2013 Legislature Report

A Recap of the 2013 Legislative Session

Among the house bills introduced was one that incorporated changes to the new Title Ad Valorem Tax bill passed in 2012 which Gov. Deal has already signed.

The session wrap up of key bills that passed the legislature and await Gov. Nathan Deal's signature are listed below. Most of last year and the 2013 session was taken up with working on improvements and corrections to the new Title Ad Valorem Tax that went into effect March 1, 2013.   House Bill 80 addressed 17 needed changes representing an effort to ensure that the potential for unintended consequences of HB 386 (2012) would not negatively affect vehicle buyers, sellers, leasing or rental companies.   HB 80 received some changes in the Senate and was incorporated into HB 266. Its importance was such that it was signed into law by the Governor during the first week of March. I also had the privilege of bringing together our manufacturers…

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Georgia Lawmakers 2013 Session Ends Today

Thursday, March 28, marks the end of the 40-day session which is expected to last until midnight as the House and Senate continues working on a list of bills yet to pass including the 2014 budget, ethics bill and gun rights legislation.

Georgia lawmakers wrap up the 40-day session today with a number of bills yet to pass. The 2014 budget is the only one that the General Assembly is required to pass. Negotiations between the House and Senate have been ongoing, education spending is a key issue that has to be addressed. According to GPB News, "The House added $6 million to the Technical College System of Georgia over what Governor Nathan Deal had proposed. The Senate gave TCSG an additional $4.5 million on top of that. Senators also voted to restore the HOPE program’s tuition equalization grants to $700 for private college students, which the House had cut to just $500 to save money." The ethics bill is another key piece of legislation yet to be approved by the House and …

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2013 Legislature Report

Georgia's Top 30 Bills in 2013 Legislative Session

With less than a month remaining in this year's legislative session, these are the top 30 bills to watch.

These are the bills that are considered most interesting to watch after cross over day. Cross over day is the last day for House bills to move to the Senate and vice versa. Personally I have been at work on several bills the most important of which was HB 80. HB 80 improved several provisions of last year's Title Fee bill. It passed the House near unanimously and was passed via Conference Committee report and then signed by Gov. Deal on the same day.   SB 24 - Provider Payment Fee The "Hospital Medicaid Financing Program Act", authorizes the Department of Community Health (DCH) to establish, assess and discontinue provider payments on hospitals.  These payments will be utilized to garner Federal funds and then return them to certain …

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Legislative Bill Introduced to Prohibit Non-Tax Fees on Property Tax Bills

Georgia House Bill 159 would limit what type of fees municipalities could add to residents' property tax bills.

A bill introduced in the Georgia General Assembly last week by state Rep. Brett Harrell would prohibit municipalities from adding non-tax fees to property tax bills. Harrell initially introduced the bill in 2011 with nearly 60 co-signers. “Too often citizens across Georgia experience increased property tax bills, higher monthly mortgage payments, and, in some cases, liens against their property, all resulting from the addition of non-tax fees added to their property tax bills,” Harrell said. “The type and number of fees continues to increase each year. This legislation will help ease the burden on Georgia households and increase government transparency.” Harrell said House Bill 159 addresses a growing concern among property owners …

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Rusty Taylor

1:02 pm on Tuesday, February 5, 2013

What happens if you want to take your own trash to the dump as my granddad use to do??? Do you STILL have to pay the county a waste bill? How about if you own a second home and only use it a few weeks out of the year?   more ›

2013 Legislature Report

New Appointments Fill the First Week of New Legislative Session

Rice reappointed to chair the House Motor Vehicles Committee, also the State Representative will serve on the House Rules Committee which has the final say on legislation that makes it to the floor for a vote.

Greetings from the Capitol! The 2013 Session of the Georgia General Assembly kicked off on Monday, Jan. 14, and this Session will prove to be a pivotal one for the State of Georgia. I am humbled to be the Representative from our great district and appreciate the opportunity to represent the people of Peachtree Corners, Berkeley Lake and parts of Norcross, Duluth and Johns Creek.   Monday was an important day for the State of Georgia as the House of Representatives re-elected, by an overwhelming majority, Speaker of the House David Ralston. I am thankful to continue to work with Speaker Ralston as I have over the last three years, and additionally, the House re-elected Rep. Jan Jones of Alpharetta as Speaker Pro-Tempore. I am very proud of …

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2013 Legislative Now In Session

Georgia state legislatures will see hundreds of bills in upcoming 40 days, including ethics reform, the Falcons stadium and immigration. What do you think they should focus on this year?

The Georgia General Assembly convenes today (Jan. 14) for the 2013 legislative session. Lawmakers will spend the next 40 days working on a myrid of bills that range from immigration, second amendment rights, ethics reform, a new stadium for the Falcons to health care and jobs. (This list is not inclusive.) But one that will take up a giant portion of legislatures time will be the state budget. Unlike the federal government, Georgia must operate on a balanced budget. What do you think are the most important in this year's legislative session?

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2013 Legislature Report

Gun Control, Budget Among Issues State Lawmakers Face in 2013 Session

The Georgia General Assembly convenes on Monday, Jan. 14. State Rep. Tom Rice highlights some of the issues lawmakers will deal with this year.

Editor's note: Georgia State Representative Tom Rice (R-Dist. 95) will provide periodic reports during the 40-day legislative session. Here is his first report. On Monday, Jan. 14, 2013, the members and members elect of the Georgia House and Senate will be sworn in at 10 a.m. and thus will begin the 40-day session of the Georgia General Assembly. I am greatly indebted to the voters of House District 95 to allow me to serve again.  It is my desire to hear from the voters on any issue and they can do that simply by going to my web site at www.tomrice.org and keying the contact tab. You can also call my office at 404-656-5912 to voice your opinion or to set up a meeting. The 2013 Session undoubtedly will focus on many issues of concern to the…

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Alex H

9:46 am on Friday, January 11, 2013

I read somewhere that GSU was looking to pick up the Dome for their football team. GSU has done more good for downtown than any other organization has for decades. That said, football stadiums have a terrible return on investment considering the small number of games played per season and only half of those are at home.   more ›

Ad Valorem Tax Fees Change in 2013

The Georgia General Assembly passed a tax reform bill that will change how and when you pay your ad valorem tax on your vehicle.

Berkeley Lake Annexes Surrounding Businesses

With approval by the Georgia General Assembly, the Gwinnett city adds nearby commercial property to its borders.

In an announcement issued Thursday (Sept. 23) by Berkeley Lake's mayor, Lois Salter, the city's borders have expanded and now include a number of adjacent commercial properties. On Sept. 21 Gov. Nathan Deal signed H.B. 13EX which expands the City of Berkeley Lake's city limits through the annexation of properties between the previous city limits and Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. The annexation includes over 25 parcels, mostly commercial properties that were in unincorporated Gwinnett County and adjacent to the city's current borders. Among the businesses to be included is SunTrust and IronStone banks, two branches located on the corner of Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and South Berkeley Lake Road, and the commercial properties in the …

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