Please remember to mark your calendars for our Governor's Conference on Tourism September 10-12, 2008 in Albany. GACVB, GDEcD and TDAG have joined forces to produce a unified industry conference. There will be valuable content for each of you and I hope you will make plans to join us.

SR 749 sponsored by Chairman Chip Pearson and Senators Chip Rogers, Nancy Schaefer, Judson Hill and Tommie Williams recognizes Tourism Day

HB 1061 sponsored by Chairman Ron Stephens and Representatives Earl Ehrhart, Amos Amerson, Roger Williams, Steve Tumlin and Mark Burkhalter addresses the shipping difficulties for our Georgia Farm Wineries

Last year's shipping bill, HB 393 is still "live"

HB 1074 sponsored by Chairman Larry O'Neal is a place holder regarding hotel tax, but our hotel tax bill was introduced as HB 1094, sponsored by Chairman James Mills and Representatives Ron Stephens, Butch Parrish, Mickey Channell, Richard Royal and Jay Shaw

HB 1088 sponsored by Chairman Butch Parrish and Representatives Ron Stephens, Roger Williams, Vance Smith, Mickey Channell and Earl Ehrhart will provide DOT and GDEcD the ability to develop signage for agricultural tourism attractions. This is in response to your request over the last few years, so please thank our friends for their efforts to address the need for improved signage for our tourists

SB 359 sponsored by Senators Tim Golden, Chip Pearson, Doug Stoner, Jeff Mullis, Don Thomas, Michael Meyer Von Bremen is another bill, similar to SB 343, addressing the importance of showcasing products that are made in Georgia

HB 1059, sponsored by Chairman Charles Martin and Representatives Jeff Lewis, Mike Coan, Kevin Levitas and Earl Ehrhart, and HB 1073, sponsored by Chairman Larry O'Neal, relate to motor vehicle rentals. As many of you know, rental car tax was originally intended for tourism promotion. The current language in Georgia law is almost identical to the original 3% hotel motel tax code section. In Florida, their state tourism office is funded by rental car tax

HB 1129, our Georgia Tourism Development Act from 2007

SB 431, which provides for rights of first refusal to repurchase certain property acquired for purposes of Georgia Golf Hall of Fame, sponsored by Senators Ed Tarver and J.B. Powell

HB 1248 sponsored by Rep. Charlice Byrd mandates that GDEcD create a microsite for intellectual property available for sale or licensing

HB 1255, sponsored by Reps. Jeff May and Len Walker creates a Greater Monroe CVB

HB 1267, sponsored by Reps. Chuck Martin, Jan Jones and Mark Burkhalter, allows for a construction tax credit for performing arts centers

HB 1280, sponsored by Chairman Ron Stephens and Reps. Tim Bearden, Jay Shaw, Jay Roberts and Jeff May amends the REAP legislation, which is administered by DCA

SR 929 recognizes that Thursday, February 28, is Taste of Macon Day

SB 454, sponsored by Senator Renee Unterman - which would authorize the sale of alcoholic beverages in public stadiums, coliseums and auditoriums

HB 1100, this year's revision to the film incentive bill

HB 1318 - State highway system; outdoor advertising signs; provisions

HB 1345 - Stone Mountain Memorial Association; exempt from taxation; clarify

HB 1356 - Alcoholic beverages; local authorization; Sunday sales; provisions

SR 1056 - Natural Resources, Dept of; urged to work in conjunction with Dept. of Economic Development; feasibility of restoring/preserving historic barns

SB 449, sponsored by Senator Bill Heath, further protects the rights of Georgia landowners who wish to allow others to use their property for hunting or other recreational purposes.  Known as the Landowners Protection Act of 2008, the bill would provide property owners immunity from liability when they allow a person to hunt on their land, or when the property owner allows a person to enter their property for "agritourism" purposes, provided the property owner's conduct is not grossly negligent.

HB 1389 - Bainbridge Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Authority; create

HR 1564 - Civil War Heartland Leaders Trail; dedicate
This bill, sponsored by Representatives Bob Smith, Mickey Channell, Bobby Parham, Sistie Hudson, Tom McCall and Barry Fleming officially designates this trail that has been an ongoing marketing co-op effort.