Weekly Legislative Update – Week Ten

2013 Legislature to Go Home This Thursday

The final three days of the 2013 legislative session are scheduled for this Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.  However, some major pieces of legislation still need to be decided prior to Thursday or the legislation will be dead for 2013.

Water Regulation Legislation Up for Vote in House

In a year where no controversial water legislation was expected, legislation initially intended to assist water management in the lower Flint River basin has been amended with language that could be problematic for both farmers and industries in the lower Flint basin.  The RBC, the Georgia chamber, the Georgia Agribusiness Council and other organizations will be lobbying legislators this week to remove the language from the legislation.  While the legislation doesn’t immediately impact the upper Flint River basin, which includes RBC counties Coweta, Clayton, Henry, Fulton and Fayette, the precedent it could have on future legislation could be very problematic.

Coastal Buffer Legislation Debate Turns Heated in the Senate

Efforts were made last week to amend legislation that would define which areas in the coastal region of Georgia are subject to public notification and permitting for construction activities around dunes and other important coastal natural structures.  The amendment would have removed the buffer around certain lakes, streams and wetlands, which has been a very contentious issue for over a decade.  After considerable debate, the amendment was defeated on a non-recorded, show of hands vote.  The legislation now goes to the governor for his signature.

Economic Development Incentive Legislation Passes the Senate, Headed Back to the House

Late Friday, legislation to potentially fund economic development programs passed the Senate.  The legislation is a combination of multiple House bills and states that funding “may” be provided for certain programs. However, no funding source was listed in the legislation. The legislation must go back to the House for its approval prior to the going to the governor for his signature.  Since the governor’s office has been very involved with designing this legislation, it is expected to pass the House and be sent to him for his approval.

Senate Passes the “BIG” Budget for Fiscal Year 2013

The Senate has passed their version of the FY 2013 Georgia budget.  Because there are differences in the House and Senate versions, a conference committee will be appointed and will probably reach an agreement in the final hours of the 2013 legislature this Thursday.

Fractional Penny Legislation Debated in House Subcommittee

A Senate bill that would allow counties to levy a fractional SPLOST was substituted in a House Ways and Means subcommittee this week with the House version that passed earlier this session.  Supporters of the fractional penny SPLSOT noted that a fractional penny gave more “local control” to cities and counties to raise funds for transportation, capital construction and other programs.  Opponents argued that counties needing fewer funds should levy the existing 1% SPLOST for a shorter period of time, therefore no need to change the existing law.  The subcommittee chairman asked the author of the legislation to meet with committee members to determine how any “layering” of multiple fractional SPLOST’s might be accomplished.  The Georgia Municipal Association opposes the legislation and the county commissioner association is neutral. If the legislation does not pass out of the full Ways and Means Committee by Tuesday, passage in 2013 will be virtually impossible.

Ethics Showdown Expected This Week

The Senate has amended the House ethics legislation and sent their version back to the House.  The Senate version proposes a $100 cap on lobbyist gifts to individual legislators.  The House allows no lobbyists gifts to individual legislators.  There are numerous other differences between the House and Senate versions of the ethics legislation.  Because of the significant differences between the House and Senate versions, a conference committee will need to be appointed to try to work out the differences.