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.

 .

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 5 - Solar Power and Education

Solar Power and Education bills unanimously pass the House

The House began this week of the session by unanimously passing HB 57, the Solar Power Free Market Financing Act. Authored by Rep. Mike Dudgeon, this legislation makes it easier and more affordable for Georgians to fund solar power installations through third-party financing plans. Upon approval by the Senate and Governor Deal, this measure will increase options for residents to use innovative technologies to ultimately lower their power bills.

Education remains the priority for the General Assembly and the unanimous passage of HB 91 in the House this week makes it easier for some deserving students to obtain their high school diplomas. Gwinnett’s Rep. Brooks Coleman, Chairman of the House Education Committee, authored the bill that permanently eliminates the Georgia high school graduation test that has fallen out of favor and practice over the past several years.

Doctor of the Day

Lee Grose, M.D. – Doctor of the Day L to R: Brett, Dr. Grose, Speaker Ralston

It was my great pleasure to introduce Dr. Lee Grose, M.D. as our Doctor of the Day in the House this week. Dr. Grose is a graduate of the University of Georgia, former Medical Director at the Gwinnett County Detention Center and a resident of my District. Thanks for your service Dr. Grose.

Next week

The House Rules calendar is beginning to accumulate various bills that have passed through the Committee process and are available for consideration of a floor vote.

HB 49 that I authored provides for optional “paperless” property tax billing passed the full Ways & Means Committee on Thursday and may be before the Rules Committee on Wednesday. Gwinnett County estimates that voluntary participation may save over $140,000 per year in billing costs.

The Ways & Means Committee also accepted an amendment to HB 202 that I proposed to postpone charging interest on property tax bills until 60 days after the taxpayers has received notice of the final valuation and taxes due.

House Bills of Interest

Several citizens have asked about these bills that are making their way through the House legislative process:

HB 1  Medical Marijuana – I support concept, evaluating legality regarding the transportation and immunity for citizens.

HB 208  State Fair Tax – I support concept, oppose bill containing significant errors.

HB 218  Religious Freedom Act – Evaluating unintended impacts on business.

HB 220  Income Tax Credits for Low Emission Vehicles – I support ending the government subsidy for electric vehicles this year. As an interim position, I would support the phase out in HB 220 if unable to achieve full repeal this year.

HB 244  Safe Harbor – I support ‘safe harbor’, oppose bill as it expands government and mandates substantial fees on business.

If there is a bill or issue that is important to you or your family, send me a quick email at Brett@VoteHarrell.com and let me know your opinion.

Committee calendars

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

Senate committee meeting calendar:
http://calendar.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.

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

2013 Capitol Wrap Up

2013 Session Wrap Up 

The 2013 Session of the Georgia General Assembly began late (January 14) and ended early (March 28) – usually indicating good news for taxpayers. The session was largely uneventful, addressing several major items and leaving others for discussion another day. I’ve listed some of the highlights below; please contact me with any questions, concerns, ideas, or suggestions you may have regarding our state.

HB 106 – Fiscal Year 2014 Budget
The FY 2014 budget is balanced at $19.9 billion in state revenues (a 2.8% increase) and $37.1 billion overall. Our investment in education greatly improved this year at 53.4% of state spending or $10.6 billion. HB 106 fully funds Quality Basic Education enrollment growth and Equalization Grants. The pre-K school year is restored to 180 days and Georgia Gwinnett College received the necessary funding to continue its’ strong growth. I voted YES.

HB 142 and HB 143 – Ethics Reform

These measures strengthen Georgia’s ethics laws by placing limitations on lobbyist spending, granting rule-making authority to the Ethics Commission, and ease the burden on local officials. The reforms also prohibit providing sporting event tickets or paying for recreational outings and establishes limits on travel expenses. I voted YES.

HB 178 – Georgia Pain Management Clinic Act

This bill addresses the abuse of legal pain medications by regulating and licensing pain management clinics. The GBI estimates that since 2010, the number of pain management clinics in Georgia has risen from 10 to 125. Passage of HB 178 requires all pain management clinics register with the Georgia State Board of Pharmacy and be owned by a licensed physician or hospital. I voted YES.

HB 242 – Juvenile Justice Reform

This bill implements many of the recommendations of Governor Deal’s Special Council on Criminal Justice Reform as it relates to juvenile offenders. The bill attempts to improve public safety, outcomes, rehabilitation of non-violent juveniles, and reduce the costs of services. I voted YES.

HB 372 – HOPE Grant Program for Technical Schools

The HOPE grant program is different from the HOPE scholarship program. The bill lowers the eligibility threshold to 2.0 for HOPE grant recipients and mandates that our Technical College System change from an enrollment-driven formula to an outcome-driven formula in annual budget requests. I voted YES.

HB 487 – Increases the Lottery Commissions supervision of Class B games

This is a comprehensive reform bill aimed at eliminating illegal gambling via coin-operated games often located within convenience stores. In addition to transferring oversight from the Department of Revenue to the Lottery Commission, this legislation also permits players to redeem coupons for lottery tickets – the only game method in Georgia that may legally offer cash payouts. I voted YES.

SB 24 – Provider Payment Fee

The “Hospital Medicaid Financing Program Act” often referred to as the “Hospital Bed Tax” authorizes the Department of Community Health to establish a fee on hospitals to utilize to secure additional federal Medicaid funds that are returned to hospitals to offset costs associated with providing Medicaid services. The General Assembly retains the authority to override the DCH Board’s assessment and the bill is automatically repealed on June 30, 2017 unless reauthorized by the General Assembly. I voted YES.

SB 136 – BUI/DUI Alignment

SB 136 lowers the legal limit for Boating Under the Influence to .08 grams – the same as DUI in an automobile. I voted YES.

HB 99 – Homebrew Beer Competitions

This bill increases to 200 gallons (matching the federal limit) the amount of home brewed beer one may produce (in any home with two people of legal age), establishes legal transportation methods, and permits home brew beer completions. I voted YES.

Two measures that did not pass that will be considered again next session are:

HB 512 / SB 101 – Safe Carry Protection Act
This bill will greatly expand our personal freedoms for licensed weapons permit holders to carry a firearm of their choosing in more places including bars, churches, and campuses. Private property owners maintain their right to restrict firearms on their property.

I strongly support passage.

HB 159 – Property Protection Bill

This legislation simply states that taxes and only taxes appear on your property tax bill. Support continues to grow for this strong Constitutional private property measure that will remove non-tax fees from your property tax bill.

I am the author.

Legislation Authored or Co-Sponsored

Should you be interested in the legislation that I have authored or co-sponsored and the current status, you may review those bills here.

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.  Now that we are out of session, you can reach me on my cell at 404-966-5804 or via email at brett@voteharrell.com

Thank you,

Brett Harrell