2024 Crossover Day Legislative Update

BUSINESS CLIMATE

SB 283 (Sen. Brian Strickland) – creates a new cause of action for pregnant employees who have not been granted reasonable accommodations within the workplace. DID NOT CROSS

SB 362 (Sen. Mike Hodges) – prohibits companies from accepting economic development incentives for new projects if they recognize union membership without first holding a secret ballot rather than a card check. CROSSED OVER

SB 366 (Sen. Chuck Hufstetler) – strengthens the tax incentive audit process by listing state revenue sources and tax credit spending in the budget, increasing the number of annual audits, introducing a comment period after initial audit results, and creating a joint committee to consider subsequent legislation. CROSSED OVER

SB 396 (Sen. Sonya Halpern)/HB 549 (Rep. Tyler Paul Smith) – establishes the statewide music business office within the Georgia Department of Economic Development. SB 396 – DID NOT CROSS; HB 549 – DID NOT CROSS

SB 426 (Sen. Blake Tillery) – limits the ability of a plaintiff to sue motor carriers and their insurers simultaneously (direct action). CROSSED OVER

SB 428 (Sen. Blake Tillery) – provides for a cap on damages recoverable against foster parents in personal injury actions involving the use of a motor vehicle by the foster child. DID NOT CROSS

SB 431 (Sen. Blake Tillery) – modifies the Apex doctrine by removing a court’s ability to grant a protective order prohibiting the deposition of high-ranking corporate officers or government officials who lack unique, personal knowledge of any matters relevant to the lawsuit. DID NOT CROSS

SB 447 (Sen. Randy Robertson) – prohibits a food and beverage franchisor from terminating a franchisee for cause without providing 90 days’ notice to cure such failure. DID NOT CROSS

HB 381 (Rep. Teri Anulewicz) – establishes a right of action for workplace harassment against a third party or employer. DID NOT CROSS

HB 481 (Rep. John Carson) – requires fiduciaries for public retirement systems to consider only pecuniary factors in investment decisions. CROSSED OVER

HB 916 (Speaker Jon Burns) – appropriates funds for fiscal year 2025. EXEMPT FROM CROSSOVER RULE

HB 1015 (Rep. Lauren McDonald) – decreases the individual income tax rate from 5.49% to 5.39% and provides for further reductions through 2028 if certain economic conditions are met. CROSSED OVER

HB 1023 (Rep. Bruce Williamson) – reduces the corporate income tax rate to match the pending individual income tax rate of 5.39% and extends the state corporate filing deadline by one month. CROSSED OVER

HB 1024 (Rep. Shaw Blackmon) – removes the cap on the state’s Revenue Shortfall Reserve, or “rainy day” fund. DID NOT CROSS

HB 1033 (Rep. Rob Leverett) – enhances penalties for the assault of utility workers harmed while acting within their job duties. CROSSED OVER

HB 1114 (Rep. Will Wade) – directs the Insurance Commissioner to collect and analyze anonymous data from insurers related to tort-related risks. CROSSED OVER

HB 1180 (Rep. Kasey Carpenter) – amends the film tax credit by limiting transferable credits and increasing criteria required to receive an additional 10% “uplift.” CROSSED OVER

HB 1181 (Rep. Chuck Martin) – reduces the carryforward period on several tax incentives and adds or moves the sunset date for several incentives to 2029. CROSSED OVER

HB 1182 (Rep. Clint Crowe) – reduces the low-income housing tax credit by 20% unless the project will house senior citizens or veterans, provide transit, or is located in a rural area. CROSSED OVER

HB 1192 (Rep. John Carson) – suspends the sales tax exemption on equipment purchased for use in hyperscale or multi-tenant data centers. CROSSED OVER

HB 1205 (Rep. Todd Jones) – requires reporting beyond current regulatory requirements for Georgia financial institutions with total assets greater than $100 billion, requiring they state specific reasons for the denial, restriction, or termination of services. DID NOT CROSS

HB 1244 (Rep. Todd Jones) – increases transparency and limits third-party litigation funding by foreign entities. DID NOT CROSS

HB 1267/HR 598 (Rep. Chuck Martin) – moves the Georgia Tax Tribunal into the judicial branch and renames it Georgia Tax Court, subject to passage of a constitutional amendment in November 2024. CROSSED OVER

HB 1371 (Rep. James Burchett) – limits the liability of owners/occupiers of land if a claimant for injury comes onto the owner’s land for the purpose of committing a felony. Provides that the mere fact that a premises is located in a high crime area is not sufficient, on its own, to establish a duty of care on the owner to keep the premises safe. CROSSED OVER

INFRASTRUCTURE

SB 457 (Sen. Chuck Hufstetler) – reestablishes the Consumer Utility Counsel to represent consumers before the Public Service Commission. CROSSED OVER

SB 473 (Sen. John Albers) – creates requirements for entities that control or process consumer personal data, including enforcement and penalties for violations, establishes consumer rights including opt-out, permits private rights of action, and other provisions. CROSSED OVER

SB 542 (Sen. Sam Watson) – removes the Public Trust doctrine reference related to streams that was adopted in 2023, preserves private property rights, and states that citizens have a right of passage to hunt and fish on all navigable streams. CROSSED OVER

HB 617 (Rep. Rick Jasperse) – directs the Georgia Department of Transportation planning division to develop a statewide freight and logistics implementation plan. CROSSED OVER

HB 915 (Speaker Jon Burns) – amends the budget for fiscal year 2024. Highlights include $1.5 billion to accelerate transportation and freight projects.  SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

HB 1172 (Rep. James Burchett) – removes the Public Trust doctrine reference related to streams that was adopted in 2023 and states that citizens have a right of passage to hunt and fish on all navigable streams.  CROSSED OVER

HB 1358 (Rep. Victor Anderson) – abolishes the Atlanta-region Transit Link Authority and Georgia Regional Transportation Authority and transfers all assets, obligations, duties, powers, property, and employees to the State Road and Tollway Authority.  DID NOT CROSS

HB 1397 (Rep. James Burchett) – Establishes a list of streams presumed “navigable” and therefore subject to public access. DID NOT CROSS

TALENT DEVELOPMENT & EDUCATION

SB 26 (Sen. Greg Dolezal) – authorizes workforce boards and other agencies to conduct meetings via teleconference. SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR

SB 235 (Sen. Sonya Halpern) – creates the Historically Black Colleges & Universities Economic Prosperity Planning Commission. CROSSED OVER

SB 360 (Sen. Billy Hickman)/HB 941 (Rep. Chris Erwin) – allows funds appropriated to elementary and secondary education to be used for pre-k capital outlay projects. SB 360 – CROSSED OVER; HB 941 – DID NOT CROSS

SB 399 (Sen. Shelly Echols) – authorizes the Technical College System of Georgia to certify transferable credits to the University System of Georgia before the start of a semester. CROSSED OVER

SB 440 (Sen. Matt Brass) – simplifies dual enrollment processes into a single pathway called Accelerated Career and clarifies two defined diploma tracks for students: general diploma and Accelerated Career diploma. CROSSED OVER

HB 427 (Rep. Gregg Kennard) – prohibits postsecondary institutions from asking applicants whether they have been arrested or convicted of certain crimes. DID NOT CROSS

SB 497 (Sen. Billy Hickman) – incentivizes employers to hire apprentices and provide work-based learning opportunities in high-demand career fields. CROSSED OVER

SB 526 (Sen. Billy Hickman) – allows qualifying students to access needs-based grants to postsecondary institutions. DID NOT CROSS

HB 915 (Speaker Jon Burns) – amends the budget for fiscal year 2024. Includes a $1,000 bonus for teachers and state employees. SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

HB 982 (Rep. Matt Gambill) – requires the development of a statewide and regional High-demand Career Lists. CROSSED OVER

HB 1010 (Rep. Jan Jones) – increases annual paid parental leave hours for state employees from 120 to 240 hours. CROSSED OVER

HB 1021 (Rep. Lauren Daniel) – increases the state child tax deduction from $3,000 to $4,000. CROSSED OVER

HB 1027 (Rep. Bethany Ballard) – requires at least one computer science course credit to graduate high school without increasing the total number of credits required for graduation. DID NOT CROSS

HB 1124 (Rep. Chuck Martin) – provides College Completion Grants eligibility to students who have completed 70 percent of a four-year or 45 percent of a two-year program. CROSSED OVER

THRIVING COMMUNITIES

HB 30 (Rep. John Carson) – defines the term “antisemitism,” adds the term to the hate crimes statute, and requires state agencies to consider antisemitism for acts of discrimination. SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

SB 63 (Sen. Randy Robertson) – expands the list of criminal offenses that require cash bail. AWAITING GOVERNOR’S SIGNATURE

SB 180 (Sen. Ed Setzler) – incorporates the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act into statute. CROSSED OVER

SB 332 (Sen. Randy Robertson)/HB 881 (Rep. Joseph Gullet) – removes the requirement that the Georgia Supreme Court approve the rules of the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission. SB 332 – CROSSED OVER; HB 881 – CROSSED OVER

SB 344 (Sen. Jason Anavitarte) – establishes a five-day sales tax holiday for firearms, ammunition, gun safes, and related accessories. CROSSED OVER

SB 351 (Sen. Jason Anavitarte) – creates a model program under the Department of Education to establish methods for responsible digital citizenship and the safe and appropriate use of technology, social media, and the internet. CROSSED OVER

SB 386 (Sen. Clint Dixon) – legalizes and regulates sports betting as a lottery game underneath the Georgia Lottery Corporation. CROSSED OVER

HB 398 (Rep. Scott Hilton) – removes the ability for entertainment venues to restrict the resale of tickets. DID NOT CROSS

SR 538 (Sen. Carden Summers) – proposes a constitutional amendment to allow for the legalization of sports betting and casino gambling. DID NOT CROSS

SR 579 (Sen. Bill Cowsert) – proposes a constitutional amendment to allow for the legalization of sports betting and for proceeds to be used for pre-k, HOPE scholarships, gambling addiction services, and the advancement and promotion of sports in Georgia. CROSSED OVER

HB 843 (Rep. Ron Stephens) – defines “special entertainment district” and allows municipalities to authorize these districts to sell alcohol for consumption on Sundays. CROSSED OVER

HB 909 (Rep. Leesa Hagan) – automatically restricts and seals the record of an offense by an individual who qualifies under first offender status. CROSSED OVER

HB 915 (Speaker Jon Burns) – amends the budget for fiscal year 2024. Highlights include $37.5 million for updates to prior long-term studies for Atlanta Farmers Market capital needs and $29.25 million for public safety and infrastructure costs for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship. SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

HB 926 (Rep. Matt Reeves) – allows individuals with low-level municipal citations and misdemeanor charges to retain their driver’s licenses. CROSSED OVER

HB 1105 (Rep. Jesse Petrea) – withholds certain state funds and state-administered federal funds from local governments that do not comply with federal immigration laws. CROSSED OVER

HB 1329 (Rep. Ron Stephens) – legalizes and provides for the regulation of fantasy sports contests under the Georgia Lottery Corporation. DID NOT CROSS

HB 1339 (Rep. Butch Parrish) – changes the certificate of need process for counties with fewer than 50,000 people and establishes a commission tasked with reporting on issues related to access and quality of healthcare for low-income and uninsured populations. CROSSED OVER