As many settled into a day filled with college football and other diversions, the General Assembly convened on Saturday to complete its work for the Special Legislative Session. During the rare weekend convening, members of...more
The Special Legislative Session of the Georgia General Assembly neared its end today as the State Senate began its consideration of the Governor’s three legislative initiatives in earnest. ...more
The General Assembly reconvened today for the third day of the Special Legislative Session, where all eyes were on the House of Representatives. The lower chamber took up and adopted all three of the key propositions for the...more
The General Assembly reconvened today for the second day of its Special Legislative Session, and the House had its eyes set on moving the Governor’s emergency spending proposal forward, ratifying the jet fuel tax exemption,...more
The General Assembly returned to the State Capitol today under rainy skies and with a somber tone for a rare lame-duck Special Legislative Session. Called back to Atlanta by Governor Deal in part to provide for emergency...more
Much ink has been devoted in recent years to the widening income gap in our country, but as we noted in our January blog, “Rural Development Council Works to Keep Georgia On Your Mind,” geographic disparities since the Great...more
The halls remain active as evening sets in over the State Capitol and the House and Senate continue to act on a flurry of agrees, disagrees, and other matters on their respective floors. Although many weighty issues remain to...more
The Opportunity Zone program was created by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to encourage investment in low-income communities. Under this program (Sections 1400Z-1 and 1400Z-2 of the Internal Revenue Code, the “Statute”), an...more
On March 21, 2018, the Georgia Legislature passed SB 328 (the Bill) to exclude IRC § 951A (GILTI ) from Georgia taxable income. The Bill treats GILTI as Subpart F income for purposes of the deduction under OCGA §...more
With a full legislative day to spare, House and Senate leaders came to agreement on a FY 2019 budget this morning after a long weekend of quiet negotiations. But the reveal was anything but quiet as House Appropriations...more
With two legislative days remaining, legislative leaders embarked today on the final phase of budget negotiations for the FY 2019 budget. After the Senate adopted its proposal for HB 684 by a 52-0 vote, three ranking officers...more
Legislators rounded third and headed for home today under the Gold Dome, completing Legislative Day 36 of 40. But even as the legislative session enters the home stretch, there remains much work to be done. After full...more
The gutting of bills continued under the Gold Dome today with legislators turning their focus to Georgia’s Certificate of Need statutes. The House Health and Human Services Committee took up two substitute bills impacting...more
After a busy committee workday yesterday with legislators attempting to move last-minute propositions through the legislative gauntlet, lawmakers returned to the Capitol today to consider bills and resolutions on their...more
Just after Governor Deal signed the Amended FY 2018 Budget in Cedartown this morning, the House set to work adopting its proposal for the FY 2019 Budget. Notably included in the over $50 billion spending package ($26 billion...more
The clink of champagne flutes was almost audible under the Gold Dome this morning as the House adopted SB 17, commonly known as the “brunch bill”. The bill, authored by Sen. Renee Unterman (R-Buford), will allow local...more
As dawn broke over the State Capitol this morning, it revealed the long-awaited FY 2019 Budget as amended by the House Appropriations Committee. House budget subcommittees met beginning at 7AM, quickly adopting their...more
Lawmakers returned to the State Capitol today refreshed and renewed after a three-day weekend following Crossover Day last week. As committees began taking up propositions that have passed out of their sister chambers, so...more
After a late night at the State Capitol, the House and Senate convened today with short calendars but weighty issues. The Senate approved HB 918, Governor Deal’s tax reform measure this morning. ...more
When the Senate adjourned at last night at 9PM after considering over 40 propositions, the House was just getting started. When the gavel fell on Crossover Day just after 1AM this morning, the House had voted on over 60...more
Completing their last convening before Crossover Day on Wednesday, the House and Senate dispensed with long calendars today. Although the House considered 24 measures and the Senate considered 29, the mood under the Gold Dome...more
The House worked a full day today, taking up 14 measures on the floor before handling a full slate of committee meetings. Among the bills adopted by the House were provisions allowing QBE funding to follow students being...more
Sixteen more days! But, who is counting? Sine Die is quickly approaching, marking an end to Georgia’s 2018 legislative session. Thus, committees in the House and Senate are now meeting in earnest as lawmakers introduce their...more
Wrapping up their legislative week, the Senate adopted two provisions today closely watched by state agencies and local school districts. First, the Senate adopted its version of HB 683, the Amended FY 2018 Budget, by a vote...more
Tax reform came to Georgia today with Governor Nathan Deal announcing the State’s response to last year’s federal tax reform. HB 918, carried by Deal’s floor leader Rep. Chuck Efstration (R-Dacula), allows Georgia taxpayers...more