It is the second Monday in January, and neither monsoon nor blackout could keep the Georgia General Assembly from convening for its 2020 Legislative Session. After legislators and lobbyists alike paddled their way to the Gold Dome this morning, the House and Senate set to work with the procedural necessities of Legislative Day 1. But amongst the procedure was also the introduction of several substantial measures in the House, including a proposed increase to the tobacco tax and two provisions in support of turnaround schools, as well as an “insist” on HB 276, Rep. Brett Harrell (R-Snellville)’s marketplace facilitator sales tax bill, in the Senate. Then, that’s when the lights went out in Georgia‘s State Capitol, eliciting fears that budget cuts had finally reached the folks paying the power bill. Luckily, State government was quick to recover, even announcing an increase in tax revenues for December late in the day. More details on this and more in today’s #GoldDomeReport.

In today’s Report:

• State Tax Collections Increase 3% in December
• General Assembly Sets Calendar through Legislative Day 14
• New Legislation

State Tax Collections Increase 3% in December

After negative revenue growth in October and November of 2019, State tax collections increased by 3% year-over-year in December, according to press release from the Governor’s Office today. The growth was driven by a strong increase in corporate income tax collections (+36.9%), as well as modest bumps in individual income tax (+1.3%) and sales tax (1.5%) collections. Overall, the State took in $2.23 billion in December, compared with $2.16 billion in December 2018.

While December’s increase was the highest monthly growth since July 2019, it is not yet good enough to make up the collection deficit through the first half of Fiscal Year 2020. While the FY 2020 Budget is based on a state revenue growth of 3.2%, year-to-date tax collections are only up 0.3%. That means cuts remain likely as the legislature considers the Amended FY 2020 and FY 2021 budget proposals that will be unveiled by Governor Kemp later this week.

General Assembly Sets Calendar through Legislative Day 14

With the uncertainty of the AFY 2020 and FY 2021 budget proposals looming, the General Assembly adopted an adjournment resolution today covering just the first 14 days of the legislative session today. The schedule is as follows:

New Legislation

The following legislation of interest was introduced in the House today:

HB 725, authored by Rep. Darlene Taylor (R-Thomasville), amends O.C.G.A § 49-4-159 to require the state contract two or more qualified dental service organization administrators to provide dental services for Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids participants. The administrators must obtain a certificate of authority from the Insurance Commissioner as a health maintenance organization. The bill also requires DCH to award these contracts through a competitive bid process. The bill also stipulates that these administrators shall be subject to the same rules and regulations as CMOs. This bill was referred to the House Health and Human Services Committee.

HB 727, authored by Rep. Teri Anulewicz (D-Smyrna), amends O.C.G.A § 43-10-10 to require all licensed cosmetologists, master cosmetologists, hair designers, estheticians, nail technicians, master barbers, or barbers II to recieve--as part of their five continuing education--instruction domestic violence and sexual abuse awareness. This bill was referred to the House Regulated Industries Committee.

HB 729, authored by Rep. Debra Bazemore (D-South Fulton), amends Title 15 to create a new section related to the filing of land installment contracts. This bill was referred to the House Judiciary Committee.

HB 730, authored by Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Pooler), amends O.C.G.A § 48-8-3 to create a new tax exemption for all tangible personal property sold to or used by a host committee tasked with recruiting, planning, and raising funds to host a nonrecurring major sporting event expected to generate over $50 million in the host locality. This bill was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.

HB 731, authored by Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Pooler), amends O.C.G.A § 48-11-2 to increase the state excise tax on tobacco. This bill was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.

HB 735, authored by Rep. Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire), amends O.C.G.A §  48-7-27 to remove the age limit the tax exemption in (a)(5)(D) for income received for military retirement benefits. This bill was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.

HB 736, authored by Rep. Dave Belton (R-Buckhead), amends Title 20 by creating a new Code Section to establish a loan forgiveness program for teachers who agree to teach in a turnaround school in a high-demand subject area. This bill was referred to the House Higher Education Committee.

HB 739, authored by Rep. Rick Jasperse (R-Jasper), amends Title 43 to provide requirements for surgical technologists within the Composite Medical Board. This bill was referred to the House Health and Human Services Committee.

HB 741, authored by Rep. Dave Belton (R-Buckhead), amends Title 20 to provide for a master teacher in each turnaround school in the state. This bill was referred to the House Education Committee.

The following legislation of interest was introduced in the Senate today:

SB 279, authored by Sen. Jen Jordan (D-Atlanta), amends Title 31 to prohibit pelvic examinations on an anesthetized or unconscious female patient without consent except in cases of emergency. This bill was assigned to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.