Most bills passed during the 2017 legislative session went into effect on July 1st. Below are the Georgia Chamber’s legislative scorecard bills and those the Chamber team supported during session that are helping keep Georgia the top state for business.

Chamber Scorecard Legislation

House Bill 338, Sponsored by Representative Kevin Tanner (R – Dawsonville)

House Bill 338 gives low performing schools the tools to help all students reach their full potential.  It is a long-standing Chamber position to support any education initiative that supports students in their pursuit of a quality education and academic success.  HB 338 allows all students to prepare for post-secondary and career success and will help build a strong workforce and ensure employers have the talent they need to keep Georgia competitive.

House Bill 245, Sponsored by Representative Al Williams (D – Midway)

House Bill 245 requires professional licensing boards and other boards to adopt rules and regulations that allow military spouses and transitioning service members to qualify for certain licenses. This legislation will assist in Georgia’s compliance with the Base Realignment and Closure Committee and help better serve our state’s military families, personnel, and institutions.

House Bill 192, Sponsored by Representative Beth Beskin (R – Atlanta)

House Bill 192 fixes an issue by returning Georgia to a standard that existed prior to a 2014 Georgia Supreme Court decision, which has placed business at a greater risk of losing qualified directors and officers who serve on corporate boards. The bill brings the standard of care for officers and directors in Georgia back in line with the standard in 35 other states. HB 192 will create a more predictable legal climate that is attractive to companies considering Georgia as a potential corporate headquarters and to businesses of all sizes who care deeply that the civil justice system remain fair and equitable to all parties.

Chamber Supported Legislation

House Bill 199, Sponsored by Representative Trey Rhodes (R - Greensboro)

HB 199 gives a post-production tax credit to interactive entertainment companies that complete projects in Georgia. This law will ensure film, music, and other production companies invest and locate their projects in Georgia. HB 199 will be applicable to tax years after January 1, 2018.

House Bill 224, Sponsored by Representative Dave Belton (R - Buckhead)

HB 224 will allow for students in military families to attend any school in their local school system provided space is available to them.

Senate Bill 133, Sponsored by Senator Larry Walker III (R - Perry)

SB 133 eliminates fees for small business related to corporate net worth income and encourages capital investment in Georgia. This law would be in effect for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2018.

2017 Chamber Scorecard Legislation Already In Effect

Senate Bill 70, Sponsored by Senator Butch Miller (R – Gainesville)

Senate Bill 70, effective February 13, 2017, is a critical measure aimed at ensuring Georgia’s hospitals receive much-needed financial support. The bill reauthorizes much needed payments to hospitals to obtain federal financial assistance for the state’s Medicaid program. Re-authorization of this financing program returns hundreds of millions in federal tax dollars to Georgia in order to provide financial stability and ensure our hospitals are able to continue providing quality care.

House Bill 73, Sponsored by Representative Penny Houston (R – Nashville)

House Bill 73, effective May 8, 2017, will help incentivize economic growth and investment in some of Georgia’s most economically disadvantaged rural areas. This legislation is an important piece in a larger conversation surrounding the opportunities for economic growth in rural communities throughout Georgia. HB 73 creates innovative tax incentives, tied to sustainable and responsible job creation, to encourage the revitalization of downtown centers across rural Georgia. This tax credit will be available starting in January of 2018.

House Bill 134, Sponsored by Representative Bubber Epps (R - Dry Branch)

House Bill 134, effective May 1, 2017, allows for greater flexibility in the administration of single county T-SPLOST, including allowing a county to levy multiple T-SPLOST as long as the total amount levied does not exceed 1%. HB 134 also grants cities the authority to bond their T-SPLOST projects, an option currently available only to counties. HB 134 provides local officials, working with their constituents, the tools necessary to build and maintain a transportation network necessary to attract business growth and address their citizens’ needs. Some portions of HB 134 will become active in January of 2018.