Weekly Legislative Update – Week Nine

Fractional Penny SPLOST Passes both Houses – Differences Must be Reconciled

The Senate passed the fractional penny SPLOST this week with overwhelming support.  However, the Senate version includes language that would allow for multiple fractional SPLOST’s to be levied simultaneously; language the House struck from their original legislation.  Thursday afternoon the House disagreed with the Senate version of the legislation.  If the Senate insists on their version, then a conference committee will be appointed to work out the differences.  However, if the Senate accepts the House version, then the bill will have passed both houses and will be sent to the governor for his consideration.  Governor Deal is expected to sign the legislation if passed in any version.

Legislature Passes Flint River Drought Protection Act

After a year of negotiations between multiple environmental, business and regulatory organizations, on Wednesday the House passed an amended Flint River Drought Protection Act.  The legislation will increase water conservation on crop irrigation systems in the lower Flint River basin, define the authority and process for the State to augment streams to protect wildlife, and assist the State in establishing scientific data to be used to effectively manage Georgia’s water resources.  Thursday afternoon the Senate agreed to the House language.  The legislation now heads to the governor where he has already indicated his desire to sign the bill into law.

Local Economic Development Authority Legislation Being Hammered This Year

Multiple pieces of legislation in both the House and Senate impacting local economic development authorities have faced considerable opposition and debate this year. Early this week a Senate development authority bill that passed the Senate last year on a 2 to 1 vote, was recommitted to the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee, which probably killed the bill for 2014.  Tax abatements, bond financing and the recommendations from a State performance audit have been the impetus for much of the debate and disagreement.  With almost 500 local economic development authorities in Georgia, oversight, transparency and regulatory issues will continue to be in focus during the 2014 interim and future legislative sessions.

Two Days Remain in 2014 Legislative Session

This Tuesday will be Legislative Day 39 and Thursday will be Day 40, the final day of the 2014 Georgia legislative session.  All legislation must have either passed or be in a conference committee by the end of Day 39.  Only legislation in conference committees will be considered on Day 40.  The House has approximately 50 pieces of Senate legislation to consider on Tuesday.  Less than 10 are scheduled for debate but a supplemental calendar is expected.  The Senate has approximately 90 pieces of House legislation to consider on Tuesday and will set their calendar on Monday, March 17.   The House and Senate leadership are at odds about who is holding up who’s legislation, which has raised multiple procedural threats from both bodies.