Georgia Legislative Update - Weekly Highlights from the 2021 Session

Miller & Martin PLLC Blog | January 19, 2021

Author: Neil Wilcove

Updated Summer 2021

The Georgia General Assembly started its 2021 legislative session on January 11. While legislative days are not consecutive, the Georgia Constitution limits the General Assembly’s annual session to no more than forty legislative days. The General Assembly typically meets until the end of March or the first part of April. Although more than a thousand bills and resolutions may be introduced during the session, the law only requires that one be passed: the state’s annual budget.  

Miller & Martin's Government Relations attorneys kept an eye on the 2021 session and, at the conclusion of the session, provide the legislative highlights below that might be of interest to you. If you have any questions on bills, the legislative process or the action under the Gold Dome, please contact Neil Wilcove, David Dietrichs or any Atlanta member of our Government Relations practice with inquires related to these legislative updates.

Crossover Day

April 2 marked the adjournment of the 40-day 2021 session of the Georgia General Assembly. Governor Kemp had 40 days from adjournment to sign or veto all bills sent to him by the legislature. Absent action on his part by the May 10 deadline, the bills become law.

HB 23.

By Representatives Oliver of the 82nd, Drenner of the 85th, Bennett of the 94th, Evans of the 83rd, Lopez of the 86th, and Holly of the 111th (All metro-Atlanta Democrats):

A Bill proposing to amend § 36-36-110 et seq. to allow a local board of education affected by a proposed municipal annexation the ability to object to such annexation on certain grounds. This Bill is supported by metro-Atlanta Democrats and is in part a response to recent municipal annexations occurring in DeKalb County.

  • Referred to the Committee on GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
  • Activity: House Second Readers, January 14th

HB 24.

By Representatives Oliver of the 82nd, Evans of the 83rd, and Lopez of the 86th (All metro-Atlanta Democrats):

A Bill proposing to amend §§ 36-36-111, 36-36-113, 36-36-114, and 36-36-115 to require municipal annexation notices to disclose any proposed financial incentives that the municipality may provide the annexed property and to provide the county the ability to object to the proposed annexation due to the increased burden placed on the county by the proposed financial incentives. This Bill is supported by metro-Atlanta Democrats and is in part a response to recent municipal annexations occurring in DeKalb County.

  • Referred to the Committee on GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
  • Activity: House Second Readers, January 14th

HB 32.

By Representatives Belton of the 112th, Nix of the 69th, Hawkins of the 27th, Greene of the 151st, Taylor of the 173rd, and Tankersley of the 160th:

A Bill proposing to amend Code Sections in Titles 20 and 48 to establish a teacher recruitment and retention program for a refundable income tax credit for teachers who agree to teach in certain rural schools or certain low-performing schools in high-need subject areas.

  • Referred to the House Committee on WAYS & MEANS
  • Referred to the Senate Committee on FINANCE
  • Activity: Governor signed, April 21st

HB 44.

By Representatives Cantrell of the 22nd, Greene of the 151st, Barr of the 103rd, Werkheiser of the 157th, Gambill of the 15th, and Williams of the 145th:

A Bill proposing to amend § 50-1-10 to provide that if the U.S. Congress amends federal law to allow states the ability to observe daylight savings time year-round, Georgia shall observe daylight savings time year-round. This bill was previously introduced in 2019 but did not advance past committee review.

  • Referred to the Committee on STATE PLANNING & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
  • Passed the House 165 – 0 on March 3rd
  • Activity: Senate TABLED, March 29th   

HB 66. 

By Representatives Oliver of the 82nd, Drenner of the 85th, Bennett of the 94th, Evans of the 83rd, and Lopez of the 86th (All metro-Atlanta Democrats):

A Bill proposing to amend § 36-82-77 to grant local school systems standing as a citizen to become party to a bond validation hearing. This Bill is supported by metro-Atlanta Democrats and is in part a response to recent municipal annexations occurring in DeKalb County.

  • Referred to the Committee on GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
  • Activity: House Second Readers, January 14th

HB 86.

By Representatives Stephens of the 164th, Mitchell of the 88th, Hawkins of the 27th, Hutchinson of the 107th, Dollar of the 45th, and Smyre of the 135th District:

A Bill proposing to amend § 50-27-3 to include online sports wagering platforms within the definition of ‘lottery,’ to amend § 50-27-9 to grant the Georgia Lottery Corporation the power to offer the lottery game of sports wagering and to regulate sports wagering in this state and to add § 50-27-120 the ‘Georgia Lottery Mobile Sports Integrity Act.’

  • Referred to the Committee on ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM
  • Activity: House Withdrawn, Recommitted March 31st

HB 107.

By Representatives Hugley of the 136th, Smyre of the 135th, Alexander of the 66th, Jackson of the 128th, and Williams of the 168th:

A Bill proposing to amend § 50-14-1 to include local workforce development boards and their committees as agencies with state-wide jurisdiction to allow local workforce development board meetings to be conducted by teleconference. 

  • Referred to the Committee on GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
  • Activity: House Second Readers, January 28th

HB 122.

By Representatives Corbett of the 174th, Hatchett of the 150th, Rhodes of the 120th, Watson of the 172nd, and LaHood of the 175th:

A Bill proposing to amend § 48-8-3.2 to extend the sunset on the manufacturers' sales tax exemption for concrete mixers.

  • Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
  • Activity: House Withdrawn, Recommitted March 31st

HB 148.

By Representatives Schofield of the 60th, Burnough of the 77th, Scott of the 76th, Douglas of the 78th, and Bazemore of the 63rd:

A Bill proposing to amend § 36-62-5 to require local development authority directors be residents or licensed business owners within the county or municipality for which the development authority is created and to allow a development authority the ability to remove a director for cause.

  • Referred to the Committee on GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
  • Activity: House Withdrawn, Recommitted March 31st

HB 166.

By Representative Ehrhart of the 36th and Mainor of the 56th:

A Bill proposing to amend § 15-19-31 to require the State Bar of Georgia to remit license fees and other charges and fees to the general fund of the state treasury within sixty days of receipt and for the State Bar of Georgia to receive an annual funding appropriation from the General Assembly.

  • Referred to the Committee on BUDGET & FISCAL AFFAIRS OVERSIGHT
  • Activity: House Second Readers, February 1st

HB 229.

By Representatives Carpenter of the 4th, Kelley of the 16th, Jones of the 25th, Gaines of the 117th, and Kendrick of the 93rd:

A Bill proposing to add a new Code Section to the ‘Fair Business Practices Act of 1975’ to prohibit a proprietor of a digital application distribution platform from requiring developers to use a specific digital application distribution platform or  digital transaction platform as the exclusive mode of distributing a digital product, an in-application payment system as the exclusive mode  of accepting payment from a user to download a software application or purchase a  digital or physical product through a software application, or retaliate or take any punitive action against a developer for choosing to use an  alternative application store or in-application payment system.

  • Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
  • Activity: House Second Readers, February 3rd

HB 112.

By Representatives Kelley of the 16th, Cooper of the 43rd, Carpenter of the 4th, Newton of the 123rd, Hawkins of the 27th, and LaHood of the 175th:

A Bill proposing to amend the Act providing certain immunities from liability claims regarding COVID-19, approved August 5, 2020, to apply to causes of action accruing until July 14, 2022.

  • Referred to the House SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ACCESS TO THE CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEM
  • Referred to the Senate Committee on JUDICIARY
  • Activity: Signed by Governor, May 4th

HB 302.

By Representatives Momtahan of the 17th, Blackmon of the 146th, Williamson of the 115th, Smith of the 133rd, Wiedower of the 119th, and Gullet of the 19th:

A Bill proposing to amend § 48-13-9 to require that the proceeds of local government regulatory fees be used to pay for regulatory activity and not general operations, to revise the list of professions which may be subject to such regulatory fees, and to remove provisions authorizing calculation of regulatory fees for new construction, renovation, and other construction projects.

  • Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
  • Activity: Senate Read and Referred, March 8th

HB 304.

By Representatives Lott of the 122nd, Stephens of the 164th, Reeves of the 34th, Bentley of the 139th, Hatchett of the 150th, and Williamson of the 115th:

A Bill proposing to add a new Code Section to Title 48 to provide for a tax credit for medical equipment and supplies manufacturers and pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturers.

  • Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
  • Activity: House Second Readers, March 9th

HB 311.

By Representatives Davis of the 87th, Schofield of the 60th, Scott of the 76th, McLeod of the 105th, Burnough of the 77th, and Bazemore of the 63rd:   

A Bill proposing to amend § 33-1-18 to reduce the currently available Georgia housing tax credit and to amend Code Section of Title 48 to reduce other currently available Georgia tax credits. 

  • Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
  • Activity: House Second Readers, February 9th 

HB 312.

By Representatives Davis of the 87th, Schofield of the 60th, Scott of the 76th, McLeod of the 105th, Burnough of the 77th, and Bazemore of the 63rd:  

A Bill proposing to repeal and amend Code Sections in Title 48 to eliminate income tax credits 

for existing manufacturing and telecommunications facilities in any county and to reduce the sales and use tax exemption on energy, machinery and equipment associated with the manufacture of tangible personal property.

  • Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
  • Activity: House Second Readers, February 9th

HB 332.

By Representatives Kendrick of the 93rd, McClain of the 100th, Moore of the 95th, Park of the 101st, Stephens of the 164th, and Lim of the 99th:

A Bill proposing to amend Code Sections of Title 13, relating to restrictive covenants in contracts, to prohibit covenants in agreements between employers and low-wage employees that restrict competition after the term of employment and to require employers to provide prior notification to employees and prospective employees whose employment is conditioned upon the acceptance of a contract containing such covenants.

  • Referred to the Committee on INDUSTRY & LABOR
  • Activity: House Second Readers, February 10th

HB 359.

By Representatives Williamson of the 115th, Blackmon of the 146th, Kelley of the 16th, Martin of the 49th, and Hatchett of the 150th:

A Bill proposing to amend § 48-8-3(93) to extend the sales and use tax exemption on sales of tangible personal property used for and in the construction of a competitive project of regional significance through June 30, 2023.

  • Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
  • Activity: House Second Readers, February 11th

HB 386.

By Representatives Clark of the 98th and Singleton of the 71st:

A Bill proposing to amend § 21-2-75, relating to post employment restrictions on public officers, to prohibit such individuals from registering or engaging in lobbying for a period of five years after leaving such public office. 

  • Referred to the Committee on RULES
  • Activity: House Second Readers, February 11th

HB 475.

By Representatives Schofield of the 60th, Davis of the 87th, Scott of the 76th, Burnough of the 77th, McLeod of the 105th, and Hutchinson of the 107th:

A Bill proposing to amend § 28-1-16 to provide legislative committees the ability to subpoena persons to testify or for the production of documents for examination by the committees. This would expand the subpoena power beyond the Senate and House Ethics Committees to include all committees.

  • Referred to the Committee on RULES
  • Activity: House Second Readers, February 18th

HB 486.

By Representatives Moore of the 95th, Frye of the 118th, and Dollar of the 45th:

A Bill proposing to amend § 48-7-40.26 to include ‘Qualified Georgia music expenditures’ within the definition of ‘production expenditures’ which are eligible for Georgia’s Film Tax Credit.

  • Referred to the Committee on CREATIVE ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
  • Activity: House Second Readers, February 22nd

HB 503.

By Representatives Watson of the 172nd, Blackmon of the 146th, Corbett of the 174th, Houston of the 170th, and Stephens of the 164th:

A Bill proposing to amend § 48-8-3 to extend the sales and use tax exemption on sales of tangible personal property used for and in the construction of a competitive project of regional significance from June 30, 2021 to June 30, 2023.

  • Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
  • Activity: House Second Readers, February 22nd

HB 563.

By Representatives Jones of the 25th, Pruitt of the 149th, and Gullett of the 19th:

A Bill proposing to amend § 48-8-3 to modify the sales and use tax exemption on sales of high-technology data center equipment and the high-technology data center minimum investment threshold limits.

  • Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
  • Activity: House Second Readers, February 23rd

HB 586.

By Representatives Watson of the 172nd, Corbett of the 174th, Houston of the 170th, Blackmon of the 146th, and Rich of the 97th:

A Bill proposing to amend § 48-8-3 to extend the sales and use tax exemption on sales of tangible personal property used for and in the construction of a competitive project of regional significance from June 30, 2021 to June 30, 2023, to exempt sales of tickets, fees, or charges for admission to a fine arts performance or exhibition conducted within a facility in this state that is owned or operated by a non-profit organization from sales and use tax, and for other purposes.

  • Referred to the House Committee on WAYS & MEANS
  • Referred to the Senate Committee on FINANCE
  • Activity: Senate Read Second Time, March 25th

HB 607.

By Representatives Bennett of the 94th, Belton of the 112th, Jackson of the 64th, Frazier of the 126th, Lewis-Ward of the 109th, and Scott of the 76th:

A Bill proposing to amend § 48-7-40.37 to provide for a Georgia Veterans Work Opportunity Tax Credit as a state income tax credit incentive for private sector employers to hire certain veterans.

  • Referred to the Committee on WAYS & MEANS
  • Activity: House Second Readers, February 25th

HB 608.

By Representatives Wiedower of the 119th, Burns of the 159th, Smyre of the 135th, Parsons of the 44th, Kelley of the 16th, and Jackson of the 128th:

A Bill proposing to amend Code Sections in Title 50 to allow qualified broadband providers the ability to apply for funding awards authorized under the 'Georgia Broadband Deployment Initiative' program to expand broadband services to unserved locations in the state.

  • Referred to the Committee on GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
  • Activity: House Second Readers, February 25th

SB 1. (health insurance tax credits)

By Senators Burke of the 11th, and Watson of the 1st, Miller of the 49th, Butler of the 55th, Hufstetler of the 52nd and Orrock of the 36th Districts:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 31-53-40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to definitions relative to the Georgia All-Payer Claims Database, so as to provide that entities that receive certain tax credits and that provide self-funded, employer sponsored health insurance plans are submitting entities; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

  • Referred to the Committee on FINANCE
  • Activity: Senate Read and Referred, January 12th

SB 6. (tax benefits)

By Senators Albers of the 56th, Hufstetler of the 52nd, Mullis of the 53rd, Gooch of the 51st, Strickland of the 17th, Kennedy of the 18th, Tippins of the 37th, James of the 35th, Anderson of the 24th, Summers of the 13th, McNeill of the 3rd, Hickman of the 4th, Orrock of the 36th, Miller of the 49th, Beach of the 21st, Thompson of the 14th and Cowsert of the 46th Districts:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 5 of Title 28 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to fiscal bills generally, so as to provide for independent economic analyses to be procured by the Office of Planning and Budget for certain tax benefits upon request by the chairpersons of the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Finance Committee; to provide a short title; to provide for limits; to provide for summaries to be attached to related fiscal notes; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

  • Referred to the Senate Committee on FINANCE
  • Referred to the House Committee on WAYS & MEANS
  • Activity: Governor signed, May 4th

SB 24. (minimum wage)

By Senators Butler of the 55th, Jones II of the 22nd, Parent of the 42nd, Jackson of the 2nd, Jordan of the 6th, Orrock of the 36th, Au of the 48th, Harrell of the 40th, Halpern of the 39th, Seay of the 34th, Sims of the 12th, Rahman of the 5th, Merritt of the 9th, Harbison of the 15th, Jackson of the 41st, Davenport of the 44th, Anderson of the 43rd and Rhett of the 33rd Districts:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 4 of Title 34 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to minimum wage, so as to revise certain provisions regarding the minimum wage law; to provide for an increase in the minimum wage; to provide for annual minimum wage increases to match the rising cost of living; to provide a credit toward the minimum wage for employers of tipped workers; to eliminate various eligibility exemptions from the minimum wage; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. 

This Bill requires minimum wage to be $15.00 and to also be increased each year to reflect cost of living measured from the year before.

  • Referred to the Committee on INSURANCE AND LABOR
  • Activity: Senate Read and Referred, January 27th

SB 27.

By Senators Thompson of the 14th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Dugan of the 30th, Hatchett of the 50th, Hufstetler of the 52nd and others:

A Bill proposing to amend § 43-14-15 to extend the period from 180-days to two years under which current or former member of the military may apply to the licensing board for the immediate issuance of a license or certification based upon his or her having obtained a military specialty or certification, the training or experience for which substantially meets or exceeds the requirements to obtain a license or certification. 

  • Referred to the Senate Committee on VETERANS, MILITARY, AND HOMELAND SECURITY
  • Referred to the House Committee on REGULATED INDUSTRIES
  • Activity: Governor signed, May 4th

SB 37. (electoral college)

By Senators Butler of the 55th, Jones of the 10th, Jones II of the 22nd, Jordan of the 6th, Orrock of the 36th, Parent of the 42nd, Seay of the 34th, Harrell of the 40th, Lucas of the 26th, Sims of the 12th, Davenport of the 44th, Au of the 48th, Jackson of the 41st, Merritt of the 9th, Rahman of the 5th and Harbison of the 15th Districts:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elections, so as to enact the Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote; to allow states to join together to establish an interstate compact to elect the president by national popular vote; to provide for the implementation of such compact; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

  • Referred to the Committee on ETHICS
  • Activity: Senate Read and Referred, January 28th

SB 47. (Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Act)

By Senators Gooch of the 51st, Miller of the 49th, Dugan of the 30th, Kennedy of the 18th, Walker III of the 20th, Anavitarte of the 31st, Dolezal of the 27th, Hickman of the 4th, Anderson of the 24th, Strickland of the 17th, Watson of the 1st, Robertson of the 29th, Thompson of the 14th, Albers of the 56th, Burns of the 23rd and Mullis of the 53rd Districts:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 33 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Act, so as to revise the prior school year requirement; to expand eligibility for students; to revise the basis for calculating scholarship amounts; to require annual parent surveys; to provide for a review procedure for scholarship calculations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

  • Referred to the Senate Committee on EDUCATION AND YOUTH
  • Referred to the House Committee on EDUCATION
  • Activity: Governor signed, May 6th

SB 49 (construction inspections)

By Senators Dixon of the 45th, Miller of the 49th, Anderson of the 24th, Gooch of the 51st, Dugan of the 30th, Harper of the 7th, Hickman of the 4th, Jones of the 25th, Burns of the 23rd, Thompson of the 14th, Hatchett of the 50th, Rahman of the 5th, Goodman of the 8th and Harbison of the 15th Districts:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to standards and requirements for construction, alteration, etc. of buildings and other structures, so as to provide procedures for alternative plan review, permitting, and inspection by private professional providers so as to allow applicants to elect whether to retain, at their own expense, a private professional provider to provide required plan reviews or inspections of certain buildings; to provide for fees; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

  • Referred to the Senate Committee on STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
  • Referred to the House Committee on AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER AFFAIRS
  • Activity: Governor signed, May 4th

SB 55. (“Georgia Medical Leave Act”)

By Senators Butler of the 55th, Jordan of the 6th, Au of the 48th, Parent of the 42nd, Jones II of the 22nd, Merritt of the 9th, Orrock of the 36th, Harrell of the 40th, Jackson of the 41st, Rahman of the 5th, Sims of the 12th, Davenport of the 44th, Harbison of the 15th, Anderson of the 43rd, Jackson of the 2nd and Halpern of the 39th Districts:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 34 of the O.C.G.A., relating to labor and industrial relations, so as to provide for the creation of a program to compensate in part for the wage loss sustained by any individual who is unable to work due to such individual's own sickness or injury, the sickness or injury of a family member, or the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a new child; to create the Family Medical Leave Fund; to provide for contributions to such fund; to provide for filing determination and payment of claims; to provide for the promulgation of rules and regulations by the Department of Labor; to provide for related matters; to provide a contingent effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

  • Referred to the Committee on INSURANCE AND LABOR
  • Activity: Senate Read and Referred, February 1st

SB 56. (tax incentives)

By Senators Rahman of the 5th, Jordan of the 6th, Parent of the 42nd, Jones II of the 22nd, Orrock of the 36th, Jackson of the 41st, Harrell of the 40th, Sims of the 12th, Au of the 48th, Davenport of the 44th, Merritt of the 9th, Harbison of the 15th, Anderson of the 43rd, Jackson of the 2nd, Halpern of the 39th and Butler of the 55th Districts:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 5 of Title 28 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to fiscal bills generally, so as to require an economic analysis prior to the introduction or amendment of legislation containing tax incentives or modifying or extending existing tax incentives; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

  • Referred to the Committee on FINANCE
  • Activity: Senate Read and Referred, February 1st

SB 75 (landlord/tenant)

By Senators Jackson of the 41st, Strickland of the 17th, Parent of the 42nd, Kirkpatrick of the

32nd, Merritt of the 9th, Halpern of the 39th, Orrock of the 36th, Rahman of the 5th, Rhett of the 33rd and Harrell of the 40th Districts:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 44-7-23 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to termination of residential lease after issuance of civil family violence order or criminal family violence order, notice, and occupancy, so as to provide for lease terminations for victims of stalking; to provide for a definition; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

  • Referred to the Senate Committee on JUDICIARY
  • Referred to the House Committee on JUDICIARY
  • Activity: Governor signed, May 6th

SB 94. (dam safety and inspections)

By Senators Ginn of the 47th, Mullis of the 53rd, Dugan of the 30th, Butler of the 55th, Anderson of the 24th, Harper of the 7th and Tillery of the 19th Districts:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 3 of Article 5 of Chapter 5 of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to rivers and river basins relative to dam safety, so as to prohibit the building of structures capable of being occupied in the inundation zone of a category II dam or a dam not classified pursuant to Code Section 12-5-375 without prior certification from a licensed engineer; to provide for definitions; to provide for licensed professional to perform and certify a breach of the inundation zone of a category II dam or a dam not classified pursuant to Code Section 12-5-375; to provide for filing of the certified breach analysis; to provide for liability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

  • Referred to the Committee on NATURAL RESOURCES AND THE ENVIRONMENT
  • Activity: Senate Read and Referred, February 8th

SB 100.

By Senators Watson of the 1st, Dugan of the 30th, Kennedy of the 18th, Miller of the 49th, Au of the 48th and others:

A Bill proposing to add a new Code Section to Title 50 to require the state to observe daylight savings time year-round as the standard time of the entire state but only if Congress amends federal law authorizing states to observe daylight savings time year-round.

  • Referred to the Senate Committee on GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT
  • Referred to the House Committee on STATE PLANNING & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
  • Activity: Governor signed, April 21st

SB 114. (professional licensing)

By Senators Robertson of the 29th, Dugan of the 30th, Gooch of the 51st, Kennedy of the 18th,

Burke of the 11th, Miller of the 49th, Anderson of the 24th, Brass of the 28th, Payne of the 54th, Anavitarte of the 31st, Hickman of the 4th, McNeill of the 3rd, Ginn of the 47th, Walker III of the 20th, Strickland of 17th, Dolezal of the 27th, Watson of the 1st, Summers of the 13th, Harper of the 7th, Jones of the 25th, Cowsert of the 46th, Harbin of the 16th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, and Burns of the 23rd Districts:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to professions and businesses, so as to revise the grounds for refusing to grant or revoking a license; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

  • Referred to the Senate Committee on JUDICIARY
  • Referred to the House Committee on REGULATED INDUSTRIES
  • Activity: Governor signed, May 4th

SB 123. (“Permanent Classroom Act”)

By Senators Harrell of the 40th, Merritt of the 9th, Davenport of the 44th, Jones II of the 22nd, Jackson of the 41st, Au of the 48th and Orrock of the 36th Districts:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elementary and secondary education, so as to require the State Board of Education to establish facility requirements for temporary classrooms; to provide for plans for converting temporary classroom space to permanent classroom space within five years; to provide for data collection; to provide for required plans of actions; to address certain deficiencies; to provide for a short title; to provide for a definition; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

  • Referred to the Committee on EDUCATION AND YOUTH
  • Activity: Senate Read and Referred, February 10th

SB 139. (civil forfeiture seizure)

By Senators Butler of the 55th, Parent of the 42nd, Jones II of the 22nd, Orrock of the 36th, Davenport of the 44th, Rhett of the 33rd, Seay of the 34th, Au of the 48th, Halpern of the 39th, Sims of the 12th, Jackson of the 41st, Merritt of the 9th, Jones of the 10th, Jackson of the 2nd, Rahman of the 5th, Harbison of the 15th, Lucas of the 26th, Anderson of the 43rd, Harrell of the 40th and Jordan of the 6th Districts:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 16 of Title 9 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Uniform Civil Forfeiture Procedure Act, so as to authorize the seizure of property subject to civil forfeiture only upon a criminal conviction; to provide for a definition; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

  • Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
  • Activity: Senate Read and Referred, February 10th

SB 142. (lottery game of sports wagering)

By Senators Mullis of the 53rd, Miller of the 49th, Jones II of the 22nd, Albers of the 56th, Parent of the 42nd, Seay of the 34th, Watson of the 1st and Harbison of the 15th Districts:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 27 of Title 50 of the O.C.G.A., relating to lottery for education, so as to provide for the lottery game of sports wagering in this state; to provide for and revise certain definitions; to provide for oversight of such lottery game by the Georgia Lottery Corporation and its board of directors; to amend Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the O.C.G.A., relating to sales and use taxes, so as to exempt wagers placed as part of the lottery game of sports wagering; to provide for violations and penalties; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

  • Referred to the Senate Committee on REGULATED INDUSTRIES AND UTILITIES
  • Referred to the House Committee on ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM
  • Activity: House Withdrawn, Recommitted, March 31st

SB 143. (Mechanics and Materialmen Liens)

By Senators Tippins of the 37th, Dugan of the 30th, Gooch of the 51st, Miller of the 49th and Kennedy of the 18th Districts:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 3 of Article 8 of Chapter 14 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to mechanics and materialmen, so as to conform a reference within a statutory form regarding waiver of lien and labor or material bond rights; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

  • Referred to the Senate Committee on JUDICIARY
  • Referred to the House Committee on JUDICIARY
  • Activity: Governor signed, May 4th

SB 144. (Housing Authorities)

By Senators Tippins of the 37th, Gooch of the 51st, Cowsert of the 46th, Miller of the 49th, Summers of the 13th, Anderson of the 24th, Harbin of the 16th, Hufstetler of the 52nd, Thompson of the 14th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Hickman of the 4th, Burke of the 11th and Burns of the 23rd Districts:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions for housing authorities, so as to limit the ability of city housing authorities to operate outside municipal boundaries without authorization; to revise a definition; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Such projects shall conform to existing zoning classifications and land use plans.

  • Referred to the Senate Committee on GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT
  • Referred to the House Committee on GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
  • Activity: Governor signed, May 4th

SB 154. (POA changes)

By Senator Donzella of the 35th District:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 6 of Chapter 3 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to property owners' associations, so as to provide for a cap on assessments by property owners' associations for certain lots relative to mortgage costs; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

  • Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
  • Activity: Senate Read and Referred, February 16th

SB 155. (safety belts)

By Senators Gooch of the 51st, Burke of the 11th, Kennedy of the 18th, Albers of the 56th, Cowsert of the 46th, Harper of the 7th, Watson of the 1st, Jones of the 10th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd and Ginn of the 47th Districts:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 4 of Article 1 of Chapter 8 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to horns, exhaust systems, mirrors, windshields, tires, safety belts, and energy absorption systems, so as to provide for the failure to wear a safety belt or safety restraints for children as admissible evidence in civil actions; to prohibit the failure to wear a safety belt or safety restraints for children as a basis for cancellation of insurance coverage; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

  • Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
  • Activity: Senate Read and Referred, February 16th

SB 160. (Civil Practice)

By Senators Cowsert of the 46th, Gooch of the 51st, Kennedy of the 18th, Harbin of the 16th and Jones of the 10th Districts:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend to amend Title 9 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to civil practice, so as to change certain provisions relating to the tolling of limitations for tort actions while criminal prosecution is pending; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

  • Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
  • Activity: Senate Read and Referred, February 16th

SB 168. (Corporation required meetings)

By Senators Walker III of the 20th, Strickland of the 17th, Butler of the 55th, Miller of the 49th, Parent of the 42nd, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Mullis of the 53rd, Dugan of the 30th, Halpern of the 39th, Jones II of the 22nd, Burns of the 23rd, Anderson of the 24th, Burke of the 11th, Gooch of the 51st and Kennedy of the 18th Districts:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 1 of Article 7 of Chapter 2 of Title 14 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to meetings, so as to provide that a corporation may hold annual shareholders' meetings and special shareholders' meetings by means of remote communication; to provide for requirements for such meetings by remote communication; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

  • Referred to the Senate Committee on JUDICIARY
  • Referred to the House Committee on BANKS & BANKING
  • Activity: Governor signed, April 27th

SB 206. (Landlord/Tenant)

By Senators Merritt of the 9th, Jackson of the 2nd, Jones II of the 22nd, Parent of the 42nd, Orrock of the 36th, Jackson of the 41st, Seay of the 34th, Davenport of the 44th, Au of the 48th, Halpern of the 39th, Harbison of the 15th, Rahman of the 5th, Sims of the 12th and Jones of the 10th Districts:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 7 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding landlord and tenant, so as to provide that a prospective tenant shall not be refused a rental or lease agreement solely based upon a previous eviction during the COVID-19 public health emergency; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

  • Referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY
  • Activity: Senate Read and Referred, February 22nd

SB 212. (“Harry Geisenger Rural Georgia and Growth Act” horse racing)

By Senators Mullis of the 53rd, Harbison of the 15th, Miller of the 49th, Hickman of the 4th, Rhett of the 33rd and Ginn of the 47th Districts:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state government, so as to provide for pari-mutuel horse racing in this state at a limited number of licensed equestrian centers; to create the Georgia Horse Racing Commission; to provide for the comprehensive regulation of pari-mutuel and related activities; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for definitions; to enter into the Interstate Compact on Licensure of Participants in Live Racing with Pari-mutuel Wagering; to provide a short title; to provide for related matters; to provide for a contingent effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

  • Referred to the Committee on REGULATED INDUSTRIES AND UTILITIES
  • Activity: Senate Read and Referred, February 22nd

SB 234. (“Georgia Uniform Mediation Act”)

By Senators Kennedy of the 18th, Strickland of the 17th, Parent of the 42nd, Jones II of the 22nd and Watson of the 1st Districts:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 9 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to civil practice, so as to provide for uniform laws governing mediation and participants in mediation; to provide for definitions; to provide for privileges against disclosure, admissibility, and discovery; to provide for waiver and preclusion of privilege; to provide for exceptions to privilege; to provide for confidentiality and mediator disclosure of conflicts; to provide for international commercial mediation and electronic signatures; to provide for uniformity of construction and severability; to provide for applicability; to provide a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

  • Referred to the Senate Committee on JUDICIARY
  • Referred to the House Committee on JUDICIARY
  • Activity: Governor signed, May 10th

SB 255. (“OneGeorgia Authority Act”)

By Senators Mullis of the 53rd, Gooch of the 51st, Miller of the 49th, Dugan of the 30th, Ginn of the 47th, Robertson of the 29th, Payne of the 54th and Watson of the 1st Districts:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 34 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the "OneGeorgia Authority Act," so as to provide for a grant program to support border region retail and tourism projects; to provide for criteria; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for a definition; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

  • Referred to the Senate Committee on ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM
  • Referred to the House Committee on ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM
  • Activity: Governor signed, May 6th

Tags: Georgia Legislature, 2021 Georgia Legislative Session, Government Relations, Government Affairs, Finance, Minimum Wage, Electoral College, Construction Inspections, Georgia Medical Leave Act, Tax Incentives, Liens

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