This Tuesday marked Day 30, otherwise known as Crossover day, in which all bills must have passed through their originating chamber. If a piece of legislation hasn’t been adopted by at least one chamber when the session passes its 30th day, it cannot move forward to the other chamber during the remainder of the session. This allows us to know which bills are considered “dead” or “alive.”
Although legislation that fails to crossover by the end of the day Tuesday is dead for the year, the actual content of the bill can be incorporated into other viable bills. Therefore, anything can happen during the final days of the session and legislation believed to be dead often finds new life in the form of an amendment. In short, this phase of the session is ripe for mischief and becomes very dangerous if left unobserved.
The Speaker’s Tax plan, HR 1246, made another appearance on Crossover day and won an overwhelming majority of 166-5. This version of the plan would phase out ad valorem taxes on cars and would freeze property assessments at 2% residential and 3% non-residential. In this version, no services are to be taxed and no caps are placed on what local governments can collect on property taxes. HR 1246 must pass a vote by the Senate and be signed by the Governor before a referendum can be placed on the November general ballot. If this constitutional amendment passes in the November general ballot, then there would be a $10 fee for trauma placed on car tags.
The General Assembly will meet Tuesday through Thursday next week.
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 possession 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 |
Passed House, Passed Senate w/ amended version. Assigned to Conference Committee |
2007 |
HB |
292 |
Process server legislation |
Willard, Wendell of Atlanta |
The person entering a gated community to serve a process shall file the proof of such service with the court in the county in which the action is pending within five business days of the service date. If the proof of service is not filed, the time for the party served to answer the process will not begin to run until such proof of service is filed. Amendment: amend the bill to clarify that private servers who are appointed locally, as is the current practice, are indeed permitted to continued to serve in this manner |
Failed to be voted on before Crossover, but could be attached to another piece of legislation |
2007 |
HB |
447 |
Tax conformity for REITS |
O'Neal, Larry of Perry |
conforms Ga tax law with federal law pertaining to real estate investment trusts |
Passed House, In Senate Finance Cmte |
2007 |
HB |
611 |
Electrical contractors |
Maxwell, Howard of Dallas |
provide for changes to the restrictions of Class I licenses for electrical contracting. Class I licenses shall be restricted to electrical contracting involving multifamily structures of not more than two levels or single family dwellings of up to three levels. In addition, the structures shall have single-phase electrical installations which do not exceed 200 400 amperes at the service drop or the service lateral. |
Passed House. In Senate Regulated Industries Cmte |
2008 |
HB |
851 |
Tax Credit for Historic Renovations |
Peake, Allen of Macon |
This bill provides an income tax credit for historic home renovations in the year the renovation is completed for 25% of rehab costs, not to exceed $100,000 in 120 months. Certified structures likewise can receive the 25% credit not to exceed $300,000 in 120 months. This is much higher than before. |
Passed House, In Senate Finance Cmte |
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. |
Failed to be voted on before Crossover, but could be attached to another piece of legislation |
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. |
Failed to be voted on before Crossover, but could be attached to another piece of legislation |
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 buildings. 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. |
Failed to be voted on before Crossover, but could be attached to another piece of legislation |
2008 |
HB |
956 |
Zoning Procedures Act |
Holt, Doug of Social Circle |
seeks to codify a body of case law on zoning decisions in Georgia, however would also create new law which would greatly reduce the rights of property owners in future zoning decisions. |
Failed to be voted on before Crossover, but could be attached to another piece of legislation |
2008 |
HB |
979 |
Implementation for the GREAT Plan |
Richardson, Glenn of Hiram |
This bill will provide a plan to implement the GREAT plan now called the Property Tax Reform Act. |
Failed to be voted on before Crossover, but could be attached to another piece of legislation |
2008 |
HB |
1034 |
Franchise for Dumpsters |
Mills, James of Gainesville |
Provides for franchise agreements between municipalities and private suppliers of top rolloff dumpsters |
Failed to be voted on before Crossover, but could be attached to another piece of legislation |
2008 |
HB |
1107 |
Low Flush Toilet Tax Credit |
Manning, Judy of Marietta |
This would provide an income tax credit for replacing older toilets with a low flush toilet for the amount of the toilet up to $100. |
Failed to be voted on before Crossover, but could be attached to another piece of legislation |
2008 |
HB |
1117 |
Actual Cost Pricing for Water/Sewer |
Willard, Wendall of Sandy Springs |
This provides that water and sewer services provided outside of a geographic jurisdictional boundary shall NOT be charged at a rate higher than the actual cost of such provision. |
Failed to be voted on before Crossover, but could be attached to another piece of legislation |
2008 |
HB |
1128 |
Low and Ultra Low Flush toilet tax credit |
Jones, Sheila of Atlanta |
This provides for an income tax credit for low flush and ultra low flush toilets and expenses. $50 for low flush and/or expenses up to 2 toilets per single family dwelling and up to $100 for ultra low flush toilets and/or expenses. |
Failed to be voted on before Crossover, but could be attached to another piece of legislation |
2008 |
HB |
1130 |
Tax Free Holidays for Energy Efficiency and Toilets |
Manning, Judy of Marietta |
This provides for a sales tax holiday for both energy efficient products and ultra low flush toilets for single family homes only. Dates are Oct. 2-5 2008 and April 1-5 2009. |
Failed to be voted on before Crossover, but could be attached to another piece of legislation |
2008 |
HB |
1139 |
Sales & Use Tax for Transportation Purposes |
Smith, Vance of Pine Mountain |
1% increase in the state-wide sales and use taxes to be used for transportation purposes |
Failed to be voted on before Crossover, but could be attached to another piece of legislation |
2008 |
HB |
1140 |
Tax Credit for water efficient products |
May, Jeff of Monroe |
This provides for an income tax credit for single-family residences for qualified water efficient products of the actual amount or up to $250. Any unused portion can be used for future not past tax liabilities. |
Failed to be voted on before Crossover, but could be attached to another piece of legislation |
2008 |
HB |
1141 |
Higher Tax Credit for Water Efficient Products |
May, Jeff of Monroe |
This is the same as HB 1140 except that it allows for up to a $500 tax credit instead of $250. |
Failed to be voted on before Crossover, but could be attached to another piece of legislation |
2008 |
HB |
1145 |
Joint Water Authorities |
Willard, Wendall of Sandy Springs |
This provides for the creation of joint water authorities by 2 or more counties and fleshes out the details of its operation. |
Failed to be voted on before Crossover, but could be attached to another piece of legislation |
2008 |
HB |
1291 |
TADS within Improvement District |
Marin, Pedro of Duluth |
This allows local governments to use all taxes levied by a community improvement district to be included in any tax allocation increment of a tax allocation district when a TAD is created within a community improvement district. |
Failed to be voted on before Crossover, but could be attached to another piece of legislation |
2008 |
HB |
1317 |
Vacant Residential Buildings |
Holmes, Bob of Atlanta |
This defines a vacant residential structure as vacant after 30 days of inoccupancy and places restrictions on how this property must be maintained so as to not be nuisance to the community or be a hazard. |
Failed to be voted on before Crossover, but could be attached to another piece of legislation |
2008 |
HB |
1363 |
Marshall as Sheriff |
Lindsey, Edward of Atlanta |
The chief judge of any circuit can order that all civil processes in a county be served by either the county or state marshal instead of the sheriff, giving the marshal the same authority as the sheriff. |
Failed to be voted on before Crossover, but could be attached to another piece of legislation |
2008 |
HB |
1366 |
Recycled Metal |
Ashe, Kathy of Atlanta |
would require secondary metal recyclers to provide a
detailed written description from the person they obtained the metal from describing the source from which they obtained the regulated metal property. |
Failed to be voted on before Crossover, but could be attached to another piece of legislation |
2007 |
HR |
3 |
Property assessment freezes |
Lindsey, Edward of Atlanta |
Would amend the state constitution to limit increases in property value assessments to 3% per year, or 9% over a three year period. Would apply to all property types. |
Failed to be voted on before Crossover, but could be attached to another piece of legislation |
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. |
Failed to be voted on before Crossover, but could be attached to another piece of legislation |
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. |
Failed to be voted on before Crossover, but could be attached to another piece of legislation |
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. |
Failed to be voted on before Crossover, but could be attached to another piece of legislation |
2008 |
HR |
1120 |
Prohibit State Ad Valorem Taxes |
Cole, Jim of Forsyth |
A constitutional amendment to prohibit the state from levying an annual ad valorem tax on tangible property except for state's of emergency. The state would continue its administrative duties in assessing and collecting ad valorem taxes on railroads, utilities, etc on behalf of local governments. |
Failed to be voted on before Crossover, but could be attached to another piece of legislation |
2008 |
HR |
1169 |
Blighted Property Tax |
Gordon, Craig of Savannah |
This constitutional amendment would allow the General Assembly to levy taxes on blighted properties at different rates or valuations in order to spur revitalization. |
Failed to be voted on before Crossover, but could be attached to another piece of legislation |
2008 |
HR |
1170 |
Base Value Exemption from County Ad Valorem Taxes |
Levitas, Kevin of Atlanta |
Creates a constitutional referendum for a base-value exemption from county ad valorem taxes for county purposes for homestead and nonhomestead property in an amount equal to the amount by which the current-year assessed value of the property exceeds the base value of such property in any county in which such exemption is approved |
Failed to be voted on before Crossover, but could be attached to another piece of legislation |
2008 |
HR |
1226 |
Transportation Sales Tax Increase |
Smith, Vance of Pine Mountain |
This provides for a statewide increase in sales tax by 1% to be used for transportation purposes. Places restrictions on using this money. Likewise, 1% of this amount raised from the sale of motor fuels is to be deposited into DOT in order to fund the Local Assistance Road Programs and for construction/maintenance of the state highway system. |
Failed to be voted on before Crossover, but could be attached to another piece of legislation |
2008 |
HR |
1246 |
Property Tax Reform Act |
Richardson, Glenn of Hiram |
The version of this bill that ultimately passed the House would: phase out ad valorem taxes on cars and freeze property assessments at 2% for homes and 3% for businesses. No services would be taxes and no caps would be placed on what local governments can collect in property tax |
Passed House, In Senate Finance Cmte |
2008 |
HR |
1364 |
Funding Redevelopment |
Martin, Chuck from Alpharetta |
Authorizes the use of both county and municipal taxes, school taxes, or any combination of the 2 in order to fund redevelopment. Provides for a referendum. |
Failed to be voted on before Crossover, but could be attached to another piece of legislation |
2007 |
SB |
8 |
Interest on Tax Appeals |
Johnson, Eric of Savannah |
Local government is required to pay interest to property owners if a refund is due to the taxpayer following an appeal. This bill will remove the $150 cap on the amount of interest local government is required to pay a property owner. |
Passed Senate, In House Ways & Means Cmte |
2007 |
SB |
33 |
Creates First Responder System |
Harbison, Ed of Columbus |
Authorize the development and implementation of a state-wide first responder building mapping information system |
Passed Senate, In House Judy Cmte |
2007 |
SB |
41 |
Service to persons living in gated or secured communities |
Harp, Seth of Midland |
SB 41 would require technicians who service persons in gated communities to identify themselves with the guard or managing agent, present a drivers license or other ID, and display evidence of current appointment. Amendment: amended to say that statewide appointees can only serve process after the sheriff or marshal has been given five days to attempt service. |
Failed to be voted on before Crossover, but could be attached to another piece of legislation |
2007 |
SB |
43 |
Prohibit certain employers from prohibiting employees from lawfully carrying firearms in locked cars |
Rogers, Chip of Woodstock |
No private or public employer shall establish, maintain, or enforce any policy or rule that has the effect of prohibiting an employee from transporting or storing a firearm in a locked motor vehicle in any parking lot, parking garage, or other employee parking area. |
Failed to be voted on before Crossover, but could be attached to another piece of legislation |
2007 |
SB |
82 |
Incorporate the City of Dunwoody |
Weber, Dan of Dunwoody |
SB 82 would incorporate the City of Dunwoody and provides for transitional provisions governing the transfer of various functions and responsibilities from DeKalb County to the City of Dunwoody |
Passed Senate, Favorably reported from House Govt Affairs Cmte |
2007 |
SB |
83 |
Change certain local government provisions for municipalities |
Weber, Dan of Dunwoody |
This bill would ensure that residents of a qualified municipality receive full credit for taxes paid for qualified county properties and assigned capital assets to be purchased by the qualified municipality; to assure that qualified municipalities will have the facilities necessary to deliver municipal services; and to provide certainty as to how the purchase price for such properties will be determined |
Passed Senate, In House Government Affairs Cmte |
2007 |
SB |
89 |
Creation of the Georgia Township Act |
Adelman, David of Decatur |
SB 89 would create townships and states that provide that property within such townships shall not be subject to municipal annexation. Counties shall continue to provide services in the township that are not specifically delegated by law to the township |
Passed Senate, In House Government Affairs Cmte |
2007 |
SB |
217 |
Property Owners' Associations |
Thompson, Curt of Norcross |
provide that certain property owners´ associations and similar organizations shall have standing as a party to bring a legal action to enforce certain covenants |
Passed Senate, In House Govt Affairs 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. |
Passed Senate, In House Natural Resources Cmte |
2008 |
SB |
374 |
Liens |
Weber, Dan of Dunwoody |
This bill amends OCGA in relation to liens when concerning mechanics and materialmen. Time frames are changed from months to specific numbers of days (90 days). This requires that liens have an expiration date and that notice is sent to the property owner or contractor within 7 days of filing the lien by certified or registered mail. The same rules apply for filing a bond. Also, arbitration now would become an option for settling a lien. |
Passed Senate, In House Judy Cmte |
2008 |
SB |
407 |
Language Clean up for Utility Systems |
Seabaugh, Mitch of Sharpsburg |
Updates definitions of Utility system to include ground water systems and well water systems. Also includes sewage and drainage systems for which a fee is paid. That associated with lift stations also qualifies. |
Failed to be voted on before Crossover, but could be attached to another piece of legislation |
2008 |
SB |
452 |
Licensures for Contractors |
Mullis, Jeff of Chickamauga |
Provides that legal residents of Georgia who are registered contractors in other states can be registered in Georgia without examination. |
Failed to be voted on before Crossover, but could be attached to another piece of legislation |
2008 |
SB |
463 |
Gray Water Recycling Systems |
Pearson, Chip of Dawsonville |
This allows citizens to use gray water recycling systems for residential irrigation as long as it meets certain minimum plumbing standards. |
Passed Senate, Favorably reported from House Natural Resources Cmte |
2008 |
SB |
509 |
Local Sales Tax Reform |
Rogers, Chip of Woodstock |
This local tax reform bill looks at administering and distributing local sales taxes. |
Failed to be voted on before Crossover, but could be attached to another piece of legislation |
2008 |
SR |
686 |
Residential Property Value Freeze Amendment |
Johnson, Eric of Savannah |
This constitutional amendment would require the freezing of existing residential real property values so that such property can be appraised for ad valorem tax purposes based on the fair market value of when the property was acquired (purchase or transferred). Valuation increases are limited by an inflationary index determined by the state revenue commissioner. Revaluations occur with improvements to the property that require a building license. |
Passed Senate, In House Ways & Means Cmte |
2008 |
SR |
687 |
Local governments to replace Ad Valorem Taxes with Sales Tax |
Seabaugh, Mitch of Sharpsburg |
This constitutional amendment would allow local governments to wholly or partially remove their ad valorem taxes and in its place use a local sales and use tax (limited to 1%). |
Failed to be voted on before Crossover, but could be attached to another piece of legislation |
2008 |
SR |
701 |
Ratify the Water Plan |
Tolleson, Ross of Perry |
This resolution ratifies the state water plan and provides for its enforcement. |
Passed Senate, 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. |
Passed Senate, Failed to pass House vote |
2008 |
SR |
845 |
Transportation Sales tax |
Mullis, Jeff of Chickamauga |
This allows counties through referendum to add a 1% sales tax for a limited amount of time in order to use funds for transportation projects. |
Passed Senate, In House Transportation Cmte |
