The 2017 session of the Georgia General Assembly resumed on Monday, January 23, 2017; Day 5 of the legislative calendar. House and Senate Appropriations subcommittees spent the previous week in hearings on the FY-2016 Supplemental Budget. The FY-2016 Supplemental Budget was passed by the House on Thursday, January 26; Day 8. Supplemental Budget details will be included in the next legislative report. The General Assembly recessed until Monday, January 30; Day 9 of the legislative calendar.
2017 Supplemental Budget
The original FY-2017 budget approved during the 2016 session set spending at $23.7 billion. HB 43, the Amended Fy-2017 budget, recognizes $606.2 million in additional revenue or 2.5% over the original FY-2017 budget. This brings the total appropriation for the amended budget to $24.3 billion.
The Amended budget includes $50 million for the Georgia Cyber Range, a partnership with state and federal government agencies as well as the private sector to create a secure environment for cyber security programs, training and testing. Regional Economic Business Assistance (REBA) grants will receive an additional $10 million to attract new businesses and industry to Georgia and will be used in conjunction with the recruitment efforts of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. In addition, HB 43 includes $26.5 million for the OneGeorgia Authority to further economic development in Georgia. The Governor recommended, and the House agreed to fund $3 million for the expansion and modernization of the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center as well as $3.5 million for infrastructure needs on Hutchinson Island in Savannah. The amended budget provides $2.2 million in one-time funds to develop a strategy and ensure proper boundaries and addresses in preparation for the 2020 Census. HB 43 also includes $550,000 for the Department of Agriculture to replace 30 high mileage vehicles for food, fuel and meat inspectors and $200,000 for the Department of Economic Development to replace 8 vehicles that are utilized when attracting business to the state. The budget includes $10 million for the State Forestry Commission to purchase equipment to aid in preventing and combating wildfires. The amended budget includes an additional $108.7 million in state general and motor fuel funds for the Department of Transportation over the original budget. This includes $68.5 million in capital construction; $17.7 million in capital maintenance projects; and $8.3 million for the Local Maintenance and Improvement Grants program for safety projects including signal enhancements, intersection improvements, and lane striping. The amended budget provides $10 million to the State Road and Tollway Authority for the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank to provide local governments with financial assistance for projects that improve mobility, sustain development and enhance communities. Source: House Budget and Research Office
Overview of bills introduced during the week of January 23 through January 26, 2017. NOTE: OCGA means the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.
House Bills
HB 1 Representatives Spencer of the 180th, Stephens of the 164th, Corbett of the 174th, Setzler of the 35th, Jones of the 167th
Amends Title 51 of the OCGA, relating to torts, so as to provide for the facilitation of space flight activities in this state; to provide for definitions; to provide for exceptions; to limit the liability of space flight entities related to injuries sustained by participants who have agreed in writing to such a limitation after being provided with certain warnings; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on Judiciary; Read for the 2nd time 1/24
HB 56 Representatives Stephens of the 164th, Powell of the 171st, and Harrell of the 106th
Amends Chapter 13 of Title 48 of the OCGA, relating to specific, business, and occupation taxes, so as to levy and impose a tax on persons who enter certain rental agreements with certain equipment rental companies within a certain period of time; to provide for definitions; to require such equipment rental companies to collect such taxes and hold them in escrow for a period of time; to provide that such companies shall pay their ad valorem tax liability for certain rental equipment with such taxes and shall remit any excess funds to the general fund of the state treasury; to provide for the reporting of statistical data related to such tax; to provide for rules and regulations and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means; Read for the 2nd time 1/24
HB 59 Representatives Stephens of the 164th, Powell of the 171st, Williams of the 119th, and Buckner of the 137th
Amends Code Section 48-7-29.8 of the OCGA, relating to tax credits for the rehabilitation of historic structures, so as to revise procedures, conditions, and limitations; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date, to provide for applicability; to provide for a sunset date; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means; Read for the 2nd time 1/23
HB 60 Representative Stephens of the 164th
Amends Title 3 of the OCGA, relating to alcoholic beverages, so as to provide for distillers to sell certain products at retail; to provide for the issuance of retail package liquor store licenses to distillers subject to certain conditions; to provide for distiller owned food service establishments to be located on or contiguous to the licensed premises of a distiller; to provide for the issuance of retail consumption dealer licenses to distillers subject to certain conditions; to increase the amount of distilled spirits a distiller may provide as part of a free tasting; to provide for definitions; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on Regulated Industry; Read for the 2nd time 1/24
HB 69 Representatives Rakestraw of the 19th, Maxwell of the 17th, Powell of the 171st, Spencer of the 180th, and Stephens of the 164th
Amends Article 2 of Chapter 7 of the Title 48 of the OCGA, relating to imposition, rate, computation, and exemptions from state income taxes, so as to provide for the reporting of statistics related to the classification of counties into tiers for economic development purposes; to provide for related matters; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means; Read for the 2nd time 1/25
HB 70 Representatives Rakestraw of the 19th, Maxwell of the 17th, Spencer of the 180th, Stephens of the 164th, and Shaw of the 176th
Amends Article 2 of Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the OCGA, relating to imposition, rate, computation, and exemptions from state income taxes, so as to provide that a county with a certain percentage of workers who commute outside such county for work shall be reclassified one tier lower in the county tier system for economic development purposes; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means; Read for the 2nd time 1/25
HB 73 Representatives Houston of the 170th, Powell of the 171st, Meadows of the 5th, Shaw of the 176th, Kelley of the 16th
Amends Article 2 of Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the OCGA, relating to the imposition, rate, computation, and exemptions from state income taxation, so as to provide tax credit incentives to promote the revitalization of vacant rural Georgia downtowns by encouraging investment, job creation, and economic growth in long-established business districts; to provide for definitions; to delineate procedures, conditions, eligibility, and limitations; to provide for powers, duties, and authority of the commissioner of community affairs, the commissioner of economic development, and the revenue commissioner, to provide for related matters, to provide for an effective date; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means; Read for the 2nd time 1/25
HB 89 Representatives Kendrick of the 93rd, Stephens of the 164th, Epps of the 144th, Gordon of the 163rd, Buckner of the 137th
Amends Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the OCGA, relating to income taxes, so as to add a type of investor eligible for certain tax credits; to provide for a definition; to provide for the submission of a report to the General Assembly; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means; Read for the 2nd time 1/26
HB 90 Representatives Gasaway of the 28th, Reeves of the 34th, Barr of the 103rd, Williams of the 87th, Quick of the 117th
Amends Article 1 of Chapter 10 of the OCGA, relating to abuse of governmental office, so as to provide definitions; to provide that it shall be illegal for an elected member of a county or municipal governing authority or local board of education or a member of a development authority to participate in the discussion regarding or to vote upon the question of whether such county, municipality, school system, or development authority should purchase real property if such member has a substantial interest in such property or if any business in which such member serves in a fiduciary capacity has any interest in such property, including liens and security instruments; to provide a penalty; to provide for related matters; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on Judiciary, Non-civil; Read for the 2nd time 1/26
HB 118 Representatives Kelley of the 16th, Harrell of the 106th, Clark of the 98th, Frye of the 118th, and Martin of the 49th
Amends Chapter 1 of Title 10 of the OCGA, relating to selling and other trade practices, so as to provide for the licensing, registration, regulation, and taxation of fantasy contest operators; to provide a short title; to provide for definitions; to provide civil penalties; to provide for rules and regulations; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means; Read for the 2nd time 1/26
HB 134 Representatives Epps of the 144th, Brockway of the 102nd, Stephens of the 164th, Williams of the 168th and Watson of the 172nd
Amends Part 1 of Article 5A of Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the OCGA, relating to general provisions regarding the special district mass transportation sales and use tax so as to change the definition of transportation purposes regarding such tax; to change certain provisions relating to notice, intergovernmental agreements, and resolutions regarding such tax; to change certain provisions relating to the ballot question regarding such tax; to change certain provisions relating to the commencement of imposition and the timing of cessation of such tax; to provide for related matters; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means; Read for the 1st time 1/26
HB 141 Representatives Stephens of the 164th and Petrea of the 166th
Amends Code Section 48-13-51 of the OCGA, relating to county and municipal levies on public accommodations charges for promotion of tourism, conventions, and trade shows, so as to expand the list of permitted expenditures for revenues from excise taxes on lodging; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means; Read for the 1st time 1/26
HB 145 Representatives Carson of the 46th, Stephens of the 164th, Hatchett of the 150th, and Smyre of the 135th
Amends Part 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the OCGA, relating to general provisions regarding the state sales and use tax, so as to change the method of charging such tax on jet fuel; to provide for related matters; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means; Read for the 1st time 1/26
HB 147 Representatives Dickerson of the 113th, Stephens of the 164th, Abrams of the 89th, Hitchens of the 161st, and Holcomb of the 81st
Amends Code Section 48-7-40.26 of the OCGA, relating to an income tax credit for film, video, or digital production in Georgia, so as to provide for an additional credit amount for productions that employ veterans; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means; Read for the 1st time 1/30
HB 155 Representatives Carter of the 175th, Reeves of the 34th, Hatchett of the 150th, Frye of the 118th, and Hawkins of the 27th
Amends Article 2 of Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the OCGA, relating to the imposition, rate, and computation of and exemptions from state income taxes, so as to create an income tax credit for certain expenditures by a production company related to certain state certified musical or theatrical productions or recorded musical performances; to provide for rules and regulations and an application process related to such income tax credit; to provide for certain conditions and limitations; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means; Read for the 1st time 1/30
HB 158 Representatives Stephens of the 164th, Smyre of the 135th, Maxwell of the 17th, Evans of the 42nd and Rakestraw of the 19th
Amends Title 50 of the OCGA, relating to state government, so as to provide for definitions; to provide for the creations, membership, appointment, and duties of the Georgia Gaming Commission; to authorize the licensing of up to two destination resorts in this state; to provide for records of the commission and confidentiality of certain records; to provide for applications and licensing processes and criteria for licenses of destination resorts, suppliers, and certain employees; to provide for certain investigations and access to records and computer systems; to provide for certain civil actions; to provide for the resolution of certain disputes; to provide for regulation of certain gaming activities; to provide for certain fees and taxes and the distribution of same; to provide for certain reports and hearings by the commission; to provide for enforcement of certain credit instruments; to provide for related matters; to provide for a contingent effective date; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on Regulated Industries; Read for the 1st time 1/30
HB 160 Representatives Tanner of the 9th, Coomer of the 14th, Shaw of the 176th, Smyre of the 135th, and Burns of the 159th
Amends Chapter 9 of Title 32 of the OCGA, relating to mass transportation, so as to create the Georgia Commission on Transit Governance and Funding; to provide for the membership, powers, and duties of the commission; to provide for a report and proposal by the commission; to provide for assignment of the commission to the Department of Transportation for administrative purposes; to provide for cooperation of other government entities with the commission, to provide for other services to the commission; to provide for compensation and expenses; to provide for automatic repeal, and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation; Read for the 1st time 1/30
House Resolutions
HR 14 Representatives Raffensperger of the 50th, Ehrhart of the 36th, Oliver of the 82nd, Fleming of the 121st, Hatchett of the 150th
A resolution proposing to create the Joint Study Committee of the Creation of High-Tech Health Incubators for Job Growth for Georgia; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on Rules; Read for the 2nd time 1/12
HR 39 Representatives Rakestraw of the 19th, Stephens of the 164th, Maxwell of the 17th, Taylor of the 173rd, and Shaw of the 176th
A resolution proposing to create the House Study Committee on Enhancing Economic Development Through the County Tier System; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on Rules; Read for the 2nd time 1/25
Senate Bills
SB 3 Senators Tippins of the 37th, Wilkinson of the 50th, Brass of the 28th, and Cowsert of the 46th
Amends Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the OCGA, relating to elementary and secondary education, so as to enact the “Creating Opportunities Needed Now to Expand Credentialed Training (CONNECT) Act”; to provide for industry credentialing for students who complete certain focused programs of study; to provide for industry credentialing in individual graduation plans; to provide for the identification of certain critical and emerging occupations; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on Education and Youth; Read for the 1st time 1/23
SB 6 Senators Gooch of the 51st, Beach of the 21st, Shafer of the 48th, Cowsert of the 46th, and Kennedy of the 18th
Amends Chapter 12 of Title 50 of the OCGA, relating to commissions and other agencies, so as to create the Georgia Regional Transit Council; to provide for legislative intent; to provide for definitions; to provide for the membership, powers, and duties of the council; to provide for a report and proposal by the council; to provide for assignment of the council to the Department of Transportation for administrative purposes; to provide for compensation and expenses, to provide for contingent automatic repeal; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation; Read for the 1st time 1/25
SB 14 Senators Burke of the 11th, Hill of the 6th, Harper of the 7th, Sims of the 12th, and Tillery of the 19th
Amends Article 2 of Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the OCGA, relating to imposition, rate, computation, and exemptions from state income taxes, so as to clarify the amount of an exemption for certain entities under the contributions to rural hospitals income tax credit; to provide for related matters; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on Finance; Read for the 1st time 1/12
SB 17 Senators Unterman of the 45th, Miller of the 49th, Ginn of the 47th, Mullis of the 53rd, and Beach of the 21st
Amends Title 3 of the OCGA, relating to alcoholic beverages, so as to provide that governing authorities of counties and municipalities in which the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises is lawful may authorize sales of such alcoholic beverages during a certain time on Sundays; to change the time on Sunday during which farm wineries may sell certain wine for consumption on the premises; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on Regulated Industries and Utilities; Read for the 1st time 1/23
SB 46 Senators Ligon, Jr. of the 3rd, Thompson of the 14th, Beach of the 21st, Albers of the 56th, and McKoon of the 29th
Amends Title 51 of the OCGA, relating to torts, so as to provide for the facilitation of space flight activities in this state; to provide for definitions; to provide for exceptions; to limit the liability of space flight entities related to injuries sustained by participants who have agreed in writing to such a limitation after being provided with certain warnings; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on Science and Technology; Read for the 1st time 1/25
SB 51 Senators Mullis of the 53rd, Dugan of the 30th, Brass of the 28th, Beach of the 21st, and Jones II of the 22nd
Amends Code Section 50-7-115 of the OCGA, relating to the placing of signage at film and television production sites along the Georgia Film and Television Trail, so as to revise provisions relating to the Georgia Film and Television Trail; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on Economic Development and Tourism; Read for the 1st time 1/26
SB 58 Senator McKoon of the 29th
Repeals Code Section 48-13-50.3 of the OCGA, relating to an excise tax on hotel and motel room rentals, so as to repeal such provision; to provide for an effective date; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on Finance; Read for the 1st time 1/25
SB 67 Senators Albers of the 56th, Mullis of the 53rd, Ligon, Jr. of the 3rd, Payne of the 54th, and Harbin of the 16th
Amends Chapter 13 of Title 50 of the OCGA, relating to administrative procedure, so as to provide requirements relative to the formulation, drafting, and adoption of rules or amendments to existing rules; to provide for definitions; to provide for advisory committees; to provide for cost-benefit analyses; to provide for public records; to provide for notices and the contents thereof; to provide for reduction of the economic impact of rules and amendments on small businesses and citizens; to provide for and change certain existing procedures relating to the review of proposed rules by committees of the General Assembly and the procedures connected therewith; to provide for hearings and reports; to provide for the periodic review of rules; to provide for additional duties of agencies; to amend Titles 27, 28, 31, 33, and 50 of the OCGA , relating to game and fish, General Assembly, health insurance, and state government, respectively, so as to correct and conform cross-references; to provide for a short title; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on Economic Development and Tourism; Read for the 1st time 1/26
SB 79 Senators Beach of the 21st, Tate of the 38th, Black of the 8th, Mullis of the 53rd, and Harbison of the 15th
Amends Title 50 of the OCGA, relating to state government, so as to provide for definitions; to provide for the creation, membership, appointment, and duties of the Georgia Gaming Commission; to authorize the licensing of up to two destination resorts, in this state; to provide for records of the commission and confidentiality of certain records; to provide for applications and licensing processes and criteria for licenses of destination resorts, suppliers, and certain employees; t provide for certain investigations and access to records and computer systems; to provide for certain civil actions, to provide for the resolution of certain disputes; to provide for regulation of certain gaming activities, to provide for certain fees and taxes and the distribution of same, to provide for certain reports and hearings by the commission; to provide for the enforcement of certain credit instruments, to provide for contingent effective date, and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on Regulated Industries and Utilities; Read for 1st time 1/30
SB 85 Senators Jeffares of the 17th, hill of the 6th, Martin of the 9th, Hufstetler of the 52nd, and Albers of the 56th
Amends Chapter 5 of Title 3 of the OCGA, relating to malt beverages, so as to provide for the limited sale of malt beverages at retail by manufacturers of malt beverages; to provide for a definition; to provide for the promulgation of rules and regulations by the state revenue commissioner; to provide for certain powers of the state revenue commissioner; to clarify that sales of malt beverages by brewpubs for consumption off the premises are governed by the local jurisdiction; to provide for remittance of local excise taxes by brewers; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on Regulated Industries and Utilities; Read for the 1st time 1/30
SB 89 Senators Shafer of the 48th, Gooch of the 51st, Cowsert of the 46th, Albers of the 56th, and Mullis of the 53rd
Amends Article 3 of Chapter 2 of Title 32 of the OCGA, relating to officers in the Department of Transportation, so as to provide for state investment in railways and railroad facilities and equipment; to provide that the commissioner of transportation may administer a Georgia Freight Railroad Program, to provide for subprograms within such programs; to provide for annual reporting; to provide for a short title; and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation; Read for the 1st time 1/30
