Georgia Legislative Watch

State Rep. Kevin Levitas (D - Atlanta) has teamed up with fellow Democrat Alan Powell and Republicans Harry Geisenger & Tom McCall to introduce a constitutional amendment that would “end back door tax increases.”

According to Levitas, the proposed amendment, House Resolution 1170, would “effectively freeze a home’s value for property tax purposes at the original purchase price of the home or the 2002 assessed value.”

If a county wants to raise taxes, then it will have to do so directly and uniformly, rather than using inconsistent increases in individual property assessments to accomplish that goal,” Levitas said.

State Rep. Alan Powell also spoke favorably of HR1170 saying, “Property taxes have risen at an alarming rate. Enough is enough; it is time to cure the system.”

If approved by a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate, HR1170 would be placed on the November General Election ballot for approval by the voters.

HR30 - Peace Officers’s Annuity and Benefit Fund; retired members; service credit - CA
Sponsored by: Brooks,Tyrone 63rd

A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to provide that the General Assembly shall be authorized to enact legislation and appropriate funds necessary to provide for retirement credit for retired members of the Peace Officers’ Annuity and Benefit Fund for service rendered prior to January 1, 1976; to provide that such legislation may provide for membership in such fund for peace officers who rendered service as a peace officer prior to January 1, 1976, but who are not members of the fund on July 1, 2009; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.

SR21 - Taxation; limitations on grants of tax powers CA
Sponsored by: Hill,Judson 32nd

A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to provide that no law providing for or increasing any state purpose tax or license fee shall become effective unless approved by a two-thirds’ majority of each branch of the General Assembly; to provide for an exception; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.

Status: Read and referred to Senate Committee on Finance (01/10/07)

SR20 - Taxation; provide limitations on state government tax and expenditures; definitions CA
Sponsored by: Rogers,Chip 21st

A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to provide for limitations on state government taxation and expenditures; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.

Status: Read and referred to Senate Committee on Finance (01/09/07)

HR12 - Counties; provide for re-creation; voter approval - CA
Sponsored by: Jones,Jan 46th

A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Georgia so as to provide that the re-creation of a previously existing county which was merged into another county may be accomplished by law subject to the approval of the voters therein and subject to certain conditions; to provide for submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.

Status: Second read and referred to House Committee on Governmental Affairs (01/10/07)