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 #5

February 24, 2020
GEDA (Georgia Economic Developers Association) & Prepared by: Cornerstone Government Affairs

After a week with no legislative days to allow for an in-depth study of Governor Kemp’s proposed budget, the General Assembly met last week for Legislative Days 13-16. This week the General Assembly will meet for Legislative Days 17-21.
 
Session has hit its full stride as we saw many bills introduced and passed this past week.
 
Budget:
  • On Wednesday, February 19, the House passed its version of HB 792, the AFY20 budget. The budget now moves to the Senate for consideration.
  • The House did make some minor adjustments to the Governor’s proposed budget for the Department of Community Affairs and the Department of Economic Development as follows:
  • For the Department of Community Affairs:
    • The House took additional funding from a currently vacant planning position through April 2020.
    • The House reinstated funding for a vacant state community development position.
  • For the Department of Economic Development:
    • The House took additional funding from a currently vacant position out of the Administration budget.
    • The House reinstated about $90,000 to the marketing budget for the geographic origin marketing campaign.
    • The House reinstated about $125,000 to the Tourism Division’s marketing budget for trade show participation; however, the House also took almost $179,000 in additional funding for vacant positions in the Tourism Division.
Local Government Finance Authority:
  • SB309 passed the Senate Local Government Operations Committee. This legislation would create two new authorities that would be able to finance local government needs for facilities and equipment, as well as allow the authorities to pool purchases for multiple local governments. One authority would be administered by the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) and the other authority would be administered by the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG).
Lodging Facilitators:
  • The House Ways & Means Committee passed HB448, which would require online lodging rental platforms like VRBO or Airbnb to collect and remit local hotel/motel taxes on short-term rentals.
Freight & Logistics:
  • The Senate Transportation Committee passed HR935, which would reauthorize the Freight and Logistics Commission for another year, allowing the commission to continue its work to study the future growth, needs, and impact of freight in Georgia.
Industrial Hemp:
  • The House Agriculture Committee passed HB847, “clean up” legislation from last year’s bill authorizing the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp in Georgia.
Broadband:
  • The Senate Regulated Industries Committee met to get an update on efforts to expand broadband in Georgia:
    • Commissioner Nunn highlighted the work of the stakeholder group that meets on a regular basis.
    • Nunn announced that DCA is on target to deliver a statewide map showing served/unserved portions of the state on a census tract level by June 30, 2020. Based on data they have completed for 20 counties, DCA anticipates locating 150,000-200,000 locations that are unserved that the FCC currently classifies as served.
    • On Broadband Ready designations, Nunn announced that there have been 10 applications received, with 4 approved and 2 soon to be approved.
    • Nunn announced that DCA supported 17 applications to USDA for federal broadband funding. Of those, 3 have been funded so far, totaling $7.5 million. He announced that Round 2 of the USDA Re-Connect program is currently open.
As always please let us know if you become aware of legislation you would like us to monitor.

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 792 – AFY 2020 Budget
Bill Sponsor: Speaker Ralston
Bill Status: Introduced 1/27/20. Referred to Appropriations. Passed House by Substitute 2/19/20. 
Summary: The amended budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020
 
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 regard 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. House Passed 2/19/20.
Summary: Creating the Toombs County Public Facilities Authority and establishing the appointments of members of the authority.
 
HB 891 – Eliminate Need of the Term “Primary” to Allow for Sales Tax Exemptions for Performances and Exhibitions
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Gambill
Bill Status: Introduced 2/5/20. Referred to Ways & Means.
Summary: To make it so the mission to advance arts in this state shall not be required to be an organization's primary mission in order to obtain an exemption for certain sales of tickets, fees, or charges for admission.
 
HB 920 – Allow for Out-of-State Tuition Waiver
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Clark
Bill Status: Introduced 2/19/20. Referred to Higher Education.
Summary: To allow for students, including undocumented students, to be eligible for out-of-state tuition waivers if they meet the requirements of attending a Georgia secondary school for three consecutive years, applying for enrollment in a post-secondary institution within 24 months of completing secondary education, and providing official transcripts verifying attendance and graduation.
 
HB 930 – Changes to “Georgia Agribusiness and Rural Jobs Act
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Corbett
Bill Status: Introduced 2/19/20. Referred to Ways & Means.
Summary: To increase the population considered rural from 50,000 to 75,000, and to certify an additional $100 million in capital investments.
 
HB 970 – Income Tax Credit for Historic Structure Rehabilitation
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Smith, V.
Bill Status: In House Hopper 2/20/20.
Summary: To revise procedures, conditions, and limitations relating to tax credits for the rehabilitation of historic structures.
 
HB 976 – Bulloch County Public Facilities Authority Act
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Tankersley
Bill Status: Introduced 2/21/20. Referred to Intragovernmental Coordination
Summary: To create the Bulloch County Public Facilities Authority and to provide for the appointment of members of the authority.
 
HB 986 – Limitations on Directors of Development Authorities and on the Purchasing of Property by Certain Development Authorities 
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Jackson
Bill Status: Introduced 2/21/20. Referred to Governmental Affairs.
Summary: To provide that members of a county or municipal governing authority appointed as directors of development authorities shall not serve as chairpersons or chief executive officers of such authorities and to provide that county development authorities for certain counties must obtain the consent of certain municipalities and school systems to acquire property or undertake projects within such municipalities.
 
HR 306 – Reduction of Personal and Corporate Income Tax Rate
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Efstration
Bill Status: Introduced 2/22/19. Referred to Ways & Means. 
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. Committee Favorably Reported by Substitute 2/19/20.
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. Committee Favorably Reported by Substitute 2/18/20.
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 345 – Standards, Labeling, and Adulteration of Food of Nonprofit Organizations
Bill Sponsor: Sen. Kirkpatrick
Bill Status: Introduced 2/3/20. Referred to Health and Human Services. Committee Favorably Reported by Substitute 2/18/20. Senate Passed by Substitute 2/20/20.
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.
 
SB 368 – Child-Placing Agencies Allowed to Prohibit Placement Due to Religious or Moral Convictions
Bill Sponsor: Sen. Harbin
Bill Status: Introduced 2/18/20. Referred to Judiciary.  
Summary: To prohibit child-placing agencies from being required to perform, assist, counsel, recommend, consent to, refer, or participate in any placement of a child for foster care or adoption when the placement violates certain religious or moral convictions of the child-placing agency
 
SB 371 – Georgia Freight Railroad Program
Bill Sponsor: Sen. Gooch
Bill Status: Introduced 2/18/20. Referred to Transportation.  
Summary: To create the Georgia Freight Railroad Program, which would include the Rail Enhancement Plan, Rail Preservation Plan, and Rail Industrial Plan. There will be an annual report made by the commissioner of transportation to report on the activities of the program.
 
SB 403 – Allow for Lottery Game of Sports Wagering
Bill Sponsor: Sen. Jones, B
Bill Status: In Senate Hopper 2/20/20.  
Summary: To provide for the lottery game of sports wagering in this state as a part of the Lottery for Education.
 
SB 404 – Development Impact Fees for Education
Bill Sponsor: Sen. Dolezal
Bill Status: In Senate Hopper 2/20/20.  
Summary: To provide for the option of development impact fees to pay for a share of the cost of additional educational facilities to serve new growth and development.
 
SB 420 – Nondiscrimination in Public Use of Restrooms
Bill Sponsor: Sen. Jones, E
Bill Status: In Senate Hopper 2/21/20.  
Summary: To provide that if a food sales establishment permits members of the public to use its restroom facilities, it must do so without discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or age and must maintain the restrooms in a clean and serviceable condition
 
SB 425 – Reconstitution of the Ocilla-Irwin County Industrial Development Authority
Bill Sponsor: Sen. Harper
Bill Status: In Senate Hopper 2/21/20.  
Summary: To reconstitute the Ocilla-Irwin County Industrial Development Authority.
 
SR 237 – Congressional Term Limits
Bill Sponsor: Sen. 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
 
SR 776 – Constitutional Amendment to Allow School Boards to Collect Development Fees
Bill Sponsor: Sen. Dolezal
Bill Status: Introduced 2/21/20. Referred to Education and Youth.
Summary: An amendment to the Constitution so as to provide that the General Assembly may by general law authorize local boards of education to impose, levy, and collect development impact fees and use the proceeds to pay for a share of the cost of additional educational facilities.
 

Add Page

As you navigate our website, you can use the “Add Page to Report” button to add any page or property to a custom report that you can print out or save.

  • Georgia Advantages
    Georgia Advantages
  • Incentives
    Incentives
  • Labor and Data
    Labor and Data
  • Workforce and Training
    Workforce and Training
  • Target Industry
    Target Industry
  • Sites and Buildings
    Sites and Buildings
News and Events

Jul 7 | Make plans to attend the Georgia Grown Conference!

The Growing Together: Georgia Grown Conference is right around the corner!  If you're in the market (pun intended) for some…

(READ MORE)

 

Jul 7 | Biden-Harris Administration Announces Nearly $2 Billion to Support American Auto Workers

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Nearly $2 Billion to Support American Auto Workers, Convert Facilities for Electric Vehicles and Blue Bird Corporation…

(READ MORE)

 

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