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2008 Georgia Legislative Session Update
Provided by BOMA Lobbyist FiveashStanley
February 1, 2008
A Busy Second Week
As day ten of the forty day legislative session comes to order, it is obvious that the 2008 legislative session is well underway. The walls of the capital are brimming with legislators and lobbyists busily scurrying from one committee meeting to another.
Several issues on the minds of everyone in the capitol this week were guns and taxes. HB 89, “the gun bill,” passed the House of Representatives on Thursday in a 111-58 vote. This bill originally passed the Senate, earlier this session which would allow guns to be carried in state parks, and allow business owners to prohibit firearms from being kept in vehicles on their parking lots unless a person has a permit to carry a gun. The House further amended the bill to allow guns to be carried into restaurants, sporting events, wildlife management areas, recreation areas, airports and other public transportation areas, and churches. However, the Senate did not approve this new amendment and the bill will go to a conference committee between the House and Senate in order to reach an agreement.
The Senate Finance Committee on Thursday passed a proposal that would let cities, counties and school systems call referendums to lower property taxes. In exchange, local sales taxes would be raised. It was the first major property tax bill to move in a legislative session filled with calls to cut the taxes that Georgians pay on their homes and businesses.
The Legislature will reconvene on Tuesday, February 5th, in order for Legislators to vote in the Primary election, and will be in session through Friday, February 8th.
Legislation of Interest to the Industry:
Year |
Type |
Number |
Title |
Sponsor |
Details |
Status |
2007-A |
HB |
89 |
Guns in Parking Lots |
Bearden, Tim of Villa Rica |
Related to the carrying and posession of firearms. Bill would allow concealed weapon permit holders to apply for permission to bear firearms on their employer's property. Amendment: would allow guns to be carried into restaurants, sporting events, wildlife management areas, recreation areas, airports and other public transportation areas, and churches |
Will be assigned to conference committee |
2008 |
HB |
898 |
Water Fixture Replacements |
Drenner, Karla of Avondale Estates |
Mandates low-flow and efficient faucets, water closets , etc for new residential and commercial properties, as well as, renovations. Provides exceptions and an income tax credit for replacement of old fixtures/closets. |
Prefiled for 2008 session |
2008 |
HB |
946 |
Requirements for residential and commercial buildings |
Drenner, Karla of Avondale Estates |
This bill changes the requirements for buildings in relations to toilets, shower heads, and faucets. This bill provides requirements not only for when buildings are newly erected or renovated but also when they are disposed. |
In House Natural Resources & Environment Cmte |
2008 |
HB |
979 |
Implementation for the GREAT Plan |
Richardson, Glenn of Hiram |
This bill will provide a plan to implement the GREAT plan |
In House Ways & Means Cmte |
2008 |
HB |
947 |
Prohibits Sale of Non-Low-Flow Faucets |
Drenner, Karla of Avondale Estates |
This bill specifies the requirements for buildings, now including those newly constructed or renovated commercial buidlings. This bill also places new restrictions on water closets. Furthermore, it prohibits the sale of any faucet or water closet that is not low-flow. |
In House Ways & Means Cmte |
2007-A |
HR |
900 |
The GREAT Plan |
Richardson, Glenn of Hiram |
Extensive tax reform bill which continues to change shape as hearings proceed. Proposed to remove all or a portion of property taxes on homesteads, remove ad valorem taxes on cars, and create a 4% sales tax on services. |
In House Ways & Means Cmte |
2008 |
HR |
1022 |
House Ratify Water Plan |
Smith, Lynn of Newnan |
(Same as SR 701) This resolution seeks to ratify the state water plan and provide for its enforcement. |
Favorably reported from Senate Rules Cmte |
2008 |
HR |
1031 |
Real Property Tax Exemptions |
Powell, Allan of Hartwell |
This constitutional amendment provides for a state-wide homestead tax exemption equal to the difference between the 2002 base year value and the current assessment. There is a one-time application for said exemption. Nonhomestead real properties shall be assessed at the 2002 values. When properties are sold, they are then assessed at the new fair market value. |
In House Ways & Means Cmte |
2008 |
SB |
351 |
Joint State-Wide Water Plan Oversight Committee |
Cowsert, Bill of Athens |
To create a Joint (House/Senate) State-Wide Water Planning Oversight Committee that would oversee all state water planning. |
In Senate Natural Resources and Environment Cmte |
2008 |
SR |
701 |
Ratify the Water Plan |
Tolleson, Ross of Perry |
This resolution ratifies the state water plan and provides for its enforcement. |
In House Rules |
2008 |
SR |
796 |
Resolution to Freeze Property Values |
Rogers, Chip of Woodstock |
This constitutional amendment provides for limitations on assessed value increases for real property . This does not allow any increases in valuations after 2007 except for a 2% increase in residential property per year and a 3% increase per year for non-residential real property. However, a local taxing authority can adopt through majority vote as long as it follows the given guidelines. These rules do not apply to property in a tax allocation district or brownfield properties. |
Senate Hopper |
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