15 May 2021       

LWVAF      BILLS PASSED in 2021 --- FINAL

 

Bills are SIGNED unless otherwise indicated.  This report is posted on www.lwvaf.org.  

 

The governor has 40 calendar days, May 10, to sign or veto legislation.  If the governor takes no action, it becomes law anyway.  Constitutional amendments and most resolutions need no signature. Bills not passed this year are eligible to be considered in the 2022 session.    

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Total bills        111

Resolutions NNS          8

CAs            1

Bills to governor       102           SIGNED         101

                                                   VETOED             1

 

CA = constitutional amendment.  Requires a 2/3s vote in each chamber and a majority vote in the next general election scheduled for November 2022.

NNS = Needs No Signature

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In CHAMBERS 

 

BUDGET

HB 80  Ralston – 7   The FY21A amended budget aligns the budget for the current fiscal year, July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021, with actual numbers, bringing the annual expenditures to $26.6 billion.  Formulas based on funded units, such as per student, per credit course taken, per patient, per vehicle, etc., are ‘trued up’ with actual experience to date.  The funding for K-12 enrollment, which dropped about 35,000, was not adjusted because of the hold harmless provision of QBE.  That reduction will be taken in FY22.  The governor announced that $1000 per local school employee ($240 million) will be sent to local school systems from the federal CARES2 money for local school employee bonuses, i.e. employees on a state salary scale – teachers and other certified educators, bus drivers and food service workers, school nurses.  This money is dispensed by the governor according to the federal act and appears in the state budget only as a comment.  Bonuses are compensation, and there will be employer costs incurred such as FICA and other benefits based on gross pay which are unbudgeted by the local school district.  The local school district will determine whether employees will receive the full $1000 or the net amount after these additional employer costs are paid.  The local school district will also decide whether to give a bonus with local funds to employees not on a state salary scale, like non-educator administrators, janitors, parapros,  aides, clerical staff, mechanics.  

 

The final version contains $16 million for $1000 bonuses to state employees earning less than $80,000/year. Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) freed up $344.7 million of state funds in FY21 and is shown in the budget.

The state’s revenues have not suffered nearly as much as expected, and the rainy day fund is full, so the unexpected revenues were used: 

• $576.7 million to Department of Education.  Restores 60% of original $950 million cut made in original budget

• $ 5.4 million to meet federal testing requirements  in K-12

• $20 million to OneGeorgia Authority to help rural communities leverage existing funds for broadband infrastructure

• $54.6 million to Medicaid for projected need

• $  6.6 million to PeachCare for Kids for projected need

• $25 million for Forestland Protection Grants to local governments 

• nearly $200 million to Department of Transportation for new projects and maintenance of existing infrastructure

• The rest was spread throughout the budget to replace vehicles ($27 million) and miscellaneous areas.

 

Some of the legislative changes that were not reflected in the Governor’s proposals.

• $19.3 million to Community Health to increase Medicaid allowances for skilled nursing Centers

• $3  million to World Congress Center which has been closed for business since March 2020

• $40 million to DOE in cash to buy 531 school buses

• ($80 million) Local fair share reduction reflecting higher local property tax assessments, thus higher QBE local share

• $500,000 to DOE to develop the GMAP and NAVVY tests

• $4 million increase to the Governor’s Emergency Fund

• $900,000 to Office of Student Achievement for GA AWARDS contract

• $450,000 to GBI for domestic violence shelters and sexual assault centers

• $10.4 million to DNR to remediate county court houses and for historic sites

• $16 million to Public Health for COVID needs

• ($1.5 million) from Public Safety for fewer trooper schools

• $264,000 to Public Safety for anticipated superspeeder funds

• $5 million to Regents for Agriculture Experiment Station, Extension Services, and the Medical Hospital and Clinic

• $540.000 to Public Libraries to increase the per capita materials grant by 5 cents, to 40 cents

• $7 million for decrease in Dual Enrollment 

• $14.6 million to DOT for construction administration and debt requirements of State Roadway & Tollway Authority

• $12.3 million for increased debt service charges.

 

HB 81  Ralston – 7   The FY22 budget  covers July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.  Revenues are expected to increase a tad, most of which goes to Education and Transportation.  Changes made in the amended budget are carried forward.  Federal moneys have helped fill holes throughout the budget and allowing state funds to be used for other things.  Reported here are some items reconciled between the House and Senate versions in the version adopted.  Most were not recommended by the governor.

 

Teacher Retirement employer portion went up .75% and that cost is distributed to all departments which have employees so affected.  Many departments and programs got a reduction in rental expense due to the transition to a remote workforce model.  Cuts taken in legislators’ and Lt. Governor’s salaries in FY21 are restored.

 

Millions

$  1.5  Behavioral Health and Developmental  Disabilities: additional for respite services, emphasis on rural  areas

1. Mental health telehealth, partner with counties

   43.0  Community Health:  Skilled nursing home reimbursements, updates to liability and property insurances, and 10%  

                                                  Rate increase for home and community- based service providers

   12    Supplemental quality incentive payments to eligible skilled nursing facilities

     8      One year hold harmless for skilled nursing home facilities to meet quality standards

     2.2   Driver Services:  Increase in salaries to address high turnover

     1.2     Construct and equip a new Commercial Driver License testing pad in southeast GA

     1.6   Education:  Dyslexia screening program and a specialist

     5        School nutrition staff increases

   35         State Charter School funding formula 

     2.3       Testing, GA Milestone administration according to federal requirements

     1      Governor’s Office: Establish the Office of Health Strategy and Coordination

     4.7     After School Care, to stem learning loss due to COVID-19 for K-12 students

     2.8   Natural Resources, state parks and outdoor recreational areas

       .8   Public Health: screening for leading cancers, care coordination and prevention education; Sickle Cell Foundation of GA;  support nurses recovering from substance use.

1.  newborn screening of Krabbe disease

1.5   Public Safety: a 75-person trooper school

5.5   Regents: Funds for operations of Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

2.0     Partnership for Inclusive Innovation grants and Advanced Technology Development Center services

   15.4   GA Research Alliance sickle cell research, venture program grants and start-up loans, recruit Eminent

                               Scholars into research field with focus on rural GA and historically black colleges and universities

     5.3     Medical College of GA, matching funds for 3+ programs and Clark Atlanta for prostate cancer research

       .8     Revenue: Hire six tax examiners, three auditors, three criminal investigators and three call center contractors

     1.5     Secretary of State: to implement overt, covert, and forensic ballot security protocols

     5.4     Student Finance: HOPE grant, projected need

   10.4    Transportation: Athens-Clarke County transit, MARTA, consultant for Freight and Logistics, Airport Aid, and 

                                            state railroad clearing

1. Veterans Services: new veterans cemetery in Augusta

   (12.3)  Debt Service: reduction due to prepayment in FY21 amended budget

      9       Bonds: for construction of College and Career Academies statewide

 

CHILDREN

SB 20  Payne – 54   Adds to the Child Advocate Advisory Committee a former foster child appointed by the Lt. Governor, a current or former foster parent appointed by the governor, and a CASA, court appointed special advocate, appointed by the Speaker of the House for a committee membership of 10. The committee meets at least three times a year with the child advocate and his or her staff to review and assess:  patterns of treatment and service for children;  policy implications; and  necessary systemic improvements.  The advisory committee shall also provide for an annual evaluation of the effectiveness of the Office of the Child Advocate for the Protection of Children." 

 

SB 28  Hatchett – 50   Requires annual training for jury court intake officers in a delinquency or children in need of services proceeding of 8 hours the first year and 2 hours per year thereafter.  Permits juvenile court to consider hearsay evidence.  Makes clarifying changes to procedures of the juvenile court.

 

HB 114  Reeves – 37   Increases the tax credit for adoption of a child in foster care to $6000 for 5 years, then reverts to $2000, currently $2000 for every year.

 

HB 154  Reeves – 34   The age of persons to which a foster child can be placed is raised to 21, currently 25.  Out of state placement is now allowed.  Certified mail is now a communication option for paperwork relative to child placement.   Non-residents may appear in court virtually relative to the placement of a child.  A governor’s bill, and very extensive.

 

HB 258  Sainz – 180   A sexual assault defense cannot be made of victim consent if the victim is under the age of 16. Not applicable if accused is 18 or younger and victim is 13 or older with no more than 4 years difference in their ages.

 

HB 548  Dempsey – 13   The Administrative Office of the Courts shall enter into agreements with Department of Family and Children Services to insure compliance with federal law (HIPPA) relative to information regarding the termination of parental rights for the safety of the children involved.  Requested by DFCS.

 

EDUCATION – PREK – 12

HB 32  Belton – 112   An income tax credit of $3000/year for teachers who agree to teach in one of three high need areas, determined by the local RESA, for 5 consecutive years in a rural area or low-performing school.   1000 teachers may participate from 100 schools.  A low performing school is in the lowest 5% of achievement on the state-wide accountability system; a rural school is more than 2.5 miles from an ‘urban cluster’ and 5 miles from a urbanized area.  Effective through 2026.  DOE shall create a program of grants to the schools for raising student achievement.

 

SB 42  Mullis – 53   The school climate rating of local schools by the Department of Education, on the College and Career Ready Performance Index, shall include discipline data.  The discipline report will be on the school district’s web site and print copies will be available if requested.  The definition of good school climate includes how safe the students and teachers/employees feel being in the building.  Very often unsafe conditions are reflected in discipline data reflecting unruly students.  Home school student in grades 6 through 12 may participate in extracurricular and interscholastic activities at the public school serving their residence by taking one qualifying course in the semester of participation, such as a dual enrollment course, one required to participate in that extracurricular or interscholastic activity, or a virtual course offered by the public school system.  Student must abide by all rules for participation as any other student, including tryouts, training, fees and behavior.  Parent must attest to home student’s grades, to satisfactory progress towards advancement, and if the student meets the requirements for the activity.  Requires the student enroll in school at least 30 days before school starts in that semester of the activity.  If student withdraws from the public school class, the student must wait 12 months before enrolling again.  

 

SB 47  Gooch – 51   Eligibility for the Special Needs Scholarship to attend private schools paid for with public education funds or another school in the school district  is extended to student with a Section 504 accommodation plan.  Special education students are those that have some innate impediment to learning as determined by several experts and require an Individual Education Plan, IEP.  Section 504 students have a condition requiring some accommodation but do not inhibit their ability to learn.  Examples of conditions requiring accommodation are loss of a limb, breakage of a bone, asthma, dyslexia, recovery from surgery.  There are about 200,000 students in the state with an IEP plan of which 5000 have taken the Special Needs Scholarship.  There are about 58,000 students who have a Section 504 plan.  The sponsor is not amenable to having a means test on this scholarship for any eligible student.  LWV OPPOSES any voucher which funds private schools.

 

SB 59  Albers – 56   As of 7-1-22, local charter schools will be funded at the same differential, 3.75%, as charter school systems.  Charter schools can opt in to the state health benefit plan at time of renewal.  Federal money will go to the charter schools in the same way they go to non-charter schools in the school district.  Requires the local school system to provide unused facilities for a local charter school with no rental or lease fees.

 

SB 66  Anavitarte – 31   Merges the Innovation Fund with the GA Foundation for Public Education to receive gifts and make innovation grants to at risk public schools.  Both funds exist at the Department of Education to receive funds for grants to school systems. Because the Foundation for Public Education has a director on board, it is the survivor fund.  In 2020 there were about 110 grants made for a total of $1.5 million.  Most receiving schools are rural and all are in the lowest 5% of achievement.

 

SB 88  Goodman – 8   Georgia’s Teacher of the Year is invited to be an advisor to the State Board of Education.  Veterans who are honorably discharged, have a bachelor’s degree, and attain a passing score on the GA Assessments for Certification of Educators (GACE) may get an alternative teacher certification.  These individuals will get training in teaching in 3 years while being in a classroom under a military support provisional certificate issued in one-year increments, the application for which is to be jointly by the individual and the employing school system.  Three years of creditable services will be given for the previous military service.   Part of the governor’s Teacher Pipeline proposal.

 

SR 95  Anavitarte – 31   NNS   February 23, 2021 is Dyslexia Day, urging schools, local educational agencies and the state educational agency to address the profound educational impact of dyslexia.

 

SB 153  Dolezal – 27   GOAL, Graduation Opportunities and Advanced Learning, are state charter schools designed to provide credit recovery for students who have dropped out but wish to get a high school diploma.  There are three in existence:  Mountain Education Charter, Foothills Charter, and Coastal Plains Charter School serving a total of 6000 students.  The bill contains a funding formula to reflect the fact that their students do not attend full time – they get materials for the class and complete it on their personal schedule – and the full time equivalent measure of QBE does not reflect the work of the schools.

 

SB 159  Gooch – 51   DOE is to draw up specification for an 8 passenger motor vehicle to transport school children to and from school activities.  GA isthe only state that does not allow alternatives to school buses to transport students.  These are to be used primarily to transport students who are low incidence and/or long distances from school, such as special ed or the homeless.  Schools used to purchase their own vans for athletic purposes and DOE outlawed them because they did not have as many safety features (color, stop arms, etc.) as school buses, and drivers were often not trained school bus operators.  

 

HB 173  Benton – 31  Increases to 10% the amount of assets of large retirements systems which may be invested in alternative investments.  The Teachers Retirement System, TRS, is a very large retirement system but is specifically excluded.  It can only invest up to 5% of its assets, a provision passed in 2020. Also excluded is the Employees Retirement System, ERS, which covers a lot of state workers and school workers who are not certified educators.  Alternative investments include corporate bonds, short term IOUs, and perhaps some very conservative stock. It also includes venture capital, but that is not the intent of the proposal.   Investing for retirement system assets is done by a group of money managers, employees of the fund, whose objective is to preserve the principal of the fund for the members, i.e. very conservatively.

 

HB 208  Cheokas – 138   The second Wednesday of February shall be the National Swearing in Day holiday to celebrate the young men and women who are in JROTC and wish to experience a sample of military life.  

 

SB 213  Harper – 7   ESPLOST funds can be used to pay for guaranteed energy saving contracts of a local school system including training programs incidental to an energy contract, equipment used in a building project designed to reduce energy or voter consumption or wastewater production.

 

SB 246  Brass – 28   Learning Pod Protection Act.  Public school parents who cooperate to allow students to study together or take virtual instruction are not to be subject to additional restrictions or regulations of the local school district.  Any student not enrolled in a primary education option shall be considered a home school student.

 

HB 287  Rich – 97   Tobacco and vaping are added to the Health curriculum K-12 in schools.  Those who vape are 3 times more likely to take up cigarette smoking, 69% will develop emphysema, and 57% will develop COPD, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.  A recent survey of high school students indicated that 31% have vaped, with 21% having vaped within the last month.  In Grades 6-12, the health curriculum will now include information about and signs of human trafficking.  Sponsor indicates this will begin to educate potential victims of this crime.  In GA, 7200 men have sex with a minor each month.

 

HB 392  Ridley – 6   Alcohol sales for consumption off the premises can be by local regulation located 100 yards or more from school buildings, and education buildings, and school grounds.  Rural counties find that schools are usually located on a corner, and they cannot develop the other corners with commercial business that want to sell liquor.  They want the local control.

 

HB 606  Nix – 69   Adds GA Independent School Association to list of accrediting organizations for HOPE scholarships.  Effective 7-1-21.

 

EDUCATION – POSTSECONDARY

SB 81  Mullis – 53   The new name of the Office of College and Career Transitions within the Technical College System of Georgia is Office of College and Career Academies.  TCSG will assist in recruitment of new industries to GA by demonstrating the preparation of high school graduates who are technically skilled as potential workers because ‘technical skilled attainment’ in addition to student achievement is required for college and career academy certification of local schools by the Department of Education in concert with TCSG.  All state agencies may write off small amounts owed, up to $100, until July 1, 2026, currently 2021.  The USG and TCSG may have the sunset date for writing off uncollectible debts up to $3000 until July 1, 2026, currently 2021.  Debts written off provide a more accurate number for reporting purposes, but collection activities will continue to collect the amounts due.

 

SB 85  Albers – 56   Hazing in postsecondary institutions is ingesting anything in sufficient quantities to create risks of vomiting, intoxication or unconsciousness.  Most if not all groups whose members are students and led by students or alumni are covered by this bill.  Each school shall have policies by July 1, 2021 regarding reporting, investigating, due process, and administrative adjudication of hazing allegations.  The school shall disclose these convictions within 15 days and put those actions on their websites, but not identifying the individuals involved.

 

SB 107  Strickland – 17  TCSG is to provide, and USG is urged to provide, a waiver of all tuition and fees including any mandatory fees for room and board for a qualifying foster or adopted student.  A qualifying student has a family receiving state funded adoption assistance; is under DFAC or DHS oversight; is in the independent living program of DFCS; is now adopted but was placed by DFCS after the 14th birthday and now resides out of state.  Student must be enrolled or accepted within 3 years of high school graduation for enrollment, must remain in good academic standing, under age 28, and has applied for this waiver.  There are about 700 foster children in independent living.  This waiver is to be available after all other sources of funding are exhausted – Pell grants, HOPE grants, etc.   Foster care or homeless youth will get in-state tuition from the University System of GA and Technical College System of GA even if one graduated from a high school in another state, but under the age 24.  Foster care assistance is not to be considered as income in calculation of financial aid or determining need for purposes of any scholarship, loans or grants.

 

HB 152  Wiedower – 119   Postsecondary education schools operating on military bases in GA will no longer have oversight by the Non-Public Postsecondary Commission as they are already overseen by the federal government, 17 schools.  Of the other 800 non-public schools, if they have had a good track record in previous years, at the director’s discretion, they may be reviewed virtually.

 

SB 187  Tippins – 37   Students with disabilities may request a HOPE waiver to have up to 10 years to earn a degree or attempt 127 semester hours, currently 7 years.  There is no additional funding for this waiver.

 

SB 204  Tippins – 37   TCSG may award high school diplomas under the criteria established by DOE to students 16 and over who have enrolled in TCSG without finishing high school.  Such students must have completed 6 of the 9 state required courses for grades 9 and 10:  2 English, 2 math, 2 science, 2 social studies; one health and physical education, and any state required test for these courses.  A student must have received an acceptable score on the readiness assessment test required by the TCSG; have a written acknowledgement that the student may lose any allowable eligibility for special education or Section 504 services; is age 16 and over who has already dropped out of high school but wants a technical skill, or an adult in need of a high school diploma and a technical education.  Upon completion of their technical program, the student can be awarded the high school diploma if the student has completed the coursework defined.  This is a five-year pilot program with 5 units of TCSG participating.

 

HB 617  Martin – 49   Postsecondary student athletes may receive compensation for use of their name, image, or likeness.  The compensation cannot be used to get the student to attend a particular school and cannot be paid if the terms of the contract are in conflict with the terms of participation at the school or terms of an athletic scholarship.  The school shall have a class for student athletes at the beginning of their first and third year of at least 5 hours to present financial aid, debt management, and a recommended budget for student athletes at that school.  Time management and available academic resources are also to be included.  The student is entitled to have a legal advisor as well as an athletic agent.  Effective when the national organization agrees that students can be compensated.  Each school that has a team contract which will determine how much compensation the student can keep, but it shall be no less than 25%.

 

ELECTIONS & ETHICS

SB 202  Burns – 23   An omnibill about elections.   

Registering to vote:

• An individual may protest an unlimited number of those registering to vote.

 

Absentee Ballot by Mail:

• Applications for absentee ballots shall only be mailed to registered voters who have not already requested a ballot or voted.  Does not apply to Secretary of State or local elections officials.  There is allowed a data lag of 5 days between the date of the data from Secretary of State and the mailing.  State Election Board may fine the sender up to $100 per violation which goes to the specific local election departments to offset the cost of multiple applications from the same voter.  The registered voter list costs $250 and takes one or two weeks.  Applies to mailed applications, not forms handed out in person or placed on a table for voter access.  

• Absentee ballot applications to be received between 78 and 11 days prior to the election, currently 180 days and 4 days.  Must include a driver’s license number, a state issued ID number, or a copy of another legal identification. These identification requirements are the same as for a person voting in person.

• Ballot applications mailed by other than the SOS or local election officials must be clearly identified as to sender and a notice that ‘This is NOT a ballot’.

• Each county shall have at least one drop box.  If more than one, the number is the lesser or one per 100,000 registered voters or number of advanced voting locations.  

• Drop boxes are allowed only inside advanced voting locations but at local option may be placed outside.

• A chain of custody is established for removing ballots daily from the drop boxes.

• Military and overseas voters shall receive an instant runoff ballot in case of a runoff.

• Absentee ballots shall include the driver’s license number, government ID number, last four digits of Social Security number, or a copy of any legal identification document.

• Cannot photograph a voted absentee ballot.  Current law bans photographing a voted ballot in the precinct.

• Absentee ballots may be opened beginning the third Monday prior to election day and scanned but not tabulated.  Process is open to the public.

• Counting of absentee ballots to begin after polls close, currently at 12 noon on election day.

• Those in jail awaiting trial may vote and will have access from the jailer to personal items to get driver’s license number to put on the ballot and application.

• SOS is authorized to audit absentee ballot applications for two years.

• An unauthorized person accepting ballots for return to the elections department shall be guilty of a felony.

 

Absentee In-Person Voting, Early Voting, Advanced Voting:

• Advanced voting must be in a building.  Mobile units are not allowed.

• Early voting shall be 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.  At local option can be expanded to 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.  Notice shall be posted 14 days prior to the start of early voting.

• During early voting, both Saturdays are mandatory and both Sundays are optional with the elections director.

• Statistics about number of voters during early voting to be posted daily.  This is being done now voluntarily.

 

Election Day Voting, In-Person:

• Election Day workers may live in adjacent counties.  This may drive up compensation costs.

• Death of a nonpartisan candidate prior to the election will have the name appear on the ballot.  If that candidate wins, the office will be declared unfilled and a special election will follow to fill the office.  Current law provides for the party to nominate another person if a partisan candidate dies before the election. Votes for the deceased candidate are not counted.

• Voters in line more than one hour in precincts with 2000 or more active registered voters will cause the precinct to be split or more machines or more poll workers to be assigned in the next general election.  The data will be collected by the poll manager at least three times on election day.

• Mobile units can be used only during emergencies declared by the governor.

• If the precinct closes, a notice must be posted at the old location and three nearby locations and shall indicate the new location.  One notice shall be at least 4 feet x 4 feet.  

• In general elections, one voting device shall be available for every 250 registered voters in the precinct.  In all other elections, the local superintendent can equip according to past turnout history and knowing how many voters have already voted early or by mail.

• Ballots shall be printed on security paper.

• Testing of ballot machines shall be noticed 5 days before and posted on the local election website, the SOS website, and in a newspaper of the widest distribution.

• Runoffs shall be 28 days after an election or primary.

• Polls locations that did not open on time and need judicial permission to stay open past 7 p.m. only for the amount of time they could not open in the morning, and not past 9 p.m. unless there is a written order with specific findings of fact supporting an extension.

• Food and water may not be provided to those in line within 150 feet of the precinct.  This is the same restriction as for campaigning.

• Out of precinct provisional ballots will be accepted after 5 p.m.  Before then, the voter must go to the voter’s assigned precinct.   This is already done in some counties.  Federal law requires offering a provisional ballot to any voter at any time if they are not on the rolls of that precinct.

• It shall be illegal to view another’s ballot unless one is assisting that voter or a child is accompanying the voter.

 

Processing and Counting the Ballots:

• Poll watchers should be able to see the process, but not interfere in any way.  They shall be trained by the appointing entity.  Curriculum provided by SOS. 

• Duplicate ballots to be created by a team of three – one nonpartisan, one from each political party.

• Ballot images, not the physical ballot, can be public information subject to open records request.  The SOS is to initiate a pilot program to make them available.  The ballots are stored with superior court judges after an election; the images are in the scanners at the individual counties.  

• By 10 p.m. on election day, the number of voters in each category shall be reported to the SOS.

• Counting of votes shall continue until finished.

 

State and Local Administration of Elections:

• State Elections Board, SEB, shall appoint a state election superintendent.

• Attorney General may establish and maintain a hotline for voters to file complaints and allegations of voter intimidation and illegal election activity.  May accept anonymous tips. 

• General  Assembly will elect the chair of the SEB.  Secretary of State, SOS, will be a nonvoting ex-officio member.

• SEB may suspend an election superintendent and appoint a temporary replacement.  No more than 4 may be suspended at one time.

• A county commission or city council may petition the SEB for extraordinary relief based on a performance review recommendation.  The SEB shall determine if a full hearing should be held.  The SEB may suspend the election superintendent if there is evidence of 3 violations of law or rule in the last two general election cycles.

• SEB may adopt emergency rules after giving notice to governor, Lt. Governor, Speaker, chairs of legislative committees dealing with election law, the CEOs of each political party, and legislative counsel.

• Vacancies and extended absences in probate court judges will allow the chief superior court judge to appoint a qualified person to conduct elections.

• A performance review may be requested by the governing authority or members of the legislative delegation. Counties with 4 or more local delegates, 2 senators and 2 House members must request; counties with fewer than 4 local delegates, 1 senator and 1 House member must request.  The SOS shall appoint the review panel of 3 – one state election department employee and two local election officials.

• Any court settlement that the SOS may agree to has to be noticed to the chairs of the Judiciary Committees of the House and Senate at least 5 days prior to agreement.

• The SOS may belong to an organization of states that share information on registered voters.

• SOS will determine a manner in which private donations may be received and then distributed throughout the state equitably for election operational expenses.

• When the governor may appoint a person to fill a vacancy until the next general election, there shall be a special primary at the same time as the general primary.  No more repeats of the last Senatorial election.

• In 2021, the census data is late.  If not received at least 120 days prior to the November 2021 election, city elections will be done on the old district lines.  Cities can redraw their own district lines.  All other elected offices have electoral districts draw by the legislature.

 

SB 221  Mullis – 53   A Leadership Committee serves like a campaign committee but benefits several people in legislative leadership.  It accepts contributions and makes expenditures for the benefit of other candidates for public office.  Contribution limits do not apply to this PAC.  This empowers a super PAC.

 

GOVERNMENT – GENERAL

SB 100  Watson – 1   The state shall be on daylight savings time year round only if the federal government authorizes it. The author, a medical doctor, wants to stop flipping back and forth.  He cited health risks, motor vehicle accident risks, circadian rhythms disruptions. 

 

SR 141  Walker – 20   NNS   March 1, 2021 is Peanut Butter and Jelly Day at the Capitol, an annual recognition of the peanut crop and its impact on GA.  A favorite of legislators and visitors to the Capitol because the sandwiches are free.

 

SB 169  Walker – 20   Provides for electronic signatures and electronic corporate seal on bonds.

 

SB 222  Summers – 13   The pecan shall be the official GA State Nut.  It is the only edible nut native to North America and can be traced back to the 16th century.  The name is derived from the Native American ‘pacane’ and translates to ‘not requiring a stone to crack’.  In 2015, GA produced 37% of all pecans.

 

SB 236  Brass – 28   Mixed drinks can be purchased to go with a food order.  The drink must be in a sealed container, placed in a locked compartment of the vehicle of the customer or behind the last seat if no trunk.  Two drinks per entre, each containing no more than 3 ounces of liquor.  Local governments may restrict drinks-to-go.

 

HB 410  Lumsden – 10   Transfer the administration of the bingo games offered by nonprofit organizations to the Secretary of State from the GBI.

 

GOVERNMENT – TECHNOLOGY

HB 98  Lumsden – 12   Teleconferenced meetings by local governmental entities under emergency conditions include when a declaration of federal, state, or local states of emergency.  Participation of members in such meetings is the same as for those physically present.  Requested by Georgia Municipal Association and supported by Association of County Commissioners of GA.

 

HB 134  Anderson – 10   Meetings of public entities where discussion of cyber security issues occur are exempt from open meetings.  Any votes on these issues must be done in an open meeting.  Records regarding cyber security are not open to the public.  Physical security issues are already exempt from open meetings and records requirements.

 

HB 156  Parsons – 44   Requires all governmental organizations and utilities to report any cyber attacks to the director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, GEMA, which also have to be reported to FEMA.  Meetings where cyber security is discussed can be exempted from public access; documents, reports, data, and cyber information is exempted from open records.

 

SB 168  Walker – 20   Corporations can hold annual meetings by teleconference.  Attendance via teleconference is treated the same as attendance in person.

 

SB 247  Anderson – 24   The Agriculture Commodity Commission may hold public hearings virtually.

 

HB 306  Gunter – 8   Corporations or organizations may hold annual meetings via teleconference unless the article of corporation or bylaws provide otherwise.

 

HB 553  Gunter – 8   Administrative hearings can be held virtually.  Witnesses can appear virtually if judge agrees.  Office of State Administrative Hearings may require documents to be filed electronically and may make transfer of hearing records electronically.

 

GOVERNMENT – COUNTIES AND CITIES

SB 144 Tippins – 37   City housing authorities cannot operate outside of that city’s boundaries without authorization from the other governing entity.  Existing housing projects outside of the city boundaries are entitled to operate but no additional projects can be developed.  Currently, housing authorities can operate out the city for 10 miles.  But they are not complying with the zoning and ordinances of the entity in which they are operating.  This proposal requires them to follow the rules of the governing entity in which the project will be located.

 

HB 161  Tankersley – 160   Downtown development authorities shall no longer have perpetual existence.  Allows Department of Community Affairs to dissolve authorities which are inactive and have no debt.  

 

HR 222  Anderson  - 10   NNS   Creates the 5-member House Study Committee on Annexation to study the impacts on the entity from which the property is being removed, the entity to which the property is being added, the school district or districts which are  relevant and on the individual properties affected.  Report due December 1, 2021.  The current annexation dispute resolution law was passed in 2007 and has not been changed since.  In light of all the new cities being formed, it should be looked at to protect the rights of all.

 

HB 286  Gaines – 117   Local governing authorities with police departments cannot reduce the funding to police departments by more than 5% unless the estimated revenues to the entity are estimated to be reduced by more than 5%, in which case the police department funding cannot be cut by a higher percent than what the entity as a whole is cut.  Exceptions are if the department can prove that a higher cut will not have a reduction in services or may even have an increase in services, if the department converted from a volunteer to a paid staff in the previous year.  Over a 10 year rolling average, the 5% limit shall apply.  Does not apply to departments with 10 or fewer employees.  If large capital outlay has been made for the department in the prior year, such as replacing autos or equipping with body cameras, the equipment expenditures are not included in the computation.  A rebuttal to the Defund the Police movement.

 

HB 579  Oliver – 82   Bonds for public safety and judicial facilities can be issued without a public referendum, but still require an approved resolution of the governing body.

 

GOVERNMENT – COURTS AND CRIMES

SB 33  Dixon – 45   A victim of human trafficking has a cause of action against anyone who knowingly benefits from participation in a venture scheme which involves such activity (the perpetrator).  The action must be brought within 10 years of the violation or 10 years after the victim reaches 18 if the act occurred while the victim was a minor.  The state Attorney General may bring action against a perpetrator if the interest of the citizens of the state have been or are threatened or adversely affected.

 

SB 34  Dixon – 45   Victims of human trafficking may petition for a name change under seal  under the same provision offered to victims of domestic violence.

 

SB 75  Jackson – 41   A tenant who is a documented victim of stalking may terminate a residential real estate rental or lease agreement effective 30 days after providing written notice.  Victims of civil or criminal family violence already have this option.

 

SB 78 Jones – 22   Added to the sexting statute as felonies are transmissions or causes to be transmitted nudity or sexually explicit photos or videos of an adult, either real or manufactured, which are then posted on a website, peer-to-peer file sharing site, thumbnail gallery, movie gallery post, linked list, live webcam, web page or message board as harassment or serving no legitimate purpose.  Fine is $200,000 or 1-10 years imprisonment or both.   Current law deals with transmissions but not postings.

 

SB 105  Strickland – 17   State-wide probation may be ended early if all restitution is paid, the person has not had probation revoked within the last 24 months, and had no arrests except for non-serious traffic offenses.  A judge will decide.  GA has the largest number of people on probation per capita in the nation.  It costs about $34 million/year to supervise people who could be off probation.

 

HB 112  Kelley – 16   Tort immunity for claims of COVID-19 is extended to July 14, 2022, currently July 14, 2021.

 

SB 117  Miller – 49   Sexually explicit conduct between an adult in a school and a minor is improper conduct by a person in a position of trust in the first degree.  If the adult engages only in sexual contact, the offense is in the second degree.  Punishment is 1-25 years incarceration, a fine of $100,000 or both.  Misdemeanor treated as a felony if done to a minor.

 

SB 163  Strickland – 17   The chief judge of the Supreme Court, each Superior Court, and each State Court may suspend the right to a speedy trial in cases of emergency such as: a volume of cases much higher than expected, case clearances are much lower than expected, the number of speedy trials requested, number of jury trials held during the latest court term, space limitations, limited availability of judges, extents of prosecuting attorneys and the court to reduce the number of criminal defendants held for trial, and any other relevant facts (like COVID).  Data shall be submitted from judges to the chief judge.  A plan to establish the priority of cases to be called to trial is to be formulated.

 

HB 168  Petrea – 166   Information within a Department of Correction inmate’s file, excluding medical information, shall be shared with the district attorney for responding to proposed action by the State Board of Pardons & Paroles regarding inmates convicted of serious sexual offenses against minors and other serious violent felonies.  The information is to remain confidential with the district attorney else the DA can be guilty of an offence.   Such information is considered a state secret and not available to anyone outside of the prison system.

 

HB 231  Gaines – 117   Protective orders for victims of stalking may include those with a dating relationship, more than casual, and those living in the same household  thru’ whom a pregnancy has developed.

 

SB 235  Watson – 1   Mask, hoods, and other devices to hide the face so one’s identity is hidden will not be prosecuted if the device is worn to prevent getting an infection, such as COVID or flu, or spreading the infection.

 

HB 255  Holcomb – 81   In cases of sexual assault cases when the victim chooses not to report immediately, the police shall maintain any physical evidence that relates to identity of the perpetrator for 12 months.  Such evidence shall be in a ‘sexual assault kit’ and its location and test results done thereon shall be tracked.  Every entity having custody of such evidence will participate in the tracking system.  Information about the perpetrator shall be shared with the national data based maintained by the FBI.  The Forensic Medical Examination Advisory Committee is created to establish by rule and regulation the criteria for certification of sexual assault nurse examiners.  The GA Composite Medical Board shall refuse to license a physician who has sexually assaulted a patient.  Health care professionals shall report physicians for suspected sexual assault.

 

HB 363  LaHood – 175   Removes most enhanced penalties for crimes against those 65 and over.

 

HB 479  Reeves – 37   Citizen’s arrest is now limited as to who may use it – persons on their own property and security in retail establishments against shoplifters.  Brought to curb abuses like those exercised by citizens with Ahmaud Arbery near Brunwick.

 

HB 534  Bonner – 72   Promoting illegal drag racing and laying drag is a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature with driver’s license to be suspended for up to 12 months on the first offense, up to 3 years on the second offence, and on the third offense the person is declared a habitual violator with license suspension for up to 5 years, $100,000 fine, incarceration of 1-5 years, or both.

 

HB 631  Cheokas – 138   The GA Crime Information Center is to collect information on an individual’s ability to communicate with law enforcement or emergency responders.  Information is to be voluntarily submitted.  At the individual’s option, to add motor vehicle registration information, address, and description of the condition impeding the person’s ability to communicate.

 

HB 635  Leverett – 33   A judge should be able to rule on any issue that is within their defined powers.  The ruling can be made anywhere in the jurisdiction of the court.

 

GOVERNMENT – CAPITOL AND GROUNDS

SB 140  Mullis – 53   A monument to honor Zell Bryant Miller is to be placed on the capitol grounds using private funds .

 

GOVERNMENT – EMPLOYMENT

SB 32  Brass – 28   Public employee information, now including federal employees, which are not publicly available include an unlisted phone number and cell phone number.

 

SR 134  Walker – 20  TO BALLOT   CA to suspend compensation to a constitutional officer for indictment of a felony.  The insurance commissioner was indicted in May 2019 and the state has been paying his salary ever since because a judicial order  prevented a trial.  If passed in a referendum, the salary would stop immediately thereafter.

 

HB 146  Gaines – 117   Paid parent leave of 120 hours (3 weeks) during every 12 month period for government employees, including employees of local school boards, is available to employees who have worked for 6 months and put in at least 700 hours.  The leave is for birth of a child, adoption of a child, or inclusion of a foster child into the family.  The leave is capped at 120 hours even if there are multiple events during the same 12 month period, and may be taken all at one time or in several segments.  Sponsor wants more than 3 weeks, but needs to get something on the books which can be changed later.

 

SB 156  Harbin – 16   VETOED   The Chief Labor Officer is created under the Commissioner of Labor, appointed by the governor subject to Senate confirmation.  The Chief Labor Officer will provide high level assistance to the Commissioner in these times of very high volumes of folk seeking services provided by the department.  The Chief Labor Officer shall have the same powers as the Commissioner plus must develop and implement a plan to improve reliability and timeliness regarding proper payment of unemployment insurance benefits, provide timely reports regarding unemployment compensation benefits, provide timely reports and responses to any financial audits of the department.    Seems to be a temporary position because this section of the code is to be repealed January 2022.

 

GOVERNMENT – ENVIRONMENT

SB 119  Harper – 7   A permit to burn shall not be required if burning leaves, yard debris, or hand-piled natural vegetation on the site where they occur if:  burning is done between 9 a.m. and sunset; the person responsible shall attend the burning at all times until the burn is completely done with no risk of burning to escape control, and the person has taken necessary steps to prevent such escape; the burning is at least 25 feet from woodlands, forestland, or open fields and at least 50 feet from any structure and there is no local prohibition against burning.

 

GOVERNMENT – FEDERAL ISSUES

HR 183  Knight – 130   NNS   Urges Congress to pass the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act.

 

SR 190  Brass – 28   NNS   Urges Congress to allow individuals to retain the right to use their image and likeness and shield them from copyright infringement.

 

HEALTH

SB 5  Kirkpatrick – 32   Any person other than a dentist, anesthesiologist, anesthetist, or physician assistant who administers conscious sedation without a license to practice is engaging in the unlawful practice of medicine or denistry.  Medi-spas have been doing procedures requiring sedation using untrained personnel to administer it and often not having the proper equipment if the patient needs it.  Some patients have died.  By having only trained folk administering anesthetic, the sponsor attempts to ensure patient safety. 

 

SB 43  Brass – 28   Insurers offering coverage for procedures for the eye cannot require an ophthalmologist or optometrist to require a discount to be offered to the patient for services not covered by the patient’s insurance plan.

 

SB 46  Burke – 11   Emergency Medical Technicians, EMTs, may administer vaccines upon an order of a physician during a declared public health emergency.  Parental permission is not required to vaccinate a minor if required during a declared health emergency.  Other clarifying changes made to the requirements for vaccinations.  Sponsor is a medical doctor.  Most changes make the relevant procedures more inclusive of the COVID vaccine.

 

HB 93  Cooper – 43   Because federal licensing applies, eliminates duplicate state licensure and regulation of clinical laboratories; eliminates state inspections of clinical laboratories;  repeals provisions relating to examination of human specimens and methods for selection of blood donors and collection, storage, and processing of human blood.

 

HB 128  Williams – 145   Prohibits medical providers from discrimination against potential organ transplant recipients due solely to the physical or mental disability of the potential recipient.   A Down’s Syndrome patient, for example, cannot be denied a kidney transplant solely because of the Down’s Syndrome condition.

 

HB 163  Cooper – 43   Department of Human Services is to develop and submit a plan to implement express lane enrollment in Medicaid by June 30, 2022.   The department will automatically enroll and renew eligible children in Medicaid based on information collected for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance, SNAP also known as food stamps, program.  The children of families eligible for SNAP are automatically eligible for Medicaid or PeachCare for Kids but an application must be made separately.  The patient will not need to make the second application.  The department will save money by eliminating their efforts to locate and get these eligible people to apply for health care.  There are 120,000 children on food stamps who are not on Medicaid.

 

SB 215  Walker – 20   Nursing homes may use certified medication aides to administer vaccines and other medications.  The person must be listed in the registry already established.  Must conduct an annual comprehensive clinical skills competency review of each aid.  Aide shall record all medications administered and any refused.  Needs on-going training.  Is subject to a quarterly review of all mediations delivered by a registered pharmacist.  Training and certification is required for medication aides in assisted living and retirement homes as now required for nursing homes.

 

HB 234  Hawkins – 27   A self-funded health care plan may opt into the Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act, i.e. the medical provider cannot issue surprise bills because a patient is not covered by a health care plan with whom the provider has a contract but the hospital where the patient was treated does.

 

SR 281  Miller – 49   NNS   Creates the  9-member Senate Study Committee on Violence Against Health Care Workers.  Over 80% of health care workers have been assaulted at least once during their career, and there was an increase of assaults during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Committee will study causes and recommend solutions.  Report due 12-1-21. 

 

HB 307  Cooper – 43   Telemedicine providers may transmit from home; the patient may be at home, at workplace, or school.  No insurers may require an in-person contact before a patient may receive telemedicine services from health care providers.  Telemedicine cannot have more restrictions on delivery of mental health services, prescribing or utilization reviews than what is required for in-person medical care.

 

HB 567  Cooper – 43   Creates the Newborn Screening and Genetics Advisory Committee to review and make recommendations to the Department of Public Health when a new disorder is added to the federal Recommended Uniform Screening Panel.  The Committee has between 11 and 21 members, and shall make recommendations within one year after the date the disorder is recommended by the federal panel.  Currently, there are 33 conditions that can be tested on newborns.  If the condition is positive, corrective measures need to be taken immediately to keep the disease from harming the child and perhaps creating lifetime disabilities.

 

REVENUE & TAXATION

SB 6  Albers – 56   The Office of Planning and Budget shall prepare an economic analysis (good faith estimate) of a proposed or passed bill if requested by either the chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee or the Senate Finance Committee before May 1 of each year.  Up to five bills may be requested by each chairman.  The analysis is to include the net change to:  revenue, expenditures including administrative costs, economic activity, and public benefit if applicable.  Other tax breaks given or extended for:  shortliine railroads, medical devices and pharmaceutical manufacturers, concrete equipment and supplies, refurbishing giant yachts, very large corporate projects, and to Lockheed Martin to better compete for upcoming military jet contracts.

 

SB 193  Mullis – 53   Counties may decide whether decals need to be displayed on mobile housing signifying the payment of property taxes.  Some counties may decide not to even give out the decals; others may give out the decals but not require display.On-line digitized tax records reduce the need of decals for easy tax payment verification .

 

HB 374  Gaines – 117   A sales tax exemption for any authority which provides public water or sewer and was created by local legislation or a local constitutional amendment.  Local constitutional amendments were no longer allowed with the adoption of the 1983 state constitution, under which we are still governed.

 

HB 498  Watson – 172   Expands the property tax exemption for agriculture to add dairy products and unfertilized eggs of poultry as qualified farm products .  State referendum required.   A sales tax exemption for sale of boats to buyers out of state.

 

HB 511  Reeves – 34    The following ten funds are revised:  Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund, Solid Waste Trust Fund, Hazardous Waste Trust Fund, State Children’s Trust Fund, Wildlife Endowment Trust Funds, Trauma Care Network Trust Fund, Transportation Trust Fund, Georgia Agriculture Trust Fund, Fireworks Trust Fund, and Georgia Transit Trust Fund.  In keeping with the constitutional amendment passed in November 2020,  these funds will be spent only for the purpose designated, will not lapse, anything in excess of  1% of the state’s budget is available for general appropriations, and will expire in 10 years unless renewed.  Some of these funds are filled with donated money as a check off on the state income tax form, others by a fee imposed at purchase like the $1 per new tire.  The funds were not always spent for the designated purposes especially in times of budget cuts.  This should protect those funds for the purposes designated.

 

HB 593  Blackmon – 146   Increases the income tax standard deduction for tax years beginning 1-1-22 and beyond for a $120 million impact.

• Single and Head of Household -- $5400, currently $4600, increase $800.

• Married filing single -- $3550, currently $3000, increase of $550.

• Married filing joint -- $7100, currently $6000, increase of $1100.

 

TRANSPORTATION & DRIVING

SR 84  Harper – 7   NNS   Creates the 13-member Joint Study Committee on Airport Infrastructure and Improvements.  Report due December 31, 2021.  GA’s economy is dependent on the ability to move goods and people to wherever they need to go.  To create efficiency and coordination of air service providers and the aviation industry, funding will be needed.

 

HR 119  Ralston – 7   DOT to name bridge in Garden City on Route 307 which crosses the Georgia Port Authority’s Mega Rail site after Johnny Isakson, former U.S. Senator who served GA in many capacities for 43 years, retiring in 2019 for health reasons.  Mr. Isakson has served in the GA House of Representatives, part as Minority Leader, the GA Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, and as chair of the State Board of Education during the Shrenko years.  

 

HB 165  Barr – 103   Allows use of mounts on personal vehicle windshields for support of wireless telecommunication devices and standalone electronic devices.  Currently, nothing can be attached to a windshield that may block the driver’s view of the road.

 

SB 165  Gooch – 51   Slow moving vehicles must have a strobe light while on the road.  Golf carts license fee is cut in half to reflect the prohibition of them being on major highways.  They can only go up to 25 mph.

 

SB 210  Robertson – 29   Provides for a digital motor vehicle license plate.  Uses a third party provider who installed the display and send signals displaying the Department of Driver Services data required to uniquely identify the motor vehicle.  Anticipates that emergency messages for the public could be displayed, and Levi’s Calls, Amber Alerts.  If the license is not renewed, the provider shall be notified by DDS and will immediately cease to provide any data for display.

 

HB 353  Jones – 25   A car may cross the center line, yielding to vehicles traveling in the other direction, when there is a stationery vehicle or vehicle moving at such a low rate of speed so as to hinder or impede proper travel on the road, also when passing a bicycle traveling in the same direction so as to leave a safe distance between the bicycle and the driver’s vehicle.  The stationery vehicle or slow moving vehicles are now included under the definition of ‘obstruction’ in the current code.

 

HB 693  Meeks - 178   A farm tractor or other instrument of husbandry traveling on the interstate must stay to the far right, and if holding up traffic, must move onto the shoulder to let it pass.  If an impediment, such as a guardrail or bridge, prevents moving to the right, the tractor has the right of way to continue forward until it can move to the right.

 

LOCAL – FULTON and its CITIES

SR 92  Halpern – 39   NNS   Honoring the life and memory of Hank Aaron and express regret of the Senate at his passing.

 

HR 130  McDonald – 26   Forsyth County to be transferred to the Atlanta Regional Commission from the GA Mountains Regional Commission.  Board of Community Affairs has already approved.

 

HB 160  Boddie – 62   ‘Municipality’ for the MOST, Municipal Only Sales Tax, is defined as one with waste water flow of 85 million gallons per year, or one which connects to a waste water system in another municipality with a flow of 85 million gallons per year.  Atlanta is the only city that meets this description and it also provides sewer services to East Point, College Park and Hapeville.  Each city may pass a local referendum to impose the 1% MOST for sewer upgrades to the Atlanta sewer system in that city.  An annual audit is required.  The MOST tax in Atlanta is dedicated to repair and replacement of the sewer system. Currently, only sales within the city of Atlanta pay the MOST tax.

 

HB 370  Jones – 47   Board members of a joint hospital authority may serve no more than 12 years or 3 whole or partial terms, whichever is longer.  Only applies to an authority that operates or leases a hospital of 900+ licensed beds.  Grady Hospital.

 

HB 445  Bruce – 61   City of South Fulton charter is amended to include all unincorporated land south of Fulton Industrial Boulevard west of the Atlanta airport.

 

HB 459  Martin – 49   Cities cannot annex a territory that contains a county owned airport unless the county approves it with a resolution at least 90 days before the referendum.  The airport is Charlie Brown Airport in Fulton County near Fulton Industrial Park which City of South Fulton is trying to annex.  The county has made a lot of improvements and they want to insure it is still going to be under their control.

 

HB 600  Dreyer – 59   Hapeville city council quorum is a majority of the members and the mayor as long as one city wide elected official is present.  If the mayor is not present, the alderman-at-large will preside.  If the alderman-at-large is not present, the councilman-at-large shall preside.  If a vacancy on the city council within the first two years of the term, a special election will be called.  If during the second two years of the term, the remaining members of the city council will appoint a replacement.

 

HB 708  Dreyer -  59    Creates the Hapeville Public Facilities Authority.

 

HB 732  Dreyer – 59   The Atlanta Public School homestead exemption of $50,000 of assessed value [$125,000 of fair market value] for property worth $10 million FMV is to continue in perpetuity.  Currently, there is a sunset of 31 Dec 2021.  Local referendum required.  This bill is written to include any homestead property of $10 million or more, but there is some indication that there is just one in existence.

 

HB 757  Nguyen – 89   The City of Atlanta is empowered to create 10-year Urban Enterprise Zones with agreement from the County of Fulton the purpose of which are to create economic development and workforce housing within areas of poverty or blight.  In exchange for those who build, renovate, or establish businesses within, city and county property taxes are forgiven.  On real property, the abatement is $100% for 5 years, 80% for years 6 and 7, 60% for year 8, 40% for year 9 and 20% for year 10.  Taxes on businesses and service enterprises operating within the zone are forgiven up to 10%/year.  There is annual reporting by the city to the county and the Department of Community Affairs about zones in existence and new zones created.  This bill is written such that the current authority for Urban Enterprise Zones cannot be seen.  So what is changed with this proposal cannot be identified.

 

HB 762  Mainor – 56   Creates the Fulton Technology and Energy Enhancement Authority.  In areas of high poverty, minimal or inadequate internet access, lower student achievement and graduation rates, the authority shall develop programs to address these situations, specifically the poverty in communities west of GA Tech’s main campus.

 

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Sally FitzGerald, Capitol Observer

sallyfitz [at] bellsouth.net

League of Women Voters – Atlanta/Fulton   www.lwvaf.org 

League of Women Voters of GA   www.lwvga.org

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