March 12 marked the 30th legislative day of the 2009 session. Known as “crossover day,” it marked the deadline for legislation to pass at least the House or Senate. Any legislation that did not pass either body will be considered again next session. Because of the “crossover day deadline,” the week was filled with long days full of key votes as we deliberated different bills that would cut taxes, stimulate the economy, fund trauma care or even offer our students greater educational opportunities. Some of the more noteworthy legislation passed this week includes:

-House Bills 481 and 482, the Jobs, Opportunity, and Business Success (JOBS) Act of 2009. HB 481 provides tax credits to employers for each unemployed person hired, suspends business “start-up” fees for one year, and eliminates the state sales tax deposit. HB 482 will eliminate the state ad valorem tax on business inventory through a statewide referendum. This legislation will allow small businesses to create, expand and attract jobs for Georgians.

-House Bill 400, the Building Resourceful Individuals to Develop Georgia’s Economy (BRIDGE) Bill. This legislation ensures that all students will have a personalized graduation plan as well as the opportunity for dual enrollment. The bill also seeks to increase student interest by creating programs that combine real world experience with increased academic rigor.

-HB 261 creates a six month window during which anyone purchasing one single-family residence will receive a tax credit of up to $3,600. This short tax window will immediately improve Georgia’s real estate market by creating an incentive to buy homes now rather than later. The positive affects of increasing home sales will ripple out to many other areas of Georgia’s economy, including construction and manufacturing.

-HB 480 removes all ad valorem and sales taxes from automobiles purchased in Georgia after December 31, 2009. Instead, these vehicles will be subject to a one-time seven percent title fee based upon the value of the automobile being purchased, with a maximum fee of $2,000. This measure will make cars more affordable for Georgians and provide needed funding for trauma care in Georgia.

Also, the Senate notified me to come present the Transportation Funding Bill I sponsored which passed the House. I made my presentation last Thursday and the Senate substituted their bill on funding and passed it out of committee. I knew this would happen so that we, the House, could disagree and go to conference. The conference will be made up of three Senate members and three House members that will work to come up with a compromise. Hopefully, we will reach this next level soon.

I have had some great emails, letters and calls from a number of you with suggestions and comments on legislation before us. Please continue to communicate your thoughts. I can be reached in Atlanta at (404)656-7153; or by email at vance.smith@house.ga.gov.