Fire Services (23)

Date of Last Recorded Action: 3/29/2024

HB 0015 NeutralLegalize Fireworks - the American Heritage Celebration Act Turner, Scot 21st
1/15/2015 House Second Readers RegI --
Fire Services Fireworks General County Government Public Safety and Courts Todd Edwards
Current law only allows certain sparklers, sparkling devices and limted other items to be legally sold as fireworks in Georgia. This bill greatly expands that, allowing any fireworks to be sold that are not illegal under Federal law. Counties and cities would have the authority to prohibit or otherwise regulate what fireworks could be sold within their respective jurisdictions.
HB 0048 NeutralRedefine Ad Valorem Tax Exemptions for Veterans Coleman, Brooks 97th
7/1/2015 Effective Date MotV PUB SAF -
Clint Mueller EMS/Ambulance Fire Services Law Enforcement Public Safety and Courts
Revenue & Finance Tags/Titles

 

This legislation expands the statewide homestead exemption for 100% disabled veterans by including veterans that may be less than 100% disabled but are compensated by the Veterans Administration at the 100% level due to the individual's unemployability because of their disability.  This change will also apply to the exemption from vehicle ad valorem tax for a disabled veterans and the vehicle exemption is expanded to include an unmarried surviving spouse or minor child in the event of the death of the disabled veteran.  According to the tax commissioner's association, this bill should have little to no fiscal impact on the county governments.

 
HB 0087 WatchRetirement and Pensions Code Revision Willard, Wendell 51st
3/8/2016 Senate Read Second Time Judy JUDY -
Debra Nesbit Fire Services General County Government Public Safety and Courts Retirement
This legislation changes references to "full time" and "part time" to "full-time" and "part-time" in the Georgia Firefighters' Pension Fund.
HB 0110 SupportFireworks - Legalizing Those Not Prohibited by Federal Law Roberts, Jay 155th
7/1/2015 Effective Date RegI PUB SAF -
Fire Services Fireworks General County Government Public Safety and Courts Todd Edwards
This legislation authorizes the sale of fireworks in Georgia which are not prohibited by federal law to anyone age 18 or older. Fireworks are subject to a 5 percent excise tax (in addition to other state and local sales taxes) which goes to the state. Fireworks may be used between 10 a.m. and 12 Midnight, with hours extended to 2:00 a.m. on Jan. 1, July 3-4, and Dec. 31. Local governments may authorize extended times on other dates via special use permits (the fee for which may not exceed $100).  While there is no "opt-out" provision for counties wishing to prohibit fireworks sales or usage, counties may regulate the sale of fireworks from temporary locations as well as require a permit or license for these sales.  Permanent retail locations are licensed by the state.  Local fire departments will license "temporary" sale locations for a $500 fee which goes to the local governing authority, but must be spent on public safety purposes. The state fire marshal enforces this law, with local fire departments referring cases for enforcement.  County zoning or other land use practices are not impacted by this law.  Local sales taxes will apply to firework sales.  
HB 0216 NeutralWorkers' Compensation for Firefighters Who Contract a Disease in the Line of Duty Gravley, Micah 67th
5/3/2016 House Date Signed by Governor I&L I&L -
Debra Nesbit Fire Services General County Government Insurance Insurance
Personnel/Employment Public Safety and Courts
This legislation has been amended and it allows claims for workers' compensation benefits be provided to a firefighter who develops cancer, if proven by a preponderance of evidence, along with clear medical evidence, that there is a direct link to their employment as a firefighter as the cause of the cancer.  This bill is the House version of SB 29.
HB 0278 WatchTransfer Public Employee Hazardous Chemical Protection and Right to Know Act to Safety Fire Commissioner Clark, David 98th
1/1/2016 Effective Date PS&HS PUB SAF -
Correctional Institutions/Jail Debra Nesbit Emergency Management/Preparedness Fire Services General County Government
Personnel/Employment Public Safety and Courts
This legislation transfers responsibility for the Public Employee Hazardous Chemical Protection and Right to Know Act from the Department of Labor to the Safety Fire Commissioner.
HB 0322 SupportForeclosure - Late Filing of Deed will Incur $500 Penalty Strickland, Brian 111th
7/1/2015 Effective Date Judy JUDY -
Clerk of Court Code Enforcement Emergency Management/Preparedness EMS/Ambulance Fire Services
General County Government Land Use/Zoning Law Enforcement Public Safety and Courts Todd Edwards

This legislation requires all deeds under power to be recorded within 90 days of a foreclosure sale or the holder is required to pay a late filing penalty of $500 to the superior court clerk. The clerk remits these fees to counties for properties in the unincorporated areas and to cities for properties therein. All monies collected must be used for code enforcement, public safety, and community development purposes. Cities must pay the county a 5 percent administrative fee for the clerk collecting and remitting this money.

HB 0455 NeutralProhibition of Parking in Areas that Block Emergency Vehicles from Entering a Private Property Wilkinson, Joe 52nd
4/2/2015 House Withdrawn, Recommitted PS&HS --
Debra Nesbit Econ. Dev. & Transportation EMS/Ambulance Fire Services Law Enforcement
Public Safety and Courts Traffic Enforcement
This legislation prohibits parking a vehicle that prevents emergency vehicles from accessing private property without an identifiable, marked, paved or gravelled driveway. 
HB 0551 NeutralPayroll Deductions - Authorize for Voluntary Contributions Brockway, Buzz 102nd
7/1/2015 Effective Date GAff SLGO -
Compensation Fire Services General County Government Law Enforcement Personnel/Employment
Public Safety and Courts Retirement Todd Edwards

This legislation allows counties to provide payroll deductions when more than 2,500 of the county's employees request to have deductions made from their salaries to be given to nonprofit organizations, associations, or corporations that provide tangible services and benefits to state government, local government or their employees. the nonprofit must provide educational, legislative or professional development activities that promote and enhance the efficiency, productivity and welfare of state government services, local government services or government employees. The county may retain 1% of the amount deducted and remitted to the nonprofit to cover the cost of administering the payroll deduction.

This legislation allows counties to provide payroll deductions when more than 500 of the county's employees request to have deductions made from their salaries to be given to nonprofit association that provide professional development activities related to their county employment, that provide assistance to or on behalf of those who are killed, injured, in need of medical attention or otherwise in need of assistance, or that promote or enhance law enforcement, corrections or registered professional nursing in Georgia. The county may retain 1% of the amount deducted and remitted to the nonprofit to cover the cost of administering the payroll deduction.

This legislation allows counties to provide payroll deductions to employees to purchase personal computers and computer related equipment through the Georgia Technology Authority or to purchase consumer offerings through an employee purchase program facilitated through the Department of Administrative Services.

HB 0727 SupportFireworks - Revisions Battles, Paul 15th
4/26/2016 House Date Signed by Governor RegI PUB SAF -
Code Enforcement Correctional Institutions/Jail Econ. Dev. & Transportation Emergency Management/Preparedness Fire Services
Fireworks General County Government Health and Human Services Law Enforcement Nat. Res. & the Environment
Public Safety and Courts Revenue & Finance Todd Edwards

This legislation now authorizes the use of fireworks on any day of the year between 10:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. (with the exceptions below). Local governments may adopt ordinances allowing or regulating their usage from 9:00 p.m. until midnight.  On July 3, July 4 and Dec. 31, fireworks may be used statewide from 10:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m., and on Jan. 1 fireworks may be used statewide from midnight to 1:00 a.m. and from 10:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. For a more detailed summary of the legislation, please click  here.

HB 0774 SupportFireworks - Provide for Local Control Atwood, Alex 179th
1/21/2016 House Second Readers PS&HS --
Fire Services Fireworks General County Government Public Safety and Courts Todd Edwards
This legislation amends the fireworks bill from last session. It allows fireworks to be used from 10a.m. until midnight on July 3rd and 4th and from 10a.m. on New Year's Eve until 1a.m. New Year's Day. It also provides local government control over the use of fireworks on local government property. If fireworks are to be used on any other day(s) of the year (and hours of use), then local governments must authorize via local ordinance.
HB 0779 NeutralRegulation of Drones Tanner, Kevin 9th
5/3/2016 House Date Signed by Governor JudyNC S&T -
Air Quality Code Enforcement Criminal Procedure Debra Nesbit Econ. Dev. & Transportation
Emergency Management/Preparedness EMS/Ambulance Fire Services General County Government Health and Human Services
Juveniles Law Enforcement Nat. Res. & the Environment Open Records/Meetings Act Public Safety and Courts
Utilities
Pre-empts counties from adopting a resolution or ordinance to regulate drones, unless a no fly zone approval has been granted by the FAA.  Once approval is obtained from the FAA, ordinances regarding the use of drone within the no fly zone are allowed.  The bill does allow a county to prohibit take off, recovery, or use of a drone from or on public property, allows the use of drones by local governments for certain purposes, such as law enforcement (with a subpeona), EMS, mapping, emergency management, utilities, rescue, etc.
HB 0790 NeutralPenalties for Transmitting False Public Alarm Raffensperger, Brad 50th
2/18/2016 House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute JudyNC --
Debra Nesbit Emergency Management/Preparedness EMS/Ambulance Fire Services Law Enforcement
Public Safety and Courts

This legislation changes the crime of reporting a false public alarm by increasing the punishment of falsely reporting hazardous device or a hazardous substance is at a building, place of assembly, or facility that is necessary for national safety, public security, education, or public safety. It also increases the punishment to falsely reporting an incident that causes a heightened response of law enforcement of emergency services.

The language of this bill was added to SB 270 in the House Public Safety Committee.

HB 0842 EvaluatingFireworks - Increase Regulations on Temporary Stands Taylor, Tom 79th
1/28/2016 House Second Readers RegI --
Auditing/Budget Business and Occupation Tax Fire Services Fireworks General County Government
Land Use/Zoning Probate Court Public Safety and Courts Revenue & Finance Todd Edwards
In what appears to be a turf battle brewing between temporary and permanent firework retailers, this legislation increases regulations on temporary fireworks stands and requires that these stands pay a $500 license fee to the county or city for each stand location within the jurisdiction. The license is only valid from June 18 through July 6, and December 20 through January 1 of following year, renewed annually. On the other hand, counties could not restrict the location of permanent fireworks retail stores - unless such prohibitions are consistent with the U.S. Constitution.
HB 0909 SupportProhibition of Insurance Companies Setting Fire Insurance Rates Based Soley on ISO Ratings Fleming, Barry 121st
2/9/2016 House Second Readers Ins --
Debra Nesbit Fire Services Insurance Insurance Public Safety and Courts
Revenue & Finance

This legislation prohibits fire insurance providers to rely solely on: 1) the Insurance Service Office (ISO) public protection classification system rating; 2) a rating system that does not take into consideration a rural community's fire department or service response time; 3) a rating system that bases the classification solely on the distance to the nearest fire department.

HB 0970 NeutralChange in Definition of Firefighter to Include Recruits Lumsden, Eddie 12th
3/10/2016 Senate Read Second Time PS&HS PUB SAF -
Debra Nesbit Fire Services Public Safety and Courts

 This legislation includes "recruits"  (i.e., prospective firefighters who have not been certified or registered by the Firefighters Standards and Training Council) in the definition of "firefighter."  HB 970 also gives the Firefighters Standards and Training Council the authority to establish minimum standards for hiring and training contract firefighters, as well as other firefighting service professionals as they deem necessary.  

The language from this bill was added to HB 727 which passed both chambers. 

SB 0029 OpposeWorkers' Compensation for Firefighter's Who Contract a Disease in the Line Of Duty Albers, John 56th
1/15/2015 Senate Read and Referred -I&L -
Debra Nesbit Fire Services General County Government Insurance Insurance
Personnel/Employment Public Safety and Courts
This legislation may require workers' compensation benefits to a firefighter who develops hypertension, heart disease, and respiratory disease, as well as cancer, AIDS or hepatitis that manifests while the firefighter is employed at the county and was exposed in the line and scope of his employment with the county. However, if the firefighter used tobacco within five years of the onset of the condition, then it will not be assumed that the condition was caused by the firefighter's service to the county.
SB 0276 EvaluatingGeorgia Personal Data Security Act Albers, John 56th
1/21/2016 Senate Read and Referred -S&T -
911 Animal Control Business and Occupation Tax Clerk of Court Code Enforcement
Coroners/Medical Examiners Correctional Institutions/Jail Elections Emergency Management/Preparedness EMS/Ambulance
Fire Services Firearms/Carry Laws Forfeitures, Fees, and Fine Add Ons General County Government Health and Human Services
Impact Fees Insurance Juveniles Law Enforcement Magistrate Court
Nat. Res. & the Environment Open Records/Meetings Act Personnel/Employment Probate Court Probation
Property Tax Public Safety and Courts Retirement Revenue & Finance Sewer/Septage
Sex Offender Sheriff Solicitors Solid Waste State Court
Stormwater Superior Court Tags/Titles Tax Commissioner Todd Edwards
Traffic Enforcement Utilities

This legislation requires local governments to comply with the Georgia Personal Data Security Act. Because counties maintain electronic and physical copies of personal information, they must provide individuals with notice of any breach of security of the system that houses the personal information as soon as possible after the breach is discovered, but in no case later than 45 days. If the county uses a third party to store the personal information, the third party must notify the county within 72 hours of any data breach, so that the county can meet its notification requirements. If law enforcement determines that notification would impair an ongoing criminal investigation, notification can be delayed. If the county, after investigation and consultation with relevant federal, state or local law enforcement, determines that the breach was not likely to result in identify theft or financial harm to an individual, notification will not be necessary. The county will be required to provide a written certification within 30 days to the attorney general and to maintain a copy of the written certification for at least five years.

SB 0306 EvaluatingIdentity Theft - Cannot Notify by Phone Call Martin IV, P. K. 9th
2/1/2016 Senate Read and Referred -S&T -
911 Animal Control Business and Occupation Tax Clerk of Court Code Enforcement
Coroners/Medical Examiners Correctional Institutions/Jail Elections Emergency Management/Preparedness EMS/Ambulance
Fire Services Firearms/Carry Laws Forfeitures, Fees, and Fine Add Ons General County Government Impact Fees
Juveniles Law Enforcement Magistrate Court Open Records/Meetings Act Personnel/Employment
Property Tax Public Safety and Courts Retirement Revenue & Finance Sewer/Septage
Solid Waste State Court Stormwater Superior Court Tags/Titles
Tax Commissioner Todd Edwards Traffic Enforcement Utilities
This legislation does not allow phone calls to be used as a way to notify indivdiuals of a breach of security involving personal information.  For most data breaches, current law allows individuals to be notified in writing, by telephone, through electronic notice.
SB 0387 SupportCreation of Local Government 9-1-1 Authority Mullis, Jeff 53rd
2/18/2016 Senate Read and Referred -RI&Util -
911 Auditing/Budget Debra Nesbit EMS/Ambulance Fire Services
Forfeitures, Fees, and Fine Add Ons General County Government Law Enforcement Public Safety and Courts Revenue & Finance
Sheriff Telecommunications Trauma Care System

This legislation was developed over several years and incorporates many of the recommendations from the Governor’s Commission on 9-1-1 Modernization and Balanced Funding as well as recommendations from the Senate Study Committee. It is estimated the 9-1-1 centers could see as much as a 20 to 25 percent increase in revenues and double the prepaid fees that are collected at the point of sale and remitted to the Department of Revenue.

The Authority is made up of local officials, representatives from the telecommunications industry, and a GEMA representative, for a total of 15 members.

The Authority will provide statewide coordination of 9-1-1 activities in the state; provide planning; oversee compliance by carriers and service providers; audit service providers to ensure all fees are paid; and collect and distribute 9-1-1 fees through a centralized location. ALL 9-1-1 FEES COLLECTED IN A JURISDICTION WILL BE DISBURSED BACK TO THE JURISDICTION FROM WHICH IT CAME. 

The Authority may retain UP TO 3% for administration, for activities such as financial services, auditing and legal services.

The legislation eliminates the cost recovery charges that are billed back to jurisdictions by the wireless providers. It does allow the providers to bill their subscribers for cost recovery, but it will not come out of the 9-1-1fees received for the operation of the 9-1-1 center.

It also sets the 9-1-1 fees for landlines, wireless and prepaid, to $1.50 across the board.

   
SB 0416 EvaluatingEstablishment of Georgia Information Sharing and Analysis Center Cowsert, Bill 46th
7/1/2016 Effective Date PS&HS PUB SAF -
Debra Nesbit Emergency Management/Preparedness EMS/Ambulance Fire Services Georgia Bureau of Investigation
Health and Human Services Law Enforcement Nat. Res. & the Environment Public Safety and Courts
This legislation creates the Georgia Information Sharing and Analysis Center under the management of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The center will combine resources, expertise and intelligence from state and local governments to maximize the ability to detect, prevent and respond to criminal activities or homeland security activities, such as terrorist attacks, hostile military or paramilitary actions, extraordinary law enforcement emergencies or fire or medical emergencies requiring resources beyond the capabilities of a county or city.
SR 0282 SupportCreation of Joint Peace Officer and Firefighter Occupational Disease Study Committee Albers, John 56th
3/19/2015 House Second Readers I&L PUB SAF -
Compensation Debra Nesbit Fire Services General County Government Insurance
Insurance Law Enforcement Personnel/Employment Public Safety and Courts
This legislation creates the Joint Peace Officer and Firefighter Occupational Disease Study Committee to study the conditions, needs, issues and problems of occupational diseases of law enforcement officers and firefighters. The committee will develop a report, including recommended legislation by December 1, 2015. The nine member committee is appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker, and the State Board of Workers' Compensation Chair.
SR 0558 SupportFireworks - Dedicating the State's 5 Percent Excise Tax Mullis, Jeff 53rd
5/3/2016 Senate Date Signed by Governor W&M PUB SAF -
Fire Services Fireworks General County Government Health and Human Services Law Enforcement
Public Safety and Courts Revenue & Finance Todd Edwards Trauma Care System

This legislation asks the voters to consider a referendum amending the Georgia Constitution to designate the proceeds of the state excise tax on firework sales to be used for trauma care, fire training and public safety.

 

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








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