On Tuesday January 16, Joint Appropriations Chairmen Rep. Matt Hatchett (R- Dublin) and Sen. Blake Tillery (R-Vidalia) ushered in ‘Budget Week’ under the Gold Dome with remarks from Governor Kemp and State Economist Dr. Robert Buschman.

The Governor phoned in from Davos, Switzerland where he was attending the World Economic Forum and ‘sharing our state’s success story’ with global leaders. Dr. Buschman’s remarks centered on macroeconomic trends like employment, inflation, revenue collection, and debt obligations, but the key takeaway was that even in projections made for a ‘down-year,’ the Georgian economy is simply returning to the trend line we've continually beaten as of late.
Governor Kemp kicked off three long days of budget hearings, addressing the Joint Appropriations Committee remotely from the World Economic Forum in Switzerland.
Image courtesy of House Media Services.
Budget Week at the Capitol refers to the second week of the legislative session where both chambers are adjourned to allow for the Joint Appropriations Committee to hear budget presentations on the Amended Fiscal Year 2024 (AFY24) budget and the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) budget.

Highlights from the Budget Week presentations, by policy area:
 

Transportation

  • $1.5 billion in new AFY24 funds across all GDOT programs which will expedite projects currently in the pipeline, churning through the backlog, and securing contractors.
  • $200 million in new Local Maintenance and Improvement Grants (LMIG) funding for AFY24. This is a near double investment in this important funding program.
  • $3.3 million to the Department of Agriculture in AFY24 for equipment and vehicles for the Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Program.
    • SB 146, passed in the 2023 Session, requires the Department to regulate EV Charging stations starting on Jan. 1, 2025.
  • $1 million to the Dept. of Agriculture in FY25 for 10 inspector positions for the EV Charging Program
 

Community Development

  • $100 million in new AFY24 funds to support the Department of Community Affair (DCA) Regional Economic Business Assistance (REBA) incentive program that is used to help "close the deal" when companies are considering Georgia for their location or expansion. REBA funds may be used to finance various fixed asset needs of a company including infrastructure, real estate acquisition, construction, or machinery and equipment.
  • $250 million in new AFY24 funds for Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) to support low-interest loans to local governments for the development of water/wastewater infrastructure.
  • Over $56 million in new funds between AFY24 and FY25 for the DCA's Rural Workforce Housing Initiative which supports the development of key infrastructures or site preparations to develop workforce housing.

Public Safety

  • $1.89 million for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to fund 21 Crime Lab positions to assist with backlog at the lab.
  • $1.5 million for GBI to restore laboratory instrument service contracts, keeping vital equipment in commission.

Bills to Watch

Senate Bill 16 by Sen. Albers (R-Roswell) would allow municipalities to establish EMS service areas and is a priority for GMA as we aim to address the critical need for efficient EMS response times.
Status: pending in Senate Health and Human Services Committee.
 
Senate Bill 349 by Sen. Hufstetler (R-Rome) would allow for a statewide floating homestead exemption with a cap of 3 percent.
Status: scheduled to have a hearing on Monday, Jan. 22 in Senate Finance Committee, which is chaired by Sen. Hufstetler
 
House Bill 290 by Rep. Mitchell Scoggins (R-Cartersville) would limit the amount of compensation a county tax commissioner may receive for collection of municipal taxes.
Status: passed the Senate Finance Committee by substitute and is awaiting a Senate floor vote
 
House Bill 348 by Sen. J Collins (R-Villa Rica) would revise the regulations for speed cameras in school zones. GMA is monitoring this bill closely for expected changes prior to committee action.
Status: pending in Senate Public Safety Committee

House Bill 451 by Rep. Devan Seabaugh (R-Marietta) establishes an insurance program to cover post-traumatic stress disorder claims for first responders and requires city participation in the program. 
Status: pending action in the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee
 
House Bill 456 by Rep. Stan Gunter (R-Blairsville) establishes a two-year term for all municipal court judges and provides a removal mechanism in the event of the breach of an employment agreement.
Status: passed the House Judiciary Committee by substitute and awaits action by the House Rules Committee

House Bill 514 by Rep. Dale Washburn (R-Macon) would create a six-month limitation on local zoning moratoriums.
Status: remains in conference committee; GMA is monitoring the status of the final conference committee report
 
House Bill 862 by Rep. Mitchell Horner (R-Ringgold) would allow for HOST and LOST to be levied simultaneously.
Status: pending in the House Ways and Means Committee

House Bill 946 by Rep. Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville) allows for a referendum on a single-county T-SPLOST without the requirement of unanimous approval of the agreement by all local jurisdictions and provides protection for those jurisdictions that are not party to the agreement. 
Status: awaiting committee assignment

Cities United Summit is only one week away! Don't miss out on policy committee meetings and Cities United Day at the Capitol.

Sunday, Jan. 28 – Policy Committee Meetings

The purpose of these policy committee meetings is to discuss legislative issues of interest to cities being debated during the 2024 legislative session. The membership will use the meetings to review legislative priorities as they impact policy items adopted by city officials during the GMA Annual Convention. In addition, the committee members will hear from state elected and appointed officials regarding their thoughts on the 2024 legislative session. Policy committee meetings are open to all GMA members.

9:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Transportation
Revenue and Finance

10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Municipal Government
Environment and Natural Resources

2:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Public Safety
Community Development


Monday, Jan. 29 – Legislative Networking & Capitol Connection Breakfast Program
As we continue to strengthen connections with our legislators, it is crucial to underscore the significant role cities play in making Georgia the best place to live, work, and raise a family. Your active participation in this event will be key to advancing this mission. At the breakfast, tables are organized by GMA district, allowing you to connect with the legislators in your local delegation.

The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Speaker of the House will address attendees as part of the program. Breakfast begins at 7:00 a.m. and the program will start at 7:45 a.m. 

Please personally reach out to your legislators and invite them to the Legislative Breakfast by sharing the invitation below. 


Registration for Cities United closes on Monday, Jan. 22. Find more information about the 2024 Cities United Summit here. 
 Friday Focus calls are back!
with the GMA Governmental Relations team

every Friday at 9 a.m. via Zoom
 
When advocating on behalf of Georgia’s cities, GMA’s greatest asset is an informed and engaged membership, and this is especially true when the policy issue or piece of legislation is particularly complex or consequential.

The Friday Focus calls are an opportunity for you, our members, to deepen your understanding of the issues being addressed by the General Assembly this session and feel more empowered to advocate on behalf of your city.
 
Click here to register!

For additional assistance please reach out to Kendall Daniels, kdaniels@gacities.com
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