New Happenings in the New Year
Friends,
Happy New Year!
As we begin 2023, there’s a lot going on in Georgia - and not just the 42 - 41 Bulldog victory that occurred at the stroke of midnight!
While much of the legislation that we pass in the General Assembly takes effect on July 1st after the Governor’s signature, there is always some legislation every year that takes effect on January 1st at the start of the calendar year.
I wanted to take a few minutes to update you on some of the legislation that took effect January 1, 2023.
In recent years mobile food trucks have become popular across the state. Originally much more common in urban areas like Atlanta and Savannah where they would serve the same immediate area, today food trucks fill an important need, often providing unique cuisine in all corners of our state by traveling from town to town. In rural Georgia, you might find the same food truck serving a community rodeo, a wedding, and a church potluck all on the same weekend.
At the same time, Georgia has 159 counties - the second most of any state aside from Texas. Under current Georgia law, food trucks are required to be permitted and inspected in every county in our state - something that can be an ordeal for a rural operator asked to serve a one time event like a wedding or community potluck outside his home county.
House Bill 1443 streamlines this process by allowing food trucks properly permitted in their home counties to operate nearby by providing notice instead of requiring a duplicate permit process.
SB 332, the Inform Consumers Act, implements financial and contact information requirements for sellers on online marketplaces such as Ebay. These efforts are designed to make fraud and retail theft much harder for criminals to get away with.
Other legislation that always takes full effect on January 1st is tax credit legislation, given that Georgians file their income taxes based on the calendar year.
Tax credit legislation enacted this year includes -
HB 424, which provides a tax credit to taxpayers contributing to nonprofits that assist foster children aging out of the foster care system.
SB 361, which provides a dollar for dollar credit for contributions to law enforcement and public safety initiatives that assist in providing salary supplements, equipment purchases, and co-responder programs.
HB 1041, which expands Georgia’s rural hospital tax credit.
And important to me, SB 87, the Jack Hill Veterans’ Act. I was proud to serve as the House sponsor of this legislation, which honors the late Senator Jack Hill of Reidsville. SB 87 provides income tax credits in exchange for contributions toward scholarships for service disabled veterans attending our technical college system schools.
This legislation takes effect at the start of the calendar year, just as we are beginning to prepare for our 2023 session. Much of it is straightforward in nature, addressing important needs in our state and easing tax burdens for many Georgians.
That said, remember that should you have questions about any of these new laws, you can always reach out to me at 404.656.5052, Jon.Burns@house.ga.gov, or on Facebook at www.FB.com/JonBurnsGA. If you wish to sign up for my weekly emailed newsletter, visit https://www.friendsofjonburns.com/home to sign up.
And of course, as the Bulldogs travel to California for the national championship, we all wish them a hearty “Go Dawgs!”