2019/02/08 Report (26)
Use the drop down to the left to select the next 25 bills to display.

Date of Last Recorded Action: 5/7/2024

HB 0030 SupportAmended State Fiscal Year 2019 Budget David Ralston
3/12/2019 Effective Date Appropriations Appropriations -
2019/01/25 Report 2019/02/08 Report 2019/02/22 Report Debra Nesbit
 The Amended Fiscal Year 2019 budget recognizes $435.7 million in additional revenue for a 1.6% increase over the FY 2019 budget passed during the 2018 Special Session. This brings the total appropriation for Amended FY 2019 to $26.9 billion. Please click here for the overview of the Amended 2019 Budget.
HB 0123 NeutralWorkforce Development Boards William Werkheiser
4/2/2019 House Withdrawn, Recommitted Industry and Labor --
2019/02/08 Report Econ. Dev. & Transportation Economic Development Larry Ramsey
This bill moves oversight of Workforce Development Boards from the state Technical College System to the Department of Labor.
HB 0136 OpposeAnimal Shelters - Must Post Picture of Impounded Animal on Website Demetrius Douglas
2/7/2019 House Second Readers Agriculture and Consumer Affairs --
2019/02/08 Report Animal Control General County Government Todd Edwards

Current law requires county animal shelters which impound an animal to notify the owner immediately upon impoundment, then go through certain steps if the owner cannot be reached.  This bill additionally requires animal shelters to immediately post a photograph of the animal, along with the animal's breed, on the animal shelter's website.   ACCG believes there is indeed good intent behind this legislation; however, there are many counties that simply lack the resources to do this and there are too many variables and challenges which make this infeasible.  

HB 0165 EvaluatingRequire Probate Court to Submit Fingerprints for All Weapons Carry License and Renewal License Robert Trammell
2/8/2019 House Second Readers Public Safety and Homeland Security --
2019/02/08 Report Debra Nesbit Public Safety and Courts
This legislation requires the probate judges to direct local law enforcement to process fingerprints for all weapons carry license applications as well and license renewal applications through a fingerprint background check with GBI. 
HB 0168 NeutralSales Tax Exemptions - Nonprofit Health Centers Darlene Taylor
7/1/2019 Effective Date Ways and Means Finance -
2019/02/08 Report 2019/03/01 Report 2019/03/15 Report 2019/03/22 Report Larry Ramsey
Revenue & Finance Sales Tax-Local
This bill would extend the sales tax exemption for certain nonprofit health centers for an additional five years, through 2024.
HB 0174 SupportRequirement that License Plates on Vehicles Be Fully Displayed Including all Renewal Stickers David Wilkerson
4/2/2019 House Withdrawn, Recommitted Motor Vehicles --
2019/02/08 Report 2019/03/01 Report Debra Nesbit Traffic Enforcement
This bill requires that all license plates on vehicles be fully displayed at all times with no obstruction of view by tag holders, etc.
HB 0176 EvaluatingElections - All Offices Which Utilize Applications for Services are to be Voter Registration Agencies Renitta Shannon
2/8/2019 House Second Readers Governmental Affairs --
2019/02/08 Report Elections General County Government Todd Edwards
This legislation requires that all offices in the state "which utilize applications for services" serve as voter registration locations.    
HB 0178 WatchCreation of "Assisted Outpatient Treatment" Pilot Programs Don Hogan
2/11/2019 House Second Readers Health and Human Services --
2019/02/08 Report Debra Nesbit Health and Human Services
This legislation creates pilot program for "Assisted Outpatient Treatment" for persons who have been court ordered to treatment as a result of Involuntary Commitment by the probate court.  The bill provides for procedures, standards, and criteria for the program as well as a framework for services to be delivered in every county.  The bill also creates an Assisted Outpatient Program Advisory Council to oversee and make recommendations to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.
HB 0182 SupportSales Tax on Out of State Vendors Brett Harrell
4/28/2019 Effective Date Ways and Means Finance -
2019/02/08 Report 2019/02/15 Report 2019/02/22 Report 2019/03/01 Report 2019/03/08 Report
2019/03/15 Report 2019/03/29 Report Larry Ramsey Revenue & Finance Sales Tax-Local
Under present law, out-of-state vendors that sell $250,000 or more of goods (or 200 or more transactions) into Georgia must either collect all sales taxes or send the purchaser and the Department of Revenue (DOR) annual notice of those purchases. This bill would lower that threshold to $100,000 or more and would eliminate the notice option, with the result that all such vendors will be required and remit to DOR all sales taxes.
HB 0183 NeutralAd Valorem Taxation - Right to Appeal when no Property Tax Return filed Brett Harrell
7/1/2019 Effective Date Ways and Means Finance -
2019/02/08 Report 2019/02/15 Report 2019/02/22 Report 2019/03/01 Report 2019/03/08 Report
Larry Ramsey Revenue & Finance
This bill provides that a taxpayer is not required to file an annual "return" for property before having the right to appeal the property's assessment.
HB 0184 SupportSmall Cell (5G) Legislation - ACCG Compromise Language Brett Harrell
1/13/2020 Senate Recommitted Economic Development and Tourism Regulated Industries and Utilities -
2019/02/08 Report 2019/02/15 Report 2019/03/15 Report General County Government Todd Edwards

Mirroring SB 66, this is the compromise Small Cell (5G) legislation.  By way of background, over the past two years, ACCG has opposed legislation which would have greatly preempted local government of the public's rights of way for the placement of small cell (5G) poles, antennas and equipment.  At the urging of the General Assembly, ACCG, GMA, Verizon and AT&T negotiated this reasonable compromise over the 2018 interim that has incorporated many safeguards which ACCG had called for in previous legislation.  

Key points of this ACCG compromise include: incentives for collocation in order to limit new poles; protections for historic districts and residential areas; the requirement that telcoms share build-out plans prior to deploying new facilities; a safe-harbor in case the current FCC order preempting state and local regulation of 5G deployment is overturned; the prohibition of speculative permit requests by third parties; and safeguards for local aesthetic and decorative pole conditions, among many others.  For a summary of the bill's key provisions, please click here. 

For a detailed, section-by-section summary of the bill, please click here.  

HB 0189 NeutralState Sales Tax Exemption on Locomotive Fuel Vance Smith
2/11/2019 House Second Readers Ways and Means --
2019/02/08 Report Econ. Dev. & Transportation Kathleen Bowen Revenue & Finance
This legislation exempts state sales and use taxes for fuel used for locomotives. The bill does not exempt local sales and use taxes. 
HB 0200 NeutralInnkeeper Fee ($5 Per Night) Sales Tax Exemption for Non-Profits Don Hogan
2/11/2019 House Second Readers Ways and Means --
2019/02/08 Report Kathleen Bowen Revenue & Finance
The intent of this legislation is to exempt individuals who are employed or representing a Section 501(c)(3) organization from the $5 per night fee on rooms, lodging, and accommodations that are owned/operated by a Section 501(c)(3) organization
HB 0204 OpposeSales Tax Exemption - Veterinary Medicines Billy Mitchell
2/11/2019 House Second Readers Ways and Means --
2019/02/08 Report Larry Ramsey Revenue & Finance
This bill would exempt from state and local sales taxes all sales of veterinary medicines.
HR 0164 SupportDedication of Trust Funds (Constitutional Amendment) Jay Powell
8/5/2020 Effective Date Ways and Means Appropriations -
2019/02/08 Report 2019/02/15 Report 2019/02/22 Report 2019/03/22 Report 2019/03/29 Report
2020/03/06 Report 2020/03/13 Report Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment Revenue & Finance
This proposed constitutional amendment authorizes the General Assembly to establish, by statute, true and dedicated trust funds whereby fees collected for a specific purpose must go to that purpose rather than be redirected to the state's General fund. 

ACCG has advocated for the General Assembly to dedicate the Hazardous Waste Trust Fund (HWTF) and Solid Waste Trust Fund (SWTF) for more than 10 years.  Click here for additional details, including the history of the HWTF and SWTF and the ballot language that will included in the November 2020 election. 
SB 0002 SupportAuthorize EMCs to Provide Broadband Service and Utilize Electric Easements Steve Gooch
4/26/2019 Effective Date Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Regulated Industries and Utilities -
2019/01/18 Report 2019/02/08 Report 2019/02/22 Report 2019/03/08 Report 2019/03/22 Report
2019/03/29 Report Todd Edwards

This legislation authorizes Georgia's Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs) to provide broadband services, either directly or indirectly through a contractual arrangement or through an affiliate, within their respective jurisdictions in Georgia.  EMC's would not be able to "cross-subsidize" their broadband services through their electric or gas funds, nor would they be able to charge the costs of their broadband services to their electric or gas customers.  Those EMCs providing broadband would have a duty to provide access to their poles and rights of way to all communications service providers on rates, terms and conditions that are reasonable and nondiscriminatory.  Other communications service providers or EMC members can petition to enforce the above conditions with the Georgia Public Service Commission.  EMCs will also be eligible to apply for federal or state loans and grants to provide this service. EMCs already providing broadband services have until January 1, 2021 to comply with the provisions of this law.   

The language form HB 499 was attached to this bill, permitting broadband services (so long as additional poles or other ground-based structures are not employed) to be deployed in electrical easements provided this does not change the nature of the easement nor interfere with or impair any vested rights of the easement owner or occupier.  Broadband providers, or owners of electric easements, may install, maintain, lease, and operate broadband services in the easement without incurring liability or paying additional compensation to the owner of the property subject to the easement.  Owners of electric easements may assess fees and impose reasonable conditions on the use of facilities within the easement. 

SB 0025 SupportPassing Stopped School Bus Bill Heath
2/15/2019 Effective Date Public Safety and Homeland Security Public Safety -
2019/01/31 Report 2019/02/08 Report 2019/02/15 Report Budget Debra Nesbit
Law Enforcement Public Safety and Courts Roads
Senate Bill 25 allows drivers to continue driving past a stopped school bus on a highway with separate roadways only when the roadways are separated by a grass median, unpaved area, or physical barrier when the bus is on the separate roadway.
SB 0038 OpposeHome Rule Violation: New Process to Abolish County Police Department Bypassing County Commissioners William Ligon
8/5/2020 Effective Date Judiciary Judiciary -
2019/01/31 Report 2019/02/08 Report 2019/02/15 Report 2019/03/29 Report 2020/06/19 Report
Debra Nesbit Public Safety and Courts
This legislation seeks to allow local legislative delegations to bypass county commissioners by general legislation.  This bill is a general bill that will allow a local legislative delegation to pass local legislation calling for a local referendum to abolish a county police department.  Under current law the county must pass a resolution to create a county police department and have a referendum prior to that creation.  The decision to abolish a county police department is at the sole discretion of the County Commission.  Please click here for talking and legal points. 
SB 0045 NeutralPari-mutuel Wagering on Horse Races Authorized in Georgia Brandon Beach
1/13/2020 Senate Recommitted -Economic Development and Tourism -
2019/02/08 Report 2019/02/22 Report 2019/03/01 Report General County Government Todd Edwards
The "Rural Georgia Jobs and Growth Act", authorizes horse racing and parimutuel betting in Georgia.  It will also need a House Resolution (HR 184) and a constitutional amendment ratified by Georgia Voters to take effect.  Betters must be at least 21 years of age and can only do so in one of three licensed "Equestrian Facilities" which may include "convention facilities, attractions, entertainment facilities, service centers and shopping centers" and can be located throughout the state (so long as they are at least 125 miles apart from one-another and there is a minimum $125 million investment; or the facility is within 50 miles of the Atlanta airport and has a minimum $125 investment).  These facilities may operate, and serve alcohol, 24 hours a day.  It is the "intent" of this legislation that the taxes (20 percent of monthly net receipts) generated from wagering machines be used to fund education, health care and rural development.                    
SB 0051 SupportConfederate Monuments - Authorize Local Governments to Remove Elena Parent
2/6/2019 Senate Read and Referred -Government Oversight -
2019/02/08 Report General County Government Todd Edwards
This legislation authorizes cities and counties to decide for themselves whether to remove or conceal "publicly owned monuments, plaques, markers, or memorials which are dedicated to, honor or recount the military service of any past or present military personnel of this state... or Confederate States of America" on the local government's property.  The county or city must first adopt a resolution to do so.   Currently, local governments are prohibited from this.  ACCG has no position on said removal or concealment, but believes this decision is best left up to the local government - which this bill allows.        
SB 0058 NegotiatingPrivate Civil Actions Regarding False Claims Zahra Karinshak
3/11/2019 House Second Readers Judiciary Judiciary -
2019/02/08 Report 2019/03/08 Report Larry Ramsey Revenue & Finance
Under present law, a private citizen may file a civil lawsuit alleging that a party has made false claims for governmental money, but only upon specific approval by the state Attorney General. This bill would remove the requirement to obtain the AG's consent prior to filing such a lawsuit. As amended in House committee, a local government would receive notice of such lawsuits filed in that government's name.
SB 0059 EvaluatingAll Parties Must Consent Prior to Interception of Electronic Communications Jeff Mullis
2/6/2019 Senate Read and Referred -Judiciary -
2019/02/08 Report Debra Nesbit Public Safety and Courts
The legislation requires that all parties to an electronic communication give prior consent to interception of communication.
SB 0063 EvaluatingStandard for Law Enforcement Engagement Vehicular Pursuits Gail Davenport
2/7/2019 Senate Read and Referred -Public Safety -
2019/02/08 Report Debra Nesbit Public Safety and Courts Traffic Enforcement
This legislation requires that law enforcement must have probably cause to believe that the person being pursued committed or are committing, murder; aggravated battery; kidnapping; false imprisonment; armed robbery; or any offense that creates an immediate threat of death or serious bodily injury to another person.
SB 0065 NeutralTitle Ad Valorem Tax - Used Car Valuation and Lowering of Tax Rate Tyler Harper
1/1/2020 Effective Date Ways and Means Finance -
2019/02/08 Report 2019/02/22 Report 2019/03/01 Report 2019/03/08 Report 2019/03/15 Report
2019/03/22 Report 2019/03/29 Report Larry Ramsey Property Tax Revenue & Finance
This bill lowers the title ad valorem tax (TAVT) rate from 7% to 6.6% from until July 2023, at which the rate would return to 7%. The bill also revises the methodology for calculating TAVT for used cars sold by dealers, with the TAVT to be calculated on the retail sales price (rather than the current lower "book value", which is an average of retail value and wholesale value). This bill provides that the transfer of a motor vehicle between businesses that are at least 50%-owned by the same person would be exempt from paying title ad valorem tax on that transaction, provided that one of such businesses has previously paid TAVT on that vehicle. 
SB 0066 SupportSmall Cell (5G) Legislation - ACCG Compromise Language Steve Gooch
10/1/2019 Effective Date Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Regulated Industries and Utilities -
2019/02/08 Report 2019/02/15 Report 2019/03/01 Report 2019/03/15 Report 2019/03/29 Report
Broadband General County Government Todd Edwards

Mirroring HB 184, this is the compromise Small Cell (5G) legislation.  By way of background, over the past two years, ACCG has opposed legislation which would have greatly preempted local government management of the public's rights of way for the placement of small cell (5G) poles, antennas and equipment.  At the urging of the General Assembly, ACCG, GMA, Verizon and AT&T negotiated this reasonable compromise over the 2018 interim that has incorporated many safeguards which ACCG had called for in previous legislation.  

Key points of this ACCG compromise include: incentives for collocation in order to limit new poles; protections for historic districts and residential areas; the requirement that telecoms share build-out plans prior to deploying new facilities; a safe-harbor in case the current FCC order preempting state and local regulation of 5G deployment is overturned; the prohibition of speculative permit requests by third parties; and safeguards for local aesthetic and decorative pole conditions, among many others.  For a summary of the bill's key provisions, please click here.  

For a detailed, section-by-section summary of the bill, please click here.

Green background on status indicates a bill has been acted on the last recorded legislative day.








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