Legislative Update from the Georgia Chamber
July 01, 2015
The following information has been collected and distributed by the Georgia Business Action Network of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.
Legislation Taking Effect July 1
HB 57: Solar Financing Bill
Chamber Position: Support
HB 57 allows for the financing of solar panels for both residential and commercial customers. The Georgia Chamber recognizes the importance of renewable energy sources as part of a balanced portfolio for consumers. HB 57 is the product of Georgia's utility and solar industries reaching an agreement. It allows for solar development in a responsible, cost effective way that preserves the integrity and reliability of the electric grid in Georgia and does not burden non-solar customers.
HB 170: Transportation Funding Act of 2015
Chamber Position: Support; Scorecard
The Transportation Funding Act of 2015 (HB 170) provides dedicated, predictable and sustainable revenue for the repair and maintenance of statewide roads and bridges by generating more than $900 million derived from new and existing transportation sources. This legislation streamlines, modernizes, increases, and indexes the motor fuel tax and establishes a new system of fees on heavy commercial vehicles and out-of-town travelers. It also closes several loopholes that formerly allowed motor fuel funds to be diverted to the state’s general fund. The legislation imposes user-fees upon the drivers of electric vehicles who do not currently contribute to the construction and maintenance of Georgia’s roads and bridges. Finally, the legislation sets up a mechanism for levying of transportation special purposes local option sales taxes to meet project specific needs in local communities. View more information about the Transportation Funding Act of 2015.
HB 174: Urban Redevelopment Law; Include Blighted Areas
Chamber Position: Support
The Urban Redevelopment Law (HB 174) defines and adds blighted areas and modernizes terminology. This bill will allow local governments and private enterprise to rehab and improve transportation projects in urban redevelopment areas.
HB 237: Angel Investor Tax Credit
Chamber Position: Support, Scorecard
HB 237 extends the angel investor tax credit for three years and allows eligible investors to claim 35% of their investment against their taxable income, but no more than $50,000. The extension caps the aggregate statewide tax credit amount at $5 million per year. Angel groups in Georgia have seen an increase in angel activity, as well as partnerships with venture capital firms. Georgia is competing with other states for start-up companies, many of which get their start in our very own publicly funded research institutions. The program began in tax year 2011, was extended in 2013 and expires at the end of 2015.
HB 412: Workers' Compensation Reform
Chamber Position: Support; Scorecard
HB 412 is the annual workers' compensation update bill that includes several important provisions developed and agreed upon by the State Board's legislative advisory council. The most critical provision provides protection of the exclusive remedy for workers' comp and strengthens Georgia's workers' comp system for employers and employees alike. Additionally, the bill extends the Subsequent Injury Trust Fund sunset which will maintain important stability and help to facilitate the settling of cases. The Georgia Chamber supports policies that ensure a balanced and equitable system of handling claims for on the job injuries. An efficient worker's compensation system should be fair to the employee and employer and designed to return the employee back to work as soon as medically appropriate.
SB 2: Career Education Dual Enrollment
Chamber Position: Support; Scorecard
SB 2 would allow a high school student who has completed ninth and tenth grade requirements for coursework and assessments to enroll in a post-secondary institution (USG or TCSG) and work towards an associate’s degree, a technical college diploma, or a technical college certificate while counting that coursework towards high school graduation requirements. SB 2 will create a new tool to address many workforce needs of Georgia businesses. By further aligning our K-12 education system with our university and technical college systems and allowing students to simultaneously access both, Georgia will be in a better position to remain economically competitive.
SB 132: Quality Basic Education Act
Chamber Position: Support; Scorecard
SB 132 revises and updates regulations regarding dual enrollment options, giving students new opportunities to receive associate and technical degrees and certifications in high demand industries. It creates a revised funding system, subject to general appropriations, that finances student tuition and related costs for attending colleges through the program. It also authorizes the Department of Education to decide which courses offered by colleges are eligible for high school credit.
Legislation Taking Effect July 1
HB 57: Solar Financing Bill
Chamber Position: Support
HB 57 allows for the financing of solar panels for both residential and commercial customers. The Georgia Chamber recognizes the importance of renewable energy sources as part of a balanced portfolio for consumers. HB 57 is the product of Georgia's utility and solar industries reaching an agreement. It allows for solar development in a responsible, cost effective way that preserves the integrity and reliability of the electric grid in Georgia and does not burden non-solar customers.
HB 170: Transportation Funding Act of 2015
Chamber Position: Support; Scorecard
The Transportation Funding Act of 2015 (HB 170) provides dedicated, predictable and sustainable revenue for the repair and maintenance of statewide roads and bridges by generating more than $900 million derived from new and existing transportation sources. This legislation streamlines, modernizes, increases, and indexes the motor fuel tax and establishes a new system of fees on heavy commercial vehicles and out-of-town travelers. It also closes several loopholes that formerly allowed motor fuel funds to be diverted to the state’s general fund. The legislation imposes user-fees upon the drivers of electric vehicles who do not currently contribute to the construction and maintenance of Georgia’s roads and bridges. Finally, the legislation sets up a mechanism for levying of transportation special purposes local option sales taxes to meet project specific needs in local communities. View more information about the Transportation Funding Act of 2015.
HB 174: Urban Redevelopment Law; Include Blighted Areas
Chamber Position: Support
The Urban Redevelopment Law (HB 174) defines and adds blighted areas and modernizes terminology. This bill will allow local governments and private enterprise to rehab and improve transportation projects in urban redevelopment areas.
HB 237: Angel Investor Tax Credit
Chamber Position: Support, Scorecard
HB 237 extends the angel investor tax credit for three years and allows eligible investors to claim 35% of their investment against their taxable income, but no more than $50,000. The extension caps the aggregate statewide tax credit amount at $5 million per year. Angel groups in Georgia have seen an increase in angel activity, as well as partnerships with venture capital firms. Georgia is competing with other states for start-up companies, many of which get their start in our very own publicly funded research institutions. The program began in tax year 2011, was extended in 2013 and expires at the end of 2015.
HB 412: Workers' Compensation Reform
Chamber Position: Support; Scorecard
HB 412 is the annual workers' compensation update bill that includes several important provisions developed and agreed upon by the State Board's legislative advisory council. The most critical provision provides protection of the exclusive remedy for workers' comp and strengthens Georgia's workers' comp system for employers and employees alike. Additionally, the bill extends the Subsequent Injury Trust Fund sunset which will maintain important stability and help to facilitate the settling of cases. The Georgia Chamber supports policies that ensure a balanced and equitable system of handling claims for on the job injuries. An efficient worker's compensation system should be fair to the employee and employer and designed to return the employee back to work as soon as medically appropriate.
SB 2: Career Education Dual Enrollment
Chamber Position: Support; Scorecard
SB 2 would allow a high school student who has completed ninth and tenth grade requirements for coursework and assessments to enroll in a post-secondary institution (USG or TCSG) and work towards an associate’s degree, a technical college diploma, or a technical college certificate while counting that coursework towards high school graduation requirements. SB 2 will create a new tool to address many workforce needs of Georgia businesses. By further aligning our K-12 education system with our university and technical college systems and allowing students to simultaneously access both, Georgia will be in a better position to remain economically competitive.
SB 132: Quality Basic Education Act
Chamber Position: Support; Scorecard
SB 132 revises and updates regulations regarding dual enrollment options, giving students new opportunities to receive associate and technical degrees and certifications in high demand industries. It creates a revised funding system, subject to general appropriations, that finances student tuition and related costs for attending colleges through the program. It also authorizes the Department of Education to decide which courses offered by colleges are eligible for high school credit.
