2017 Legislative Report 4

Budget HB 43, the 2017 Supplemental Budget as amended was passed by the Senate and submitted to the Governor for signature. Bills introduced during the week of February 7, 2017; Day 13 through Friday, February 10, 2017; Day 16 of the legislative calendar. The General Assembly will reconvene on Tuesday, February 14, 2017; Day 17 and adjourn on Friday, February 17; Day 20. House Bills HB 205 Representatives Meadows of the 5th, Dempsey of the 13th, Jasperse of the 11th, Ridley of the 6th, and Lumsden of the 12th Amends Article 2 of Chapter 4 of Title 12 of the OCGA, relating to mining and drilling, so as to regulate the exploration and extraction of gas and oil in this state; to provide for a definition; to provide for authority to create an Oil and Gas Board under certain circumstances; to require the promulgation of rules and regulations related to drilling and extraction; to amend provisions relating to drilling permits; to increase the amount of bond security for drilling operations; to provide for authority of local governments; to impose a severance tax on the extraction of oil and gas; and for other purposes. Referred to the Committee on Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications  Read 2d time 2/7/17 HB 215 Representatives Hanson of the 80th, Powell of the 171st, Tanner of the 9th, Coomer of the 14th, and Blackmon of the 146th Amends Part 1 of Article 5A of Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the OCGA, relating to the special district mass transportation sales and use tax, so as to clarify the ability of counties and qualified municipalities to issue general obligation bonds as necessary; and for other purposes. Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means  Read 2dtime 2/7/17 HB 225 Representatives Powell of the 171st, Kelley of the 16th, England of the 116th, Harrell of the 106th, and Powell of the 32nd Amends Article 7 of Chapter 2 of Title 40 of the OCGA, relating to motor vehicle license fees and classes, so as to repeal inoperable provisions related to licensing of ride share networks; to amend Article 1 of Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the OCGA, relating to state sales and use tax, so as to repeal an inoperable sales tax exemption related to ride share networks; to impose collection and remittance of a tax upon ride share network services; and for other purposes. Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means  Read for 2d time 2/7/17 HB 237 Representatives Coleman of the 97th, England of the 116th, Casas of the 107th, Chandler of the 105th, and Nix of the 69th Amends Title 20 and Title 48 of the OCGA, relating to education and to revenue and taxation, respectively, so as to authorize the Public Education Innovation Fund Foundation to receive private donations to be used for grants to public schools; to provide for grant criteria; to provide for an income tax credit for qualified education donations; to provide for conditions and limitations; to provide for powers, duties, and authority of the state revenue commissioner with respect to such donations; and for other purposes. Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means  Read for 2d time 2/2/17 HB 247 Representatives LaRiccia of the 169th, Kelley of the 16th, Carter of the 175th, Reeves of the 34th, and Corbett of the 174th Amends Part 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the OCGA, relating to general provisions regarding state sales and use tax, so as to exempt machinery used to mix or transport concrete from such tax; and for other purposes. Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means  Read for 2d time 2/8/17 HB 257 Representatives Tankersley of 160th, Smith of the 70th, Powell of the 171st, Epps of the 144th, and Hatchett of the 150th Amends Title 36 of the OCGA, relating to local government, so as to require local government authorities to register with the Department of Community Affairs in order to be eligible for state funds; to change the deadline for local government authorities to register with said department; to prohibit authorities from incurring debt or credit obligations prior to submitting a report to said department; and for other purposes. Referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs  Read for 2d time 2/9/17 HB 265 Representatives Efstration of the 104th, Rogers of the 10th, Rhodes of the 120th, Kelley of the 16th, and Stephens of the 164th Amends Article 2 of Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the OCGA, relating to imposition, rate, computation, and exemptions from state income tax, so as to revise the provisions relating to the credit for establishing or relocating quality jobs; to amend Code Section 48-8-3 of the OCGA, relating to exemptions from state sales and use taxes, so as to provide a state sales tax exemption for sales of tickets, fees, or charges of admission to certain facilities that provide certain arts and education programming; to provide a state and local sales tax exemption for sales of tangible personal property used for or in the renovation or expansion of certain theaters; and for other purposes. Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means  Read for 2d time 2/9/17 HB 277 Representatives Frye of the 118th, Dollar of the 45th, Quick of the 117th, Hawkins of the 27th, and Bentley of the 139th Amends Code Section 48-7-40.1 of the OCGA, relating to tax credits for business enterprises in less developed areas, so as to provide that sound recording is an industry eligible for a tax credit in less developed areas; to revise definitions; and for other purposes. Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means  Read for 2d time 2/9/17 House Resoluations HR 158 Representatives Powell of the 171st, Abrams of the 89th, Welch of the 110th, Harrell of the 106th, and Meadows of the 5th Proposes an amendment to the Constitution as to authorize the General Assembly to provide by general law for the dedication of revenues derived from fees or taxes to the public purpose for which such fees or taxes were imposed, to provide for procedures, conditions, and limitations; to provide for the redesignation of a current subparagraph of the Constitution; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes. Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means  Read for 2d time 2/7/17 Senate Bills SB 115 Senators Ginn of the 47th, Jones of the 25th, Shafer of the 48th, Unterman of the 45th, and Jeffares of the 17th Amends Article 8 of Chapter 1 of Title 10 of the OCGA, relating to petroleum products, brake fluid, and antifreeze, so as to prohibit the sale of ethanol gasoline within the state, to amend Title 48 of the OCGA, relating to revenue and taxation, so as to provide for conformity; to amend Chapter 8 of Title 50 of the OCGA, relating to the Department of Community Affairs; so as to repeal a program providing grants for the promotion of E-85 gasoline; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for an effective date; and for other purposes. Referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs  Read for 1st time 2/7/17 SB 116 Senators Ginn of the 47th, Jones of the 25th, Williams of the 27th, Shafer of the 48th and Jeffares of the 17th To amend Chapter 60 of the OCGA, relating to provisions applicable to counties and municipal corporations, so as to prohibit the assessment of storm-water utility fees on water-neutral properties; and for other purposes. Referred to the Committee on Regulated Industry and Utilities  Read for 1st time 2/7/17 SB 117 Senators Martin of the 9th, Miller of the 49th, Walker III of the 20th, Thompson of the 14th, and Dugan of the 30th Amends Chapter 25 of Title 50 of the OCGA, relating to the Georgia Technology Authority, so as to change the definition of the ‘agency’; to provide for the establishment of certain policies and standards to be used by all agencies; to provide for waivers under certain circumstances; and for other purposes. Referred to the Committee on Science and Technology  Read for 1st time 2/7/17 SB 133 Senators Walker III of the 20th, Shafer of the 48th, Hill of the 6th, Heath of the 31st, and Wilkinson of the 50th Amends Article 4 of Chapter 13 of Title 48 of the OCGA, relating to the corporate net worth tax, so as to make such tax inapplicable to corporations worth less than a certain amount; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; and or other purposes. Referred to the Committee on Finance Read for 1st time 2/8/17 Senate Resolutions SR 152 Senators Ginn of the 47th, Jeffares of the 17th, Gooch of the 51st, Ligon, Jr. of the 3rd and Miller of the 49th Creates the Joint Study Committee on Stream Buffers in Georgia; and for other purposes. Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environment Read for 1st time 2/7/17