March 28, 2024 – Issue 11
Sine Die Update

The last week of March brings many things…. spring fever, March Madness, and the sentiment of many at the state Capitol – gratitude for the arrival of the final days of the legislative session. Day 39 and Day 40 arrived on March 26 and 28 respectively. Lawmakers are still pushing measures to get passed before the bodies adjourn Sine Die.

At the time of this report, the House and Senate are deep in their Day 40 work – moving agrees and disagrees on changes to their original measures. Some of the changes aim to improve the underlying bill, while others are the creation of Christmas Trees or “Frankenbills” as measures that didn’t quite make it out of committee in time to find a last-ditch effort to become law.

The Senate and House conferees met at 6 p.m. to finalize the FY 2025 budget – a $36.1 billion spending plan that goes into effect July 1, 2024.

Other items still in play are the constitutional amendment and enabling legislation for legalizing sports betting.

A Few Items of Note

The House voted 164-2 for HB 581, which would allow statewide, local governments to use revenue from a 1-cent sales tax increase to lower property taxes. It also caps how much home assessments can go up each year at the rate of inflation, but also gives local governments the ability to vote to opt out of the cap.

Also, the House passed a constitutional amendment that would grant all homeowners in Georgia a $2,000 increase in their state homestead exemption. The exemption would lower the taxable value of a homeowner’s property.

The Senate passed HB 617, a long-awaited Cobb Chamber priority to allow for the development and maintenance of a state-wide freight and logistics implementation plan.

Day 39 Win

During the 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2024 legislative sessions, one of our major chamber investors tried to move a piece of legislation through the General Assembly that would help with its business model and we have supported it each year since that time. On Day 39, final passage of SB 422 occurred, and it now moves to the Governor’s desk for consideration. This legislation allows EMCs to invest more in their gas marketer by raising the investment cap. Final passage is a great win for Gas South and Cobb EMC, and we support the Governor signing this legislation.

Want to keep up with Day 40 in real time?

Make sure to follow the Cobb Chamber’s social media accounts for photos from Day 40 and to watch the action, click here to view the House and Senate livestreams.

As a reminder, our next report will be published on Monday, April 8.

Secure Your Seat: Legislative Wrap-Up on April 25

Mark your calendars - after the dust settles and our lawmakers have a chance to catch their breath, join us for our annual Legislative Wrap-Up Luncheon where key policymakers will share with us what passed, what stalled, and what might be on tap after the 2024 election cycle. Speakers and program information to come. Only a few seats remain for signature and premier chamber members, so reserve yours today. This event remains a Chairman’s Circle benefit.

For an archive of previous From the Capitol Steps editions covering the 2024 Legislative Session, click here.

If you have any questions about the Cobb Chamber Government Affairs Committee, the Cobb Chamber legislative priorities or legislative advocacy in general, please reach out to Amanda Seals, Executive Vice President of Advocacy and Government Relations.