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Found 18 matching documents.
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Finance Committee · February 11, 2026
Senate Finance Committee, February 11, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The Senate Finance Committee advanced three measures: SB 432, extending colleges’ authority to carry certain funds into future years, unanimously; SR 668, allowing separate property-tax rates for manufacturing property and data centers, by an 8-4 vote; and SB 446, putting Georgia’s participation in a federal scholarship tax-credit program into state law, with no vote count announced. The committee rejected an amendment to the scholarship measure that would have excluded schools still seeking accreditation. Members also heard SB 436, concerning public access to data-center water and electricity information and a proposed one-year pause on large data centers. That measure received a hearing only, with no vote.
Yeah, you, you probably have to go pretty quickly, but go ahead. All right.
Yeah, I'd have to get back to you on that one. Okay. All right. Um, let me, um, stop here just a second. I, I, I mi- Mikaela, I know you wanna testify. I'm gonna give you about a minute. I'm sorry 'cause- Um, that's okay. I can address a couple of things real quick. Okay.
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Finance Committee · February 25, 2026
Senate Finance Committee, February 25, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee advanced four bills. It approved SB 306, requiring certified notices before conservation-use property agreements expire, by voice vote. It approved a substitute for SB 498 to create a charter-school facilities financing authority and revolving loan fund, with one member opposed. It unanimously approved a substitute for HB 1199, updating which federal tax changes Georgia adopts. It also unanimously approved SB 465, addressing large-project tax credits for workers without lawful immigration status, after adding amendments to end new eligibility for the credit on July 1, 2031, while protecting existing recipients, and prevent excess credits from offsetting employee tax withholding.
All right. We've got one more bill. Uh, Senator Gooch, you can do that from your desk or from up there, whatever is your preference. It's very quick, so I'll just sit right here if that's all right. All right. Go ahead.
All right. You want to wrap up or entertain any questions or, um... Are there, are there questions from the committee at this point? I'd like to make a motion at the appropriate time. All right, Senator Albers. I would move due pass, uh, Senate Bill 498, LC 49, 2723S. Second. Got a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? All in favor, raise your hand....
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Finance Committee · March 5, 2026
Senate Finance Committee, March 5, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee held hearings on three bills and took no votes. SB 588 drew discussion about paying spouses to provide care at home and increasing a caregiver tax credit. The chair said a fiscal estimate was not yet available. Supporters of SB 539 discussed exempting baby supplies and feminine hygiene products from sales tax to reduce household costs. The longest hearing concerned SB 512, which would prohibit card-processing fees on sales and excise taxes. Retail representatives supported the change, while banking, credit union and payment-industry witnesses opposed it, citing service costs, fraud protection and technical concerns. The chair said the committee would continue examining the issue.
All right. Well, thanks. And as you know, we get a, a lot of, uh, bills in this committee, and we're getting through them as fast as we can. Thanks for your testimony. Thank you so much.
And banks have two or three rounds to try and keep that money. About 15 seconds left. Thank you, sir. Um, I, I just, it's not as technically challenging as people think it is. It exists today, and again, we just think we want to not pay banks for our responsibility to collect and remit tax to the state. Thank you very much. All right, thank you. Steven...
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Finance Committee · March 17, 2026
Senate Finance Committee, March 17, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee approved HB 1001 to accelerate an income tax rate reduction, with one member opposed. It unanimously approved HB 141, allowing CPA affidavits instead of tax returns for local occupation taxes, and a substitute for HB 439 creating voter-approved local homeowner tax relief funds. For HB 1112, members unanimously approved replacement language allowing cash purchases to round either up or down to the nearest nickel, but no separate final passage vote was shown. The committee also heard extensive discussion of HB 1116, a property tax package. Supporters emphasized homeowner relief and limits on tax increases. County and city representatives raised concerns about effects on other property owners, implementation and local budgets. The chair adjourned without a vote on that bill and said work would continue.
Our, our chairman, I hate to have him wait to the end. We're saving the best for last, but he got to see all his, uh, members in action here, if you want to come on up. I am back there. Madam Secretary and Senator Simpson. I like the senator's idea over here. Just move along, right? Yes. Go to the right.
Uh- Are you paying, you paying cash or, or what on these? 'Cause this would only apply to cash transactions. I know. I know. And, and that- I do, but- And that might be the case, um- Price is- You know, in theory, it would be the case, uh, if, if they had a single item. Order. But it would be hard to anticipate if you had someone buying 11 items, how do,...
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Finance Committee · March 2, 2026
Senate Finance Committee, March 2, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee approved four bills: SB 566, addressing property assessment notices, homestead exemptions and newspaper publication errors; SB 515, revising teacher tax credits; SB 410, combining data center tax exemption changes with electric utility cost provisions; and SB 576, allowing higher property tax assessments for large single-family rental owners. The chair described the votes on SB 566 and SB 410 as unanimous. SB 515 advanced with one opposed. After extensive discussion about housing affordability, rents and institutional ownership, the committee amended SB 576 to lower its ownership threshold from 2,000 homes to 500, then approved it with one opposed.
All right, um,
Um, we've got-
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Finance Committee · March 23, 2026
Senate Finance Committee, March 23, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee unanimously approved HB 547, covering conservation-use property tax agreements; HB 229, with language exempting tips and overtime from tax; and HB 169, with language offering small businesses tax credits for contributing to employee health coverage. Members also discussed HB 1116, a broader property tax proposal involving limits on local tax revenue growth, homeowner exemptions and sales tax offsets. Questions focused on effects on commercial property, communities with limited sales tax revenue and Atlanta’s eligibility for replacement revenue. The chair held that proposal for another day so members could verify how it would work.
All right. And then, um,
I ask the chairman, do you wanna go first or wait for, uh, another member or two? Your, your pleasure. I'd prefer to the- If you're gonna be here. So let me, um, 'cause Public Safety's still going on upstairs, and our vice chair is up there as well. Um,
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Finance Committee · February 9, 2026
Senate Finance Committee, February 9, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee approved two income-tax proposals and matching House-bill substitutes, each by a 9-3 vote. SB 476 would increase standard deductions, reduce the income-tax rate and remove or limit tax breaks to help pay for the changes. SB 477 would allow further rate reductions if revenue conditions are met. Members questioned the financial estimates, effects on housing and business competitiveness, and funding for public services. The chair said a requested fiscal note for SB 476 was not yet available. The committee also approved replacing the language in HB 134 and HB 463 with the respective income-tax proposals to address concerns about tax legislation originating in the Senate.
59-0315S. That was it. Thank you.
Good job. Um- It's about the time. Um- Two, one. It'll be Senator Tillery. Meeting adjourned.
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Finance Committee · March 9, 2026
Senate Finance Committee, March 9, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee considered three tax measures. It unanimously recommended passage of HB 1000, a one-time income tax refund proposal. A member then called for reconsideration, but no action on that request is shown. The committee also considered replacing HB 165 with language allowing certain mobile-home buyers to recover local sales taxes. A vote was called, but the result was not announced in the transcript. Finally, the committee unanimously approved HB 66, presented as allowing eligible counties to seek voter approval for an additional sales tax to offset county property taxes on homes.
Do pass. S- a motion by, uh, Senator Albers, a second by Majority Leader Anavitarte. Any discussion? All in favor, raise your hand. All right, and opposed? Did you vote either way on that? I've, I've been, uh, busy looking at the, uh... You, you gotta vote one way or the other or leave the room. Okay. Just gonna... All right. So that's a affirmative okay....
Lateness of the meeting because of, uh, the Rules Committee, but, um, we could have moved it to 16:00, but I guess 15:15 will work to maybe keep everybody a little bit l- less time here than normal. Um, Senator Hickman, how about if you, uh, do the, uh, invocation for us? You number three or... Thank you, m- thank you, Mr. Chairman. Let us pray. Heavenly...
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Finance Committee · March 25, 2026
Senate Finance Committee, March 25, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee discussed property-tax changes, housing tax breaks, conservation credits and timber-tax relief. Members unanimously approved HB 1132 and approved HB 1209 by a 6-1 vote. During discussion of HB 1116, members unanimously approved an amendment removing language the chair said had passed separately in the House, but the transcript does not show a final vote on the underlying bill. The committee postponed a vote on HB 1148 after questions about appraisals, fraud safeguards and administration costs. Members also heard HR 1000, a proposed constitutional amendment providing timber-tax relief, without taking a vote.
Right. I, I'd like to move due pass on, um, House Bill 1132. That's LC4435-01s. Second. All right. We've got a motion, second by Senator Hodges. Any other discussion? All in favor, raise your hand. All right. Passes unanimously. You know, I haven't been asking your Senate sponsors either. We're- Oh ... at a long day. I should've been asking that before, so....
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of committee. I appreciate it. Thank you.
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Finance Committee · March 26, 2026
Senate Finance Committee, March 26, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee unanimously approved HB 248 after the chair said its language had been corrected, without another presentation on its substance. The committee also unanimously approved HB 186, presented as a data-center tax exemption measure without previously added utility provisions. Members discussed the cost of data-center tax benefits and whether to include another exemption provision scheduled to expire in 2028. No amendment was adopted before the vote. The chair then adjourned the meeting.
All right, we've got one other item, um- There you go
Today. Put it number one in your heart. How about that? 10, okay. Oh, yeah. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, what a great day, what a beautiful day outside. You give us, Heavenly Father, we just ask you to give us the guidance and wisdom, Lord, to make the decisions for the, the right decisions, Heavenly Father, for the people of Georgia. Provide us with...
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Finance Committee · March 16, 2026
Senate Finance Committee, March 16, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The Senate Finance Committee approved all five bills it considered. Members unanimously approved HB 874, concerning taxpayer phone-number privacy, HB 1261, allowing local inventory-tax exemptions for electric utilities, and HB 964, concerning tax exemptions for independently contracted fire departments. The committee approved HB 1077, extending an arts-admission sales-tax exemption, by an announced 8–2 vote. Members also approved a substitute for HB 328 expanding scholarship tax credits and eligibility, 8–3. Much of that discussion concerned whether the scholarship program should expire automatically in 2032. An amendment to remove that expiration failed, 5–6.
All right, and, uh, Representative Williams.
Let me tell... Somebody I was telling to hurry up and get here, they don't have to now that we have a quorum. All right. The first bill we were gonna hear today was, um, HB, um, 874 by Representative Huddleston. If you wanna come up front here. Sir. I can't remember if you've been to the Finance Committee meeting before or not. I- I, I was in here the other...
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Finance Committee · February 2, 2026
Senate Finance Committee, February 2, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee approved SB 403, which the sponsor said would simplify returning unclaimed property, after adding language requested by credit unions. It unanimously approved HB 79, covering a firearm training and safe-storage tax credit and a four-day state sales-tax holiday for firearms and related purchases. The committee also discussed SB 408, which would end a data-center equipment sales-tax exemption earlier. No action was taken on that bill. The chair said the committee needed more information about another exemption that could limit the revenue gained from the change.
What's the problem that we're trying to solve? With this bill specifically? Yeah. Or... With this bill specifically, as far... Specific to crypto or the entire bill? Uh, let's start... I'm just thinking about the guy who has a checking account with 50 bucks in it. He forgets he's got it. Mm-hmm. He's moved. So to address that problem, A, the stronger holder...
A little different question, but, you know, heard stories about people who, say, forgot their password or something. So if that money sits there for seven years, do they then get it or? If, yep, if, if, if you forgot your password, I mean, we were talking about this. If you had a, if you made a fun little cryptocurrency account back in the day, totally...
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Finance Committee · March 11, 2026
Senate Finance Committee, March 11, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee approved HB 1159, which would provide state income tax deductions for federal farmer assistance payments, in a vote the chair described as unanimous. It also approved HB 519, an employer tax credit for hiring eligible workers, with the chair estimating the vote at six to two. Members questioned whether the additional credit would encourage hiring. The committee heard extensive testimony on HB 1070, which would increase and extend a short-line railroad maintenance tax credit. Members raised questions about independent evaluation, taxpayer benefits and overlap with state spending on railroads. The chair postponed further consideration until the next meeting without a vote.
And again, thanks to that, uh, tax credit, we were able to keep the line going, and today we're, I'm very happy to say that even though we've lost some business, for example, the, uh, recent, uh, closures of, of, of mills, like in, in Savannah, uh, paper mills, we actually were able to, uh, assist with the landing of the, uh, Hyundai plant in Pooler, which...
It, it goes back into the railroad ... which is a, is a pretty big definition, though. No, I understand. Then you're gonna get $5,000 tax credit per mile of the railroads you lease from us too. Well, uh, now, the thing is, that money goes right back into the railroad. Yeah. That's, that's the point. Now, the railroads that we're most concerned about,...
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Finance Committee · February 23, 2026
Senate Finance Committee, February 23, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The Senate Finance Committee held hearings on SB 522 and SB 515 without voting on either. SB 522 would add a daily rental-car fee, with some revenue intended for tourism marketing. Supporters argued for more tourism promotion, while rental-car representatives raised concerns about costs to Georgia residents, businesses and state agencies. The chair said the committee would recheck the financial estimate. SB 515 would extend and revise a teacher tax credit. The committee requested a financial estimate, participation figures and further review of the program’s expiration date. The chair also briefly took up SB 306, but the meeting adjourned without a vote.
All right. Well let's, let's talk about this bill anyway, one of his, even though he's abandoned the committee. Senate Bill 306, I believe we passed this out last year, and it was one of those that was, uh, in rules on the last day that didn't get called up when, when time ran out. Anybody have any- Wouldn't that be a substitute bill for the rules? Um- So...
All right, um, did we lose, uh, Senator Roberson? He walked out. He's upset that you didn't call him up earlier, so he left. Oh, did he? Okay. He may be outside. We added him on. Yeah, well- He did leave. Yeah, we all witnessed it. He's just stepping outside the door. He left. He seemed to be concerned. Uh, pretty, pretty quick here. Oh, we're, we're...
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Finance Committee · January 28, 2026
Senate Finance Committee, January 28, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee reviewed a study of Georgia’s data center tax exemption and heard proposals to end or shorten it, SB 410 and SB 408. University of Georgia researchers estimated that the incentive accounted for 30% of the state’s data center activity and generated nine cents in additional state revenue per dollar of forgone tax revenue. Labor and industry witnesses opposed changing the exemption, while another witness questioned claims about local property tax benefits. Neither data center bill received a vote. The committee approved a substitute for SB 382, which the sponsor said would make homeowner tax protections mandatory statewide and deliver sales-tax-funded property tax relief sooner. Three members voted against it; the number voting in favor was not stated.
Well, I may be eating up my own time, but, uh, I, I wanted to ask, I wanted to ask the author. You know, you, you, you, you said that, uh, pulling, pulling that back before they got the full benefit all the way through the, uh, uh, 2032, isn't that, that's... If we applied that to the COLAs for our retirees, we pulled them all the way back, uh, and, uh,...
Turn it back over to you. You can go ahead and adjourn the meeting if you'd like. All right. Well, if there's no more, uh, discussion before the committee, we're hereby adjourned.
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Finance Committee · March 18, 2026
Senate Finance Committee, March 18, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee approved four measures. It unanimously approved a corrected substitute for HB 439, removing a paragraph about an $18,000 homestead exemption. It also approved a substitute extending HB 1070 to January 1, 2028, while the credit receives further study, by a 4-2 vote. For HB 1129, members discussed oversight of enterprise zones and added a July 1, 2031 expiration date, with language intended to protect projects already approved or in the approval process. The amended measure passed 7-1. The committee unanimously approved HB 1085, which the sponsor said would encourage forestry manufacturing investment through transferable tax credits. Discussion focused on mill closures, new markets for wood, and whether selling credits would divert some of the benefit to buyers and intermediaries.
Taking care of- Thank you all for being here. Sorry for the late date. Um, I'll go on to Health Committee. Some of you will go home. Good luck to you.
We'll put it out for a study. We put, we put those out actually in April of each year. And, um, then we'll come back again next year. There- there's, I think this, this sub makes nobody happy on either side of it. I'll s- I'll say that. But it's kinda the best thing I could work out if- if you're agreeable to extending this to January 1 of 2028, and then...
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Finance Committee · June 22, 2026
Senate Finance Committee, June 22, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The Senate Finance Committee adopted the same operating rules used during the 2026 regular session and unanimously approved HR 3, which the Senate sponsor described as ratifying the governor's temporary suspension of motor fuel and diesel taxes. Members discussed estimated savings, rising fuel costs and whether the suspension could be extended. The sponsor said a separate bill or another executive action could address a future suspension. No amendment was offered.
Finance Committee to order. We have a quorum. Um, I will ask, um, Senator Hodges down there on the end if he'd do us an invocation. Is that number two? Three. Three. Would you pray with me, please? Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for all the very many blessings you have bestowed upon us, Lord, uh, particularly the opportunity to be here in our beautiful...
All right. Seeing no other business- Mr. Chairman, I have business. Sure. Uh, Mr. Chairman, I, I, I th- last session we made it abundantly clear that Joe should have shaved off his mustache, and for a while we saw it gone. But if we have to pass yet another resolution to do so, I would like by, uh, acclimation that this committee, uh, forcefully, uh, state...
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Finance Committee · February 18, 2026
Senate Finance Committee, February 18, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee discussed three bills. Members reviewed a substitute for SB 410 that would end data center tax exemptions earlier and restrict access to a separate computer equipment exemption. Members disagreed about changing incentives for businesses already in Georgia, and the committee held the bill for more work without a vote. The committee approved a substitute for SB 430 clarifying that military museums can qualify for tourism funding from hotel and motel taxes. The committee also heard SB 26, concerning cost-of-living adjustments to the military retirement income tax exemption, but took no vote. The chair said further discussions with the Department of Revenue were needed.
Yeah. I, I, I can go with you on the second one, the fir- uh, the first one, probably not the second one. And Mr. Chairman, I- What's the second one? Which- The one you talked about, the customers. I think that actually eviscerates your bill, but we'll talk about that later on. Right. The- Well, I, I, as I stated, I wouldn't expect this committee to go for...
Members up here, we're, we're gonna get started on the meeting. Um, public, public safety is still going upstairs. They should be joining us pretty quick down here. Um, Senator, uh, Lee Anderson, would you do the invocation? You'll need to go to the next mic. I think that one probably still doesn't work. Let us pray. Dear Father, thank you for this...
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