Georgia's Hb 918: Law Or Not?

On March 2, 2024, Georgia Governor Deal signed House Bill 918 into law. The bill, which was passed by the Georgia General Assembly, will double the standard deduction for taxpayers of all filing statuses and reduce individual and corporate income tax rates from 6% to 5.75%, effective January 1, 2019. The bill also includes provisions to further reduce the tax rate to 5.5% by 2020. This marks Georgia's first income tax reduction in over 80 years and is expected to save taxpayers $5 billion over a 5-year period.

What is the process for a bill to become a law in Georgia?

The process for a bill to become a law in Georgia involves several steps and can be initiated by citizens or legislators. Here is a detailed overview of the process:

Step 1: Drafting the Idea

The process can begin with citizens identifying a problem regarding the Georgia government and bringing it to the attention of their state legislators. Citizens can contact their state legislators, who represent them at the Capitol, to propose solutions that may require altering or creating a new law.

Step 2: Georgia General Assembly

Once a problem has been identified, the legislator takes the idea to the Georgia General Assembly, the state's version of Congress. The legislator seeks assistance from the Office of the Legislative Council, where an attorney helps draft the bill using correct terminology and formatting. The bill is then filed with either the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House, depending on whether the legislator is a senator or representative.

Step 3: Georgia State Legislative Session

On the first legislative day after the bill is filed, it undergoes its "First Reading." The bill's title is read aloud in the chamber of the legislator who authored it. The presiding officer then assigns the bill to a standing committee. The Georgia State Legislative Session starts on the second Monday in January.

Step 4: Second Reading (Georgia House of Representatives only)

On the next legislative day, the bill undergoes its Second Reading, but only in the Georgia House of Representatives. This is largely ceremonial as the bill is still in committee. The Clerk of the House reads the bill's title aloud again in the chambers.

Step 5: Committee Process

After the First and Second Readings, the bill is assigned to a specific committee, which discusses, reviews, dissects, and debates it. The committee can invite relevant parties, such as the bill's author, other legislators, lobbyists, or state officials, to testify on behalf of the bill. The committee can propose changes to the bill, including amendments or deletions. Once the committee is satisfied, they vote on the bill, and if it passes, it is sent back to its respective legislative chamber with a favourable report.

Step 6: Third Reading

After the committee process, the bill undergoes its Third Reading. The Clerk of the House or the Secretary of the Senate prepares a General Calendar of bills for their respective chambers, listing all the favorably reported bills from each committee. The Rules Committees for each house then create a Rules Calendar for the next legislative day, determining which bills will be considered on the floor. The bill's title is read for the third time, followed by floor debate and discussion of amendments. The bill is then presented to the floor of the house where it originated, and a vote is taken.

Step 7: Second Vote

If the bill passes the first vote, it moves to the other chamber for another vote. Bills typically switch houses on Crossover Day (Day 30 of the legislative session). The second chamber usually makes changes and adds their own amendments. If the bill is approved with changes, the originating chamber must accept those changes. Once both chambers agree on the same version of the bill, it is sent to the governor.

Step 8: The Governor's Role

The governor can choose to sign or veto a bill once it passes both chambers. If the bill is sent during the legislative session, the governor has six consecutive days to approve or veto it. However, if the bill is sent after the session ends (Sine Die), the governor has 40 days to decide. The governor's third option is to do nothing, in which case the bill automatically becomes a law after 40 days.

Step 9: The Bill Becomes a Law

Once the governor signs the bill (or the deadline passes without a veto), it becomes a law. The new laws are printed in the Georgia Law series and added to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.). Unless otherwise stated, the new laws become effective on July 1.

This process was followed for House Bill 918, which was signed into law by Governor Deal on March 2, 2018. This bill aimed to reduce income tax rates and establish incentives to save taxpayers money, benefiting individuals and businesses in Georgia.

What is the role of the Georgia General Assembly?

The Georgia General Assembly is the state legislature of Georgia in the United States. It is the legislative branch of the state's government and is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The General Assembly meets in the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta from January until late March or early April to set the state's annual operating budget and propose laws on a variety of topics, from education to environmental protection.

The process of changing laws and policies in Georgia starts with citizens. If a Georgian citizen has a problem regarding the state government, they can tell their state legislators. Each Georgian is represented by a Georgia State Senator and a Georgia State Representative, who can speak on their behalf to the rest of the Georgia legislators to solve their problem. Once a citizen finds their legislators and contacts them with their idea, they can work together to find a solution. If the solution requires altering or creating a Georgia law, the legislator must take the idea to the Georgia General Assembly.

At the Georgia General Assembly, the legislator will go to the Office of the Legislative Council, where an attorney will help them draft a bill using the correct terminology and formatting. If the legislator is a Senator, they will file the bill with the Secretary of the Senate. If they are a Representative, they will file it with the Clerk of the House. After a bill is filed, the next step is to wait for the second Monday in January, when the Georgia State Legislative Session starts. On the first legislative day after the bill is filed, the bill is formally introduced to legislators through its "First Reading". The bill's title is read aloud in the chamber of the legislator who authored it. After the bill is read, the presiding officer assigns the bill to a standing committee.

The Georgia General Assembly is one of the largest state legislatures in the nation, with 236 members serving two-year terms. The Assembly was created in 1777 during the American Revolution and is older than the United States Congress.

What is the role of the governor in the bill-making process?

In Georgia, the governor plays a crucial role in the bill-making process. Once a bill has passed both chambers of the Georgia General Assembly, it is sent to the governor for review and final approval. The governor has the power to either sign the bill into law or veto it.

If the bill is sent to the governor during the legislative session, the governor has six days to approve or veto it. However, if the bill is transmitted on the last day of the session, the governor has 40 days to make a decision. This extended period allows the governor and their staff to carefully review the legislation, consider public opinion, and consult with experts and stakeholders.

In addition to approving or vetoing a bill, the governor in Georgia has a third option known as a "pocket veto". If the governor chooses to do nothing and takes no action on the bill within the given timeframe, the bill will automatically become law after the 40 days are up.

The governor's role in signing or vetoing bills is a significant check on the legislative branch, ensuring a balance of power within the state government. However, even if the governor vetoes a bill, the General Assembly can override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote in each chamber during the next legislative session.

For example, Governor Deal of Georgia signed House Bill 918 into law on March 2, 2024, enacting the state's first income tax reduction in over 80 years. This bill was designed to reform Georgia's tax code, providing incentives and benefits to both individuals and businesses.

What is the role of the Senate and the House of Representatives?

On March 2, 2024, Georgia's Governor Deal signed House Bill 918 into law. The bill, which was passed by the Georgia General Assembly, will bring about the state's first income tax reduction in over 80 years.

Now, onto the role of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The United States Congress is made up of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Together, they form the legislative branch of the federal government of the United States. The Constitution grants Congress the authority to enact legislation and declare war, confirm or reject Presidential appointments, and conduct investigations.

The House of Representatives is made up of 435 elected members, divided among the 50 states in proportion to their total population. There are also 6 non-voting members, representing the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the US Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Members of the House are elected every two years and must be at least 25 years old, US citizens for at least seven years, and residents of the state they represent. The House has several exclusive powers, including the ability to initiate revenue bills, impeach federal officials, and elect the President in the case of an Electoral College tie.

The Senate, on the other hand, is composed of 100 Senators, with each state having 2 Senators. Senators are elected to six-year terms, with about one-third of the Senate up for reelection every two years. Senators must be at least 30 years old, US citizens for a minimum of nine years, and residents of the state they represent. The Vice President of the United States serves as the President of the Senate and can cast a tie-breaking vote.

The Senate has the sole power to confirm Presidential appointments that require consent and to provide advice and consent to ratify treaties, although the House must also approve certain appointments and trade agreements. The Senate also conducts impeachment trials for federal officials, serving as the jury and judge.

Both the House and the Senate must pass the same bill by a majority vote to send legislation to the President for their signature. If the President vetoes a bill, Congress can override the veto by passing the bill again in each chamber with a two-thirds majority. This highlights the crucial role that both the Senate and the House of Representatives play in the legislative process and in shaping the laws and policies of the United States.

What is the timeline for the bill to become a law?

The process of a bill becoming a law in Georgia involves a series of steps, from drafting the idea to the governor's approval. Here is a detailed timeline of the key stages:

Step 1: Drafting the Idea

The process begins with identifying a problem or issue that needs to be addressed. Citizens can reach out to their state legislators, who represent them at the Capitol, to propose potential solutions that may involve creating or altering laws.

Step 2: Georgia General Assembly

Once a solution is agreed upon, the legislator takes the idea to the Georgia General Assembly, the state's legislative body. They work with an attorney from the Office of the Legislative Council to draft the bill using the correct format and legal terminology. The bill is then filed with the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House, depending on whether the legislator is a Senator or Representative.

Step 3: Georgia State Legislative Session

The bill is formally introduced during the Georgia State Legislative Session, which begins on the second Monday in January. On the first legislative day after filing, the bill undergoes its "First Reading," where the title is read aloud in the chamber of the legislator who authored it. The presiding officer then assigns the bill to a standing committee.

Step 4: Second Reading (Georgia House of Representatives only)

The next legislative day, the bill undergoes its Second Reading, which is specific to the Georgia House of Representatives. The Clerk of the House reads the bill's title again, even though the bill is still in committee. This step is largely ceremonial but is part of the formal legislative process.

Step 5: Committee Process

The assigned committee discusses, reviews, and debates the bill. They may invite relevant parties, such as the bill's author, lobbyists, or state officials, to testify and provide input. The committee can propose amendments or substitutions to the bill. Once the committee is satisfied, they vote on the bill, and if it passes, it is sent back to its respective legislative chamber with a favourable report.

Step 6: Third Reading

After the committee process, the bill undergoes its Third Reading. The Clerk of the House or the Secretary of the Senate prepares a General Calendar of bills, including those with favourable reports from the committees. The Rules Committees from each house then create a Rules Calendar, listing the bills to be considered on the floor each day. The bill's title is read for the third time, followed by floor debate and further amendments. The bill is then presented for a vote, and if it passes, it moves to the other chamber.

Step 7: Second Chamber and Conference Committee

The bill is sent to the second chamber, where it undergoes a similar process of readings, debate, and amendments. If the second chamber passes the bill, it goes back to the originating chamber for approval of the amendments. If the originating chamber rejects the amendments, a conference committee may be formed to reach a compromise. Once both chambers agree on the bill, it is sent to the governor.

Step 8: The Governor's Role

The governor can choose to sign or veto the bill. If the bill is sent during the legislative session, the governor has six consecutive days to make a decision. More commonly, bills are sent to the governor after the session ends ("Sine Die"), and the governor has 40 days to decide. The governor's third option is to do nothing, in which case the bill automatically becomes a law after 40 days.

Step 9: The Bill Becomes a Law

Once the governor signs the bill (or the deadline passes without a veto), it becomes a law. The new laws are printed in the Georgia Law series and added to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.). Unless otherwise stated, the laws become effective on July 1, regardless of when they are signed.

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