Legislative Updates

Highlights:

Governor Kemp signed the amended FY21 budget. The budget includes a one-time $1000 bonus for 57,000 state employees and teachers. You can view Governor Kemp’s press release on the amended budget here.
The House continued its work on the FY22 budget with committee hearings.
SB 52, sponsored by Sen. Bruce Thompson, passed the Senate. This legislation would provide businesses a safe harbor defense for cybersecurity breaches if they implement certain minimum standards outlined in the bill.
Governor Kemp announced that the state received more than $552 million in federal stimulus funds for emergency rental assistance. These funds are intended to provide relief to landlords and tenants who are behind on rent and utility payments due to the pandemic. The Dept. of Community Affairs will administer the Georgia Rental Assistance (GRA) program, which must follow U.S. Treasury guidelines (which are still being developed) and payments will be made directly to landlords and utility providers. DCA anticipates launching a public application portal in March. For more information visit GeorgiaRentalAssistance.ga.gov.

COVID-19 Vaccine Update:

Governor Kemp announced the launch of four state-operated mass vaccination sites in Bibb, Dougherty, Fulton, and Habersham counties. These sites are strategically located near historically underserved communities and will aim to administer 22,000 vaccines per week. Operations begin on February 22.
Eligible individuals can pre-register for appointments at mass vaccination sites at myvaccinegeorgia.com; Governor Kemp is particularly asking those in Southwest Georgia to pre-register for the vaccine.
As of Friday, February 19, Georgia has administered 1,606,000 vaccines, 82% of the total shipment.
Georgia will begin receiving 198,000 first doses of the vaccine from the federal government this week. As the state’s weekly allocation continues to expand, more state-operation sites are being planned.
You can read more about finding a vaccine site, see updates on Georgia’s vaccination numbers, and learn about our state’s phased plan on the DPH website.

The bill tracker is below. Please let us know if you have any legislation you would like us to follow!
Bill Tracker

HB 6 – Women Owned Business Tax Credit
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Sandra Scott
Bill Status: House Hopper 1/14/21; House First Readers 1/26/21; House Second Readers 1/27/21; Referred to Ways & Means Committee 1/27/21
Summary: To provide for an income tax credit for investors in women-owned businesses.

HB 23 – School Systems in Local Annexation Disputes
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver
Bill Status: House Hopper; 1/12/21; House First Readers 1/13/21; House Second Readers 1/14/21; Referred to Governmental Affairs Committee 1/14/21
Summary: To allow affected local school systems to participate in the annexation dispute resolution process.

HB 24 – Disclosure of Certain Information in Notice of Annexation
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver
Bill Status: House Hopper 1/12/21; House First Readers 1/13/21; House Second Readers 1/14/21; Referred to Governmental Affairs Committee 1/14/21
Summary: To require the disclosure of certain financial information (proposed tax abatements, rebates, or other financial incentives) that will be provided by a municipal corporation or development authority in notice of annexation, and to authorize objections to annexations based on such financial incentives.

HB 30 – Minority Business Income Tax
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick
Bill Status: House Prefiled 11/18/20
Summary: To require equitable participation of minority business enterprises in claiming income tax credits, with approved diversity plans for equitable participation of minorities or expenditures made to obtain certain tax credits.

HB 66 – Revenue Bond Validation Hearings
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver
Bill Status: House Hopper 1/12/21; House First Readers 1/13/21; House Second Readers 1/14/21; Referred to Governmental Affairs Committee 1/14/21
Summary: To provide that local school systems, counties, and municipal governing authorities can become parties to bond validation hearings.

HB 80 – Appropriations for Amended FY21
Bill Sponsor: Rep. David Ralston
Bill Status: House Hopper 1/14/21; House First Readers 1/14/21; House Second Readers 1/26/21; Favorably Reported out of Committee via substitute 1/27/21; House passed 1/28/21; transmitted to Senate 1/28/21; Senate read and referred to Appropriations Committee 1/28/21; Senate Committee Favorably Reported by Substitute 2/04/21; Senate Read Second Time 2/8/21; Senate Third Read 2/9/21; Senate Passed by Substitute 2/2/21; Senate Transmitted to House 2/9/21; House Agreed Senate Amend 2/11/21; House Transmitted to Senate 2/11/21; Senate Agreed House Amend 2/11; Senate Transmitted House 2/11/21; House sent to Gov 2/11/21; House Date Signed by Governor 2/15/21; Act 2 2/15/21; Effective Date 2/15/21.
Summary: Appropriations for amended fiscal year 2021.

HB 86 – Georgia Lottery Mobile Sports Wagering Integrity Act
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Ron Stephens
Bill Status: House Hopper 1/14/21; House First Readers 1/26/21; House Second Readers 1/27/21; Referred to Economic Development Committee 1/27/21; Committee Favorably Reported 2/3/21; House Withdrawn Recommitted to Committee 2/10/21
Summary: To provide for the Lottery game of sports wagering in Georgia.

HB 95 – Refundable Earned Income Tax Credit
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Marvin Lim
Bill Status: House Hopper 1/14/21; House First Readers 1/26/21; House Second Readers 1/27/21; Referred to Ways & Means Committee 1/27/21
Summary: To provide for a refundable earned income tax credit

HB 112 – Provide Immunities from Liability Regarding COVID-19
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Trey Kelley
Bill Status: House Hopper 1/26/21; House First Readers 1/27/21; House Second Readers 1/28/21; Referred to the Special House Committee on Access to the Civil Justice System; House Committee Favorably Reported 2/04/21; House Third Readers 2/9/21; House Passed 2/9/21; Senate Read & Referred to Judiciary Committee 2/10/21
Summary: To provide certain immunities from liability claims regarding COVID-19 for one year.

HB 148 – Development Authority Board Composition
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Kim Schofield
Bill Status: House Hopper 1/27/21; House First Readers 1/28/21; Referred to Governmental Affairs Committee 1/28/21
Summary: To alter requirements for board members of development authorities so that rather than taxpayers, the board members must be residents or licensed business owners paying ad valorem taxes on real or personal property within the county or municipal corporation for which the authority was created.

HB 150 – Public Utilities Fuel Choice
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Bruce Williamson
Bill Status: House Hopper 1/27/21; House First Readers 1/28/21; House Second Readers 1/29/21; Referred to Committee on Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications 1/29/21; House Committee Favorably Reported by Substitute 2/17/21.
Summary: To prohibit governmental entities from adopting any policy that prohibits the connection or reconnection of any utility service based upon the type or source of energy or fuel.

HB 260 – Cybersecurity Programs to Protect Businesses
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Todd Jones
Bill Status: House Hopper 2/2/21; House First Readers 2/3/21; House Second Readers & Referred to Judiciary Committee 2/4/21
Summary: To provide standards for cybersecurity programs to protect businesses from liability and provide defenses for data breaches of private information.

HB 359 – Sales & Use Tax Exemption for Projects of Regional Significance
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Bruce Williamson
Bill Status: House Hopper 2/9/21; House First Readers 2/10/21; House Second Readers & Referred to Committee on Ways & Means 2/11/21
Summary: To extend the sunset on the sales & use tax exemption for projects of regional significance.

HB 360 – Regulate Removal of Call Centers
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Sheri Gilligan
Bill Status: House Hopper 2/9/21; House First Readers 2/10/21; House Second Readers & Referred to Economic Development & Tourism Committee 2/11/21
Summary: To regulate the removal of call centers from the state.

HB 393 – Sales & Use Tax Exemption for High-Technology Data Center
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Ron Stephens
Bill Status: House Hopper 2/10/21; House First Readers 2/11/21; House Second Readers & Referred to Committee on Ways & Means 2/16/21.
Summary: To revise the definition of “high-technology data center minimum investment threshold” with respect to a sales and use tax exemption; to revise the definitions of “manufacture of tangible personal property” and “manufacturer” to include data processing, hosting, and related services with respect to an exemption for certain machinery, equipment, and energy used in manufacturing.

HB 398 – Job Tax Credit Cap Removal
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Bruce Williamson
Bill Status: House Hopper 2/10/21; House First Readers 2/11/21; Referred to Committee on Ways & Means 2/16/21
Summary: To remove the job cap from conditions for taking and calculating job tax credits.

HB 486 – Tax Credit for Certain Musical Compositions
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Beth Moore
Bill Status: House Hopper 2/17/21; House First Readers 2/18/21
Summary: To provide an income tax credit for certain expenditures for licenses or rights to own certain musical compositions and sound recordings.

HB 487 – Return of Funds by a Destination Marketing Organization
Bill Sponsor: Rep. David Dreyer
Bill Status: House Hopper 2/17/21; House First Readers 2/18/21
Summary: A municipality may elect to return any portion of funds that it received for rooms, lodgings, and accommodations, so as to provide for optional return of funds by a destination marketing organization to certain jurisdictions levying the tax.

HB 499 – Minimum Wage Law Provisions
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Stacey Evans
Bill Status: House Hopper 2/17/21; House First Readers 2/18/21
Summary: To repeal certain provisions relating to the preemption of wage and employment benefit mandates adopted by a local government entity

HB 500 – Georgia Agribusiness and Rural Jobs Act
Bill Sponsor: Rep. James Burchett
Bill Status: House Hopper 2/17/21; House First Readers 2/18/21
Summary: To provide for a second round of funding and period for applications; to increase an application fee and provide for an annual maintenance fee

HB 503 – Sales and Use Tax Exemption
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Sam Watson
Bill Status: House Hopper 2/17/21; House First Readers 2/18/21
Summary: To extend the sunset date for the exemption for projects of regional significance; to redefine the term "manufacturing plant" to include certain motor vehicles that manufacture tangible personal property; to grant a limited exemption for such motor vehicles that mix concrete; to remove the sunset provision for an exemption for sales taxes on certain tangible personal property sold or used to maintain, refit, or repair a boat during a single event

HB 504 – Georgia Agribusiness and Rural Jobs Acts
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Bruce Williamson
Bill Status: House Hopper 2/17/21; House First Readers 2/18/21
Summary: To provide for a second round of funding and period for applications; to increase an application fee and provide for an annual maintenance fee; to change certain reporting requirements; to revise and provide for definitions; to provide for a tax credit for medical equipment and supplies manufacturers and pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturers

HB 510 – Nonrefundable Earned Income Tax Credit
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Houston Gaines
Bill Status: House Hopper 2/17/21; House First Readers 2/18/21
Summary: To provide for a nonrefundable earned income tax credit in an amount equal to 10 percent of the federal credit that a taxpayer is allowed

HB 520 – Promotion and Deployment of Broadband Services
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Philip Singleton
Bill Status: House Hopper 2/17/21; House First Readers 2/18/21
Summary: To revise a definition regarding promotion and deployment of broadband services

HB 527 – Tax Credit for Retaining Employees
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Yasmin Neal
Bill Status: House Hopper 2/17/21; House First Readers 2/18/21
Summary: To provide for a tax credit for employers that retain 90 percent of their full-time employees for a certain period of time

HB 541 – Georgia Equity and Fairness Commission Act
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Roger Bruce
Bill Status: House Hopper 2/18/21
Summary: To create the Georgia Equity and Fairness Commission; to provide for members and officers; to provide for meetings, quorum, and compensation; to provide for the commission's duties and powers

HR 11 – Innovative Ways to Maximize Global Talent
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Wes Cantrell
Bill Status: Senate Hopper 1/11/21; House First Readers 1/12/21; House Second Readers 1/13/21; Referred to House Small Business Development Committee; House Committee Favorably Reported by Substitute 2/9/21
Summary: A resolution creating the House Study Committee on innovative ways to maximize global talent in Georgia.

HR 30 – Constitutional Amendment on Casinos
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Ron Stephens
Bill Status: House Hopper 1/26/21; House First Readers 1/27/21; House Second Readers 1/28/21; Referred to Economic Development & Tourism Committee 1/28/21; House Withdrawn, Recommitted 02/16/21
Summary: A resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide by law for the local authorization of a limited number of licensed destination casino resort facilities.

SB 6 – Tax Credit Return on Investment Act
Bill Sponsor: Sen. John Albers
Bill Status: Senate Hopper 1/13/21; Referred to Senate Finance Committee 1/14/21;
Senate Committee Favorably Reported 1/28/21; Senate Read Second Time 1/29/21;
Senate Engrossed 2/01/21; Senate Read Third Time 2/01/21; Senate Passed/Adopted 2/01/21; House First Readers 2/02/21; House Second Readers 2/03/21; Referred to Committee on Ways & Means 2/03/21
Summary: To allow the Chair of House Ways & Means and the Chair of Finance Committees to each request up to 5 economic analyses on a tax exemption, exclusion, deduction, deferral, rebate, credit, abatement, or preferential tax rate to be performed by the Office of Planning & Budget (who can contract out to an independent auditor to complete).

SB 30 – Rural Georgia Jobs & Growth Act
Bill Sponsor: Sen. Brandon Beach
Bill Status: Senate Hopper 1/27/21; Senate Read & Referred to Regulated Industries Committee 1/28/21
Summary: To provide for pari-mutuel horse racing and a limited number of licensed equestrian centers as well as to provide for the Georgia Horse Racing Commission and the comprehensive regulation of pari-mutuel and related activities; to enter into the Interstate Compact on Licensure of Participants in Live Racing with Pari-mutuel Wagering

SB 56 – Fiscal Analysis of Certain Bills
Bill Sponsor: Sen. Sheikh Rahman
Bill Status: Senate Hopper 1/29/21; Senate Read & Referred to Finance Committee 2/1/21
Summary: To require an economic analysis prior to the introduction or amendment of legislation containing tax incentives or modifying or extending existing tax incentives

SB 57 – Economic Analysis of Certain Tax Benefits
Bill Sponsor: Sen. Jennifer Jordan
Bill Status: Senate Hopper 1/29/21; Senate Read & Referred to Finance Committee 2/1/21
Summary: To allow the Chair of House Ways & Means and the Chair of Finance Committees to each request up to 5 economic analyses on a tax exemption, exclusion, deduction, deferral, rebate, credit, abatement, or preferential tax rate to be performed by the State Auditor.

SB 58 – Refundable Earned Income Tax Credit
Bill Sponsor: Sen. Elena Parent
Bill Status: Senate Hopper 1/29/21; Senate Read & Referred to Finance Committee 2/01/21
Summary: To provide for a refundable earned income tax credit.

SB 135 – Repeal Procedure for Peace Office
Bill Sponsor: Sen. Gloria Butler
Bill Status: Senate Hopper 2/09/21; Senate Read & Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee 2/10/21
Summary: To repeal the procedure for indictment or special presentment of peace officer for crime in performance of duties, notification, and rights of officer, respectively, so as to repeal the provision regarding no duty to retreat prior to the use of force; to correct cross-references; to repeal the defense of self or others as an absolute defense.

SB 148 – Special Council on Tax Reform & Fairness for Georgians
Bill Sponsor: Sen. Chuck Hufstetler
Bill Status: Senate Hopper 2/10/21; Senate Read & Referred to Finance Committee 2/11/21; Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
Summary: To create the 2021 Special Council on Tax Reform & Fairness for Georgians and the Special Joint Committee on Georgia Revenue.

SB 204 – High School Diplomas Awarded at Technical College
Bill Sponsor: Sen. Lindsey Tippins
Bill Status: Senate Hopper 2/18/21
Summary: To provide a Dual Achieve Program at a technical college of this state and achieve a high school diploma in completion of technical college. These students must be 16 years of age or older, completed secondary school requirements and have withdrawn from secondary school

SB 212 – Harry Geisinger Rural Georgia Jobs and Growth Act
Bill Sponsor: Sen. Jeff Mullis
Bill Status: Senate Hopper 2/18/21
Summary: To provide for pari-mutuel horse racing in this state at a limited number of licensed equestrian centers; to create the Georgia Horse Racing Commission; to provide for the comprehensive regulation of pari-mutuel and related activities

SR 26 – General Obligation Debt for Airports
Bill Sponsor: Sen. Tyler Harper
Bill Status: Senate Hopper 1/27/21; Read & referred to Appropriations Committee 1/28/21, Senate Committee Favorably Reported 02/04/21; Senate Read Second Time 2/08/21; Senate Third Read 2/09/21; Senate Tabled 2/09/21
Summary: Proposing a constitutional amendment to allow the state to incur general obligation debt in order to make loans or grants to counties, municipalities, consolidated governments, local authorities, and local commissions that own airports for the acquisition, construction, development, extension, enlargement, or improvement of such airports, but excluding any airport that has had more than 750,000 takeoffs and landings during a calendar year.

SR 53 – Constitutional Amendment on Pari-Mutuel Betting
Bill Sponsor: Sen. Brandon Beach
Bill Status: Senate Hopper 2/2/21; Senate Read & Referred to Regulated Industries Committee 2/3/21
Summary: A resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to provide for pari-mutuel betting in this state under certain circumstances.

SR 131 – Law for Pari-Mutuel Betting on Horse Racing
Bill Sponsor: Sen. Jeff Mullis
Bill Status: Senate Hopper 2/18/21
Summary: A resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to provide for pari-mutuel betting in this state under certain circumstances.


Legislative Updates Highlights: Governor Kemp signed the amended FY21 budget. The budget includes a one-time $1000 bonus for 57,000 state employees and teachers. You can view Governor Kemp’s press release on the amended budget here. The House continued its work on the FY22 budget with committee hearings. SB 52, sponsored by Sen. Bruce Thompson, passed the Senate. This legislation would provide businesses a safe harbor defense for cybersecurity breaches if they implement certain minimum standards outlined in the bill. Governor Kemp announced that the state received more than $552 million in federal stimulus funds for emergency rental assistance. These funds are intended to provide relief to landlords and tenants who are behind on rent and utility payments due to the pandemic. The Dept. of Community Affairs will administer the Georgia Rental Assistance (GRA) program, which must follow U.S. Treasury guidelines (which are still being developed) and payments will be made directly to landlords and utility providers. DCA anticipates launching a public application portal in March. For more information visit GeorgiaRentalAssistance.ga.gov. COVID-19 Vaccine Update: Governor Kemp announced the launch of four state-operated mass vaccination sites in Bibb, Dougherty, Fulton, and Habersham counties. These sites are strategically located near historically underserved communities and will aim to administer 22,000 vaccines per week. Operations begin on February 22. Eligible individuals can pre-register for appointments at mass vaccination sites at myvaccinegeorgia.com; Governor Kemp is particularly asking those in Southwest Georgia to pre-register for the vaccine. As of Friday, February 19, Georgia has administered 1,606,000 vaccines, 82% of the total shipment. Georgia will begin receiving 198,000 first doses of the vaccine from the federal government this week. As the state’s weekly allocation continues to expand, more state-operation sites are being planned. You can read more about finding a vaccine site, see updates on Georgia’s vaccination numbers, and learn about our state’s phased plan on the DPH website. The bill tracker is below. Please let us know if you have any legislation you would like us to follow! Bill Tracker HB 6 – Women Owned Business Tax Credit Bill Sponsor: Rep. Sandra Scott Bill Status: House Hopper 1/14/21; House First Readers 1/26/21; House Second Readers 1/27/21; Referred to Ways & Means Committee 1/27/21 Summary: To provide for an income tax credit for investors in women-owned businesses. HB 23 – School Systems in Local Annexation Disputes Bill Sponsor: Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver Bill Status: House Hopper; 1/12/21; House First Readers 1/13/21; House Second Readers 1/14/21; Referred to Governmental Affairs Committee 1/14/21 Summary: To allow affected local school systems to participate in the annexation dispute resolution process. HB 24 – Disclosure of Certain Information in Notice of Annexation Bill Sponsor: Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver Bill Status: House Hopper 1/12/21; House First Readers 1/13/21; House Second Readers 1/14/21; Referred to Governmental Affairs Committee 1/14/21 Summary: To require the disclosure of certain financial information (proposed tax abatements, rebates, or other financial incentives) that will be provided by a municipal corporation or development authority in notice of annexation, and to authorize objections to annexations based on such financial incentives. HB 30 – Minority Business Income Tax Bill Sponsor: Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick Bill Status: House Prefiled 11/18/20 Summary: To require equitable participation of minority business enterprises in claiming income tax credits, with approved diversity plans for equitable participation of minorities or expenditures made to obtain certain tax credits. HB 66 – Revenue Bond Validation Hearings Bill Sponsor: Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver Bill Status: House Hopper 1/12/21; House First Readers 1/13/21; House Second Readers 1/14/21; Referred to Governmental Affairs Committee 1/14/21 Summary: To provide that local school systems, counties, and municipal governing authorities can become parties to bond validation hearings. HB 80 – Appropriations for Amended FY21 Bill Sponsor: Rep. David Ralston Bill Status: House Hopper 1/14/21; House First Readers 1/14/21; House Second Readers 1/26/21; Favorably Reported out of Committee via substitute 1/27/21; House passed 1/28/21; transmitted to Senate 1/28/21; Senate read and referred to Appropriations Committee 1/28/21; Senate Committee Favorably Reported by Substitute 2/04/21; Senate Read Second Time 2/8/21; Senate Third Read 2/9/21; Senate Passed by Substitute 2/2/21; Senate Transmitted to House 2/9/21; House Agreed Senate Amend 2/11/21; House Transmitted to Senate 2/11/21; Senate Agreed House Amend 2/11; Senate Transmitted House 2/11/21; House sent to Gov 2/11/21; House Date Signed by Governor 2/15/21; Act 2 2/15/21; Effective Date 2/15/21. Summary: Appropriations for amended fiscal year 2021. HB 86 – Georgia Lottery Mobile Sports Wagering Integrity Act Bill Sponsor: Rep. Ron Stephens Bill Status: House Hopper 1/14/21; House First Readers 1/26/21; House Second Readers 1/27/21; Referred to Economic Development Committee 1/27/21; Committee Favorably Reported 2/3/21; House Withdrawn Recommitted to Committee 2/10/21 Summary: To provide for the Lottery game of sports wagering in Georgia. HB 95 – Refundable Earned Income Tax Credit Bill Sponsor: Rep. Marvin Lim Bill Status: House Hopper 1/14/21; House First Readers 1/26/21; House Second Readers 1/27/21; Referred to Ways & Means Committee 1/27/21 Summary: To provide for a refundable earned income tax credit HB 112 – Provide Immunities from Liability Regarding COVID-19 Bill Sponsor: Rep. Trey Kelley Bill Status: House Hopper 1/26/21; House First Readers 1/27/21; House Second Readers 1/28/21; Referred to the Special House Committee on Access to the Civil Justice System; House Committee Favorably Reported 2/04/21; House Third Readers 2/9/21; House Passed 2/9/21; Senate Read & Referred to Judiciary Committee 2/10/21 Summary: To provide certain immunities from liability claims regarding COVID-19 for one year. HB 148 – Development Authority Board Composition Bill Sponsor: Rep. Kim Schofield Bill Status: House Hopper 1/27/21; House First Readers 1/28/21; Referred to Governmental Affairs Committee 1/28/21 Summary: To alter requirements for board members of development authorities so that rather than taxpayers, the board members must be residents or licensed business owners paying ad valorem taxes on real or personal property within the county or municipal corporation for which the authority was created. HB 150 – Public Utilities Fuel Choice Bill Sponsor: Rep. Bruce Williamson Bill Status: House Hopper 1/27/21; House First Readers 1/28/21; House Second Readers 1/29/21; Referred to Committee on Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications 1/29/21; House Committee Favorably Reported by Substitute 2/17/21. Summary: To prohibit governmental entities from adopting any policy that prohibits the connection or reconnection of any utility service based upon the type or source of energy or fuel. HB 260 – Cybersecurity Programs to Protect Businesses Bill Sponsor: Rep. Todd Jones Bill Status: House Hopper 2/2/21; House First Readers 2/3/21; House Second Readers & Referred to Judiciary Committee 2/4/21 Summary: To provide standards for cybersecurity programs to protect businesses from liability and provide defenses for data breaches of private information. HB 359 – Sales & Use Tax Exemption for Projects of Regional Significance Bill Sponsor: Rep. Bruce Williamson Bill Status: House Hopper 2/9/21; House First Readers 2/10/21; House Second Readers & Referred to Committee on Ways & Means 2/11/21 Summary: To extend the sunset on the sales & use tax exemption for projects of regional significance. HB 360 – Regulate Removal of Call Centers Bill Sponsor: Rep. Sheri Gilligan Bill Status: House Hopper 2/9/21; House First Readers 2/10/21; House Second Readers & Referred to Economic Development & Tourism Committee 2/11/21 Summary: To regulate the removal of call centers from the state. HB 393 – Sales & Use Tax Exemption for High-Technology Data Center Bill Sponsor: Rep. Ron Stephens Bill Status: House Hopper 2/10/21; House First Readers 2/11/21; House Second Readers & Referred to Committee on Ways & Means 2/16/21. Summary: To revise the definition of “high-technology data center minimum investment threshold” with respect to a sales and use tax exemption; to revise the definitions of “manufacture of tangible personal property” and “manufacturer” to include data processing, hosting, and related services with respect to an exemption for certain machinery, equipment, and energy used in manufacturing. HB 398 – Job Tax Credit Cap Removal Bill Sponsor: Rep. Bruce Williamson Bill Status: House Hopper 2/10/21; House First Readers 2/11/21; Referred to Committee on Ways & Means 2/16/21 Summary: To remove the job cap from conditions for taking and calculating job tax credits. HB 486 – Tax Credit for Certain Musical Compositions Bill Sponsor: Rep. Beth Moore Bill Status: House Hopper 2/17/21; House First Readers 2/18/21 Summary: To provide an income tax credit for certain expenditures for licenses or rights to own certain musical compositions and sound recordings. HB 487 – Return of Funds by a Destination Marketing Organization Bill Sponsor: Rep. David Dreyer Bill Status: House Hopper 2/17/21; House First Readers 2/18/21 Summary: A municipality may elect to return any portion of funds that it received for rooms, lodgings, and accommodations, so as to provide for optional return of funds by a destination marketing organization to certain jurisdictions levying the tax. HB 499 – Minimum Wage Law Provisions Bill Sponsor: Rep. Stacey Evans Bill Status: House Hopper 2/17/21; House First Readers 2/18/21 Summary: To repeal certain provisions relating to the preemption of wage and employment benefit mandates adopted by a local government entity HB 500 – Georgia Agribusiness and Rural Jobs Act Bill Sponsor: Rep. James Burchett Bill Status: House Hopper 2/17/21; House First Readers 2/18/21 Summary: To provide for a second round of funding and period for applications; to increase an application fee and provide for an annual maintenance fee HB 503 – Sales and Use Tax Exemption Bill Sponsor: Rep. Sam Watson Bill Status: House Hopper 2/17/21; House First Readers 2/18/21 Summary: To extend the sunset date for the exemption for projects of regional significance; to redefine the term "manufacturing plant" to include certain motor vehicles that manufacture tangible personal property; to grant a limited exemption for such motor vehicles that mix concrete; to remove the sunset provision for an exemption for sales taxes on certain tangible personal property sold or used to maintain, refit, or repair a boat during a single event HB 504 – Georgia Agribusiness and Rural Jobs Acts Bill Sponsor: Rep. Bruce Williamson Bill Status: House Hopper 2/17/21; House First Readers 2/18/21 Summary: To provide for a second round of funding and period for applications; to increase an application fee and provide for an annual maintenance fee; to change certain reporting requirements; to revise and provide for definitions; to provide for a tax credit for medical equipment and supplies manufacturers and pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturers HB 510 – Nonrefundable Earned Income Tax Credit Bill Sponsor: Rep. Houston Gaines Bill Status: House Hopper 2/17/21; House First Readers 2/18/21 Summary: To provide for a nonrefundable earned income tax credit in an amount equal to 10 percent of the federal credit that a taxpayer is allowed HB 520 – Promotion and Deployment of Broadband Services Bill Sponsor: Rep. Philip Singleton Bill Status: House Hopper 2/17/21; House First Readers 2/18/21 Summary: To revise a definition regarding promotion and deployment of broadband services HB 527 – Tax Credit for Retaining Employees Bill Sponsor: Rep. Yasmin Neal Bill Status: House Hopper 2/17/21; House First Readers 2/18/21 Summary: To provide for a tax credit for employers that retain 90 percent of their full-time employees for a certain period of time HB 541 – Georgia Equity and Fairness Commission Act Bill Sponsor: Rep. Roger Bruce Bill Status: House Hopper 2/18/21 Summary: To create the Georgia Equity and Fairness Commission; to provide for members and officers; to provide for meetings, quorum, and compensation; to provide for the commission's duties and powers HR 11 – Innovative Ways to Maximize Global Talent Bill Sponsor: Rep. Wes Cantrell Bill Status: Senate Hopper 1/11/21; House First Readers 1/12/21; House Second Readers 1/13/21; Referred to House Small Business Development Committee; House Committee Favorably Reported by Substitute 2/9/21 Summary: A resolution creating the House Study Committee on innovative ways to maximize global talent in Georgia. HR 30 – Constitutional Amendment on Casinos Bill Sponsor: Rep. Ron Stephens Bill Status: House Hopper 1/26/21; House First Readers 1/27/21; House Second Readers 1/28/21; Referred to Economic Development & Tourism Committee 1/28/21; House Withdrawn, Recommitted 02/16/21 Summary: A resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide by law for the local authorization of a limited number of licensed destination casino resort facilities. SB 6 – Tax Credit Return on Investment Act Bill Sponsor: Sen. John Albers Bill Status: Senate Hopper 1/13/21; Referred to Senate Finance Committee 1/14/21; Senate Committee Favorably Reported 1/28/21; Senate Read Second Time 1/29/21; Senate Engrossed 2/01/21; Senate Read Third Time 2/01/21; Senate Passed/Adopted 2/01/21; House First Readers 2/02/21; House Second Readers 2/03/21; Referred to Committee on Ways & Means 2/03/21 Summary: To allow the Chair of House Ways & Means and the Chair of Finance Committees to each request up to 5 economic analyses on a tax exemption, exclusion, deduction, deferral, rebate, credit, abatement, or preferential tax rate to be performed by the Office of Planning & Budget (who can contract out to an independent auditor to complete). SB 30 – Rural Georgia Jobs & Growth Act Bill Sponsor: Sen. Brandon Beach Bill Status: Senate Hopper 1/27/21; Senate Read & Referred to Regulated Industries Committee 1/28/21 Summary: To provide for pari-mutuel horse racing and a limited number of licensed equestrian centers as well as to provide for the Georgia Horse Racing Commission and the comprehensive regulation of pari-mutuel and related activities; to enter into the Interstate Compact on Licensure of Participants in Live Racing with Pari-mutuel Wagering SB 56 – Fiscal Analysis of Certain Bills Bill Sponsor: Sen. Sheikh Rahman Bill Status: Senate Hopper 1/29/21; Senate Read & Referred to Finance Committee 2/1/21 Summary: To require an economic analysis prior to the introduction or amendment of legislation containing tax incentives or modifying or extending existing tax incentives SB 57 – Economic Analysis of Certain Tax Benefits Bill Sponsor: Sen. Jennifer Jordan Bill Status: Senate Hopper 1/29/21; Senate Read & Referred to Finance Committee 2/1/21 Summary: To allow the Chair of House Ways & Means and the Chair of Finance Committees to each request up to 5 economic analyses on a tax exemption, exclusion, deduction, deferral, rebate, credit, abatement, or preferential tax rate to be performed by the State Auditor. SB 58 – Refundable Earned Income Tax Credit Bill Sponsor: Sen. Elena Parent Bill Status: Senate Hopper 1/29/21; Senate Read & Referred to Finance Committee 2/01/21 Summary: To provide for a refundable earned income tax credit. SB 135 – Repeal Procedure for Peace Office Bill Sponsor: Sen. Gloria Butler Bill Status: Senate Hopper 2/09/21; Senate Read & Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee 2/10/21 Summary: To repeal the procedure for indictment or special presentment of peace officer for crime in performance of duties, notification, and rights of officer, respectively, so as to repeal the provision regarding no duty to retreat prior to the use of force; to correct cross-references; to repeal the defense of self or others as an absolute defense. SB 148 – Special Council on Tax Reform & Fairness for Georgians Bill Sponsor: Sen. Chuck Hufstetler Bill Status: Senate Hopper 2/10/21; Senate Read & Referred to Finance Committee 2/11/21; Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute Summary: To create the 2021 Special Council on Tax Reform & Fairness for Georgians and the Special Joint Committee on Georgia Revenue. SB 204 – High School Diplomas Awarded at Technical College Bill Sponsor: Sen. Lindsey Tippins Bill Status: Senate Hopper 2/18/21 Summary: To provide a Dual Achieve Program at a technical college of this state and achieve a high school diploma in completion of technical college. These students must be 16 years of age or older, completed secondary school requirements and have withdrawn from secondary school SB 212 – Harry Geisinger Rural Georgia Jobs and Growth Act Bill Sponsor: Sen. Jeff Mullis Bill Status: Senate Hopper 2/18/21 Summary: To provide for pari-mutuel horse racing in this state at a limited number of licensed equestrian centers; to create the Georgia Horse Racing Commission; to provide for the comprehensive regulation of pari-mutuel and related activities SR 26 – General Obligation Debt for Airports Bill Sponsor: Sen. Tyler Harper Bill Status: Senate Hopper 1/27/21; Read & referred to Appropriations Committee 1/28/21, Senate Committee Favorably Reported 02/04/21; Senate Read Second Time 2/08/21; Senate Third Read 2/09/21; Senate Tabled 2/09/21 Summary: Proposing a constitutional amendment to allow the state to incur general obligation debt in order to make loans or grants to counties, municipalities, consolidated governments, local authorities, and local commissions that own airports for the acquisition, construction, development, extension, enlargement, or improvement of such airports, but excluding any airport that has had more than 750,000 takeoffs and landings during a calendar year. SR 53 – Constitutional Amendment on Pari-Mutuel Betting Bill Sponsor: Sen. Brandon Beach Bill Status: Senate Hopper 2/2/21; Senate Read & Referred to Regulated Industries Committee 2/3/21 Summary: A resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to provide for pari-mutuel betting in this state under certain circumstances. SR 131 – Law for Pari-Mutuel Betting on Horse Racing Bill Sponsor: Sen. Jeff Mullis Bill Status: Senate Hopper 2/18/21 Summary: A resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to provide for pari-mutuel betting in this state under certain circumstances.
Meet Your Staff - copy of February 23 Chamber Weekly Newsletter