GA HB 951 GA Sales Tax Exemption Bill

Tax holidays for the rare Professional Sports events that our “economic development” wonks pitch for would be added to the equally pandering “back to school” original tax holiday law.

These guys are looking for breaks to give the Major League and college football, baseball, basketball and soccer organizations, so they will hold their “all-star” games in Atlanta.

It also includes Energy Star Qualified Products or WaterSense Products. What else would they like to sneak into this law ?  – Norb Leahy

AFP: NFL Billionaires vs Georgia Taxpayers

   

"The role of government is not to take money from the people and then hand it to politically connected businesses, but that is exactly what the legislature intends to do with H.B. 951," said Michael Harden, state director of Americans for Prosperity Georgia.

"Although we take our football seriously, many Georgians consider government handouts the classic fumble. Although some would like to consider this the coin toss to begin the excitement, I'm afraid they may be using a two-headed nickel and taxpayers will not be the receiving team."  

Source: Americans for Prosperity, Georgia Pundit 3/8/16

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?m=1111778380006&ca=8ec89f62-d2f8-4474-b91d-454f46d23ac8#pcandeX

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House Bill 951 (COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE)

By: Representatives Nimmer of the 178th, Powell of the 171st, Abrams of the 89th, Dickey of the 140th, Smyre of the 135th, and others

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT

1 To amend Code Section 48-8-3 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to

2 exemptions from state sales and use taxes, so as to provide for a back-to-school sales tax

3 holiday; to provide for a sales tax holiday for certain energy efficient products; to create a

4 new exemption for admissions to major sporting events; to provide for definitions; to provide

5 for procedures, conditions, and limitations; to provide for automatic repeal; to provide for

6 related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws;

7 and for other purposes.

8 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

9 SECTION 1.

10 Code Section 48-8-3 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to exemptions from

11 state sales and use taxes, is amended by revising subparagraph (A) of paragraphs (75) and

12 (82) and by deleting "or" at the end of paragraph (95), by deleting the period and adding ";

13 or" at the end of paragraph (96), and by adding a new paragraph to read as follows:

14 "(75)(A) The sale of eligible property. The exemption provided by this paragraph

15 applies only to sales occurring during periods:

16 (i) Commencing the period commencing at 12:01 A.M. on August 1, 2014 July 30,

17 2016, and concluding at 12:00 Midnight on August 2, 2014; and July 31, 2016.

18 (ii) Commencing at 12:01 A.M. on July 31, 2015, and concluding at 12:00 Midnight

19 on August 1, 2015."

20 "(82)(A) Purchase of Energy Star Qualified Products or WaterSense Products with a

21 sales price of $1,500.00 or less per product purchased for noncommercial home or

22 personal use. The exemption provided by this paragraph shall apply only to sales:

23 (i) Commencing occurring during the period commencing at 12:01 A.M. on October

24 3, 2014 September 30, 2016, and concluding at 12:00 Midnight on October 5, 2014;

25 and October 2, 2016.

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H. B. 951 (SUB)- 2 -

26 (ii) Commencing at 12:01 A.M. on October 2, 2015, and concluding at 12:00

27 Midnight on October 4, 2015."

28 "(97)(A) Sales of admissions to nonrecurring major sporting events in this state

29 expected to generate over $50 million in the host locality.

30 (B) As used in this paragraph, the term 'major sporting event' means the National

31 Football League championship game; any semifinal game or championship game of a

32 national collegiate tournament; a Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, or

33 National Basketball Association all-star game; or any other nonrecurring major sporting

34 event determined by the commissioner of economic development and the state revenue

35 commissioner to be a major sporting event.

36 (C) As used in this paragraph, the term 'nonrecurring' means not occurring in this state

37 more than once every three years.

38 (D) The revenue projections for purposes of this paragraph shall include, but not be

39 limited to, lodging, meals, vehicle rentals, and admissions to tourist attractions.

40 (E) Determinations made under this paragraph by the commissioners on or after the

41 effective date of this paragraph shall be made prior to the date of the convening of the

42 General Assembly immediately preceding the awarding of the sales tax exemption for

43 a major sporting event. Such a determination shall become effective either 30 days

44 prior to the major sporting event or on the first fiscal day of the fiscal year immediately

45 following a year during which such determination was made, whichever is earlier.

46 Such a determination may be rendered null and void by a joint resolution passed by

47 both chambers of the General Assembly. In the event that the presiding officers of the

48 General Assembly, in their discretion, choose to introduce such a joint resolution, a

49 special committee in each respective chamber of the General Assembly will be

50 appointed by the presiding officers of both chambers of the General Assembly for the

51 purpose of considering such a joint resolution, subject to the rules of both respective

52 chambers.

53 (F) This paragraph shall stand automatically repealed on December 31, 2022; provided,

54 however, that this repeal shall not apply to any event for which an application has been

55 submitted prior to December 31, 2022."

56 SECTION 2.

57 This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2016, and shall be applicable to admissions

58 purchased on or after January 1, 2017. This Act shall only apply to events secured on or after

59 the effective date of this Act.

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