03/13/2008
Legislative days remaining: 9
Legislative schedule: The General Assembly reconvened March 11, and recessed March 12. Lawmakers will return March 18, for legislative day 32.
Federal government raises fines for immigration violations
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will increase fines for employers who knowingly hire undocumented workers, beginning March 27. The penalties are severe. For example, the maximum fine per employee will be $16,000, meaning that an employer who hires 10 illegal immigrants could be fined as much as $160,000.
Another rule will require federal contractors to use the E-Verify program, which until now has been a voluntary program that employers could use to check the immigration status of new hires.
Employers should be careful they comply with all immigration laws and regulations. For more information regarding your rights and duties as an employer, visit the DHS Web site.
Mandated leave bill dies in committee
Because of NFIB members' strong opposition to House Bill 901, a measure mandating that employers grant workers a total of 24 hours of leave, a House subcommittee failed to act, effectively killing the bill for the 2008 session.
Thank you to all of the NFIB members who called to voice your concerns that government mandates take away small employers' and employees' freedom to negotiate the benefits package that best meets their needs.
Small business legislation makes the cut on 'Crossover Day'
Tuesday marked the final day in which legislation could pass one chamber in order to be considered by the other. Several small business-backed bills made the cut and are eligible for final passage.
Comprehensive tax reform to benefit small business
House Speaker Glenn Richardson (Hiram) first put his tax plan before the House last week, but it failed by a 110-62 vote, or 10 votes short of the required two-thirds majority. He made some changes in the measure and brought it back on Tuesday, where it passed to applause from House members.
The latest version of Richardson's proposal, House Resolution 1246, is a constitutional amendment that, if passed by two-thirds of the Senate (it already has passed House) and approved by voters in November, would reduce property taxes by eliminating the state's portion of the tax and limit assessments on residential property to 2 percent increase per year and 3 percent for commercial property. The initiative would also eliminate the property tax on personal automobiles.
NFIB supports this reform effort and will continue to advocate for its passage through the Senate.
Entrepreneurs in 'less-developed' areas to receive tax credits for job creation
On Tuesday, the House unanimously approved HB 1273, a measure amending current law to allow businesses that create at least two new jobs (instead of five) in areas designated as less-developed to receive a job-tax credit equal to $3,500 a year per eligible new full-time employee. This credit for would be available for five years beginning one year after the job is created.
NFIB will continue to support this measure as it moves to the Senate Finance Committee for consideration.
Market-driven health insurance reform bill gains House approval
Also on Tuesday, the House passed an amended version of HB 977, sponsored by Insurance Committee Chairman Tom Knox (Cumming), which expands the availability and affordability of high-deductible health plans and health savings accounts. The most notable provision, supported by NFIB, would let employers with 50 or fewer employees take a credit of $250 per employee who enrolls in certain high-deductible plans. Other provisions of HB 977 include:
- Rebates to consumers who have HDHPs with HSAs, when they make behavior modifications, such as smoking cessation, weight loss or controlling diabetes and blood pressure.
- Removing state and local taxes on HDHP premiums.
- Allowing consumers to deduct HDHP premiums from state income taxes, if they are not already deducting premiums from federal income taxes.
House approves measure eliminating sales tax on energy used in manufacturing
House Bill 272 by Rep. Jeff Lewis (White) passed the House on Tuesday. The bill is aimed at eliminating the state sales tax on energy used in manufacturing. Specifically, it would apply to natural or artificial gas, No. 2 fuel oil, No. 6 fuel oil, propane, and coal used directly or indirectly in the manufacture or processing, in a manufacturing plant located in Georgia.
NFIB favors this sales tax exemption and will continue to advocate for its passage through the Senate.
Useful links 
Georgia General AssemblyGeorgia Public Policy Foundation's Friday FactsGeorgia's Regulatory ReformGeorgia's Entrepreneur and Small Business Division of the Department of Economic DevelopmentSmall Business Administration-Georgia
Sincerely,
David Raynor
NFIB/Georgia State Director
david.raynor@NFIB.org
