Tax Policy and Tax Reform in Georgia

The Ways and Means Committee is the chief tax writing committee in the General Assembly and derives its' importance from the state Constitution that provides all revenue bills must originate in the House. The committee considers not only taxes (income, sales, ad valorem, excise, motor fuel, estate, and others), but exemptions and credits as well. I currently serve as Secretary to the full Committee and Chair of the Ad Valorem Tax Subcommittee.

Representative Jay Powell is Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and he has charged members with considering appropriate tax policy to apply to tax reform efforts in Georgia. I shared with Chairman Powell the following thoughts on the direction I would like to see tax policy and tax reform move in Georgia.:

• No rate increase on any non-excise tax revenue source
• No increase in the sales tax rate
• Reduce personal income tax rates
• Eliminate corporate income taxes
• No tax on business inputs
• Broaden the sales tax base
• Provides opportunities for increased revenue at current rates
• Reduce the number of income tax brackets
• Adjust 'sin' taxes to the average of all states or the average of border states
• Would result in a reduction in some tax rates and an increase in others ultimately resulting in a neutral tax policy for Georgia as compared to other states with regard to 'sin' taxes.
• No fees on property tax bills
• Generates an estimated $6 - $8 million in revenue to the state and acts as a 'governor' on local governments raising taxes and fees.
• No new local sales taxes and/or increases in existing caps
• Eliminate certain credits / exemptions - based on return on investment analysis; will result in revenue
• Sunset all credits / exemptions - likely will result in revenue over time
• New credits by refund ONLY once documented achieving goals - likely to result in revenue over time
• Policy should benefit maximum number of taxpayers possible
• Policy does NOT incentivize government assistance
• Policy does NOT drive market behavior and/or create new private sector profit opportunities
• i.e.: marketable tax credits
• Recognize our bond rating is the result of sound fiscal policy and should not dictate policy

Obviously, there are many more considerations and the devil is in the details of any piece of legislation, however, these are the broad concepts I believe would serve Georgians well with regard to our tax policy and tax reform. 

I welcome your comments.

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

2014 Session Wrap Up

The 2014 Session of the Georgia General Assembly ended Thursday, March 20 at midnight. Several highlights include:

Bills passed and waiting action by the Governor

Bills not vetoed by the Governor will become law on Tuesday, April 29, 2014.

HB 744 The 2015 Budget at $20.8 billion in state dollars reflects a 4.6% ($916 million) increase over the prior year. K-12 education received 72% ($660 million) of all new revenue; Health and Human Services including Medicaid, PeachCare and Department of Justice received 22% ($203 million) of new revenue. I voted YES.

SB 365 Continues the multi-year Criminal Justice Reform efforts that have resulted in annual savings in excess of $20 million thus far. The bill provides added flexibility for judges regarding non-violent and juvenile offenders. I voted YES.

SR 415 Voters will have the opportunity to cap the state's income tax rate at the current 6% via passage of this Constitutional Amendment authored by Gwinnett Senator David Shafer. I voted YES.

HB 60 Expands Second Amendment rights where law-abiding citizens who have had a background check, fingerprinted, and licensed may carry a firearm. I voted YES.

HB 697 Pays full tuition for the state's highest achieving technical college students. I voted YES.

HB 1080 Authorizes a privately funded monument of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. placed on the grounds of the state Capitol. I voted YES.

Bills failing to pass this Session

HB 885 Allowing the use of cannabis oil to treat certain seizures failed to pass with the addition of an autism health insurance coverage provision. I voted YES.

SB 167 Prohibited testing based on national Common Core standards. Did not reach House floor for a vote.

HB 153 Authorizing fractional SPLOST - sales taxes at varying increments of less than one cent. I voted NO.

Bills I sponsored this Session

HB 412 Electronic property tax billing passed House, added to HB 295 a comprehensive ad valorem tax reform bill in Senate, passed Senate amended, conference committee failed to reach agreement, bill died. I voted YES on both HB 412 and HB 295.

HB 737 Permits home brewers to transport up to one gallon of their creation - passed.  I voted YES.

HB 762 Adds sanitation vehicles and workers to current law improving public safety, passed House, passed Senate committee, died in Senate Rules. I voted YES.

HB 900 Saves state and manufacturing industry money by exempting "consumables" from sales tax - passed. I voted YES.

HB 954 Improves definition of Fair Market Value for residential properties constructed using state housing tax credits - passed. I voted YES.

SB 286 Permitted Georgia wineries to fortify wine within the state rather than having to ship the product out of state - passed. I voted YES.

SB 325 Strengthened Fire Safety Commissioner's ability to regulate fire suppression sprinkler systems - passed. I voted YES.

Obviously, numerous other bills passed and failed this year. Should you have interest in any legislation before the General Assembly and/or my position, please contact me.

Fundraising

Like all candidates and elected representatives, I too require funds to actively communicate with my constituents and mount a campaign for re-election to enable me to continue advocating for our shared values at the state Capitol. Please take a moment to click this link and make an online contribution today - $10 goes further than you may believe and $50 buys 50 campaign signs. I need your support today. 

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  

In the District Please call, email, or write Brett in the District. Representative Brett Harrell P.O. Box 1135 Snellville, GA 30078  404-966-5804 brett@voteharrell.com

Capitol Update Week 6 - Budget, Garbage, Guns

This week at the Capitol

This was an incredibly busy and interesting week at the Georgia General Assembly. I thank you so much for allowing me to serve as the representative for the 106th District. Here are several of the day-by-day highlights:

Monday

I presented and the House passed by a 165-2 margin HB 762 that adds ‘active’ sanitation workers and vehicles to existing law requiring motorists to exercise due caution and care when approaching and passing sanitation vehicles. You may not know that sanitation worker is the fourth most dangerous job in America as measured by deaths per 100,000.

Tuesday

The House passed the Fiscal Year 2015 budget HB 744 at $20.8 billion. This budget is 4.6% larger than the 2014 budget and dedicates 72% of new revenues to education – over $900 million.

On Tuesday, the House also passed HB 875 an expansion of our Second Amendment rights. This bill addresses among other things where citizens with legally permitted weapons carry licenses may carry a firearm. The bill preserves the primacy of private property rights as property owners may prohibit guns on their own premises.

Wednesday

Wednesday was non-stop activity all day long – up and down the stairs, back and forth across the street, meeting-to-meeting, presentation after presentation. At the end of the day, the issues I was advancing all moved forward. A very special thanks to William McKeen, an outstanding young man serving as my Legislative Aide this Session that not only keeps me on schedule, but also writes outstanding bill summaries to better prepare me to discuss the issues presented in our committee meetings.

I presented and the Senate Regulated Industries Committee passed HB 737 Homebrew Transportation bill. The House Code Revision Committee adopted a repeal Amendment I offered and included it in HB 731. Two Ways & Means Subcommittees favorably considered and passed bills I authored. HB 412 permitting electronic property tax billing (at taxpayer request) and HB 900 providing the final exemption for inputs into the manufacturing process (saves the state money).

Thursday

The full Ways & Means Committee passed both HB 412 and HB 900 and they are now pending in the House Rules Committee – the last stop before a vote on the House floor.

Friday

HB 834 passed the House removing an unconstitutional population requirement, but also allowing Gwinnett County to hold bond debt referendums on dates other than the November General Election date – dates with traditionally lower voter turnout. I voted No and I am now working on a “fix;” so that, the greatest number of Gwinnett citizens’ voice is heard on critical referendums such as the issuance of millions of dollars of bond debt or raising millions of dollars via SPLOST.

Next Week

Our community comes to the Capitol next week. I look forward to welcoming many students, parents, and teachers from Grayson Elementary on Monday. On Tuesday, the Snellville Middle School Choir will perform on the North steps inside the Capitol at noon.

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

Twitter: brettharrell
Facebook: voteharrell

Capitol Update - Week 3 - Start, stop, run

We started fast, we stopped, we raced to the weekend

Well, this was an interesting week at the Capitol to say the least. We started fast on Monday, came to a grinding halt on Wednesday, and accelerated again playing catch-up on Friday.

I attended the Mayor's Day breakfast sponsored by the Georgia Municipal Association on Monday morning. After a brief floor session, the Alcohol and Tobacco Subcommittee of House Regulated Industries passed two bills I presented - HB 737 (permits home brewers to transport a gallon of beer) and HB 751 (repeals a section of meaningless code). Monday afternoon I met with representatives from several Community Improvement Districts (CIDs) to hear their concerns about HB 649 that would require submission of annual audits to the state (the audits are already prepared and subject to Georgia's Open Meetings Act - the bill allows submission by email).    

After Tuesday's floor session, I presented HB 762 to the Highway Safety Subcommittee of Motor Vehicles and received a unanimous "due pass" recommendation. HB 762 adds active sanitation workers / vehicles to Georgia's existing "slow down to get around" law by requiring motorists to change lanes, reduce speed, and/or stop when approaching an active sanitation worker operating in the roadway. Did you know that in 2012, the Labor Department ranked sanitation worker was the fourth most dangerous job in America as measured by deaths per 100,000? 

  

Snow began to fall Tuesday afternoon necessitating cancellation of the Ways & Means Committee meeting. I had hoped to present HB 648 that upon adoption into law would reclaim the fourth cent of motor fuels sales tax for transportation rather than the state's General Fund. [Related article: An old penny for transportation]  

  

Wednesday and Thursday the House adjourned and conducted no business. I hope you and your family fared well during the snow and ice storm.  

  

The House reconvened at 10:00 a.m. on Friday. In addition to passing several local issues, the House passed HB 176 the Mobile Broadband bill. 

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

  

Family Page Day

Theodore, Derayn, and Darius Swilley

I enjoyed meeting the Swilley family from Grayson and hope they enjoyed the day serving as Pages in the Georgia House. 

Full size photos here. 

Upcoming bills of interest

HB 875 the Safe Carry Protection Act further expands and secures our Second Amendment Rights - I have co-signed this legislation. This proposal expands areas that licensed citizens may carry a weapon in Georgia including Church and Bar (with property owner permission) and Public Buildings (without active security). The bill also eliminates the requirement for fingerprinting when renewing your license. 

HB 885 Haleigh's Hope Act provides a pathway for prescribing medical cannabis strictly controlled for a limited number of serious health conditions - I have co-signed this legislation. 

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  

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

County fees exceed county property taxes

I suspected it was only a matter of time and that time is 2013. The weight of the Gwinnett County fees levied against some properties exceed actual property taxes this year. That is right, county property taxes are actually less than the tack-on fees the county assesses against some properties. Of course, one’s wallet and one’s mortgage company cannot tell the difference between a tax and a fee – except that taxes are deductible and fees are not.

Many of you support my effort to remove tack-on fees from our property tax bills (HB 159); the inclusion of fees on our property tax bills is poor public policy period. Economically, the practice tends to hit lower valued properties, perhaps those often at risk of default, the hardest. Non-tax fees consume a higher percentage of the total bill on lower valued properties than high value properties. By increasing monthly mortgage payments via escrow and because of the non-judicial foreclosure statutes in Georgia, including these tack-on fees on property tax bills severely limits a property owner’s ability to stall or avoid foreclosure via negotiations with vendors providing these services.

The result? Freedom is reduced; government grows stronger.

I will continue making the case to remove these add-on fees from your property tax bills. In the meantime, you might support city and county candidates that are willing to do the same.

An old penny for transportation

In my district, as in many, transportation remains an issue of importance in search of innovative and efficient solutions and funding. 

So, why did last year’s proposed one-cent regional sales tax for transportation (TIA) fail in most regions? For some, there is a credibility gap in the “ask” for an additional penny for transportation when we are not spending the penny we already have.

In addition to the Federal Excise Tax of 7.5 cents per gallon of gasoline, Georgia imposes a 4-cent state sales tax (In Gwinnett County an additional 1-cent SPLOST and 1-cent E-SPLOST sales tax brings the total to 6-cents on the dollar). Of the 4-cent state sales tax, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) reinvests 3-cents into transportation projects. The Georgia General Assembly invests the final 1-cent into other General Fund non-transportation projects. Counties, cities, and school systems invest much of the local sales taxes collected on gasoline into non-transportation projects.

     

              Credit: Baruch Feigenbaum, Transportation Policy Analyst, Reason Foundation

While many of the projects funded with the diverted 1-cent state sales tax on gasoline may be worthy of investment, robbing Peter to pay Paul has rarely proven a successful long-term financing strategy. Sound public policy would suggest investing those funds generated through transportation spending back into transportation system maintenance and improvements a better choice.

Baruch Feigenbaum, Transportation Policy Analyst with the Reason Foundation recently recommended to attendees at a Georgia Public Policy Foundation transportation luncheon that Georgia do just that by reclaiming the fourth cent of state sales taxes collected on gasoline. Mr. Feigenbaum’s presentation is available here. 

Although unaware of HB 648, I was pleased to hear Mr. Feigenbaum’s arguments in favor of reclaiming that old penny as I introduced legislation last session (HB 648 co-sponsored by House Transportation Committee Chair Jay Roberts) to begin reinvesting those funds into transportation. HB 648 would return ¼ of a cent each year beginning in fiscal year 2016 through fiscal year 2020 to GDOT. Initially about $40 million a year and once GDOT reclaims the full one-cent approaching $200 million a year in additional transportation dollars.

Can we afford it? I believe so. In my three years as a member of the Georgia House, our state budget has grown from $18.3 to $19.9 billion (remaining well below the pre-recession peak of approximately $23 billion). Recent revenue numbers exceed the Governor’s projections and indications are our state economy is slowly strengthening. Rather than allow new spending to consume revenue growth or battle over cuts to programs currently funded by the diverted penny, allocating a small percentage of returning revenue growth to reclaiming that old penny may go a long way toward improving our mobility, reducing congestion, encouraging business growth, and providing the quality of life all Georgians desire.

Brett Harrell represents the 106th House District in the Georgia General Assembly that includes portions of Grayson, Lawrenceville, Loganville, and Snellville. He is the former Mayor of Snellville and former Executive Director of the Evermore Community Improvement District. Mr. Harrell serves as Vice Chair of the House Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight Committee and as a Member of the Regulated Industries, Transportation, and Ways and Means Committees.

It is legal – just un-American

I had another enjoyable opportunity to hear U.S. Congressman Rob Woodall speak recently at the Snellville Commerce Club lunch (a group of local business owners – most small businesses). The Congressman suggested our ire ought not be focused on the National Security Administration (NSA) for “spying” on Americans, rather, the U.S. Congress and President that enacted the law making their activities legal. He said the agency reports each year to Congress their activities and findings so our elected representatives knew or ought to have known of their actions. Therefore, the activities are legal, but legality does not necessarily mean wise or prudent. The same is true regarding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care (PPAC) Act or “Obama Care”. It is the law of the land upheld by our highest court. It is legal; however, many would agree that a government take-over of nearly one sixth of our economy is anathema to our nation's free enterprise system.

For the past several years, I have been advancing an argument at the Georgia General Assembly that would prohibit local governments from billing non-tax fees on your personal ad valorem tax returns. Never have I suggested the practice was illegal – the Georgia Supreme Court has now confirmed it is legal; however, I do believe such an assault on one’s private property in the name of efficient government is unjust.

Recent local news reports several school systems, including Gwinnett County Public Schools, are installing cameras on school buses to aid in enforcing traffic laws. In as much as the school systems do not have traffic enforcement jurisdiction, local governments are necessary partners. Again, the legality is not in question; however, this is yet another encroachment by government into our lives at the same time creating a time and money distraction from the core business of school systems to educate our children. Yes, it is legal, but should governmental agencies continue the installation of cameras monitoring our every move?

Perhaps the most egregious to me, local news reports that Gwinnett County Police have unwillingly strapped one hundred citizens to a gurney, placed them in a headlock, and forcefully withdrawn their blood based on a Magistrate’s warrant to aid in securing what is most often a misdemeanor driving under the influence conviction. Yes, it is legal – just un-American.

Most would agree we must have a safe and secure national defense and providing a healthcare safety net for our poor and disabled is without question. Efficient government operations and citizens that pay their bills is required of all in a civil society. We all desire a safe environment to, from and during school for our children, and DUI’s are a serious offense. That said, our nation has grown and prospered in large degree because government has remained relatively limited in our lives. In my view, each of these seemingly well-intentioned government intrusions are rapidly moving our nation over the tipping point where government will dominate our lives and that most certainly is un-American.

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

Capitol Update Week 5 - Title Fees and the Tennessee River

This week at the Cap

After over six hours in Ways & Means Committee hearings, the House passed HB 80 by Representative Tom Rice modifying the new auto Title Fees that take effect March 1, 2013. The revisions take into account concerns voiced by those in the auto leasing industry as well as those that are avid auto enthusiasts and collectors of older and hobby automobiles. HB 80 passed 159-4 and is now pending in the Senate Finance Committee.

Frequently Asked Questions regarding the new Title Fee and other helpful information is available at the Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner's webpage. 

The House also passed HR 4 seeking to resolve the Georgia / Tennessee boundary dispute and allow Georgia access to the Tennessee River for drinking water and other purposes. The Tennessee River generates fifteen times the water flow as the Chattahoochee River and I believe is our only realistic 100-year water solution.

   

Next Week

The pace of proposed legislation presented on the House floor for a vote will begin to quicken next week. On Tuesday, the House will consider the following bills:

HB 35

Firearms; carrying and possession of by an administrator within a school safety zone

HB 71
Georgia Municipal Employees Benefit System; total percentage of investments permissible in real estate investments; increase

HB 122
Sexual Offender Registration Review Board; review and utilize records of Board of Pardons and Paroles in making assessments; authorize - I am a co-sponsor.

HB 123
Parent and Teacher Empowerment Act; enact - sometimes called Parent Trigger

HB 124
Local elections; votes cast for disapproval of Sunday alcohol sales by retailers shall not nullify prior election results; provide - I am the author. 

HB 160
Mortgages; vacant and foreclosed real property registries; revise provisions

HB 178
Georgia Pain Management Clinic Act; enact

HB 235
Optometrists; revise definition of optometry; remove certain exemption  

HB 290
Labor; employees use sick leave for care of immediate family members; allow  

In Committee

HB 159 my Property Protection Bill will be heard for the first time before the Public Finance and Policy Subcommittee of Ways & Means. For a detailed summary of the bill that would prohibit billing non-tax fees on your property tax bill click here.

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Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/brettharrell