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Week 3 of the 2024 Session

On Monday, January 22, 2024, the General Assembly convened for Legislative Day 6 and a full week of Session.

I remained focused on issues important to our neighborhoods and families. First, the inflation caused by out-of-control spending in Washington is on our minds and stealing our purchasing power. We are working to minimize that impact by lowering the tax burden on hardworking Georgians.

Additionally, we are focused on keeping our economy strong and reducing the red tape Georgians face when trying to get a permit or license to work. We are also working with the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia to provide the best possible educational opportunities for Georgians looking to get their first certificate or degree and Georgians working to upskill to prepare for the new economy.

Hardworking Georgians make Georgia a great place to live, and at the Capitol, we are working to enable Georgians to thrive for the next generation.

Look Ahead at Tax Reform

This year, I will work with Gov. Kemp on proposed tax cuts, reducing the state income tax to 5.39 percent. This tax cut is estimated to save Georgia taxpayers approximately $3 billion over the next decade, making it the largest tax cut in state history.

Additionally, I look forward to supporting Speaker Burns in passing a package of bills that would save Georgians hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes as well, including:

·   Raising the state income tax deduction for children from $3,000 a year to $4,000 a year

·   Doubling the standard state homestead exemption from $2,000 to $4,000 yearly to reduce property taxes.

Combined, these two provisions amount to $250 million annually in savings for Georgians.

Please be sure to look out for future updates regarding your government at work. My sincere thanks for your interaction. I hope you enjoy this volume of the Capitol Express and that you will continue to engage. I value your time and will do my best to respond.

We receive hundreds of emails daily while attending Floor Sessions and serving on multiple committees, so if you live in House District 49, please consider using our new communication tool at Contact Representative Chuck Martin for the best response.

You may also contact me at ChuckMartin@house.ga.gov or my office phone number at (404) 656-5164.

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your representative for House District 49.

Yours in Service,

2024 Legislative Session Week 3

House Floor Week 3

Transportation

House Bill 804 requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue two distinct license plates to ambulance and hearse owners, moving us away from the current plates, which read, “Hearse/Ambulance.” This bill simply clarifies the separate purposes for which these vehicles are used. If passed and signed into law, this bill would become effective on January 1, 2025.

Healthcare

We continue to tackle healthcare and began this session by expanding access and licenses through HB 502 and HB 434.

House Bill 502, or the “Georgia Cosmetic Laser Services Act saw passage last week in a near unanimous vote. This bill would update the definition of “cosmetic laser services” in state law as a result of the development of new dermatological procedures that were not encompassed in the previous definition, including energy-based medical procedures using an ultrasound, cryolipolysis, microwave or radio frequency devices.

Under House Bill 434, radiologist assistants will now be issued licenses in our state. If passed, the Georgia Composite Medical Board would establish criteria for licensure and licensure renewal for radiologist assistants, as well as establishing rules and regulations related to the qualifications, scope of practice and supervision of these healthcare workers. We are hopeful that this legislation will help to recruit and retain healthcare workers while shortening patient wait times.

We Stand with Israel

The House gave final passage this week to an important measure previously introduced and passed by the House during the 2023 legislative session. House Bill 30 addresses antisemitism in our state and would add antisemitism as a category covered by our hate crimes law. Under HB 30, the internationally recognized definition of “antisemitism,” as adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), would become part of state law. Additionally, this bill would require all state agencies that enforce criminal or noncriminal law or regulation that prohibits discrimination to consider the definition of antisemitism during that enforcement. The final passage of this bill is a victory for our friends in the Jewish community and was especially timely given the rise in antisemitic acts in our state and across the country. I was proud to vote in favor of this legislation and proud of the House for leading on this vital effort. HB 30 now heads to Governor Kemp’s desk to be signed into law.

Committee Schedules

House Committees are beginning to meet, and once again, I serve on nine committees in addition to leading House Higher Education. Full committee schedules are available online by clicking here.

For the Georgia College Completion Grant featured in the Legislative Session Preview, click here...

On Wednesday, January 24th, the House Committee on Higher Education met to consider several pieces of legislation, including:

HB 985 – Representative Chuck Martin 

This bill replaces the previously passed, amended, and vetoed HB 319; HB 985 returns to the House version and only deals with the dissolution of the GHEAC entity. Passing this measure eliminates an unnecessary entity in the Georgia government and returns over $25M to the Georgia Student Finance Commission, which can be applied to educate Georgia students. The committee passed it.

HB 970 – Representative Robert Dickey

This bill returns from 2023 and adds language to allow local systems to access the REACH program better. It was for hearing only, no action.

HB 982 – Representative Matthew Gambill

This bill will allow a single repository of information for high-demand fields on a regional basis and allow collaboration between business, secondary, and post-secondary education to centrally focus on the application of resources to aid Georgians as they prepare for future jobs and the future of work.

To review bills in the Higher Education Committee, click here and then click Assigned Legislation.