This legislation revises the vacant and foreclosed property law enacted in 2012 by removing the limitation that only properties that have received a land use disturbance permit can be included on the foreclosed real property registry.  It also clarifies that certain foreclosed properties are not subject to registration if the deed is filed with the clerk of superior court within 60 days of the foreclosure sale or transfer of the deed in lieu of foreclosure.

This legislation expands probate courts' jurisdiction to include misdemeanors related to alcoholic beverages and under age persons; to livestock running at large, to criminal trespass; to littering, to illegal dumping, to shopfliting ($500 or less); to theft ($1,500 or less); to fourth degree forgery; to obstructing or hindering a law enforcement officer, firefighter, EMT or other emergency medical professional; to obstructing or hindering a person making an emergency call; to giving false name or date of birth; to affray; to disorderly conduct; to harassing phone calls; to unlawful conduct during a 9-1-1 call; to public drunkenness; to possession of marijuana (one ounce or less); to possession or use of drug related objects; and to mandatory education for children between the ages of six and 16. The probate court would only have the ability to hear these cases if the defendant waives their right to a jury trial in writing.

This legislation exempts certain nonprofit organizations from the board of health's food service establishment requirements. The exemption would apply to qualified nonprofit organizations that operate food banks; that provide on-site feeding programs for free distribution of food to combat poverty and hunger; that provide food to houses or residential structures where seriously ill or injured children and their families are provided temporary accommodations near the hospital where the child receives treatment, so long as food is prepared, served, transported or stored by volunteer personnel.

This legislation prohibits the use of any type of aircraft (manned or unmanned) to operate 100 feet or closer to private property for purposes of "searching or engaging in surveillance" without a search warrant or permission of the property owner.

This legislation allows counties to contract with the Georgia Department of Public Safety to jointly regulate taxicabs and limousine services. It also gives the state the authority to regulate transportation referral. Taxicab and limousine owners would be required to pay $1,000 per vehicle per year to the Department of Revenue in lieu of sales tax on the fares. If the business is based in the unincorporated area, the county would receive 43 percent of this fee.

This legislation would provide property tax exemptions, occupation tax exemption, regulatory fee exemption and business inspection fee abatement or reduction to businesses with 20 full time employees and a retail inventory of $1 million that locate in an enterprise zone.  Under current law, these exemptions are only provided to businesses with 5,000 employees that create at least 10 new full time jobs. 

This legislation removes the requirement that the board of commissioners be notified by the State Construction Industry Licensing Board of the provisions of the law relating to licenses required for electrical, plumbing and conditioned air. It allows those with a universal Electrical Contractor license to peform low-voltage electric work without having to obtain a low-voltage contractor license.

This legislation requires the local fire marshal, building official or code enforcement officer to provide written notification and an opportunity to correct a violation of the state minimum fire safety standards before denying a permit, refusing to issue a certificate of occupancy or issuing a stop work order.

This legislation creates a court technology fee to be assessed on criminal fines, ordinance violations and civil filings with the passage of a local resolution. The chief judge will control the fund and appoint members of the technology fund board. This legislation also repeals any local technology fee in place on July 1, 2014.

 This legislation creates the Senate Entrepreneur in Residence Study Committee to examine impediments to entrepreneurs. The program would have two objectives:  (1) to identify within government inefficient and overlapping programs that negatively impact entrepreneurs trying to start or expand a business, and to recommend solutions; and, (2) to serve as a visible advocate and mentor for entrepreneurs within the government, a point of contact who knows and understands their needs, concerns, and frustrations with regard to dealing with government.

The entrepreneur in residence would:

1. Assist in providing outreach to entrepreneurs and small businesses;

2. Provide recommendations on ways to streamline and improve government procedures impacting entrepreneurs;

3. Recommend ways to improve programs available to entrepreneurs;

4. Facilitate meetings and forums to educate entrepreneurs on programs and requirements;

5. Provide technical assistance or guidance to entreprenuers in navigating government programs and requirements;

6. Participate in informal working groups of entrepreneurs in residence from various agencies established to discuss best practices, experiences, obstacles, opportunities, and recommendations.