GA Legislative Update

Week Seven, February 25, 2018

In This Issue

House Passes Historic Tax Cut

Coastal Delegation Gets Answers From GDOT

WTOC Interview On Tree Removal Along I-95 & I-16

Hidden Predator Act Revamp Advances

Draft EIS for Spaceport Camden to be Published March 9th

House Passes Historic Tax Cut

The House got back to work at the Georgia State Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 20, and we had a very busy seventh week of the 2018 legislative session. As we get closer and closer to Cross-Over Day, our agendas continue to get fuller and our days get longer. This week, the House voted on several bills in the House Chamber, and committees worked diligently to hear important legislation before next week’s Cross-Over Day deadline. Also, on Thursday, Feb. 22, we convened for a joint session with our Senate counterparts to hear the Supreme Court of Georgia’s Chief Justice P. Harris Hines deliver the annual State of the Judiciary address. 

On Tuesday, Feb. 20, Governor Nathan Deal, along with several House and Senate members, held a press conference to introduce House Bill 918, legislation that would update Georgia’s tax code. After being vetted in committee, HB 918 made its way to the House floor on Thursday, Feb. 22, where it passed overwhelmingly. This legislation would make necessary changes to our state’s outdated tax code, which has not been updated in 80 years, and seeks to decrease the tax burden on our citizens by cutting individual and corporate state income taxes. HB 918 would double the state standard deduction for Georgia taxpayers for all filing statuses, effective Jan. 1, 2018, and would reduce the income tax rate for individuals and businesses from 6 percent to 5.75 percent beginning on Jan. 1, 2019. The legislation would further reduce the tax rate to 5.5 percent on Jan. 1, 2020, but would require approval of the General Assembly and signature of the governor in order to take effect. Furthermore, the bill contains a big tax break for Delta Airlines that I was not too crazy about.  The Delta tax break would eliminate the sales tax on jet fuel which is allegedly designed to make our state be more competitive and to encourage airlines to fly additional direct flights from Georgia to global destinations. However, since the passage of this bill, Delta Airlines have insulted many members of the National Rifle Association who actually fly on their airline.  Delta, along with United Airlines, announced that they ended their discounted rates to NRA members amid the recent national gun control debate.  I voted for this bill because the average Georgian has not seen their state income tax rate cut in 80 years. However, after learning that Delta nixed the discounted rates on NRA members as a political statement, I will now be urging my senate colleagues this week to nix the Delta tax exemption.  As the old saying goes, Loose lips, sink ships.  Furthermore, this revenue neutral tax proposal would also address the state revenue projections resulting from the recent Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act signed by President Donald Trump. This historic tax update would benefit all of Georgia’s citizens by allowing them to keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets, and I am proud of the General Assembly’s work on this important measure.

This week, the House passed several bills that came from the House Rural Development Council’s (RDC) legislative recommendations. On Wednesday, Feb. 21, the House overwhelmingly passed House Bill 769 in an effort to improve access to quality health care in the rural parts of our state. This bill includes several health care provisions, such as allowing for remote pharmacy orders, updating credentialing and billing practices, establishing the Rural Center for Health Care Innovation and Sustainability, establishing micro-hospitals and creating a grant program for physicians practicing in medically underserved rural areas of the state.  

Under HB 769, a Georgia licensed pharmacist located within the United States could remotely place pharmacy drug orders for hospital patients, provided that the orders are reviewed by a pharmacist who is physically in the hospital within 24 hours or by the next business day. The bill would also direct the Department of Community Health to study various ways to streamline and expedite the credentialing and billing process for state medical plans. Additionally, HB 769 would establish a Rural Center for Health Care Innovation and Sustainability through the existing Office of Rural Health. This center would provide leadership training and health data analysis for rural hospitals and would be located at a Georgia postsecondary institution with a health program or college that focuses on rural and underserved areas of the state. The center would educate and train rural hospital leaders on best practices and hospital operating standards. Furthermore, the legislation would allow for the creation of micro-hospitals, a hospital in a rural county that has two to seven inpatient beds and provides 24/7 emergency services, without requiring a new certificate of need when a hospital is closing or has recently closed and is purchased by a hospital in a neighboring county. Finally, the bill would create a grant program within the Georgia Board of Physician Workforce to provide financial assistance for some rural physicians who establish or operate a practice in an underserved area of the state. This measure was the first RDC-related bill to pass the House this session, and the bill’s wide-ranging health care provisions would allow this critical sector to thrive in rural Georgia. 

This week, the House overwhelmingly passed two other bills that would also greatly benefit our rural communities, House Bills 735 and 876. HB 735 would create an income tax credit for track maintenance expenditures on owned or leased short line railroads. This legislation mirrors the Federal Railroad Track Maintenance Credit, and the tax credit would be 50 percent of the maintenance expenditures during the taxable year and would be capped at $3,500 per mile of railroad track. Short line rails serve as a virtual lifeline to our rural communities, and this measure would incentivize investment in rail infrastructure, boost reinvestment, create jobs and keep rural Georgia connected to the rest of the state. 

This week, the House unanimously passed a measure to help fight the horrific practice of sex trafficking within our state. House Bill 732 would expand the definition of sex trafficking to include anyone who patronizes sexually explicit conduct from a sex trafficking victim. With this clarification to state law, anyone who commits this offense would be charged with a felony and would be required to serve a prison sentence of five to 20 years. HB 732 would ensure that individuals who knowingly engage in sex trafficking acts with victims of sex trafficking are prosecuted accordingly, and this bill is a significant step to address this serious issue in our state.

On Thursday, Feb. 22, the House unanimously passed a bill that would have a great impact on Georgia’s active-duty military members. House Bill 840 would exempt active-duty military members serving in a combat zone from penalty fees associated with unintentionally unpaid special, occupational or sales taxes and license, regulatory or administrative fees incurred while they are in a combat zone. HB 840 does not exempt active-duty military members from paying these taxes, but it does give them 60 days from the time they return from their military service to make full payment of the taxes due without penalties if they present proof of their presence in a combat zone. Oftentimes, active-duty military members are unable to renew licenses, like small businesses licenses, that expire while they are stationed in a combat zone, and this bill would prevent our service members from being penalized with late fees while they are deployed. 

Finally, on Thursday, Feb. 22, Chief Justice Hines delivered the annual State of the Judiciary address. Each year, the Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court addresses the General Assembly to report on the judicial branch’s accomplishments and future objectives. During his remarks, Chief Justice Hines, who serves as the head of the judiciary, pointed out that 2018 will bring about great change to the judicial branch, as several new judges will be elected, Georgians will elect a new state Supreme Court justice and Gov. Deal will make his fifth appointment to Georgia’s highest court. Chief Justice Hines also highlighted several accomplishments of Georgia’s criminal justice reform, which is one of Gov. Deal’s greatest legacies during his time in office. Furthermore, Chief Justice Hines announced that the Court Reform Council recommended the creation of a statewide business court to handle complex financial cases. This court would have jurisdiction similar to our federal courts and would operate similarly to the specialized business courts that now operate in Fulton and Gwinnett counties. Legislation relating to these courts will likely come before the General Assembly in the future.

Next Wednesday, Feb. 28, marks legislative Day 28, otherwise known as Cross-Over Day. This is the last day a bill may pass out of its original legislative chamber and remain eligible for consideration this legislative session. With this deadline in mind, my colleagues and I will be working even longer hours next week to ensure that quality and meaningful legislation passes the House this session. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any legislation up for consideration in the House, or any input on how I may better serve our community, please do not hesitate to contact me. I can be reached at my Capitol office at 404-656-0177, or via email at jason.spencer@house.ga.gov. Also, if you ever find yourself in Atlanta during the legislative session, please feel free to stop by my Capitol office, which is located at the Coverdell Legislative Office Building, Suite 501-D, 18 Capitol Square NW, Atlanta, GA 30334. Sincerely, Rep. Jason Spencer

COASTAL DELEGATION GETS ANSWERS ON INTERSTATE TREE REMOVAL MISHAP             

ATLANTA,  At the leading of State Representative Jason Spencer (R-Woodbine), with the support of State Representatives Jeff Jones (R-Brunswick), Don Hogan (R-St. Simon’s Island), the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) will begin an interstate beautification plan on Interstates 95 and 16 in Camden County after thousands of trees were removed along I-95 causing tremendous noise for residents.

This effort comes after an overwhelming outcry and demand from the public for more answers as to why the state transportation department would execute such an unsightly, massive and ill-informed project without any public input from the tax payers or local officials and how it would affect residents. said Rep. Spencer. GDOT has finally given us a timeline that informs the community of when the beautification activities begin, said Rep. Spencer. Even though it is after the fact and the majority of the damage has been done, I am thankful they will now be meeting local officials, as they should, to review and receive input on the next phase of project and get a consensus going forward. People are not happy and rightfully so. The beautification phase, however, does not solve the increased noise problems that residents along the interstate now have to deal with. The noise must be addressed.”

"Thanks to Representative Spencer for organizing the recent meeting with GDOT. said Rep. Jones. However, the entire process and the reasoning we were given for the clear-cutting of all the beautiful trees on IH95, IH16 and on other state roads in Georgia is troubling to me on its face.  It seems that we are spending taxpayer money for a project of questionable value.  Now, we must spend additional taxpayer money to 'beautify' these clear-cut areas.  If asked, I suspect our taxpayers would vote no on the entire effort. Just because GDOT has the money to spend doesn't mean they should. All we ask is for GDOT to keep local citizens and elected officials informed before they undertake such a sweeping and, in my opinion, questionable project, and to spend taxpayer money in a prudent manner."

Meetings will be scheduled with Camden County and the cities of Kingsland, St. Mary’s and Woodbine to discuss beautification projects with local officials. The GDOT landscape architect will work with Camden County to determine the variety of trees to be planted, and ensure that grass and pollinator gardens are planted during the appropriate growing seasons. Proposed planting locations include Exit 1 on I-95 and wide median sections of I-16.

*Editor’s note: Documents with details on the beautification project have been attached to this press release for your convenience.

ATTACHMENTS:

1)  Copy of interstate vegetation management schedule

2)  I-95 Exit 1 beautification plan

GDOT addresses massive tree removal on I-95 and I-16

From the article:

While the state increased safety, a domino effect of pitfalls followed. The project eliminated sound and privacy barriers for hundreds of people living near the highways, but GDOT says the trees didn't qualify as a blockade in the first place.

Representative Spencer says he disagrees and is pushing for verification. "I would like for them to do a sound study now. What does it sound like now? Because all of my constituents can't be wrong on this," he said. 

Representative Spencer met with GDOT two weeks ago and says during his meeting, they said the large and old trees were especially unsafe during hurricane seasons. Their stability posed threats and caused countless re-entry delays following evacuations by falling into the highways. 

  

Rep Spencer's Hidden Predator Act Advances Out Of Subcommittee

From the article:  Following a prolonged debate over language, the subcommittee voted in favor of moving a revised Georgia Hidden Predator Act onto the full committee. It’s designed to make it easier for victims of sexual assault to sue the organizations accused of not doing enough to protect children from abusers. The original Hidden Predator Act, passed in 2015, is widely considered to be among the nation’s weakest. 

Draft EIS released by March 9 By Jill Helton--Tribune & Georgian The Federal Aviation Administration announced today that the draft environmental impact statement for Spaceport Camden would be released no later than Friday, March 9.  We are working to release the draft EIS for public review by March 9. The public hearings will be held the week of April 9 in Camden County, said Stacey Zee, FAA spokesperson.  Once it is available it will be posted at https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/environmen....

The website will also be updated to provide details on the public hearings, Zee said in an email on Friday, Feb. 23. I will send out an email once the draft EIS and details about the public hearings are posted to the website. A notice will appear in the Federal Register on March 16; this will start the 45-day public review period on the draft EIS.

The EIS process began with public hearings in late 2015. It is one of the steps required for the county government to pursue a launch site operator license. In that licensing application period, which is expected to last about 180 days, the FAA considers policy, location, safety and environmental reviews before deciding whether to issue the license. Each space company that wants to launch from the site is additionally required to secure an FAA permit for that activity.

Questions related to the Spaceport Camden EIS may be directed to Zee by emailing her at Stacey.Zee@faa.gov.

GA State Representative Jason Spencer

28 Yachtsmen Court Woodbine Georgia  31569