Georgia Chamber

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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

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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…

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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.

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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…

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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.

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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…

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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,…

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Congressional Delegation Pushing to Remove Appropriations Bill Harmful Language

Georgia’s congressional delegation is working to remove potentially harmful language from a Justice Department appropriations bill that is being pushed by Senators from Alabama and Florida. The language is similar to that which was successfully defeated by the Georgia delegation in the omnibus 2015 appropriations bill.

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Director of Georgia Environmental Protection Division Steps Down

Governor Deal announced the Director of Georgia Environmental Protection Division, Jud Turner, would be stepping down from his role on June 1. Turner has served as the state’s top environmental regulator since 2012. Turner worked on several issues over the last four years including the Flint River Drought Protection Act of 2014, compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, and the tri-state water wars…

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Annual IRS Update Bill Signed Into Law

The annual IRS update bill, which was signed into law midway through the session, ensures the continued stability and compliance of the Georgia Revenue Code that is vital to the operation of businesses of all sizes. The law incorporates the now permanent Section 179 of the IRS Code that allows small businesses to deduct up to $500,000 on new and used equipment and software.

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