Council for Quality Growth Members,
State lawmakers reconvened this week for legislative days 17-19, leaving 21 days remaining in the legislative session. The legislature adopted Senate Resolution 82, which set the adjournment calendar for the next week with legislative day 25 falling on Monday March 1st The legislature is quickly approaching Crossover day in Georgia which happens on the 28th legislative day. It is the last day for bills to cross over from the House to the Senate and vice-versa. Crossover Day will give us a clearer picture of which bills are likely to become law this year. Expect to see a considerable amount of bill movement next week as the Georgia Legislature is in session Monday through Friday.
House Bill 80, the amended fiscal year 2021 budget, was approved by the House and Senate last Thursday, and immediately became law on Monday, February 15th upon being signed by Gov. Brian Kemp. The measure spends $26.6 billion in state funds and $15.6 billion more in federal money in the current year ending June 30, 2021.
Attention has quickly shifted to the FY 2022 Budget (HB 81), with multiple Subcommittees of the House Appropriations Committee that met this week to hear public comment and discuss appropriate budgetary adjustments for FY 2022.
On Tuesday, February 16th Governor Kemp announced bipartisan legislation to overhaul Georgia's citizen's arrest statute. HB 479 is being carried by Gov. Kemp Administration Floor Leader Representative Bert Reeves (R-Marietta). This bill seeks to repeal Georgia’s current citizen's arrest law and to tailor the code to protect the rights and safety of Georgians while eliminating any potential legal loopholes that could be used to justify vigilantism.
- Section 1 of the bill gives law enforcement officers the right to perform arrests outside of their respective jurisdictions in three circumstances
- Section 2 repeals Georgia’s citizens’ arrest statutes.
- Section 3 creates Code Section 17-4-80 and creates specific instances in which a private person may detain someone
- Sections 4-6 clean up references to the current citizen’s arrest statute found throughout the Official Code of Georgia.
- Section 7 provides civil immunity to retail business and restaurant owners who properly detain individuals under the newly created Code Section 17-4-80 from false arrest and false imprisonment claims.
The Council for Quality Growth has long believed that value of our communities as places to grow and thrive depends on providing opportunities for all citizens to be equal partners and participates in how we govern and how we live. The Council will continue its commitment to be inclusive, provide a forum for participation, promote business opportunities in divers communities, and remain active in making sure that everyone's rights and protections are recognized and upheld.
Additionally, yesterday evening the Joint House and Senate Transportation Committees heard testimonies from GDOT's Commissioner Russell McMurry and Director of Planning, Jannine Miller on the department's 10-year plan. Also on the agenda was an overview of the Final Report of Commission on Freight and Logistics.
Bill Movement:
HB 66 – The original bill allows local school systems, counties and municipal governing authorities to become parties to bond validation hearings. The bill requires authorities to provide information on financial incentives that are offered in bond validation hearings and to advertise at least 7 days before the bond hearing.
STATUS: The bill passed favorably out of the Governmental Affairs Subcommittee by Substitute.
HB 76 – Amends Title 46 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated modify the guaranteed debts and obligations of EMC’s gas affiliate in total to not exceed 60% (formerly 15%) of such EMC’s net utility plan.
STATUS: The bill passed favorably out of the Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications Committee.
HB 150 – Prohibits governmental entities from adopting any policy that prohibits the connection or reconnection of any utility service based upon the type or source of energy fuel. The amendment added to the bill specifically includes customers of an electric utility, gas company, or natural manufactured or liquefied petroleum gas service and sales of liquid petroleum gas directory to consumer by a retail establishment.
STATUS: The bill passed favorably out of the Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications Committee.
HB 161 – Removes a provision providing perpetual existence to downtown development authorities.
STATUS: The bill passed out of the Governmental Affairs Subcommittee with no amendments.
HB 317 – Revise Definition of Innkeeper to include marketplace facilitators. This is the bill the House passed (HB 488) from last year that would require VRBO and AirBnB to remit the $5 fee per night. This is part of HB 170 hotel/motel fees that go towards transportation.
STATUS: The bill passed favorably out of the Ways & Means Committee.
HB 374 – A sales and use tax exemption for local authorities providing public water or sewer service.
STATUS: The bill passed favorably out of the Ways & Means Committee.
SB 45 – Professional Licensure Bill aims to speed up occupational and professional licensure for new residents of Georgia. The bill would require the professional licensing boards to approve new occupational or professional licenses by endorsement.
STATUS: The bill passed/adopted by the Senate and introduced in the House.
SB 52 – Creates standards for cybersecurity programs to protect businesses from liability.
STATUS: The bill passed/adopted by the Senate and is headed to the House.
These are just a few key pieces of legislation we are tracking through the end of week 5 under the Gold Dome. To see all of the bills the Council is actively monitoring, please stay up to date with our bill tracking sheet featured at the bottom of this email.
Next week expect a bill relating to freight, transit, and transportation solutions at the state capitol. The Council for Quality Growth will continue to advocate for legislation that funds multi-year transportation and infrastructure needs and measures to expand and streamline the operation of metro Atlanta's transit systems.
As the Council evaluates, supports, and weighs in on pieces of legislation, Al Edwards, the Government Affairs Task Force (GATF) Chair, Council Board Vice-Chair, and Founder & Managing Director of Corporate Environmental Risk Management, LLC (CERM), will play a key role in our decision making. A full list of the GATF members is listed below. For more information on joining the GATF, please contact Joseph Santoro.
