HB 0022 |
Evaluating | Creating New Cities - Stipulations |
Oliver, Mary Margaret 82nd |
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1/16/2013 |
House - House Second Readers |
GAff |
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| This legislation stipulates methods by which the General Assembly can create new cities.
In counties where more than 25% of the population lives in cities, in order to create a new city, the remainder of the unincorporated area would have to be placed in the new city or annexed into existing cities.
In any type of county, a bill to create the new city would have to be introduced in the first year of a two year legislative session, studied in between sessions and adopted in the second year of the session. In the time between sessions, a study of the proposed city would be conducted to include: the economic viability of the proposed city, the plan for the remaining unincorporated area of the county, the amount of taxes necessary for the proposed city to provide services to its residents, the financial impact of the new city on the county and adjacent cities in the county, a comparison of the estimated police, fire and sanitation services in the new city, the county and the adjacent cities before and after the creation of the city, the financial impact of the plan on the remaining unincorporated area of the county, and the county as a whole and the existing cities.
The legislative committees considering the creation of the new city would be required to hear testimony to determine if there are less disruptive or less costly alternatives than creation of a new city. For instance, they would hear testimony about whether overlay zoning districts, special land use districts, and special tax districts would better meet the needs of the residents of the proposed city.
If a proposed city is within a certain distance of existing cities, the existing cities must adopt a resolution consenting to the creation of the new city. |
HB 0035 |
Neutral | School Personnel to Carry Concealed Weapons |
Battles, Paul 15th |
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3/28/2013 |
House - House Withdrawn, Recommitted |
PS&HS |
- | - |
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| 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. |
HB 0041 |
Neutral | Water Rates to Outside Customers |
Willard, Wendell 51st |
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3/28/2013 |
House - House Withdrawn, Recommitted |
GAff |
- | - |
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| 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. |
HB 0044 |
Support | Passport Application Fees as Clerks' Personal Compensation |
Ehrhart, Earl 36th |
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1/16/2013 |
House - House Second Readers |
Judy |
- | - |
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| Currently, Superior Court Clerks keep, as personal compensation, the $25 fee charged for processing U.S. passport applications. This bill requires the Clerks to turn over these fees to the county governing authority. Note that counties would remain free to provide this revenue back to the Clerk's office in whole or in part. |
HB 0060 |
Oppose | Omnibus Gun Bill of 2014 |
Holt, Doug 112th |
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7/1/2014 |
Effective Date |
PS&HS |
JUDYNC |
- |
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| This was the omnibus gun bill of this year's session. ACCG opposed three of its numerous provisions: weapons being allowed in local government buildings unless security and screening are in place; law enforcement not being able to detain persons carrying weapons to determine whether they are legally licensed to do so; and individuals being empowered to sue a county, an elected official or a county employee for any perceived violation of state firearms regulations. For a summary of HB 60, please click here. To view how House members voted on the bill: http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/vote.aspx?VoteID=12129 To view how Senate members voted on the bill: http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/vote.aspx?VoteID=11927 |
HB 0076 |
Neutral | Using Eminent Domain to Construct Electric Lines I |
Holt, Doug 112th |
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1/28/2013 |
House - House Second Readers |
EU&T |
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| 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. |
HB 0077 |
Neutral | Using Eminent Domain to Construct Power Lines II |
Holt, Doug 112th |
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1/28/2013 |
House - House Second Readers |
EU&T |
- | - |
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| 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.
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HB 0089 |
Neutral | Firearms Made in GA Not Subject to Federal Laws |
Benton, Tommy 31st |
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1/29/2013 |
House - House Second Readers |
PS&HS |
- | - |
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| 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. |
HB 0090 |
Neutral | Guns - State Exempt from following Federal Gun Laws |
Allison, Stephen 8th |
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1/29/2013 |
House - House Second Readers |
Judy |
- | - |
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| 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. |
HB 0091 |
Negotiating | Local Governments Restricted in Moving Monuments |
Benton, Tommy 31st |
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2/19/2014 |
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute |
SProp |
- | - |
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| This legislation protects "monuments", which include plaques, statues, markers, flags, banners, displays and memorials, dedicated to a historical entity, event, nation or government and that honors military service to the United States, Confederacy or several states therein. No publicly-owned monument, meant to be perminent, located on county property may be relocated, removed, concealed, obscured in any way by the county other than as necessary to preserve or protect the monument. Counties may relocate such a monument when necessary to build or expand edifices, buildings, roads and other transportation construction projects; however, the monument must be relocated to a site of similar prominence, honor, visibility, availability and access within the county. The monument may not be relocated to a museum, cemetery or mausoleum unless it was originally placed there. |
HB 0099 |
Neutral | Home Beer Makers Allowed to Brew More |
Spencer, Jason 180th |
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7/1/2013 |
House - Effective Date |
RegI |
RI&Util |
- |
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| 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. |
HB 0100 |
Neutral | Guns - No Changing Laws During States of Emergency |
Dutton, Delvis 157th |
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3/28/2013 |
House - House Withdrawn, Recommitted |
Judy |
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| 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. |
HB 0120 |
Neutral | Guns - Must Get Training Before Concealed Permit Issuance |
Marin, Pedro "Pete" 96th |
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1/30/2013 |
House - House Second Readers |
PS&HS |
- | - |
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| This legislation requires those applying for a license to carry a hand gun to complete a firearm safety training course within the last three years. |
HB 0124 |
Neutral | Sunday Sales Enhancements |
Harrell, Brett 106th |
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7/1/2013 |
House - Effective Date |
RegI |
RI&Util |
- |
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| Under this legislation, if the voters do not approve a ballot measure for Sunday sales of beer, wine and liquor by the package, it will not impact a previous vote to approve a ballot measure for Sunday sales of beer and wine only. |
HB 0125 |
Support | Immigration Reform Enhancements to Create Regulatory Efficiencies |
Hightower, Dustin 68th |
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1/13/2014 |
Senate Recommitted |
JudyNC |
JUDYNC |
- |
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| The underlying language for this bill was stripped in the Senate Non-Civil Judiciary Committee on Wednesday and was substituted with the language in SB 160. Both bills address one of ACCG's top priorities this session, which is to reduce paperwork and bureaucratic morass in complying with Georgia's illegal immigration reform mandates.
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HB 0126 |
Support | Crime to Interfere with a Park Ranger Executing their Duties |
Hamilton, Mark 24th |
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7/1/2013 |
House - Effective Date |
JudyNC |
NR&E |
- |
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| This legislation makes it a misdemeanor to interfere with a federal, state or county employee (other than law enforcement officers) enforcing ordinances and regulations regarding the use of a park. If said interference takes the form of a threat or aciton of violence, then it is a felony. |
HB 0127 |
Support | Redirected Fees - Having Fees Appropriated for Designated Purposes |
Powell, Jay 171st |
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3/5/2013 |
Senate - Senate Read and Referred |
App |
APPROP |
- |
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| This legislation, one of ACCG's top priorities, seeks to halt the now-common state practice of redirecting fees from their designated purposes to the state's general fund for other uses. If fees for the Solid Waste Trust Fund, Hazardous Waste Trust Fund, Indigent Defense, Peace Officers and Prosecutors Training Fund and teen driver's education are not appropriated for their intended use, the fees will be reduced or eliminated, proportionate to the amount that is redirected.
While the Senate once again halted this legislation, HB 276 did pass both chambers, applying the above fee-reduction mechanism to the Hazardous and Solid Waste Trust Funds.
Click here for ACCG's HB 127 Press Release
Click here for ACCG's sectional summary of HB 127
Click here for ACCG's implementation timeline for HB 127 |
HB 0133 |
Neutral | Burial Disturbance Permit Required for Livestock Grazing |
Tommy Benton |
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3/3/2014 |
House Third Reading Lost |
Judy |
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| Under current law, individuals who own property in the unincorporated area of the county containing a cemetery or burial site must obtain a burial disturbance permit from the board of commissioners to have the cemetery or burial site moved in order to develop the property. This legislation would also require a burial disturbance permit for property owners to allow livestock to graze on the portion of the property containing a cemetery or burial site. |
HB 0152 |
Support | Illegal Immigration Reform - Renewals for Public Benefits |
Bentley, Patty 139th |
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2/1/2013 |
House - House Second Readers |
JudyNC |
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| This legislation specifies that individuals applying to the county for "public benefits" (e.g., health benefits, retirement benefits, occupation tax registration, as well as licenses for alcoholic beverages, taxi cabs, auctioneers, massage therapist, billiard rooms, flea markets, precious metals and gems dealers, peddlers, transient businesses, fortune tellers, etc.) who have previously filed a SAVE ("Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements) affidavit with the county do not have to file additional affidavits for each public benefit. |
HB 0168 |
Oppose | "Buy Georgia" Mandate on County Purchasing |
Fullerton, Carol 153rd |
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2/4/2013 |
House - House Second Readers |
Ed |
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| Under current state law, counties are only required to give preference to Georgia service providers as is reasonable and practical. Additionally, for purchases over $100,000, counties must consider the economic multiplier information supplied by the bidder of the impact that the Georgia produced goods provide. This legislation requires counties to obtain to give preference to Georgia products and services, regardless of whether it is reasonable and practical. Counties must give preference to service providers that employee Georgia workers. All invitations to bid must include a notice that the county will consider the impact of the bid on employment in the state. In order to be considered by the county, all bids must contain an employment impact statement that includes the number of jobs expected to be created in Georgia if the bidder receives the contract, the number of jobs expected to be retained in Georgia that might otherwise be lost if the bid is awarded to a different bidder, the number of subcontractor jobs expected if the bidder is awarded the contract, the number of subcontractor jobs expected to retained that might otherwise be lost if another bidder is awarded the contract, and a guarantee that the jobs created or retained in Georgia will not be moved out of state during the contract. The county must require any information needed to substantiate claims by a bidder that jobs will created or retained. |
HB 0176 |
Neutral | Cell Towers/Equipment - Conditions on Local Government Approval Process |
Parsons, Don 44th |
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7/1/2014 |
Effective Date |
EU&T |
RI&Util |
- |
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| This substitute bill is significantly scaled back from last year's cell tower bill, resulting from a compromise between ACCG, GMA and wireless providers. Addressed among its provisions are a shot clock on new tower permit application and conditions on the forced removal of an existing tower, wireless equipment on public property and local government application fees. It does not affect a county's current ability to deny an application for a new tower, manage wireless infrastructure on its right of way, or contain an "automatically approved" provision if an application shot clock expires. For a summary of this compromise bill, please click here. |
HB 0178 |
Neutral | Georgia Pain Management Act |
Weldon, Tom 3rd |
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7/1/2013 |
House - Effective Date |
H&HS |
H&HS |
- |
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| Among other things, this legislation allows law enforcement to obtain records regarding the deaths of individuals that may have been caused by the medication obtained through a pain management clinic. Such records are not subject to the open records law. |
HB 0183 |
Support | Immigration Reform Enhancements to Create Regulatory Efficiencies |
Jasperse, Rick 11th |
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2/5/2013 |
House - House Second Readers |
I&L |
- | - |
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| This legislation addresses one of ACCG's top priorities this session. To reduce paperwork and bureaucratic morass in complying with Georgia's illegal immigration reform laws, HB 183 consolidates three local government immigration reporting mandates to one report, due once a year, to one agency; no longer mandates that businesses seeking business licenses, occupation tax certificiates or other documents required to operate a business submit E-Verify information to local governments annually, but just once; eliminates "contracts" as a public benefit; allows those submitting documents to local governments to prove immigration status to do so by mail; and allows legal U.S. citizens to only have to prove their citizenship by affidavit once, rather than annually, to receive public benefits from the same agency.
For ACCG's Sectional Summary of HB 183, please click here.
For ACCG's one-stop Web shop on all things immigration for Georgia's county governments, please click here. |
HB 0185 |
Neutral | Selling Distilled Spirits Directly from Distillery |
Kidd, E. Culver "Rusty" 145th |
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2/5/2013 |
House - House Second Readers |
RegI |
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| This legislation allows the Georgia Department of Revenue to permit distilleries to sell package liquor in limited quantity. |
HB 0188 |
Neutral | Honoring Military Professional Licenses |
Coomer, Christian 14th |
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7/1/2013 |
House - Effective Date |
D&VA |
RI&Util |
- |
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| This legislation allow certain electrical, plumbing, HVAC and utility contractors who are or have been in the military (or are married to someone in the military stationed in Georgia) to practice their profession in Georgia while living here. |