State Rep Brett Harrell’s Capitol Update – news from under the Gold Dome.

Guest Column by Georgia Rep. Brett Harrell (R-Snellville)

03/17/2018 Sharon Swanepoel Columns, Government 0

A race to the finish line
The tenth week of the 2018 Session is concluded with only five voting days remaining. Both chambers are reviewing the others legislation as the floor calendars draw longer.
This past week several measures that I have championed made significant progress:
  • SB 17 the “Better Brunch Bill” passed both the House and Senate and waits the Governor’s signature. The statute authorizes each local community, by referendum, to modify Sunday sales hours for on-premise consumption up to 11 a.m. The Georgia Restaurant Association and Georgia Hotel and Lodging Association suggests increased sales my reach $100 million generating an additional $11 million in state and local tax revenue. The measure puts private business on the same serving schedule that government-owned properties, such as the GWCC, enjoy.
  • HB 693 repealing OCGA 12-8-39.3 elevating a trash bill to property tax status and permitting local governments to foreclose over a trash bill received a positive reception in the Senate Natural Resources Subcommittee. The Association of County Commissioners of Georgia and the Georgia Municipal Association, representing local governments, furnished detailed information documenting that Georgia families have lost their homes and property when their taxes are paid, their light bills are paid, their water bills are paid, and the government foreclosed over a trash bill and nothing more. My comments to the committee are available here.
  • HR 1374 establishing a study committee on professional licensure passed the Special Rules Committee and is now before the Rules Committee. The Georgia Secretary of State’s office administers over 41 individual licensed professions and the Georgia Occupational Regulation Review Council has failed to perform the statutorily required reviews of these licensed professions. Licensure may be a barrier to entry to employment, licensing fees and requirements may or may not cover the costs associated with Board administration. The study committee would review these and other issues related to professional licensure.
Let me hear from you

Should you find yourself in Atlanta during the Session, please stop by and visit me at my Capitol office, and please call or email if you have any question or concerns regarding any state issue. My capitol office, phone, and email are listed below.

613-D Coverdell Legislative Office Building
Atlanta, GA 30334
404-463-3793
Brett.Harrell@house.ga.gov 

Thanks again for allowing me to serve,

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