublic Works Bids - Alter Grounds by Which a Bidder Can be Disqualified Dominic Lariccia
5/3/2018 Effective Date Governmental Affairs Economic Development and Tourism -
2018/02/16 Report 2018/02/23 Report 2018/03/16 Report 2018/03/2 Report General County Government
Procurement Todd Edwards
The legislation amends the public works bidding laws, stating that bidders cannot be disqualified from sealed, competitive bid/proposal public works contracts simply because they lack previous experience with the "construction delivery method" to be used for the job which is being sought.  Previously, counties could automatically reject such bids.           
HB 0913 SupportCreation of a Law Enforcement Assistance Program with the Department of Public Safety Jodi Lott
2/14/2018 House Second Readers Public Safety and Homeland Security --
2018/02/16 Report Debra Nesbit Health and Human Services Law Enforcement Public Safety and Courts
This legislation creates a Law Enforcement Assistance Programf within the Department of Public Safety which will provide peer to peer counseling for public safety officers who experience traumatic events.  The implementation of the program is contigent on funding.  Note:  This legislation mirrors the intent of H.B. 703 which created a stand alone officer under the Governor's Office. 
HB 0915 OpposeBodywork Therapists - State Governance and Local Preemptions Lee Hawkins
2/14/2018 House Second Readers Regulated Industries --
2018/02/16 Report Business and Occupation Tax General County Government Health and Human Services Land Use/Zoning
Law Enforcement Preemption Public Safety and Courts Revenue & Finance Todd Edwards
This legislation provides for the statewide definition, regulation and licensure of "bodywork therapists", entailing educational requirements, board governance, human trafficking notification, prohibitions on illicit/prurient practices, etc. on this therapy practice - much like what has been done for massage therapy.  It then preempts local governments from several regulations they can place on bodywork therapists and establishments.  It also prohibits local governments from collecting regulatory fees on, and licensing, bodywork therapists. Please review and let Todd Edwards (tedwards@accg.org) know of any concerns you have with these local preemptions.          
HB 0925 OpposeMandatory Minimum Salary for Sheriff's Deputies Al Williams
2/15/2018 House Second Readers Ways and Means --
2018/02/16 Report Business and Occupation Tax Compensation Debra Nesbit General County Government
Health and Human Services Law Enforcement Public Safety and Courts Revenue & Finance
This legislation mandates that all deputies appointed by a sheriff be compensated at a rate equal to an annual salary of $33,500.  The bill also creates a grant program administered by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to assist local governments in the compensation of sheriff's deputies.  The grant program would be funded through a 1% excise tax on the sale of contact lenses and spectales for which a prescription of required.  The legilslation is accompanied by H.R. 1138.
HB 0930 SupportTransit Governance and Funding Kevin Tanner
5/3/2018 Effective Date Transportation Transportation -
2018/02/16 Report 2018/02/23 Report 2018/03/16 Report 2018/03/2 Report 2018/03/23 Report
Econ. Dev. & Transportation Kathleen Bowen Revenue & Finance Sales Tax-Local Transportation
Transportation Funding

This bill provides for transit governance and funding options for the Metro Atlanta region (a designated nonattainment area currently consisting of Cherokee, Clayton, Coweta, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding, and Rockdale counties) and the rest of the state. 

The Atlanta-region Transit Link (ATL) Authority is a new regional governing board that will lead the planning and coordination of transit in the Metro Atlanta region and will control state and federal transit funding.

Counties in the Metro Atlanta area would be able to call for a referendum to levy a Transit SPLOST up to 1% (and may be in .05% increments) for up to 30 years.  The county and all qualified municipalities may select transit projects for the county from the regional transit plan. The ATL Authority shall approve or deny any or all projects within a submitted transit project list and the proposed operator of any transit projects.

Lastly, counties outside of Metro Atlanta who partner with a neighboring county have the option to levy up to 1% (and may be in .05% increments) for up to 30 years. Each county planning to participate in the selected transit project or projects shall enter into intergovernmental agreements.  The referendum must pass both counties for the tax to be imposed.

A more detailed analysis of the bill can be found here.  


HB 0935 SupportSpecial Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) - Add Cloud-Based Software Services as a Permissible Expenditure Eddie Lumsden
2/20/2018 House Second Readers Ways and Means --
2018/02/16 Report Larry Ramsey Revenue & Finance Sales Tax-Local
This bill seeks to allow SPLOST proceeds to be used for payments to a provider of cloud based software or software as a service to administer a governmental function of a county or city by deeming either of such payments as 'capital outlay'.
Green background on status indicates a bill has been acted on the last recorded legislative day.








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