The 2011 session of the Georgia General Assembly came to a close last week. Over the past 40 working days, legislators addressed a number of issues important to our state's business community. Legislation passed will allow our state to create jobs and continue on the road to economic recovery by addressing Georgia Chamber priorities including water, health care, education and economic development.
Water
SB 122 passed and is expected to be signed by Governor Deal. This bill, the result of an effort led by the Georgia Chamber, allows the formation of public-private partnerships to fund certain water supply and treatment projects, providing a new, optional funding mechanism to address identified priorities. The bill makes no changes to current environmental regulations or provisions within the state water plan.
Ethics
HB 232 has already been signed by Governor Deal. The bill addresses two issues important to Georgia's business community. First, it clarifies provisions regarding bona fide salespersons and their exclusion from the state's lobbying laws. Second, it clarifies who must register as a lobbyist - an issue that was the subject of an opinion issued by the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission at the request of the Georgia Chamber. This legislation was effective upon the Governor's signature, and is retroactive to January 10, 2011.
Sunday Sales
SB 10, which gives local communities the option of allowing Sunday sales of beer, wine and spirits, passed and is expected to be signed by Governor Deal.
Education
HB 326, which preserves the HOPE scholarship program, has already been signed by Governor Deal. Under the new statute, students with at least a 3.0 grade point average will receive annual awards based on lottery revenue, projected to be 90% of current tuition for fall 2011. Students with at least a 3.7 GPA and 1200 SAT reading and math score, as well as all valedictorians and salutatorians, will receive 100% of their tuition each year. The legislation also includes provisions for low-interest loans, reduces private college scholarship awards, and eliminates funding for books and fees.
Immigration
HB 87, a comprehensive immigration reform bill, passed in a form that attempts to strike an important balance between addressing this growing challenge of illegal immigration and allowing Georgia's economy to continue to grow. After working with legislative leaders since last fall, the majority of the Georgia Chamber's concerns were addressed including exempting small businesses from E-verify requirements and giving businesses required to use E-verify a 30-day grace period to correct any good faith violations. The bill also addresses law enforcement provisions in a way that establishes objective circumstances under which immigration status can be investigated.
For more information on any of the bills mentioned below, or for a complete list of bills tracked this year, visit www.gachamber.com.
