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.Transportation
The House of Representatives passed HB277 and HR206 yesterday. Sponsored by Representative Vance Smith (Pine Mountain), this legislation would provide for a 1-cent statewide sales tax to be dedicated to specified transportation projects. In addition, the fourth penny of sales tax currently collected on motor fuel would be redirected from the general fund to transportation.
SB39 and SR44, sponsored by Senator Jeff Mullis (Chickamauga) have passed the Senate. The primary difference between this proposal and the House measures is that the sales tax would be regional, with a defined region for metro Atlanta. Any one or more contiguous counties could choose to form a region for transportation purposes.
When the House acted upon SB39, it replaced the existing language with new language that would eliminate the requirement that MARTA spend no more than 50 percent of sales tax receipts on operations and maintenance.
It is likely that a conference committee will be formed to work on a consensus proposal for transportation funding.
SB200 and HB605, proposed by Governor Perdue with the support of Lieutenant Governor Cagle and Speaker Richardson, would implement sweeping changes in statewide transportation planning, including the merging of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) and the State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA) into a new State Transportation Authority (STA), which would be responsible for planning, policy and funding decisions. The current Department of Transportation would remain responsible for operations, maintenance and certain construction projects.
For more information about these bills - click here.
Trauma Care
The Georgia Chamber of Commerce supports HB148 (Representative Austin Scott, Tifton) and SR277 (Senator Greg Goggans, Douglas), each of which propose a $10 vehicle tag fee, which would provide an estimated $80 million or more annually. We also support HB160 (Representative Jim Cole, Forsyth), which would increase fines on "super speeders" to assist with funding trauma care programs.
SB156 (Senator Cecil Staton, Macon) passed the Senate last week. This bill revises the duties of the Georgia Trauma Care Commission and creates guidelines for dealing with uncompensated care, assisting rural hospitals, and supporting trauma centers that incur financial losses.
Taxation
The Georgia Chamber supports HB271 (Representative Allen Peake, Macon), which would phase-out the tax on energy used in the manufacturing process. This bill was passed unanimously by the House Ways & Means Committee on Monday.
Business Mandates
The Georgia Chamber is working to defeat a number of measures that would mandate increased costs for employers including:
HB37 (Representative Roger Bruce, Atlanta) which would increase the amount of mandated time off above and beyond sick and vacation leave, holidays and FMLA.
HB290 (Representative Doug McKillip, Athens) which would set state-mandated private sector wages.
HB426 (Representative Katie Dempsey, Rome) and SB161 (Senator Johnny Grant, Milledgeville) which would mandate that insurance plans include coverage for autism spectrum disorders. While the Georgia Chamber appreciates the growing concern that surrounds this disorder, we oppose this legislation as insurance mandates ultimately drive up the cost to employers trying to provide coverage for their employees, making it impossible for some to continue to do so.
Georgia Employers Association
Spring Conference The Georgia Employers Association 2009 Spring Conference is being held March 29 - 31 in Savannah. Topics will include changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act and pending legislation such as the Employee Free Choice Act. For information and registration, click here.
