This week, lawmakers met for legislative days 26 – 28. Lawmakers considered bills late into the evening to meet the crossover deadline. Sine Die, the last day of session is Thursday, March 28.
The conference committee agreed on the amended fiscal year 2024 budget that added over $5 billion in new spending. Governor Kemp signed the measure into law. Improvements to state infrastructure like roadways, sewer and water and state agency computer system upgrades.
Senate Minority Leader Gloria Butler (SD 55) announced that she will not seek re-election after 26 years of service. Leader Butler represents the southern part of Gwinnett County along with portions of Dekalb.
Bills to Watch
HB 282 by State Representative Mesha Mainor (HD 56) would remove barriers for school districts to access and utilize soft skills career readiness curriculum training in their schools. The bill passed the House 165-0. It has been assigned to the Senate Education and Youth Committee.
HB 617 by Transportation Committee Chairman Rick Jasperse (HB 11) would allow GDOT to develop and maintain a state-wide freight and logistics implementation plan. The House unanimously passed the measure by substitute 168-0.
HB 926 by State Rep. Matt Reeves would allow an individual with a felony record to request a “certificate of good standing” from the Board of Corrections or the Board of Community Supervision for employers to consider in the hiring process. This bill, known as the Second Chance Workforce Act, would not hide criminal records but provide further context to an individual’s circumstances. It passed the House 159-1.
HB 946 sponsored by State Rep. Lee Hawkins (HD 27) and SB 383 by State Senator Shelly Echols (SD 49) would change the provisions for the calling of a T-SPLOST. Currently, all qualified cities within a county are required to enter into the intergovernmental agreement. This bill would allow cities representing more than 50% of the county municipal population to enter into an agreement. If all cities sign the agreement, the maximum amount of years levied may be extended to 6 years. The House bill passed 173-1. The Senate Finance Committee favorably reported.
HB 982 by State Representative Matthew Gambill (HD 15), one of Governor Kemp’s Floor Leaders, would require the State Workforce Development Board to publish a High-Demand Career List most critical to the state’s current and future workforce needs. The bill has been assigned to the Senate Higher Education Committee. The House passed the measure 161-1.
HB 1015 by State Rep. Lauren McDonald (HD 26) would reduce the state income tax from 5.57% to 5.39%, saving Georgia taxpayers roughly $1 billion. The bill has been assigned to the Senate Finance Committee. The House passed the bill unanimously.
HB 1019 by State Rep. Matt Reeves (HD 99) would increase the Georgia homestead exemption from $2,000 to $4,000. The bill passed the House 162-0. The bill has been assigned to the Senate Finance Committee.
HB 1023 by Majority Caucus Chairman Bruce Williamson (HD 112) would reduce the corporate tax rate to match the individual tax rate. The bill passed the House by substitute 138-28.
HB 1033 by State Rep. Rob Leverett (HD 123) would add protections for utility workers, including subcontractors, by enhancing penalties for anyone threatening or injuring them. The House passed the bill unanimously 161-0. It has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
HB 1114 by State Representative Will Wade (HD 9) directs the Insurance Commissioner’s office to collect and analyze anonymous data from insurers on tort related risks. The House passed the bill 132-32.
HB 1124 by State Representative Chuck Martin (HD 49) would change lower the credit requirements of students to be eligible for needs based financial aid. The House passed the bill 165-1.
HB 1172 by House Majority Caucus Whip James Burchett (HD 176) removes references to the public trust doctrine as it relates to water rights in SB 115 that passed in 2023. SB 542, the Senate’s version, was introduced this week. HB 1172 passed in the House 107-60. SB 542 passed the Senate 51-0.
HB 1180 by State Representative Kasey Carpenter (HD 4) would change the tax credit qualification requirements for film companies and add limits to the selling of credits. Rep. Carpenter is the Chairman of the House Creative Arts and Entertainment Committee. The House passed the bill by substitute 131-34.
HB 1181 by State Representative Chuck Martin (HD 49) would limit the carry-forward period for several tax credits and set a sunset date. The House passed the bill 166-0.
HB 1192 by State Representative John Carson (HD 46) would suspend the issuance of new certificates of sales and use tax exemption on high-tech data center equipment. The House passed the bill 96-71.
HB 1358 by State Representative Victor Anderson (HD 10) would eliminate the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority (ATL) and the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority and transfer assets to the State Road and Tollway Authority. It did not make it through crossover day.
HB 1371 by Majority Caucus Whip James Burchett would clarify liability regarding third-party criminal activity. It was introduced and first read in the House this week. The House unanimously passed the bill by substitute.
SB 147 by State Senator Shawn Still (SD 147) is known as the “Boundless Opportunities for Georgia Students Act,” would allow student transfers from public school to public school under the condition that both the student and school agrees on transfer. The Senate passed the bill 38-14.
SB 293 by State Senator Ben Watson (SD 1) would change the way county public health boards appoint district health directors. Currently, the county board of health appoints its director. This bill would have the state’s Public Health Commissioner appoint district health directors. Senate Health and Human Services Committee favorably reported by substitute. The Senate passed the bill 37-15.
SB 333 by State Senator Clint Dixon would add a Mulberry cityhood question on the May 2024 ballot. The Governor signed the bill into law.
SB 362 by State Senator Mike Hodges (SD 3) would require businesses to hold secret ballot elections for organizing unions in order to be eligible to receive certain tax incentives from the state. The bill passed in the Senate 31-23. The House Committee on Industry and Labor favorably reported. This is one of Governor Kemp’s priorities.
SB 366 “Tax Expenditures Transparency Act of 2024” by State Senator Chuck Hufstetler (SD 52) would create the Joint Committee on Taxation and Economic Development to review the economic impact of tax credits and exemptions subject to analysis the prior year. The bill passed by substitute 50-0 in the Senate.
SB 386 by State Senator Clint Dixon (SD 45) would put sports betting under the Georgia Lottery, avoiding the need to pass on a two thirds majority and constitutional amendment. State Senator Bill Cowsert (SD 46) proposed an amendment that would require a constitutional amendment. The Senate passed the measure with Cowsert’s amendment 35-15. The bill has been assigned to the House Higher Education Committee.
SB 420 by State Senator Jason Anavitarte (SD 31) would prohibit the acquisition of certain land by certain foreign persons and entities connected with foreign adversaries identified by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. The Senate passed the bill 41-11.
SB 426 by State Senator Blake Tillery (SD 19) would limit how insurance companies can be sued in accidents with big trucks. The bill passed in the Senate 46-2. It is assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.
SB 429 by State Senator Greg Dolezal (SD 27) would allow lawmakers to evaluate pending legislation and rules that could impact small businesses. It also changes the definition of “small business” by raising the employee count from 100 to 300. The bill passed in the Senate 40-13.
SB 430 by State Senator Greg Dolezal would keep the COVID-19 liability protections in place for businesses but no longer require them to have a written warning of COVID-19 risk displayed. The Senate passed the bill unanimously 47-0.
SB 435 by State Senator Frank Ginn (SD 47) would establish community development districts that serve to finance, construct, acquire, operate, and maintain public infrastructure, requires approval from the local government in which the development is located, and would be Governed by a five-member elected board. It has been assigned to the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee. It did not make it through crossover day.
SB 472 by State Senator John Albers (SD 56) is the “Combating Organized Retail Crime Act” and this bill will close the loophole of cash transactions on stolen goods. The Senate passed the bill unanimously 52-0.