Gold Dome Update: March 13, 2020

The Georgia General Assembly has suspended the Legislative Session indefinitely. When the legislature returns, it will be Day 30. The return of the legislature will be determined at a future date upon the call of the Speaker and Lt. Governor.

GMA’s lobbying team worked through the evening on Crossover Day, successfully preventing votes from occurring on both HB 937, the design standards preemption legislation, and HB 523, the preemption of local regulations on short term rentals. Thanks for all of the calls and texts to House members!

The Georgia House of Representatives heard our call that citizens, not special interests, should retain the authority to make these decisions locally!

TAVT Legislation Passed Out of the Senate Finance Committee

HB 779 would change the distribution of the TAVT fee between local governments to allow cities to recoup some of this lost revenue by changing their distribution from 23% to 28% in a city with a county school district. The legislation would change the allocation for cities from 23% to 34% in cities with a city school district.

PASSED out of the Senate Finance Committee. GMA supports this bill and encourages city officials to contact their Senators and ask that they support HB 779.

ISSUES AT A GLANCE

Scroll down for detailed information on these legislative priorities and visit GMA's 2020 Legislative Session web page for bills tracked during session.

Legislation That Failed to Move Before Crossover Day

Linear Fees for Fiber in the Rights-of-Way – House Bill 556
Municipal Gas System Regulation – House Resolution 1037
Incorporation of New Cities Using Portions of an Existing City – Senate Bill 240
Local Government Finance Authority – Senate Bill 309
Legal Organ Bill – Senate Bill 406

Additional Active Legislation

Lodging Facilitator – House Bill 448
Streamlined Alcohol Licensing – House Bill 674
Sales Tax Exemption for Water and Sewer Authorities – House Bill 815
Electric Scooter Bill – Senate Bill 159
Impact Fee Exemption for Affordable Housing Projects – Senate Bill 322

Failed to Move Before Crossover

Reduction in Regulatory Fee Criteria – House Bill 153
Water Customer Bill of Rights – House Bill 465
Short-Term Rental Preemption – House Bill 523
Revenue Bonds for Broadband – House Bill 834
City Contracts with Tax Commissioners – House Bill 835
Uniform General Elections for Tax Referenda – House Bill 850
Cybersecurity Reporting – House Bill 1049
Incorporation of New Cities Using Portions of Existing City – Senate Bill 240

STAY CONNECTED

Local Legislation Update: If you are interested in seeing if local legislation has been introduced that impacts your city, or surrounding local governments, subscribe to GMA's Local Legislation Update and receive an email when any local legislation has been introduced and assigned to a committee.

Visit the Capitol, GMA Staff Can Guide You: Let GMA help you navigate the Gold Dome and provide you a personalized legislative briefing. Contact Kenyetta Williams at (678) 686-6206 to schedule your visit.