The 2023-2024 legislative session officially concluded early Friday morning as the House and Senate declared Sine Die to adjourn. The House and Senate adopted the conference committee report on the 2025 Fiscal Year budget (HB 916). The passing of a balanced budget is lawmakers’ only constitutional requirement. The $36.1 billion budget includes pay raises for state employees, including teachers ($2500) and law enforcement ($3000). Other notable budget items include:
$14.1 billion to fully funded Quality Basic Education program
$109 million to increase school safety
$200 million for pupil transportation
$2.4 billion for transportation & infrastructure
Senate Minority Leader Gloria Butler and State Representatives Pedro Marin and Gregg Kennard served their last legislative session as they announced retirement.
Beginning next year, Gwinnett will welcome State House District 112 currently served by House Majority Caucus Chairman Bruce Williamson and State Senate District 43 currently served by Sen. Tonya Anderson. Both incumbents do not have opposition.
Governor Kemp has 40 days to review and sign/veto bills that have passed out of both chambers. If no action is taken, the bill automatically becomes law.
HB 30 by State Representatives John Carson (HD 46) and Esther Panitch (HD 51), provides a legal definition of ‘antisemitism’ in Georgia that the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) adopted and is protected in Georgia’s hate crimes law. Signed by Governor.
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 Senate passed/adopted by substitute but did not come up for vote in the House.
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. Under consideration by the Governor.
HB 926 by State Rep. Matt Reeves would allow for individuals with low level misdemeanor offenses who miss their court date to engage with the courts and the Georgia Department of Driver Services to waive fees and/or reinstatement of driver’s licenses when a new court date has been rescheduled. Under consideration by the Governor.
HB 946 sponsored by State Rep. Lee Hawkins (HD 27) 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. Under consideration by the Governor.
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. Under consideration by the Governor.
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. Under consideration by the Governor.
HB 1019 by State Rep. Matt Reeves (HD 99) would increase the Georgia homestead exemption from $2,000 to $4,000. Under consideration by the Governor.
HB 1023 by Majority Caucus Chairman Bruce Williamson (HD 112) would reduce the corporate tax rate to match the individual tax rate. Under consideration by the Governor.
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. Under consideration by the Governor.
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. Under consideration by the Governor.
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 but did not come up for vote in the Senate.
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. Under consideration by the Governor.
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. This bill did not come up for vote in the Senate.
HB 1181 by State Representative Chuck Martin (HD 49) would limit the carry-forward period for several tax credits and set a sunset date. Under consideration by the Governor.
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. Under consideration by the Governor.
HB 1371 by Majority Caucus Whip James Burchett would clarify liability regarding third-party criminal activity. The House unanimously passed the bill by substitute but did not come up for vote in the Senate.
HB 1414 by State Representative Scott Hilton (HD 48) would create the City of Peachtree Corners Community Improvement District. Gwinnett currently has 6 CIDs. It passed both the House and Senate under local legislation. Under consideration by the Governor.
SB 83 – Formerly a bill related to stalking, the original language was stripped and replaced in the House with language regarding early settlement claims to redefined material terms of settlement claims. The bill was endorsed by trail lawyers and the insurance industry. Under consideration by the Governor.
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 147 language was added to SB 233 by State Senator Greg Dolezal, which was the school voucher bill that did not pass in the House last session. The bill provides $6,500 per student for qualified education-related expenses. These funds would be for students attending the lowest performing public schools in Georgia. It also includes a provision that allows capital outlay funds to be used on Pre-K programs. Under consideration by the Governor.
SB 157 by Senate Judiciary Chairman Brian Stickland (SD 17) updates Georgia’s occupational licensing process by limiting licensing board’s review of certain criminal records to 5 years after misdemeanor conviction and incarceration. The House passed/adopted by substitute but did not come up for a vote back in the Senate.
SB 293 by State Senator Ben Watson (SD 1) would have the state’s Public Health Commissioner appoint district health directors. Under consideration by the Governor.
SB 333 by State Senator Clint Dixon would add a Mulberry cityhood question on the May 2024 ballot. Signed by Governor.
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. Under consideration by the Governor.
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. Under consideration by the Governor.
SB 386 by State Senator Clint Dixon (SD 45) would legalize online sports betting in Georgia. SR 579 by State Senator Bill Cowsert (SD 46) would require a constitutional amendment. These did not come up for a vote in the House.
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. Under consideration by the Governor.
SB 422 by State Senator Clint Dixon would increase the investment limit of an EMC in their natural gas affiliate from 15% to 25%. The bill is assigned to the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee. Under consideration by the Governor.
SB 426 by State Senator Blake Tillery (SD 19) would limit how insurance companies can be sued in trucking accidents. Under consideration by the Governor.
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 also includes amendments that provide for a process and panel to review wrongful conviction claims. The Senate amendment passed but did not come up for a vote in the House.
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. Under consideration by the Governor.
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. Under consideration by the Governor.