A new set of legislation has been signed for the state of Georgia. The new bills concern public safety, education, and taxes. The issues range in severity but could mean beneficial changes for Georgians.
On public safety, the first bill signed was House Bill (HB) 161. This bill gives the Georgia Bureau of Investigation the authority to issue subpoenas for electronic communication records.
These subpoenas would be to investigate certain cyber-enabled threats to life and property. HB 161 also allows the GBI to punish those who fail to comply.
The second was HB 423. This bill relates to the emergency communications authority and the emergency telephone number 9-1-1 system.
Specifically, it provides counties with next-generation 9-1-1 systems and services. It also expands certain committees to implement the new systems.
On education, the first bill signed was the Distraction-Free Education Act, HB 340. The bill requires local school systems to enact policies and procedures regarding the use of personal electronic devices at school.
The policies apply to students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Specifically, the policies ban electronic devices from being used in the classroom.
The second one signed was the Quality Basic Education Act, HB 371. This bill increases the state's maximum authorization of capital outlay funding from $300 million to $375 million annually.
Essentially, more funding will now be directed towards schools.
On taxes, the first bill signed was HB 153. The bill extends the sunset date for an exemption for maintenance and replacement parts for certain machinery or equipment used to mix or transport concrete.
Specifically, the bill relates to sales and use tax exemptions for manufacturing equipment, industrial materials, packing supplies, and energy.
The final bill signed was HB 476. This bill is specific to Bryan County. It provides a homestead exemption from Bryan County school district ad valorem taxes for educational purposes.
Georgians can continue to look forward to more bills like this. The General Assembly’s focus is varied, and the governor is committed to signing more bills like this.
