2019/03/08 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 0034 SupportQualifications and Removal of Development Authority Directors Rhonda Burnough
4/2/2019 House Withdrawn, Recommitted Governmental Affairs --
2019/01/31 Report 2019/03/08 Report Econ. Dev. & Transportation Economic Development Larry Ramsey
This legislation authorizes licensed business owners paying property taxes to be a development authority director without living in the county or city that created the authority.  It also authorizes directors to be removed by the governing authority for cause.
HB 0076 NeutralLocals May Reduce State Distance Restrictions on Alcohol Sales Ron Stephens
4/2/2019 Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute Regulated Industries Regulated Industries and Utilities -
2019/01/31 Report 2019/02/22 Report 2019/03/01 Report 2019/03/08 Report Alcohol/Tobacco
General County Government Land Use/Zoning Todd Edwards
Currently, state law prohibits the sale of distilled spirits within 100 yards of churches and within 200 yards of schools and college campuses.  Under this bill, local governments may authorize the sale of packaged alcohol (for consumption off premise) within 200 yards of a college via a less restrictive ordinance; however they cannot enact any greater distances - a more restrictive ordinance.  The term "College" shall include, but not be limited to, all buildings, campuses and grounds of a college.       
HB 0101 NeutralExpand Sales Tax Exemption on All-terrain Vehicles Jason Ridley
7/1/2019 Effective Date Ways and Means Finance -
2019/01/31 Report 2019/02/22 Report 2019/03/01 Report 2019/03/08 Report Larry Ramsey
Revenue & Finance Sales Tax-Local
This legislation would expand the sales tax exemption on 4-wheel all-terrain vehicles to also include certain 3-wheel ATVs.
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 0196 NeutralPublic Retirement Systems - Board Member Training Tommy Benton
7/1/2019 Effective Date Retirement Retirement -
2019/03/01 Report 2019/03/08 Report 2019/03/22 Report General County Government Larry Ramsey
Retirement
This bill would require specific minimum training for board members of public retirement systems. 
HB 0201 SupportRules and Regulations for Live-Aboard Vessels Don Hogan
1/1/2020 Effective Date Natural Resources and Environment Natural Resources and the Environment -
2019/02/15 Report 2019/03/01 Report 2019/03/08 Report 2019/03/22 Report 2019/03/29 Report
Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment
This legislation authorizes the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to create rules and regulations to addresses live-aboard vessels including where they can be anchored and how sewage material can be disposed within estuarine areas of the state. 
HB 0220 SupportReauthorize Hazardous and Solid Waste Trust Funds Terry Rogers
6/30/2019 Effective Date Natural Resources and Environment Finance -
2019/02/15 Report 2019/02/22 Report 2019/03/08 Report 2019/03/15 Report 2019/03/29 Report
Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment Solid Waste
This legislation renews the fees that make up the Hazardous Waste Trust Fund (HWTF) and the Solid Waste Trust Fund (SWTF) for three years, from July 1, 2019 to July 1, 2022. 

Effective from July 1, 2020, until June 30, 2022, the  75¢ per ton of solid waste disposal fee would be reduced to 51¢ per ton. Effective from July 1, 2020, until June 30, 2022, the $1 fee imposed upon the retail sale of all new replacement tires would be reduced to 38¢ per tire sold. In effect, the fees are reduced by the percentages that were not appropriated for their intended purposes in the last completed fiscal year, 2018.

The HWTF and SWTF support efforts including clean-up of abandoned contaminated sites, leaking landfills, scrap tires and illegal dumps; in addition, funds go towards waste reduction and recycling programs. 

ACCG supports the reauthorization of both trust funds but is advocating for the successful passage of HR 164, a constitutional amendment that authorizes the Georgia General Assembly to establish, by statute, true and dedicated trust funds.
HB 0264 OpposeEMSC Transparency Bill William Werkheiser
6/25/2020 House - House Conference Committee Appointed #2 116th, 157th, 16th Health and Human Services Ethics -
2019/02/22 Report 2019/03/08 Report 2019/03/15 Report 2019/03/22 Report 2019/03/29 Report
Debra Nesbit EMS/Ambulance Health and Human Services Public Safety and Courts
This legislation sets forth requirements for lobbying disclosures when promoting or opposing any matter before one or more local coordinating entities.  The bill also requires that all meetings be conducted in accordance with the open meetings statute and requires that each member of the local coordinating entity to comply with conflict of interest policies.  The legislation also prohibits any employee, operator, contractor, or owner of an ambulance provider currently providing service for a territorial zone or of an ambulance provider that has submitted a proposal for a new ambulance service in such territorial zone from serving on any committee, subcommittee, or ad hoc committee that is involved in the seletion of ambulance provider for the zone or from voting on any proposals from ambulance providers for new service within the zone.  The bill also sets forth procedures for appealing decisions and provides the final decision under the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act. Finally the legislation requires the Department of Public Health to make recommendations to each local coordinating entity on benchmarks for accountability standards for each territorial zone.  On and after October 1, 2020 each ambulance provider shall submit quarterly reports outlining the number of 911 calls received; the number of 911 call answered; the response times; and a copy of quarterly reports submitted to the local entity.
HB 0276 SupportSales Tax - Marketplace Facilitators Brett Harrell
4/1/2020 Effective Date Ways and Means Finance -
2019/02/15 Report 2019/03/01 Report 2019/03/08 Report 2019/03/22 Report 2019/03/29 Report
2020/01/17 Report 2020/01/31 Larry Ramsey Revenue & Finance Sales Tax-Local

This bill would expand the definition of "dealers" who are required to collect sales taxes to include "marketplace facilitators", such as online platforms that allow vendors to sell goods or services through those platforms. Annual sales via such a platform of $100,000 or more into Georgia would require the facilitator to collect and remit all state and local sales taxes on all such sales. Franchising operations that have at least $500 million in annual Georgia sales (such as large hotel chains) can decide to have their franchisees collect sales taxes rather than having the franchisor be considered a marketplace facilitator.

 

HB 0288 NeutralSuperior Court Filing Fees Alan Powell
1/1/2020 Effective Date Judiciary Judiciary -
2019/02/15 Report 2019/03/08 Report 2019/03/29 Report Larry Ramsey Revenue & Finance
This bill would eliminate the current per-page fees for filing deeds and other documents with the Superior Court Clerk and instead impose a flat $25 fee per document. It also increases the per-page plat filing fee from $7.50 to $10. The bill would also change the alternative Superior Court Clerk filing fees in counties with unincorporated populations of 350,000 or more.
HB 0314 SupportBoat Titles Ron Stephens
7/1/2020 Effective Date Ways and Means Finance -
2019/02/15 Report 2019/03/01 Report 2019/03/08 Report 2019/03/15 Report 2019/03/22 Report
Larry Ramsey Revenue & Finance
This bill would require the issuance of ownership titles for all watercraft used in state waters. Title applications would be processed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. An amendment in House committee eliminated the proposed sales tax cap in boat sales as was proposed in the original version.
HB 0315 NeutralLocal Bids - Consultants Who Help Draft Must Disclose any Conflict of Interest Mark Newton
7/1/2019 Effective Date Governmental Affairs Government Oversight -
2019/02/15 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 General County Government Procurement Todd Edwards
This legislation requires consultants who help draft local governments' bid, proposal, procurement or purchasing specifications to disclose and detail whether they or their family have any possible conflicts of interest or financial interest with a firm who may respond to the bid/proposal.  There are exceptions for confidential economic development activities and economic development authorities, and while attorneys must disclose the existence of a conflict, they do not have to provide details.          
HB 0316 SupportElections - Voting Machine Replacement and Elections Bill of 2019 Barry Fleming
4/2/2019 Effective Date Governmental Affairs Ethics -
2019/02/15 Report 2019/02/22 Report 2019/03/01 Report 2019/03/08 Report 2019/03/15 Report
Elections General County Government Todd Edwards

This omnibus elections legislation provides that the state will provide new, uniform voting machines for every county in Georgia "as soon as possible".  Voting equipment would consist of ballot marking devices (electronic devices, similar to the DRE interface currently used) which produce a paper ballot that is then scanned into a recording device that tabulates votes.  Among other election revisions, the bill provides additional notice before a voter's registration is rejected, before a felon is removed from the rolls, and to those appearing to have moved to another state; changes from 3 to 5 years the period of inactivity before a voter is removed from the rolls, also requiring notification prior to removal; requires counties to provide additional notice of any precinct changes; provides a cure period if a voter's signature on an absentee ballot does not mirror that used in registration; and lifts the 10-voter limit on persons assisting disabled or other individuals complete absentee ballots.  Lastly, the bill enrolls Georgia in a 25-state collaboration - the Electronic Registration Information Center - to share voting information in order to track and cancel voters who move out of state.  For a more thorough summary of HB 316, please click here.

     

HB 0344 NeutralAd Valorem Tax Exemption - Habitat for Humanity Matthew Gambill
5/2/2019 Effective Date Ways and Means Finance -
2019/02/22 Report 2019/03/08 Report 2019/03/15 Report 2019/03/22 Report 2019/03/29 Report
Larry Ramsey Revenue & Finance Sales Tax-Local
This bill would exempt from property tax properties held by a 501(c)(3) corporation for building/repairing single-family homes that are then financed by that corporation to individuals via no-interest loans. In the event any property is not ultimately financed in that manner, all back taxes will be due. This bill is tailored specifically for Habitat for Humanity. It is subject to referendum approval in November 2020.
HB 0349 SupportTax Allocation Districts - Amend County Powers Charles Martin
7/1/2019 Effective Date Governmental Affairs State and Local Governmental Operations -
2019/02/22 Report 2019/03/08 Report Larry Ramsey Revenue & Finance
This bill would permit counties to create tax allocation districts anywhere within the county, as opposed to only in unincorporated areas. Creation of a TAD within city limits would require approval by the city via resolution.
HB 0352 NeutralSales Tax Exemption - Projects of Regional Significance Albert Reeves
7/1/2019 Effective Date Ways and Means Finance -
2019/02/22 Report 2019/03/01 Report 2019/03/08 Report 2019/03/29 Report Econ. Dev. & Transportation
Larry Ramsey Revenue & Finance
This bill would extend through 2024 the existing sales tax exemption for projects of regional significance.
HB 0365 NegotiatingTaxation of Ride-Sharing Shaw Blackmon
6/26/2020 Senate - Senate Disagreed House Amend or Sub Ways and Means Finance -
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 Revenue & Finance
This bill originally addressed several changes to the title ad valorem tax (TAVT), including the TAVT rate and valuation of used cars sold by dealers. The Senate version of this bill completely replaced the above topic, and instead would exempt ride-shares (Uber, Lyft, etc.) from sales taxes and instead impose a 50-cent per ride fee on such rides.
HB 0382 SupportGA Outdoor Stewardship Act - Clean Up Bill Jon Burns
7/1/2019 Effective Date Natural Resources and Environment Natural Resources and the Environment -
2019/02/22 Report 2019/03/01 Report 2019/03/08 Report 2019/03/15 Report 2019/03/29 Report
Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment
This legislation is a clean-up bill to last year's Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act (HB 332). Language is included that expands the definition of who is eligible to receive grant and loan funds from the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund to now include "constituted recreation authorities". Local governments were already included as an eligible recipient. 
HB 0388 SupportDevelopment Impact Fees - Exemption for Affordable Housing Projects Deborah Silcox
4/2/2019 House Withdrawn, Recommitted Governmental Affairs --
2019/02/22 Report 2019/03/08 Report Impact Fees Larry Ramsey Revenue & Finance

 For projects that include affordable housing, this bill would allow counties and cities to exempt such projects from payment of development impact fees without identifying an alternative source for the foregone impact fees.

HB 0394 SupportAllow Fire Chiefs to Train Personnel or Volunteers to Assist in Regulating the Flow of Traffic Ginny Ehrhart
4/2/2019 House Withdrawn, Recommitted Public Safety and Homeland Security --
2019/02/22 Report 2019/03/08 Report Debra Nesbit Public Safety and Courts
This legislation allows fire chiefs to train their personnel or volunteers to aid in directing the flow the traffic.
HB 0405 NeutralLevel 1 Freeport Exemption - Remanufacture of Goods David Knight
7/1/2019 Effective Date Ways and Means Finance -
2019/02/22 Report 2019/03/01 Report 2019/03/08 Report 2019/03/15 Report 2019/03/22 Report
Larry Ramsey Revenue & Finance
This bill amends the Level 1 Freeport Exemption to include goods held for remanufacture and repair. The bill would also allow such goods to be held by the taxpayer's affiliates without losing the exemption.
HB 0406 NeutralJoint Development Authorities - Annual Reporting for Tax Digest Purposes Hugh Williamson
5/7/2019 Effective Date Ways and Means Finance -
2019/02/22 Report 2019/03/01 Report 2019/03/08 Report 2019/03/15 Report Larry Ramsey
Property Tax Revenue & Finance
This bill would require joint development authorities to prepare annual reports of their activities, including all agreements that impact the taxability of authority-related properties. Such information is to be used by counties in the development of the annual equalized tax digest.
HB 0447 NegotiatingSales Tax Exemption On Jet Fuel Dominic Lariccia
1/13/2020 Senate Recommitted Ways and Means Finance -
2019/03/01 Report 2019/03/08 Report 2019/03/22 Report Airports Econ. Dev. & Transportation
Kathleen Bowen Revenue & Finance
The exemption of jet fuel from all (state and local) sales and use tax is continued through June 30, 2039. A new state excise tax of $0.005 per gallon is authorized to be levied on jet fuel. The intent of the use of funds from the new state excise tax is to support rural airports, per Governor Kemp's press release found here.

Throughout the session, ACCG joined the Georgia Airports Association in advocating for more funds and resources for our local airports. 
HB 0456 NeutralLocal Government Audits - Annual Reports for Certain Small Governments Jan Tankersley
7/1/2019 Effective Date Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight Government Oversight -
2019/03/08 Report Auditing/Budget Larry Ramsey Revenue & Finance
Under current law, local governments with 1,500 or less people or $300,000 or less in annual expenditures may elect to either conduct a biennial audit or an annual report of agreed-upon procedures. This bill would expand the threshold for this option to those local governments with $550,000 or less in annual expenditures.
Green background on status indicates a bill has been acted on the last recorded legislative day.








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