By Randy Nix
Nix represents Troup Co. in the Georgia House of Representatives.

The General Assembly has marked the halfway point of the 40 day legislative session and among many considerations, an important bill passed the House which would implement recommendations from the House Rural Development Council.

HB 769 would establish “micro-hospitals” as hospitals in rural communities that have between two and seven beds that provide emergency services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

This legislation also allows remote pharmacy drug orders for hospital patients by a licensed Georgia pharmacist and requires leadership training for rural hospital executives and board members. In addition, the bill directs the Department of Community Health to streamline the billing process. I believe that this bill has positive benefits for our state, and I hope it will become law.

This week, I sponsored HB 785 which allows the “plastics to fuels technology“ industry to expand in Georgia. These facilities are able to take certain waste materials, including non-recycled plastics, like plastic grocery bags, that otherwise would go into our landfills and convert them into oil, diesel, gasoline, home heating oil and other usable materials.

This legislation will allow them to operate without being deemed a waste management facility.  It makes good sense to use materials that we have and instead of disposing of them to convert them to another necessary material.

Gov. Deal made an announcement this week to cut more than $5 billion in state taxes during the next five years by reducing the state income tax rate for individuals and businesses from 6 percent to 5.75 percent and by doubling the standard deduction. I will continue to fully support legislation that cuts taxes for hardworking Georgians.