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Ways & Means subcommittees advance income-tax refunds and a rate cut; several measures get first hearings
Summary
The Ways & Means income-tax and related subcommittees met in a lengthy session that produced unanimous approval of two tax measures and first hearings on several others, including an internal revenue code update and multiple sales- and property-tax items.
The Ways & Means income-tax subcommittee and related subcommittees met for a multi-part session that moved two income-tax measures forward and held initial hearings on a string of other bills, including a federal conformity update and several sales- and property-tax proposals.
Representative Noel Williams presented a refund measure described as a continuation of prior tax relief for “hardworking Georgians.” The presentation characterized the total refund value at about $1,000,000,000 and stated refund amounts for certain filing statuses. The committee called and passed the measure by voice vote; members recorded the action as carrying unanimously.
The committee also took a final action on a separate income-tax rate cut. Representative (first name not specified in transcript) Hong presented House Bill 111 (LC590028-EC), saying the bill would lower the state individual income tax rate from 5.39% to 5.19% effective July 1, 2025, and that future automatic reductions toward 4.99% would depend on meeting statutory “triggers.” Members discussed those triggers and the fiscal note; the subcommittee moved the bill by voice vote and recorded unanimous approval.
Members heard an annual Internal Revenue Code conformity bill (described as the annual update) presented by Chairman Carson and testimony from Department of Revenue representatives Austin Gibbons and Kelsey Finn. They described the fiscal impact as likely minimal and said a formal fiscal note was not yet available. That bill was at its first hearing; members did not vote on it at the session.
Separate Ways & Means subcommittees handling sales and other taxes reported these actions: the sales-tax subcommittee recorded unanimous approval of a resolution (HR 42, LC339741EC) ratifying governor-issued temporary suspension of motor fuel and diesel taxes issued during an emergency; the agriculture-related subcommittee approved a constitutional amendment resolution (HR 32, LC443014-S) and a companion enabling statute (HB 90, LC442885), both by voice votes.
Several bills received initial hearings and public comment but were not advanced at this session. Those included a CUVA/FLPA (conservation-use valuation/forest land protection) amendment addressing solar installations on agricultural timberland, a proposed sales-tax exemption for materials used in affordable-housing construction, and a tax-exemption/credit proposal to encourage firearm safe-storage and safety training by allowing up to $300 of state income tax liability to be used for approved devices or training.
Votes at a glance: two subcommittee actions were recorded as unanimous voice approvals during the meeting. Where the transcript recorded only a voice vote, votes are noted as unanimous voice votes with no roll-call tally provided in the record.
The meeting produced multiple first hearings and a number of follow-ups: several bills will return for fiscal notes or amended language before a second hearing.
