Jun
25

Bills with July 1st, 2012 Effective Date

July 1st, 2012 marks the effective date for 131 pieces of legislation that were passed by the General Assembly this year and signed into law by Governor Deal.  Keeping you informed is a high priority for me as your State Senator, so today I’d like to take the opportunity to mention a few of these bills and resolutions that may be of interest to you.  Among this list, you will find a wide range of topics from education and taxes to criminal justice reform.  I hope that this list will give you a better idea of what changes to expect as we approach this date.

SB 153                  Documentation Requirement for Teachers & Administrators Terminated for Financial Reasons.

SB 289                  Online Learning Options for Georgia Students.

SB 293                  “In God We Trust” License Plates: Upon request, Georgia drivers may display the nation’s motto in place of the county name.

SB 309                  Taylor’s Law: DNR’s ability to give special authorization to hunt big game or alligators to any person not older than 21 years of age who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness.

SB 332                  Retail Advertisements; Public Reporting of Surplus SPLOST Funding; Local Energy Excise Manufacturing Tax.

SB 333                  Foreclosure Sale Notice Requirements

SB 358                  Preference for Products Produced in Georgia.

SB 432                  Local Government Prohibited from Further Constraining Knife Use

SB 441                  Unlawful Pointing of a Laser Device at a Law Enforcement Officer or Aircraft.

SB 473                  Purple Heart License Tag: Expands availability of the tag to include recipients who are currently serving on active duty or in the reserves.

SB 492                  State Purchasing Contracts: Authorizes Multiple award schedule contracts which allow multiple vendors to be awarded a state contract for goods and services which results in competitive pricing, administrative savings, expedited procurement, and flexibility for state purchasers.

HB 100                 Creation of the Georgia Tax Tribunal

HB 175                 Online Clearinghouse Act: Creates an online clearinghouse of computer-based distance learning courses offered by local school systems and charter schools.

HB 386                 Comprehensive Tax Reform: Exemptions in the bill that go into effect on July 1st include the Film Sales Tax Exemption and Jet Fuel Exemption.

HB 685                 Responsible Dog Ownership Law: Requires the classification of dogs as dangerous or vicious and provides for regulation of those dogs.

HB 766                 Foundations of American Law and Government Displays: Allows displays of educational and informational material about the history and background of American law, and the Foundations of American Law and Government display, to be in any public building of the state.

HB 797                 State Charter Schools Commission: The seven-member Commission is a state-level authorizing entity that would work in collaboration with the Department of Education under the supervision of the State Board of Education. The Commission has the power to approve or deny petitions for state charter schools and renew, not renew, or terminate state charter school petitions according to rules and regulations.

HB 824                 Quality Basic Education (QBE): Re-calculates equalization grants

HB 861                 Social Responsibility and Accountability Act: Requires most applicants for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to take a drug test as a condition for receiving benefits.

HB 872                 Regulated Metals; Certificates of Title: Cancellation—Scrap Vehicles/Parts

HB 1176               Criminal Justice Reform

Please feel free to email me with any questions you have or ideas for future legislation that this list may have sparked.  I am always open and eager to hear from you.  Also, if you are interested in seeing the complete list of bills effective July 1st, 2012, I would be happy to provide that to you.  Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to represent you as citizens of the 31st Senate District.  It is an honor and privilege to be your voice at the State Capitol.


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  • © 2012 by
    Senator Bill Heath
    E-Mail: billheath@billheath.net

    301 Coverdell Legislative
    Office Building
    Atlanta, Georgia 30334
    Phone: (404) 656-3943
    Fax: (404) 463-4161

    2225 Cashtown Road
    Bremen, Georgia 30110
    Phone: (770) 537-5234
    Fax: (770) 537-6383