2023 Capitol Update – Week 2
2023 Capitol Update – Week 2
January 17, 2023
This past week was a flurry of activity at the Georgia Capitol. On Monday, legislators were sworn in to begin their 2023-2024 terms and adopted an adjournment resolution setting the calendar for the entire session (see below for more). On Wednesday, at the Chamber’s Eggs & Issues event, Governor Brian Kemp, Lt. Governor Burt Jones, and Speaker of the House Jon Burns each spoke about their priorities this year’s session, which focused primarily on economic development, and addressing the workforce and housing crises. On Thursday, January 12th, the Governor and statewide constitutional officers took their oaths of office and officially began their respective four-year terms. And finally, on Friday, the Governor’s budget was released (PELS Board discussed below).
As we reported last week, Rep. Jon Burns (R-Newington) experienced no difficulty in clinching his election as Speaker of the House. In fact, he was elected by acclimation, as the Democrats opted not to put forward a candidate as a sign of bipartisanship, and he immediately began to work on committee and office assignments following the vote. We expect the House committee assignments and chairmen to be announced sometime this week.
On the Senate side, Lt. Governor Burt Jones announced his committee chairman and assignments. While some Chairman have maintained leadership of their respective committees, other committees experienced a bit of a shake-up. Sen. Bill Cowsert (R-Athens) will remain chair of the Regulated Industries Committee, which deals with licensing and other industry matters, and Sen. Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming) will lead the Senate Transportation Committee. Below you will find the newly announced Senate chairs for committees ACEC Georgia follows most closely, but you may view the entire list here:
- Agriculture and Consumer Affairs – Senator Russ Goodman (R-Cogdell)
- Appropriations – Senator Blake Tillery (R-Vidalia)
- Economic Development and Tourism – Senator Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta)
- Education and Youth Committee – Senator Clint Dixon (R-Gwinnett)
- Finance – Senator Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome)
- Higher Education – Senator Billy Hickman (R-Statesboro)
- Insurance and Labor – Senator Larry Walker (R-Perry)
- Judiciary – Senator Brian Strickland (R-McDonough)
- Rules – Senator Matt Brass (R-Newnan)
- Science and Technology – Senator Chuck Payne (R-Dalton)
In an unprecedented move, on the first legislative day, both chambers adopted an adjournment resolution (SR 6) that set the calendar for the entire legislative session. The Crossover Day deadline (the last day for a bill to pass out of its chamber of origin before being ineligible to be considered the rest of session) will be March 6 (Legislative Day 28), while Sine Die (the final day of session) will be March 29th!
- $1 billion in a one-time homeowner property tax relief grant
- $1 billion for another one-time income tax rebate
- $89 million in additional funding to GDOT for roads and bridges projects statewide (and GDOT’s overall funding has been maintained and will not experience any reduction as a result of the gas tax suspension, per the Governor’s proposed budget)
- $1 million for the establishment of the Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors Board
- Another round of $2,000 raises for teachers, educational support staff, and state employees
- A one-time $150 million grant for school systems for security upgrades, COVID-19 related learning loss grants, and funding for eligible paraprofessionals to pursue teaching certificates
- $129 million grant proposed for the Technical College System of Georgia’s “Quick Start” facilities to support the emerging electric vehicle industry
ACEC Georgia is working closely with PELS Board members to advocate for fully funding the Board’s operations. Currently, the Governor’s recommendation does not directly align with the PELS Board’s proposed budget; however, we knew this might be the case and began planning accordingly before the release of the budget. We have already begun discussions with key appropriators and will continue to provide weekly updates with relevant developments on this matter.
The week ahead:
Appropriations Week is upon us! On Tuesday through Thursday of this week, lawmakers will hold a joint meeting of the House and Senate appropriations committees to hear from agency heads on their respective budgets, per the Governor’s recommendations. You can view the agenda here.
LEGISLATION ACEC GEORGIA IS FOLLOWING
Budget & Appropriations
HB 18-19 by Representative Jon Burns (R-Newington): these are the amended FY 2023 and full fiscal year 2024 budgets.
Status: Assigned to House Appropriations
ACEC Georgia is monitoring this legislation
Industry & Professions
SB 3 by Senator John Albers (R-Roswell): "Reducing Barriers to State Employment Act of 2023". This proposal would direct all state entities to regularly assess the relevant academic background and experience requirements for each position, reduce those requirements which are arduous and unnecessary, and reduce the number of positions for which four-year college degrees are required as a condition of employment.
Status: Assigned to the Senate Government and Oversight Committee.
ACEC Georgia is monitoring this legislation
Transportation
Nothing yet!
Water & Environmental
Nothing yet!
Local Government
Nothing yet!
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