May | June 2010 LETTER FROM DIRECTOR OF LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS


that many feared were coming to the College of Ag- riculture, 4H and experiment stations turned out to be less than originally thought. In the end, the budget cuts $130 million from the Board of Regents which oversees the University System that currently has over 300,000 enrollees.


A portion of the $1.7 billion decrease in state revenues was made up with increased fees that were part of HB 1055. Some of these increases will directly impact the industry but were deemed necessary by the legislature to continue to provide state level services.


Fee Description


Restricted Use Pesticide Dealer


Pesticide Contractors License


Commercial Pesticide Applicator


Corporation Renewal Fee Seed Dealers License


Prev. Amt. New Amt. $15 $15 $25


$30 $50


Fertilizer Distributor License $50 $55 $55 $90


$50 $75


$100


Continuing the theme of taxes was HB 1405 that will provide for the formation of a Special Joint Commit- tee on Revenue Structure and for a Council on Tax Reform and Fairness. This group is charged with re- porting back to the legislature prior to the start of next year’s session. GGIA is partnering with GAC, Farm Bureau and others to retain the services of Richard Royal who will advise us on the activities of the com- mittee. There is much at stake in this review as law- makers will no doubt look at all possible angles to generate revenues.


Transportation A long held concern for the business community, es- pecially in Atlanta, has been gridlocked highways and aging transportation infrastructure. In this session, the General Assembly was finally able to get a transporta-


32 “Fortunately, the


Draconian cuts that many feared where coming to the College of Agriculture, 4H and experiment stations turned out to be less than originally thought.”


tion bill passed.


HB 277 divides the state into 12 regions and gives voters in each the opportunity to vote on a 1% tax or T-SPLOST to generate funds for transportation projects. The special referendum is scheduled to take place in conjunction with primary voting in 2012.


SB 458 requires the use of seat-belts in pickup trucks The bill from retiring Senator Don Thomas has been in the works for a long time.


SR 277, the Trauma Bill calls for statewide referen- dum this November. If passed, $10 will be added to the price of your car tag. The estimated $90 million in revenue would be used to improve trauma care across the state.


Property tax reform got a boost this session with the passage of SB 346. Plummeting residential home values were not reflected in property assessments in


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