| HB 0876 |
Neutral | Building Codes - Locals Cannot Prohibit Wood Construction |
John Corbett |
|---|
|
7/1/2018 |
Effective Date |
Agriculture and Consumer Affairs |
Agriculture and Consumer Affairs |
- |
|
|
| This legislation preempts local governments from prohibiting the use of wood as a construction material so long as such use conforms to all applicable state minimum standard codes and the Georgia State Fire Code. Several cities, concerned with fire safety, have enacted such ordinances. |
| HB 0886 |
Support | Sales Tax Exemptions - Revision of Agricultural Exemption/GATE Program |
Sam Watson |
|---|
|
5/3/2018 |
Effective Date |
Agriculture and Consumer Affairs |
Agriculture and Consumer Affairs |
- |
|
|
| This bill makes several changes to the GATE program: 1) increases the sales and operations thresholds from $2,500.00 to $5,000.00; 2) includes livestock as an agricultural product; 3) provides additional requirements for applicants who apply and provide IRS Form 1120 or 1120(s); requires the agriculture commissioner to get a taxpayer's valid state tax identification number prior to issuing an exemption certificate; 4) provides for 3 year duration of new exemption certificates for a fee of $150.00 and an annual wallet sized card showing the certificate is in effect for the current year; 5) provides for new procedures for suspension or revocation of the certificate for unlawful use; 6) authorizes DOR and the Department of Agriculture to share confidential tax information for program compliance purposes; and 7) requires the Department of Agriculture to prepare an annual report for the chairs of House Ways and Means and Senate Finance committees. |
| HB 0904 |
Neutral | Recreational Property Owners act - Effect of Charging Admission |
Meagan Hanson |
|---|
|
7/1/2018 |
Effective Date |
Judiciary |
Agriculture and Consumer Affairs |
- |
|
|
| This bill would remove the immunity otherwise provided to owners of recreational property made available to the public if such owners charge anyone for admission. This bill seeks to overturn a recent court decision that provided such immunity if the specific injured person was not charged for admission, regardless of whether others were charged for admission. |
| HB 0956 |
Neutral | Food Animal Cruelty - Must Consult with Category II Veterinarian before Filing Charges |
Clay Pirkle |
|---|
|
7/1/2018 |
Effective Date |
Agriculture and Consumer Affairs |
Agriculture and Consumer Affairs |
- |
|
|
| Among other provisions governing veterinarian practices, this bill requires local law enforcement officers to consult with a licensed and accredited Category II veterinarian employed by a state agency prior to filing animal cruelty charges regarding animal husbandry of food animals. The veterinarian will confirm whether or not the conduct is in accordance with customary and standard practice. "Food animal" means any animal that is raised for the production of an edible product intended for human consumption. Additionally, the bill requires veterinarians to disclose the rabies vaccination history of any animal 24 hours of receipt of a written request by the physician of any person bitten by such animal. |
| SB 0257 |
Neutral | Food Animal Cruelty? Must Consult Dept. of Agriculture before Filing Charges |
Bill Heath |
|---|
|
3/21/2018 |
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute |
Agriculture and Consumer Affairs |
Agriculture and Consumer Affairs |
- |
|
|
| This legislation requires local law enforcement officers to consult with a Department of Agriculture Category II veterinarian before filing criminal charges related to animal cruelty/husbandry of "food animals" - to confirm whether or not such conduct is in accordance with customary and standard practice. A food animal is one raised for the production of an edible product intended for consumption by humans. |
| SB 0418 |
Oppose | No Local Restriction on any Sale of Goods Regulated by Federal or State Agencies |
John Wilkinson |
|---|
|
2/28/2018 |
Senate Lost |
- | Agriculture and Consumer Affairs |
- |
|
|
| This latest state preemption legislation, mirrored in HB 948, prohibits local governments from prohibiting or otherwise restricting the retail sale of any goods, products or items regulated by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, U.S. Food and Drug Administration or the GA Dept. of Agriculture, so long as any said sales are in compliance with local zoning. This effort to preempt local ordinances prohibiting a certain pet store chain has expanded greatly. ACCG asks that you pay very close attention to this bill and provide Todd Edwards (tedwards@accg.org) feedback on how this bill may impact any county ordinances regulating the retail sale of animals (pets or livestock), tobacco, alcohol, plants, etc. For a list of all goods, products and items regulated by these agencies (thus preempted by local government regulation) please click here. Please note that ACCG takes no position on the operation of certain pet store chains; however, ACCG opposes taking away a community's ability to regulate the broad swath of goods, products and items covered by the above three agencies. |
| SB 0451 |
Neutral | Agriculture Water Metering |
Larry Walker |
|---|
|
5/8/2018 |
Act 483 |
Natural Resources and Environment |
Agriculture and Consumer Affairs |
- |
|
|
| This legislation addresses agriculture irrigation that transfers the ag metering program from the Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. The bill also includes provisions related to the installation and monitoring of irrigation meters. |
