2015 Capitol Update Week 11 - Two days remain

Two days remain in the 2015 Session

Tuesday and Thursday this week are the final voting days of the 2015 Session of the Georgia General Assembly. Before mentioning what remains, please find a brief update on several items voted this past week.

On the way to the Governor these bills received final passage:

SR 287 and SB 133 proposed by Governor Nathan Deal provide via voter referendum a Constitutional Amendment to create an Opportunity School District to address chronically failing schools. I voted YES and in November 2016 you will have the opportunity to vote on this measure as well.

On Thursday the House and Senate Insurance Committees reached an agreement to provide Autism coverage for children age 6 and under. (Has not received final passage yet, however, should be on the way to the Governor next week.)

HB 1 passed the Senate and Governor Deal signed the bill into law on Friday beginning the process of providing medical cannabis oil for treatment of several debilitating conditions including cancer, multiple sclerosis, seizure disorders, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, mitochondrial disease, and sickle cell disease.

HB 57 the Solar Power Free Market Financing Act making it easier and more affordable for homeowners to generate solar power for their homes.

SB 63 the Beer Jobs Bill permits visitors to breweries and distilleries to leave with ‘souvenirs’ that may include up to 72 oz of beer or 750 ml of spirits. Brewpubs may choose to offer cans and bottles as well.

Remaining issues that may or may not make it to the finish line this year:

SB 129 the Georgia Religious Freedom Restoration Act will be heard again Monday at 10 a.m. in the House Judiciary Committee.

HB 535 the Brunch Bill providing local governments the ability to expand Sunday sales hours for restaurants, brewpubs, and hotels.

Hey Dad, look who I met this week!

Former Atlanta Falcon greats Tommy Nobis (Mr. Falcon) and Jeff Van Note.

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As always, I remain appreciative that you allow me to serve as your state Representative. I encourage you to contact me with any comments or questions you have about the legislation being considered at the state Capitol.  You can reach me at my Capitol office at 404-656-0254 or on my cell at 404-966-5804 or via email at brett.harrell@house.ga.gov.Thank you,

Brett Harrell

2015 Capitol Update - Week 2 - Budget Preparations

Budget Week – Governor proposes $21.8 billion state budget

Budget docs here.

The General Assembly took no official action during our second week of the 2015 Session. The Senate and House met in Joint Session to begin the process of reviewing the Governor’s budget proposals for the Amended FY 15 and FY 16 fiscal years.

The Governor’s FY 16 budget proposes over one half billion dollars in new education spending and approximately five million dollars for cannabis oil clinical trials for children with certain seizure disorders. While the proposed FY 16 budgets continues a strong focus on education and required healthcare investments, the House and Senate will be considering adjustments to fund transportation improvements.

Chosen to Chair the Ad Valorem Tax Subcommittee of House Ways & Means

I was very pleased that House Ways & Means Chairman Jay Powell selected me to Chair the Ad Valorem Tax Subcommittee. The Ways & Means Committee is the chief tax-writing committee in the House and derives a large share of its importance from our state Constitution that declares “All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House.”

The Ad Valorem Tax Subcommittee typically considers bills dealing with property issues. As a staunch advocate for your private property rights, I am especially pleased to Chair this subcommittee.

Next Week

The House is in session Monday – Thursday next week and committees will hold their organizational meetings. Bills will be assigned to committees and members will begin research and review of the various proposals in anticipation of beginning legislative hearings the following week.

Committee calendarsHouse committee meeting calendar:
http://calendar.legis.ga.gov/Calendar/?Chamber=House

As always, I remain appreciative that you allow me to serve as your state Representative. I encourage you to contact me with any comments or questions you have about the legislation being considered at the state Capitol.  You can reach me at my Capitol office at 404-656-0254 or on my cell at 404-966-5804 or via email at brett.harrell@house.ga.gov.

Thank you,

Brett Harrell

At the Capitol

Please call, email, or visit Brett at the Capitol.

Representative Brett Harrell601-D Coverdell Legislative Office Building
18 Capitol Square
Atlanta, GA 30334
404-656-0254
brett.harrell@house.ga.gov

Committee assignments:

Budget & Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Regulated Industries, Transportation, and Ways & Means

2015 Capitol Update - Week 1

On Monday, January 12, 2015, I took the Oath of Office along with 179 other Representatives and 56 Senators as we began the 153rd Legislative Session of the Georgia General Assembly. Governor Deal delivered his annual State of the State address in the House Chamber on Wednesday, January 14 and on Friday, January 16; the Governor released his budget proposals for the Amended FY 15 and FY 16 fiscal years.

In his address, Governor Deal detailed the exceptional progress Georgia is making creating 319,000 new jobs and increasing by 643 percent the state's rainy day fund over the last four years. Georgia's future is bright with companies like Mercedes-Benz USA and Porsche North America solidifying plans to re-locate their headquarters to our state. Georgia is now the third largest state for the film industry generating over $5 billion in economic impact this past year.

The Governor's budget proposals continue his strong focus on education. Over $8 million will go directly to local school systems and an additional $35 million in grants to expand classroom access to broadband internet in the Amended FY 15 budget. In his Fiscal Year 2016 budget, Governor Deal allocates more than a half a billion dollars in new funding for Georgia's education system, including $280 million to specifically aid local school systems to increase instructional days, eliminate furlough days, and enhance teachers' salaries.

My colleagues and I will carefully review the recommendations during Joint Budget Hearings with the Senate next week. You may watch those hearings online at http://www.legis.ga.gov You may also watch the House in action, view live and archived committee meetings, and track legislation at the same website.

Committee Assignments and Legislation

Speaker Ralston and the Committee on Assignments have kindly allowed me to continue serving in the areas of my greatest passion and interest. I will remain Vice Chair of the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight Committee as well as a member of the Regulated Industries, Transportation, and Ways & Means Committees. I anticipate a very busy session with important legislation in each of these key committees.

In addition to the first week ceremonial matters, I introduce HB 49 that would authorize paperless property tax billing. Upon becoming law, should a Tax Commissioner choose to offer paperless billing, the taxpayer will have the option to select electronic delivery of their property tax bill. Gwinnett County estimates participation rates that would result in savings approximating $100,000 per year.

Committee calendars
House committee meeting calendar:
http://calendar.legis.ga.gov/Calendar/?Chamber=House

As always, I remain appreciative that you allow me to serve as your state Representative. I encourage you to contact me with any comments or questions you have about the legislation being considered at the state Capitol.  You can reach me at my Capitol office at 404-656-0254 or on my cell at 404-966-5804 or via email at brett.harrell@house.ga.gov. 

  

 Thank you,

 Brett Harrell

At the Capitol

Please call, email, or visit Brett at the Capitol.

Representative Brett Harrell
601-D Coverdell Legislative Office Building

18 Capitol Square
Atlanta, GA 30334

404-656-0254
brett.harrell@house.ga.gov

Committee assignments:

Budget & Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Regulated Industries, Transportation,
and Ways & Means

Capitol Update Week 7 - Preparing for 'Crossover' Day

Last week

Last week was a very busy week completing necessary committee work in preparation for "Crossover Day" on Monday. Crossover is the 30^th day of the 40-day legislative session and the date by which a bill must pass one chamber to permit enough time to complete the process in the other chamber and become law. The House has seventeen bills on the first calendar for Monday and we will likely have one or more supplemental calendars prior to adjourning for the day.

Three bills I either authored or co-sponsored passed the House last week and are now pending committee hearings in the Senate. HB 412 permits voluntary electronic property tax billing. Gwinnett County estimates it may save up to $140,000 a year in billing costs.HB 731 included an Amendment to repeal an unconstitutional article from Georgia Code.HB 658 by Representative B. J. Pak removed the last remnants of the Estate Tax from Georgia statute.

The House voted down HB 153 a proposal to permit a "fractional" SPLOST of less than 1-cent. I voted No. The author has asked the House to reconsider the bill on Monday. Initially the idea of a SPLOST at less than 1-cent may sound like a good idea - lower taxes. I see it differently. I view the idea as a tax increase from zero up to the fraction rather than from 1-cent down to the fraction. I also agree with the Department of Revenue that multiple rates at multiple fractions in multiple counties may result in a number of administrative burdens. Finally, SPLOST should sunset when the need is fulfilled. I view the implementation of a fractional SPLOST as an attempt to continue taxes when the voters would otherwise let the penny lapse.

Finally, the House passed HB 459 by Representative Bill Kitchens, a former State Patrol Commander, commonly referred to as the "Slow Poke" law to require drivers in the left lane to move over when approached by a faster moving vehicle.

It was also my great pleasure to welcome students from the Grayson Elementary School Cluster on Monday and the Choir from Snellville Middle on Tuesday to the Capitol.

SMS Choir with Governor Nathan Deal

The SMS Choir toured the Capitol and performed two songs at noon
to the great enjoyment of all.  

Next week

Among the more noteworthy bills the House may consider next week are:

HB 885 - would permit medical cannabis treatments for certain seizure disorders

HB 707 - would prevent any state resources used to implement the Affordable Care Act

HB 990 - would require a vote of the Legislature prior to expanding Medicaid

Committee calendars
House committee meeting calendar:
http://calendar.legis.ga.gov/Calendar/?chamber=house

Senate committee meeting calendar:
http://media.legis.ga.gov/Calendar/?chamber=senate

As always, I remain appreciative that you allow me to serve as your state Representative. I encourage you to contact me with any comments or questions you have about the legislation being considered at the state Capitol.  You can reach me at my Capitol office at 404-656-0254 or on my cell at 404-966-5804 or via email at brett.harrell@house.ga.gov. 

  

 Thank you,

 Brett Harrell  

At the Capitol Please call, email, or visit Brett at the Capitol. Representative Brett Harrell 601-D Coverdell Legislative Office Building 18 Capitol Square Atlanta, GA 30334 404-656-0254 brett.harrell@house.ga.gov Committee assignments: Budget & Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Regulated Industries, Transportation, and Ways & Means

Capitol Update - Week 4 - Justice Reforms, Second Amendment, Cannabis

This week at the Capitol 

The 2014 Session of the Georgia General Assembly reached full speed this week. Members participated in dozens of committee hearings, votes each day on the House floor and the State of the Judiciary on Wednesday.

In his address, Chief Justice Hugh Thompson applauded a series of criminal justice reform bills signed into law over the past few years.  The primary goal of criminal justice reform was to increase accountability courts in Georgia to improve rehabilitation and reduce incarceration.  Chief Justice Thompson proclaimed that 93% of these court graduates remain free of criminal charges and 85% have found and maintain employment.  With fewer people in prison, these courts save Georgia more than $20 million in prison costs each year. Congratulations to Governor Deal for championing these reforms that are saving lives and saving taxpayer dollars.

The Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee secured the most attention this week with hearings on HB 875. HB 875 would expand Second Amendment rights for Georgia Weapons Carry License holders by increasing locations where licensed individuals may carry their weapons while protecting the primacy of private property rights.  The bill would expand access to government buildings, absent active security at entrances, and allow private property owners to permit or prohibit weapons on their property including churches and bars. HB 875 also allows honorably discharged veterans under age 21 to receive a weapon carry license, eliminates the re-fingerprinting requirement for renewals, prohibits the creation of a license holder database, and lessens the penalty for license holders found carrying a weapon on public college campuses. 

While HB 875 would expand rights for responsible, law-abiding citizens, it also takes measures to improve mental health regulations for Georgia Weapons Carry License applicants.  Under HB 875, licenses would be denied to any person who has been deemed "mentally incompetent to stand trial" or any person who is been deemed "not guilty by reason of insanity" at the time of the trial.  Additionally, HB 875 would provideschool boards the flexibility to arm an employee under certain guidelines and supervision. Finally, should the Governor declare a state of emergency, this bill wouldprevent the confiscation of weapons or ammunition by the state, which is currently allowable.  The committee favorably reported out HB 875 and the bill now awaits further action in the Rules Committee.   

Upcoming bills of interest

The House Health and Human Services Committee will hear on Monday afternoon HB 885 permitting use of a cannabis oil derivative to treat certain severe medical conditions. While I support proceeding with debate on this issue, there remain a number of hurdles that the legislature must address including the current Schedule I classification of the drug and impediments to transportation.   

HB 762 adding sanitation workers to the Spence Pass Law is pending before the House Rules Committee and I will ask for a vote by the full House.

The Ways & Means Public Policy Subcommittee heard HB 412 and HB 648 for the first time last week and I anticipate a second hearing this week. I will ask for passage to the full Committee and then the full House on HB 412 allowing electronic transmission of property tax bills. HB 648 returning the fourth penny of sales tax on motor fuels to transportation began a worthwhile discussion; however, I will ask that the debate continue in preparation for action upon our return in 2015.

Committee calendars
House committee meeting calendar:
http://webmail.legis.ga.gov/Calendar/?chamber=house

Senate committee meeting calendar:
http://media.legis.ga.gov/Calendar/?chamber=senate

As always, I remain appreciative that you allow me to serve as your state Representative. I encourage you to contact me with any comments or questions you have about the legislation being considered at the state Capitol.  You can reach me at my Capitol office at 404-656-0254 or on my cell at 404-966-5804 or via email at brett.harrell@house.ga.gov. 

  

 Thank you,

 Brett Harrell  

At the Capitol Please call, email, or visit Brett at the Capitol. Representative Brett Harrell 601-D Coverdell Legislative Office Building 18 Capitol Square Atlanta, GA 30334 404-656-0254 brett.harrell@house.ga.gov Committee assignments: Budget & Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Regulated Industries, Transportation, and Ways & Means

2014 Capitol Update - Week 2 - Supplemental FY 2014 Budget

House passes supplemental FY 2014 budget  
We concluded our second week at the Georgia General Assembly on Friday passing  HB 743 in the House - the amended FY 2014 budget at $20.2 billion. As our economy strengthens, state revenues have increased by approximately $300 million (1.5% increase) as compared to the projection at the start of this fiscal year. AsGovernor Deal proposed, the House allocated over half of the increase to K-12 education ($180 million). In addition, a portion of these new funds will go to economic development and job creation incentives ($51.5 million) through the OneGeorgia, Regional Economic Business Assistance grants and transportation projects ($27 million). The House also supported Governor Deal's request to add $25 million to pay for increased enrollment in Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids health care programs.    

The amended FY 2014 budget now goes the the Senate for consideration. Once passed by the Senate, a Conference Committee will likely reconcile any differences in the proposed budgets prior to final passage and the Governor's signature.

Committee meetings at full speed next week
With two key priorities (May 20 Primary Election and amended FY 2014 budget) already voted by the House, next week committees begin meeting to debate numerous pieces of legislation. I am grateful to serve on four committees this year that consider issues of interest to me personally and importance to not only those I represent in District 106, but all Georgians - Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Regulated Industries, Transportation, and Ways & Means. You may view committee meeting dates, times, and agendas at the links below.

House committee meeting calendar:
http://webmail.legis.ga.gov/Calendar/?chamber=house

Senate committee meeting calendar:
http://media.legis.ga.gov/Calendar/?chamber=senate

As always, I remain appreciative that you allow me to serve as your state Representative. I encourage you to contact me with any comments or questions you have about the legislation being considered at the state Capitol.  You can reach me at my Capitol office at 404-656-0254 or on my cell at 404-966-5804 or via email at brett.harrell@house.ga.gov. 

At the Capitol

Please call, email, or visit Brett at the Capitol.

Representative Brett Harrell
601-D Coverdell Legislative Office Building

18 Capitol Square
Atlanta, GA 30334

404-656-0254
brett.harrell@house.ga.gov

Committee assignments:

Budget & Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Regulated Industries, Transportation, and Ways & Means

2014 Capitol Update - Week 1 - State of the State, New Election Dates

The 2014 Session of the Georgia General Assembly began this week

As you may know, the 2014 Session of the Georgia General Assembly began on Monday, January 13.

On Wednesday, January 15, Governor Nathan Deal presented his State of the State address. Governor Deal reported that the state is doing well as we begin to climb out of the recent recession. In addition to adding 217,000 new private sector jobs since taking office, Governor Nathan Deal's conservative budgets have maintained the AAA bond rating, increased the rainy day fund by 518%, and downsized state government by reviewing over 40% of all budgetary programs through zero based budgeting. Governor Deal recommends in the FY 2015 over $8 billion in funding for education. The Governor is allocating more than 80% of new state revenues to education. You may read the Governor's address at the link below:

http://gov.georgia.gov/press-releases/2014-01-15/deal-deep-freeze-over-georgia%E2%80%99s-economy-warms

We concluded our first week passing HB 310 that establishes earlier primary election dates to provide additional time for our overseas service men and women an improved opportunity to vote.

2014 Election Calendar

Qualifying: March 3 - 7

Additional Campaign Report Due: March 31

Primary Election Day: May 20

Primary Run-Off: July 22

General Election: November 4

Additional information available at Secretary of State Brian Kemp's website:http://sos.ga.gov

Please take the opportunity to review updates like this one and stay informed about legislative matters that affect you, your family, business and community. You may visit the Georgia House website at http://www.house.ga.gov to view live and archived committee meetings and review proposed legislation.

Gwinnett House delegation members ready for 2014 Session

L to R: Reps Tom Rice, Joyce Chandler, Chuck Efstration, Brett Harrell, B. J. Pak, Buzz Brockway, Timothy Barr, Brooks Coleman

As always, I remain appreciative that you allow me to serve as your state Representative. I encourage you to contact me with any comments or questions you have about the legislation being considered at the state Capitol. You can reach me at my Capitol office at 404-656-0254 or on my cell at 404-966-5804 or via email at brett.harrell@house.ga.gov.

Thank you,

Brett Harrell

At the Capitol:
Please call, email, or visit Brett at the Capitol.

Representative Brett Harrell
601-D Coverdell Legislative Office Building
18 Capitol Square
Atlanta, GA 30334
404-656-0254

brett.harrell@house.ga.gov

Committee assignments:
Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Regulated Industries, Transportation, and Ways & Means