GBAN Legislative Update – February 17, 2017

Action Alert

House Bill 192, sponsored by Rep. Beth Beskin (R – Atlanta) is a Chamber scorecard measure aimed at protecting fair, reasonable decision making by corporate boards and directors from frivolous lawsuits.

This legislation is vital for businesses across Georgia. Without passage of this measure, Georgia’s legal and business climate will be severely diminished; forcing businesses to locate elsewhere.

Please follow this link to contact your state House member and ask them to support HB 192 as introduced, and to encourage their colleagues to bring it to a vote on the House floor.

You can watch Rep. Beskin speak to the importance of this measure, here.

Legislative Calendar

Tuesday, February 21 will be legislative day 21. The calendar will run through Friday, February 24th for legislative day 24.

Legislation of Interest

  • House Bill 73: Income tax credit; incentives to promote the revitalization of rural Georgia downtowns; provide
    • Status: Support
    • Bill Author: Representative Penny Houston (R – Nashville)
    • HB 73 is a tax credit aimed at revitalizing rural downtowns and is supported by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
    • HB 73 creates revitalization zones (RZ) under the discretion of the Commissioner of DCA and Economic Development for which existing businesses and developers can receive tax credits for qualified projects.
    • HB 73 passed the House on Thursday, February 16.
  • House Bill 160: Mass transportation; create Georgia Commission on Transit Governance and Funding, provisions
    • Status: Support
    • Bill Author: Representative Kevin Tanner (R – Dawsonville)
    • HB 160 creates the Georgia Commission on Transit Governance to assess our current transportation networks statewide and to consider potential funding methods for greater growth.
    • HB 160 passed the House on Thursday, February 16.
  • House Bill 192: Banks, trust companies, and corporations; responsibilities and standard of care of directors and officers; change provisions
    • Status: Chamber Scorecard – Support
    • Bill Author: Representative Beth Beskin (R – Atlanta)
    • HB 192 aims to return to an environment that facilitates reasonable decisions by corporate directors and officers. It also encourages companies to incorporate in Georgia, thereby creating opportunities for further economic growth.
    • HB 192 will be in House Judiciary Subcommittee hearing Monday, February 20 at 10:00 am.
    • See more at our Call to Action above.
  • House Bill 199: Income tax credit; interactive entertainment companies; change certain provisions
    • Status: Support
    • Bill Author: Representative Trey Rhodes (R – Greensboro)
    • HB 199 gives a tax credit to interactive entertainment companies and incentivizes post production in the state.
    • Further tax credits are available if the original production was completed in Georgia, and outside Atlanta or Savannah.
    • HB 199 passed out of subcommittee Thursday, February 16 and will be in House Ways & Means next Tuesday, February 21 for a full committee hearing.
  • Senate Bill 70:
    • The Chamber applauds Governor Deal signing SB 70, an extension of the provider fee, into law on Monday. We thank him for his leadership and the members of the General Assembly for their diligent work on this important issue. Read the Chamber’s statement, here.

Facebook Live – Education

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Friday for our live discussion with our staff experts on education reform in Georgia. You can watch our conversation here.

Water Wars

Tuesday, Georgia was rewarded with a significant win in the ongoing legal battle between our state and Florida over water. You can read the Chamber’s statement here.

Political Engagement

Secretary Price’s confirmation and subsequent resignation from the 6th congressional seat has prompted Governor Deal to call for a special election on April 18, 2017. In the special election, all candidates will run on one ballot and if no individual earns over 50% of the vote, a runoff election will be held between the top two contenders on June 20, 2017. A crowded field of 18 candidates are running to replace Price in Congress.

To succeed former State Senator Judson Hill, who resigned from State Senate District 32 to run for the open 6th congressional seat, Governor Deal has called a special election; also held on April 18. The potential runoff in this race is scheduled for May 16. Qualifying for State Senate District 32 will run from Wednesday, February 22 to Friday, February 24. If you have any questions about the Political Affairs Council or would like more information regarding the Chamber’s political engagement efforts, please contact Chelsey Ruppersburg at cruppersburg@gachamber.com.

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