NEWS

Last week, the House and Senate passed HB 880, sponsored by Rep. Ballard of Warner Robins. This legislation aims to align Georgia with the “Federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act” by enabling qualified military spouses to obtain their Georgia occupational license within 30 days of application upon receiving official orders of a permanent change of station. Currently, military spouses endure six to nine months of income losses due to delays in occupational license transfers. The passage of HB 880 will rectify this issue, enhancing Georgia’s reputation as a military-friendly state. We eagerly anticipate the Governor’s approval.

Additionally, SB 496 received approval from both chambers. This bill extends commercial and residential historic rehabilitation tax credits for five years. These tax credits, essential for preserving Georgia’s historical properties through rehabilitation and alternative use projects, were set to expire by the end of 2024. Notably, for every $1 allocated for this credit, over $70 is directly generated.

Furthermore, SB 426 has successfully passed, aligning with the top priority of the Savannah Chamber this session – tort reform. SB 426 discontinues direct-action lawsuits against trucking insurers, fostering an environment where more insurance carriers will underwrite trucking businesses, thereby reducing premiums. Another bill addressing tort reform, SB 547, has passed the Senate and a House committee and is awaiting consideration by the House Rules Committee. This bill pertains to the admissibility of seat belt usage as evidence in litigation. We urge you to contact members of our Georgia House delegation to express support for SB 547, as it ensures fairness in lawsuits and holds the potential to lower prices.

This marks the final week of the 2024 legislative session, with the session’s conclusion (Sine Die) scheduled for Thursday, March 28th.