by Sen. Matt Brass (R – Newnan)

Last week was our busiest week yet as we completed the most consequential deadline of session so far: Crossover Day. This year, Crossover Day fell on Wednesday, February 28 and the Senate worked well into the evening as we reviewed and passed 41 pieces of legislation!

Among the 41 bills passed, were two bills I sponsored, SB 404 and SB 430. SB 404 would prohibit any county, municipal, or public water system from charging a separate fee for standby water service that is being used for fire sprinkler protection connections, as long as the cost does not exceed the maintenance of those connections. This bill is an attempt to encourage residential property owners to install fire sprinkler systems which would help protect property and more importantly, save lives.

Senate Bill 430 would increase the minimum salary for county constitutional officers such as sheriffs, probate court judges, clerks of the superior court and others. This increase, which is the first time in twelve years these numbers have been adjusted, simply ensures we are taking into consideration cost of living increases. This measure does not affect all counties as many already exceed the proposed minimums. Both bills successfully passed the Senate and have been sent to the House for consideration where I am hopeful they will receive committee hearings.

The Senate also passed the first tax cut for the state of Georgia since 1937. House Bill 918 provides substantial tax relief for all Georgians and has two main components. The bill doubles the standard deduction, which means married couples filing jointly would increase their deduction from $3,000 to $6,000. The bill also reduces the top tax rate from 6 percent to 5.75 percent by 2019 and down further to 5.5 percent by 2020, if approved by the General Assembly. This is a great bill for Georgia as it lessens the tax burden placed on every hard working citizen. This bill has already been signed into law by Governor Deal, making it one of the first bills this year to receive his final approval.

Rural broadband also secured two big wins last week! Senate Bill 232, known as the FIBRE Act, would expand access to public rights of way and set certain regulations for EMC’s in Georgia to deploy broadband services. The second measure passing was SB 426, which would address the ability of local governments to regulate private companies seeking to use existing infrastructure (such as utility poles) to house small cell technology to assist in the expansion broadband service. In short, both bills work to make it easier for private companies to bring broadband to rural Georgia by cutting red tape and burdensome regulations.

Our workload will only increase from here, as now the Senate will only be taking up House Bills for consideration. We still have a number of important items pending, which I will update you on for the remainder of session. If I can ever be of assistance, or address any comments or concerns, please reach out to my office. Thank you for allowing me the honor of serving you under the Gold Dome!