2020/03/06 Report (70)
Use the drop down to the left to select the next 25 bills to display.

Date of Last Recorded Action: 4/19/2024

HB 0105 NeutralSales Tax Exemption - Ridesharing Sam Watson
8/5/2020 Effective Date Ways and Means Finance -
2020/02/28 Report 2020/03/06 Report 2020/03/13 Report 2020/06/19 Report Econ. Dev. & Transportation
Larry Ramsey Revenue & Finance Sales Tax-Local Transit
As introduced, this bill was limited to providing an income tax exemption for disaster relief payments associated with Hurricane Michael. As amended, the bill would exempt transportation services -- taxis, limos, and ridesharing such as Uber and Lyft -- from sales taxes, and replace that tax with a 50-cent per ride fee (25 cents for shared rides), subject to annual CPI adjustment. That fee would go to the state, with the stated intent that this money be used for transportation purposes, including transit; if not so appropriated, the fee would be reduced by 50% in the first year and repealed in the second such year. Because of constitutional limitations, the actual use of this money would be subject to the annual state budget process. Additionally, the bill would require that up to 10% of the state heavy-vehicle highway impact fee and $5/night fee on lodging be used for transit purposes.
HB 0153 NegotiatingRegulatory Fees - Revise Bases for Calculating Shaw Blackmon
3/5/2020 House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute Ways and Means --
2020/03/06 Report Intern 2 Larry Ramsey Revenue & Finance
As amended in committee, this bill would make changes to the methods of calculating regulatory fees. Consistent with current law, local governments would be required to set regulatory fees so as to approximate the cost of the services being provided. This bill would eliminate the options of making that calculation for construction projects based on square footage or construction costs. Local governments would retain the authority to use flat fees or fees based upon hourly rates. The bill also provides that regulatory fees should be used to fund regulatory activities rather than general operations, but specifically provides that no separate accounts would be required for such fees. An earlier version of this bill would have eliminated the option for local governments to levy occupation tax on businesses based on gross receipts.
HB 0465 NegotiatingWater Customer Bill of Rights Don Parsons
3/4/2020 House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications --
2019/03/01 Report 2020/03/06 Report Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment
This bill, entitled the “Georgia Water Customer Bill of Rights Act”, would create new requirements for public and private water systems. The bill includes specifics on customer service standards, how and when billing should occur and notification requirements regarding termination of service.
HB 0511 NeutralAtlanta-Region Transit Link Authority (ATL): Clean Up Bill Kevin Tanner
1/1/2021 Effective Date Transportation Transportation -
2019/03/01 Report 2019/03/08 Report 2020/03/06 Report Econ. Dev. & Transportation Kathleen Bowen
This legislation mainly applies to the Atlanta-region Transit Link Authority (ATL). This bill reassigns the ATL from GRTA to GDOT, revises the election process, and how vacancies are filled for the ATL Board of Directors. Lastly, the bill extends until July 1, 2025 the use of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) used to adjust the excise tax on motor fuel.
HB 0576 SupportFines, Bond Forfeitures and Court Costs Owed to Counties Moves up in Priority on Partial Payments Ricky Williams
8/3/2020 Effective Date Judiciary - Non-Civil Public Safety -
2019/03/08 Report 2020/03/06 Report 2020/06/19 Report Debra Nesbit Public Safety and Courts
This legislation would move the county governing authority to #5 in the priority list when a partial payment is made on a fine owed to the county as a result of a criminal conviction.  Under current law, the county governing authority is #10 on the priority list.
HB 0674 NegotiatingStreamlined Permitting for Alcoholic Beverage Licenses Alan Powell
3/5/2020 House Committee Favorably Reported Regulated Industries --
2020/02/07 2020/03/06 Report Alcohol/Tobacco General County Government Kathleen Bowen
This legislation requires the Department of Revenue, on or before January 1, 2021, to develop and implement a state-wide, centralized online platform for retailers to apply for initial applications and renewals for local and state issued alcohol beverage licenses. The Department of Revenue would adopt rules and regulations necessary to implement and administer the licenses. 
HB 0777 NeutralState Building Code - Add "Mass Timber" as a Construction Material John Corbett
7/1/2020 Effective Date Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Agriculture and Consumer Affairs -
2020/01/31 2020/02/21 Report 2020/03/06 Report General County Government Todd Edwards
This bill amends the state minimum building standards code to authorize the use of "tall mass timber" as a construction material - provided the Department of Community Affairs approves this addition in their rule making process.    
HB 0815 NeutralSales Tax Exemption - Public Water/Sewer Authorities Houston Gaines
3/9/2020 Senate Read and Referred Ways and Means Finance -
2020/01/31 2020/02/28 Report 2020/03/06 Report Larry Ramsey Revenue & Finance
Sales Tax-Local
This bill would exempt from sales taxes purchases made by governmental authorities that provide water and/or sewer services. 
HB 0829 NeutralAd Valorem School Taxes - Assessment at 20% of Value Ron Stephens
3/4/2020 Senate Read and Referred Ways and Means Finance -
2020/02/28 Report 2020/03/06 Report Larry Ramsey Property Tax Revenue & Finance
 This bill would authorize local referenda on assessing properties owned by persons 65 or older at 20% of fair market value (as opposed to the usual 40%) for purposes of school taxes only. This bill would be contingent on passage of a constitutional amendment (see HR 962) to authorize this non-uniform method of property assessment.
HB 0854 NeutralBattery-Charged Electric Fences Dale Rutledge
3/13/2020 Senate Read and Referred Governmental Affairs Assignments -
2020/02/07 2020/02/28 Report 2020/03/06 Report 2020/03/13 Report Agriculture
Animal Control General County Government Law Enforcement Preemption Public Safety and Courts
Todd Edwards

This bill stipulates that local governments shall treat/regulate battery-charged "fence detection systems" as they do other alarm systems as defined in law.  A fence detection system is an alarm system or electronic security system and ancillary components attached to the system that must be surrounded by a nonelectric perimeter fence or wall that is at least five feet tall and marked with conspicuous warning signs reading "Warning-Electric Fence".   These fences may only be deployed in industrial and commercial districts.    
HB 0864 SupportVaping Products - Taxation and Regulation Bonnie Rich
3/12/2020 House Tabled Ways and Means --
2020/01/31 2020/03/06 Report Larry Ramsey Revenue & Finance
This bill would establish a regulatory scheme for nicotine vaping products. A 7% state excise tax would be owed on such products. A state-issued annual license would be required for all persons and businesses selling vaping products. Vaping products could only be sold via in-person, face-to-face sales. Sellers must require proof of identification from purchasers.
HB 0879 OpposeAlcohol - Omnibus Bill: Home Delivery, Streamlined Permitting and Sunday Sales Brett Harrell
8/3/2020 Effective Date Regulated Industries Regulated Industries and Utilities -
2020/02/07 2020/03/06 Report 2020/03/13 Report Alcohol/Tobacco General County Government
Revenue & Finance Todd Edwards

This legislation was amended in Senate Rules Committee to include HB 67, which requires the Department of Revenue (DOR), on or before January 1, 2021, to develop and implement a state-wide, centralized online platform for retailers to apply for initial applications and renewals for local and state issued alcohol beverage licenses. DOR is charged with adopting the rules and regulations necessary to implement and administer the licenses.  

***ACCG's Policy Council voted to oppose this legislation only due to two very narrow, specific elements contained in the above section.  First, ACCG asked to extend the effective date from January 1, 2021 to July 1, 2021 in order to provide DOR and local governments more time to adequately develop the online licensing platform.  Secondly, ACCG asked that local alcohol licenses be issued prior to the state issuing its license using this platform.  Both requests were denied.

The legislation also authorizes the sell and delivery of packaged alcohol (beer, wine and liquor), under specific terms and conditions, to persons who establish accounts with the retailer.  Delivery drivers must undergo training, background checks and meet certain conditions and delivery addresses must be located within the local alcohol licensing jurisdiction of the retailer.  Local governments could prohibit, via ordinance, this delivery within their jurisdiction.         

Additionally, this bill alters the hours and process of approving Sunday package and on-premise (restaurant) alcohol sales (aka, the "brunch bill") of beer, wine and distilled spirits.  Cities and counties who have authorized these sales, via a referendum, may now allow sales starting at 11:00 a.m. via passage of an ordinance or resolution (current sales start at 12:30 noon, and local voters currently would have to pass a referendum in order to alter the times).  Cities and counties could also require a referendum to change this time if they would like.  Going forward, any county that newly-adopts Sunday sales - be they on-premise or package for beer, wine or liquor - must still have a referendum adopted, but the hours of said sales would be from 11:00 a.m. to midnight.   

Lastly, current law prohibits the sale of distilled spirits 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 college campuses via the adoption of a less-restrictive ordinance; however, local governments cannot adopt more restrictive distances. The term "college" includes, but is not limited to, all buildings, campuses and grounds of a college.     

      
HB 0882 SupportSales Tax Exemptions - Food Banks and Food for Hunger/Disaster Relief Penny Houston
6/22/2020 Senate - Senate Read Second Time Ways and Means Finance -
2020/02/07 2020/02/28 Report 2020/03/06 Report Larry Ramsey Revenue & Finance
Sales Tax-Local
This bill would remove the current sunset date (2021) for the sales tax exemption for food purchases by food banks and non-profit organizations that provide hunger-relief services. The latter exemption would be extended to also include non-profit organizations providing disaster relief. The bill is estimated to reduce local (county, city, and schools) sales taxes by approximately $1.6 million per year on a statewide basis. The substance of this bill has also been added to HB 1035.
HB 0897 SupportTimber Harvesting: Changes to County Ordinance & New Notification Website James Burchett
7/22/2020 Effective Date Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Agriculture and Consumer Affairs -
2020/02/07 2020/02/21 Report 2020/02/28 Report 2020/03/06 Report 2020/06/19 Report
Agriculture Econ. Dev. & Transportation Kathleen Bowen
This legislation establishes a framework for a statewide timber harvest notification webpage housed by the Georgia Forestry Commission, increases the fine for harvesters who fail to notify the county that they are operating, and increases the bond amount due by harvesters who have previously been found to cause damage to county roads/rights of way. In addition, the legislation narrows the scope of when the bond can be used and creates a timeline for when and how a county can utilize a bond.

For additional details, including background information, click here.  
HB 0898 NeutralZoning Decisions May Take into Consideration School Overcrowding Michael Wilensky
3/5/2020 House Committee Favorably Reported Governmental Affairs --
2020/02/07 2020/03/06 Report General County Government Land Use/Zoning Todd Edwards
This legislation authorizes cities and counties to take school overcrowding into consideration when making zoning decisions.  
HB 0901 SupportGEFA Loans for Land and Water Conservation Projects Mike Cheokas
8/3/2020 Effective Date Natural Resources and Environment Finance -
2020/02/07 2020/02/21 Report 2020/03/06 Report 2020/03/13 Report Kathleen Bowen
Nat. Res. & the Environment
This legislation allows the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) to award loans to local governments and nongovernment entities for projects that permanently protect land and water. 
HB 0903 NeutralIssuance of Traffic Citation to Vehicle Owner in Lieu of Person Operating Vehicle In Certain Situations Matt Dollar
6/20/2020 Senate - Senate Read Second Time Public Safety and Homeland Security Special Judiciary -
2020/02/28 Report 2020/03/06 Report 2020/03/13 Report Debra Nesbit Public Safety and Courts
Traffic Enforcement
This legislation would allow law enforcement to issue a citation to an owner of vehicle instead of the vehicle operater for violations involving tag decals, if the owner is present.
HB 0906 SupportHeritage Trust Program Darlene Taylor
3/13/2020 Senate Read and Referred Natural Resources and Environment Assignments -
2020/03/06 Report 2020/03/13 Report Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment
This legislation grants the Georgia Department of Natural Resources more authority over property dedicated under the Heritage Trust Program. Specifically, the bill allows GA DNR to transfer ownership (up to 15 acres) of a property dedicated as a heritage preserve to a willing local government or private entity. 
HB 0925 NeutralSales Tax Exemptions - Computer Equipment Terry Rogers
3/9/2020 House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute Ways and Means --
2020/02/21 Report 2020/02/28 Report 2020/03/06 Report Larry Ramsey Revenue & Finance
Sales Tax-Local
This bill would update the list of communications/electronics industries for which purchases of computer equipment to be used in high-technology facilities would be exempt from sales taxes.
HB 0926 SupportSolid Waste & Hazardous Waste Trust Fund Fees Terry Rogers
3/5/2020 House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute Natural Resources and Environment --
2020/02/21 Report 2020/03/06 Report Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment
This legislation halts the reduction in the fees assessed for the Hazardous Waste Trust Fund (HWTF) and the Solid Waste Trust Fund (SWTF), which were set to reduce on July 1, 2020. In addition, the sunset on the collection of the fees is extended until 2025. 

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. 
HB 0927 NeutralReporting Requirement For Any Spill or Release of Ethylene Oxide Don Parsons
3/13/2020 Senate Read and Referred Natural Resources and Environment Assignments -
2020/02/21 Report 2020/03/06 Report 2020/03/13 Report Air Quality Kathleen Bowen
Nat. Res. & the Environment
This legislation requires any spill or release of ethylene oxide (regardless of the amount) be reported to the Georgia Environmental Protection (EPD) within 24 hours of discovering the release. This information must also be placed on EPD's website. Similar legislation has been introduced in the Senate, SB 426. 
HB 0929 NeutralCoal Ash Pond Regulations Vance Smith
6/17/2020 Senate - Senate Withdrawn & Recommitted Natural Resources and Environment Natural Resources and the Environment -
2020/02/21 Report 2020/03/06 Report 2020/03/13 Report Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment
Solid Waste
This legislation codifies state and federal rules regulating coal combustion residual surface impoundments (coal ash ponds). Post-closure care will take place for a minimum of 30 years that will include ground-water monitoring. In addition, EPD would be required to conduct an inspection of the coal ash pond at least annually during the closure period and at least once every five years following the completion of the closure.
HB 0958 OpposeThe Maternity Supportive Housing Act Ed Setzler
6/17/2020 Senate - Senate Withdrawn & Recommitted Juvenile Justice Health and Human Services -
2020/02/21 Report 2020/03/06 Report 2020/03/13 Report Debra Nesbit Health and Human Services
 This legislation allows the establishment of maternity supportive housing, without any regulation or approval process, additionally zoning requirements for these home cannot exceed what is required for single family residences.
HB 0959 SupportPrivate Landfills: Host Fee Increase for Coal Ash Steven Meeks
3/13/2020 Senate Read and Referred Natural Resources and Environment Assignments -
2020/02/21 Report 2020/03/06 Report 2020/03/13 Report Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment
Solid Waste
This bill increases the minimum host fee applied to coal ash from $1 to $2.50 per ton. Coal ash would now be charged the same host fee per ton as regular household waste. This increase (and a host fee) only applies to a municipal solid waste disposal facility that is owned by a private entity. Lastly, the bill reduces the restrictions on how the host fee can be spent from 50% to 40%. 
HB 0971 NeutralRequire Training for Juvenile Intake Officers; Allow Hearsay Evidence in Juvenile Proceedings Micah Gravley
2/24/2020 House Second Readers Juvenile Justice --
2020/02/28 Report 2020/03/06 Report Debra Nesbit Health and Human Services Juveniles
Public Safety and Courts Training
This legislation requires that all juvenile intake officers receive initial 8 hour training and 2 hours annually after the initial training.  The bill also allows the court to consider hearsay evidence in juvenile proceedings if it is relevant to the case.
Green background on status indicates a bill has been acted on the last recorded legislative day.



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