Gwinnett Chamber Public Policy Update

Buford GA

26 May, 2022

10:40 AM

Description

From the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce: May 20, 2022 Governor Brian Kemp has already signed over 800 bills into law in 2022. Bills that have passed out of the House and the Senate are submitted to the Governor for final consideration. The Governor can choose to sign into law, veto, or take no action on a bill. Bills signed into law will become effective July 1, 2022, unless otherwise specified within a specific bill. Last week, Governor Brian Kemp signed HB 911, the 2023 Fiscal Year Budget, which includes a special, one-time tax refund, a fully-funded K-12 education, a historic investment into our state's mental health services, and an increase in pay for all state employees. The budget also includes expansion of in-demand career programs at Georgia's Technical Colleges which will address supply chain issues. Read the Governor's official statement here. Other signed legislation includes HB 961 and HB 1291. HB 961, sponsored by Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Efstration, updates Georgia's apportionment statute in single-defendant cases so that the liable party's damages are awarded according to the percentage of fault for each party. HB 1291, sponsored by Representative Vance Smith, extends the sunset date for the sales tax exemption of computer and data center equipment of high-tech companies. Currently, the exemption requires companies to pay sales tax on 10% of the first $15 million spent annually to qualify. This bill will help with the state's technology infrastructure and economic development efforts. Bill Tracking – Bills/Resolutions signed into law or effective on July 1 HB 385 Teachers Retirement System of Georgia; employ beneficiaries; permit public school systems Status: 4/28/2022 – Signed by Governor. Senate Passed/Adopted 50-1. House Passed/Adopted by Substitute 169-0. HB 389 Employment security; change definition of employment to include services performed by an individual for wages Status: 5/2/2022 – Signed by Governor. Senate Passed/Adopted by Substitute 54-0. House Passed 162-6. HB 872 Gwinnett County; Board of Education; revise district boundaries Status: 2/17/2022 – Signed by Governor. House vote 148-7. Senate vote 49-0. HB 873 Gwinnett County; Board of Commissioners; revise district boundaries Status: 2/17/2022 – Signed by Governor. House vote 96-70. Senate vote 33-22. HB 884 Professions and businesses; expedited licenses for military spouses; provisions Status: 4/18/2022 –Signed by Governor. Senate Passed/Adopted as Amended 51-0. House Passed/Adopted by Substitute 164-0. HB 934 Sales and use tax; special district mass transportation Status: 5/2/2022 – Signed by Governor. Senate Passed/Adopted by Substitute 46-4. House Passed 150-8. HB 961 Torts; authorize apportionment of damages in single-defendant lawsuits; provide for evidence of fault of nonparties Status: 5/13/2022 – Signed by Governor. Senate Passed/Adopted 52-0. House passed 168-0. HB 1013 Mental Health Parity Act; enact Status: 4/4/2022 – Signed by Governor. Senate Passed/Adopted by Substitute 54-0 and House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub. House Passed/Adopted by Substitute 169-3. HB 1044 Local government; creation of regional development authorities; provide Status: 5/13/2022 – Signed by Governor. Senate Passed/Adopted as Amended 42-10. House Passed 165-0. HB 1058 Income tax; affiliated corporations file separate or consolidated returns; provisions Status: 5/5/2022 – Signed by Governor. Senate Passed/Adopted 51-0. House Passed 163-0. 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 Status: 5/9/2022 – Signed by Governor. Senate Passed/Adopted by Substitute 44-8. House Passed/Adopted by Substitute 150-17 SB 331 "Protecting Georgia Businesses and Workers Act"; enact Status: 5/5/2022 – Signed by Governor. House Passed/Adopted 99-67. Senate Passed/Adopted by Substitute 31-21. SB 363 "Fair Business Practices Act of 1975,"; class action suits and for damages for violating the requirements for solicitations for corporate filings; provide Status: 5/2/2022 – Signed by Governor. House Passed/Adopted 169-0. Senate voted 51-0 SB 369 Board of Education of Gwinnett County; future elections for members of the board of education shall be nonpartisan; provide Status: 2/21/2022 – Signed by Governor. House vote 95-61. Senate vote 32-21 SB 379 State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia; establish a program to promote the creation and expansion of registered apprenticeship programs in the state; provide Status: 4/29/2022 – Signed by Governor. House Passed/Adopted 166-1. Senate Passed by Substitute 42-4 SB 438 Contracts; certain provisions relating to retainage of progress payments; change Status: 5/13/2022 – Signed by Governor. House Passed/Adopted 151-0. Senate Passed/Adopted 52-0. SR 463 Joint Study Committee on the Electrification of Transportation; create Status: 5/14/2022 – Law Effective July 1. House Passed/Adopted 167-0. Senate Passed/Adopted 53-0 This press release was produced by Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author's own.