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Bill to ban unscrupulous parking lot sales of pets in Georgia now up to governor

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georgiarecorder.com – Jill Nolin – 2025-03-21 16:50:00

Bill to ban unscrupulous parking lot sales of pets in Georgia now up to governor

by Jill Nolin, Georgia Recorder
March 21, 2025

A bill designed to make it harder for unscrupulous breeders to entice animal lovers into an impulse purchase is now on the governor’s desk.

The measure, House Bill 331, would ban the practice of selling dogs, cats and rabbits in parking lots, along the roadside, on sidewalks, at seasonal flea markets and other similar outdoor areas that tend to be hotspots for unlicensed breeders who prioritize profit over the wellbeing of the animals in their care.

The Senate sponsor, Grovetown Republican Sen. Lee Anderson, said the bill targets “bad actors” in Georgia.

“We need this bill so we can make sure all our pets are taken care of, and also it protects the companies that already do it the right way,” Anderson said, referring to breeders.

Supporters of the bill say it will reduce opportunities for illicit pet sales, which they argue is commonly tied with other illegal activity.

The original sponsor, Concord Republican Rep. Beth Camp, pitched the measure as both a consumer and animal protection bill, since animals purchased from illegitimate breeders often turn out not to be as advertised.

“These dogs oftentimes end up getting dumped, and they get dumped at animal shelters, which cost our counties money every single day. And it’s just heartbreaking,” Camp said recently to state senators.  

Breeders would still be able to sell dogs, cats and rabbits from their home, business, a veterinarian’s office or other designated locations, like outside a police department.

“These individuals do not allow people to come to where these dogs live because they don’t want anyone to see where these animals live, because they’re living in deplorable, substandard conditions for anything that’s alive,” Camp said.

If approved, someone who violates the measure would be fined $100 for the first offense, $250 for the second and $500 for the third or subsequent offense. Each animal sold in violation of the measure would represent a separate offense, including if multiple animals were sold on the same day.  

In January, the state Department of Agriculture seized 136 dogs from a puppy mill in south Georgia.

The bill may be serious, but it also brought a little levity to the day.

Anderson rested his case Friday by saying a vote for his bill would help keep Lt. Gov. Burt Jones out of the “doghouse.” Jones’ wife runs an animal rescue organization. 

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Georgia Recorder is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Georgia Recorder maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor John McCosh for questions: info@georgiarecorder.com.

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House approves removal of income tax from military retirement benefits | Georgia

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11 hours ago

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March 21, 2025

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Kim Jarrett | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-03-21 10:15:00

(The Center Square) – The Georgia House of Representatives passed a bill Friday that would remove the income tax on military retirement benefits.

House Bill 266 would return an average of $40 million to the more than 95,000 military retirees living in Georgia. Current law allows an income tax exemption of the first 17,500.

The legislation is “word for word” Senate Bill 31, which senators passed on March 3, said Sen. Greg Dolezal, R-Cumming.

“It’s not often that we get to do things here that I think so fundamentally changes the lives of a very, very important group of people who served our country,” Dolezal said when presenting the bill.

Sen. David Lucas, D-Macon, was the only senator to vote against the bill on March 3. Sen. Kim Jackson, D-Stone Mountain, also voted “no” on Friday. 

“That’s $40 million that you will not be able to touch or appropriate,” Lucas said. “What’s happening in Washington, D.C., and the things that are being cut, my personal opinion is we’re going to have to pick up some of that cost.”

Georgia is currently one of 12 states that still levies an income tax on military retirement.

“Eliminating the income tax on military retirement benefits is a common-sense approach to providing tax relief to heroes who have risked their lives to keep our communities, state and nation safe,” said Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. “Allowing these benefits to be earned tax-free will also help make Georgia a leading destination for service men and women as they transition from the military into civilian life and bring their talents and experience to workplaces across our state.”

It’s the third income tax-related bill passed this week by the General Assembly.

The Senate passed House Bill 111, which would reduce the income tax rate from 5.29% to 5.19% for the 2025 tax year. The state is reducing the number by 0.10% until it reaches 4.99%.

House Bill 112, also passed by the Senate on Thursday, would give single taxpayers a $250 tax credit and married one $500. Money for the $1 billion tax break was included in the fiscal year 2025 midyear budget adjustment.

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Georgia Senate sends tax refund, income tax cut to governor’s desk

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1 day ago

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March 20, 2025

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georgiarecorder.com – Stanley Dunlap – 2025-03-20 17:08:00

Georgia Senate sends tax refund, income tax cut to governor’s desk

by Stanley Dunlap, Georgia Recorder
March 20, 2025

A pair of Georgia bills that would lower the state income tax rate and provide an extra refund to taxpayers later this year are now awaiting Gov. Brian Kemp’s signature.

The state Senate Thursday greenlighted House Bill 111 and 112, the fourth in a series of tax rebate package bills in recent years that the Republican governor prioritized.

Under HB 111, the state income tax rate of 5.39% would be reduced to 5.19% effective July 1, which would save taxpayers about $869 million.

The income tax bill was adopted by a 30-23 vote, primarily along party lines with majority Republican support. Senators unanimously supported HB 112, which would allow Georgians who filed income taxes to receive an additional refund later this year.

If signed into law, a $250 rebate would go to individual filers, $375 to heads of households and $500 to married couples filing jointly.

Sen. Josh McLaurin, a Sandy Springs Democrat, said the one-time time tax refund will mean more money sooner to most Georgians than a permanent reduction in the income tax rate.

“Some of us will be voting for immediate tax relief because $250 matters a lot more than $30,” McLaurin said. “We do not need to be making structural changes that cripple our ability to respond to social ills for the rest of time.”

Sen. Elena Parent, an Atlanta Democrat, said the problem with the income tax reduction is that it delivers outsized benefits to Georgian who are at the top of the income bracket at the expense of the average taxpayers.

Acworth Republican Sen. Ed Setzler disputed that the income tax reduction was favorable to the top 1% of wealthy Georgians. He said a majority of filers in the top income bracket are from small business owners, who could put the $3,000 refund from the state to good use.

Cornelia Republican Sen. Bo Hatchett, the sponsor of the income tax legislation, said that 100% of the overall tax savings goes to 100% of taxpayers.

“A reduction in taxes helps everyone,” Hatchett said. “It  also helps spur further job creation, which also helps the very same people some of my colleagues highlighted today. It’s very important that we continue to budget conservatively so that we can continue to provide opportunities like this tax  cut and like this rebate.”

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Spring starts with a chill: Gusty winds and a frosty surprise!

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1 day ago

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March 20, 2025

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www.wjbf.com – Miller Hyatt – 2025-03-20 17:08:00

SUMMARY: Spring arrived with cooler temperatures and gusty winds, following a cold front that brought scattered showers earlier. Winds are gusting up to 40 mph, prompting a Lake Wind Advisory through Friday morning. A Frost Advisory is in effect for Hancock, Washington, and Johnson counties from 2 AM to 10 AM Friday, with temperatures dropping to 33-36°F. Friday and Saturday will bring dry weather but increased fire danger due to low humidity and wind. Temperatures will be in the mid-60s Friday and low to mid-70s Saturday. Rain is expected Sunday night and Monday, followed by a return to dry conditions and fire concerns.

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