Legislation Assigned to the Senate RI&Util Committee (18)

Date of Last Recorded Action: 3/29/2024

HB 0099 NeutralHome Beer Makers Allowed to Brew More Spencer, Jason 180th
7/1/2013 House - Effective Date RegI RI&Util -
Alcohol/Tobacco General County Government Land Use/Zoning Nat. Res. & the Environment Todd Edwards
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 0124 NeutralSunday Sales Enhancements Harrell, Brett 106th
7/1/2013 House - Effective Date RegI RI&Util -
Alcohol/Tobacco Elections General County Government Todd Edwards
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 0132 NeutralRemove Board of Dentistry and Pharmacy From Secretary of State to Department of Community Health Hawkins, Lee 27th
7/1/2013 House - Effective Date RegI RI&Util -
Debra Nesbit Firearms/Carry Laws Health and Human Services Public Safety and Courts Sheriff
HB 0176 NeutralCell Towers/Equipment - Conditions on Local Government Approval Process Parsons, Don 44th
7/1/2014 Effective Date EU&T RI&Util -
General County Government Land Use/Zoning Leg Update Draft Telecommunications Todd Edwards
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 0188 NeutralHonoring Military Professional Licenses Coomer, Christian 14th
7/1/2013 House - Effective Date D&VA RI&Util -
Code Enforcement General County Government Public Safety and Courts Todd Edwards
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.
HB 0487 NeutralCoin Operated Amusement Machines - Regulating Ramsey, Matt 72nd
4/10/2013 House - Effective Date RegI RI&Util -
Business and Occupation Tax General County Government Land Use/Zoning Public Safety and Courts Revenue & Finance
Todd Edwards
This legislation moves the regulation of coin operated machines from the Department of Revenue to the Georgia Lottery Corporation. It allows the county to prohibit more than six Class B coin operated amusement machines that reward the player exclusively with non-cash merchandise, prizes, toys, gift certificates, etc.  Under the old law, counties could only prohibit more than nine Class B machines.  This legislation also allows the county to require an annual audit of the verified monthly reports that location owners and operators must prepare showing the gross receipts from the Class B machines, gross retail receipts for the business location and the net receipts of the Class B machines.
HB 0517 SupportAuthorizing Sale of Beer and Wine within 100 Yards of College Campus Williams, Chuck 119th
7/1/2013 House - Effective Date RegI RI&Util -
Alcohol/Tobacco General County Government Todd Edwards

Current law prohibits the sale of package beer and wine within 100 yards of a college campus. This bill allows cities and counties, via local ordinance, to allow for the sale of package beer and wine within that 100-yard distance so long as the store has at least 85 percent of its floor space dedicated to the sale of food and other nonalcoholic items, and conducts all of its sales within the store (i.e., no gas pumps outside).     

HB 0737 NeutralHome Brew - Transporting for Personal Consumption Brett Harrel
7/1/2014 Effective Date RegI RI&Util -
Alcohol/Tobacco General County Government Revenue & Finance Todd Edwards

This legislation allows up to 128 ounces of malt beverages produced in a private residence (i.e., "home brew") to be transported from the private residence where it was prepared by the person who made it to another location that is not licensed.  The home brew must be transported for the purpose of consumption by the the person who made it or his or her family or guest.  The home brew must be sealed in one or more containers and clearly labeled with the name of the person who made it, as well as the address of the residence where it was made.  It the home brew is transported by motor vehicle, it must be placed in a locked glove compartment, trunk or area behind the last upright seat if the vehicle does not have a trunk.

HB 737 also clarifies that the board of commissioners must adopt a resolution or ordinance for the issuance of home brew special event permits, if they desire to allow them.  It also specifies that home brew special events may not be held at any establishment that has an alcoholic beverage license.

HB 0784 SupportSunday Sales - on Premises for St. Patrick's Day Ron Stephens
2/17/2014 Senate Read Second Time RegI RI&Util -
Alcohol/Tobacco General County Government Todd Edwards

This legislation allows counties where the sale of alcoholic beverages for on premise consumption is already approved to adopt a resolution or ordinance to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages for on premise consumption on Sundays that fall during March 16 through March 18.

HB 1042 NeutralAuctioneers to Sell Property Katie Dempsey
7/1/2014 Effective Date RegI RI&Util -
General County Government Leg Update Draft Procurement Property Tax Sheriff
Tax Commissioner Todd Edwards

ACCG opposed this legislation as it was introduced because it mandated that counties pay a licensed auctioneer to conduct any sale of county property through a bid or auction process, including eBay, govdeals.com or any other online service. This bill was subsequently amended to no longer impact counties.

SB 0024 SupportHospital Medicaid Financing Program Act Bethel, Charlie 54th
2/13/2013 Senate - Effective Date GAff RI&Util -
Debra Nesbit Health and Human Services Indigent Health Care
This legislation delegates the authority to levy the medicaid assessment fee on hospitals to the Department of Community Health.  The assessment of the fee on hospitals allows the state to draw down twice the amount collected in additional Medicaid funds resulting in a higher Medicaid reimbursement rate paid to the hospitals.  The legislation dedicates the fees to Medicaid and the act will sunset in 2016.
 

 
SB 0117 NeutralCall Before You Dig Revisions Jeffares, Rick 17th
7/1/2014 Effective Date EU&T RI&Util -
Econ. Dev. & Transportation General County Government Leg Update Draft Public Works Todd Edwards
Utilities
This legislation changes Georgia's Utility Facility Protection Act (GUFPA, or "Call Before You Dig" Law).  It revises the definition of large projects and procedures for addressing unlocatable utilities; reinforces that sewer laterals are not owned by local governments; clarifyies that routine road maintenance is not "excavating" for the purposes of the GUFPA Act; and alters the makeup of the GUFPA advisory committee.  This bill does not expand penalties for local governments found in violation of the law, nor does it expand the Public Service Commission's regulatory reach over local governments or water authorities.
 
For a summary of this legislation and proposed GUFPA provisions, please click here.     
SB 0286 NeutralFortified Wine Jack Murphy
4/21/2014 Senate Date Signed by Governor RegI RI&Util -
Alcohol/Tobacco General County Government Todd Edwards
This legislation changes the definition of "distilled spirits," "dessert wine" and "fortified wine."  It also provides that vintners that include distilled spirits in their fortified wines are not considered manufacturers of distilled spirits.
SB 0294 NeutralLow-Voltage Contractor Licensing Jack Murphy
3/18/2014 House Postponed RegI RI&Util -
Business and Occupation Tax Code Enforcement General County Government Todd Edwards

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.

SB 0303 SupportSelling Distilled Spirits - From Dry to Wet County Burt Jones
1/22/2014 Senate Read and Referred -RI&Util -
Alcohol/Tobacco General County Government Todd Edwards

This legislation amends the laws regarding holding a referendum to approve package sales of liquor. Under current law, a referendum may only be initiated by a petition signed by 35 percent of the registered voters of the county. This legislation would allow the referendum to be initiated by the adoption of a resolution or ordinance by the board of commissioners in lieu of the petition process. The petition process would still remain an option.    

SB 0318 NeutralOn-Premise Alcohol Sales during St. Patrick's Day Weekend Lester Jackson
3/13/2014 Senate Date Signed by Governor RegI RI&Util -
Alcohol/Tobacco General County Government Todd Edwards

This legislation allows counties where on premise consumption of alcoholic beverages is lawful to pass an ordinance or resolution authorizing the sale of alcoholic beverages on premises from 12:30 p.m. until 12:00 a.m. on any Sunday which occurs during the St. Patrick's Day holiday period (meaning March 16 through 18).

SB 0335 NeutralAlcohol - Locals May Authorize Retail Dealers to Conduct Tastings Burt Jones
2/21/2014 Senate Read Second Time -RI&Util -
Alcohol/Tobacco General County Government Land Use/Zoning Todd Edwards

This legislation allows counties to authorize alcoholic beverage tasting events.

SR 0217 NeutralPari-Mutuel Wagering in Horse Racing; Constitutional Amendment Thompson, Curt 5th
2/12/2013 Senate - Senate Read and Referred -RI&Util -
Econ. Dev. & Transportation Economic Development General County Government Land Use/Zoning Shaun Adams
This legislation, if approved by the voters, amends the constitution to allow pari-mutuel wagering in horse racing.
Green background on status indicates a bill has been acted on the last recorded legislative day.








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