Georgia State Legislative Updates
Get up to date...
- You can visit the Georgia General Assembly official web site for information pertaining to Georgia state government
- Track up-to-date House and Senate bills using a legislative search
- Contact Tom Leslie, ACEC/G Director of External Affairs and licensed Lobbyist.
Legislative Update - Issues You Should Know About
Press Release-Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission
The State Ethics Commission has udated it's web site, as described in the attached press release.
The big new wrinkle for most engineers (and their sales people) is the requirement to register as a lobbyist if you spend more than 10% of your time "seeking to influence a vendor decision". In the past two years this requirement was extended from applying just to state agencies to include all local governments.
There has been no new requirements since the 2011 General Assembly amended the law to include the exemption for those who spend 10% or less of their work time on "influencing vendor decisions" (or simply, selling services).
There are links on the web site for each category of persons that must register, including "vendor".
Formerly called the "Ethics Commission", the new name is the "Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission". In the press release, the commission is called the "Campaign Finance Commission", and the web site is www.ethics.georgia.gov . Many still call it the "Ethics Commission". Regardless, all these names refer to the same commission and its requirements for lobbyists and candidates for elected office to register and report their expenditures.
Press Release
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
April 20, 2011
FINAL
The General Assembly adjourned the regular 2011 session on Thursday, April 14. A special Session was called by the Governor for August 2010 to consider redistricting of Congressional and state legislative districts in accord with the 2010 Census. There is some speculation that other items could be added the Governor’s call, but they should probably be viewed as long shots.
Amendments to the State lobbying law (HB 232) were passed and have already been signed by the Governor. It modified the requirement for persons ‘selling’ to local and state governments to register with the State ethics commission and report expenditures to the commission. Those folks that devote less than 10% of their time to seeking to “influence vendor selection” would not be required to register.
The Illegal Immigration Reform and Enforcement Act of 2011 (HB 87) passed both chambers of the legislature on the final day of the session. Among many provisions, it reaffirms that all public contracts (state and local) must be with contractors that register with, have an identification number, and use the federal E-Verify system to determine the immigration status of all employees. This requirement applies to those that contract with a public employer to provide “physical performance of services” which means any construction; “or any other performance of labor for a public employer within this state under a contract or other bidding process.” All such contractors, and their subs, must provide an affidavit to the public employer confirming their compliance.
A major new provision in HB 87 is the mandatory use of the E-Verify system by all private employers with more than 10 employees, which is phased in as follows: employers with more than 500 employees by Jan 1, 2012, more than 100 by July 1, 2012, and more than 10 employees by July 1, 2013. It seems that local governments will be the primary enforcement agent as they issues a “business license, occupational tax certificate, or other document required to operate a business”.
The Tax Reform legislative package did not pass. Adding professional services (esp., for engineering and other design services) to those covered by the existing state sales tax was neither in the Special Tax Council’s recommendations nor the proposed legislation by the special joint committee created to draft legislation.
SB 86 relating to Comprehensive Planning Requirements did pass. It significantly diminishes the DCA requirements for preparation of comprehensive planning by cities and counties, by redefining a Qualified Local Government as one that “adopts a basic local plan which shall, upon request by a county or municipality, be developed by the state’s regional commission utilizing existing resources”.
SB 122 passed; it authorizes 3P arrangements for water supply reservoirs by allowing local governments to enter into contracts for up to 50 years with private entities to plan, develop, and operate reservoirs (and related facilities). GEFA’s Water Supply Division is placed in a lead role for any state involvement in such projects. $46 million was appropriated for water supply for GEFA, which is the first part of $300 million promised by Gov. Deal over 4 years.
HB 240 was passed. It addressed the issue of an “infeasible” project on an approved SPLOST list, which may be deleted from funding if they are “impracticable, unserviceable, unrealistic, or not in the best interests of the citizens….”
HB 274 was passed. It revised the hierarchy for handling yard trimmings to add their use as feedstock for composting, bioenergy, and disposal in lined landfills where landfill gas is recovered. It also raised the disposal fee that goes to the State from $0.50 to $0.75/ton.
The 4-year degree bill (HB 166) for surveyors and engineers did not make the crossover deadline and was not considered in either chamber.
SR 29 passed in the Senate. It conveyed a sense of the Senate regarding urging DOT to more efficiently deliver projects, and become more innovative and management oriented. It also urged DOT to reduce staff by 25% through retirements over the next 5 years and to contract our more work.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
March 23, 2011
DAY 33
The General Assembly plans to be in session all 5 days next week; a rare occurrence in recent years. They plan to be in recess all of the following week, and will meet on Tuesday, April 12, for DAY 39 and Thursday, April 14, for DAY 40.
The two main immigration bills, HB 87 and SB 40, have passed their originating chamber and are going to conference to negotiate a final bill.
The 4-year degree bill (HB 166)for surveyors and engineers did not make the crossover deadline and is likely stalled for this year.
SB 122, relating to public-private partnerships for water supply reservoirs passed the Senate, one vote short of unanimously.
House Bills
HB 30. Implements Constitutional Amendment One that was approved in the November
general election and that relates to employment contracts.
HB 43. Requires electric utilities to use no more that 25% of their total coal consumption
from mountain top removal for coal mining by 2016 and none by 2018.
There would be no new permits issued for coal-fired power plants after 2018.
HB 57. Installation of residential water treatment equipment for “personal, family, or
household use” would be exempt from the Construction Industry Licensing
requirements (includes, plumbers, electricians, low voltage electrical, utility
contractors, etc.)
HB 71. Adds “bicycle” to the law requiring vehicles to stop and yield to pedestrians as
a vehicle approaches a sidewalk from a driveway, alley, etc. Extends this
requirement to all people, not just to children on the sidewalk.
HB 87. This is the comprehensive, “Arizona-style” immigration bill. The bill addresses
a wide variety of issues related to illegal immigration. One element requires all applicants for a local business license or “occupational tax certificate” to provide an affidavit that the applicant “is authorized to use the federal employment eligibility verification system known as E-Verify”. This requirement is effective a/o Sept 1, 2011 for companies with 500 or more employees, January 1, 2012 if more than 100 employees, and July 1, 2012 if 5 or more employees. If fewer than 5 employees, the company is exempt. All cities/counties must provide a list of the names of all such firms and their E-Verify number a/o 12/31 of each year. It passed the House.
HB 93. Under current law a local “code inspector” is a city/county employee with the
duty to “assure code compliance”. This bill would assign “code enforcement officers” the authority over “health, safety, and welfare requirements” and give them the authority to “issue citations of file formal complaints”. The bill passed the House and received a ‘do-pass’ in the Senate Committee.
HB 101. Defines “bicycle lane” (a demarked portion of a roadway) and stipulates it must
be in accord with AASHTO criteria. Requires motor vehicles to yield to bikes in a bike lane, prohibits parking in a bike lane, and updates numerous other biking requirements for safety purposes. The bill passed the House and received a ‘do-pass’ in the Senate Committee.
HB 111. Deals with water Interbasin Transfers. The State Water Plan’s language
regarding IBT was incorporated into DNR rules last week – over the objection of many environmental advocates. This bill would embody most of the objections registered against these IBT rules. Two examples of these new requirements are (1) changing the word “should” with “shall” – eliminating much EPD flexibility and giving a stronger basis for litigation and (2) making the rules apply to not only new applications for also to ‘modified’ permit applications (like permit renewals). Did not pass out of committee and failed to meet the crossover deadline.
HB 131. Exempts DOT from (1) fines associated with violations of erosion/
sedimentation requirements and (2) from stream buffer requirements for construction/maintenance work provided adequate e/s control is provided (same exemption provided water/sewer lines crossing a stream at close to 90 degrees and disturbance less than 50’). The bill did not make the crossover deadline.
HB 153. Water conservation Act of 2011: really tough water conservation requirements.
Public water systems must report quarterly water withdrawn and the amount returned to the supply. If the returned water is less than 75% of the withdrawn, then no new water connections are allowed in the utility’s jurisdiction until this goal is achieved. Also, on-site sewage management systems are not allowed on lots 3 acres or less in systems where there are 70,000 connections, or 200 connections per square mile. In these service areas, any application for an on-site sewage system is “suspended’ as long as EPD declares an “exceptional drought” in the area. Finally, all connections to an onsite system in a jurisdiction that meets the criteria above (70k connections or 200 sq mi) must be disconnected by mid-2016. Did not pass out of committee and failed to meet the crossover deadline.
HB 166. This is the 4-year degree bill for engineers and surveyors to quality for taking
the PE or RLS exams after July 2014. This bill was passed by the legislature twice and vetoed by Gov. Perdue on both occasions. Did not meet the crossover deadline.
HB 174. Amends the Service Delivery Strategy regarding water/sewer rates. Expands
“rates” to “fee and rates”. Makes the following change: “ Following the preparation of a rate study by a qualified engineer, t The governing authority may challenge the arbitrary fee and rate differential (between to local governments).”
HB 201. Prohibits driving when snow and ice obstructs a driver’s view of the road.
HB 223. Exempts from the state standard building code farm buildings used for manure
storage and animal mortality composting that are designed by the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service.
HB 240. If a project approved in a SPLOST referendum is found to be infeasible, this
bill authorizes a local referendum to take money associated with the infeasible project and allocate it to reducing debt or taxes.
HB 232. Amends the ethics commission law from 2010 that requires
registration/expense reporting of those who seek to influence vendor decisions by governmental entities. The bill exempts employees that spend 10% or less of their time “lobbying” (for engineering firms, this translates to “seeking to influence vendor decisions). It seems that the “real” marketers/salespeople in firms would have to register and those that market services incidental to their other duties would be exempt. The bill passed both chambers and has been signed by the Governor.
HB 274. Related to Solid Waste Management permits, encourages composting, tightens
language for inert landfills, and adjust state fees at inert landfills.
HB 368. Agricultural Water Supply Protection Act. The bill would impose very
stringent requirements on interbasin water transfers for the purpose of agricultural purposes that are similar for potable use of interbasin transfers of water.
Senate Bills
SB 8. A third-party contract auditor, would be hired by the state for the purpose of
recovering money from state contractors due to pricing errors, neglected rebates, miscalculated freight charges . . . and related errors for 2008-2011 and thereafter. The third-party would be paid on commission or a contingent fee basis up to 20% of the funds recovered. The bill has passed the Senate.
SB 27. The so-called Georgia Public Works and Contractor Protection Act. No public
entity may contract with a construction contractor unless the contractor participates in E-Verify to verify the employment eligibility of all new hires and subcontractors. After 1-1-13, a contractor may bid on a public works project, only if “approved under the IMAGE program of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”
SB 40. Immigration. This bill is one that seems to be the vehicle for the Senate in
dealing with immigration is likely to be in the conference committee with the House’s HB 87. It is a long, controversial, tough measures. It places requirements on businesses to verify the status of employees and those of sub-contractors. It has passed the Senate.
SB 60. Changes some administrative requirements related to red-light cameras: requires
local governments to provide a form for photographed drivers to respond to the notice and changes legal language related to ‘evidence’. Has not moved.
SB 86. Defines a Qualified Local Government as one that “adopts a basic local plan
which shall, upon request by a county or municipality, be developed by the state’s regional commission utilizing existing resources”. It significantly diminishes the DCA requirements for preparation of comprehensive planning by cities and counties. It has passed the Senate.
SB 97. Requires legislative approval of any toll extension by SRTA (i.e., Ga. 400 tolls).
SB 106. Basically guts the contractor licensing law.
SB 109. Moves the general primary election date in even numbered years to the last
Tuesday in July from the next-to-last Tuesday in August (the HB 277 T-SPLOST referendum occurs on the primary election day in 2012). Passed the Senate.
SB 110. Removes the restrictions on sitting solid waste landfills in groundwater
recharge areas and military bombing ranges. The bill passed the Senate.
SB 122. Authorizes 3P arrangements for water supply reservoirs. Allows local
governments to enter into contracts for up to 50 years with private entities to plan, develop, and operate reservoirs (and related facilities). Places GEFA’s Water Supply Division in a lead role for any state involvement in such projects, including GEFA taking the lead role with consent of local governments. It passed the Senate by a wide margin.
SB 142. Repeals the entire authorization for red-light cameras.
SB 157. Solid Waste Management Plans would not have to conform to DCA procedures;
makes DCA guidelines for plans optional; eliminates the 25% waste reduction goal. Passed the Senate.
SB 186. Consolidates all fire safety services into a new ‘cabinet’ level department led by
the Commissioner of the Department of Fire Safety, appointed by the Governor. The new Department would include the fire marshall’s functions/fire codes now under the Insurance Commissioner, the Firefighters Standards and Training Council, and the Georgia Fire Academy.
Resolutions
SR 15. Creates the House-Senate Joint Committee on Water Supply to study the state’s
current reservoirs system and the needs for additional water supply and creative financing for water reservoirs and “water supply enhancements.”
SR 29. Urges the Georgia DOT to contract out more of its work, focus employment and
training practices on strategically important skills, and set a goal of a 25%
reduction in employees to 3,750 by 2015.
SR 68. Creates the Science & Technology Strategic Initiative Joint Study Committee,
which would study current assets, review federal & state public policies, develop specific recommendations, and prepare a report by Jan 2012.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
March 23, 2011
DAY 33
The General Assembly plans to be in session all 5 days next week; a rare occurrence in recent years. They plan to be in recess all of the following week, and will meet on Tuesday, April 12, for DAY 39 and Thursday, April 14, for DAY 40.
The two main immigration bills, HB 87 and SB 40, have passed their originating chamber and are going to conference to negotiate a final bill.
The 4-year degree bill (HB 166)for surveyors and engineers did not make the crossover deadline and is likely stalled for this year.
SB 122, relating to public-private partnerships for water supply reservoirs passed the Senate, one vote short of unanimously.
House Bills
HB 30. Implements Constitutional Amendment One that was approved in the November
general election and that relates to employment contracts.
HB 43. Requires electric utilities to use no more that 25% of their total coal consumption
from mountain top removal for coal mining by 2016 and none by 2018.
There would be no new permits issued for coal-fired power plants after 2018.
HB 57. Installation of residential water treatment equipment for “personal, family, or
household use” would be exempt from the Construction Industry Licensing
requirements (includes, plumbers, electricians, low voltage electrical, utility
contractors, etc.)
HB 71. Adds “bicycle” to the law requiring vehicles to stop and yield to pedestrians as
a vehicle approaches a sidewalk from a driveway, alley, etc. Extends this
requirement to all people, not just to children on the sidewalk.
HB 87. This is the comprehensive, “Arizona-style” immigration bill. The bill addresses
a wide variety of issues related to illegal immigration. One element requires all applicants for a local business license or “occupational tax certificate” to provide an affidavit that the applicant “is authorized to use the federal employment eligibility verification system known as E-Verify”. This requirement is effective a/o Sept 1, 2011 for companies with 500 or more employees, January 1, 2012 if more than 100 employees, and July 1, 2012 if 5 or more employees. If fewer than 5 employees, the company is exempt. All cities/counties must provide a list of the names of all such firms and their E-Verify number a/o 12/31 of each year. It passed the House.
HB 93. Under current law a local “code inspector” is a city/county employee with the
duty to “assure code compliance”. This bill would assign “code enforcement officers” the authority over “health, safety, and welfare requirements” and give them the authority to “issue citations of file formal complaints”. The bill passed the House and received a ‘do-pass’ in the Senate Committee.
HB 101. Defines “bicycle lane” (a demarked portion of a roadway) and stipulates it must
be in accord with AASHTO criteria. Requires motor vehicles to yield to bikes in a bike lane, prohibits parking in a bike lane, and updates numerous other biking requirements for safety purposes. The bill passed the House and received a ‘do-pass’ in the Senate Committee.
HB 111. Deals with water Interbasin Transfers. The State Water Plan’s language
regarding IBT was incorporated into DNR rules last week – over the objection of many environmental advocates. This bill would embody most of the objections registered against these IBT rules. Two examples of these new requirements are (1) changing the word “should” with “shall” – eliminating much EPD flexibility and giving a stronger basis for litigation and (2) making the rules apply to not only new applications for also to ‘modified’ permit applications (like permit renewals). Did not pass out of committee and failed to meet the crossover deadline.
HB 131. Exempts DOT from (1) fines associated with violations of erosion/
sedimentation requirements and (2) from stream buffer requirements for construction/maintenance work provided adequate e/s control is provided (same exemption provided water/sewer lines crossing a stream at close to 90 degrees and disturbance less than 50’). The bill did not make the crossover deadline.
HB 153. Water conservation Act of 2011: really tough water conservation requirements.
Public water systems must report quarterly water withdrawn and the amount returned to the supply. If the returned water is less than 75% of the withdrawn, then no new water connections are allowed in the utility’s jurisdiction until this goal is achieved. Also, on-site sewage management systems are not allowed on lots 3 acres or less in systems where there are 70,000 connections, or 200 connections per square mile. In these service areas, any application for an on-site sewage system is “suspended’ as long as EPD declares an “exceptional drought” in the area. Finally, all connections to an onsite system in a jurisdiction that meets the criteria above (70k connections or 200 sq mi) must be disconnected by mid-2016. Did not pass out of committee and failed to meet the crossover deadline.
HB 166. This is the 4-year degree bill for engineers and surveyors to quality for taking
the PE or RLS exams after July 2014. This bill was passed by the legislature twice and vetoed by Gov. Perdue on both occasions. Did not meet the crossover deadline.
HB 174. Amends the Service Delivery Strategy regarding water/sewer rates. Expands
“rates” to “fee and rates”. Makes the following change: “ Following the preparation of a rate study by a qualified engineer, t The governing authority may challenge the arbitrary fee and rate differential (between to local governments).”
HB 201. Prohibits driving when snow and ice obstructs a driver’s view of the road.
HB 223. Exempts from the state standard building code farm buildings used for manure
storage and animal mortality composting that are designed by the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service.
HB 240. If a project approved in a SPLOST referendum is found to be infeasible, this
bill authorizes a local referendum to take money associated with the infeasible project and allocate it to reducing debt or taxes.
HB 232. Amends the ethics commission law from 2010 that requires
registration/expense reporting of those who seek to influence vendor decisions by governmental entities. The bill exempts employees that spend 10% or less of their time “lobbying” (for engineering firms, this translates to “seeking to influence vendor decisions). It seems that the “real” marketers/salespeople in firms would have to register and those that market services incidental to their other duties would be exempt. The bill passed both chambers and has been signed by the Governor.
HB 274. Related to Solid Waste Management permits, encourages composting, tightens
language for inert landfills, and adjust state fees at inert landfills.
HB 368. Agricultural Water Supply Protection Act. The bill would impose very
stringent requirements on interbasin water transfers for the purpose of agricultural purposes that are similar for potable use of interbasin transfers of water.
Senate Bills
SB 8. A third-party contract auditor, would be hired by the state for the purpose of
recovering money from state contractors due to pricing errors, neglected rebates, miscalculated freight charges . . . and related errors for 2008-2011 and thereafter. The third-party would be paid on commission or a contingent fee basis up to 20% of the funds recovered. The bill has passed the Senate.
SB 27. The so-called Georgia Public Works and Contractor Protection Act. No public
entity may contract with a construction contractor unless the contractor participates in E-Verify to verify the employment eligibility of all new hires and subcontractors. After 1-1-13, a contractor may bid on a public works project, only if “approved under the IMAGE program of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”
SB 40. Immigration. This bill is one that seems to be the vehicle for the Senate in
dealing with immigration is likely to be in the conference committee with the House’s HB 87. It is a long, controversial, tough measures. It places requirements on businesses to verify the status of employees and those of sub-contractors. It has passed the Senate.
SB 60. Changes some administrative requirements related to red-light cameras: requires
local governments to provide a form for photographed drivers to respond to the notice and changes legal language related to ‘evidence’. Has not moved.
SB 86. Defines a Qualified Local Government as one that “adopts a basic local plan
which shall, upon request by a county or municipality, be developed by the state’s regional commission utilizing existing resources”. It significantly diminishes the DCA requirements for preparation of comprehensive planning by cities and counties. It has passed the Senate.
SB 97. Requires legislative approval of any toll extension by SRTA (i.e., Ga. 400 tolls).
SB 106. Basically guts the contractor licensing law.
SB 109. Moves the general primary election date in even numbered years to the last
Tuesday in July from the next-to-last Tuesday in August (the HB 277 T-SPLOST referendum occurs on the primary election day in 2012). Passed the Senate.
SB 110. Removes the restrictions on sitting solid waste landfills in groundwater
recharge areas and military bombing ranges. The bill passed the Senate.
SB 122. Authorizes 3P arrangements for water supply reservoirs. Allows local
governments to enter into contracts for up to 50 years with private entities to plan, develop, and operate reservoirs (and related facilities). Places GEFA’s Water Supply Division in a lead role for any state involvement in such projects, including GEFA taking the lead role with consent of local governments. It passed the Senate by a wide margin.
SB 142. Repeals the entire authorization for red-light cameras.
SB 157. Solid Waste Management Plans would not have to conform to DCA procedures;
makes DCA guidelines for plans optional; eliminates the 25% waste reduction goal. Passed the Senate.
SB 186. Consolidates all fire safety services into a new ‘cabinet’ level department led by
the Commissioner of the Department of Fire Safety, appointed by the Governor. The new Department would include the fire marshall’s functions/fire codes now under the Insurance Commissioner, the Firefighters Standards and Training Council, and the Georgia Fire Academy.
Resolutions
SR 15. Creates the House-Senate Joint Committee on Water Supply to study the state’s
current reservoirs system and the needs for additional water supply and creative financing for water reservoirs and “water supply enhancements.”
SR 29. Urges the Georgia DOT to contract out more of its work, focus employment and
training practices on strategically important skills, and set a goal of a 25%
reduction in employees to 3,750 by 2015.
SR 68. Creates the Science & Technology Strategic Initiative Joint Study Committee,
which would study current assets, review federal & state public policies, develop specific recommendations, and prepare a report by Jan 2012.
LEGISLATIVE ALERT:
Ethics Law Amendments Approved by House and Senate
March 15, 2011
Yesterday the House agreed to the Senate amendments to HB 232. The bill is now on its way to the Governor’s office – his signature is expected. While there are still questions of how the language in the bill will be interpreted, the bill is clearly a great step in the right direction to relieve engineering businesses from onerous regulatory paperwork.
The dramatic trajectory of amending the Ethics law was largely due to very restrictive interpretation of current law in an Advisory Opinion offered by the Ethics Commission last Monday. At the extreme, the AO said the law requires most people to register as a lobbyist before they could speak to their legislator. This opened the gate to much needed changes in the law.
HB 232, as passed, stipulates that a person who spends 10% or less of his/her “working hours engaged” in seeking to influence a public official regarding a vendor decision (or lobbying legislation or local ordinances) is exempt from the requirement to register and report. It further stipulates that, “In applying the 10 percent test, time spent in planning, researching, or preparing for (such) activities. . . shall be counted as time engaged in (lobbying a vendor decision, legislation, or local ordinances)”.
How one would measure if he/she met the 10 percent test is left unanswered. It could be argued that if you are working on marketing strategies, or client relations unrelated to a specific vendor decision, or participating in an association event that has as members persons that could be clients, then you are not seeking to influence a public official regarding a specific vendor decision. Some have suggested that “10%” means, as a practical matter, a small amount of your time. Or the inverse: if you spend a lot of time on selling, then you should register. It seems clear, however, that incidental contact with public officials where the conversation drifts toward seeking to influence the next vendor decision, excludes a person from the requirement to register/report.
It is unclear how the 10% rule would be enforced, but the specific facts of a situation would drive the decision.
The author of HB 232, Rep. Ed Lindsey, offered this amendment to “his” bill to his Senate colleagues. The Georgia Chamber of Commerce was a driving force behind HB 232, which initially only exempted “commissioned salespeople”. We worked with Rep. Ed Setzler on another amendment that would have exempted persons licensed under Title 43 (where the engineer/surveyor licensing law is found), since the political framework on changes had to be in sections other than
the ethics commission code. Rep. Setzler communicated with Rep Lindsey on our issues and suggested his proposed, creative amendment. At the end of the day, and after the Advisory Opinion was issued, it became apparent to the leadership that a broader amendment was necessary to mitigate the unintended consequences of the original law, that was amended just last year.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
March 11, 2011
DAY 28
HB 232, which amends the current ethics commission law, was amended in the Senate to exempt bona fide commission salespersons and those people who spend less than 10% of their time performing activities that are defined as lobbying (which includes seeking to influence government vendor decisions, state legislation/regulation, and local government ordinances/resolutions). The 10% threshold drops a lot of folks in engineering firms from the definition of “lobbyist”, but would still include many who spend a substantial amount of time “selling”.
SB 86, which significantly diminishes the DCA requirements for preparation of comprehensive planning by cities and counties, passed the Senate (38-10) last week.
SB 122, which authorizes Public-Private Partnerships for water supply reservoirs, passed the House last week by a 49-1 margin.
SR 15, which creates the House-Senate Joint Committee on Water Supply, has been approved by both chambers. The Committee will study the state’s current system of waster supply reservoirs and the needs for additional water supply.
HB 87 seems to be one of the many immigration bills that is moving forward. It was approved in the House last week. For engineering companies the most significant impact is the requirement for all companies to register with the federal E-Verify system to document the immigration status of all employees.
House Bills
HB 30. Implements Constitutional Amendment One that was approved in the November
general election and that relates to employment contracts.
HB 43. Requires electric utilities to use no more that 25% of their total coal consumption
from mountain top removal for coal mining by 2016 and none by 2018.
There would be no new permits issued for coal-fired power plants after 2018.
HB 57. Installation of residential water treatment equipment for “personal, family, or
household use” would be exempt from the Construction Industry Licensing
requirements (includes, plumbers, electricians, low voltage electrical, utility
contractors, etc.)
HB 71. Adds “bicycle” to the law requiring vehicles to stop and yield to pedestrians as
a vehicle approaches a sidewalk from a driveway, alley, etc. Extends this
requirement to all people, not just to children on the sidewalk.
HB 87. This is the comprehensive, “Arizona-style” immigration bill. The bill addresses
a wide variety of issues related to illegal immigration. One element requires all applicants for a local business license or “occupational tax certificate” to provide an affidavit that the applicant “is authorized to use the federal employment eligibility verification system known as E-Verify”. This requirement is effective a/o Sept 1, 2011 for companies with 500 or more employees, January 1, 2012 if more than 100 employees, and July 1, 2012 if 5 or more employees. If fewer than 5 employees, the company is exempt. All cities/counties must provide a list of the names of all such firms and their E-Verify number a/o 12/31 of each year.
HB 93. Under current law a local “code inspector” is a city/county employee with the
duty to “assure code compliance”. This bill would assign “code enforcement officers” the authority over “health, safety, and welfare requirements” and give them the authority to “issue citations of file formal complaints”.
HB 101. Defines “bicycle lane” (a demarked portion of a roadway) and stipulates it must
be in accord with AASHTO criteria. Requires motor vehicles to yield to bikes in a bike lane, prohibits parking in a bike lane, and updates numerous other biking requirements for safety purposes.
HB 110. Removes the restrictions on sitting solid waste landfills in groundwater
recharge areas and military bombing ranges.
HB 111. Deals with water Interbasin Transfers. The State Water Plan’s language
regarding IBT was incorporated into DNR rules last week – over the objection of many environmental advocates. This bill would embody most of the objections registered against these IBT rules. Two examples of these new requirements are (1) changing the word “should” with “shall” – eliminating much EPD flexibility and giving a stronger basis for litigation and (2) making the rules apply to not only new applications for also to ‘modified’ permit applications (like permit renewals)
HB 131. Exempts DOT from (1) fines associated with violations of erosion/
sedimentation requirements and (2) from stream buffer requirements for construction/maintenance work provided adequate e/s control is provided (same exemption provided water/sewer lines crossing a stream at close to 90 degrees and disturbance less than 50’).
HB 153. Water conservation Act of 2011: really tough water conservation requirements.
Public water systems must report quarterly water withdrawn and the amount returned to the supply. If the returned water is less than 75% of the withdrawn, then no new water connections are allowed in the utility’s jurisdiction until this goal is achieved. Also, on-site sewage management systems are not allowed on lots 3 acres or less in systems where there are 70,000 connections, or 200 connections per square mile. In these service areas, any application for an on-site sewage system is “suspended’ as long as EPD declares an “exceptional drought” in the area. Finally, all connections to an onsite system in a jurisdiction that meets the criteria above (70k connections or 200 sq mi) must be disconnected by mid-2016.
HB 166. This is the 4-year degree bill for engineers and surveyors to quality for taking
the PE or RLS exams after July 2014. This bill was passed by the legislature twice and vetoed by Gov. Perdue on both occasions.
HB 174. Amends the Service Delivery Strategy regarding water/sewer rates. Expands
“rates” to “fee and rates”. Makes the following change: “ Following the preparation of a rate study by a qualified engineer, tThe governing authority may challenge the arbitrary fee and rate differential (between to local governments).”
HB 201. Prohibits driving when snow and ice obstructs a driver’s view of the road.
HB 223. Exempts from the state standard building code farm buildings used for manure
storage and animal mortality composting that are designed by the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service.
HB 240. If a project approved in a SPLOST referendum is found to be infeasible, this
bill authorizes a local referendum to take money associated with the infeasible project and allocate it to reducing debt or taxes.
HB 232. Amends the ethics commission law from 2010 that requires
registration/expense reporting of those who seek to influence vendor decisions by governmental entities. The bill, however, only exempts “a bona fide commission salesperson who acts in that capacity with respect to governmental procurement”. Since most marketing folks for engineering firms are on salary, HB 232 would provide no relief.
HB 274. Related to Solid Waste Management permits, encourages composting, tightens
language for inert landfills, and adjust state fees at inert landfills.
HB 368. Agricultural Water Supply Protection Act. The bill would impose very
stringent requirements on interbasin water transfers for the purpose of agricultural purposes that are similar for potable use of interbasin transfers of water.
Senate Bills
SB 8. A third-party contract auditor, would be hired by the state for the purpose of
recovering money from state contractors due to pricing errors, neglected rebates, miscalculated freight charges . . . and related errors for 2008-2011 and thereafter. The third-party would be paid on commission or a contingent fee basis up to 20% of the funds recovered.
SB 27. The so-called Georgia Public Works and Contractor Protection Act. No public
entity may contract with a construction contractor unless the contractor participates in E-Verify to verify the employment eligibility of all new hires and subcontractors. After 1-1-13, a contractor may bid on a public works project, only if “approved under the IMAGE program of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”
SB 40. Immigration. This bill is generally in the sync with HB 87 in the house; long,
controversial, tough measures. It places requirements on businesses to verify the status of employees and those of sub-contractors.
SB 60. Changes some administrative requirements related to red-light cameras: requires
local governments to provide a form for photographed drivers to respond to the notice and changes legal language related to ‘evidence’.
SB 86. Defines a Qualified Local Government as one that “adopts a basic local plan
which shall, upon request by a county or municipality, be developed by the state’s regional commission utilizing existing resources”.
SB 97. Requires legislative approval of any toll extension by SRTA (i.e., Ga. 400 tolls).
SB 106. Basically guts the contractor licensing law.
SB 109. Moves the general primary election date in even numbered years to the last
Tuesday in July from the next-to-last Tuesday in August (the HB 277 T-SPLOST referendum occurs on the primary election day in 2012).
SB 122. Authorizes 3P arrangements for water supply reservoirs. Allows local
governments to enter into contracts for up to 50 years with private entities to plan, develop, and operate reservoirs (and related facilities). Places GEFA’s Water Supply Division in a lead role for any state involvement in such projects, including GEFA taking the lead role with consent of local governments.
SB 142. Repeals the entire authorization for red-light cameras.
SB 157. Solid Waste Management Plans would not have to conform to DCA procedures;
makes DCA guidelines for plans optional; eliminates the 25% waste reduction goal.
Resolutions
SR 15. Creates the House-Senate Joint Committee on Water Supply to study the state’s
current reservoirs system and the needs for additional water supply and creative financing for water reservoirs and “water supply enhancements.”
SR 29. Urges the Georgia DOT to contract out more of its work, focus employment and
training practices on strategically important skills, and set a goal of a 25%
reduction in employees to 3,750 by 2015.
SR 68. Creates the Science & Technology Strategic Initiative Joint Study Committee,
which would study current assets, review federal & state public policies, develop specific recommendations, and prepare a report by Jan 2012.
LEGISLATIVE ALERT
Ethics Law Amended in Senate Committee
March 8, 2011
HB 232 was amended in the Senate Ethics Committee this morning to greatly loosen the requirements imposed by last year’s Legislature. This is terrific news. Heretofore, the law required any person who, for compensation, sought to influence a public official regarding a vendor decision, to register as a lobbyist with the state Ethics Commission and file monthly expenditure reports (
bi-monthly when the General Assembly is in session).
The Senate Ethics Committee amended HB 232 to stipulates that a person who spends 10% or less of his/her “working hours engaged” in seeking to influence a public official regarding a vendor decision (or lobbying legislation or local ordinances) is exempt from the requirement to register and report. It further stipulates that, “In applying the 10 percent test, time spent in planning, researching, or preparing for (such) activities. . . shall be counted as time engaged in (lobbying a vendor decision, legislation, or local ordinances)”.
How one would measure if he/she met the 10 percent test is left unanswered. It could be argued that if you are working on marketing strategies, or client relations unrelated to a specific vendor decision, or participating in an association event that has as members persons that could be clients, then you are not seeking to influence a public official regarding a specific vendor decision. Some have suggested that “10%” means, as a practical matter, a small amount of your time. Or the inverse: “if you spend a “lot of time on selling”, then you should register. It seems clear, however, that incidental contact with public officials where the conversation drifts toward seeking to influence the next vendor decision, would be excluded from requiring a person to register/report.
It is unclear how the 10% rule would be enforced, but the specific facts of a situation would drive the decision.
As for most legislation, HB 232, as amended, is not perfect; but is surely better, by a great deal, than current law.
The author of HB 232, Rep. Ed Lindsey, offered this amendment to his Senate colleagues. It was unanimously approved in Committee, with very little debate, but a heavy dose of ‘thank you’ for fixing obviously flawed legislation.
SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
February 25, 2011
DAY 20
Tax on Engineering Services Dead for 2011
The recommendations of the Special Tax Council have been folded into legislation, which was introduced in the General Assembly late last week. It took four bills to include substantially all the recommendations: HB 385, 386, 387, and 388. Although the recommendations/legislation include a large increase in the types of services that are subject to the state sales tax, professional services are not included. As recommended, the new services included are personal services (such as auto repair, haircuts, country club dues, and many more), as opposed to business services (A/E, surveying, law, accounting, and others), which are not included in the legislation’s strategy to broaden the base for sales tax.
As reported earlier, the TAX Council’s recommendations (and now the legislation) also recommends are reduction in both personal and corporate state income tax rates (from 6% to 4% over several years).
It looks like a professional services tax (PST) is not in the cards for 2011 legislative session. A PST was one of the “big issues” we expected to monitor and oppose during the run-up to the 2011 session. Although “it ain’t over ‘til it’s over” in legislative matters (meaning midnight on Day 40), it seems that we will be able to declare victory on this issue.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
February 24, 2011
DAY 19
HB 232 amends the ethics commission law from last year to exempt bona fide commission salesperson dealing with local and state governments from the requirement to register as lobbyists. It was approved in the House by a 158-3 vote. There is some interest in crafting a bill to provides a similar exemption for design professions. More will be known next week.
SR 29, which urges GDOT to strengthen strategically important and management units, reduce staff through attrition, and contract out work passed the Senate on a 46-9 vote.
SB 86, which makes comprehensive planning by cities and counties optional has created a bit of a stir. Georgia DCA and the city and county associations are in conversation over possible amendments that would preserve the best of the comprehensive planning requirement but eliminate some legitimate concerns of the process.
SB 122 is the much-anticipated bill to authorize Public-Private Partnerships (3P) for water supply reservoirs. It was approved in the Senate Natural Resources committee on Thursday.
House Bills
HB 30. Implements Constitutional Amendment One that was approved in the November
general election and that relates to employment contracts.
HB 43. Requires electric utilities to use no more that 25% of their total coal consumption
from mountain top removal for coal mining by 2016 and none by 2018.
There would be no new permits issued for coal-fired power plants after 2018.
HB 57. Installation of residential water treatment equipment for “personal, family, or
household use” would be exempt from the Construction Industry Licensing
requirements (includes, plumbers, electricians, low voltage electrical, utility
contractors, etc.)
HB 71. Adds “bicycle” to the law requiring vehicles to stop and yield to pedestrians as
a vehicle approaches a sidewalk from a driveway, alley, etc. Extends this
requirement to all people, not just to children on the sidewalk.
HB 87. This is the comprehensive, “Arizona-style” immigration bill. The bill addresses
a wide variety of issues related to illegal immigration. One element requires all applicants for a local business license or “occupational tax certificate” to provide an affidavit that the applicant “is authorized to use the federal employment eligibility verification system known as E-Verify”. This requirement is effective a/o Sept 1, 2011 for companies with 500 or more employees, January 1, 2012 if more than 100 employees, and July 1, 2012 if 5 or more employees. If fewer than 5 employees, the company is exempt. All cities/counties must provide a list of the names of all such firms and their E-Verify number a/o 12/31 of each year.
HB 93. Under current law a local “code inspector” is a city/county employee with the
duty to “assure code compliance”. This bill would assign “code enforcement officers” the authority over “health, safety, and welfare requirements” and give them the authority to “issue citations of file formal complaints”.
HB 101. Defines “bicycle lane” (a demarked portion of a roadway) and stipulates it must
be in accord with AASHTO criteria. Requires motor vehicles to yield to bikes in a bike lane, prohibits parking in a bike lane, and updates numerous other biking requirements for safety purposes.
HB 111. Deals with water Interbasin Transfers. The State Water Plan’s language
regarding IBT was incorporated into DNR rules last week – over the objection of many environmental advocates. This bill would embody most of the objections registered against these IBT rules. Two examples of these new requirements are (1) changing the word “should” with “shall” – eliminating much EPD flexibility and giving a stronger basis for litigation and (2) making the rules apply to not only new applications for also to ‘modified’ permit applications (like permit renewals)
HB 131. Exempts DOT from (1) fines associated with violations of erosion/
sedimentation requirements and (2) from stream buffer requirements for construction/maintenance work provided adequate e/s control is provided (same exemption provided water/sewer lines crossing a stream at close to 90 degrees and disturbance less than 50’).
HB 153. Water conservation Act of 2011: really tough water conservation requirements.
Public water systems must report quarterly water withdrawn and the amount returned to the supply. If the returned water is less than 75% of the withdrawn, then no new water connections are allowed in the utility’s jurisdiction until this goal is achieved. Also, on-site sewage management systems are not allowed on lots 3 acres or less in systems where there are 70,000 connections, or 200 connections per square mile. In these service areas, any application for an on-site sewage system is “suspended’ as long as EPD declares an “exceptional drought” in the area. Finally, all connections to an onsite system in a jurisdiction that meets the criteria above (70k connections or 200 sq mi) must be disconnected by mid-2016.
HB 166. This is the 4-year degree bill for engineers and surveyors to quality for taking
the PE or RLS exams after July 2014. This bill was passed by the legislature twice and vetoed by Gov. Perdue on both occasions.
HB 174. Amends the Service Delivery Strategy regarding water/sewer rates. Expands
“rates” to “fee and rates”. Makes the following change: “ Following the preparation of a rate study by a qualified engineer, tThe governing authority may challenge the arbitrary fee and rate differential (between to local governments).”
HB 201. Prohibits driving when snow and ice obstructs a driver’s view of the road.
HB 223. Exempts from the state standard building code farm buildings used for manure
storage and animal mortality composting that are designed by the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service.
HB 240. If a project approved in a SPLOST referendum is found to be infeasible, this
bill authorizes a local referendum to take money associated with the infeasible project and allocate it to reducing debt or taxes.
HB 232. Amends the ethics commission law from 2010 that requires
registration/expense reporting of those who seek to influence vendor decisions by governmental entities. The bill, however, only exempts “a bona fide commission salesperson who acts in that capacity with respect to governmental procurement”. Since most marketing folks for engineering firms are on salary, HB 232 would provide no relief.
HB 274. Related to Solid Waste Management permits, encourages composting, tightens
language for inert landfills, and adjust state fees at inert landfills.
Senate Bills
SB 8. A third-party contract auditor, would be hired by the state for the purpose of
recovering money from state contractors due to pricing errors, neglected rebates, miscalculated freight charges . . . and related errors for 2008-2011 and thereafter. The third-party would be paid on commission or a contingent fee basis up to 20% of the funds recovered.
SB 27. The so-called Georgia Public Works and Contractor Protection Act. No public
entity may contract with a construction contractor unless the contractor participates in E-Verify to verify the employment eligibility of all new hires and subcontractors. After 1-1-13, a contractor may bid on a public works project, only if “approved under the IMAGE program of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”
SB 40. Immigration. This bill is generally in the sync with HB 87 in the house; long,
controversial, tough measures. It places requirements on businesses to verify the status of employees and those of sub-contractors.
SB 60. Changes some administrative requirements related to red-light cameras: requires
local governments to provide a form for photographed drivers to respond to the notice and changes legal language related to ‘evidence’.
SB 86. Makes preparation of comprehensive plans by local governments optional; not
mandatory which is now the case to become a “Qualified Local Government”, which is repealed in the bill.
SB 97. Requires legislative approval of any toll extension by SRTA (i.e., Ga. 400 tolls).
SB 106. Basically guts the contractor licensing law.
SB 109. Moves the primary election date in 2012 to the last Tuesday in July from the
next-to-last Tuesday in August (the HB 277 T-SPLOST referendum occurs on the primary election day in 2012).
SB 122. Authorizes 3P arrangements for water supply reservoirs. Allows local
governments to enter into contracts for up to 50 years with private entities to plan, develop, and operate reservoirs (and related facilities). Places GEFA’s Water Supply Division in a lead role for any state involvement in such projects, including GEFA taking the lead role with consent of local governments.
SB 142. Repeals the entire authorization for red-light cameras.
Resolutions
SR 15. Creates the House-Senate Joint Committee on Water Supply to study the state’s
current reservoirs system and the needs for additional water supply and creative financing for water reservoirs and “water supply enhancements.”
SR 29. Urges the Georgia DOT to contract out more of its work, focus employment and
training practices on strategically important skills, and set a goal of a 25%
reduction in employees to 3,750 by 2015.
SR 68. Creates the Science & Technology Strategic Initiative Joint Study Committee,
which would study current assets, review federal & state public policies, develop specific recommendations, and prepare a report by Jan 2012.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
February 17, 2011
DAY 16
HB 232, which would amend the ethics commission law from last year was approved in committee this week. Several folks have surmised that it ‘fixes’ the broad number of engineers, and most other design professionals, that are required to register as lobbyist under the 2010 law. However, it only exempts “a bona fide commission salesperson who acts in that capacity with respect to governmental procurement”; providing no relief for engineering firms.
The 4-year degree bill (HB 166) was also approved in committee last week. It moves to House Rules Committee for consideration to move to the floor of the House for a vote.
There are several really tough immigration bills moving in both the House and Senate. The common thread in these bills as relates to engineering, is the requirement for companies to register with the federal E-Verify system and check all employees through it to verify their immigration status. The obligations of companies, their subcontractors, and public sector clients, may vary a bit the bills, but not significantly. It is early in the session so look for some consolidation of bills and greater clarity in what might actually pass.
A bill that would authorize Public-Private Partnerships (3P) for water supply reservoirs has been widely circulated and is expected to be introduced next week. It would authorize local governmental sponsors to partner with private developers to construct reservoirs. GEFA could participate in the funding such reservoirs. This is the bill contemplated as a companion to Gov. Deal’s budget of $300 million over 4 years for water supply.
House Bills
HB 30. Implements Constitutional Amendment One that was approved in the November
general election and that relates to employment contracts.
HB 43. Requires electric utilities to use no more that 25% of their total coal consumption
from mountain top removal for coal mining by 2016 and none by 2018.
There would be no new permits issued for coal-fired power plants after 2018.
HB 57. Installation of residential water treatment equipment for “personal, family, or
household use” would be exempt from the Construction Industry Licensing
requirements (includes, plumbers, electricians, low voltage electrical, utility
contractors, etc.)
HB 71. Adds “bicycle” to the law requiring vehicles to stop and yield to pedestrians as
a vehicle approaches a sidewalk from a driveway, alley, etc. Extends this
requirement to all people, not just to children on the sidewalk.
HB 87. This is the comprehensive, “Arizona-style” immigration bill. The bill addresses
a wide variety of issues related to illegal immigration. One element requires all applicants for a local business license or “occupational tax certificate” to provide an affidavit that the applicant “is authorized to use the federal employment eligibility verification system known as E-Verify”. This requirement is effective a/o Sept 1, 2011 for companies with 500 or more employees, January 1, 2012 if more than 100 employees, and July 1, 2012 if 5 or more employees. If fewer than 5 employees, the company is exempt. All cities/counties must provide a list of the names of all such firms and their E-Verify number a/o 12/31 of each year.
HB 93. Under current law a local “code inspector” is a city/county employee with the
duty to “assure code compliance”. This bill would assign “code enforcement officers” the authority over “health, safety, and welfare requirements” and give them the authority to “issue citations of file formal complaints”.
HB 101. Defines “bicycle lane” (a demarked portion of a roadway) and stipulates it must
be in accord with AASHTO criteria. Requires motor vehicles to yield to bikes in a bike lane, prohibits parking in a bike lane, and updates numerous other biking requirements for safety purposes.
HB 111. Deals with water Interbasin Transfers. The State Water Plan’s language
regarding IBT was incorporated into DNR rules last week – over the objection of many environmental advocates. This bill would embody most of the objections registered against these IBT rules. Two examples of these new requirements are (1) changing the word “should” with “shall” – eliminating much EPD flexibility and giving a stronger basis for litigation and (2) making the rules apply to not only new applications for also to ‘modified’ permit applications (like permit renewals)
HB 131. Exempts DOT from (1) fines associated with violations of erosion/
sedimentation requirements and (2) from stream buffer requirements for construction/maintenance work provided adequate e/s control is provided (same exemption provided water/sewer lines crossing a stream at close to 90 degrees and disturbance less than 50’).
HB 153. Water conservation Act of 2011: really tough water conservation requirements.
Public water systems must report quarterly water withdrawn and the amount returned to the supply. If the returned water is less than 75% of the withdrawn, then no new water connections are allowed in the utility’s jurisdiction until this goal is achieved. Also, on-site sewage management systems are not allowed on lots 3 acres or less in systems where there are 70,000 connections, or 200 connections per square mile. In these service areas, any application for an on-site sewage system is “suspended’ as long as EPD declares an “exceptional drought” in the area. Finally, all connections to an onsite system in a jurisdiction that meets the criteria above (70k connections or 200 sq mi) must be disconnected by mid-2016.
HB 166. This is the 4-year degree bill for engineers and surveyors to quality for taking
the PE or RLS exams after July 2014. This bill was passed by the legislature twice and vetoed by Gov. Perdue on both occasions.
HB 174. Amends the Service Delivery Strategy regarding water/sewer rates. Expands
“rates” to “fee and rates”. Makes the following change: “ Following the preparation of a rate study by a qualified engineer, tThe governing authority may challenge the arbitrary fee and rate differential (between to local governments).”
HB 201. Prohibits driving when snow and ice obstructs a driver’s view of the road.
HB 232. Amends the ethics commission law from 2010 that requires
registration/expense reporting of those who seek to influence vendor decisions by governmental entities. The bill, however, only exempts “a bona fide commission salesperson who acts in that capacity with respect to governmental procurement”. Since most marketing folks for engineering firms are on salary, HB 232 would provide no relief.
HB 274. Related to Solid Waste Management permits, encourages composting, tightens
language for inert landfills, and adjust state fees at inert landfills.
Senate Bills
SB 8. A third-party contract auditor, would be hired by the state for the purpose of
recovering money from state contractors due to pricing errors, neglected rebates, miscalculated freight charges . . . and related errors for 2008-2011 and thereafter. The third-party would be paid on commission or a contingent fee basis up to 20% of the funds recovered.
SB 27. The so-called Georgia Public Works and Contractor Protection Act. No public
entity may contract with a construction contractor unless the contractor participates in E-Verify to verify the employment eligibility of all new hires and subcontractors. After 1-1-13, a contractor may bid on a public works project, only if “approved under the IMAGE program of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”
SB 40. Immigration. This bill is generally in the sync with HB 87 in the house; long,
controversial, tough measures. It places requirements on businesses to verify the status of employees and those of sub-contractors.
SB 60. Changes some administrative requirements related to red-light cameras: requires
local governments to provide a form for photographed drivers to respond to the notice and changes legal language related to ‘evidence’.
SB 97. Requires legislative approval of any toll extension by SRTA (i.e., Ga. 400 tolls).
SB 106. Basically guts the contractor licensing law.
SB 109. Moves the primary election date in 2012 to the last Tuesday in July from the
next-to-last Tuesday in August (the HB 277 T-SPLOST referendum occurs on the primary election day in 2012).
Resolutions
SR 15. Creates the House-Senate Joint Committee on Water Supply to study the state’s
current reservoirs system and the needs for additional water supply and creative financing for water reservoirs and “water supply enhancements.”
SR 29. Urges the Georgia DOT to contract out more of its work, focus employment and
training practices on strategically important skills, and set a goal of a 25%
reduction in employees to 3,750 by 2015.
SR 68. Creates the Science & Technology Strategic Initiative Joint Study Committee,
which would study current assets, review federal & state public policies, develop specific recommendations, and prepare a report by Jan 2012.
LEGISLATIVE ALERT
February 16, 2011
4-Year Degree Bill Passes our of Committee
and
Lobby Amendment Does Not Help Design Professionals
HB 166, the 4-year degree bill passed out of the House Regulated Industries Committee this morning with a unanimous “do pass” vote. It now goes to the House Rules Committee to be cleared for a floor vote. The Georgia Engineers Legislative Coalition and the Board of Registration supported this bill for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. Rep. Alan Powell of Hartwell authored the bill.
Ethics/Lobbyist. Current law requires all people who, “for compensation”, seek to “influence vendor decisions” to register as a lobbyist and file frequent expense reports (even if there are no ‘expenses’) with the state ethics commission.
HB 232 came out of committee yesterday that would amend the ethics law. Several folks have surmised that it ‘fixes’ the broad number of engineers, and most other design professionals, that are required to register as lobbyist under the 2010 law. HB 232, however, only exempts “a bona fide commission salesperson who acts in that capacity with respect to governmental procurement”.
If HB 232 exempts commission salespeople, then by the same logic, it should also exempt those who market their firm’s professional services. You should contact your Representative and Senator and let them know what impact the current law has on your company.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
January 29, 2011
DAY 6
Who’s a lobbyist?
