February 8, 2016

Georgia Legislative Update
Legislative Days 13-16 (of 40)
  • Pastor Protection Act (RFRA) passes subcommittee 
  • HOPE grade equalization passed House
  • Workers Comp discount for providing work-based learning for students, Passed House 
  • MethCheck Bill Recommitted (needs amendment) House Health and Human Services Committee
  • Representative Tom Rice (R-Norcross) announced he will not seek re-election
  • SW Georgia gas pipeline (Sabal Trail Pipeline) received a sign off by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission   
Last week legislators worked in session Monday through Thursday, legislative days 13-16 respectively.  
General Business

HB 402, providing a 5% discount in workers compensation premiums for employers that provide work-based learning opportunities for students age 16   and over, passed the House.   

HB 801, Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones' bill that provides that certain classes be eligible for a .5% grade boost in order to equalize the GPA's of high school students taking college level classes, passed the House.  

HB 757, known as the Pastor Protection Act, passed subcommittee this week. The bill, championed by Speaker Ralston, seeks to excuse a religious person from performing a same sex marriage. Many would consider this to be the first Religious Freedom/ Religious Liberty (RFRA) bill to move this legislative session.  

SB 277, clarifying the delineation between franchisee and franchiser passed committee.  

A number of pro-business pieces of general legislation were introduced this week including:
  • HB 921 providing tax incentives to promote revitalization of rural downtown areas
  • HB 922 relating to tax credits for establishing or relocating jobs  

Tobacco

New Bills

HB 899 relating to tobacco manufacturers and importers 

HB 907 provides for the licensure and regulation of (facilities manufacturing) vapor pens and e-liquids. The bill provides that the Department of Agriculture   would have responsibility for this program. 

Committee Action 

HB 726 relating to tobacco excise tax (separating shipping and federal tax rates on invoices), Passed committee

Alcohol

New bills

HB 896 adds a negligence standard when a person who sells, serves, or "permits the furnishing of" alcoholic beverages to someone underage.

Gaming/Gambling/COAM

On Thursday, Representative Wes Cantrell (R-Woodstock) issued a press announcement related to his strong opposition to the proposed casino and horse racing legislation pending in the General Assembly. He feels strongly that there are negative fiscal, business, safety and social impacts that would be associated with these proposed programs. He suggested that the funding needed by HOPE could be made up by diverting additional funds from the Georgia Lottery Corporation to HOPE.

Pharmacy 
      
New Bills

HB 875 provides limitations, restrictions, and maximum price structures for pharmacy specialty tiers

HB 886 provides clarifications to the statutes that allow mail-order pharmacy 

HB 897 provides for a permissive program for pharmacies whereby pharmacies can donate certain unused medication to indigent and elderly patients 

HB 900 provides additional access to the Prescription Drug Monitoring program (narcotics)

HB 916 would mandate that Georgia Medicaid also adhere to the Pharmacy Audit Bill of Rights

HB 926 provides for the regulation of facilities and entities involved in the wholesale, manufacture and distribution of drugs.  

Committee Action 

HB 588, the Georgia Meth Check bill, was recommitted to Health and Human Services this week. Likely, the committee feels that the bill needs to be perfected before a floor vote.      

HB 813 provides that medical providers may write a prescription to a 'partner' or 'partners' if the patient has a venereal disease. 


Schedule

This week, we are in session Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, legislative days 17-20.  

The current Adjournment Resolution provides that: Monday, February 29th is Crossover Day (the last legislative day that all bills must pass from one chamber to the other in order to continue to be viable) and Thursday, March 24th is the last day of Session.  

It should be noted that this is subject to change by the House and Senate by the passage of a subsequent adjournment resolution.
Georgia Food Industry Association | P: (770) 438-7744 | F: (770) 438-7761 | www.gfia.org