While much of Atlanta celebrates Opening Day at Truist Park, across the street at the Georgia Public Policy Foundation, we’re still locked onto the legislative session as it draws to a close. Here’s an update on some key legislation as the session finishes its penultimate week.
Starting with a win for the separation of powers, the Senate passed House Bill 1247 on Wednesday. Sponsored by Rep. Matt Reeves, this legislation would require Georgia courts to make rulings without defaulting to a state agency’s preferred interpretation when ambiguity exists between a regulated party and the agency’s interpretation of the law. The amended version of the bill also added additional language that would require Georgia agencies to periodically review their rules and regulations, including their impact, cost and effectiveness. HB 1247 needs an agree from the House before it’s sent to the governor’s desk.
As for a couple of education items, the Senate passed an increase in the annual cap on available tax credits for contributions to student scholarship organizations (SSOs). Sponsored by Rep. Kasey Carpenter, House Bill 328 raises the cap from $120 million to $225 million.
Senate Bill 498, which would create the Georgia Charter School Facilities Authority, passed the House Appropriations Committee. Sen. Clint Dixon’s bill seeks to make it easier for charter schools to pay for capital projects by giving them access to revolving loans and other financing tools for construction, renovation and repairs.
In healthcare, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee passed Rep. Bill Werkheiser’s House Bill 1393. This legislation, which was amended from the version that passed the House, would allow up to three rural hospital authorities to join together for contracting with third-party payors while retaining their separate independence, essentially to improve their bargaining power without merging. Importantly, this bill was also amended on Wednesday to include a full repeal of Georgia’s certificate of need (CON) laws (with the exception of long-term care facilities). On Thursday, the Senate Insurance Committee amended House Bill 1263 to include the repeal of CON for all facilities, equipment and service lines related to treating cancer, mirroring language from Sen. Bill Cowsert’s Senate Bill 367, which passed the Senate earlier this session.
Finally, tax policy remains one of the session’s most visible topics, with both chambers continuing to push legislation aimed at reducing the income tax and reworking Georgia’s property tax system for homeowners. This includes multiple bills that would reduce the flat income tax, in addition to limitations on growth in property tax revenue and reducing the taxable value of homestead properties.