Georgia Legislative Watch

The controversial HB 89, the “parking lot” bill, is back in the State House where it needs to be passed before it heads to the Governor’s desk.

State Rep. Tim Bearden will be offering amendments to address issues raised by gun rights groups.

[UPDATE] The House passed the Bearden Amendment and HB 89:

Georgians with a concealed weapon permit would be allowed to carry their guns at bus stops and other public transportation facilities, houses of worship and restaurants that serve alcohol under a bill that passed the House Thursday by a 111-58 vote.

The lawmakers expanded a Senate measure passed two weeks ago that would allow people with the permits to carry their guns at public parks and restaurants without alcohol licenses. It now returns to the Senate, which must approve the measure before it goes before Gov. Sonny Perdue.

I believe the measure now goes into conference.

[UPDATE II] The bill will go to the State Senate for an approve/disapprove vote, and apparently the Senate isn’t too happy with the changes made in the House.

Today the State House voted to approve HB 130,which would allow individuals to freeze their credit in the event of identify theft. The bill passed by a vote of 162 to 2.

The Joint Committee on Transportation Funding has released its final report:

Transportation advocates were hoping that a long awaited study committee’s report would endorse one of two competing tax plans aiming to relieve Atlanta’s gridlock.

But when the dust cleared Wednesday, both proposals remained standing. The Joint Study Committee on Transportation Funding failed to anoint either one, recommending instead that lawmakers introduce both the plans.

It could set up a showdown in the statehouse, where legislative leaders have promised that some sort of taxing scheme would be passed this year.

Business groups back a plan that allows multiple counties to band together and levy their own taxes to fund transportation projects in their districts. It also has gained key support in the Senate.

A separate tax scheme backed by state planners calls for a 1 percent sales tax hike to raise $22.2 billion over 10 years for projects ranging from new highways in metro Atlanta to paving dirt roads in rural Georgia.

Both proposals would likely require a constitutional amendment and a referendum before they can take effect. But the report did little to settle the debate over which should be adopted.
[…]
The committee chimed in on other transportation issues as well. It urged lawmakers to “re-examine the role of transit” in statewide transportation plans and supported an effort to build a high-speed train that would run on a magnetic levitation system between Atlanta and Chattanooga.

The two tax plans were introduced in the last session. HB 442, the statewide one-cent sales tax (a tax increases of $22.2 billion over ten years), was introduced by State Rep. Vance Smith. HB 434, the regional sales tax for transportation projects, was introduced by State Rep. Chuck Martin.

As I noted in my legislative preview, the legislation proposed by State Rep. Martin seems more politically viable. Many leaders are not going to vote to pave the way for a $22 billion tax increase, regardless of whether or not voters have the final say so.
The full report can be read here.

I’ll get the video of the press conference up later.

[UPDATE] Here is the video…

State Rep. Ron Forester’s impeachment resolution is now online:

WHEREAS, Article V, Section I, Paragraph VI of the Constitution of the State of Georgia states: “The Governor and Lieutenant Governor shall, before entering on the duties of office, take such oath or affirmation as prescribed by law.”; and

WHEREAS, Official Code of Georgia Annotated Section 45-3-1 provides that as a part of the oath of office, every public officer shall swear that he or she will support the Constitution of the United States and of this state; and

WHEREAS, Article III, Section V, Paragraph XIII of the Constitution of the State of Georgia provides that when the house of origination votes to override a veto by the Governor, the same shall be immediately transmitted to the other house where it shall be immediately considered; and

Click here to read about this bill

This afternoon the United States House of Representatives passed an economic stimulus package that would give taxpayers a “rebate” between $600 and $1,200.

Here in Georgia, State Rep. Chuck Martin has proposed legislation that would supposedly exempt the rebates from the state income tax:

Rep. Chuck Martin (R-Alpharetta) is pushing legislation co-sponsored by leaders of both parties to make sure Georgians don’t have to pay state income taxes on the stimulus checks they might be receiving from the federal government.

And, unlike the stimulus plan, Martin said his bill doesn’t have any income caps. So more affluent Georgians who don’t receive a check would also get a tax break if the measure is approved.

The savings: on average about $72 for individuals, $144 for couples without children, a little more for families with kids.