January 4, 2008
IN THIS ISSUE:
* REPRESENTATIVE TIM BEARDEN PROPOSAL AIMS AT MORE GUN RIGHTS
*
SPEAKER'S PLAN UP FOR PUBLIC INPUT
* OTHER TAX BILLS
* ENERGY EFFICIENT LEGISLATION
* FDA FINAL RULE FOR VOLUNTARY NUTRITION LABELING
* MORE FAMILY LEAVE IN DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL
* COOL COMPROMISE CHICKEN IN SENATE FARM BILL
* CHINA TO UNVEIL STANDARDS FOR SEAFOOD OPERATIONS
* CONSUMERS FACE EFFECTS OF SOARING FOOD PRICES
* REPEAT FROM LAST ISSUE – GUN BILL ALERT
* GRA LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let
each New Year find you a better man." Benjamin Franklin,
politician, inventor and author
Representative Tim Bearden Pre-filed Bill Aims at More Gun Rights
HB 915, “Second Amendment Protection Act of 2008,”
sponsored by Representative Tim Bearden, (R), 68th District, would make
wide changes to the state’s gun laws. The bill would make Georgia
“more conservative” when it comes to gun rights, according
to Bearden. “Georgia is most restrictive state in the nation when
it comes to gun rights,” Bearden said. “One of the biggest
changes the bill could bring about is repealing part of the Georgia code
that bans firearms at public gatherings. Bearden said Georgia’s
public gathering laws were written to keep blacks unarmed while protesting
civil rights abuses after the Civil War.
The new gun bill is one to watch because it likely will go head-to-head
with SB that the National Rifle Association endorses. That bill, the NRA’s
guns in the parking lot bill, is designed to prohibit employers from making
rules which prohibit employees from keeping guns in their cars at work.
NRA contends it’s a 2nd Amendment issue. The business community
sees it as an abridgment of private property rights.
Bearden’s bill, supported by a group called GeorgiaCarry.Org and
containing elements of legislation the NRA has pushed before, completely
revises the “carry” laws, imposes sanctions against agents
like those sent to Georgia gun shops by New York’s Mayor Bloomberg
to try to buy guns under false pretenses, and prohibits a government seizure
of weapons.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb915.htm
Speaker's
Plan Up for Public Input
Georgians will finally get a chance to tell a key legislative
panel what they think of House Speaker Glenn Richardson's plan to eliminate
school property taxes and expand the sales tax. The proposal now includes
new car registration fees. It also would limit how much a homeowner's
property assessment could be increased each year, a further move to hold
down property taxes. Richardson's plan will be the subject of two public
hearings next week, one Tuesday, January 8th, from 10 AM to 5 PM and one
Wednesday, January 9th from 11 AM to 5 PM. Both are scheduled for Room
606 of the Coverdell Legislative Office Building. The initial hearings
will occur less than a week before the 2008 session begins on January
14.
Other Tax Bills
While Speaker Glenn Richardson’s tax reform plan – the GREAT
plan – has gotten most of the attention this year there are some
alternatives in the pre-filed folder:
SR 686, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem
Eric Johnson, (R), 1st District, proposes a constitutional amendment to
freeze residential property tax at 2008 levels until the property is sold.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/sr686.htm
SR 687, sponsored by Senator Mitch Seabaugh,(R),
28th District proposes a constitutional amendment that would allow, with
voter approval, local governments to use an additional 1 percent sales
tax to reduce or eliminate local property taxes.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/sr687.htm
HB 896, sponsored by Representative Kevin Levitas,
(D), 82nd District, would provide for an income tax credit with respect
to qualified ad valorem tax expenses.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb896.htm
HR 1012, sponsored by Representative Kevin Levitas,
(D), 82nd District proposes a constitutional amendment that would freeze
property tax assessments at their current level, but only for the county
portion of the tax bill. (The school portion is often as much, if not
more. Municipal levies also would not be affected.)
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hr1012.htm
HR 1013, sponsored by Kevin Levitas, (D), 82nd
District, is an even broader bill that would allow the Legislature to
freeze assessments for “any or all” ad valorem taxes.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hr1013.htm
Energy Efficient Legislation
HB 895, Sales And Use Tax; Certain Sales Of Energy
Efficient Products; Change Exemption, sponsored by Representative Kevin
Levitas,(D), 82nd District, is essential Lynn Smith’s ENERGY STAR
Sales Tax Holiday (HB 128) passed last year with
the addition of water efficient products with a sales price of up to $1,500.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb895.htm
HB 897, sponsored by Representative Karla Drenner,
(D), 86th District, would provide an income tax credit for the purchase
of qualified energy efficient appliances including clothes washers, refrigerators/freezers,
and water heaters, used in one’s residence.
http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb897.htm
HB 897, sponsored by Representative Karla Drenner, (D) 86th
District, would provide an income tax credit for replacing certain plumbing
fixtures in existing commercial and residential buildings.
It would make it a misdemeanor to install non-complying fixtures and would
require each manufacturer selling products in Georgia to offer high-efficiency
water closets and urinals in the following amount:
* Fifty percent in 2010
* Sixty-seven percent in 2011
* Seventy-five percent on 2012
* Eighty-five percent in 2013
* One hundred percent in 2014
http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb898.htm
Here
is the link for the complete roster of Senate pre-files.
House pre-files can be found here
Regulatory Reminder: FDA Final Rule for Voluntary Nutrition Labeling
FDA's final rule: Food Labeling; Guidelines for Voluntary Nutrition
Labeling of Raw Fruits, Vegetables and Fish went into effect January
1, 2008. The final rule updates the names of the 20 most frequently
consumed raw fruits, vegetables and fish. FDA does intend to provide
brochures and posters on the FDA site. To view the final rule and
subsequent correction please use the following links:
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fr060725.html and http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fr060817.html
More Family Leave in Defense Authorization Bill
An expansion of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was included in
the National Defense Authorization Act (HR 1585) which passed both Houses
of Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support. The legislation
was sent to the White House on December 19th and President Bush is expected
to sign the bill into law. The final measure crafted in
conference requires that employers provide 12 weeks of FMLA to the immediate
family members (spouses, children or parents) of reservists or members
of the National Guard who are called to active duty in the U.S. military.
Under the new law, employers must also allow for up to 26 weeks
of unpaid leave during a 12 month period to employees who are providing
care for family members who have combat related injuries. The effective
date is unclear at this time and the Department of Labor has requested
time to draft the new regulations. Further guidance will be provided on
details of implementation as they become available.
COOL Compromise Chicken in Senate Farm Bill
After months of delay and extended debate, the Senate finally passed its
version of the Farm Bill December 14th on a 79-14 vote. The legislation
now goes to conference, with representatives from both the House and Senate
calling for completion of a final package by the end of January.
The Senate bill included the House-passed compromise on Country of Origin
Labeling (COOL). The new “good faith” liability standard
and reduced fines important to the industry were among the provisions
in the compromise proposal. Unfortunately, Senate Agriculture Chairman
Tom Harkin (D-IA) also included language that would expand COOL to include
chicken as a covered commodity as part of a manager’s amendment
attached to the bill minutes before final passage. A manager's amendment
is a jumble of supposedly non-controversial items. Most of our Senate
allies weren’t aware that this was included in the amendment and
were as surprised as we were to see that chicken must now be labeled for
country of origin.
China to Unveil Standards for Seafood Operations
The Chinese government said it plans to introduce a set of standards that
promote the safety of its seafood production in response to global concerns
about the safety and quality of its products. The new standards will include
breeding fish, disease prevention and control regarding the use of veterinary
drugs, according to an official from the country's Ministry of Agriculture.
Consumers Face Effects of Soaring Food Prices
U.S. consumers are starting to feel the effects of the largest jump in
food prices in 17 years. Food costs have been affected by increased demand
from emerging markets in South America and Asia, a drought in Australia
and a growing demand for U.S. wheat amid weak harvests in other wheat-producing
nations. Supermarket companies such as Kroger and Safeway have raised
prices, but say they haven't seen a negative impact on sales
Repeat From Last Issue - Lieutenant Governor to Allow Guns
in Parking Lot Vote
Georgia’s Lieutenant Governor, Casey Cagle, has placed the state’s
business community on notice that he will allow the “Guns In “The
Parking Lot” bill reach the Senate floor for as vote early in the
2008 session.
Last session the Lieutenant Governor made a promise to the NRA that the
bill would be voted on by the Senate. However, a strong lobby from business
interests such as the Georgia Retail Association and the shooting at Virginia
Tech allowed the issue to be held in the Senate Rules Committee. Now he
intends to honor his promise to the NRA.
GRA has maintained, with overwhelming support of Georgia’s retail
community, that property rights and workplace safety issues should take
precedence over the issue.
A number of Senators, including Don Balfour, Tim Golden, John Douglas,
and Lee Hawkins are expected to stand strong with the pro-business position.
However, every senator needs to hear from retail and other business interests
that we oppose allowing employees to bring guns onto workplace property.
IF YOU AGREE, please contact Casey Cagle and your
Senator prior to January 14, 2008.
Honorable Casey Cagle
Lieutenant Governor
President
Georgia State Senate
240 State Capitol
Atlanta GA 30334
404-656-5030
Fax: 404-656-6739
Casey.cagle@ltgov.ga.gov
District 1 Eric Johnson (R) – Savannah 912-234-0370, 404-656-5109
eric.johnson@senate.ga.gov
District 2 Regina Thomas (D) – Savannah 912-233-8153, 404463-7784
reginia.thomas@senate.ga.gov
District 3 Jeff Chapman (R) – Brunswick 912-399-8683, 404-656-0045
jeff.chapman@senate.ga.gov
District 4 Jack Hill (R) – Reidsville 912-557-3811, 404-656-5038
jack.hill@senate.ga.gov
District 5 Curt Thompson (D) 404-575-2223, 404-463-1318 curt@curtthompson.com
District 6 Doug Stoner (D) – Smyrna 770-436-0699, 404-463-2518
doug.stoner@senate.ga.gov
District 7 Greg Goggans (R) – Douglas 912-260-0057, 404-463-5263
drgg@alltel.net
District 8 Tim Golden (D) – Valdosta 229-293-0202, 404-656-7580
tim.golden@senate.ga.gov
District 9 Don Balfour (R) – Snellville 770-729-5764, 404-656-0095
SS9BALFOUR@aol.com
District 10 Emanuel Jones (D) – Decatur 770-964-8888, 404-656-0502
emanj@mindspring.com
District 11 John Bulloch (R) – Ochlocknee 229-683-3420, 404-656-0040
jbulloch@alltel.net
District 12 Michael Meyer Von Bremen (D) – Albany 229-435-1470,
404-656-0037 Michael.meyer@senate.ga.gov
District 13 Joseph Carter (R) – Tifton 229-382-0707, 404-651-7738
jospeh@jospehcarter2004.com
District 14 George Hooks (D) – Americus 229-024-2924, 404-656-0065
george.hooks@senate.ga.gov
District 15 Ed Harbison (D) – Columbus 706-687-39899, 404-656-0074
District 16 Ronnie Chance (R) – Tyrone4 770-632-1927, 404-651-7738
ronnie.chance@senate.ga.gov
District 17 John Douglas (R) – Social Circle 404-375-1234,
404-656-0503 jfdouglas@aol.com
District 18 Cecil Staton (R) – Macon 478-757-0983, 404-656-5039
cecil.staton@senate.ga.gov
District 19 Tommie Williams (R) – Lyons, 912-526-7444. 404-656-0089
tommie@tommiewilliams.com
District 20 Ross Tolleson (R) – Perry, 478-988-1206, 404-656-0081
ross.tolleson@senate.ga.gov
District 21 Chip Rogers (R) – Woodstock, 770-516-0543, 404-463-1378
chiprogers@comcast.net
District 22 Ed Tarver (D) – Augusta, 706-828-6990. 404-656-0340
ed.tarver@senate.ga.gov
District 23 J.B. Powell (D) – Blythe, 706-592-9544, 404-463-1314
District 24 Bill Jackson (R) – Evans, 404-656-5114 Bill.jackson@senate.ga.gov
District 25 Johnny Grant(R) – Milledgeville, 478-452-1427,
404-656-0082 sengrant@alltel.net
District 26 Robert Brown (D) – Macon 478-750-0220, 404-656-5035
District 27 Jack Murphy (R) - Cumming, 770-887-1960, 404-656-7127
District 28 Mitch Seabaugh (R) – Sharpsburg, 770-304-0652.
404-656-6446 mail@mitchseabaugh.com
District 29 Seth Harp (R) – Midland, 770-304-0652, 404-463-3931,
sethharp@aol.com
District 30 Bill Hamrick (R - Carrollton, 770-214-8210, 404-656-0036
bill.hamrick@senate.ga.gov
District 31 Bill Heath (R) – Bremen, 770—537-5234,
404-651-7738 billheath@billheath.net
District 32 Judson Hill (R) – Marietta, 770-565-0024, 404-656-0150
judson@judsonhill.com
District 33 Steve Thompson (D) – Marietta, 770-427-2600,
404-656-0083 steve.thompson@senate.ga.gov
District 34 Valencia Seay (D) – Riverdale, 770-909-9912,
404-656-5095 Valencia.seay@senate.ga.gov
District 35 Kasim Reed (D) – Atlanta, 404-463-1379 Kasim.reed@senate.ga.gov
District 36 Nan Orrock (D) – Atlanta, 404-524-5999, 404-463-8054
nan.orrock@senate.ga.gov
c
District 37 John Wiles (R) – Marietta, 770-426-4619, 404-657-0406
john@johnwiles.com
District 38 Horacena Tate (D) – Atlanta, 404-577-5609, 404-463-8053
horacena.tate@senate.ga.gov
District 39 Vincent Fort (D) – Atlanta, 404-768-8406, 404-656-5091
vincent.fort@senate.ga.gov
District 40 Daniel Weber (R) – Dunwoody, 404-442-1819, 404-463-2260
dan.weber@senate.ga.gov
District 41 Steve Henson (D) – Tucker, 404-243-5107, 404-656-0085
stevehenson@mindspring.com
District 42 David Adelman (D) – Decatur, 404-853-8206, 404-463-1376
david.adelman@senate.ga.gov
District 43 Ronald Ramsey (D) – Decatur, 678-886-4477, 404-463-2598
senator@ronaldramsey.org
District 44 Gail Davenport (D) – Morrow, 404-766-2500, 404-656-7586
gail.davenport@senate.ga.gov
District 45 Chip Pearson (R) – Dawsonville, 770-886-6871,
404-656-9221 chip.pearson@senate.ga.gov
District 52 Preston Smith (R) – Rome, 706-291-2002, 404-656-0034
preston.smith@senate.ga.gov
District 53 Jeff Mullis (R) – Chickamauga, 706-375-1776,
404-656-0057 Jeff.mullis@senate.ga.gov
District 54 Don Thomas (R) – Dalton, 706-259-3921, 404-656-6436
don.thomas@senate.ga.gov
District 55 Gloria Butler (D) – Stone Mountain, 404-656-0075
Gloria.butler@senate.ga.gov
District 56 Dan Moody (R) – Alpharetta, 404-463-8055 Dan.moody@senate.ga.gov
GRA Legislative Agenda
- The
Battle Over Workplace Guns – won by the Georgia Retail
Association and others last session when they outgunned the National
Rifle Association – will return in 2008.
Word circulating around the Capitol is that the issue could reach a head in the Senate within the session's first seven days.
- Credit File Freeze Legislation will pass in 2008. GRA will work for:
Freeze by registered letter
Quick thaw (instant if credit bureaus can provide)
Consumer pays fee for freeze
One notification to unthaw frozen credit
- Changes In The State Tax Code
GRA will support:
The elimination of ad valorem inventory taxes
Georgia’s adoption of conforming language for the streamlined sales tax measure
GRA will monitor and support as warranted:
The abolition of property taxes
The extension of retraining tax credits to include retailers
- Organized Retail Theft
GRA will support legislation that will increase the penalties for those convicted of organized retail theft
- Sales Tax Holiday
GRA will support legislation that reauthorizes the back-to-school and Energy STAR sales tax holidays.
GRA will work to have two separate periods for the two sales tax holidays
- Flea Markets Sales
GRA will seek legislation that would ban the resale of certain items at flea markets, including baby formula and over-the-counter medications
- State Water Plan Implementation
GRA will work with legislators to review the economic impact of the state water plan on retail development
- Health Savings Accounts
GRA will support legislation that provides employer and employee tax credits for health savings accounts
- Advertising Law
GRA will support legislation that brings Georgia’s laws regulating advertisements into accord with federal guidelines
Thank you.
John C. Heavener, MSM, CAE
President
johnh@georgiaretail.org
Telephone – 770-484-3449, ext. 21
Fax – 770-484-5727
Georgia Retail Association
About GRA: The Georgia Retail Association, with membership
that comprises all retail formats and channels of distribution including
department, specialty, discount, catalog, Internet, independent stores,
and grocery stores has been serving the state’s business community
since 1961. The Georgia Retail Association represents an industry with
more than 71,300 retail establishments, and more than 715,000 employees
- about one in five of Georgia’s workers - and 2004 sales of $115.2
billion.
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