The US House of Representatives Agriculture Committee introduced language for the 2018 Farm Bill. As you know, the Farm Bill is the vehicle in which our industry has the opportunity to amend FIFRA, the law that governs pesticide use. Unlike any other point in recent history, this Farm Bill includes proactive language to advance the ability of pest professionals to defend public health and property from unwanted pests. Specifically, the fix NPMA is advocating for:
-Codifies pesticide preemption at the state level, preventing localities from irresponsibly regulating the sale and use of pesticides and solidifying the ability of State Lead Agencies to regulate use of pesticides.
-Fixes the broken pesticide consultation process between FIFRA and the Endangered Species Act.
-Eliminates the need for unnecessary and redundant National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permits (NPDES).
Partisan bickering over food nutrition programs (SNAP) endangers the passage of the Farm Bill. This makes it even more imperative for you to let your elected Representative understand your support of the Farm Bill and the negative ramifications on the pest management industry if not reauthorized prior to the September deadline.
By Connie Rogers
April 3, 2018 In this issue: Legislative Update Week 12
2018 Weekly Legislative Update Week 12 – March 30, 2018 Legislative Days 39-40
Last week marked the end of the 2018 Georgia General Assembly Legislative Session. The legislature completed Sine Die, day 40 of its 40 day session, just after midnight on Thursday, March 29.
Transportation
HB 930 by Representative Kevin Tanner allows for expansion and coordination of transit in the metro region. The House and Senate adopted the Conference Committee report on HB 930 on Thursday, March 29. The bill goes to the Governor.
Broadband/5G
SB 402 by Senator Steve Gooch addresses broadband. The House and Senate adopted SB 402 as reported by the Conference Committee on Thursday, March 29. The bill is goes to the Governor.
SB 426 by Senator Steve Gooch addresses small cells and allowed for EMCs to compete in served markets. The Senate did not adopt the House substitute to SB 426 and the bill is dead.
HB 887 by Representative Jay Powell seeks to expand broadband across the state, was substituted with SB 426. The House did not adopt HB 887 as amended by the Senate and the bill is dead.
Budget
The House and Senate adopted the FY19 Budget, HB 684, as reported by the Appropriations Conference Committee on Thursday, March 29. The bill is awaiting action by the Governor. To review highlights of the budget, click here.
Criminal Justice
SB 406 by Senator Brian Strickland requires criminal background checks for long-term care facilities personnel. The Senate adopted the House’s substitute to SB 406 on Thursday, March 29. The bill goes to the Governor.
SB 407 by Senator Brian Strickland seeks to provide comprehensive criminal justice reform. The Senate adopted the House’s substitute to SB 407 on Thursday, March 29. The bill goes to the Governor.
Education
HB 217 by Representative John Carson increases the cap on contributions to student scholarship organizations. The House and Senate adopted the Conference Committee report HB 217 as reported by the on Thursday, March 29. The bill goes to the Governor.
HB 853 by Representative Katie Dempsey ensures that instructional dollars follow students who are receiving treatment in residential facilities. The House adopted the Senate substitute to HB 853 on Thursday, March 29 and the bill goes to the Governor.
HB 787 by Representative Scott Hilton increases funding for state charter schools. The House adopted the Senate substitute to HB 787 on Thursday, March 29 and the bill goes to the Governor.
SB 339 by Senator William Ligon provides for the establishment of free speech policies for institutions in the university system. The Senate adopted the House substitute to SB 339 on Thursday, March 29 and the bill goes to the Governor.
Elections
SB 403 by Senator Bruce Thompson provides for uniform election equipment throughout the state. The Senate disagreed to the House substitute to SB 403 on Thursday, March 29 and the bill is dead.
Healthcare
SB 364 by Senator Chuck Hufstetler gives a higher supervisory ratio to physician assistants who have completed a board approved anesthesiologist assistant program. The bill passed the House on Tuesday, March 27 and is awaiting action by the Governor.
HB 769 by Representative Rick Jasperse would implement recommendations from the House Rural Development Council relating to health care issues. No changes were made to the CON law. The bill is awaiting action by the Governor.
HB 818 by Representative Lee Hawkins allows health care providers to choose the method of reimbursement by insurer. The bill passed the Senate on Tuesday, March 27 and is awaiting action by the Governor.
Fireworks
HB 419 by Representative Deborah Silcox authorizes counties to regulate the use of fireworks. The House adopted the Senate substitute to HB 419 on Thursday, March 29 and the bill goes to the Governor.
Regulated Industries
SB 355 by Senator Chuck Hufstetler changes provisions relating to the recovery costs of financing the construction of nuclear generating plants. The bill is awaiting action by the Governor.
Taxes
HB 329 by Representative Jay Powell was substituted with HB 327. HB 327 by Representative Shaw Blackmon revises the manner in which used car sales are taxed. The House adopted the Senate substitute to HB 329 on Thursday, March 29 and the bill is awaiting action by the Governor.
HB 658 by Representative Earl Ehrhart removes the sunset date for the time during which certain excise taxes on lodgings can be collected. The House adopted the Senate’s substitute to HB 658 on Thursday, March 29 and the bill goes to the Governor.
HB 849 by Representative Allen Peake provides provisions for the reporting of federal partnership adjustments. The bill passed the Senate on Thursday, March 29 and goes to the Governor.
Technology
HB 696 by Representative Trey Kelley creates a tax exemption for certain high technology computer equipment used in data centers. The House adopted the Senate’s substitute to HB 696 on Thursday, March 29 and the bill goes to the Governor.
HB 898 by Representative Alan Powell enables implementation of new technology at the Department of Revenue to issue much more cost-effective license tag renewals for large fleet operators like UPS, Publix, GA Power, etc. The House adopted the Senate substitute to HB 898 on Thursday, March 29 and the bill goes to the Governor.
Highlights
On Friday, March 30 Governor Nathan Deal, Department of Community Health Commissioner Frank Berry, and Sharecare co-founders Jeff Arnold and Dr. Mehmet Oz hosted an event at the State Capitol to announce the start of the Sharecare Movement in Georgia. Please see the attached picture.
Events
This week GeorgiaLink hosted a luncheon for Paula Hastings, candidate for State House and Randy Robertson, candidate for State Senate. We also sponsored the House Majority Caucus dinner, the House Appropriations Committee lunch and the Senate Democrats Sine Die dinner.
Upcoming Events:
Wednesday, April 11 – Speaker David Ralston’s Campaign Kickoff Reception
Monday, April 16 – Kevin Tanner Campaign Kickoff Luncheon
As you review your legislative tracking page, please feel free to give us a call with any questions. For detailed information on specific legislation visit the General Assembly’s website here.
Thank you for the opportunity to represent your organization.
The GeorgiaLink Team,
Trip, Boyd, Skin, John, Lauren
The GPCA Calendar for 2018 is filling up fast. Be sure to save these important dates: July 15 – 19, 2018 – GPCA Summer Conference, Hammock Beach Resort, Palm Coast, FL September 12 & 13, 2018 – GPCA North Georgia Conference, Dalton, GA October 10, 2018 – GPCA Charity Golf Tournament, Reunion Country Club, Hoschton, GA – PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE November 7 & 8, 2018 – GPCA South Georgia Conference, Rural Development Center, Tifton, GA
To view and print the conference registration please click here: Registration Form
GPCA Photo Contest
The 3rd Annual GPCA best photo contest is open! Join us and take advantage of this opportunity and submit your best most unusual pest photo to Connie@gpca.org. Photo submissions will be taken until the end of April. The winning photographer will take home a GoPro HERO5, valued at $300.
By Connie Rogers
March 22, 2018 In this issue: Burnett Scholarship
Burnett Scholarship
The Glenn Burnett Scholarship was established in the early 80’s. Since 1986 over $127,000.00 has been awarded to GPCA member’s children to support their attendance at a Georgia College or University.
Named after Glenn Burnett who dedicated more than 20 years of service to the association, the scholarship program has continued to grow in participation and funding through the years. Funded from the Charity Golf Tournament, the program is well established and an integral part of GPCA member services.
Here’s the basics on application requirements:
1. 1300 SAT or 28 ACT score
2. 3.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average
3. Must be accepted or be a full time student at a college or university in the State of Georgia.
4. Application and letter of recommendation, along with a transcript (to validate test scores and GPA) must be received by April 15, 2018 in the GPCA office. The full criteria, procedure and application is available on the GPCA website at GPCA.org or by
clicking on the link below.
5. Deadline for the Scholarship is APRIL 15, 2018
6. Burnett Scholarship Application
7. Scholarship Procedures
By Connie Rogers
March 6, 2018 In this issue: : New Technician Training Manual & GPCA Charity Golf Tournament
The New Technician Manual is Ready!
The new Technician Manual is here and can be ordered by calling the GPCA office at 770-417-1881 or 800-465-9827 to place your order today! The new manual is effective March 1, 2018 and reflects the changes made during the recent changes to the rules and regulations.
By Connie Rogers
March 5, 2018 In this issue: Legislative Update Week 8
2018 Weekly Legislative Update Week 8 – March 2, 2018 Legislative Days 27-29
The Georgia General Assembly completed day 29 of its 40 day session on Thursday, March 1. The legislature was in session past 1:00 a.m. on “cross-over” day on Wednesday, February 28. The legislature will reconvene on Monday, March 5 at 10:00 a.m. and will be in session for three days next week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for legislative days 30-32. Tuesday and Thursday are both committee work days. The legislature is still on schedule to Sine Die on March 29. If you would like to review the full legislative calendar for the remainder of the 2018 session you may do so here.
Below is an update on a number of pending issues:
Broadband
SB 402 and SB 232 – which address broadband – and SB 426 – which addresses small cells – by Senator Steve Gooch made progress this week. SB 426 and SB 232 both passed the Senate on Wednesday, February 28. SB 402 was read in the House on Monday, February 26, and assigned to the House Ways and Means Committee.
HB 887 by Representative Jay Powell, which seeks to expand broadband across the state, passed the House on Wednesday, February 28. This is part of the House’s pursuit of the rural broadband deployment initiative which was part of the Speaker’s Rural Development Council recommendations.
Business
HB 918 by Representative Chuck Efstration reduces Georgia’s income tax rate. This measure is designed to support economic development in Georgia. The bill passed the House and Senate on Thursday, March 1. Governor Deal signed HB 918 into law on Friday, March 2.
Elections
SB 403 by Senator Bruce Thompson calls for uniform election equipment throughout the state, with a full return to paper ballots by 2024. SB 403 passed the Senate on Wednesday, February 28.
Health
SB 359 by Senator Chuck Hufstetler is a comprehensive solution to “Surprise Billing” for consumers due to very narrow insurance networks in Georgia. The bill also provides a fair reimbursement plan for health care providers who are “out of network.” SB 359 passed the Senate on Wednesday, February 28.
Motor Vehicles
HB 673 by Representative John Carson, the “Distracted Driving Bill,” prohibits any actions that would distract a driver’s attention. The bill passed the House on Wednesday, February 28.
HB 898 by Representative Alan Powell enables implementation of new technology at the Department of Revenue to issue much more cost-effective license tag renewals for large fleet operators like UPS, Publix, GA Power etc. The bill was assigned to the Senate Public Safety Committee on Wednesday, February 28.
SB 430 by Senator Matt Brass provides increases in minimum salaries for constitutional officers. This bill passed the Senate on Wednesday, February 28.
State Government
HB 791 by Representative Chuck Efstration allows the state’s sovereign immunity to be waived for declaratory or injunctive relief under certain circumstances. The bill passed the House on Wednesday, February 28.
Technology
HB 696 by Representative Trey Kelley creates a tax exemption for certain high technology computer equipment used in data centers. The bill passed the House on a reconsideration vote on Wednesday, February 28.
HB 996 by Representative Katie Dempsey establishes the Strategic Integrated Data System to provide for data sharing across departments and agencies. The bill passed the House on Wednesday, February 28.
Transportation
HB 930 by Representative Kevin Tanner and SB 386 by Senator Brandon Beach both attempt to expand and coordinate transit in the metro region. Senator Brandon Beach also had two other transportation bills pass the floor – SB 460 and SB 391. SB 460 is a companion bill to SB 386 and would amend the MARTA Act to change MARTA’s logo to reflect the unified ATL transit commission. SB 391 exempts service buses, motor vehicles, and rail systems from identification and regulation requirements. All passed their respective chambers on Wednesday, February 28.
This week GeorgiaLink sponsored the Senate Democratic Caucus breakfast, the Senate Cross-Over dinner, and the Senate Transportation Committee dinner.
As you review your legislative tracking page, please feel free to give us a call with any questions. For detailed information on specific legislation visit the General Assembly’s website here.
The GPCA Calendar for 2018 is filling up fast. Be sure to save these important dates: July 15 – 19, 2018 – GPCA Summer Conference, Hammock Beach Resort, Palm Coast, FL September 12 & 13, 2018 – GPCA North Georgia Conference, Dalton, GA October 10, 2018 – GPCA Charity Golf Tournament, Reunion Country Club, Hoschton, GA – PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE November 7 & 8, 2018 – GPCA South Georgia Conference, Rural Development Center, Tifton, GA
GPCA Photo Contest
