Development Authority of 
Peach County Georgia | 425 James E. Khoury Drive | Unit B | Fort Valley, Georgia 31030 | (478) 825-3826 | peachcountydevelopment@ymail.com

Legislative Update 2020 - Week #4

February 10, 2020
GEDA (Georgia Economic Developers Association) & Prepared by: Cornerstone Government Affairs

The General Assembly met for Legislative Days 10-12 this week. On Wednesday, February 5, the General Assembly changed its schedule and set the Legislative Calendar through Crossover Day. As a reminder, Crossover Day is the day by which a bill must pass at least one chamber in order to be enacted.
The new schedule is as follows:
 
February 6 ….. In Adjournment
February 7 ….. In Adjournment
 
February 10 ….. In Adjournment
February 11 ….. In Adjournment
February 12 ….. In Adjournment
February 13 ….. In Adjournment
February 14 ….. In Adjournment
 
February 17 ….. In Adjournment
February 18 ….. Legislative Day 13
February 19 ….. Legislative Day 14
February 20 ….. Legislative Day 15
February 21 ….. Legislative Day 16
 
February 24 ….. Legislative Day 17
February 25 ….. Legislative Day 18
February 26 ….. Legislative Day 19
February 27 ….. Legislative Day 20
February 28 ….. Legislative Day 21
 
March 2 ….. Legislative Day 22
March 3 ….. Legislative Day 23
March 4 ….. Legislative Day 24
March 5 ….. Legislative Day 25
 
March 9 ….. Legislative Day 26
March 10 ….. Legislative Day 27
March 11 ….. Committee Work Day
March 12 ….. Legislative Day 28 (CROSSOVER)

During the week of February 10, while the General Assembly is technically in adjournment, we anticipate many budget hearings in both the House and the Senate as the legislature grapples with the proposed budget cuts. GEDA continues to monitor potential impacts to the economic development ecosystem via the budget process.
 
Last week, there were several hearings of interest to GEDA members:
  • The House Ways & Means Committee held a hearing on HB837, legislation to require certain development authorities to gain approval from the county board of education and the municipality prior to acquiring property, undertaking projects, or granting tax abatements. GEDA members attended the hearing and voiced concerns for the legislation in its current form. The message from those sponsoring the bill was for development authorities to be more collaborative with potentially impacted local partners as they undertake projects. The bill did not pass committee; it was a hearing only.
  • The House Working Group on Creative Arts & Entertainment held a couple of hearings on Georgia’s Film Tax Credit and recent audit reports suggesting that its economic impact is inflated and that the administration of the film tax credit program could be strengthened. The Department of Economic Development was able to answer several questions about current practice, changes already underway with respect to the program, and potential modifications that might strengthen the program going forward.
  • The Department of Economic Development and the Department of Community Affairs presented to the Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee on their FY21 budgets. The fielded questions from Appropriations Committee members about how proposed budget cuts may affect programs and services.

Bill Tracker: 

Because many bills GEDA monitored last session are still active, the bill tracker has carried over from the last legislative session. As always please let us know if you become aware of legislation you would like us to monitor.

HB 23 – Statutory Authority for Broadband: EMCs
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Penny Houston
Bill Status: Senate Recommitted 1/13/20
Summary: To specifically authorize Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs) & their affiliates to provide broadband services (aka “statutory authority”)
 
HB 184 – Small Cell Wireless 
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Brett Harrell
Bill Status: Senate Recommitted 1/13/20
Summary: To encourage small cell wireless deployment through the colocation of new equipment on already-existing infrastructure. 
 
HB 730 – Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Major Sporting Event Properties
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Ron Stephens
Bill Status: Introduced 1/13/20. Referred to Ways & Means.
Summary: To exempt all tangible personal property from taxation when sold to or used by a local host committee for major sporting events.
 
HB 740 – Creation of a Sports Marketing Fund 
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Ron Stephens 
Bill Status: Introduced 1/13/20. Referred to Economic Development and Tourism.
Summary: To create a Sports Marketing Fund and Sports Marketing Board to provide funding to sports commissions.
 
HB 749 – Protection of Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing
Bill Sponsor: Rep. McLaurin 
Bill Status: Introduced 2/3/20. Referred to Governmental Affairs.
Summary: To provide for the protection of naturally occurring affordable housing and naturally occurring workforce housing in certain designated areas.
 
HB 782 – Revise the Number of State Holidays Observed
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Donna McLeod
Bill Status: Introduced 1/15/20. Referred to Governmental Affairs.
Summary: To designate the Tuesday following the first Monday in November of each year as a state holiday.
 
HB 788 – Extend the Sunset for a Manufacturer's Exemption
Bill Sponsor: Rep. John Corbett
Bill Status: Introduced 1/16/20. Referred to Ways & Means.
Summary: To extend the sunset on a manufacturer’s exemption from 2020 to 2025 for maintenance and replacement parts for machinery or equipment used for concrete.
 
HB 793 – FY 2021 Budget
Bill Sponsor: Speaker Ralston
Bill Status: Introduced 1/27/20. Referred to Appropriations.
Summary: The budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021
 
HB 794 – AFY 2020 Budget
Bill Sponsor: Speaker Ralston
Bill Status: Introduced 1/27/20. Referred to Appropriations.
Summary: The amended budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020
 
HB 795 – AFY 2020 Budget
Bill Sponsor: Speaker Ralston
Bill Status: Introduced 1/27/20. Referred to Appropriations.
Summary: The amended budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020
 
HB 796 – FY 2021 Budget
Bill Sponsor: Speaker Ralston 
Bill Status: Introduced 1/27/20. Referred to Appropriations.
Summary: The budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021
 
HB 797 – FY 2021 Budget
Bill Sponsor: Speaker Ralston
Bill Status: Introduced 1/27/20. Referred to Appropriations.
Summary: The budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021
 
HB 827 – Creation of Georgia Major Sporting Event Reimbursement Fund and Board
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Stephens
Bill Status: Introduced 1/29/20. Referred to Ways & Means.
Summary: To create a fund for non recurring sports events to allot money not exceeding one-third of the cost of hosting the event towards the preparation, presentation, and execution of each event.
 
HB 834 – Revision of the Term “undertaking” Regarding Revenue Bonds
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Jasperse
Bill Status: Introduced 1/29/20. Referred to Governmental Affairs.
Summary: To revise the term “undertaking” to include the provision of access to the internet in regards to revenue bonds.
 
HB 837 – Alteration of the Approval Process of County Development Authorities under Certain Conditions
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Martin
Bill Status: Introduced 1/29/20. Referred to Ways & Means.
Summary: To require counties where 95% of the land area is incorporated into one or more municipalities to gain approval from the board of education or municipality before undertaking projects, acquiring titles to property, or granting tax abatements.
 
HB 839 – Change Definition of Employment
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Jones
Bill Status: Introduced 1/30/20. Referred to Industry and Labor. 
Summary: To change the definition of employment to include services performed by an individual for wages unless the Department of Labor makes a contrary determination.
 
HB 850 – Taxes to Provide for Uniform November Referenda and Elections 
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Ridley
Bill Status: Introduced 1/30/20. Referred to Ways & Means.
Summary: Relating to sales and use taxes, so as to provide for uniform November referenda and elections for local option sales taxes.
 
HB 887 – Increasing the Maximum Amount of Distilled Spirits a Manufacturer Can Sell per Consumer
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Stephens
Bill Status: Introduced 2/5/20. Referred to Regulated Industries.
Summary: Increasing the maximum amount of off-premise liquor consumed per customer from 2,250 to 4,500 milliliters of distilled spirits per day
 
HB 889 – Creation of the Toombs County Public Facilities Authority 
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Morris
Bill Status: Introduced 2/5/20. Referred to Intragovernmental Coordination.
Summary: Creating the Toombs County Public Facilities Authority and establishing the the appointments of members of the authority.
 
HR 306 – Reduction of Personal and Corporate Income Tax Rate
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Efstration
Bill Status: Introduced 2/22/19. Referred to House Ways and Means Committee. 
Bill Summary: To provide for a reduction in the highest personal and corporate income tax rates by 0.25 percent.
 
HR 876 – Urge Congress to Remove Cannabis from the Controlled Substance Act
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Kendrick
Bill Status: Introduced 1/29/20. Referred to Special Rules.
Summary: To urge Congress to enact legislation that would remove cannabis from the federal Controlled Substance.
 
HR 1060 – House Study Committee on Business and Legal Immigration
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Cantrell
Bill Status: Introduced 2/5/20. Referred to Special Rules.
Summary: A resolution creating the House Study Committee on Business and Legal Immigration; and for other purposes.
 
SB 20 – Banking Improvement Zones 
Bill Sponsor: Sen. Rhett
Bill Status: Introduced 1/16/19. Senate passed unanimously 2/17/19. House Adopted by Substitute 4/2/19. Senate Disagreed to House Substitute 2/4/20.
Summary: A bill to establish “banking improvement zones” to encourage opening of banks in areas underserved by banks. 
 
SB 43 – Definition of the Term “Undertaking” 
Bill Sponsor: Sen. Payne
Bill Status: Introduced 2/5/19. House Committee Favorably Reported 1/29/20.
Summary: Relating to revenue bonds, so as to revise the definition of the term "undertaking" as it relates to electric systems
 
SB 110 – Statewide Business Court
Bill Sponsor: Sen. Stone
Bill Status: Introduced 2/14/19. Passed Senate 3/7/19. Passed House by Substitute 3/25/19, Conference Committee Appointed 3/29/19. House Conference Committee Report Adopted 4/2/19.
Summary: Legislation to create a statewide business court. 
 
SB 119 – Georgia Measuring Success Act
Bill Sponsor: Sen. Albers
Bill Status: Introduced 2/15/19. Passed Senate 3/4/1., Passed House by Substitute 3/28/19.
Summary: A bill relating to fiscal bills generally, so as to require an economic analysis prior to the introduction or amendment of legislation containing tax incentives or modifying or extending existing tax incentives. 
 
SB 131 – Georgia Major Airport Authority Act
Bill Sponsor: Sen. B. Jones
Bill Status: Introduced 2/19/19. Passed Senate 3/7/19. House Passed by Substitute 3/28/19.
Summary: A bill relating to aviation, so as to create the Georgia Major Airport Authority. The bill amends Article 1 of Chapter 15 of Title 45 of the O.C.G.A., to general provisions relative to the Attorney General, so as to provide for representation of the Georgia Major Airport Authority by the Attorney General.
 
SB 162 – Disaster Mitigation Improvements and Broadband Services Infrastructure
Bill Sponsor: Sen. Brass
Bill Status: Introduced 1/22/19. Passed Senate 3/7/19. House Withdrawn, Recommitted 4/2/19.
Summary: A bill relating to local government, so as to provide for disaster mitigation improvements and broadband services infrastructure in projects of downtown development authorities and development authorities.
 
SB 309 – Georgia Municipal and Local Government Infrastructure Finance Authority Act
Bill Sponsor: Sen. Stone
Bill Status: Introduced 1/28/20. Referred to State and Local Governmental Operations.
Summary: To create the Georgia Municipal and Local Government Infrastructure Finance Authority to provide a mechanism through which local governments may finance infrastructure at lower than prevailing costs to be available to the largest number of local governments feasible.
 
SB 322 – Development Impact Fees
Bill Sponsor: Sen. Ginn
Bill Status: Introduced 1/29/20. Referred to Economic Development and Tourism.
Summary: Relating to development impact fees, so as to authorize the exemption of certain development projects from funding such projects' proportionate share of system improvement under certain circumstances
 
SB 363 – Computation of Taxable Net Income with Exemption for Military Retirement
Bill Sponsor: Sen. Unterman
Bill Status: Introduced 2/5/20. Referred to Finance. 
Summary: Relating to computation of taxable net income, so as to provide an exemption for military retirement income.
 
SB 366 – Brady Law Regulations and Universal Background Checks
Bill Sponsor: Sen. Karinshak
Bill Status: Introduced 2/5/20. Referred to Judiciary.  
Summary: Relating to Brady Law regulations, so as to require universal background checks in all manner of firearm transfers and purchases.
 
SR237 – Congressional Term Limits
Bill Sponsor: Senator Cowsert
Bill Status: Introduced 2/22/19; passed Senate 3/8/19. House Referred to Rules 3/11/19.
Summary: A resolution urging Congress to call a convention to address term limits so as to limit the number of terms Members of Congress may serve. It would only be effective if 2/3 of the states passed

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Call: (478) 825-3826 or peachcountydevelopment@ymail.com425 James E. Khoury DriveUnit BFort Valley, Georgia 31030