Georgia 2018 Ballot/Referendum Questions

During the 2018 Legislative Session, there were five resolutions passed for constitutional amendments as well as two bills for statewide referendum questions. These amendments to the Georgia Constitution and statewide referendums will be proposed to voters on the November 2018 general election ballot. Below are the questions as they will appear on the ballot as well as summaries of each amendment. I also included my vote on them (if I was in session at the time they were voted on) and my rationale for why I voted that way.  They are presented for informational purposes only.

 

Amendment 1

Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund (HR 238)

Ballot Question:

“Without increasing the current state sales tax rate, shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to create the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund to conserve lands that protect drinking water sources and the water quality of rivers, lakes, and streams; to protect and conserve forests, fish, wildlife habitats, and state and local parks; and to provide opportunities for our children and families to play and enjoy the outdoors, by dedicating, subject to full public disclosure, up to 80 percent of the existing sales tax collected by sporting goods stores to such purposes without increasing the current state sales tax rate?”

Summary:

A “YES” vote on this will ensure that up to 80% of the state’s share of revenue from sales tax collected on outdoor sporting goods sold throughout Georgia will go to the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund. The effort is projected to raise over $20 million annually over the next ten years and will be used to support and protect clean drinking water, Georgia’s beaches, wildlife, and natural areas; will support and protect natural resources with no new taxes or fees; will benefit Georgia’s economy through supporting Georgia’s $27 billion outdoor recreation industry. Georgia already has established goals of conservation and this would continue to align with those goals.

I voted: Yes.

Although I generally do not like constitutional amendments, this is one I fully support. It does NOT add any new taxes. Instead, it just takes taxes already being collected and creates a secured funding source for our state parks and conservation activities. If you love going on hikes in our beautiful state, enjoy a picnic outdoors, if you like to fish, bird watch, or enjoy nature, this is one you can support too. One last note: this bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Spencer Frye (HD118).

http://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/en-US/Display/20172018/HR/238

 

 Amendment 2

State-wide Business Court (HR 993)

Ballot Question:

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to create a state-wide business court, authorize superior court business court divisions, and allow for the appointment process for state-wide business court judges in order to lower costs, improve the efficiency of all courts, and promote predictability of judicial outcomes in certain complex business disputes for the benefit of all citizens of this state?”

Summary:

The intent of a state-wide business court is to remove certain cases from state and superior court dockets, speed up the business court process, and make Georgia more “business friendly”. However, this constitutional amendment does not lay out how this court would function or what determines which cases would get this streamlined, special treatment. That process would have to be figured out by the state after the creation of the business court, should this constitutional amendment be passed. It also removes some accountability of judges because this would remove the ability of people to elect judges. Instead, it gives that power to the Governor and General Assembly. Business court judges will be appointed by the governor to a five-year term, subject to approval by a majority vote of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a majority vote of the House Committee on Judiciary. They may be reappointed at the end of their term. Initial terms can be provided for by general legislation. Business court judges shall have such qualifications as provided by law. Vacancies in the statewide business court shall be filled by appointment of the governor, subject to approval by a majority vote of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a majority vote of the House Committee on Judiciary.

I voted: No.

First, I like the idea of accountability courts – courts that focus on just one area so they can be more efficient and effective. Second, I do understand that a lot of business litigation (lawsuits between businesses) can be complex in nature and with large amounts of money at stake. So, at first reading, this amendment seems like a good thing. However when I read the language of the bill a few concerns come to mind:

  1. This permits the governor (any governor) to appoint 15 more judges without oversight. It does say there has to be approval by the majority of the judiciary committees of the House and Senate. The members of these committees are themselves appointed by the Speaker of the House and the Lt. Governor.Membership on any committee is politically motivated and without any oversight. It is arbitrary and at the sole discretion of the Speaker and Lt Governor. In short, there is no guarantee the approvals won’t just be rubber stamps to the governor’s selections.
  2. Although you notice that the summary says the judges are supposed to have the qualifications as provided by law – that law is not yet written – so what qualifications are those? It could be having a certain amount of experience with complex business litigation or it could be having graduated with a four-year degree. It could be having been born a US citizen or it could be any number of things that have nothing directly related to the purpose of the court. So, the Governor could appoint anyone for any reason, such as for a political thank you to an ally.
  3. The language says the judges would serve for five years. And then what? They can be re-approved? Do they have to re-apply or is it automatic? What is the process for this? These judges are not elected like other judges so they have no accountability to the people, just to the governor who appoints them.

http://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/en-US/Display/20172018/HR/993

 

Amendment 3  

Forest Land Conservation Use Property Tax Revisions (HR 51)

Ballot Question:

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to revise provisions related to the subclassification for tax purposes of and the prescribed methodology for establishing the value of forest land conservation use property and related assistance grants, to provide that assistance grants related to forest land conservation use property may be increased by general law for a five-year period and that up to 5 percent of assistance grants may be deducted and retained by the state revenue commissioner to provide for certain state administrative costs, and to provide for the subclassification of qualified timberland property for ad valorem taxation purposes?”

Summary:

The resolution establishes a new class of property to be known as “qualified timberland property,” which is defined as tangible real property with a primary use for the production of trees to produce timber for commercial uses. The purposes of the new property class are to allow the Department of Revenue to appraise the properties and to establish a separate system to appeal appraisals and determinations related to qualified timberland property. There are over 450,000 private forest landowners and this constitutional amendment would support these owners and timber growers involved in the commercial timber business. It would also serve to try and protect and conserve Georgia’s forests. This amendment had an almost unanimous bi-partisan support in both the Georgia House and Senate and was also supported by the Georgia Forestry Association.

I voted: Yes

This is another amendment set to protect Georgia’s forests. When I first read it, I was concerned it would allow for the cutting of trees for lumber in places that was not permitted before. However, this only gives the property already in use for lumber a special tax designation.

http://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/en-US/Display/20172018/HR/51

 

Amendment 4  

Marsy’s Law (SR 146)

Ballot Question:

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to provide certain rights to victims against whom a crime has allegedly been perpetrated and allow victims to assert such rights?”

Summary:

Amendment 4, known as Marsy’s Law (SR 146), is the companion legislation to SB 127 and proposes an amendment to the Georgia Constitution to provide for the constitutional rights to the victims of crime. The rights for the victims are as follows: reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of court proceedings involving the alleged act; reasonable and timely notice upon the release or escape of the accused; inclusion in any scheduled court proceedings; and the opportunity to be heard at any scheduled proceedings involving the release, plea, or sentencing of the accused. These rights do not: create a cause of action against the State of Georgia; confer the right for a victim to appeal, challenge, or provide standing to become a party to a criminal or delinquency proceeding; nor restrict the inherent authority of the courts to maintain order in the courtroom.

I voted: Yes.

You may have seen my Facebook post about my support for this bill. Though similar versions of Marsy’s law have been introduced in other states where they have been met with some questioning the infringement of the accused’s rights, the Georgia version has undergone significant revision and review to try and balance the needs of all involved. I supported Marsy’s Law this past legislative session after speaking with the ACLU and others to ensure that defendant’s rights would not be lessened in any way as we maintain the safety and dignity of victims beyond just being a witness. This constitutional amendment simply codifies what is already standard Georgia law and practice.

http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20172018/SR/146

 

 Amendment 5

 Sales and Use Tax Referendum by a School District (SR 95)

Ballot Question:

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize a referendum for a sales and use tax for education by a county school district or an independent school district or districts within the county having a majority of the students enrolled within the county and to provide that the proceeds are distributed on a per student basis among all the school systems unless an agreement is reached among such school systems for a different distribution?”

Summary:

A “YES” vote would change the requirements needed for an E-SPLOST (education special purpose local option sales tax) to be put on ballots. It would allow a school (or schools) with the majority of students in the district to request one without needing the approval or agreement of all other smaller schools. There have been incidents in the past where smaller schools have essentially held a larger school “hostage” by not agreeing to an E-SPLOST. The end result is that ALL schools would benefit as the proceeds of the tax are to be split between the districts based either on an agreement made between the districts or on a ratio of enrollment.

I voted: I did not vote as this was a 2017 bill and I was not yet elected. However the majority of Democrats voted Yes for this bill.

We have all heard of SPLOTs – these are special penny taxes that counties approve us to raise funds for a specific category of needs. Athens-Clarke recently passed a T-SPLOST for transportation. We currently have 180 school systems throughout the state of Georgia but only 159 counties. That means that some counties have multiple school systems.  For example, Jackson County has three: Commerce, Jefferson and Jackson County Schools.  It also means that Jackson County has three school boards. This amendment permits a school board to request a referendum to put to a vote to the majority of voters in their district for a penny sales tax to raise funds for all the schools in the district – county and independent.

http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20172018/SR/95

  

Referendum A

 Homestead Exemption for Municipalities (HB 820)

Ballot Question:

“Do you approve a new homestead exemption in a municipal corporation that is located in more than one county, that levies a sales tax for the purposes of a metropolitan area system of public transportation, and that has within its boundaries an independent school system, from ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes in the amount of the difference between the current year assessed value of a home and the adjusted base year value, provided that the lowest base year value will be adjusted yearly by 2.6 percent?”

Summary:

A “YES” vote supports the measure to provide a homestead property tax exemption in certain municipalities equal to the difference between the home’s assessed value for the current year and the adjusted base year value of the home. Referendum A adds a new section which allows a homestead exemption from the ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes in an amount equal to the amount by which the current year assessed value exceeds the adjusted base year value of the homestead.

The “adjusted base year value” is defined as either the lowest base year value or, if available, the previous base year value adjusted annually by 2.6 percent plus any change in value. “Lowest base year value” for exemptions first granted in the 2019 tax year is defined as the lowest among the 2016, 2017, and 2018 valuations multiplied by 1.0423, which is the inflation rate for December 2015 through December 2017.

The homestead exemption is available to residents of municipal corporations that are located in more than one county, that levy a sales tax for the purposes of a metropolitan area system of public transportation, and has within its boundaries an independent school system. Municipal corporations meeting this description are also exempted from the requirements placed on municipal authorities for notification of millage rate changes in subsections (c) and (e) of O.C.G.A. 48-5-32.1.

I voted: Yes.

** A homestead exemption protects the value of a home from property taxes and creditors following the death of a homeowner spouse. 58 Democrats in the Georgia House voted “YES”. Only one Democrat voted “NO”. Also this only applies to Atlanta.

http://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/en-US/Display/20172018/HB/820

  

Referendum B

 Tax Exemption for Homes for the Mentally Disabled (HB 196)

Ballot Question:

“Shall the Act be approved which provides an exemption from ad valorem taxes on nonprofit homes for the mentally disabled if they include business corporations in the ownership structure for financing purposes?”

Summary:

The bill is trying to give a tax break to those who are providing financing for a home that will be used by disabled people, but without financial gain for the financer as an incentive. Referendum B proposes expanding the property tax exemption on homes for the mentally disabled to allow for homes which are indirectly owned by limited-liability companies (LLCs) to be included, if the LLC’s parent organization is a qualified 501(c)(3) organization under Internal Revenue Code.

I voted: I did not vote as this was a 2017 bill and I was not yet elected. However the majority of Democrats voted “YES” for this bill and it was co-sponsored by Rep. Spencer Frye (HD118).

When I first read this bill to find out more about it, my biggest concern was that this could be abused. As I looked at the voting history, however, it seems this was a bill that went through some revisions. The final version has a few items of interest that would make me vote FOR this bill.

  1. The language makes it clear that property that is being exempt cannot by property that was only purchased for investment purposes.
  2. The bill also provides a tax break through a homestead exemption for disabled veterans.

** A homestead exemption protects the value of a home from property taxes and creditors following the death of a homeowner spouse.

http://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/en-US/Display/20172018/HB/196

 

Comment (15)

  • Mara| October 12, 2018

    Thank you so much. This was really helpful to answer a couple of questions for me.

  • Patricia Harman| October 13, 2018

    Thanks for the thoughtful analysis. You changed my mind on a few issues and reaffirmed on others.

  • Pat Peterson| October 16, 2018

    Thank you, this is helpful!!

  • Barbara H Rodgers| October 16, 2018

    Thank you so much for explaining these proposed amendments and referenda on tax exemptions, Deborah! I have not seen much about them in the media, even though I have looked. Athens for Everyone did have a very brief guide, but their explanations seemed less clear than yours. This will be a great help to me in voting.

  • Mary Lore| October 17, 2018

    Thank you VERY much for all this detailed information. I appreciate all the research you have done; it has helped me to figure out which items I will support!

  • Lillian| October 17, 2018

    Thanks, this information was very helpful.

  • B. Jones| October 17, 2018

    Thank you. Your analysis on the Marsy’s law (Amendment 4), and the link to see exactly what it said, were particularly helpful.

  • Sandra Assaf| October 18, 2018

    Thank you for posting this information. I just wish I had it before I voted (early voter). It definitely would have changed how I voted. When we lived in California, it was common to receive this type of info well in advance of the voting dates. It is difficult to get a complete picture on the amendments – you have to visit many web sites. I should have visited your site before voting. This will help many people as they go to the polls. Thank you for all your hard work.

  • Sally Ross| October 19, 2018

    I am so glad I found this today as I head out for early voting. I’ve read several opinions on the amendments, but I appreciate your historical background re Georgia prior votes and your logic for your votes. Thanks.

  • Steve Allen| October 19, 2018

    I’m glad somebody is finally talking about the amendments and referenda. I searched and found basically nothing in the major news media, just a recitation of what was written. The only thing I found before this was in the Northside Neighbor, of all places! I’m generally suspicious of amendments but they will all pass, they always do.

  • Limelite| October 21, 2018

    Well done analyses, especially A-2, which is horribly vague and dangerous to due process to even be considered an appropriate amendment.

    I’m concerned — remain undecided — on so-called “Marsy’s Law.” But find myself leaning yes on basis of the two points in its favor that you raise. Again, as written, wording seems vague as to limits on victim’s rights. I was concerned they might abrogate due process for accused. Secondly, I noted that it duplicates existing practices regarding notification, etc. However, I did not know this was not codified. Doing so seems like a good idea to me, on reconsideration.

    I may not be a constituent in your district but I am a supporter of any representative who has done her homework as thoroughly as you have and publishes her thinking to aid all GA voters in making the best decision for all Georgians in this important election. Thank you!

  • P.G.| October 23, 2018

    SOO incredibly helpful. The information I could find on other sites, including the AJC, did not provide a clear analysis of the pros vs. cons of the different measures, just recapped them in slightly less technical language without providing context. This was incredibly useful

  • Mikell R. Gleason| October 30, 2018

    I appreciate the information about the amendments. I can’t seem to find anywhere why these need to be amendments, as opposed to laws or regulations. Why do we need to amend our constitution to make these happen?

  • Peggy| November 4, 2018

    Thank you! I couldn’t understand them at all

  • Lisa| November 5, 2018

    Thank you for clearly explaining the amendments and referendums! I really appreciate you taking the time to document this information and share it with the public.

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