This legislation is a restructuring of the Civil Forfeiture Procedure Act which impacts drug forfeitures and seizures.  This statute is one of law enforcement's most effective tools in bringing down criminal enterprises. The district attorney, through a judicial process, can seize cars, cash and property of drug dealers and other criminals.  Many county commissioners refer to this forfeited property as drug fund money. The funds and property are used for law enforcement training, equipment and investigative expenses. The revised HB 1 standardizes the reporting requirements for law enforcement, and creates a new process for district attorney forfeiture funds.

This legislation provides clean up language to the Evidence Code Legislation that passed during the 2011 session regarding the State Board of Registration for Foresters and the Department of Public Health.  No impact to local government.

This legislation allows any school board to designate one or more qualified persons to carry a concealed firearm within a school safety zone or school building, at a school function, on school property or on a bus.  Said qualified person would have to obtain a weapons carry license, complete sufficient training, cannot be mentally or emotionally instable and have a criminal background check run annually. Firearms must either be locked up or carried concealed on the person at all times. Any person serving in this capacity would have to do so on a voluntary basis and the local school board is responsible for any costs associated with this process.       

This legislation changes the Service Delivery Strategies Act to prohibit a water service provider from charging higher water or sewer fees to customers outside their political jurisdiction - unless otherwise provided by a contract.  It applies only to cities created since January 1, 2000, and others that may be created in the future.  The water service provider shall have no obligation to serve the outside customers/entity if an agreement is not reached, and that service could be cut off with a 6-month written notice.       

This legislation requires electrical utilities (using eminent domain to construct or expand electric transmission lines) to consider the existing land uses, existing environmental conditions, engineering practices related to the construction and operation of the line and costs related to the construction, operation and maintenance of a line when determining where to locate an electrical line. Land uses and environmental conditions are to be given priority in this consideration process. 

This bill requires electrical utilities (using eminent domain to construct or expand electric transmission lines) to bear the burden of proof that they considered existing land use, corridors, environmental conditions, engineering practices related to the construction and operation of the line, as well as the costs related to the construction, operation and maintenance of the line when selecting the location of the electrical line. 

This legislation requires coroners, emergency medical technicians, paramedics and first responders to report suspected abuse of elders and disabled adults. Provides for criminal penalities for abuse of elders and disabled adults.

This legislation is a substantial revision of the new state and local title ad valorem tax (TAVT) system. Among other things, the bill changes how fair market value is determined; exempts commercial trucks (IRP vehicles) used for moving products interstate from the new system and continues them under the apportioned ad valorem tax; changes registration procedures; changes numerous items regarding dealers who directly finance sales; changes numerous items regarding leases; and provides for new criminal penalties. 

 

Please have your finance officials and tax commissioner review the proposed changes and provide feedback to Clint Mueller at ACCG. Click here for a summary of the proposed changes.

This legislation allows for the boundary lines of restricted access communities to be used as boundary lines for all or a portion of a voter precinct.  

This legislation allows volunteer firefighters to receive a Class E or Class F driver's license free of charge if they bring in a copy of their firefighter certification and a letter from the chief executive officer of the county (or city) stating that they are a volunteer firefighter for the county (or city).

This bill states that guns, accessories, and ammunition that are made in Georgia and remain in Georgia are not subject to federal laws relating to firearms.

This legislation prohibits law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges, jurors, witnesses, consultants, and any other county official or employee from enforcing federal laws regulating personal firearms that are owned or manufactured and remain in Georgia.  Violation of this proposed law is a felony.  Furthermore, the bill voids, in Georgia, any federal law or rule that bans or restrict ownership of a semiautomatic firearm or any magazine of a firearm, or require any firearm, magazine, or other firearm accessory to be registered in any manner.   

Under current law, an individual may produce 50 gallons of malt beverages in a year in their home without having to be licensed or pay excise taxes so long as the malt beverages are not sold or offered for sale.  This legislation allows the home brewer to make as much as 200 gallons per year and up to 25 gallons may be transported out of the home for special events regulated by the State Revenue Commissioner.  Local Governments (in which the sale of malt beverages is lawful) may issue home-brew special event permits, to include contests, tastings and judgings, but cannot charge more than $50 for said permits.    

This legislation prohibits county officials and employees from changing the requirements regarding guns during a state of emergency. Those found guilty of violating this law will have to pay the prevailing party's reasonable attorney fees.    

Under current law, festivals, fairs and events held by nonprofit organizations are not considered "food service establishments" subject to regulation by the department of health when the county issues a temporary permit to the nonprofit for food sales and service. This legislation allows the county to delegate the authority to issue such permits to the county board of health.

This legislation is the state's supplemental budget for the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2013.

This legislation is the state's budget for the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014.