Daily report, 2022 March 10

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 10, 2022

Committee Actions

Thursday March 10,
2022

COMMITTEE DAY REPORT

House Budget & Research Office (404) 656-5050
Committee Actions
Bills passing committees are reported to the Clerk's Office and are placed on the General Calendar.

Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee
HB 1496 Animals; sheriff impounding livestock running at large to donate livestock to an animal rescue organization or private individual; authorize
Bill Summary: House Bill 1496 allows sheriffs in possession of impounded and unclaimed livestock to donate an animal to a rescue organization or private individual, in addition to being able to auction or euthanize the animal.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Joseph Gullett (19th) Agriculture & Consumer Affairs

Committee Action:

03-10-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 1522 Commerce and trade; certain additional information to be provided to beauty pageant contestants before accepting a fee; require
Bill Summary: House Bill 1522 adds the following informational items to be provided to entrants of a beauty pageant: internet website of the operator; email address of the organization conducting the pageant; and email address of the individual authorized to accept service of process.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Jason Ridley (6th) Agriculture & Consumer Affairs

Committee Action:

03-10-2022 Do Pass

Appropriations Committee
HB 911 General appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023 Bill Summary: House Bill 911, the FY 2023 budget, is based on a revenue estimate of $30.2 billion, an increase of 10.8% over original FY 2022 budget.

The bill and tracking sheet may be found on the House Budget and Research Office website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/house/budget-research-office

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. David Ralston (7th) Appropriations

Committee Action:

03-10-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 10, 2022

Committee Actions

HR 593

Perry, Mr. Dennis Arnold; compensate
Bill Summary: House Resolution 593 authorizes the Department of Administrative Services to pay $1,230,000 to Dennis Arnold Perry as compensation for his wrongful conviction. After an initial payment of $307,500, the remainder shall be paid in the form of a 20-year annuity. All payments are exempt from state income tax and shall continue to be paid to Dennis Arnold Perry's estate upon his death.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Don Hogan (179th) Appropriations

Committee Action:

03-10-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HR 626

Robinson, Kerry; compensate
Bill Summary: House Resolution 626 authorizes the Department of Administrative Services to pay $480,000 to Kerry Robinson as compensation for his wrongful conviction. After an initial payment of $120,000, the remainder shall be paid in the form of a 20-year annuity. All payments are exempt from state income tax and shall continue to be paid to Kerry Robinson's estate upon his death.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Scott Holcomb (81st) Appropriations

Committee Action:

03-10-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Creative Arts & Entertainment Committee
HB 1516 Georgia Music Hall of Fame Authority; provide for definitions; provisions
Bill Summary: House Bill 1516 repeals provisions for joint operations between the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, and instead allows for joint operations between the Georgia Music Hall of Fame Authority and the Classic Center Authority. The Georgia Music Hall of Fame Authority consists of five voting members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. Three members are selected from the state at large and two members are residents of AthensClarke County. The board members of the Classic Center Authority shall serve as non-voting exofficio members of the authority.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Houston Gaines (117th) Creative Arts & Entertainment

Committee Action:

03-10-2022 Do Pass

SR 477

Joint Georgia Music Heritage Study Committee; create
Bill Summary: Senate Resolution 477 creates the Georgia Music Heritage Study Committee to examine: the economic impact of the music industry in Georgia, as well as ways to measure, expand, and promote the state's music economy and foster integration with other creative industries, including film, digital media, and gaming; the current state of the music tourism sector in Georgia and ways to support, promote, and grow that sector; musical tour and theatrical productions in Georgia and ways to develop, promote, and attract investment from that sector of the industry; and the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and its awards ceremony and ways that the institution can promote music in the state while providing for continued economic development. The committee is composed of 14 members: six members of the Senate and eight members of the House of Representatives. This committee is abolished on December 1, 2022.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Jeff Mullis (53rd) Creative Arts & Entertainment

Committee Action:

03-10-2022 Do Pass

Education Committee
HB 1184 Education; college entrance exam to public school students in grade 11; require administration Bill Summary: House Bill 1184 amends the O.C.G.A to add a new Code section, 20-2-281.2, that allows each local school system, state chartered special school, state charter school, and the

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 10, 2022

Committee Actions

Department of Juvenile Justice to provide for up to three administrations of nationally recognized college entrance exam to public school students enrolled in grade 11 who choose to participate. Each exam administration is to take place during normal school hours and shall be system or school-wide.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Al Williams (168th) Education

Committee Action:

03-10-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 1283 Quality Basic Education Act; recess for students in kindergarten and grades one through five; provide
Bill Summary: House Bill 1283 amends the O.C.G.A 20-2-323 to provide for recess for students in kindergarten and grades one through five every day beginning in the 2022-2023 school year. Recess shall not be required on any school day on which a student has had physical education or for other reasons. Each local education board shall establish written policies on recess and ensure it is not withheld for disciplinary or academic reasons.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Demetrius Douglas (78th) Education

Committee Action:

03-10-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 1474 Education; course of study in career readiness education for students in grades six through twelve; provide
Bill Summary: House Bill 1474 amends O.C.G.A. 20-2-145.1 to provide for a minimum course of study in career readiness education for students in grades six through 12. This course of study focuses on instructions and training experiences to promote professionalism, problem solving, resiliency, effective communication, time management, efficiency, collaboration, teamwork, and leadership competencies in the workplace. The Department of Education shall assemble and develop the instructional resources and make such materials available to public schools and local school systems by July 1, 2022.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Mesha Mainor (56th) Education

Committee Action:

03-10-2022 Do Pass

HB 1482 Education; eligibility criteria for project specific capital outlay grants for low-wealth schools systems; revise
Bill Summary: House Bill 1482 amends O.C.G.A. 20-2-262 to revise the eligibility criteria for project specific capital outlay grants for low-wealth school systems. The criteria for eligibility, under the provisions of this bill, are that a local school system must be currently, or was in the most recent three years, ranked in the bottom 25 percent of school systems in sales tax revenue per full-time equivalent (FTE) student count and value of property per FTE student count. For local school systems in which the amount of special purpose local option sales tax revenues is ranked in the bottom 25 percent of eligible local school systems receiving such sales tax revenues, that system may submit a request to the department for consideration. The system must commit five years of such revenues to the project.

In order to consolidate educational facilities, they must be more than 35 years old. Once a local school system has received a capital outlay grant and their need is met, according to the Department of Education, they are not eligible to receive another grant for a period of ten years. The State Board of Education establishes rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this bill.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Chris Erwin (28th) Education

Committee Action:

03-10-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 10, 2022

Committee Actions

Game, Fish, & Parks Committee
HR 822 Georgia's opposition to shark fin trade; state
Bill Summary: House Resolution 822 states the House of Representatives' opposition to the practice of shark finning and sand its support for requiring standards for importers of shark fins that are equal to or stricter than those imposed by the United States.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Ron Stephens (164th) Game, Fish, & Parks

Committee Action:

03-10-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

SB 469

Watercraft; certain watercraft to have day and night visual distress signals on board when on coastal waters of Georgia; require
Bill Summary: Senate Bill 469 aligns Georgia law with federal law regarding requirements related to visual distress signals and floatation devices.

Authored By: House Committee:

Sen. Tyler Harper (7th) Game, Fish, & Parks

Committee Action:

03-10-2022 Do Pass

Health & Human Services Committee
HB 1404 Community Health, Department of; submit waiver request to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to authorize private institutions for mental disease to qualify for Medicaid reimbursement
Bill Summary: House Bill 1404 instructs the Department of Community Health to submit a waiver request to the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services allowing private mental health institutions to qualify for Medicaid reimbursement.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Robert Pruitt (149th) Health & Human Services

Committee Action:

03-10-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 1484 Social services; three-year pilot program to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of PANDAS and PANS under Medicaid; provide
Bill Summary: House Bill 1484 creates a pilot program for the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infection (PANDAS) and pediatric acute onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) under the medical assistance program. Covered treatment can include the use of intravenous immune globulin therapy and other methods. The three-year pilot begins on January 1, 2024 and includes a maximum of 100 individuals annually. The department will work with a patient advocacy organization to create outreach and educational resources for the eligible population and pediatric providers. Beginning December 31, 2024 the department will submit an annual report to the House and Senate Health and Human Services Committees to include covered treatments in claims, cost of claims, and the total number of participants, providers, and claims.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Lee Hawkins (27th) Health & Human Services

Committee Action:

03-10-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Higher Education Committee
HB 1515 Education; tuition equalization grants at private colleges and universities; revise definition of approved school
Bill Summary: House Bill 1515 amends O.C.G.A 20-3-411 to revise the definition of "approved school", in reference to tuition equalization grants at private colleges and universities, to include

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 10, 2022

Committee Actions

schools that were previously accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and who are now accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools if they meet all other requirements to be considered an approved school.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Patty Bentley (139th) Higher Education

Committee Action:

03-10-2022 Do Pass

Human Relations & Aging Committee
HB 1531 Health; minimum staffing requirements in assisted living communities and memory care centers; revise provisions
Bill Summary: House Bill 1531 amends Code sections relating to the licensure and regulation of assisted living communities to clarify that only one of the two required on-site direct care staff persons needs to be on-site at all times if there are fewer than 15 residents during the waking hours and fewer than 20 residents during the non-waking hours. Additionally, HB 1531 amends Code sections relating to the operations of memory care centers to clarify that only one of the two required on-site direct care staff persons needs to be on-site at all times if there are fewer that 12 residents during the waking hours and fewer than 15 residents during the non-waking hours. HB 1531 allows for the required minimum number of staffing hours to be a monthly average.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. John LaHood (175th) Human Relations & Aging

Committee Action:

03-10-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Motor Vehicles Committee
HB 1528 Commerce and trade; illegal for certain persons to purchase or attempt to purchase, possess, obtain, or sell used, detached catalytic converters; provide
Bill Summary: House Bill 1528 prohibits the possession, transport, or sale of used, detached catalytic converters by unauthorized individuals. Unauthorized individuals in possession of used, detached catalytic converters are subject to item forfeiture and each unlawfully possessed item is considered a separate offense.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Martin Momtahan (17th) Motor Vehicles

Committee Action:

03-10-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Natural Resources & Environment Committee
HB 1479 State Board of Registration for Foresters; independent state agency; provisions
Bill Summary: House Bill 1479 removes the State Board of Registration for Foresters from within the Secretary of State and establishes the board as a separate entity administratively attached to the State Forestry Commission. Individuals nominated to the board by the governor must be confirmed by the Senate. The board may issue cease and desist orders, as well as impose a fine of no more than $500 for violations.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. John Corbett (174th) Natural Resources & Environment Committee
Action:

03-10-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 10, 2022

Committee Actions

Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee

HB 830

Courts; limiting sheriffs to one additional salary for serving as the sheriff of multiple courts; repeal provisions
Bill Summary: House Bill 830 allows a sheriff to be compensated by a supplement for official services by up to two courts.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Chris Erwin (28th) Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee
Action:

03-10-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Special Committee on Access to Quality Health Care
HB 1403 Health; certificate of need requirements; acute care hospitals established in rural counties that meet certain criteria; provide exemption
Bill Summary: House Bill 1403 exempts from the certificate of need requirements any acute care hospital established in a rural county on or after July 1, 2022, that meets the following requirements: provides inpatient hospital services; accepts both Medicaid and Medicare; provides health care services to indigent patients, with at least 10 percent of its annual net revenue categorized as indigent care, charity care, or bad debt; annually files IRS Form 990 or similar form with the Department of Community Health; is operated by a county or municipal authority or designated as a tax-exempt organization; is current with all required audits and reports; and has a three-year average patient margin, as a percent of expense, less than one standard deviation above the statewide three-year average.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Clint Crowe (110th) Special Committee on Access to Quality Health Care

Committee Action:

03-10-2022 Tabled

HB 1519 Insurance; prohibit insurers from unilaterally changing network participation contracts impacting coverage, access to, or costs of ancillary services
Bill Summary: House Bill 1519 prohibits an insurer from implementing any unilateral change to its policies or health benefit plan or any amendment to the network participation contract that would substantially alter or limit coverage, authorization, or site of service delivery; limit access to healthcare services from a participating facility or provider; result in a adverse change in reimbursement or administrative costs; or result in a higher cost-sharing requirement for a covered individual.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. David Knight (130th) Special Committee on Access to Quality Health Care

Committee Action:

03-10-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 1547 Health; certificate of need requirements; revise various provisions
Bill Summary: House Bill 1547 repeals the certificate of need law, effective January 1, 2025.
HB 1547 defines "uncompensated indigent and charity care" as the net amount of care after direct and indirect (all) compensation. The bill requires ambulatory surgery centers (ASC); diagnostic, treatment, or rehabilitation centers; diagnostic imaging facilities; perinatal services; physician-owned ASCs; joint-venture ASCs; and institutions, as defined in the bill, to provide uncompensated indigent and charity care equal to at least five percent of its adjusted gross revenue. The bill provides for monetary penalties for non-compliance that are deposited into the Indigent Care Trust Fund. Varying effective dates for these requirements are included in the bill.
Relating to the Certificate of Need Appeal Panel, HB 1547 requires the Department of Community Health to pay reasonable attorney's fees and costs of an applicant responding to an appeal if the applicant is the prevailing party.

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 10, 2022

Committee Actions

The bill broadens the definition of "single-specialty ambulatory surgical center" to "physician-owned ambulatory surgical center" and exempts the centers from certificate of need requirements.

Beginning July 1, 2022, urban hospitals are authorized to enter into venture capital partnerships with rural regional critical access or safety net hospitals in order to construct or operate ASCs in rural counties.

Beginning January 1, 2023, the Department of Community Health (DCH) is required to provide Medicaid reimbursements at 100 percent of cost for patients at rural hospitals.

The bill subjects affiliates and subsidiaries of hospital authorities to the state's open records laws. Any entity that leases or transfers hospital authority assets, or any subsidiary or foundation of a hospital authority, is considered an agency subject to open records. Additionally, DCH may withhold state funds from hospital authorities that do not comply with existing reporting requirements. The failure of a hospital authority to comply with the required maximum cash reserves is added to Code as a failure to perform minimum functions and subjects the authority to sanctions. A cash reserves limit is set at 12 months of operating costs.

HB 1547 requires hospital authorities to submit an annual budget report, community benefit report, and audit to the Office of Health Strategy and Coordination (OHSC). Medicare and Medicaid losses are not to be considered community benefits.

No hospitals or hospital authorities with ownership or interest in offshore captive insurance companies are eligible to receive funds from the Indigent Care Trust Fund.

Upon appropriations, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) is to establish a program that provides state-funded mental health assistance to indigent individuals who are not eligible for Medicare, Medicaid, or PeachCare. Program participants are required to reimburse the state for certain costs over time on a sliding-scale basis, as determined by DBHDD. Community service boards are required in the bill to ensure that disability services are prioritized for Medicaid and uninsured patients.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Matt Hatchett (150th) Special Committee on Access to Quality Health Care

Committee Action:

03-10-2022 Do Pass

Special Committee on Election Integrity
HB 1464 Georgia Bureau of Investigation; original jurisdiction to investigate election fraud and elections crimes; provide
Bill Summary: Sections 1 and 3: Provide that any private person or non-governmental entity seeking to provide a grant or donation to the state or an election superintendent for any purpose related to election administration must file an application for approval with the State Election Board. The State Election Board will determine if the grant offers a partisan advantage. Approved grants must be made directly to the State Election Board and the State Election Board will distribute the funds at their discretion.
Section 2: Allows the State Election Board to appoint members of county boards of elections or county boards of elections and registration to performance review boards.
Section 4: For statewide general elections in each precinct with optical scanning voting systems, the county election superintendent is required to provide at least one voting booth for each 250 electors who have not yet voted in the current election.
Section 5: Clarifies the language that must be included on any absentee ballot application mailed to an elector by a non-governmental entity. Clarifies that there is nothing preventing a person or entity from providing blank absentee ballot applications to electors or from directing electors to an electronic version.

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 10, 2022

Committee Actions

Section 6: Repeals provisions related to state write-in absentee ballots utilized by military members and citizens residing outside of the United States.

Section 7: Requires drop boxes to be locked when advance voting is not being conducted at that location or when the advance-voting period ends. Completion of the ballot transfer form must serve as an initial chain of custody document for absentee ballots collected from drop boxes; additional chain of custody requirements are provided.

Sections 8, 11, and 12: Provide chain of custody requirements and handling and storage guidelines for specified election materials.

Section 9: Provides that employees must be permitted time off to vote on either Election Day or on an advance-voting day.

Section 10: Clarifies that each political party and political body that has a candidate whose name appears on the ballot is entitled to designate a specified number of poll watchers in specified instances. Requires that certified poll watchers are allowed meaningful observation and access to specified election processes.

Section 13: Clarifies the information an election superintendent is required to report to the Secretary of State and required to post in a public place following poll closure on the day of an election.

Sections 14 and 15: Remove the requirement of sealing the copies of the consolidated primary and election returns that each election superintendent files with the clerk of the superior court.

Section 16: Requires the clerk or county records manager to retain and preserve specified election materials for 24 months and prevent the materials from being altered, amended, damaged, modified, or mutilated.

Section 17: Establishes that individuals committing the following actions are guilty of a felony: threatening force or violence on a poll officer or election official; materially interrupting or improperly interfering with the execution of official election duties; or intimidating poll officers or election officials from performing their duties.

Sections 18 and 19: Provide the Georgia Bureau of Investigation with original jurisdiction and subpoena power to investigate election fraud and election crimes.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. James Burchett (176th) Special Committee on Election Integrity

Committee Action:

03-10-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Transportation Committee
HR 820 James J. Boss Memorial Roundabout; Barrow County; dedicate Bill Summary: HR 820 is the annual road facility dedication package and includes the following dedications:
HR 820, dedicating the intersection of State Route 211 and Old Hog Mountain/Covered Bridge Road in Barrow County as the James J. Boss Memorial Roundabout;
HR 572, dedicating the portion of State Route 139 from Church Street to State Route 85 in Clayton County as the Gold Star Fathers of Georgia Highway;
HR 573, dedicating the portion of State Route 54 from the Clayton/Fayette line to U.S. 41 in Clayton County as the Arnold Fountain Professional Club Highway;
HR 574, dedicating the bridge on State Route 70 at Interstate 285 in Fulton County as the Rev. Joseph Jones Sr. and Darnella Jones Memorial Bridge;

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 10, 2022

Committee Actions

HR 582, dedicating the portion of State Route 372 from Ball Ground Highway to Interstate 575 in Cherokee and Pickens counties as the Roger William Cavender Memorial Highway;

HR 628, dedicating the intersection of State Route 78 and Oak Drive in Gwinnett County as the SPC Etienne J. Murphy Memorial Intersection;

HR 649, dedicating the intersection of State Route1/U.S. 27 and Little Texas Valley Road in Floyd County as the Judge Larry Salmon Memorial Intersection;

HR 668, dedicating the interchange of Interstate 575 at Exit 11 in Cherokee County as the Joseph W. Burson Memorial Bridge;

HR 685, dedicating the State Route 11/Social Circle Bypass bridge at the Little River in Walton County as the Sgt. James Terry Savage Memorial Bridge;

HR 706, dedicating the bridge on State Route 109 over Gola Creek in Pike County as the Rex J. Yerkes Memorial Bridge;

HR 708, dedicating the portion of State Route 53 from the Hall/Forsyth County line to Little Hall Road in Hall County as the Officer Bobbie Sue Hoenie Memorial Highway;

HR 757, dedicating the portion of State Route 26 from mile marker 15 to mile marker 16 in Marion County as the Memorial Mile for Sheriff Horace Irving Snider;

HR 771, dedicating the intersection of State Route 8 and State Route 378/Beaver Ruin Road in Gwinnett County as the SPC Adam L. Harrell Memorial Intersection;

HR 818, dedicating the intersection at State Route 48 and State Route 157 in Chattooga County as the Bobby Lee Cook Memorial Intersection;

HR 819, dedicating the bridge on State Route 51 over the Middle Fork Broad River in Franklin County as the Fred Pulliam Memorial Bridge;

HR 821, dedicating the portion of State Route 211 from the intersection of Old Hog Mountain Road/Covered Bridge Road to the Little Mulberry River Bridge in Barrow County as the Seixas Milner Memorial Highway;

HR 897, dedicating the portion of State Route 144 from mile marker 6 to mile marker 11 in Tattnall County as the Quinton Rush Highway;

HR 620, providing a spelling correction to an existing dedication for the Charlie D. Rogers Memorial Highway WW II - US Navy; and

HR 621, providing a title to an existing dedication for the Hugh L. Moore Memorial Bridge, WW II MIA Purple Heart Recipient.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Terry England (116th) Transportation

Committee Action:

03-10-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Ways & Means Committee
HB 304 Revenue and taxation; medical equipment and supplies manufacturers and pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturers; provide tax credit Bill Summary: House Bill 304 suspends the state motor fuel excise tax upon the signature of the governor through the last moment of May 31, 2022.
Authored By: Rep. Jodi Lott (122nd)

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 10, 2022

Committee Actions

House Committee:

Ways & Means

Committee Action:

03-10-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 424

Income tax; change certain definitions
Bill Summary: House Bill 424 establishes a tax credit for contributions to "foster care support organizations", which are defined as being the aging-out program of the Technical College System of Georgia Foundation, a Governor's Office of Planning and Budget certified aging-out program of the University System of Georgia Foundation, or any 501(c)(3) corporation that has the primary function of operating an aging-out program, or operating as or supporting a Georgia licensed child-placing agency, or disbursing funds directly to one or more of the prior listed entities. Taxpayers are allowed a 100 percent income tax credit for qualified donations to foster care support organizations provided that for the first six months of each year, a single individual or head of household shall not be allowed a credit of more than $2,500; a married couple, individual who is a member of a limitedliability company, a shareholder of a Subchapter 'S' corporation, or a partner in a partnership shall not be allowed a credit of more than $5,000; and a corporation shall not be allowed a credit of more than 10 percent of the corporation's income tax liability. This tax credit has an annual aggregate cap of $20 million.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Bruce Williamson (115th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

03-10-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 1041 Income tax; tax credits for contributions to rural hospital organizations; increase aggregate limit
Bill Summary: House Bill 1041 amends O.C.G.A. 48-7-29.20, relating to tax credits for contributions to rural hospital organizations, by increasing the annual aggregate cap from $60 million to $75 million.

House Bill 1041 also establishes a tax credit for contributions to "foster care support organizations", which are defined as being the aging-out program of the Technical College System of Georgia Foundation, a Governor's Office of Planning and Budget certified aging-out program of the University System of Georgia Foundation, or any 501(c)(3) corporation that has the primary function of operating an aging-out program, or operating as or supporting a Georgia licensed child-placing agency, or disbursing funds directly to one or more of the prior listed entities. Taxpayers are allowed a 100 percent income tax credit for qualified donations to foster care support organizations provided that for the first six months of each year, a single individual or head of household shall not be allowed a credit of more than $2,500; a married couple, individual who is a member of a limitedliability company, a shareholder of a Subchapter 'S' corporation, or a partner in a partnership shall not be allowed a credit of more than $5,000; and a corporation shall not be allowed a credit of more than 10 percent of the corporation's income tax liability. This tax credit has an annual aggregate cap of $20 million.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Clay Pirkle (155th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

03-10-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 1053 Income tax; certain expenditures made by postproduction companies; extend tax credit
Bill Summary: House Bill 1053 amends 48-7-40.26A, the 'Georgia Entertainment Industry Postproduction Investment Act,' by extending the tax credit through December 31, 2027 and reducing the carry forward time of the tax credits earned from five years to three years.

The bill also requires each company that claims the post-production tax credit or film tax credit to be subject to Georgia income tax for income that is derived from residual payments due to employment, trade, business, profession, or other activity performed within Georgia with respect to a state-certified production.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Ron Stephens (164th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

03-10-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

House of Representatives

Daily Report for March 10, 2022

Committee Actions

HB 1291 Sales and use tax; exemption for sale or lease of computer equipment of high-technology companies; revise spending threshold and extend sunset date
Bill Summary: House Bill 1291 amends 48-8-3, relating to exemptions from sales and use tax, by extending the sunset on the exemption for sales or leases of computer equipment to high-technology companies from June 30, 2023 to December 31, 2033 and modifying the exemption process. The bill removes the ability of the Department of Revenue to issue sales tax exemption certificates for computer equipment and replaces it with a requirement for companies to submit requests for refunds following the completion of the tax year. Companies are eligible for refunds, without interest, on all sales taxes paid on eligible computer equipment with the exception of 10 percent of the first $15 million of purchases. The bill also specifies that computers or devices issued to employees and prewritten software are not eligible expenses.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Vance Smith (133rd) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

03-10-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

HB 1330 Georgia Music and Theatre Jobs Recovery Act; enact
Bill Summary: House Bill 1330 amends 48-7-40.33, relating to tax credits for musical or theatrical performances, by revising the definitions of "musical or theatrical performance" and "spending threshold"; increasing the tax credit from 15 to 30 percent of the qualified production expenditures; establishing an annual aggregate cap on the tax credit of $5 million for 2023, $10 million for 2024 and 2025, and $15 million for 2026 and 2027; and allowing the credits to be transferred or sold. The definition of "musical or theatrical performance" is revised by eliminating the requirement that a series of live performances occur over the course of a 12-month period or longer, as well as the option to have prepared and rehearsed a minimum of seven days in Georgia with its United States debut in Georgia. The definition of "spending threshold" during a taxable year is revised by reducing the amount for all musical or theatrical performances from $500,000 to $100,000; for recorded musical performances incorporated into a movie, television, or interactive entertainment production from $250,000 to $50,000; and for all other recorded musical performances from $100,000 to $50,000. Production companies are also allowed to aggregate qualified expenditures from one or more performances to meet or exceed the spending thresholds. The time unused credits are allowed to be carried forward is reduced from five to three years.

The bill also requires each production company that claims the tax credit to be subject to Georgia income tax for income that is derived from residual payments due to employment, trade, business, profession, or other activity performed within Georgia with respect to a state certified production.

Authored By: House Committee:

Rep. Calvin Smyre (135th) Ways & Means

Committee Action:

03-10-2022 Do Pass by Committee Substitute

Committee Meeting Schedule
This meeting schedule is up to date at the time of this report, but meeting dates and times are subject to change. To keep up with the latest schedule, please visit www.house.ga.gov and click on Meetings Calendar.

Friday - March 11, 2022 03/11/2022 8:00 AM JUDICIARY COMMITTEE (House)

132 CAP HYBRID VIDEO

03/11/2022 8:00 AM GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE (House) 406 CLOB HYBRID VIDEO Agenda

03/11/2022 8:30 AM RULES COMMITTEE (House)

341 CAP

VIDEO Agenda

03/11/2022 10:00 AM FLOOR SESSION (LD 27) (House)

House Chamber VIDEO

03/11/2022 12:30 PM RETIREMENT COMMITTEE (House)

406 CLOB HYBRID VIDEO