Weekly Legislative Update: Week Eight

2014 Weekly Legislative Update

March 3-7, 2014 – Week Eight

House Reconsiders It’s Actions and Instead Passes Fractional Penny SPLOST Legislation

After defeating the fractional penny SPLOST legislation two weeks ago, the House reconsidered its actions and passed the fractional penny SPLOST legislation last week.  The legislation was sent to the Senate where it quickly passed out of the Finance Committee, with amendments.  The legislation is expected to be debated early this week on the Senate floor.

Senate Passes FY 2015 State Budget

The Senate passed their version of the $21 billion fiscal year 2015 state budget, which runs from July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015.  The legislation now goes back to the House, where they will insist on their version of the budget.  A conference committee of three representatives and three senators will be chosen to reconcile the differences between the two versions of the proposed budget.  The conference committee’s recommended FY 2015 budget is typically adopted by each chamber on the last legislative day.

Joint Study Committee on SPLOST Passes Senate

The joint House and Senate SPLOST study committee resolution passed the Senate this week.  As reported in an earlier RBC Weekly Legislative Update, the study committee will look at a fractional penny SPLOST, allowing local school systems to use local sales tax monies for purposes other than capital construction, working with adjacent local governments on projects of regional significance and other reforms to the existing SPLOST law.  The study committee may also look at other potential sources of revenue other than sales, income, property or motor fuel taxes.  The House must now pass the resolution before any joint study committee members can be appointed.

Next Legislative Week Expected to be Very Busy

This week is the final full week of legislative activity during the 2014 legislative session. The legislature has already completed 34 legislative days of the 40 day session.  Legislators in both chambers will be rushing to get their legislation passed prior to the 39^th day.  Only conference committee legislation can be considered on the 40^th legislative day, so any un-amended legislation must pass during the next five legislative days.

Political Office Qualifying Ends

Most of Georgia’s constitutional officers and every state representative and state senator had to qualify for re-election last week.  While some elected officials chose to retire from elected office, many will be facing opposition this year and a significant number decided to run for other elected offices.  For a complete listing of all candidates for state and federal elected offices for 2014, visit Georgia’s Secretary of State website at http://sos.ga.gov//?section=elections

Have a great week.

For detailed information on specific legislation visit:   www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/Search.aspx