Georgia Chamber
Georgia Chamber News
Georgia Chamber’s Government Affairs Council Announces Legislators of the Year
For Immediate Release GEORGIA CHAMBER’S GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COUNCIL ANNOUNCES LEGISLATORS OF THE YEAR How they voted supports strong pro-business policy agenda ATLANTA – June 15, 2016 – Each year, the Georgia Chamber’s Government Affairs Council recognizes legislators for their votes on critical business legislation. During this year’s spring meeting Senator Jeff Mullis, Representative John Meadows and Representative Beth Beskin all received top honors in recognition…
Georgia Chamber Launches New Digital Voter Scorecard
For Immediate Release ATLANTA – May 23, 2016 – The Georgia Chamber continues to take the legislative session beyond the Gold Dome with the launch of its interactive digital voter guide, the Chamber scorecard http://gachamberscore.com/. This user friendly platform offers the business community and Georgia voters the ability to track how legislators vote on important economic issues. With hundreds of bills debated each legislative session,…
Innovation & Technology Committee hosted a reception at Google Atlanta
The Innovation & Technology Committee hosted a reception at Google Atlanta on April 13, 2016. Georgia Chamber President & CEO Chris Clark facilitated an interactive polling experience to determine innovation and technology issues affecting companies in the state and gain insight on where the Chamber should focus policy efforts.
House Bill 937 extends the sunset provision on the sales and use tax credit
Also sponsored by Representative Brett Harrell (R-Snellville), House Bill 937 extends the sunset provision on the sales and use tax credit for competitive projects of regional significance through 2019. This credit for projects of regional significance is an essential tool used by the Department of Economic Development in recruiting new industry to Georgia
House Bill 936 provides clarity to an existing tax credit program
Sponsored by Representative Brett Harrell (R-Snellville), House Bill 936 provides clarity to an existing tax credit program designed to entice job creation throughout the state. Also a priority for the Department of Economic Development, HB 936 provides that a “new full-time employee job” means a newly-created position requiring a minimum of 35 hours per week paying at or above the average wage in the lowest…
House Bill 935, extending the inventory ad valorem tax exemption, passes
Sponsored by Representative Brett Harrell (R-Snellville), House Bill 935 extends the inventory ad valorem tax exemption, also known as the Freeport exemption, to fulfillment centers. A priority for the Department of Economic Development, this legislation recognizes, and further promotes, the positive impact of internet commerce in Georgia.
Annual IRS update bill was passed and signed into law
The annual IRS update bill was passed and signed into law midway through the 2016 session. Sponsored by Rep. David Knight (R-Griffin), House Bill 742 ensures the continued stability and compliance of the Georgia Revenue Code that is vital to the operation of businesses of all sizes. Of particular note, HB 742 increases the Section 179 deduction limit to $500,000 in state revenue code, which…
Quality Jobs Tax Credit, House Bill 922, Passed
Inspired by discussions of the Tax & Finance Policy Committee, the Chamber introduced legislation to clarify the Quality Jobs Tax Credit. House Bill 922, sponsored by Rep. Bruce Williamson (R-Monroe), ensures that corporations creating more than 50 jobs in the state through disregarded entities are eligible to qualify for the Quality Jobs Tax Credit regardless of how their company is structured.
Bill on Electronic Discovery Expected to Increase Costs, Burdens for Litigants
House Bill 1017, sponsored by Barry Fleming (R-Harlem), was proposed legislation governing the discovery process in civil litigation. The bill addresses electronic discovery, but will increase costs and burdens of all kinds of discovery for all litigants. Although ultimately endorsed by the Georgia Bar, the bill contains provisions strongly opposed by over 40 leading Georgia companies, significant portions of the Georgia Bar, the Georgia Chamber…
Law to Reduce Frivolous Lawsuits; Grow Film Industry Awaits Governor’s Signature
The legislature approved HB 513 and it now awaits signature by Governor Deal. HB 513 expands the existing Anti-Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) statute to matters of public interest and is a major deterrent in halting the filing of frivolous lawsuits. Modeled from legislation in other states such as California, HB 513 will be a key component in supporting a large and growing movie,…