NEWS

Georgia Legislative Update:  The 40^thand final day of the 2018 Georgia General Assembly’s legislative session took place Thursday, March 29. Below is an update on several of the priorities laid out in the 2018 Legislative Agenda introduced by the Chamber at the annual Eggs & Issues Legislative Breakfast last November:
Specific Legislative Priorities & Positions:

• Defend against legislative measures that would negatively impact Savannah’s business climate, appear discriminatory in nature, would harm the ability to create, attract, retain and expand jobs and investments.
  • SB 375 allows faith-based adoption agencies to use their religious beliefs as a justification to deny same-sex couples that are trying to adopt children from the state’s foster care system.
    • Passed the Senate, not brought up for consideration in the House.
  • Support continued funding of the Savannah Harbor Deepening Project.
    • $35 million for the ongoing Savannah Harbor Deepening Project included in the State Budget, which is awaiting consideration by Governor Deal.
  • Support efforts to obtain the funding needed to study the feasibility of consolidating the City of Savannah and the unincorporated Chatham County.
    • Funding was not included in the State Budget.
  • Support Georgia Southern University’s Board of Regents’ request for $2.7 million in equipment for the new Waters College of Health Professions facility on the Armstrong campus.
    • Included in the State Budget, which is awaiting consideration by Governor Deal.
  • Support Georgia Southern University’s Board of Regents’ request for $49.9 million in construction funding for a new engineering and research facility on the Statesboro campus.
    • Included in the State Budget, which is awaiting consideration by Governor Deal.
  • Support Savannah State University’s Board of Regents’ request for $3.7 million for the renovation of Herty Hall.
    • Included in the State Budget, which is awaiting consideration by Governor Deal.
  • Support efforts to obtain the necessary funding for the design and engineering phase of the Georgia International Maritime and Trade Center expansion project.
    • $6.3 million included in the State Budget, which is awaiting consideration by Governor Deal.
  • Support enhancements of Georgia’s historic preservation incentives to encourage investment in rehabilitation of historic landmarks.
    • HB 59, sponsored by Rep. Ron Stephens, sought tax incentives for the rehabilitation of historic structures. Passed the House, amended and passed in the Senate; the House disagreed with the Senate-amended bill, so the bill did not pass.
  • Support the recommendations of the Georgia Military Affairs Study Committee in an effort to retain and grow this important statewide economic development target industry, including initiatives to attract and retain military veterans through tax and education incentives that encourage veterans to reside in Georgia.
    • SB 395, sponsored by Sen. Ben Watson, creates a joint military commission focused on strengthening and protecting our military communities and preparing for possible base realignment and closure discussions. The commission will be appointed by the Governor, Lt. Governor, and Speaker of the House. SB 395 will allow Georgia to have a cohesive state centered and funded voice for our military communities.
      • This bill has passed the Senate and the House and is awaiting consideration by Governor Deal.
    • HB 739, cosponsored by Rep. Bill Hitchens and Rep. Ron Stephens, creates licensure reciprocity for military spouses moving to one of Georgia’s military instillations.
      • This bill has passed the House and the Senate and is awaiting consideration by Governor Deal.
    • HB 843, sponsored by Rep. Jason Shaw, allows for certain tax credit for business enterprises in a county that contains a federal military installation with a garrison of at least 5,000 federal or military personnel combined, and also contains an industrial park that is owned and operated by a governmental entity.
      • This bill has passed the House and the Senate and is awaiting consideration by Governor Deal.
    • HB 840, sponsored By Rep. Bill Hitchens, provides an exemption from penalties and interest relating to specific business and occupation taxes resulting from a taxpayer’s military service in a designated combat zone and was not due to the soldier’s neglect or disregard of the law.
      • This bill has passed the House and the Senate and is awaiting consideration by Governor Deal.
    • Support the UGA Skidaway Institute of Oceanography’s efforts in seeking $114,000 that will support the use of the Institute’s research vessel, the R/V Savannah, for the use by graduate and undergraduate students.
      • $114,000 included in the State Budget, which is awaiting consideration by Governor Deal.

If you have any questions concerning the Savannah Area Chamber’s 2018 State Legislative & Policy Agenda or questions concerning the 2018 Georgia General Assembly’s legislative session, please feel free to contact Jared Downs, director of governmental affairs, at JDowns@SavannahChamber.com or 912-644-6406.