HB 0105 |
Neutral | Sales Tax Exemption - Ridesharing |
Sam Watson |
---|
|
8/5/2020 |
Effective Date |
Ways and Means |
Finance |
- |
|
|
| As introduced, this bill was limited to providing an income tax exemption for disaster relief payments associated with Hurricane Michael. As amended, the bill would exempt transportation services -- taxis, limos, and ridesharing such as Uber and Lyft -- from sales taxes, and replace that tax with a 50-cent per ride fee (25 cents for shared rides), subject to annual CPI adjustment. That fee would go to the state, with the stated intent that this money be used for transportation purposes, including transit; if not so appropriated, the fee would be reduced by 50% in the first year and repealed in the second such year. Because of constitutional limitations, the actual use of this money would be subject to the annual state budget process. Additionally, the bill would require that up to 10% of the state heavy-vehicle highway impact fee and $5/night fee on lodging be used for transit purposes. |
HB 0244 |
Support | EMCs - Public Service Commission to Determine Pole Attachment Fees |
Ron Stephens |
---|
|
1/1/2021 |
Effective Date |
Economic Development and Tourism |
Regulated Industries and Utilities |
- |
|
|
| This legislation alters the process by which Georgia’s Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs) determine the fees charged to communications service providers which place telecommunications equipment on EMC utility poles. The fee/rate will be determined by the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) after the PSC considers what is just, reasonable, nondiscriminatory and commercially reasonable. The PSC will promulgate, by January 1, 2021, the rules explaining how the above factors will be determined. Current PSC charges will remain in effect until the date of their natural or lawful determination. |
HB 0378 |
Support | Rental Car Excise Taxes - Collection by Marketplace Facilitators |
Hugh Williamson |
---|
|
3/10/2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
Ways and Means |
Finance |
- |
|
|
| This bill would require collection of the local-option 3% rental car excise tax by any entity/online platform (a "marketplace facilitator") that facilitates the rental/leaseof 5 or more vehicles. |
HB 0448 |
Support | Hotel/Motel Taxes - Collection by Online Facilitators |
Matt Dollar |
---|
|
3/13/2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
Ways and Means |
Assignments |
- |
|
|
| This bill would require "lodging facilitators" (for example, AirBnb and HomeAway) to collect and remit hotel/motel taxes if the facilitator's platform facilitates at least $100,000 annually in Georgia lodging sales. |
HB 0542 |
Evaluating | Creation of a Charity Care Exchange for Purchase and Sell of Charity Care Credits |
Todd Jones |
---|
|
3/12/2020 |
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute |
Human Relations and Aging |
- | - |
|
|
| This legislation creates an exchange by which health care facilities may buy and sell charity care credits necessary to meet CON requirements. |
HB 0690 |
Oppose | Building Permits - Locals Can't Charge More than $500 for Inspecting "Agricultural Structures" |
James Burchett |
---|
|
3/13/2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
Agriculture and Consumer Affairs |
Assignments |
- |
|
|
| This legislation prohibits cities and counties from charging a fee of more than $500 for permitting "agricultural structures", which includes buildings and structures used for the commercial production of crops, livestock, animals, poultry, honeybees, livestock, timber, forest products, products used for commercial aquaculture or farm labor camps for migrant workers. ACCG feels that fees for permitting agricultural should approximate whatever the cost is for administering the permitting service. If it cost the county more than $500 to conduct an inspection, other taxpayers will have to pick up the cost, thus subsidizing the service. |
HB 0779 |
Support | Title Ad Valorem Tax - Change Local Distribution Formula |
Shaw Blackmon |
---|
|
6/29/2020 |
Effective Date |
Ways and Means |
Finance |
- |
|
|
| For vehicles registered to an address within city limits, this bill would change the distribution of the local share of title ad valorem taxes (TAVT). The county and city shares would reverse from their current percentages: the county would receive 23% (currently 28%) and the city would receive 28% (currently 23%). The school system would continue to get 49%, unless the city has a municipal school system. In that case, the city would get 49%, the school system would get 28%, and the county would get 23%. The distribution of the local share of TAVT for vehicles registered to an unincorporated address would not change (51% county, 49% schools). |
HB 0792 |
Negotiating | Supplemental appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020 |
David Ralston |
---|
|
3/17/2020 |
Effective Date |
Appropriations |
Appropriations |
- |
|
|
| This is annual supplemental amended budget for fiscal year 2020. For a comphrehensive overview of budget items that may impact your county please click here. |
HB 0807 |
Neutral | Occupation Tax - Financial Information for Businesses in Multiple Jurisdictions |
Martin Momtahan |
---|
|
6/23/2020 |
Senate - Senate Read Second Time |
Ways and Means |
Finance |
- |
|
|
| For businesses that operate in more than one jurisdiction and that are subject to a gross-receipts occupation tax, this bill would allow the submission of an affidavit from a CPA, rather than tax returns, regarding the proper allocation of gross receipts to the operations within each jurisdiction. The bill would also specify that regulatory fees must be used for funding the regulatory operations rather than general county operations. As amended in the Senate, the bill would clarify that local governments are not required to create separate accounts for such regulatory fees. |
HB 0854 |
Neutral | Battery-Charged Electric Fences |
Dale Rutledge |
---|
|
3/13/2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
Governmental Affairs |
Assignments |
- |
|
|
| This bill stipulates that local governments shall treat/regulate battery-charged "fence detection systems" as they do other alarm systems as defined in law. A fence detection system is an alarm system or electronic security system and ancillary components attached to the system that must be surrounded by a nonelectric perimeter fence or wall that is at least five feet tall and marked with conspicuous warning signs reading "Warning-Electric Fence". These fences may only be deployed in industrial and commercial districts. |
HB 0857 |
Neutral | Prohibition - Burning Chemically Treated Wood Products |
Alan Powell |
---|
|
8/4/2020 |
Effective Date |
Natural Resources and Environment |
Regulated Industries and Utilities |
- |
|
|
| This legislation prohibits biomass plants in Georgia from burning wood products treated with creosote or naphthenate compounds. See article here for more details. |
HB 0879 |
Oppose | Alcohol - Omnibus Bill: Home Delivery, Streamlined Permitting and Sunday Sales |
Brett Harrell |
---|
|
8/3/2020 |
Effective Date |
Regulated Industries |
Regulated Industries and Utilities |
- |
|
|
| This legislation was amended in Senate Rules Committee to include HB 67, which requires the Department of Revenue (DOR), on or before January 1, 2021, to develop and implement a state-wide, centralized online platform for retailers to apply for initial applications and renewals for local and state issued alcohol beverage licenses. DOR is charged with adopting the rules and regulations necessary to implement and administer the licenses. ***ACCG's Policy Council voted to oppose this legislation only due to two very narrow, specific elements contained in the above section. First, ACCG asked to extend the effective date from January 1, 2021 to July 1, 2021 in order to provide DOR and local governments more time to adequately develop the online licensing platform. Secondly, ACCG asked that local alcohol licenses be issued prior to the state issuing its license using this platform. Both requests were denied. The legislation also authorizes the sell and delivery of packaged alcohol (beer, wine and liquor), under specific terms and conditions, to persons who establish accounts with the retailer. Delivery drivers must undergo training, background checks and meet certain conditions and delivery addresses must be located within the local alcohol licensing jurisdiction of the retailer. Local governments could prohibit, via ordinance, this delivery within their jurisdiction. Additionally, this bill alters the hours and process of approving Sunday package and on-premise (restaurant) alcohol sales (aka, the "brunch bill") of beer, wine and distilled spirits. Cities and counties who have authorized these sales, via a referendum, may now allow sales starting at 11:00 a.m. via passage of an ordinance or resolution (current sales start at 12:30 noon, and local voters currently would have to pass a referendum in order to alter the times). Cities and counties could also require a referendum to change this time if they would like. Going forward, any county that newly-adopts Sunday sales - be they on-premise or package for beer, wine or liquor - must still have a referendum adopted, but the hours of said sales would be from 11:00 a.m. to midnight. Lastly, current law prohibits the sale of distilled spirits within 200 yards of schools and college campuses. Under this bill, local governments may authorize the sale of packaged alcohol (for consumption off premise) within 200 yards of college campuses via the adoption of a less-restrictive ordinance; however, local governments cannot adopt more restrictive distances. The term "college" includes, but is not limited to, all buildings, campuses and grounds of a college. |
HB 0881 |
Neutral | Addition of Ambulance Services to Locations Required to Become a Safe Place for Newborns |
Sharon Cooper |
---|
|
3/13/2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
Health and Human Services |
Assignments |
- |
|
|
| This legislation requires that ambulance services become one the mandated locations for a Safe Place for Newborns. All ambulances will be required to place a sign on their vehicles indicating that they are a Safe Place for Newborns. |
HB 0886 |
Neutral | Animals - Vets Must Scan for Microchip to Verify Proper Owner |
Andrew Welch |
---|
|
3/13/2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
Agriculture and Consumer Affairs |
Assignments |
- |
|
|
| This bill requires veterinarians and veterinary technicians to scan the animals they are treating for microchips to ensure that the animal's owner is the same person presenting the animal for treatment. If not, the veterinarian must notify law enforcement. |
HB 0901 |
Support | GEFA Loans for Land and Water Conservation Projects |
Mike Cheokas |
---|
|
8/3/2020 |
Effective Date |
Natural Resources and Environment |
Finance |
- |
|
|
| This legislation allows the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) to award loans to local governments and nongovernment entities for projects that permanently protect land and water. |
HB 0903 |
Neutral | Issuance of Traffic Citation to Vehicle Owner in Lieu of Person Operating Vehicle In Certain Situations |
Matt Dollar |
---|
|
6/20/2020 |
Senate - Senate Read Second Time |
Public Safety and Homeland Security |
Special Judiciary |
- |
|
|
| This legislation would allow law enforcement to issue a citation to an owner of vehicle instead of the vehicle operater for violations involving tag decals, if the owner is present. |
HB 0906 |
Support | Heritage Trust Program |
Darlene Taylor |
---|
|
3/13/2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
Natural Resources and Environment |
Assignments |
- |
|
|
| This legislation grants the Georgia Department of Natural Resources more authority over property dedicated under the Heritage Trust Program. Specifically, the bill allows GA DNR to transfer ownership (up to 15 acres) of a property dedicated as a heritage preserve to a willing local government or private entity. |
HB 0911 |
Neutral | Creates Offense of Improper Sexual Conduct by a Foster Parent |
Ed Setzler |
---|
|
1/1/2021 |
Effective Date |
Judiciary - Non-Civil |
Judiciary |
- |
|
|
| This legislation creates felony offenses for improper sexual conduct by a foster parent in the first and second degrees and sets penalites for both. |
HB 0927 |
Neutral | Reporting Requirement For Any Spill or Release of Ethylene Oxide |
Don Parsons |
---|
|
3/13/2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
Natural Resources and Environment |
Assignments |
- |
|
|
| This legislation requires any spill or release of ethylene oxide (regardless of the amount) be reported to the Georgia Environmental Protection (EPD) within 24 hours of discovering the release. This information must also be placed on EPD's website. Similar legislation has been introduced in the Senate, SB 426. |
HB 0929 |
Neutral | Coal Ash Pond Regulations |
Vance Smith |
---|
|
6/17/2020 |
Senate - Senate Withdrawn & Recommitted |
Natural Resources and Environment |
Natural Resources and the Environment |
- |
|
|
| This legislation codifies state and federal rules regulating coal combustion residual surface impoundments (coal ash ponds). Post-closure care will take place for a minimum of 30 years that will include ground-water monitoring. In addition, EPD would be required to conduct an inspection of the coal ash pond at least annually during the closure period and at least once every five years following the completion of the closure. |
HB 0958 |
Oppose | The Maternity Supportive Housing Act |
Ed Setzler |
---|
|
6/17/2020 |
Senate - Senate Withdrawn & Recommitted |
Juvenile Justice |
Health and Human Services |
- |
|
|
| This legislation allows the establishment of maternity supportive housing, without any regulation or approval process, additionally zoning requirements for these home cannot exceed what is required for single family residences. |
HB 0959 |
Support | Private Landfills: Host Fee Increase for Coal Ash |
Steven Meeks |
---|
|
3/13/2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
Natural Resources and Environment |
Assignments |
- |
|
|
| This bill increases the minimum host fee applied to coal ash from $1 to $2.50 per ton. Coal ash would now be charged the same host fee per ton as regular household waste. This increase (and a host fee) only applies to a municipal solid waste disposal facility that is owned by a private entity. Lastly, the bill reduces the restrictions on how the host fee can be spent from 50% to 40%. |
HB 0983 |
Support | Revise Reporting Requirements for Sexual Offender Registration |
Ricky Williams |
---|
|
1/1/2021 |
Effective Date |
Judiciary - Non-Civil |
Judiciary |
- |
|
|
| This legislation allows the registration of sexual offenders be done anytime during the month of their birth for those residing in a state or privately operating hospice facility, skilled nursing home, or residential health care facility, upon approval of the sheriff of said county. |
HB 0994 |
Neutral | Gang Legislation |
Albert Reeves |
---|
|
3/13/2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
Judiciary - Non-Civil |
Assignments |
- |
|
|
| This legislation is the Governor's Gang bill and revises numerous code sections within the statute to allow services to juveniles who are convicted of gang related offenses. |
HB 1008 |
Neutral | Residential Industrial Buildings - Allow to Have Permanent Metal Chassis |
Joe Campbell |
---|
|
1/1/2021 |
Effective Date |
Agriculture and Consumer Affairs |
Economic Development and Tourism |
- |
|
|
| Current law prohibits "factory built buildings and dwelling units" from having permanent metal chassis. This bill allows these homes to have permanent metal chassis; however, these homes must still be affixed to a permanent load-bearing foundation. Please contact Todd Edwards (tedwards@accg.org) if you have any concerns with this bill. |