19 March 2021

LWVAF, Report from the Capitol, Week 10

This week the General Assembly met for 4 days, completing Day 35.  Only 5 more days until Sine Die.  Next week, it will return for a 3-day week plus 2 full days of committee work.  The week thereafter will be the last week with Sine Die on Wednesday, March 31.

Bills are getting to the floor in larger numbers and almost without exception are still uncontroversial.  One exception is SB 148 which went down in flames in the House.   The FY22 budget is still being worked on and must exit the Senate and be reconciled be Day 40.  Providing funding to run the government is the primary reason for a General Assembly and is the only bill that must pass.

Getting a lot of public attention are the election bills.  To date, there have been two omnibills which have crossed over, HB 531 and SB 241.  This week it looks like another is becoming a Christmas tree, SB 202.  In the Senate version, it was a two pager.  The House has been working on a substitute of 94 pages which is reported in this newsletter with items recorded from the committee hearing.  Thursday, there was a public hearing without a copy of the substitute bill being posted on-line.  If it is voted out of committee, it has some areas in conflict with HB 531 which is being heard in the Senate committee, which is preparing a substitute, also unavailable for reading.  SB 241 appears not to be moving in the House.  How the legislature will end up treating this very basic subject in our democracy may well be up in the air until the last minute.  And then, the governor will weigh in with the power to sign or not, and as a former Secretary of State, these are issues with which he has had a lot of exposure.

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BOLD Bill Number = final passage

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

DV = Differing Versions

NNS = Needs No Signature

TGFS = To Governor for Signature

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In CHAMBERS 

 

CHILDREN

HB 114  Reeves – 37   TGFS   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.

 

EDUCATION – PREK – 12

SB 66  Anavitarte – 31   TGFS   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.  The Foundation for Public Education has a director on board and 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   TGFS   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.

 

EDUCATION – POSTSECONDARY

HB 291  Dempsey - 13     PASSED House     S.Higher Education

Tuition Equalization Grants will be available to a nursing program in a higher education institution accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and is not a bible school or a divinity school and is physically located in GA.  A tuition equalization grant is paid by the state to private institutions for GA residents as a recognition that there would be costs to the state if the student had attended a public institution.  It runs about $950/year/student.  There are 34 institutions getting this grant, and since 2011, it has been almost impossible for any other schools to become eligible.  Chamberlin School in Atlanta has an accredited nursing program and the state needs nurses.  Graduates have a 94% passing rate in the nursing state boards.  They want their students to become eligible for this grant.

 

ELECTIONS & ETHICS

SB 221  Mullis – 53   TGFS   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 169  Walker – 20   TGFS   Provides for electronic signatures and electronic corporate seal on bonds.

 

HB 208  Cheokas – 138     PASSED House     PASSED  Senate     DV

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.  

 

GOVERNMENT – TECHNOLOGY

HB 156  Parsons – 44   TGFS   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   TGFS   Corporations can hold annual meetings by teleconference.  Attendance via teleconference is treated the same as attendance in person.

 

HB 371  Gunter – 8     PASSED House     PASSED Senate     DV

Prisoners may testify in almost any judicial proceeding via teleconference.

 

GOVERNMENT – COURTS AND CRIMES

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

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

SB 163  Strickland – 17     PASSED  Senate     PASSED House     DV

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.

 

GOVERNMENT – CAPITOL AND GROUNDS

SB 140  Mullis – 53   TGFS   A monument is to be placed on the capitol grounds to honor Zell Bryant Miller.  Private funds will be used.

 

HEALTH

SB 5  Kirkpatrick – 32     PASSED Senate     PASSED House      DV     

Any person other than a dentist, anesthesiologist or anesthetist who administers conscious sedation without a license to practice dentistry is engaging in the unlawful practice thereof.  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     PASSED Senate     PASSED House     DV     

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.

 

REVENUE & TAXATION

SB 148  Hufstetler – 52     PASSED Senate     FAILED in House   139 No’s -- 20 Yes’s

Creates the 11 member Special Council on Tax Reform and Fairness for Georgians and the 12 member Special Joint Committee on Georgia Revenue Structure.  The council will have legislators, economists, business, and tax commissioners on it and will study the current tax structure and possible make recommendations.  The Joint Committee is all legislators, 6 from each chamber with four being designated leaders.  It will process the resulting legislation, if any.  This has been done twice in the recent past, in 1994 and 2010.  Both review commissions/councils wrote extensive recommendations, and both legislative committees failed to pass much.  Knowing the intricacies of the taxation system is essential to ever making changes, but an easy task it is not.  In the last cycle, one of the most contentious issues was the recommendation to put sales tax back on food. While that would have raised a lot of revenue that was more stable, it would have taxed the lower income citizen on a much higher percentage of their income than what would have been taxed on the more affluent.  Another recommendation was to put sales tax on services.  Which services was the topic of much discussion. In the end neither recommendation passed.  The recommendations to remove the tax on energy for businesses, to tax casual auto and airplane sales, and to change the motor fuel taxes did pass, but as separate bills and in subsequent years. 

 

HB 511  Reeves – 34   TGFS   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   TGFS   Increases the income tax standard deduction for tax years beginning 1-1-22 and beyond for a $140 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

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

 

HB 693  Meeks – 178    TGFS   A farm tractor traveling on the interstate must stay to the far right, and if holding up traffic, must move onto the shoulder to let it pass.  Should it not be able to move right because of a guardrail or bridge, the tractor has the right of way to continue forward until it can move to the right.

 

LOCAL – FULTON and its CITIES

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

 

HB 732  Dreyer – 59     PASSED House     S.SLGO

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, the sunset is Dec. 31, 2021.  Local referendum required.   The bill includes any homestead property of $10 million or more, but there is some indication that there is just one in existence.

 

HB 759  Nguyen – 89     PASSED House     S.SLGO

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 thus, what is changed cannot be identified.

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In COMMITTEE

 

CHILDREN

HB 154  Reeves – 34     PASSED House     DO PASS in S.Judiciary

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 548  Dempsey – 13     PASSED House     DO PASS in S.Judiciary

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 173  Benton – 31    PASSED Senate      DO PASS in S.Retirement

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 287  Rich – 97     PASSED House     DO PASS in S.Education & Youth     DV

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.  [House adds] 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.

 

EDUCATION – POSTSECONDARY

SB 187  Tippins – 37     PASSED Senate     DO PASS in H.Higher Education

Students with disabilities may request a HOPE waiver to fund up to 10 years to earn a degree or attempt 127 semester hours, currently 7 years.  Funding would not increase, only the time to complete the degree.

 

ELECTIONS & ETHICS

SB 202  Burns – 23     PASSED Senate      H.Special Committee on Election Integrity     DV

Yet another omnibill about elections.  It now has 94 pages.  

• Those that mail unsolicited applications for absentee ballots shall only mail them 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 up to $100 per violation and the money goes to local election department to offset the cost of multiple applications from the same voter.  Getting a copy of the registered voter list costs $250 and takes one or two weeks.  Applied to mailed applications, not forms handed out in person or placed on a table for voter to pick up.  This is the bill as it passed the Senate.  

The following are the House additions.

• Secretary of State may accept private donations which will be distributed throughout the state equitably for election operational expenses.

• No food or water may be provided to this in line within 150 feet of the precinct or 25 feet of a person standing in line, except that self-serve water may be made available in the polling place.

• 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.  This may conflict with federal law, HAVA, which indicates a provisional ballot shall be offered if the voter is not on the rolls in that precinct.  No clock constraints.

• Ballot images, not the physical ballot, can be public information subject to open records request.  Asks the Secretary of State 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.  Perhaps the SOS is to create the framework for the requestor to ask the county for the images.

• Multiple instances of election mishaps can get the election superintendent, either the probate court judge or the board of elections, removed in one of three ways:  the state Election Board initiates the request, a county commissioner, one person, can initiate the request, or a member in a small county or two in a large county of the county delegation in the General Assembly.  

• The chairs of the Judiciary Committees of the House and Senate must be given at least 5 days prior notice of any court settlement, consent agreement, or consent order that the Secretary of State or State Election Board may agree to.

• Allows unlimited challenges on those registering to vote.

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

• A notice must be posted if the precinct closes.  How large the sign and how many are specified.

• Those in jail awaiting trial may vote and the jailer will have to give them access to personal items in order to provide their driver's license number to put on the application.

• Drop boxes are to be located at early voting sites only but may be moved outside at elections director’s option. Drop boxes will only be open during early voting hours.

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

• Secretary of State is authorized to audit absentee ballot applications for two years.

• Poll 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.

• By 10 p.m. on evening of election day, the number of voters shall be reported to the Secretary of State.

• Provisions for continuous counting of votes until finished.

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

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

 

Reporter’s note. This substitute was available late Wednesday for those physically at the Capitol.  This report is from notes taken by the writer watching virtually. The substitute bill which will not be available on the General Assembly website until the committee has voted on it.  This write-up will be updated to reflect actual language therein.

 

GOVERNMENT – GENERAL

HB 44  Cantrell – 22     PASSED  House     DO PASS in S.Government Oversight     DV

Daylight savings time shall be observed everywhere in GA all year long when the U.S. Congress so authorizes it.

 

SB 152  Robertson – 29     PASSED  Senate     DO PASS in H.Governmental Affairs

The word ‘Courage’ is added to the pledge of allegiance to the GA state flag.  It now reads “I pledge allegiance to the Georgia flag and to the principles for which it stands:  Wisdom, Justice, Moderation, and Courage.”

 

SB 200  Anavatarte – 31     PASSED  Senate     DO PASS in H.Judiciary     DV

Emergency powers of the governor cannot close certain business and houses of worship, regardless of the emergency.

 

GOVERNMENT – TECHNOLOGY

SB 95  Ginn – 47     PASSED Senate     DO PASS in H.Government Affairs     DV

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 553  Gunter – 8     PASSED House     DO PASS in S.Judiciary     DV

Administrative hearings can be held virtually.  Witnesses can appear virtually if judge agrees.

 

GOVERNMENT – COUNTIES AND CITIES

SB 144 Tippins – 37     PASSED Senate     DO PASS in H.Government Affairs

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 will require them to follow the rules of the governing entity in which the project will be located.

 

HR 222  Anderson  - 10     NNS     DO PASS in H.Government Affairs

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.

 

GOVERNMENT – COURTS AND CRIMES

SB 33  Dixon – 45     PASSED Senate     DO PASS in H.Judiciary

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 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 75  Jackson – 41     PASSED  Senate      DO PASS in H.Judiciary

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 105  Strickland – 17   PASSED Senate     DO PASS in H.Judiciary Non-Civil

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 168  Petrea – 166  PASSED House     DO PASS in S.Public Safety

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.  These inmates have been convicted of sexual offenses against minors and the seven deadly sins.  The information is to remain confidential with the district attorney.  If the District attorney discloses this information, the DA can be guilty of an offence.   Such information is generally not available to anyone outside of the prison system.

 

HB 479  Reeves – 37     PASSED House     DO PASS in S.Judiciary

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 631  Cheokas – 138     PASSED House     DO PASS in S.Public Safety     DV

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.

 

GOVERNMENT – EMPLOYMENT

SR 134  Walker – 20    PASSED Senate     DO PASS in H.Judiciary  

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 there has been a judicial order in place to not have trials.  If passed in a referendum, the salary would stop immediately thereafter. If found innocent,  back pay would be paid.

 

HB 146  Gaines – 117     PASSED House     DO PASS in S.Insurance & Labor     DV

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 218  Walker – 20     PASSED Senate     DO PASS in H.Judiciary

Elected and other public officials who are suspended because of an indictment for a felony shall have salary or compensation suspended.  Currently, the person is paid until convicted. During the pandemic when trials have been suspended, this could be several months before a trial, and perhaps conviction.  If found innocent, back pay would be paid.

 

GOVERNMENT – ENVIRONMENT

SB 119  Harper – 7     PASSED Senate     DO PASS in H.Natural Resources & Environment

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     PASSED House     DO PASS in S.Natural Resources & Environment

Urges Congress to pass the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act.

 

GUNS

HB 218  Ballinger – 23     PASSED House     DO PASS in S.Public Safety     DV

A person licensed to carry in another state may carry in this state as long as the person is a non-resident.  If the person moves into the state, they may carry under the out of state license but must get a GA license to carry within 90 days.  Gives the Attorney General power to enter into an agreement with any state to recognize and give effect to such a license.  A person moving into GA only has 30 days to get a GA driver’s license.

 

HEALTH

SB 164  Hufstetler – 52     PASSED Senate     DO PASS in H.Health & Human Services

Updates requirements for HIV patients and their responsibility to inform others of their status if both parties are to engage in sexual behavior.  Declassifies syringes and hypodermic needles as drug related objects.  A kidney may be donated by an HIV positive person to another HIV positive person.  

 

HB 234  Hawkins – 27     PASSED House     DO PASS in S.Health & Human Services     On Senate floor calendar for Mon.

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 they are not covered by the health care plan but the hospital with whom they are contracted is.

 

HB 307  Cooper – 43     PASSED House      DO PASS in S.Health & Human Services     DV

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 services, prescribing or utilization reviews than what is required for in-person medical care.

 

HB 567  Cooper – 43     PASSED House     DO PASS in S.Health & Human Services     DV

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. For many, 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

HB 374  Gaines – 117     PASSED House     DO PASS in S.Finance

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     PASSED House     DO PASS in S.Finance 

Expands the property tax exemption for agriculture to add dairy products and unfertilized eggs of poultry as qualified farm products.  State referendum required.

 

TRANSPORTATION & DRIVING

SR 84  Harper – 7    PASSED Senate     DO PASS in H.Transportation

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.

 

HB 246  Watson – 172     PASSED House     DO PASS in S.Public Safety

The replacement fee for a driver’s license is increased to $10, currently $5.  Driving permit fees are increased to $32, currently $25.  It costs the state $9.16 to replace a driver’s license and $20.21 to issue a driving permit.

 

LOCAL – FULTON and its CITIES

HR 130  McDonald – 26     PASSED House     DO PASS in S.Government Oversight     DV

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

 

HB 459  Martin – 49     PASSED  House     DO PASS in S.State & Local Government

Cities cannot annex a territory that contains a county owned airport unless the county approves it with a resolution.  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.

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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 – Georgia   www.lwvga.org

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