Updates on Legislation CBA is Tracking 2

All updates are current as of the writing of the blog.

Eligible for Enactment by the Governor

H.B. 477 Qualified Donations of Real Property by Rep. Sam Watson (R), Moultrie. The substitute bill was passed by the Senate with a vote of 47-0. The House agreed to the Senate substitute with a vote of 97-73.

H.B. 961 Apportionment of Awards of Damages by Rep. Chuck Efstration (R), Dacula. The bill was passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The bill was passed by the Senate with a vote of 52-0.

H.B. 997 Ad Valorem Timber Exemption by Rep. Sam Watson (R), Moultrie. The bill was passed by the Senate with a vote of 50-1, sending it to the Governor’s desk.

H.B. 1088 Nonjudicial Foreclosure for Time-Share Estates by Rep. Stan Gunter (R), Blairsville. The bill was passed by the Senate with a vote of 51-1.

S.B. 332 Inform Consumers Act by Sen. John Albers (R), Roswell. The bill was passed by the House on March 28 with a vote of 155-4. On March 30, the Senate agreed to the House substitute with a vote of 51-0. The bill is now eligible for the Governor’s signature.

S.B. 363 Solicitations for Corporate Filings or Labor Posters by Sen. Blake Tillery (R), Vidalia. The bill was passed by the House with a vote of 169-0.

S.B. 470 Felony Convictions for Mortgage Lenders and Brokers by Sen. Randy Robertson (R), Cataula. This bill allows convicted felons to be employed by mortgage lenders or mortgage brokers if they are not involved in mortgage loan-related activities. According to the author, this more closely aligns Georgia code to federal laws. Similar language already applies to several other industries licensed by the Department of Banking and Finance. The bill was passed by the House with a vote of 142-1 and is now eligible for the Governor’s signature.


Needs Agreement

For a bill to be eligible for enactment, it must pass both chambers in exactly the same form. It is very common for the second chamber to adjust bills. Whether it adds one word or replaces the content entirely, the bill must return to the original chamber for approval. In most cases, agreement represents final action and will send the measure to the Governor. However, agreement is not guaranteed; many bills make it to day 40 only to fall short for lack of an “agree.”

H.B. 586 Georgia Economic Recovery Act of 2021 by Rep. Sam Watson (R), Moultrie. The Senate Finance Committee added language regarding a fine arts sales tax exemption a tax credit for qualified donations of real property. The substitute bill was passed by the Senate on March 29 with a vote of 50-1. It now returns to the House for an agree.

H.B. 620 Settlements involving Claims of Minors by Rep. Rob Leverett (R), Elberton. The Senate’s version contemplates situations when the gross settlement is more than $25,000. The substitute bill was passed by the Senate with a vote of 46-4 and requires an additional vote in the House.

S.B. 319 Georgia Constitutional Carry Act of 2021 by Sen. Jason Anavitarte (R), Dallas. The bill was passed as a substitute by the House with a vote of 100-67. The Senate must now agree to the changes made in the House.

S.B. 345 Prohibit Vaccine Passports by Rep. Jeff Mullis (R), Chickamauga. The House added language to carve federal contractors out of the prohibition. A substitute bill was passed by the House with a vote of 99-67. It now returns to the Senate for agreement.

S.B. 374 Data Analytic Center by Sen. Blake Tillery (R), Vidalia. The bill was passed as a substitute by the House Judiciary Committee after it added language to clarify the collection and remittance of certain fees paid to state departments and agencies. The bill was passed by the House with a vote of 163-0. The Senate must now agree to the changes made in the House.


Scheduled for Debate in the Senate on Day 39 or Day 40

H.B. 389 Change Definition of Employment by Rep. Todd Jones (R), South Forsyth. The bill was passed as a substitute by the Senate Insurance and Labor Committee. After adoption by the Senate, it needs an “agree” in the House.

H.B. 428 Aquarium and Civil Rights Museum Sales Tax Exemption by Rep. Chuck Martin (R), Alpharetta. The Senate Finance Committee completely gutted this bill. It originally granted a sales tax exemption for certain computer equipment; it now contains a sales tax exemption on materials used in the renovation or expansion of the Georgia Aquarium and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta. This new language will require approval in the House.

H.B. 681 Financial Literacy by Rep. Bill Yearta (R), Sylvester. The bill was passed as a substitute by the Senate Education and Youth Committee. The committee struck the language that had been inserted to make the bill about Homeschool Sports and reverted it to its original subject matter. It requires the Professional Standards Commission to establish appropriate requirements for a mandatory course of instruction in financial literacy for students in high school.

H.B. 916 Superior and State Court Appellate Practice Act by Rep. Rob Leverett (R), Elberton. The bill was passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Passage by the Senate will send the bill to the Governor.

H.B. 974 Deed Requiring Electronic Filing by Rep. Joseph Gullett (R), Dallas. The bill was passed as a substitute by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The bill was changed to make electronic filings optional for all counties and allows for mailed documents.

H.B. 1008 Georgia Achieving a Better Life Experiment (ABLE) by Rep. Lee Hawkins (R), Gainesville. In 2016, the author pushed legislation to establish the ABLE program. It is modeled after 529 education savings plan and allows disables individuals to save private funds in tax-exempt accounts to pay for qualified disability expenses without being ineligible for disability benefits for possessing in excess of $2,000 in assets. This year’s legislation makes changes to program governance and removes the maximum contribution amount currently allowed per beneficiary.

H.B. 1437 Income Tax Rate by Rep. Shaw Blackmon (R), Bonaire. As introduced, the bill cut the income tax rate from a maximum of 5.75% to a flat 5.25% and increased the standard deduction. The Senate Finance Committee has opted for a more cautious approach, phasing the tax rate reduction in gradually subject to annual benchmarks. The bill was passed as a substitute by the Senate Finance Committee. This bill has the potential to become a major sticking point in the final days of session.

Pending in the House Rules Committee

H.R. 1026 Economic Development Opportunities and Sources of Investment Funding by Rep. Yasmin Neal (D), Jonesboro. The resolution was passed by the Economic Development & Tourism Committee.

S.B. 45 Licensing by Sen. Bruce Thompson (R), White. The bill was passed as a substitute by the House Regulated Industries Committee and is now a combination of SB 561 dealing with licensed trades and HB 430, relating to the licensure of advance practice registered nurses.

S.B. 96 Veteran Health ID Cards for Notaries by Sen. Lester Jackson (D), Savannah. The bill was passed by the House Defense & Veterans Affairs Committee.

S.B. 116 Maternity Supportive Housing by Sen. Randy Robertson (R), Cataula. The bill was passed as a substitute by the House Health & Human Services Committee.

S.B. 364 Telephone Solicitations by Sen. Blake Tillery (R), Vidalia. The bill was passed as a substitute by the House Judiciary Committee.