Georgia Chamber of Commerce Legislative Update

Thursday, March 19, 2009

For links to legislators and legislation moving through this year's session of the General Assembly, visit www.gachamber.com and click on Government Affairs.      Economic Development  

• The Georgia Chamber supports the JOBS Act of 2009 (HB481, HB482) introduced by Representative Tom Graves (Ranger), which was passed unanimously by the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday.  The Committee amended the legislation to include the repeal of the corporate income tax, which had been removed in the version that passed the House.  The bill also includes tax credits for new employees hired, eliminates the state inventory tax and the state sales tax deposit, and temporarily suspends incorporation filing fees.  If passed by the Senate, it will return to the House for agreement or be sent to a conference committee to work out a compromise.  
• Changes proposed to the BEST Act (HB438 and HB439) introduced by Representative Larry O'Neal (Bonaire) and also supported by the Georgia Chamber have been approved by the House and await action by the Senate.  The bill addresses tax credits for higher paying jobs, research and development, imports and exports through Georgia's ports, and retraining, as well as a mega tax credit for companies who commit to making a significant investment in the state.     

Trauma Care Funding Two trauma care funding proposals supported by the Georgia Chamber remained alive after last week's crossover day:  

• SR277 (Senator Greg Goggans, Douglas) passed the Senate and awaits action by the House.  The bill proposes a $10 vehicle tag fee and would generate approximately $80 million annually, enough to adequately fund a statewide trauma care system.  
• HB160 (Representative Jim Cole, Forsyth) which would increase fines on "super speeders" has been sent to the Senate.  This measure would help enhance other more substantial sources of trauma care funding.     

Transportation Three important transportation proposals are still under debate.  The Georgia Chamber agrees with the need for improved governance and accountability and has long supported the identification of new sources of transportation funding.   

• SB200 (Senator Tommie Williams, Lyons) was introduced on behalf of Governor Sonny Perdue, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle and Speaker Glenn Richardson, and proposes sweeping changes to Georgia's current transportation planning and governance structure.  The bill passed the Senate as introduced, but significant modifications have been proposed by the House Transportation Committee. 
• At the heart of the debate is whether the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Speaker or the members of the General Assembly should control appointments to a new State Transportation Authority, which would assume key responsibilities for planning, policy and funding.   
• SB39 and SR44 (Senator Jeff Mullis, Chickamauga) would address statewide transportation funding needs via regional referendum for a one-cent sales tax.  When the House acted on SB39, it replaced the existing language with a new measure allowing MARTA more control over the monies received through the current MARTA sales tax.   
• HB277 and HR206 (Representative Vance Smith, Pine Mountain) passed the House and call for a statewide one-cent tax for transportation, include a specific project plan, and shift the fourth penny of sales tax currently collected for motor fuel from the general fund to transportation.  The Senate Finance Committee has replaced the language in HB277 with the regional sales tax language from SB39.  

It is likely that conference committees will be formed to resolve the differences between the House and Senate on these important proposals.  The Georgia Chamber remains hopeful that consensus will be reached this year.     Education A number of education measures supported by the Georgia Chamber are still under consideration:

• SB84 (Senator Bill Heath, Bremen) clarifies the roles, responsibilities and training requirements for local school boards and is based largely on the recommendations of the Commission for School Board Excellence, on which the Georgia Chamber partnered last year  
• HB149, The Move on When Ready Act, (Representative Jan Jones, Alpharetta) would allow more high school juniors and seniors to attend post-secondary schools and receive high school credit  
• HB400, The BRIDGE Act, (Representative Fran Millar) would strengthen Georgia's career academy program, requiring high schools to offer both college and career track options for students  
• HB251 (Representative Alisha Thomas Morgan, Austell) would allow school choice under certain conditions and within a student's assigned school district  
• HB280 (Representative Brooks Coleman, Duluth) would start new, much-needed math and science teachers at the same pay grade as a fifth-year teacher.  Representative Coleman has also introduced HB282, which would provide bonuses for high-performing teachers.    

Other Measures Supported by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce

• Medicaid Reimbursement - oppose cuts to current reimbursement rates and support the use of federal stimulus dollars to fill the current funding gap  
• Metal Theft - support SB82 (Senator Renee Unterman, Buford) which increases requirements for purchase transactions as a way to help stop this growing crime  
• Frivolous Litigation - support SB108 (Senator Bill Cowsert, Athens) which conforms Georgia law to federal law relating to the stay of discovery when a motion to dismiss litigation has been filed  
• Sales Tax Holidays - support HB120 (Representative Lynn Smith, Newnan) which preserves the "Back to School" and water and energy efficient products sales tax holidays