This bill allows the Revenue Commissioner to issue annual permits to licensed distillers to conduct distillery tours that include free tastings of liquor. Tastings would be limited to one-half of one ounce and no one could have more than one sample in a day.

This legislation is part of the Governor's Competitive Initiative to make Georgia's tax incentives for new job creation more competitive with other states.  The bill expands eligibility and increases benefits for job creation.

This bill allows the state to temporarily protect confidential records from release during on-going negotiations with economic development prospects - potential future employers of Georgians. It removes a current obstacle to job-creation by putting Georgia on equal footing with most other states that already protect their prospect information. All information that is currently open to the public will become open following the completion of negotiations. Counties and cities were deleted from the exemption during the committee process.

This bill authorizes development authorities to engage in redevelopment of existing businesses, as well as changes training requirements for board members.

Under current law, development authorities must publish any transaction with a member of the board of directors that is in excess of $200 per quarter in the legal organ.  This bill provides that such transactions do not have to be published if the development authority determines that the interest or involvement would not reasonably be expected to influence the member of the board of directors.  The decision of the development authority would be final and not subject to review.

This bill prohibits counties and cities from adopting ordinances or resolutions that impose a tax or fee on pawnbrokers on a per transaction basis or on the sales of goods to be resold.  It will not prohibit the collection of regulatory fees or occupation taxes.  Several local governments in Georgia utilize these fees to track merchandise, identify and recover stolen property.  The bill, if passed, would directly violate home rule principles. This bill did not pass.

SR 163 supports the creation of a cruise ship terminal facility in Savannah Harbor.