Licensing Bills

 
HB 575: This bill, if passed, would legislate a path for all licensees in Georgia to appeal any rule, policy, or statute that relates to their license. The bill is very specific about the path licensing boards would have to follow should an appeal be made. It goes as far as the stipulate that if the licensee incurs court costs and wins an appeal, the licensing board would need to pay for the court costs. This bill did not make the cut of crossover, and is dead unless it is redrafted in a future legislative session.

HB 1096: This bill introduces a continuing education audit tracker for licensing boards under the Secretary of State's purview. While it doesn’t impact CPAs and the State Board of Accountancy, it aims to streamline reporting and offers an understanding of licensing trends statewide. HB 1096 successfully cleared Crossover Day and advanced to the Senate.

HB 1190: This bill focuses on the timely issuance of licenses, this bill mandates licenses to be issued within 60 days by boards falling under the Professional Licensing Board Division. With provisions empowering the Division Director to act after the stipulated period, HB 1190 progresses to the Senate after clearing Crossover Day.

Tax Bills 

HB 1015: This bill has an impact on state income taxes. An already-planned state income tax cut would be accelerated under House Bill 1015, giving the state a flat 5.39% income tax rate retroactive to Jan. 1. This bill has passed the house and is currently under consideration in the senate.

HB 1019: This bill has to do with property tax. House members want to increase the statewide homestead tax exemption from $2,000 to $4,000 under House Bill 1019. This bill has passed the house and is currently under consideration in the senate.

HB 1021: This bill deals with the amount of the personal exemption in Georgia. HB 1021 would increase the personal exemption from $3,000 to $4,000 for each dependent of a taxpayer. This bill would take effect on July 1, 2024 and be impactful on the 2024 tax year.

HB 1023: This bill targets corporate tax leveling and extending state corporate tax deadlines. This bill aligns corporate tax rates with individual tax rates and extends the deadline for state corporate tax returns. With potential benefits for large corporate taxpayers and small businesses taxpayers alike, HB 1023 secured passage through Crossover Day and advances to the Senate.

HB 1180: This bill addresses income tax credits, particularly in the film industry. This bill imposes criteria for eligibility, including a minimum expenditure threshold for production companies. Additionally, it imposes limits on credit sales or transfers within a calendar year. HB 1180 garnered sufficient support to cross over to the Senate. 

HB 1162: This bill is the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) update bill and it incorporates certain provisions of the federal law into Georgia law. Specifically it conforms any of the changes made in tax law federally to Georgia Tax Law. This bill, due to date changes, impacts the 2023 tax year.  HB 1162 passed out of the House prior to crossover and has already made its way through the Senate Finance Committee. It is waiting to be scheduled for the Senate floor for a vote.

SB 349: This bill has to do with property tax similar to HB 1019. However, Senators want to limit future increases in a home's taxable value to 3% a year under Senate Bill 349. This bill has passed out of the senate and is currently being considered in the house.

Tort Reform Bills

 
HB 1371: This bill focuses on premises liability. This bill restricts lawsuits against landowners in cases where individuals enter with felonious intent. It also shields businesses in high-crime areas from undue penalization. HB 1371 successfully navigated Crossover Day and proceeds to the Senate for further consideration.

HB 1409: With an emphasis on mental health, this bill raises liability thresholds to alleviate concerns among mental health professionals regarding frivolous lawsuits. Positioned as a step towards fostering a more conducive environment for mental health care, HB 1409 cleared Crossover Day and advances to the Senate. 

SB 203: This is the Trucking Opportunity Act of 2023. It eliminates direct-action claims against insurance carriers of motor carriers in tort and contract causes of action. It also includes a presumption that if a truck driver obtained a commercial driver’s license in accordance with federal standards, he or she is qualified to operate a commercial vehicle. This bill does make steps towards positive tort reform in Georgia. Because it has made the crossover to the House, this bill is alive and well for the remainder of session.

Other Bills of Note 

HB 1231: This bill addresses graduate-level education and the HOPE scholarship, this bill extends scholarship eligibility for academically successful students pursuing concurrent or consecutive degrees. By maximizing scholarship benefits, HB 1231 aims to support educational attainment. Having crossed over to the Senate, it awaits further deliberation.