Georgia Chamber Legislative Update: April 8

Friday, April 08, 2011

Legislative Calendar

The General Assembly was in recess this week.  Lawmakers will reconvene on Monday, April 11 and are scheduled to meet that day, Tuesday and for the last day of the session on Thursday.

As a number of significant issues will be addressed in these last three days, we will send updates throughout the week.

1099 Provision Repealed from Federal Health Reform
The repeal of an onerous provision requiring businesses to file 1099 forms with the IRS every time they purchase more than $600 per year in goods or services from another business has been passed by Congress and is headed to the President for his signature.  The Georgia Chamber had expressed concerns to the state’s Congressional delegation about this provision in the health care reform bill, which was particularly burdensome for small business.

2011 Georgia Chamber Scorecard Issues

The following bills have all been designated scorecard issues this year:

• HB 47, which would expand affordable health insurance options for Georgians by allowing the purchase of policies approved in other states.  (Support, has passed House, in Senate committee)
• HB 48, which would provide for a local option for cities or counties to exempt all business inventories from local property taxes. (Support, has passed House, in Senate committee)
• HB 86, which would create a sales tax exemption for energy used in the manufacturing process.  (Support, likely to be addressed in tax reform bill)
• HB 167, which would erode current employer protections under ERISA.  (Oppose, passed House and Senate committee)
• HB 232, which would clarify provisions regarding who is required to register as a lobbyist.  (Support, has been signed by Governor)
• HB 292, which would reduce pending increases to unemployment insurance taxes paid by employers.  (Support, has passed both chambers)
• HB 387, which would make changes to the current state tax code.  (Support, a new bill is expected to be introduced next week)
• SB 10and HB 69, which would give local communities the option of allowing Sunday sales of beer, wine and spirits.  (Support, SB 10 has passed Senate, in House committee)
• SB 17, which would create a state commission to review proposed and existing health insurance mandates.  (Support, has passed both chambers, but Senate needs to agree to House changes)
• SB 122, which would allow the formation of public-private partnerships to fund certain water supply and treatment projects. (Support, has passed both chambers)