History and Timeline of GA SB 369

GA SB 369

Fireworks; revise the standard of compliance from explosion to ignition; definitions

In the final hours of this legislative session – without the knowledge of Fulton and Atlanta citizens – the Senate stripped a bill (SB 369) originally addressing fireworks and replaced it with the MARTA TSPLOST language of SB 330.  The “fireworks” bill with the senate substitute MARTA TSPLOST language was passed and now goes to the governor to be signed into law.  This will allow for separate TSPLOSTs in North Fulton County and South Fulton County as well as the City of Atlanta up to .75% increase  (on the sales tax).

HISTORY OF GA SB 369

Senator Brandon Beech of the 21st offered SB 330 in February which, if passed would have provided for a ballot question in North Fulton County, South Fulton County, and the City of Atlanta to increase the sales tax (TSPLOST) in order to expand MARTA rail service.  Due to push back from the citizens of Fulton County, this measure failed to even get to the Senate floor for a vote.  This is the same measure that failed in all three areas in 2012.

This is the history of SB 369 showing how it changed from a fireworks bill to a TSPLOST bill.

• Floor Amendment AM 34 0735
• LC 34 4943S/hss – The House Committee on Regulated Industries offers the following substitute to SB 369: A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT
  • To amend Chapter 9 of Title 32 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to mass transportation,
  • As passed Senate – To amend Chapter 10 of Title 25 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to regulation of fireworks,
  • Committee sub LC 41 0758S – The Senate Committee on Public Safety offered the following substitute to SB 369: To amend Chapter 10 of Title 25 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to regulation of fireworks,
  • As introduced LC 41 0704 – To amend Chapter 10 of Title 25 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to regulation of fireworks,

TIMELINE OF VOTES

• Mar/24/2016 – Senate Vote #752  Yea (43) Nay(5) NV(5) Exc(3)
• Mar/16/2016 – House Vote #778   Yea (159) Nay(4) NV(3) Exc(14)
• Feb/26/2016 – Senate Vote #507  Yea (50) Nay(1) NV(1) Exc(4)