GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS/STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE

2018 GEORGIA LEGISLATIVE REPORT

MARCH 2, 2018

[2017 – 2018 LEGISLATIVE SESSION]

Prepared by:

Peter K. Floyd, Esq. Partner (Development Incentives, Energy, Infrastructure & Public Finance) Alston & Bird LLP One Atlantic Center 1201 W. Peachtree Street Atlanta, Georgia 30309 404.881.4510 [email protected] HOUSE BILLS

HB 33 – Local government; individuals appointed to authorities and boards be citizens; require

Representatives: (R), 50th District Darlene Taylor (R), 173rd District (R), 152nd District Bruce Williamson (R), 115th District (R), 102nd District (R), 114th District

House Committee: Judiciary

Senate Committee:

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 80 of Title 36, Article 1 of Chapter Summary: 2 of Title 45, and Chapter 1 of Title 50 of the O.C.G.A., relating to general provisions applicable to counties, municipal corporations, and other governmental entities; general provisions regarding eligibility and qualifications for public office; and general provisions relating to state government, respectively, so as to require that individuals appointed to authorities, boards, councils, and commissions be United States citizens or nationals, lawful permanent residents, or aliens having lawful status to be present in the United States; to provide for other residency requirements; to provide an effective date and applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: January 12, 2017 – House Second Readers

HB 61* –Sales and use tax; certain retailers to either collect and remit or notify purchaser and state; require

Representatives: Jay Powell (R), 171st District (R), 116th District John Meadows (R), 5th District Stacey Abrams (D), 89th District (R), 16th District

House Committee: Ways & Means

Senate Committee: Finance

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 48-8-30 of the Official Summary: Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to imposition of tax, rates, and collection, so as to require certain retailers to either collect and remit sales and use taxes or provide certain notifications to each purchaser and the state; to define a term; to provide for penalties; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: February 5, 2018 – Senate Read Second Time February 15, 2017 – House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

LEGAL02/37807829v1 HB 62 – Appeal and error; judgments and rulings deemed directly appealable; revise provisions

Representatives: Jay Powell (R), 171st District Terry England (R), 116th District John Meadows (R), 5th District Stacey Abrams (D), 89th District Trey Kelley (R), 16th District

House Committee: Ways & Means

Senate Committee:

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 6 of Title 5 of the Summary: Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to appellate practice, so as to revise provisions regarding those judgments and rulings deemed directly appealable; to amend Article 1 of Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state sales and use tax, so as to revise a definition; to provide for certain legal actions, injunctions, and appeals under certain circumstances; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: January 24, 2017 – House Withdrawn; Recommitted

HB 69 – Income tax; reporting of statistics related to the classification of counties into tiers for economic development purposes; provide

Representatives: Paulette Rakestraw (R), 19th District Jason Spencer (R), 180th District Howard Maxwell (R), 17th District Ron Stephens (R), 164th District Jay Powell (R), 171st District

House Committee: Ways & Means

Senate Committee:

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Summary: Official Code of Georgia Annotated, 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; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: January 25, 2017 – House Second Readers

2 LEGAL02/37807829v1 HB 70 – Income tax; county with a certain percentage of workers who commute outside the county for work; provisions

Representatives: Paulette Rakestraw (R), 19th District Jason Spencer (R), 180th District Howard Maxwell (R), 17th District Ron Stephens (R), 164th District Jay Powell (R), 171st District

House Committee: Ways & Means

Senate Committee:

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Summary: Official Code of Georgia Annotated, 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; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: January 25, 2017 – House Second Readers

HB 85* – Ad valorem tax; methodology used to establish forest land fair market value; revise

Representatives: Jay Powell (R), 171st District Chuck Williams (R), 119th District Terry England (R), 116th District Gerald Green (R), 151st District Tom McCall (R), 33rd District

House Committee: Ways & Means

Senate Committee: Finance

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 48-5-271 of the Official Summary: Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to table of values for conservation use value of forest land, so as to revise the methodology used to establish forest land fair market value; to provide for a sales data bank; to provide for publication; to provide for appeals; to provide for an administrative fee; to provide for related matters; to provide for a contingent effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: February 23, 2018 - Senate Read Second Time March 1, 2017 - House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

3 LEGAL02/37807829v1 HB 204* – Ad valorem tax; property tax bills shall not include nontax related fees or assessments; provide

Representatives: Brett Harrell (R), 106th District David Knight (R), 130th District Jay Powell (R), 171st District (R), 170th District Terry England (R), 116th District (R), 37th District

House Committee: Ways & Means

Senate Committee: Finance

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Summary: Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding ad valorem taxation of property, so as to provide that property tax bills shall not include any nontax related fees or assessments; to provide for applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: January 8, 2018 - Senate Recommitted February 28, 2017 - House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

HB 257* – Local government authorities; register with Department of Community Affairs; require

Representatives: (R), 160th District (R), 144th District (R), 70th District (R), 150th District Jay Powell (R), 171st District Ron Stephens (R), 164th District

House Committee: Governmental Affairs

Senate Committee: State and Local Governmental Operations

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Summary: Annotated, 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; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: February 5, 2018 - Senate Committee Favorably Reported February 21, 2017 - House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

4 LEGAL02/37807829v1 HB 314* – Georgia Agribusiness and Rural Jobs Act; enact

Representatives: Jason Shaw (R), 176th District Jay Powell (R), 171st District Terry England (R), 116th District Robert Trammell (D), 132nd District (R), 172nd District

House Committee: Ways & Means

Senate Committee: Finance

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Summary: Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding insurance, so as to establish qualified low-income community investment; to provide for a short title; to provide for definitions; to provide that certain entities may earn credit against the entity's state tax liability; to disallow refundability and sale on the open market of claimed credits; to provide for certification of qualified capital investments; to provide for recapture of credit claimed under certain circumstances; to provide for a request of determination for eligibility; to provide for reporting; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: March 3, 2017 - Senate Read and Referred March 1, 2017 - House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

HB 336 – Broadband Strategy for All of Georgia Act; enact

Representatives: (R), 44th District Jason Shaw (R), 176th District Jan Tankersley (R), 160th District (R), 156th District (R), 30th District Sam Watson (R), 172nd District

House Committee: Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications

Senate Committee:

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Titles 36, 48, and 50 of the O.C.G.A., relating to Summary: local government, revenue and taxation, and state government, respectively, so as to provide for broadband deployment incentives; to provide for definitions; to establish certification of certain counties and municipal corporations as broadband ready communities; to provide for duties and responsibilities of the Department of Economic Development; to provide for the Georgia Technology Authority to develop an annual "Broadband Strategy for All of Georgia" report providing guidance for achieving enhanced broadband deployment throughout this state; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters; to provide for effective dates and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: February 22, 2018 – House Committee Favorable Reported By Substitute

5 LEGAL02/37807829v1 HB 371 – Local government; immunity of municipal corporations; revise provisions

Representatives: (R), 121st District (R), 51st District (D), 128th District Andrew Welch (R), 110th District Jay Powell (R), 171st District

House Committee: Judiciary

Senate Committee:

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 33 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Summary: Georgia Annotated, relating to liability of municipal corporations for acts or omissions, so as to revise provisions relating to immunity of municipal corporations; to provide for exceptions; to provide for liability involving joint undertakings; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: February 16, 2017 – House Second Readers

HB 499 – Georgia Personal Data Security Act; enact

Representatives: (R), 24th District

House Committee: Judiciary

Senate Committee:

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 34 of Chapter 1 of Title 10 of the O.C.G.A., Summary: relating to identity theft, so as to enact the "Georgia Personal Data Security Act"; to improve systems and procedures for providing and regulating notifications of data beaches affecting Georgia residents; to revise legislative findings and declarations; to modify definitions; to modify when notices of certain security breaches are required and to provide for the contents of such notices; to require certain entities to maintain certain data security procedures; to require that certain notices of a data breach be sent to certain officials of this state; to provide for enforcement by the Attorney General; to provide for civil penalties; to provide for designations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: February 28, 2017 - House Second Readers

6 LEGAL02/37807829v1 HB 512 – Counties and municipalities; storm-water utility fees on water-neutral properties; prohibit assessment

Representatives: Regina Quick (R), 117th District Chuck Williams (R), 119th District Brett Harrell (R), 106th District Tom McCall (R), 33rd District Buzz Brockway (R), 102nd District J. Collins (R), 68th District

House Committee: Natural Resources & Environment

Senate Committee:

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 60 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Summary: Georgia Annotated, relating to provisions applicable to counties and municipal corporations, so as to prohibit the assessment of storm-water utility fees on water-neutral properties; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: March 1, 2017 - House Second Readers

HB 528 – Public utilities; preferred payment plans for utility customers on fixed incomes; provide

Representatives: (R), 85th District Michele Henson (R), 86th District

House Committee: Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications

Senate Committee:

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 46 of the Official Code of Georgia Summary: Annotated, relating to the general provisions relative to public utilities, so as to provide for preferred payment plans for utility customers on fixed incomes; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: March 6, 2017 - House Second Readers

HB 593 – Sales and use tax; educational purposes; provide for additional item to be placed on ballot when such tax is up for approval

Representatives: Ron Stephens (R), 164th District

House Committee: Ways & Means

Senate Committee:

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 2 of Article 3 of Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the Summary: Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the sales tax for educational purposes, so as to provide for an additional item to be placed on the ballot when such tax is up for approval; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: March 20, 2017 - House Second Readers

7 LEGAL02/37807829v1 HB 642* – Local government; provide definitions; provisions

Representatives: Chad Nimmer (R), 178th District Ron Stephens (R), 164th District Pat Garner (D), 57th District Trey Kelley (R), 16th District Barry Fleming (R), 121st District

House Committee: Governmental Affairs

Senate Committee: Economic Development and Tourism

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, Summary: relating to local government, so as to provide definitions; to provide for the creation and termination of special improvement districts; to provide for the levying of a special improvement tax in such districts; to provide for the disposition and use of the funds from such districts; to provide for special services to the districts; to provide for an effective date; to provide for termination; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: March 1, 2018 - Senate Read and Referred February 28, 2018 - House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

HB 661** – Tax liens; transmittal, filing, recording, access to, and territorial effect issued by Department of Revenue; change provisions

Representatives: Bruce Williamson (R), 115th District Jay Powell (R), 171st District Brett Harrell (R), 106th District

House Committee: Ways & Means

Senate Committee: Finance

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Titles 15, 44, and 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Summary: Annotated, relating to courts, property, and revenue and taxation, respectively, so as to revise provisions relating to the transmittal, filing, recording, access to, and territorial effect of tax liens issued by the Department of Revenue; to provide for electronic record keeping relating to the filing and public access to state tax liens; to provide for duties and responsibilities of the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: February 20, 2018 - House Sent to Governor February 5, 2018 – Senate Passed/Adopted January 29, 2018 - House Passed/Adopted by Substitute

8 LEGAL02/37807829v1 HB 822* – School District of Social Circle; create

Representatives: Bruce Williamson (R), 115th District (R), 112th District

House Committee: Intragovernmental Coordination

Senate Committee: State and Local Governmental Operations

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act to continue the charter for the Academy of Summary: Social Circle, to create a body politic known as the School District of Social Circle, and to provide for a board of education and matters relative thereto, approved April 29, 1997 (Ga. L. 1997, p. 4557), so as to modify provisions relating to the filling of vacancies on the Board of Education of Social Circle; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: February 12, 2018 - Senate Read and Referred February 8, 2018 - House Passed/Adopted

HB 827* – Income tax; increase value of rural hospital organization tax credit to 100 percent; provisions

Representatives: Trey Kelley (), 16th District Jay Powell (), 171st District Terry England (), 116th District Tom McCall (), 33rd District (), 120th District Sam Watson (), 172nd District

House Committee: Ways & Means

Senate Committee: Finance

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Summary: Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to imposition, rate, and computation of and exemptions from income taxes, so as to increase the value of the rural hospital organization tax credit to 100 percent; to remove limitations on total amounts allowed to individual taxpayers; to provide that credits are allowable to certain pass-through entities; to provide for limits on contributions by individual taxpayers during the first six months of the year; to extend the date for automatic repeal; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: February 22, 2018 - Senate Read and Referred February 21, 2018 - House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

9 LEGAL02/37807829v1 HB 898* – Motor vehicles; fleet vehicles and fleet vehicle registration plans; revise provisions

Representatives: (R), 32nd District (R), 6th District Robert Trammell (D), 132nd District Matt Hatchett (R), 150th District Mack Jackson (D), 128th District

House Committee: Motor Vehicles

Senate Committee: Public Safety

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 40 of the Official Code Summary: of Georgia Annotated, relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles, so as to revise provisions relative to fleet vehicles and fleet vehicle registration plans; to provide for definitions; to provide for fleet enrollment procedures; to provide for procedures for registering and licensing vehicles enrolled in a fleet; to provide for license plates; to remove revalidation decal requirements for vehicles in a fleet vehicle registration plan; to provide for the transfer of license plates between vehicles registered under a fleet vehicle registration plan; to provide for termination of participation in a fleet vehicle registration plan program; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: February 28, 2018 - Senate Read and Referred February 26, 2018 - House Passed/Adopted

HB 899* – Contracts; limitation on disqualification of bidders; change

Representatives: Dominic LaRiccia (R), 169th District (R), 148th District Chad Nimmer (R), 178th District Greg Morris (R), 156th District Emory Dunahoo (R), 30th District Chuck Martin (R), 49th District

House Committee: Governmental Affairs

Senate Committee: Economic Development and Tourism

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 10 of Title 13 and Chapter 91 of Summary: Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to contracts for public works and public works bidding, respectively, so as to change the limitation on disqualification of bidders; to prohibit the disqualification of bidders based upon lack of previous experience with the delivery method; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: March 1, 2018 - Senate Read and Referred February 28, 2018 - House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

10 LEGAL02/37807829v1 HB 914 –Revenue and taxation; provide definitions; provisions

Representatives: Don Parsons (R), 44th District (R), 43rd District Earl Ehrhart (R), 36th District (R), 34th District (D), 53rd District

House Committee: Judiciary

Senate Committee:

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 48-7-161 of the O.C.G.A., Summary: relating to definitions relative to setoff debt collection, to provide for the definition of debt owed and collectable through setoff of income tax refunds to include civil monetary penalties for certain traffic law violations; to amend Article 8 of Chapter 6 of Title 40 of the O.C.G.A., relating to school buses, so as to distinguish between violations of prohibition on overtaking a school bus as criminal and civil; to provide for notice of such violations when evidenced through a video recording device; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: February 15, 2018 – House Withdrawn, Recommitted

HB 918** –Revenue and taxation; Internal Revenue Code; provisions

Representatives: (R), 104th District Terry Rogers (R), 10th District Trey Rhodes (R), 120th District

House Committee: Ways & Means

Senate Committee: Rules

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Summary: Annotated, relating to revenue and taxation, so as to define the terms "Internal Revenue Code" and "Internal Revenue Code of 1986" and thereby incorporate certain provisions of the federal law into Georgia law; to revise the individual exemption amounts; to revise provisions relating to assignment of corporate income tax credits; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to provide for automatic repeal; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: March 1, 2018 - House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub March 1, 2018 - Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute February 22, 2018 – House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

11 LEGAL02/37807829v1 HB 924 –Local government; revenue bonds; revise definition of undertaking

Representatives: Trey Rhodes (R), 120th District Terry Rogers (R), 10th District Chuck Efstration (R), 104th District

House Committee: Ways & Means

Senate Committee:

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 82 of Title 36 of the Summary: Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to revenue bonds, so as to revise the definition of the term "undertaking"; to provide for elections regarding revenue certificates related to electric generating, transmission, and distribution systems; to provide for exceptions to such elections by local act; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: February 15, 2018 – House Second Readers

HB 929* –Water and sewer projects and costs tax (MOST); additional renewals of tax; allow

Representatives: Chuck Efstration (R), 104th District Jay Powell (R), 171st District Jon Burns (R), 159th District

House Committee: Ways & Means

Senate Committee: Finance

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 4 of Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the Summary: Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the water and sewer projects and costs tax (MOST), so as to allow for additional renewals of the tax; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: March 1, 2018 - Senate Read and Referred February 28, 2018 - House Passed/Adopted

12 LEGAL02/37807829v1 HB 930* – Georgia Regional Transportation Authority; creation of certain community improvement districts; provisions

Representatives: (R), 9th District (D), 135th District Christian Coomer (R), 14th District Jason Shaw (R), 176th District (D), 82nd District Meagan Hanson (R), 80th District

House Committee: Transportation

Senate Committee: Transportation

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 80 of Title 36, Title 48, and Summary: Chapter 32 of Title 50 of the O.C.G.A., relating to provisions applicable to counties, municipal corporations, and other governmental entities, revenue and taxation, and the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority; to amend Chapter 9 of Title 32 of the O.C.G.A., relating to mass transportation, so as to provide for a new article; to create a special district in Cobb County for purposes of entering a rapid transit contract with the authority; to repeal Code Section 36-1-27 of the O.C.G.A., relating to referendum approval required prior to expenditure of public funds for establishment of fixed guideway transit; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: March 1, 2018 - Senate Read and Referred February 28, 2018 - House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

HB 989 – Ad valorem tax; property tax exemptions; allow certain nonprofit institutions to exempt certain buildings

Representatives: (D), 59th District (D), 57th District Brett Harrell (R), 106th District

House Committee: Ways and Means

Senate Committee:

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 1 of Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 48 Summary: of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to property tax exemptions, so as to allow certain nonprofit charitable institutions to exempt buildings used for the primary or incidental purpose of securing income from property tax; to provide for procedures, conditions, and limitations; to provide for a referendum; to provide for a contingent effective date; to provide for automatic repeal under certain circumstances; to provide for applicability; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: Feb/23/2018 - House Second Readers Feb/22/2018 - House First Readers Feb/21/2018 - House Hopper

13 LEGAL02/37807829v1 HB 995* – Local government; certain disclosures from consultants who enter into contracts to prepare requirements for bids; provide

Representatives: (R), 123rd District Ed Rynders (R), 152nd District Buzz Brockway (R), 102nd District (D), 81st District

House Committee: Governmental Affairs

Senate Committee: Economic Development and Tourism

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 80 of Title 36 of the Summary: Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions applicable to counties, municipal corporations, and other governmental entities, so as to provide for certain disclosures from consultants and other contractors who enter into contracts or arrangements with counties, municipal corporations, and other governmental entities to prepare or develop specifications or requirements for bids, requests for proposals, procurement orders, or purchasing orders; to provide for consequences for failure to disclose; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: March 1, 2018 - Senate Read and Referred February 28, 2018 - House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

HB 996* – Georgia Technology Authority; Strategic Integrated Data System; establish

Representatives: Katie M. Dempsey (R), 1st District Jay Powell (R), 171st District Penny Houston (R), 170th District Chad Nimmer (R), 178th District Andrew Welch (R), 110th District Jan Tankersley (R), 160th District

House Committee: Governmental Affairs

Senate Committee: Health and Human Services

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 25 of Title 50 of the Official Code Summary: of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Georgia Technology Authority, so as to establish the Strategic Integrated Data System; to create a governing board and provide for its membership and terms; to provide for oversight of the project; to provide for board responsibilities; to provide for reporting; to provide for funding; to provide for data sharing; to provide for immunity; to provide for open records and meetings; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: March 1, 2018 - Senate Read and Referred February 28, 2018 - House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

14 LEGAL02/37807829v1 HB 1004 –Local government; annexations by governing authorities of municipal corporations absent approval by the governing authority of the affected county; prohibit

Representatives: Vernon Jones (D), 91st District Billy Mitchell (D), 88th District Dar’shun Kendrick (D), 93rd District (D), 90th District (D), 92nd District Karla Drenner (D), 85th District

House Committee: Governmental Affairs

Senate Committee:

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 5 of Chapter 36 of Title 36 of the Summary: Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to limitation on annexation of areas furnished services or included in comprehensive zoning plan by certain counties, so as to prohibit annexations by governing authorities of municipal corporations absent approval by the governing authority of the affected county or counties in any county that imposes a sales tax for educational purposes and imposes a sales tax levied for the purposes of a metropolitan area system of public transportation; to provide for applicability; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: February 28, 2018 - House Second Readers

15 LEGAL02/37807829v1 HOUSE RESOLUTIONS

HR 58 – Municipalities; establish by local law an independent school system; authorize - CA

Representatives: Tom Taylor (R), 79th District (D), 74th District Buzz Brockway (R), 102nd District

House Committee: Governmental Affairs

Senate Committee:

First Reader A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to Summary: authorize any municipality in the State of Georgia to establish by local law an independent school system; to provide definitions; to provide for related matters; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.

Current Status: March 30, 2017 – House Withdrawn, Recommitted

HR 158* – General Assembly; provide for dedication of revenues derived from fees or other taxes to the public purpose for which such fees or other taxes were imposed; authorize - CA

Representatives: Jay Powell (R), 171st District Brett Harrell (R), 106th District Stacey Abrams (D), 89th District John Meadows (R), 5th District Andrew Welch (R), 110th District (R), 26th District

House Committee: Ways & Means

Senate Committee: Appropriations

First Reader A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to Summary: 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 re-designation of a current subparagraph of the Constitution; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.

Current Status: February 15, 2018 - Senate Read and Referred February 14, 2018 - House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

16 LEGAL02/37807829v1 HR 992 – Local sales and use tax; use for educational purposes of a school system; authorize - CA

Representatives: Kevin Tanner (R), 9th District Andrew J. Welch (R), 110th District (R), 97th District Bubber Epps (R), 144th District (R), 158th District

House Committee: Education

Senate Committee:

First Reader A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to Summary: authorize the use of local sales and use taxes for educational purposes for maintenance and operation expenses of a school system; to provide for related matters; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.

Current Status: February 22, 2018 – House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

17 LEGAL02/37807829v1 SENATE BILLS

SB 2* – "The FAST Act - Fairness, Accountability, Simplification, and Transparency - Empowering Our Small Businesses to Succeed"

Representatives: (R), 30th District (R), 51st District David Shafer (R), 48th District Judson Hill (R), 32nd District (R), 46th District John Wilkinson (R), 50th District

Senate Committee: Economic Development and Tourism

House Committee: Small Business Development

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 60 of Title 36, Chapter 1 of Title Summary: 43, and Title 50 of the O.C.G.A., relating to general provisions applicable to counties and municipal corporations, general provisions regarding professions and businesses, and state government, respectively, so as to enhance accountability and notice requirements for agency rule making so as to reduce regulatory burdens on businesses; to provide a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: February 28, 2018 - House Reconsidered February 17, 2017 - Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

SB 116 – Counties and Municipal Corporations; assessment of storm-water utility fees on water- neutral properties; prohibit

Representatives: (R), 47th District David Shafer (R), 48th District (R), 25th District Rick Jeffares (R), 17th District Michael Williams (R), 27st District Steve Gooch (R), 51st District

Senate Committee: Regulated Industries and Utilities

House Committee:

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 60 of Title 36 of the Official Summary: Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to provisions applicable to counties and municipal corporations, so as to prohibit the assessment of storm-water utility fees on water-neutral properties; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: February 7, 2017 – Senate Read and Referred

LEGAL02/37807829v1 SB 210 – "Georgia Government Accountability Act"; Legislative Sunset Advisory Committee; create

Representatives: Bruce Thompson (R), 14th District Steve Gooch (R), 51st District David Shafer (R), 48th District (R), 31st District Bill Cowsert (R), 46th District William T. Ligon, Jr. (R), 3rd District

Senate Committee: Government Oversight

House Committee:

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 4 of Title 50 of the Official Code Summary: of Georgia Annotated, relating to the organization of the executive branch generally, so as to establish the "Georgia Government Accountability Act"; to provide for a short title; to provide for legislative intent; to create the Legislative Sunset Advisory Committee; to authorize the committee to review and evaluate state agencies' productivity, efficiency, and responsiveness; to provide for the automatic abolition of certain state agencies contingent upon adoption of a resolution by the General Assembly declaring that the state laws applicable to such agency have been repealed, revised, or reassigned; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: February 21, 2017 – Senate Read and Referred

SB 223 – Local Sales and Use Taxes; exception to the 2 percent limitation on local sales and use taxes; provide

Representatives: Gloria Butler (D), 55th District (R), 21st District Steve Henson (D), 41st District Gail Davenport (D), 44th District (D), 10th District (D), 42nd District

Senate Committee: Finance

House Committee:

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 48-8-6 of the Official Code Summary: of Georgia Annotated, relating to prohibition of political subdivisions from imposing various taxes and ceiling on local sales and use taxes, so as to provide for an exception to the 2 percent limitation on local sales and use taxes; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: February 22, 2017 – Senate Read and Referred

19 LEGAL02/37807829v1 SB 423 – Annexation of Territory; boundaries of certain independent school systems; annexation by a municipality; provide

Representatives: Elena Parent (D), 42nd District Fran Millar (R), 40th District Emanuel Jones (D), 10th District Gloria Butler (D), 55th District Steve Henson (D), 41st District Gail Davenport (D), 44th District

Senate Committee: State and Local Governmental Operations

House Committee:

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 36 of Title 36 of the Official Summary: Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to annexation of territory, so as to provide that the boundaries of certain independent school systems are not extended by annexation by a municipality unless expressly approved in a separate referendum; to provide for transfer of students; to provide for ownership of property and buildings; to provide for applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: February 14, 2018 – Senate Read and Referred

SB 424 – Center for Rural Health Innovation and Sustainability; establishment; provide

Representatives: (D), 26th District (D), 15th District Jack Hill (R), 4th District Freddie Powell Sims (D), 12th District Steve Henson (D), 41st District

Senate Committee: Health and Human Services

House Committee:

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 31 of the Official Summary: Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Department of Community Health, so as to provide for the establishment of the Center for Rural Health Innovation and Sustainability; to provide for requirements and purposes; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: February 13, 2018 – Senate Read and Referred

20 LEGAL02/37807829v1 SB 468 – Counties, Municipal Corporations; certain disclosures from consultants; bids, requests for proposals; procurement orders; purchasing orders; provide

Representatives: Lee Anderson (R), 24th District Jesse Stone (R), 23rd District (R), 52nd District David Shafer (R), 48th District (R), 53rd District Greg Kirk (R), 13th District

Senate Committee: State and Local Governmental Operations

House Committee:

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 80 of Title 36 of the Summary: Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions applicable to counties, municipal corporations, and other governmental entities, so as to provide for certain disclosures from consultants and other contractors who enter into contracts or arrangements with counties, municipal corporations, and other governmental entities to prepare or develop specifications or requirements for bids, requests for proposals, procurement orders, or purchasing orders; to provide for consequences for failure to disclose; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: February 21, 2018 - Senate Read and Referred

21 LEGAL02/37807829v1 SENATE RESOLUTIONS

SR 587 – State of Georgia; English as the official language; declare (CA)

Representatives: Joshua McKoon (D), 29th District Steve Gooch (R), 51st District Brandon Beach (D), 21st District David Shafer (R), 48th District Jeff Mullis (D), 53rd District (D), 28th District

Senate Committee: Rules

House Committee:

First Reader A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to declare Summary: English as the official language of the State of Georgia; to provide for findings; to provide that official state actions be in English; to prohibit any requirement that any language other than English be used in any documents, regulations, orders, transactions, proceedings, meetings, programs, or publications; to prohibit discrimination, penalties, or other limits on participation against persons who speak only English; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.

Current Status: January 29, 2018 - Senate Read Second Time

SR 706 – Georgia's Coastal Tourism and Fisheries; seismic testing and oil drilling activities; oppose

Representatives: (D), 2nd District William T. Ligon, Jr. (R), 3rd District Harold V. Jones, II (D), 22nd District (R), 1st District Steve Henson (D), 41st District Gail Davenport (D), 44th District

Senate Committee: Natural Resources and the Environment

House Committee:

First Reader RESOLUTION supporting Georgia's coastal tourism and fisheries and opposing Summary: seismic testing and oil drilling activities off of Georgia's coast; and for other purposes.

Current Status: February 6, 2018 - Senate Read and Referred

LEGAL02/37807829v1 2017 PASSED BILLS

HB 73 – Income tax credit; incentives to promote the revitalization of rural Georgia downtowns; provide

Representatives: Penny Houston (R), 170th District Jason Shaw (R), 176th District Jay Powell (R), 171st District Trey Kelley (R), 16th District John Meadows (R), 5th District Sam Watson, (R), 172nd District

House Committee: Ways & Means

Senate Committee: Finance

First Reader A BILL to amend Article 2 of Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Summary: Georgia Annotated, 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 automatic repeal; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: May 8, 2017 - Effective Date, Act 205

HB 205 – Mining and drilling; regulate exploration and extraction of gas and oil; provisions

Representatives: John Meadows (R), 5th District (R), 13th District (R), 11th District Jason Ridley (R), 6th District Eddie Lumsden (R), 12th District Bruce Broadrick (R), 4th District

House Committee: Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications

Senate Committee: Regulated Industries and Utilities

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 4 of Title 12 of the Summary: Official Code of Georgia Annotated, 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; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: March 30, 2017 - Senate Conference Committee Appointed 25th, 52nd, 17th March 30, 2017 - House Conference Committee Appointed 5th, 36th, 106th March 24, 2017 - Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute February 23, 2017 - House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

23 LEGAL02/37807829v1 HB 428 – Downtown development authorities; authorize assessments

Representatives: Chuck Martin (R), 49th District

House Committee: Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications

Senate Committee: Regulated Industries and Utilities

First Reader A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 42 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Summary: Georgia Annotated, relating to downtown development authorities, so as to authorize assessments under Code Section 36-42-17; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Current Status: July 1, 2017 - Effective Date

HR 560 – House Study Committee on Public Utility Payment Options for Customers in Need of Assistance; create

Representatives: Karla Drenner (R), 85th District Stacey Abrams (D), 89th District (R), 136th District “Coach” Williams (R), 87th District Derrick Jackson (R), 64th District

House Committee: Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications

Senate Committee:

First Reader A RESOLUTION creating the House Study Committee on Public Utility Payment Options Summary: for Customers in Need of Assistance; and for other purposes

Current Status: March 30, 2017 – House Passed/Adopted by Substitute

24 LEGAL02/37807829v1