Login; Sitemap; Contact GMA
Searc
Legislative Alert
March 6, 2009 - Legislative Alert
No. 8 / March 6, 2009
Feedback Needed on Transportation Reorganization Legislation
SB 200, Transforming Transportation Investment Act by Sen. Tommie Williams
(R-Lyons), passed the Senate this week and is now awaiting committee assignment
in the House. Although GMA?s position on this bill is ?evaluating,? we have a
number of concerns with the proposal:
it would create an estimated $200 million legislative earmark process for
transportation projects;
it would cede decision-making to a less accountable body whose members are
appointed by only three people;
although the bill stipulates the creation of a fund for local government
projects, there is no guarantee that local governments would receive this
funding; and
it would also eliminate the Local Assistance Road Program (LARP) and the
State-Aid Program and replace it with a new local maintenance and improvement
program which would use a yet unknown distribution formula.
GMA urges city officials to read GMA?s full write-up on the bill and to
communicate any questions or concerns to GMA?s Tom Gehl at (678) 686-6247 or
tgehl@gmanet.com.
Property Tax Legislation Could Still Move
Although HR 1, Property Assessment Cap by Rep. Ed Lindsey (R-Atlanta) and SB
83, Increase in Homestead Exemption by Sen. Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) were
unable to get enough votes to pass the House, both bills could be reconsidered
at any time. There is speculation that SB 83 will be re-written in an attempt
to lesson the impact on local governments and will be brought up again for
reconsideration. Contact: Gwin Hall, ghall@gmanet.com, (678) 686-6212
Georgia Tax Reform Commission of 2009
Senate Resolution 453, Sen. Eric Johnson (R-Savannah)
GMA Position: Support
Contact: Gwin Hall, ghall@gmanet.com, (678) 686-6212
Status: Pending in the Senate Rules Committee.
SR 453 would create the Georgia Tax Reform Commission of 2009 to study
Georgia's revenue structure.The commission would be encouraged to seek the
cooperation and assistance of GMA, ACCG and other interested organizations.
Motor Vehicle Title Fee
House Bill 480, Rep. Harry Geisinger (R-Roswell)
GMA Position: Evaluating
Contact: Gwin Hall, ghall@gmanet.com, (678) 686-6212
Status: Pending in the House Ways & Means Committee
HB 480 would eliminate the sales tax and ad valorem tax on motor vehicles
titled in Georgia after January 2010. In lieu of those taxes being collected,
the bill would create a 7% title fee. The title fee would be capped at $1500
and would be charged on all vehicles titled in Georgia, including those sold
through casual sales. Part of the title fee would be used to offset lost
property taxes and sales taxes for local governments and part would be used to
replace state sales taxes. Please read GMA?s full write-up on this bill for
more detailed information and contact GMA with your feedback.
Prompt Deed Recording
Senate Bill 141, Senator Bill Hamrick (R-Carrollton)
GMA Position: Support
Contact: Marcia Rubensohn, mrubensohn@gmanet.com, (678) 686-6248
Status: Passed the Senate and is now pending in the House Judiciary Committee.
TADs and PILOTs
House Bill 63, Representative Earl Ehrhart (R-Powder Springs)
GMA Position: Evaluating
Contact: Susan Moore, smoore@gmanet.com, (678) 686-6211
Status: Passed the House and is now awaiting committee assignment in the Senate.
Failure to Use Seat Belt
House Bill 200, Representative Harry Geisinger (R-Roswell)
GMA Position: Support
Contact: Ted Baggett, tbaggett@gmanet.com, (678) 686-6210
Status: Defeated on the House floor by a vote of 148-15.
Enterprise Zones: Poverty Criteria
House Bill 427, Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Savannah)
GMA Position: Support
Contact: Marcia Rubensohn, mrubensohn@gmanet.com, (678) 686-6248
Status: Passed the House and is pending in the Senate Rules Committee.
Code Enforcement Officers: Voluntary Training, Other Provisions
Senate Bill 188, Sen. Renee Unterman, (R-Buford)
GMA Position: Support
Contact: Marcia Rubensohn, mrubensohn@gmanet.com, (678) 686-6248
Status: Passed the Senate State & Local Government Committee and is now pending
in the Senate Rules Committee.
Cell Tower Siting Restrictions
Senate Bill 192, Sen. Judson Hill (R-Marietta)
GMA Position: Evaluating
Contact: Marcia Rubensohn, mrubensohn@gmanet.com, (678) 686-6248
Status: Passed the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee and is
now pending in the Senate Rules Committee.
SB 192 would impose a number of restrictions on cities in regards to cell
towers. These restrictions include limits on application and building permit
fees, construction moratoria, and prohibiting requirements mandating the use of
a distributed antenna system. GMA is working with the author on this bill.
Metal Theft: Tools for Law Enforcement
Senate Bill 82, Sen. Renee Unterman (R-Buford)
GMA Position: Support
Contact: Ted Baggett, tbaggett@gmanet.com, (678) 686-6210
Status: Passed the Senate Regulated Industries & Utilities Committee and is now
pending in the Senate Rules Committee.
Land Use Moratoria: Prohibit
Senate Bill 236, Sen. Ralph Hudgens (R-Hull)
GMA Position: Oppose
Contact: Lamar Norton, lnorton@gmanet.com, (678) 686-6273
Status: Pending in the Senate State & Local Government Operations Committee.
SB 236 would prohibit cities and counties from enacting any zoning or land use
moratoria unless the local government can prove that the moratorium is
necessary due to a shortage of water and sewer facilities or street
improvements.
Local Ordinance Preemption: Production of Ag/Farm Products
House Bill 529, Rep. Tom McCall (R-Elberton)
GMA Position: Oppose
Contact: Tom Gehl, tgehl@gmanet.com, (678) 686-6247
Status: Pending in the House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee.
Deannexation
House Bill 558, Rep. Mark Hamilton (R-Cumming)
GMA Position: Oppose
Contact: Lamar Norton, lnorton@gmanet.com, (678) 686-6273
Status: Pending in the House Intragovernmental Coordination Committee.
Industrialized Buildings: Exempt from Local Ordinances
House Bill 516, Rep. Jay Roberts (R-Ocilla)
GMA Position: Oppose
Contact: Lamar Norton, lnorton@gmanet.com, (678) 686-6273
Status: Passed the House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee and is now
pending in the House Rules Committee.
Annual Review of Tax Exemptions
Senate Bill 206, Sen. Greg Goggans (R-Douglas)
GMA Position: Support
Contact: Gwin Hall, ghall@gmanet.com, (678) 686-6212
Status: Passed the Senate and is now pending committee assignment in the House.
? 1997 - 2009 Georgia Municipal Association
Attachments
No attachments for this document.