§ 48-8-3 — Exemptions

Georgia § 48-8-3

• Jurisdiction: Georgia
• Title: 48

Text

The sales and use taxes levied or imposed by this article shall not apply to: (1) (A) Sales to the United States government, this state, any county or municipality of this state, fire districts which have elected governing bodies and are supported by, in whole or in part, ad valorem taxes, or any bona fide department of such governments when paid for directly to the seller by warrant on appropriated government funds; or (B) Sales to any authority created by local law enacted by the General Assembly or local constitutional amendment, which authority provides public water or sewer service; (2) Transactions in which tangible personal property is furnished by the United States government or by a county or municipality of this state to any person who contracts to perform services for the governmental entity for the installation, repair, or extension of any public water, gas, or sewage system of the governmental entity when the tangible personal property is installed for general distribution purposes, notwithstanding Code Section 48-8-63 or any other provision of this article. No exemption is granted with respect to tangible personal property installed to serve a particular property site; (3) The federal retailers' excise tax if the tax is billed to the consumer separately from the selling price of the product or from the tax imposed by Article 1 of Chapter 9 of this title relating to motor fuel taxes; (4) Sales by counties and municipalities arising out of their operation of any public transit facility and sales by public transit authorities or charges by counties, municipalities, or public transit authorities for the transportation of passengers upon their conveyances; (5) (A) Fares and charges, except charges for charter and sightseeing service, collected by an urban transit system for the transportation of passengers. (B) As used in this paragraph, the term: (i) "Public transit system primarily urban in character" shall include a transit system operated by any entity which provides passenger transportation services by means of motor vehicles having passenger-carrying capacity within or between standard metropolitan areas and urban areas, as those terms are defined in Code Section 32-2-3 , of this state. (ii) "Urban transit system" means a public transit system primarily urban in character which is operated by a street railroad company or a motor carrier, is subject to the jurisdiction of the Department of Public Safety, and whose fares and charges are regulated by the Department of Public Safety, or is operated pursuant to a franchise contract with a municipality of this state so that its fares and charges are regulated by or are subject to the approval of the municipality. An urban transit system certificate shall be issued by the Department of Public Safety, or by the municipality which has regulatory authority, upon an affirmative showing that the applicant operates an urban transit system. The certificate shall be obtained and filed with the commissioner and shall continue in effect so long as the holder of such certificate qualifies as an urban transit system. Any urban transit system certificate granted prior to January 1, 2002, shall be deemed valid as of the date it was issued; (6) Sales to any hospital authority created by Article 4 of Chapter 7 of Title 31; (6.1) Sales to any housing authority created by Article 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 8, the "Housing Authorities Law"; (6.2) (A) Sales to any local government authority created on or after January 1, 1980, by local law, which authority has as its principal purpose or one of its principal purposes the construction, ownership, or operation of a coliseum and related facilities to be used for athletic contests, games, meetings, trade fairs, expositions, political conventions, agricultural events, theatrical and musical performances, conventions, or other public entertainments or any combination of such purposes. (B) This paragraph shall stand repealed and reserved on December 31, 2029; (6.3) (A) Sales to any agricultural commodities commission created by and regulated pursuant to Chapter 8 of Title 2. (B) This paragraph shall stand repealed and reserved on December 31, 2029; (7) Sales of tangible personal property and services to a nonprofit licensed nursing home, nonprofit licensed in-patient hospice, or a nonprofit general or mental hospital used exclusively by such nursing home, in-patient hospice, or hospital in performing a general nursing home, in-patient hospice, hospital, or mental hospital treatment function in this state when such nursing home, in-patient hospice, or hospital is a tax exempt organization under the Internal Revenue Code and obtains an exemption determination letter from the commissioner; (7.05) (A) Sales of tangible personal property to a nonprofit health center in this state which has been established under the authority of and is receiving funds pursuant to the United States Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 254b if such health clinic obtains an exemption determination letter from the commissioner. (B) (i) For the purposes of this paragraph, the term "local sales and use tax" shall mean any sales tax, use tax, or local sales and use tax which is levied and imposed in an area consisting of less than the entire state, however authorized, including, but not limited to, such taxes authorized by or pursuant to constitutional amendment; by or pursuant to Section 25 of an Act approved March 10, 1965 (Ga. L. 1965, p. 2243), as amended, the "Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Act of 1965"; or by or pursuant to Article 2, 2A, 3, or 4 of this chapter. (ii) The exemption provided for in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall not apply to any local sales and use tax levied or imposed at any time. (C) Notwithstanding Code Sections 48-2-15 , 48-7-60 , and 48-7-61 , any taxpayer seeking to claim the exemption provided for within subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall electronically submit to the department, at the time of application for the exemption and any such annual renewal, the total number of patients treated in the previous calendar year, the average monthly number of full-time employees, and the total amount of exempt purchases made by the taxpayer in the preceding calendar year. The department shall then issue a report to the chairpersons of the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Finance Committee detailing the total number of patients treated, average monthly number of full-time employees, and the total amount of sales and use tax exempted sales for the previous calendar year, by June 30 each year; (7.1) Sales of tangible personal property and services to a nonprofit organization, the primary function of which is the provision of services to intellectually disabled persons, when such organization is a tax exempt organization under the Internal Revenue Code and obtains an exemption determination letter from the commissioner; (7.2) (A) Sales of tangible personal property or services to any chapter of the Georgia State Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution which is tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and obtains an exemption determination letter from the commissioner. (B) This paragraph shall stand repealed and reserved on December 31, 2029; (7.3) (A) Sales of tangible personal property and services to a nonprofit volunteer health clinic which primarily treats indigent persons with incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty level and which property and services are used exclusively by such volunteer health clinic in performing a general treatment function in this state when such volunteer health clinic is a tax exempt organization under the Internal Revenue Code and obtains an exemption determination letter from the commissioner. (B) Notwithstanding Code Sections 48-2-15 , 48-7-60 , and 48-7-61 , any taxpayer seeking to claim the exemption provided for within subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall electronically submit to the department, at the time of application for the exemption and any such annual renewal, the total number of patients treated in the previous calendar year, the average monthly number of full-time employees, and the total amount of exempt purchases made by the taxpayer in the preceding calendar year. The department shall then issue a report to the chairpersons of the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Finance Committee detailing the total number of patients treated, average monthly number of full-time employees, and the total amount of sales and use tax exempted sales for the previous calendar year, by June 30 each year; (8) Sales of tangible personal property and services to the University System of Georgia and its educational units; (9) Sales of tangible personal property and services to be used exclusively for educational purposes by those private colleges and universities in this state whose academic credits are accepted as equivalents by the University System of Georgia and its educational units; (10) Sales of tangible personal property and services to be used exclusively for educational purposes by those bona fide private elementary and secondary schools which have been approved by the commissioner as organizations eligible to receive tax deductible contributions if application for exemption is made to the department and proof of the exemption is established; (11) (A) Sales of tangible personal property or services to, and the purchase of tangible personal property or services by, any educational or cultural institute which: (i) Is tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; (ii) Furnishes at least 50 percent of its programs through universities and other institutions of higher education in support of their educational programs; (iii) Is paid for by government funds of a foreign country; and (iv) Is an instrumentality, agency, department, or branch of a foreign government operating through a permanent location in this state. (B) This paragraph shall stand repealed and reserved on December 31, 2029; (12) Food and food ingredients and prepared food sold and served to pupils and employees of public schools as part of a school lunch program; (13) Sales of prepared food and food and food ingredients consumed by pupils and employees of bona fide private elementary and secondary schools which have been approved by the commissioner as organizations eligible to receive tax deductible contributions when application for exemption is made to the department and proof of the exemption is established; (14) (A) Sales of objects of art and of anthropological, archeological, geological, horticultural, or zoological objects or artifacts and other similar tangible personal property to or for the use by any museum or organization which is tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of such tangible personal property for display or exhibition in a museum within this state when the museum is open to the public and has been approved by the commissioner as an organization eligible to receive tax deductible contributions. (B) This paragraph shall stand repealed and reserved on December 31, 2029; (15) Sales: (A) Of any religious paper in this state when the paper is owned and operated by religious institutions or denominations and no part of the net profit from the operation of the institution or denomination inures to the benefit of any private person; (B) By religious institutions or denominations when: (i) The sale results from a specific charitable fundraising activity; (ii) The number of days upon which the fundraising activity occurs does not exceed 30 in any calendar year; (iii) No part of the gross sales or net profits from the sales inures to the benefit of any private person; and (iv) The gross sales or net profits from the sales are used for the purely charitable purposes of: (I) Relief to the aged; (II) Church related youth activities; (III) Religious instruction or worship; or (IV) Construction or repair of church buildings or facilities; (15.1) (A) Sales of pipe organs or steeple bells to any church which is qualified as an exempt religious organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. (B) This paragraph shall stand repealed on December 31, 2029; (16) The sale or use of Holy Bibles, testaments, and similar books commonly recognized as being Holy Scripture regardless of by or to whom sold; (17) The sale of fuel and supplies for use or consumption aboard ships plying the high seas either in intercoastal trade between ports in this state and ports in other states of the United States or its possessions or in foreign commerce between ports in this state and ports of foreign countries; (18) Charges made for the transportation of tangible personal property except delivery charges by the seller associated with the sale of taxable tangible personal property, including, but not limited to, charges for accessorial services such as refrigeration, switching, storage, and demurrage made in connection with interstate and intrastate transportation of the property; (19) All tangible personal property purchased outside of this state by persons who at the time of purchase are not domiciled in this state but who subsequently become domiciled in this state and bring the property into this state for the first time as a result of the change of domicile, if the property is not brought into this state for use in a trade, business, or profession; (20) The sale of water delivered to consumers through water mains, lines, or pipes; (21) Sales, transfers, or exchanges of tangible personal property made as a result of a business reorganization when the owners, partners, or stockholders of the business being reorganized maintain the same proportionate interest or share in the newly formed business reorganization; (22) Professional, insurance, or personal service transactions which involve sales as inconsequential elements for which no separate charges are made; (23) Fees or charges for services rendered by repairmen for which a separate charge is made; (24) The rental of videotape or motion picture film to any person who charges an admission fee to view such film or videotape; (25) Transportation that is subject to the tax imposed by Article 8 of Chapter 13 of this title; (26) Reserved; (27) Reserved; (28) Reserved; (29) Reserved; (30) (A) The sale of a vehicle to a service connected disabled veteran when the veteran received a grant from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to purchase and specially adapt the vehicle to his or her disability. (B) This paragraph shall stand repealed and reserved on December 31, 2029; (31) The sale of tangible personal property manufactured or assembled in this state for export when delivery is taken outside this state; (32) Aircraft, watercraft, motor vehicles, and other transportation equipment manufactured or assembled in this state when sold by the manufacturer or assembler for use exclusively outside this state and when possession is taken from the manufacturer or assembler by the purchaser within this state for the sole purpose of removing the property from this state under its own power when the equipment does not lend itself more reasonably to removal by other means; (33) (A) The sale of aircraft, watercraft, railroad locomotives and rolling stock, motor vehicles, and major components of each, which will be used principally to cross the borders of this state in the service of transporting passengers or cargo by common carriers and by carriers who hold common carrier and contract carrier authority in interstate or foreign commerce under authority granted by the United States government. Replacement parts installed by carriers in such aircraft, watercraft, railroad locomotives and rolling stock, and motor vehicles which become an integral part of the craft, equipment, or vehicle shall also be exempt from all taxes under this article; (B) In lieu of any tax under this article which would apply to the purchase, sale, use, storage, or consumption of the tangible personal property described in this paragraph but for this exemption, the tax under this article shall apply with respect to all fuel purchased and delivered within this state by or to any common carrier and with respect to all fuel purchased outside this state and stored in this state irrespective, in either case, of the place of its subsequent use; (33.1) Sales of mechanically propelled watercraft by a dealer licensed under this article to an individual who resides outside of this state, provided that: (A) Such watercraft is to be taken immediately by such individual outside of this state and used exclusively outside of this state; and (B) The purchaser provides documentation of his or her residency to the dealer on a form to be prescribed by the commissioner, which shall be filed with the commissioner together with a copy of the bill of sale; (34) Reserved; (34.1) (A) The sale of primary material handling equipment which is used for the handling and movement of tangible personal property and racking systems used for the conveyance and storage of tangible personal property in a warehouse or distribution facility located in this state when such equipment is either part of an expansion worth $5 million or more of an existing warehouse or distribution facility or part of the construction of a new warehouse or distribution facility where the total value of all real and personal property purchased or acquired by the taxpayer for use in the warehouse or distribution facility is worth $5 million or more. (B) In order to qualify for the exemption provided for in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, a warehouse or distribution facility may not make retail sales from such facility to the general public if the total of the retail sales equals or exceeds 15 percent of the total revenues of the warehouse or distribution facility. If retail sales are made to the general public by a warehouse or distribution facility and at any time the total of the retail sales equals or exceeds 15 percent of the total revenues of the facility, the taxpayer will be disqualified from receiving such exemption as of the date such 15 percent limitation is met or exceeded. The taxpayer may be required to repay any tax benefits received under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph on or after that date plus penalty and interest as may be allowed by law; (34.2) (A) The sale or use of machinery or equipment, or both, which is used in the remanufacture of aircraft engines or aircraft engine parts or components in a remanufacturing facility located in this state. For purposes of this paragraph, 'remanufacture of aircraft engines or aircraft engine parts or components' means the substantial overhauling or rebuilding of aircraft engines or aircraft engine parts or components. (B) Any person making a sale of machinery or equipment, or both, for the remanufacture of aircraft engines or aircraft engine parts or components shall collect the tax imposed on the sale by this article unless the purchaser furnishes a certificate issued by the commissioner certifying that the purchaser is entitled to purchase the machinery or equipment without paying the tax. (C) This paragraph shall stand repealed and reserved on December 31, 2029; (34.3) Reserved; (34.4) (A) Notwithstanding any provision of Code Section 48-8-63 to the contrary, sales of tangible personal property to, or used in or for the construction of, an alternative fuel facility primarily dedicated to the production and processing of ethanol, biodiesel, butanol, and their by-products, when such fuels are derived from biomass materials such as agricultural products, or from animal fats, or the wastes of such products or fats. (B) As used in this paragraph, the term: (i) "Alternative fuel facility" means any facility located in this state which is primarily dedicated to the production and processing of ethanol, biodiesel, butanol, and their by-products for sale. (ii) "Used in or for the construction" means any tangible personal property incorporated into a new alternative fuel facility that loses its character of tangible personal property. Such term does not mean tangible personal property that is temporary in nature, leased or rented, tools, or other items not incorporated into the facility. (C) Any person making a sale of tangible personal property for the purpose specified in this paragraph shall collect the tax imposed on this sale unless the purchaser furnishes an exemption certificate issued by the commissioner certifying that the purchaser is entitled to purchase the tangible personal property without payment of tax. (D) Any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or any other entity or person that qualifies for this exemption must conduct at least a majority of its business with entities or persons with which it has no affiliation. (E) The exemption provided for under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall not apply to sales of tangible personal property that occur after the production and processing of biodiesel, ethanol, butanol, and their by-products have begun at the alternative fuel facility. (F) The exemption provided for under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall apply only to sales occurring during the period July 1, 2007, through June 30, 2012. (G) The commissioner shall promulgate any rules and regulations necessary to implement and administer this paragraph; (35) Reserved; (36) (A) The sale of machinery and equipment and any repair, replacement, or component parts for such machinery and equipment which is used for the primary purpose of reducing or eliminating air or water pollution; (B) Any person making a sale of machinery and equipment or repair, replacement, or component parts for such machinery and equipment for the purposes specified in this paragraph shall collect the tax imposed on the sale by this article unless the purchaser furnishes a certificate issued by the commissioner certifying that the purchaser is entitled to purchase the machinery and equipment or repair, replacement, or component parts for such machinery and equipment without paying the tax. (C) This paragraph shall stand repealed and reserved on December 31, 2029; (36.1) (A) The sale of machinery and equipment which is incorporated into any qualified water conservation facility and used for water conservation. (B) As used in this paragraph, the term: (i) "Qualified water conservation facility" means any facility, including buildings, and any machinery and equipment used in the water conservation process resulting in a minimum 10 percent reduction in permit by relinquishment or transfer of annual permitted water usage from existing permitted ground-water sources. In addition, such facility shall have been certified pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the Department of Natural Resources as necessary to promote its ground-water management efforts for areas with a multiyear record of consumption at, near, or above sustainable use signaled by declines in ground-water pressure, threats of salt-water intrusion, need to develop alternate sources to accommodate economic growth and development, or any other indication of growing inadequacy of the existing resource. (ii) "Water conservation" means a minimum 10 percent reduction resulting in the relinquishment of transfer of annual permitted water usage from existing ground-water sources due to increased manufacturing process efficiencies or recycling of manufacturing process water which results in reduced ground-water usage, or a change from a ground-water source to a surface-water source or an alternate source. (C) Any person making a sale of machinery and equipment for the purposes specified in this paragraph shall collect the tax imposed on this sale unless the purchaser furnishes such person with a certificate issued by the commissioner certifying that the purchaser is entitled to purchase the machinery and equipment without paying the tax; (37) Reserved; (38) (A) Sales of tangible personal property and fees and charges for services by the Rock Eagle 4-H Center. (B) This paragraph shall stand repealed and reserved on December 31, 2029; (39) Sales by any public or private school containing any combination of grades kindergarten through 12 of tangible personal property, concessions, or tickets for admission to a school event or function, provided that the net proceeds from such sales are used solely for the benefit of such public or private school or its students; (39.1) The use of cargo containers and their related chassis which are owned by or leased to persons engaged in the international shipment of cargo by ocean-going vessels which containers and chassis are directly used for the storage and shipment of tangible personal property in or through this state in intrastate or interstate commerce; (40) The sale of major components and repair parts installed in military craft, vehicles, and missiles; (41) (A) Sales of tangible personal property and services to a child-caring institution as defined in paragraph (1) of Code Section 49-5-3 , as amended; a child-placing agency as defined in paragraph (2) of Code Section 49-5-3 , as amended; or a maternity home as defined in paragraph (14) of Code Section 49-5-3 , as amended, when such institution, agency, or home is engaged primarily in providing child services and is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and obtains an exemption determination letter from the commissioner; and (B) Sales by an institution, agency, or home as described in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph when: (i) The sale results from a specific charitable fundraising activity; (ii) The number of days upon which the fundraising activity occurs does not exceed 30 in any calendar year; (iii) No part of the gross sales or net profits from the sales inures to the benefit of any private person; and (iv) The gross sales or net profits from the sales are used purely for charitable purposes in providing child services; (42) The use by, or lease or rental of tangible personal property to, a person who acquires the property from another person where both persons are under 100 percent common ownership and where the person who furnishes, leases, or rents the property has: (A) Previously paid sales or use tax on the property; or (B) Been credited under Code Section 48-8-42 with paying a sales or use tax on the property so furnished, leased, or rented, and the tax credited is based upon the fair rental or lease value of the property; (43) Gross revenues generated from all bona fide coin operated amusement machines which vend or dispense music or are operated for skill, amusement, entertainment, or pleasure which are in commercial use and are provided to the public for play which will require a permit fee under Chapter 27 of Title 50; (44) Sales of motor vehicles, as defined in Code Section 48-5-440 , to nonresident purchasers for immediate transportation to and use in another state in which the vehicles are required to be registered, provided the seller obtains from the purchaser and retains an affidavit stating the name and address of the purchaser, the state in which the vehicle will be registered and operated, the make, model, and serial number of the vehicle, and such other information as the commissioner may require; (45) The sale, use, storage, or consumption of paper stock which is manufactured in this state into catalogs intended to be delivered outside this state for use outside this state; (46) Sales to blood banks and organ procurement organizations as defined in Code Section 44-5-141 having a nonprofit status pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Each organ procurement organization exempt under this paragraph shall submit an annual report to the Department of Community Health which includes the number of donors and transplants facilitated by such organization in the organization's previous fiscal year; (47) (A) (i) The sale or use of drugs which are lawfully dispensable only by prescription for the treatment of natural persons, the sale or use of insulin regardless of whether the insulin is dispensable only by prescription, and the sale or use of prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses including, without limitation, prescription contact lenses distributed by the manufacturer to licensed dispensers as free samples not intended for resale and labeled as such; and (ii) The sale or use of drugs lawfully dispensable by prescription for the treatment of natural persons which are dispensed or distributed without charge to physicians, dentists, clinics, hospitals, or any other person or entity located in Georgia by a pharmaceutical manufacturer or distributor; and the use of drugs and durable medical equipment lawfully dispensed or distributed without charge solely for the purposes of a clinical trial approved by either the United States Food and Drug Administration or by an institutional review board. (B) For purposes of this paragraph, the term: (i) "Drug" means the same as provided in Code Section 48-8-2 but shall not include over-the-counter drugs or tobacco. (ii) "Institutional review board" means an institutional review board as provided in 21 C.F.R. Section 56 . (C) The commissioner is authorized to prescribe forms and promulgate rules and regulations deemed necessary in order to administer and effectuate this paragraph; (48) (A) Sales to licensed commercial fishermen of bait for taking crabs and the use by licensed commercial fishermen of bait for taking crabs. (B) This paragraph shall stand repealed and reserved on December 31, 2029; (49) Reserved; (49.1) (A) From July 1, 2008, until June 30, 2010, the sale or use of liquefied petroleum gas or other fuel used in a structure in which swine are raised. (B) (i) For the purposes of this paragraph, the term "local sales and use tax" shall mean any sales tax, use tax, or local sales and use tax which is levied and imposed in an area consisting of less than the entire state, however authorized, including, but not limited to, such taxes authorized by or pursuant to constitutional amendment; by or pursuant to Section 25 of an Act approved March 10, 1965 (Ga. L. 1965, p. 2243), as amended, the "Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Act of 1965"; by or pursuant to Article 2 of this chapter; by or pursuant to Article 2A of this chapter; by or pursuant to Part 1 of Article 3 of this chapter; by or pursuant to Part 2 of Article 3 of this chapter; and by or pursuant to Article 4 of this chapter. (ii) The exemption provided for in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall not apply to any local sales and use tax levied or imposed at any time; (50) Sales of insulin syringes and blood glucose level measuring strips dispensed without a prescription; (51) Sales of oxygen prescribed by a licensed physician; (52) The sale or use of hearing aids; (53) Sales transactions for which food stamps or WIC coupons are used as the medium of exchange; (54) The sale or use of any durable medical equipment that is sold or used pursuant to a prescription or prosthetic device that is sold or used pursuant to a prescription; (55) The sale of lottery tickets authorized by Chapter 27 of Title 50; (56) (A) Sales by any parent-teacher organization qualified as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. (B) This paragraph shall stand repealed and reserved on December 31, 2029; (57) (A) The sale of food and food ingredients to an individual consumer for off-premises human consumption, to the extent provided in this paragraph. (B) For the purposes of this paragraph, the term "food and food ingredients" as defined in Code Section 48-8-2 shall not include prepared food, drugs, or over-the-counter drugs. (C) The exemption provided for in this paragraph shall not apply to the sale or use of food and food ingredients when purchased for any use in the operation of a business. (D) (i) Except in counties in which a tax authorized under Part 1 of Article 3 of this chapter in connection with an equalized homestead option sales tax pursuant to Part 2 of Article 2A of this chapter is imposed, the exemption provided for in this paragraph shall not apply to any local sales and use tax levied or imposed at any time. (ii) For the purposes of this subparagraph, the term "local sales and use tax" shall mean any sales tax, use tax, or local sales and use tax which is levied and imposed in an area consisting of less than the entire state, however authorized, including, but not limited to, such taxes authorized by or pursuant to constitutional amendment; by or pursuant to Section 25 of an Act approved March 10, 1965 (Ga. L. 1965, p. 2243), as amended, the "Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Act of 1965"; or by or pursuant to any article of this chapter but shall not mean a tax authorized under Part 1 of Article 3 of this chapter in connection with an equalized homestead option sales tax pursuant to Part 2 of Article 2A of this chapter. (E) The commissioner shall adopt rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this paragraph; (57.1) (A) Sales of food and food ingredients to a qualified food bank. (B) As used in this paragraph, the term "qualified food bank" means any food bank which is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and which is operated primarily for the purpose of providing hunger relief to low-income persons residing in this state. (C) Notwithstanding Code Sections 48-2-15 , 48-7-60 , and 48-7-61 , any taxpayer seeking to claim the exemption provided for within subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall electronically submit to the department, at the time of application for the exemption and any such annual renewal, the total number of clients served in the previous calendar year, total pounds of food donated by retailers, and total amount of exempt purchases made in the preceding year. The department shall then issue a report to the chairpersons of the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Finance Committee detailing the total number of clients served, total pounds of food donated by retailers, and total amount of sales and use tax exempted sales for the previous calendar year, by June 30 each year. (D) The commissioner is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations deemed necessary in order to administer and effectuate this paragraph; (57.2) (A) The use of food and food ingredients donated to a qualified nonprofit agency and used for hunger relief or disaster relief purposes. (B) As used in this paragraph, the term "qualified nonprofit agency" means any entity which is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and which provides hunger relief. (C) For the purposes of this paragraph, the term "food and food ingredients" as defined in Code Section 48-8-2 shall not include drugs or over-the-counter drugs. (D) The commissioner is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations deemed necessary in order to administer and effectuate this paragraph; (57.3) (A) The use of food and food ingredients which is donated following a natural disaster and which is used for disaster relief purposes. (B) For the purposes of this paragraph, the term "food and food ingredients" as defined in Code Section 48-8-2 shall not include drugs or over-the-counter drugs. (C) The commissioner is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations deemed necessary in order to administer and effectuate this paragraph; (58) Reserved; (59) (A) Sales of food and food ingredients to and by member councils of the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. in connection with fundraising activities of any such council. (B) Sales of food and food ingredients to and by member councils of the Boy Scouts of America in connection with fundraising activities of any such council; (60) (A) The sale of machinery and equipment which is incorporated into any telecommunications manufacturing facility and used for the primary purpose of improving air quality in advanced technology clean rooms of Class 100,000 or less, provided such clean rooms are used directly in the manufacture of tangible personal property. (B) This paragraph shall stand repealed and reserved on December 31, 2029; (61) Printed advertising inserts or advertising supplements distributed in this state in or as part of any newspaper for resale; (62) The sale of grass sod of all kinds and character when such sod is in the original state of production or condition of preparation for sale. The exemption provided for by this paragraph shall only apply to a sale made by the sod producer, a member of such producer's family, or an employee of such producer. The exemption provided for by this paragraph shall not apply to sales of grass sod by a person engaged in the business of selling plants, seedlings, nursery stock, or floral products; (63) (A) The sale or use of funeral merchandise, outer burial containers, and cemetery markers as defined in Code Section 43-18-1 , which are purchased with funds received from the Georgia Crime Victims Emergency Fund under Chapter 15 of Title 17. (B) This paragraph shall stand repealed and reserved on December 31, 2029; (64) Reserved; (65) (A) Sales of dyed diesel fuel exclusively used to operate vessels or boats in the commercial fishing trade by licensed commercial fishermen. (B) Any person making a sale of dyed diesel fuel for the purposes specified in this paragraph shall collect the tax imposed on the sale by this article unless the purchaser furnishes such person with a certificate issued by the commissioner certifying that the purchaser is entitled to purchase the dyed diesel fuel without paying the tax. (C) This paragraph shall stand repealed and reserved on December 31, 2029; (66) Sales of gold, silver, or platinum bullion or any combination of such bullion, provided that the dealer maintains proper documentation, as specified by rule or regulation to be promulgated by the department, to identify each sale or portion of a sale which is exempt under this paragraph; (67) (A) Sales of coins or currency or a combination of coins and currency, provided that the dealer maintains proper documentation, as specified by rule or regulation to be promulgated by the department, to identify each sale or portion of a sale which is exempt under this paragraph. (B) This paragraph shall stand repealed and reserved on December 31, 2029; (68) (A) The sale or lease of computer equipment to be incorporated into a facility or facilities in this state to any high-technology company classified under the 2017 North American Industrial Classification System code 334413, 334614, 511210, 517311, 517312, 517410, 517911, 517919, 518210, 522320, 541330, 541511, 541512, 541513, 541519, 541713, 541715, or 541720 where such sale of computer equipment for any calendar year exceeds $15 million or, in the event of a lease of such computer equipment, the fair market value of such leased computer equipment for any calendar year exceeds $15 million. (B) Any person making a sale or lease of computer equipment to a high-technology company as specified in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall collect the tax imposed on the sale by this article unless the purchaser furnishes such seller with a certificate issued by the commissioner certifying that the purchaser is entitled to purchase the computer equipment without paying the tax. As a condition precedent to the issuance of the certificate, the commissioner, at such commissioner's discretion, may require a good and valid bond with a surety company authorized to do business in this state as surety or may require legal securities, in an amount fixed by the commissioner, conditioned upon payment by the purchaser of all taxes due under this article in the event it should be determined that the sale fails to meet the requirements of this subparagraph. (C) (i) As used in this paragraph, the term "computer equipment" means any individual computer or organized assembly of hardware or software, such as a server farm, mainframe or midrange computer, mainframe driven high-speed print and mailing devices, and workstations connected to those devices via high bandwidth connectivity such as a local area network, wide area network, or any other data transport technology which performs one of the following functions: storage or management of production data, hosting of production applications, hosting of application systems development activities, or hosting of applications systems testing. (ii) The term shall not include: (I) Telephone central office equipment or other voice data transport technology, including any wireline or wireless telecommunication system; or (II) Equipment with imbedded computer hardware or software which is primarily used for training, product testing, or in a manufacturing process. (D) Any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or any other similar entity which qualifies for the exemption and is affiliated in any manner with a nonqualified corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or any other similar entity must conduct at least a majority of its business with entities with which it has no affiliation. (E) Each high-technology company that has been issued a certificate of exemption pursuant to this paragraph shall report annually to the commissioner a list of the facilities for which all computer equipment exempted by this paragraph during the preceding calendar year was incorporated, as well as the amount of taxes exempted under this paragraph during the preceding calendar year. Such report shall be filed within 90 days after the end of the calendar year for which the high-technology company utilized a certificate of exemption pursuant to this paragraph and shall be subject to the confidentiality provisions of Code Section 48-2-15 . The commissioner shall not issue a certificate of exemption under this paragraph for the calendar year next succeeding the reporting date to any high-technology company that has failed to comply with the reporting required by this subparagraph. (F) The commissioner shall promulgate such rules and regulations as are necessary to implement the provisions of this paragraph. (G) This paragraph shall stand repealed and reserved by operation of law at the last moment of December 31, 2023; (68.1) (A) For the period commencing on July 1, 2018, and ending on December 31, 2031, high-technology data center equipment to be incorporated or used in a high-technology data center that meets the high-technology data center minimum investment threshold and other conditions provided in this paragraph. (B) Any person making a sale or lease of high-technology data center equipment shall collect the tax imposed on such sale by this article unless the purchaser furnishes such seller with a certificate issued by the commissioner certifying that such sale or lease is exempted pursuant to this paragraph. (C) (i) The commissioner shall not issue a certificate of exemption from sales and use tax to a high-technology data center or high-technology data center customer as provided in this paragraph unless the commissioner makes a determination that the high-technology data center will more likely than not meet the high-technology data center minimum investment threshold. (ii) The commissioner may require any information necessary to determine if such high-technology data center is in compliance with its investment budgeting plan to meet the high-technology data center minimum investment threshold. (iii) (I) Within 60 days after the end of the seventh year following its exemption start date, a high-technology data center shall file a final report with the commissioner listing the expenditures incurred that count toward its minimum investment threshold, the number of new quality jobs created, and any other information that the commissioner may reasonably require to determine whether the high-technology data center has met the minimum investment threshold. (II) If the commissioner determines that a high-technology data center failed to meet its high-technology data center minimum investment threshold, such high-technology data center shall be required to repay all taxes exempted or refunded pursuant to its certificate of exemption issued pursuant to this paragraph within 90 days after notification of such failure. Interest shall be due with such repayment at the rate specified in Code Section 48-2-40 computed from the date such taxes would have been due but for this exemption. Such repayment shall be calculated notwithstanding otherwise applicable periods of limitation for assessment of taxes under Code Section 48-2-49 . (iv) (I) As a condition precedent to the issuance of a certificate of exemption, the commissioner, at his or her discretion, may require a good and valid bond with a surety company authorized to do business in this state, in an amount fixed by the commissioner not to exceed $20 million. The commissioner shall consider past performance and in-state investment when determining the value of the bond, if one is required. (II) The bond that may be required by this division shall be forfeited and paid to the general fund in an amount representing all taxes and interest required to be repaid pursuant to division (iii) of this subparagraph if the high-technology data center fails to meet the high-technology data center minimum investment threshold prior to the expiration of the seven-year period. (v) The commissioner shall have the authority to revoke the certificate of exemption at any time he or she believes that the high-technology data center is not likely to meet its high-technology minimum investment threshold. (vi) Each high-technology data center that has been issued a certificate of exemption pursuant to this paragraph shall provide a list of high-technology data center customers that are deploying high-technology data center equipment in its facility and shall notify the commissioner within 30 days of any change to the list. (D) (i) The commissioner shall require annual reporting by the high-technology data center of the amount of taxes exempted under this paragraph, the number of new quality jobs, and the total payroll resulting from construction, maintenance, and operation in and on its facility during the preceding year. (ii) The commissioner shall issue an annual report to the chairperson of the Senate Finance Committee and the chairperson of the House Committee on Ways and Means concerning the exemption allowed by this paragraph. Notwithstanding the confidentiality provisions of Code Section 48-2-15 , such report shall include, for the prior calendar year for each high-technology data center issued a certificate of exemption pursuant to this paragraph, the amount of tax exempted and the number of new quality jobs created by each high-technology data center. (E) The commissioner shall promulgate such rules and regulations as are necessary to implement the provisions of this paragraph. (F) A high-technology data center shall not be entitled to claim any credit authorized under Code Sections 48-7-40 through 48-7-40.33 or Code Section 36-62-5.1 on its tax return if it has received a certificate of exemption from the commissioner pursuant to this paragraph. If a determination is made by the commissioner pursuant to division (iii) of subparagraph (C) of this paragraph that the high-technology data center must repay all taxes exempted or refunded pursuant to this paragraph, such high-technology data center may file amended income tax returns claiming any credit to which it would have been entitled under the foregoing Code sections but for having claimed the exemption under this paragraph. (G) As used in this paragraph, the term: (i) "Exemption start date" means the date on or after July 1, 2018, chosen by the high-technology data center and indicated on its application filed on or after January 1, 2019, which begins the seven-year period during which the minimum investment threshold must be met. A refund claim must be filed for taxes paid on purchases qualifying for this exemption for any period on or after July 1, 2018, during which the high-technology data center has not yet applied for and received its certificate of exemption from the commissioner. (ii) "High-technology data center" means a facility, campus of facilities, or array of interconnected facilities in this state that is developed to power, cool, secure, and connect its own equipment or the computer equipment of high-technology data center customers and that has an investment budget plan which meets the high-technology data center minimum investment threshold. (iii) "High-technology data center customer" means a client, tenant, licensee, or end user of a high-technology data center that signs at least a 36 month contract for service with the high-technology data center. (iv) "High-technology data center equipment" means computer equipment as defined in paragraph (68) of this Code section of a high-technology data center or such equipment of a high-technology data center customer to be used or deployed in the high-technology data center; and the materials, components, machinery, hardware, software, or equipment, including, but not limited to, emergency backup generators, air handling units, cooling towers, energy storage or energy efficiency technology, switches, power distribution units, switching gear, peripheral computer devices, routers, batteries, wiring, cabling, or conduit, which equipment or materials are used to: (I) Create, manage, facilitate, or maintain the physical and digital environments for computer equipment; (II) Protect the high-technology data center equipment from physical, environmental, or digital threats; or (III) Generate or provide constant delivery of power, environmental conditioning, air cooling, or telecommunications services for the high-technology data center. Such term shall not include real property as defined in Code Section 48-8-3.2 . A high-technology data center may not count high-technology data center equipment that it purchases or that is purchased by the high-technology data center customer and subsequently leased to another party more than once for purposes of satisfying the high-technology data center minimum investment threshold. (v) "High-technology data center minimum investment threshold" means: (I) For high-technology data centers located in a county in this state having a population greater than 50,000 according to the United States decennial census of 2010 or any future such census, the creation of 25 new quality jobs and $250 million in aggregate expenditures incurred over any consecutive seven-year period between July 1, 2018, and December 31, 2031, on the design and construction of the high-technology data center and high-technology data center equipment to be used or incorporated in the high-technology data center; (II) For high-technology data centers located in a county in this state having a population greater than 30,000 and less than 50,001 according to the United States decennial census of 2010 or any future such census, the creation of ten new quality jobs and $75 million in aggregate expenditures incurred over any consecutive seven-year period between July 1, 2018, and December 31, 2031, on the design and construction of the high-technology data center and high-technology data center equipment to be used or incorporated in the high-technology data center; and (III) For high-technology data centers located in a county in this state having a population less than 30,001 according to the United States decennial census of 2010 or any future such census, the creation of five new quality jobs and $25 million in aggregate expenditures incurred over any consecutive seven-year period between July 1, 2018, and December 31, 2031, on the design and construction of the high-technology data center and high-technology data center equipment to be used or incorporated in the high-technology data center. (vi) "New quality jobs" shall have the same meaning as provided in paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of Code Section 48-7-40.17 . (H) This paragraph shall stand repealed by operation of law on January 1, 2032; (69) The sale of machinery, equipment, and materials incorporated into and used in the construction or operation of a clean room of Class 100 or less in this state, not to include the building or any permanent, nonremovable component of the building that houses such clean room, provided that such clean room is used directly in the manufacture of tangible personal property in this state; (70) (A) For the purposes of this paragraph, the term "local sales and use tax" shall mean any sales tax, use tax, or local sales and use tax which is levied and imposed in an area consisting of less than the entire state, however authorized, including, but not limited to, such taxes authorized by or pursuant to constitutional amendment; by or pursuant to Section 25 of an Act approved March 10, 1965 (Ga. L. 1965, p. 2243), as amended, the "Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Act of 1965"; by or pursuant to Article 2 of this chapter; by or pursuant to Article 2A of this chapter; by or pursuant to Part 1 of Article 3 of this chapter; or by or pursuant to Part 2 of Article 3 of this chapter. (B) The sale of natural or artificial gas used directly in the production of electricity which is subsequently sold. (C) The exemption provided for in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph shall not apply to any local sales and use tax levied or imposed at any time. (D) The commissioner shall adopt rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this paragraph; (70.1) (A) For the period commencing July 1, 2008, and concluding on December 31, 2010, the sale of natural or artificial gas, No. 2 fuel oil, No. 6 fuel oil, propane, petroleum coke, and coal used directly or indirectly in the manufacture or processing, in a manufacturing plant located in this state, of tangible personal property primarily for resale, and the fuel cost recovery component of retail electric rates used directly or indirectly in the manufacture or processing, in a manufacturing plant located in this state, of tangible personal property primarily for resale. (B) The exemption provided for in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall not apply to the first $7.60 per decatherm of the sales price or cost price of natural or artificial gas, the first $2.48 per gallon of the sales price or cost price of No. 2 fuel oil, the first $1.72 per gallon of the sales price or cost price of No. 6 fuel oil, the first $1.44 per gallon of the sales price or cost price of propane, the first $57.90 per ton of petroleum coke, the first $57.90 per ton of coal, or the first 3.44¢ per kilowatt hour of the fuel cost recovery component of retail electricity rates whether such fuel recovery charges are charged separately or are embedded in such electric rates. Dealers with such embedded rates may exempt from the electricity sales upon which the sales tax is calculated no more than the amount, if any, by which the fuel cost recovery charge approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission for transmission customers of electric utilities regulated by the Georgia Public Service Commission exceeds 3.44¢ per kilowatt hour. (C) (i) For the purposes of this paragraph, the term "local sales and use tax" shall mean any sales tax, use tax, or local sales and use tax which is levied and imposed in an area consisting of less than the entire state, however authorized, including, but not limited to, such taxes authorized by or pursuant to constitutional amendment; by or pursuant to Section 25 of an Act approved March 10, 1965 (Ga. L. 1965, p. 2243), as amended, the "Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Act of 1965"; or by or pursuant to Article 2, 2A, 3, or 4 of this chapter. (ii) The exemption provided for in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall not apply to any local sales and use tax levied or imposed at any time. (D) Any person making a sale of items qualifying for exemption under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall be relieved of the burden of proving such qualification if the person receives in good faith a certificate from the purchaser certifying that the purchase is exempt under this paragraph. (E) Any person who qualifies for this exemption shall notify and certify to the person making the qualified sale that this exemption is applicable to the sale; (71) (A) Sales to or by any nonprofit organization which has as its primary purpose the raising of funds for books, materials, and programs for public libraries if such organization qualifies as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. (B) This paragraph shall stand repealed and reserved on December 31, 2029; (72) (A) The sale or use of all mobility enhancing equipment prescribed by a physician. (B) This paragraph shall stand repealed and reserved on December 31, 2029; (73) Reserved; (74) (A) (i) Except as otherwise provided in divisions (ii) and (iii) of this subparagraph, the sale or use of digital broadcast equipment sold to, leased to, or used by a federally licensed commercial or public radio or television broadcast station, a cable network, or a cable distributor that enables a radio or television station, cable network, or cable distributor to originate and broadcast or transmit or to receive and broadcast or transmit digital signals, including, but not limited to, digital broadcast equipment required by the Federal Communications Commission. (ii) For commercial or public television broadcasters and cable distributors, such equipment shall be limited to antennas, transmission lines, towers, digital transmitters, studio to transmitter links, digital routing switchers, character generators, Advanced Television Systems Committee video encoders and multiplexers, monitoring facilities, cameras, terminal equipment, tape recorders, and file servers. (iii) For radio broadcasters, such equipment shall be limited to transmitters, digital audio processors, and diskettes. (B) As used in this paragraph, the term: (i) "Digital broadcast equipment" means equipment purchased, leased, or used for the origination or integration of program materials for broadcast over the airwaves or transmission by cable, satellite, or fiber optic line which uses or produces an electronic signal where the signal carries data generated, stored, and processed as strings of binary data. Data transmitted or stored as digital data consists of strings of positive or nonpositive elements of a transmission expressed in strings of 0's and 1's which a computer or processor can reconstruct as an electronic signal. (ii) "Federally licensed commercial or public radio or television broadcast station" means any entity or enterprise, either commercial or noncommercial, which operates under a license granted by the Federal Communications Commission for the purpose of free distribution of audio and video services when the distribution occurs by means of transmission over the public airwaves. (C) The exemption provided under this paragraph shall not apply to any of the following: (i) Repair or replacement parts purchased for the equipment described in this paragraph; (ii) Equipment purchased to replace equipment for which an exemption was previously claimed and taken under this paragraph; (iii) Any equipment purchased after a television station, cable network, or cable distributor has ceased analog broadcasting, or purchased after November 1, 2004, whichever occurs first; or (iv) Any equipment purchased after a radio station has ceased analog broadcasting, or purchased after November 1, 2008, whichever occurs first. (D) Any person making a sale of digital broadcasting equipment to a federally licensed commercial or public radio or television broadcast station, cable network, or cable distributor shall collect the tax imposed on the sale by this article unless the purchaser furnishes a certificate issued by the commissioner certifying that the purchaser is entitled to purchase the equipment without paying the tax; (75) (A) The sale of eligible property. The exemption provided by this paragraph applies only to sales occurring during the period commencing at 12:01 A.M. on July 30, 2016, and concluding at 12:00 Midnight on July 31, 2016. (B) As used in this paragraph, the term: (i) "Clothing" means all human wearing apparel suitable for general use and includes footwear. The term "clothing" excludes belt buckles sold separately; costume masks sold separately; patches and emblems sold separately; sewing equipment and supplies, including but not limited to knitting needles, patterns, pins, scissors, sewing machines, sewing needles, tape measures, and thimbles; sewing materials that become part of clothing, including but not limited to buttons, fabric, lace, thread, yarn, and zippers; and clothing accessories or equipment. (ii) "Clothing accessories or equipment" means incidental items worn on the person or in conjunction with clothing. (iii) "Computer" means an electronic device that accepts information in digital or similar form and manipulates it for a result based on a sequence of instructions. The term "computer" excludes cellular phones. (iv) "Computer software" means a set of coded instructions designed to cause a computer or automatic data processing equipment to perform a task. (v) "Eligible property" means: (I) Articles of clothing with a sales price of $100.00 or less per item; (II) Computers, computer components, and prewritten computer software purchased for noncommercial home or personal use with a sales price of $1,000.00 or less per item; and (III) School supplies, school art supplies, school computer supplies, and school instructional materials purchased for noncommercial use with a sales price of $20.00 or less per item. (vi) "Prewritten computer software" means computer software, including prewritten upgrades, which is not designed and developed by the author or other creator to the specifications of a specific purchaser. The combining of two or more prewritten computer software programs or prewritten portions thereof does not cause the combination to be other than prewritten computer software. Prewritten computer software includes software designed and developed by the author or other creator to the specifications of a specific purchaser when it is sold to a person other than the specific purchaser. Where a person modifies or enhances computer software of which the person is not the author or creator, the person shall be deemed to be the author or creator only of such person's modifications or enhancements. Prewritten computer software or a prewritten portion thereof that is modified or enhanced to any degree, where such modification or enhancement is designed and developed to the specifications of a specific purchaser, remains prewritten computer software; provided, however, that, where there is a reasonable, separately stated charge or an invoice or other statement of the price given to the purchaser for such modification or enhancement, such modification or enhancement shall not constitute prewritten computer software. (vii) "School art supply" means an item commonly used by a student in a course of study for artwork. (viii) "School computer supply" means an item commonly used by a student in a course of study in which a computer is used. (ix) "School instructional material" means written material commonly used by a student in a course of study as a reference and to learn the subject being taught. (x) "School supply" means an item commonly used by a student in a course of study. (C) The commissioner shall promulgate any rules and regulations necessary to implement and administer this paragraph including but not be limited to a list of those articles and items qualifying for the exemption pursuant to this paragraph; (76) (A) The sale or use of tangible personal property used for or in the renovation or expansion of an aquarium located in this state that charges for admission and that is owned or operated by an organization which is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, to the extent provided in this paragraph. (B) This exemption shall apply from July 1, 2023, until December 31, 2026, or until the aggregate sales and use tax refunded pursuant to this paragraph exceeds $4.5 million, whichever occurs first. A qualifying aquarium must pay sales and use tax on all purchases and uses of tangible personal property and may obtain the benefit of this exemption from sales and use tax by filing a claim for refund of tax paid on qualifying items. All refunds made pursuant to this paragraph will not include interest. (C) Notwithstanding any provision of Code Section 48-8-63 to the contrary, purchases by a contractor may qualify for the exemption provided for in this paragraph. However, when a contractor purchases qualifying tangible personal property, the contractor shall pay the tax at the time of purchase or at the time of first use in this state; and the ultimate owner of the property may file a claim for refund of the tax paid on the qualifying property. (D) Items qualifying for exemption include all tangible personal property that will remain at the aquarium facility after completion of construction and all tangible personal property that becomes incorporated into the real property structures of the aquarium facility. The exemption excludes all items that remain tangible personal property in the possession of a contractor after the completion of construction. (E) Notwithstanding Code Sections 48-2-15 , 48-7-60 , and 48-7-61 , by June 30 each year, any taxpayer seeking to claim the exemption provided for in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall electronically submit to the department, at the time of application for the exemption and any such annual renewal, the total number of visitors admitted, the average monthly number of full-time employees, and the total amount of exempt purchases made by the taxpayer in the preceding calendar year. The department shall then issue a report to the chairpersons of the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Finance Committee containing such information; (77) Reserved; (78) (A) Notwithstanding any provision of Code Section 48-8-63 to the contrary, from May 5, 2004, until September 1, 2011, sales of tangible personal property used in direct connection with the construction of a new symphony hall facility owned or operated by an organization which is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code if the aggregate construction cost of such facility is $200 million or more. (B) Any person making a sale of tangible personal property for the purpose specified in this paragraph shall collect the tax imposed on this sale unless the purchaser furnishes such person with an exemption determination letter issued by the commissioner certifying that the purchaser is entitled to purchase the tangible personal property without paying the tax; (79) Reserved; (80) (A) Notwithstanding any provision of Code Section 48-8-63 to the contrary, from May 17, 2004, until December 31, 2007, sales of tangible personal property to, or used in or for the new construction of an eligible corporate attraction. (B) As used in this paragraph, the term "corporate attraction" means any tourist attraction facility constructed on or after May 17, 2004, dedicated to the history and products of a corporation which costs exceeds $50 million, is greater than 60,000 square feet of space, and has associated facilities, including but not limited to parking decks and landscaping owned by the same owner as the eligible corporate attraction. (C) Any person making a sale of tangible personal property for the purpose specified in this paragraph shall collect the tax imposed on this sale unless the purchaser furnishes such person with an exemption determination letter issued by the commissioner certifying that the purchaser is entitled to purchase the tangible personal property without paying the tax; (81) The sale of food and food ingredients to a qualifying airline for service to passengers and crew in the aircraft, whether in flight or on the ground, and the furnishing without charge of food and food ingredients to qualifying airline passengers and crew in the aircraft, whether in flight or on the ground; and for purposes of this paragraph a "qualifying airline" shall mean any person which is authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration or appropriate agency of the United States to operate as an air carrier under an air carrier operating certificate and which provides regularly scheduled flights for the transportation of passengers or cargo for hire. As used in this paragraph, "food and food ingredients" means substances, whether in liquid, concentrated, solid, frozen, dried, or dehydrated form, that are sold for ingestion or chewing by humans and are consumed for their taste or nutritional value. Food and food ingredients shall not include alcoholic beverages or tobacco; (82) (A) Purchase of Energy Star Qualified Products or WaterSense Products with a sales price of $1,500.00 or less per product purchased for noncommercial home or personal use. The exemption provided by this paragraph shall apply only to sales occurring during the period commencing at 12:01 A.M. on September 30, 2016, and concluding at 12:00 Midnight on October 2, 2016. (B) As used in this paragraph, the term: (i) "Energy Star Qualified Product" means any dishwasher, clothes washer, air conditioner, ceiling fan, fluorescent light bulb, dehumidifier, programmable thermostat, refrigerator, door, or window that meets the energy efficient guidelines set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Department of Energy and is authorized to carry the Energy Star label. (ii) "WaterSense Product" means a product authorized to bear the United States Environmental Protection Agency WaterSense label. (C) The exemption provided for in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall not apply to purchases of Energy Star Qualified Products or WaterSense Products purchased for trade, business, or resale. (D) The commissioner shall promulgate any rules and regulations necessary to implement and administer this paragraph; (83) (A) The sale or use of biomass material, including pellets or other fuels derived from compressed, chipped, or shredded biomass material, utilized in the production of energy, including without limitation the production of electricity, steam, or the production of electricity and steam, which is subsequently sold. (B) As used in this paragraph, the term "biomass material" means organic matter, excluding fossil fuels, including agricultural crops, plants, trees, wood, wood wastes and residues, sawmill waste, sawdust, wood chips, bark chips, and forest thinning, harvesting, or clearing residues; wood waste from pallets or other wood demolition debris; peanut shells; pecan shells; cotton plants; corn stalks; and plant matter, including aquatic plants, grasses, stalks, vegetation, and residues, including hulls, shells, or cellulose containing fibers; (84) (A) Notwithstanding any provision of Code Section 48-8-63 to the contrary, from July 1, 2006, until June 30, 2008, sales of tangible personal property used in direct connection with the construction of a national infantry museum and heritage park facility. (B) As used in this paragraph, the term "national infantry museum and heritage park facility" means a museum and park facility which is constructed after July 1, 2006; is dedicated to the history of the American foot soldier; has more than 130,000 square feet of space; and has associated facilities, including, but not limited to, parking, parade grounds, and memorial areas. (C) Any person making a sale of tangible personal property for the purpose specified in this paragraph shall collect the tax imposed on this sale unless the purchaser furnishes such person with an exemption determination letter issued by the commissioner certifying that the purchaser is entitled to purchase the tangible personal property without paying the tax; (85) Reserved; (86) The sale or use of engines, parts, equipment, and other tangible personal property used in the maintenance or repair of aircraft when such engines, parts, equipment, and other tangible personal property are installed on such aircraft that is being repaired or maintained in this state, so long as such aircraft is not registered in this state; (87) (A) The sale or use of tangible personal property used for or in the renovation or expansion of a zoological institution to the extent provided in this paragraph. (B) As used in this paragraph, the term 'zoological institution' means a nonprofit wildlife park, terrestrial institution, or facility which: (i) Is open to the public, charges for admission, exhibits and cares for a collection consisting primarily of animals other than fish, and has received accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums; and (ii) Is located in this state and owned or operated by an organization which is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. (C) This exemption shall apply from July 1, 2023, until December 31, 2026, or until the aggregate sales and use tax refunded pursuant to this paragraph exceeds $800,000.00, whichever occurs first. A qualifying zoological institution shall pay sales and use tax on all purchases and uses of tangible personal property and may obtain the benefit of this exemption from sales and use tax by filing a claim for refund of tax paid on qualifying items. All refunds made pursuant to this paragraph shall not include interest. (D) Notwithstanding any provision of Code Section 48-8-63 to the contrary, purchases by a contractor may qualify for the exemption provided for in this paragraph. However, when a contractor purchases qualifying tangible personal property, the contractor shall pay the tax at the time of purchase or at the time of first use in this state; and the ultimate owner of the property may file a claim for refund of the tax paid on the qualifying property. (E) Items qualifying for exemption include all tangible personal property that will remain at the zoological institution after completion of construction and all tangible personal property that becomes incorporated into the real property structures of the zoological institution. This exemption excludes all items that remain tangible personal property in the possession of a contractor after the completion of construction; (88) (A) Notwithstanding any provision of Code Section 48-8-63 to the contrary, from July 1, 2009, until July 30, 2015, sales of tangible personal property to, or used in or for the new construction of, a civil rights museum. (B) As used in this paragraph, the term "civil rights museum" means a museum which is constructed after July 1, 2009; is owned or operated by an organization which is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; has more than 40,000 square feet of space; and has associated facilities, including, but not limited to, special event space and retail space. (C) Any person making a sale of tangible personal property for the purpose specified in this paragraph shall collect the tax imposed on this sale unless the purchaser furnishes such person with an exemption determination letter issued by the commissioner certifying that the purchaser is entitled to purchase the tangible personal property without paying the tax. (D) The exemption provided for under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall not apply to sales of tangible personal property that occur after the museum is opened to the public; (89) For the period commencing on July 1, 2009, and ending on June 30, 2011, the sale or use of an airplane flight simulation training device approved by the Federal Aviation Administration under Appendices A and B, 14 C.F.R. Part 60 ; (90) Internet access service ; (91) The sale of prewritten computer software transferred electronically to the purchaser or delivered to the purchaser by means of load and leave; provided, however, that the exemption granted by this paragraph shall not include sales of specified digital products, other digital goods, or digital codes; (92) For the period commencing July 1, 2012, and ending on December 31, 2013, sales to an organization defined by the Internal Revenue Service as an instrumentality of the states relating to the holding of an annual meeting in this state; (93) (A) For the period commencing January 1, 2012, until December 31, 2026, sales of tangible personal property used for and in the construction of a competitive project of regional significance. (B) The exemption provided in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall apply to purchases made during the entire time of construction of the competitive project of regional significance so long as such project meets the definition of a competitive project of regional significance within the period commencing January 1, 2012, until December 31, 2026. (C) The department shall not be required to pay interest on any refund claims filed for local sales and use taxes paid on purchases made prior to the implementation of this paragraph. (D) As used in this paragraph, the term 'competitive project of regional significance' means the location or expansion of some or all of a business enterprise's operations in this state where the commissioner of economic development determines that the project would have a significant regional impact. The commissioner of economic development shall promulgate regulations in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph outlining the guidelines to be applied in making such determination; (94) The sale, use, consumption, or storage of materials, containers, labels, sacks, or bags used for packaging tangible personal property for shipment or sale. To qualify for the packaging exemption, the items shall be used solely for packaging and shall not be purchased for reuse. The packaging exemption shall not include materials purchased at a retail establishment for consumer use; (95) The sale or purchase of any motor vehicle titled in this state on or after March 1, 2013, pursuant to Code Section 48-5C-1 . Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, this exemption shall not apply to rentals of motor vehicles for periods of 31 or fewer consecutive days. Lease payments for a motor vehicle that is leased for more than 31 consecutive days for which a state and local title ad valorem tax is paid shall be exempt from sales and use taxes as provided for in this paragraph. No sales and use taxes shall be imposed upon state and local title ad valorem tax fees imposed pursuant to Chapter 5C of this title as a part of the purchase price of a motor vehicle or any portion of a lease or rental payment that is attributable to payment of state and local title ad valorem tax fees under Chapter 5C of this title; (96) (A) The sale or use of construction materials used for or in the construction of buildings at a private college to the extent provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of this paragraph. As used in this paragraph, the term "private college" means a college in this state which is operated by an organization which is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and has an enrollment of between 1,000 and 3,000 students. (B) This exemption shall apply from July 1, 2015, until June 30, 2016, or until the aggregate state sales and use tax refunded pursuant to this paragraph exceeds $350,000.00, whichever occurs first. A qualifying private college shall pay sales and use tax on all purchases and uses of construction materials and may obtain the benefit of this exemption from state sales and use tax by filing a claim for refund of tax paid on qualifying items. All refunds made pursuant to this paragraph shall not include interest. (C) (i) This exemption shall apply from July 1, 2015, until June 30, 2016. A qualifying private college shall pay sales and use tax on all purchases and uses of construction materials and may obtain the benefit of this exemption from local sales and use tax by filing a claim for refund of tax paid on qualifying items. All refunds made pursuant to this paragraph shall not include interest. (ii) For purposes of this subparagraph, local sales and use tax shall be defined as any local sales and use tax levied or imposed at any time in any area consisting of less than the entire state, however authorized, including, but not limited to, such taxes authorized by or pursuant to Section 25 of an Act approved March 10, 1965 (Ga. L. 1965, p. 2243), as amended, the "Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Act of 1965," or such taxes as authorized by or pursuant to Article 2, 2A, 3, 4, or 5 of this chapter. (D) Notwithstanding any provision of Code Section 48-8-63 to the contrary, purchases by a contractor may qualify for the exemption provided for in this paragraph. However, when a contractor purchases qualifying construction materials, the contractor shall pay the tax at the time of purchase or at the time of first use in this state; and the ultimate owner of the property may file a claim for refund of the tax paid on the qualifying property. (E) Items qualifying for exemption include all construction materials that will remain at the private college after completion of construction and all construction materials that become incorporated into the real property structures of the private college. This exemption excludes all items that remain in the possession of a contractor after the completion of construction; (97) (A) Sales of admissions to nonrecurring major sporting events in this state expected to generate over $50 million in the host locality. (B) As used in this paragraph, the term "major sporting event" means the National Football League championship game; any semifinal game or championship game of a national collegiate tournament; a Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, or National Basketball Association all-star game; any match of a FIFA World Cup; or any other nonrecurring major sporting event determined by the commissioner of economic development and the state revenue commissioner to be a major sporting event. (C) As used in this paragraph, the term "nonrecurring" means not occurring in this state more than once every three years. (D) The revenue projections for purposes of this paragraph shall include, but not be limited to, lodging, meals, vehicle rentals, and admissions to tourist attractions. (E) Determinations made under this paragraph by the commissioners on or after July 1, 2016, shall be made prior to the date of the convening of the General Assembly immediately preceding the awarding of the sales tax exemption for a major sporting event. Such a determination shall become effective either 30 days prior to the major sporting event or on the first fiscal day of the fiscal year immediately following a year during which such determination was made, whichever is earlier. Such a determination may be rendered null and void by a joint resolution passed by both chambers of the General Assembly. In the event that the presiding officers of the General Assembly, in their discretion, choose to introduce such a joint resolution, a special committee in each respective chamber of the General Assembly will be appointed by the presiding officers of both chambers of the General Assembly for the purpose of considering such a joint resolution, subject to the rules of both respective chambers. (F) This paragraph shall stand automatically repealed on December 31, 2031; provided, however, that this repeal shall not apply to any event for which an application has been submitted prior to December 31, 2031; (98) (A) For the period beginning July 1, 2017, and ending June 30, 2020, sales of tangible personal property and services to a qualified job training organization when such organization obtains an exemption determination letter from the commissioner. (B) For the purposes of this paragraph, the term "qualified job training organization" means an organization which: (i) Is located in this state; (ii) Is exempt from income taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; (iii) Specializes in the retail sale of donated items; (iv) Provides job training and employment services to individuals with workplace disadvantages and disabilities, including, but not limited to, reentry citizens who shall be persons released from incarceration, persons with disabilities, and veterans; and (v) Uses a majority of its revenues for job training and placement programs. (C) (i) For the purposes of this paragraph, the term "local sales and use tax" means any sales tax, use tax, or local sales and use tax which is levied and imposed in an area consisting of less than the entire state, however authorized, including, but not limited to, such taxes authorized by or pursuant to constitutional amendment; by or pursuant to Section 25 of an Act approved March 10, 1965 (Ga. L. 1965, p. 2243), as amended, the "Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Act of 1965"; or by or pursuant to Article 2, Article 2A, Part 1 or Part 2 of Article 3, Article 4, or Article 5 of this chapter. (ii) The exemption provided for in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall not apply to any local sales and use tax levied or imposed at any time. (D) Any qualified job training organization which is granted an exemption under this paragraph shall provide an annual report to the department which contains, but is not limited to, the following: (i) The number of individuals trained in the program; (ii) The number of individuals employed by the organization after receiving such training; and (iii) The number of individuals employed in full-time positions outside the organization after such training. Such data shall be compiled by the department and presented to the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Finance Committee for consideration prior to any renewal or extension of the exemption provided by this paragraph. (E) The commissioner shall promulgate any rules and regulations necessary to implement and administer this paragraph; (99) (A) The sale or use of tangible personal property used for or in the renovation or expansion of a theater located within a facility in this state that contains an art museum, symphonic hall, and theater that charges for admission and is owned or operated by an organization which is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, if such organization's primary mission is to provide arts and education programming for the benefit of the citizens of this state, to the extent provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of this paragraph. (B) This exemption shall apply from July 1, 2017, until January 1, 2019, and until the aggregate state sales and use tax refunded pursuant to this paragraph exceeds $750,000.00. A qualifying organization must pay sales and use tax on all purchases and uses of tangible personal property and may obtain the benefit of this exemption from state sales and use tax by filing a claim for refund of tax paid on qualifying items. All refunds made pursuant to this paragraph shall not include interest. (C) This exemption shall apply from July 1, 2017, until January 1, 2019, to any local sales and use tax levied or imposed at any time in any area consisting of less than the entire state, however authorized, including, but not limited to, such taxes authorized by or pursuant to Section 25 of an Act approved March 10, 1965 (Ga. L. 1965, p. 2243), as amended, the "Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Act of 1965," or such taxes as authorized by or pursuant to Article 2, 2A, 3, 4, or 5 of this chapter. (D) Notwithstanding any provision of Code Section 48-8-63 to the contrary, purchases by a contractor may qualify for the exemption provided for in this paragraph. However, when a contractor purchases qualifying tangible personal property, the contractor shall pay the tax at the time of purchase or at the time of first use in this state; and the ultimate owner of the property may file a claim for refund of the tax paid on the qualifying property. (E) Items qualifying for exemption include all tangible personal property that will remain at the theater after completion of construction and all tangible personal property that becomes incorporated into the real property structures of the theater. The exemption excludes all items that remain tangible personal property in the possession of a contractor after the completion of construction; (100) (A) Sales of tickets, fees, or charges for admission to a fine arts performance or exhibition conducted within a facility in this state that is owned or operated by an organization which is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or a museum of cultural significance, if such organization's or museum's mission is to advance the arts in this state and to provide arts, educational, and culturally significant programming and exhibits for the benefit and enrichment of the citizens of this state. (B) As used in this paragraph, the term "fine arts" means music performed by a symphony orchestra, poetry, photography, ballet, dance, opera, theater, dramatic arts, painting, sculpture, ceramics, drawing, watercolor, graphics, printmaking, and architecture. (C) This paragraph shall stand repealed and reserved on December 31, 2027; (101) (A) The sale or use of noncommercial written materials or mailings by an organization which is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, if the organization is located in this state and provides such materials to charity supporters for educational, charitable, religious, or fundraising purposes, to the extent provided in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph. (B) This exemption shall apply from July 1, 2018, until July 1, 2026. A qualifying organization must pay sales and use tax on all purchases and uses of tangible personal property and may obtain the benefit of this exemption from sales and use taxes by filing a claim for refund of tax paid on qualifying items. All refunds made pursuant to this paragraph shall not include interest; (102) (A) Fifty percent of the sales price of a manufactured home if such manufactured home is installed pursuant to Code Section 8-2-160 and will be converted to real property pursuant to Code Section 8-2-183.1 within 30 days of the retail sale. (B) As used in this paragraph, the term "manufactured home" means a structure built on a permanent chassis that: (i) Is designed to be used as a dwelling; (ii) Is transportable in one or more sections; (iii) Contains plumbing, heating, air-conditioning, and electrical systems; and (iv) Is designed to have an angled roof and contain an area of at least 650 square feet. (C) Within 30 days of a sale exempted as provided for in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the seller shall complete the requirements of Code Section 8-2-183.1 and properly file a copy of the Certificate of Permanent Location with the clerk of superior court, or the commissioner shall recover from the seller 1.5 times the amount of tax exempted by this paragraph. (D) A manufactured home that is exempted as provided in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall not be eligible for a Certificate of Removal from Permanent Location provided in Part 4 of Article 2 of Chapter 2 of Title 8, or any other manner of a return to tangible personal property unless the amount exempted pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this paragraph is paid to the commissioner. (E) The exemption provided for in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall not apply to any sales and use tax levied or imposed in an area consisting of less than the entire state, however authorized, including, but not limited to, such taxes authorized by or pursuant to: (i) Constitutional amendment; (ii) Section 25 of an Act approved March 10, 1965 (Ga. L. 1965, p. 2243), as amended, the "Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Act of 1965"; or (iii) Article 2, 2A, 3, 4, 5, or 5A of this chapter; (103) Reserved; (104) [Repealed and reserved effective 12/31/2029] (A) Sales to or by any nonprofit organization which has as its primary purpose providing poultry diagnostic and disease monitoring services if such organization qualifies as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code. (B) This paragraph shall stand repealed and reserved on December 31, 2029; or (105) Sales to or by an eligible recipient, as defined in Code Section 31-8-300 , which provides pharmacy related services only for the purpose of dispensing donated or purchased drugs pursuant to the drug repository program established under Article 10 of Chapter 8 of Title 31, if such organization qualifies as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or is an organization that is treated for federal income tax purposes as a disregarded entity of a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Legislative History

Amended by 2024 Ga. Laws 701,§ 5, eff. 7/1/2024. Amended by 2024 Ga. Laws 598,§ 3-4, eff. 1/1/2025. Amended by 2024 Ga. Laws 473,§ 2-6, eff. 4/23/2024, app. to taxable years beginning on or after 1/1/2025. Amended by 2023 Ga. Laws 350,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2023. Amended by 2023 Ga. Laws 237,§ 2, eff. 7/1/2023. Amended by 2023 Ga. Laws 237,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2023. Amended by 2023 Ga. Laws 236,§ 3-2, eff. 1/1/2024, app. to transactions occurring on or after 1/1/2024. Amended by 2022 Ga. Laws 862,§ 1, eff. 5/10/2022. Amended by 2022 Ga. Laws 842,§ 3, eff. 5/9/2022. Amended by 2022 Ga. Laws 842,§ 2, eff. 1/1/2024, app. to transactions occurring on or afer 1/1/2024. Amended by 2022 Ga. Laws 842,§ 1, eff. 5/9/2022. Amended by 2022 Ga. Laws 782,§ 48, eff. 5/2/2022. Amended by 2022 Ga. Laws 757,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2022. Amended by 2021 Ga. Laws 234,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2021. Amended by 2021 Ga. Laws 166,§ 7-2, eff. 7/1/2021. Amended by 2021 Ga. Laws 166,§ 5-2, eff. 7/1/2021. Amended by 2021 Ga. Laws 166,§ 5-1, eff. 7/1/2021. Amended by 2021 Ga. Laws 307,§ 48, eff. 5/10/2021. Amended by 2021 Ga. Laws 260,§ 1-1, eff. 5/7/2021. Amended by 2020 Ga. Laws 585,§ 1, eff. 8/5/2020. Amended by 2020 Ga. Laws 606,§ 2-1, eff. 4/1/2020. Amended by 2019 Ga. Laws 321,§ 48, eff. 5/12/2019. Amended by 2019 Ga. Laws 316,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2019. Amended by 2019 Ga. Laws 277,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2019. Amended by 2019 Ga. Laws 34,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2019. Amended by 2018SP1 Ga. Laws 3,§ 3-2, eff. 12/1/2018. Amended by 2018 Ga. Laws 562,§ 48, eff. 5/8/2018. Amended by 2018 Ga. Laws 550,§ 2, eff. 5/8/2018. Amended by 2018 Ga. Laws 550,§ 1, eff. 5/8/2018. Amended by 2018 Ga. Laws 432,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2018. Amended by 2018 Ga. Laws 424,§ 4, eff. 5/7/2018. Amended by 2018 Ga. Laws 421,§ 1, eff. 1/1/2019. Amended by 2018 Ga. Laws 369,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2018. Amended by 2017 Ga. Laws 275,§ 48, eff. 5/9/2017. Amended by 2017 Ga. Laws 206,§ 1, eff. 5/8/2017. Amended by 2017 Ga. Laws 23,§ 2, eff. 4/25/2017. Amended by 2016 Ga. Laws 625,§ 48, eff. 5/3/2016. Amended by 2016 Ga. Laws 602,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2016. Amended by 2016 Ga. Laws 596,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2016. Amended by 2016 Ga. Laws 571,§ 4, eff. 7/1/2016. Amended by 2016 Ga. Laws 327,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2016. Amended by 2015 Ga. Laws 202,§ 1and § 1A, eff. 7/1/2015. Amended by 2015 Ga. Laws 195,§ 7, eff. 7/1/2016. Amended by 2015 Ga. Laws 70,§ 4-17, eff. 7/1/2015. Amended by 2015 Ga. Laws 51,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2015. Amended by 2015 Ga. Laws 46,§ 5-3, eff. 7/1/2015. Amended by 2014 Ga. Laws 606,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2014. Amended by 2014 Ga. Laws 669,§ 48, eff. 4/29/2014. Amended by 2014 Ga. Laws 477,§ 2, eff. 4/14/2014. Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 86,§ 6.1, eff. 4/29/2013. Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 37,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013. Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 33,§ 48, eff. 4/24/2013. Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 15,§ 2-2, eff. 4/10/2013. Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 8,§ 4, eff. 3/5/2013. Amended by 2012 Ga. Laws 607,§ I-1-5, eff. 3/1/2013. Amended by 2012 Ga. Laws 607,§ V-5-1, eff. 1/1/2013. Amended by 2012 Ga. Laws 774,§ 2, eff. 7/1/2012. Amended by 2012 Ga. Laws 632,§ II-18, eff. 7/1/2012. Amended by 2012 Ga. Laws 684,§ 48, eff. 5/1/2012. Amended by 2012 Ga. Laws 664,§ 4, eff. 5/1/2012. Amended by 2012 Ga. Laws 607,§ VI-6-2, eff. 4/19/2012. Amended by 2012 Ga. Laws 607,§ V-5-5, eff. 1/1/2012. Amended by 2012 Ga. Laws 607,§ V-5-6, eff. 7/1/2012. Amended by 2012 Ga. Laws 607,§ IV-4-1, eff. 7/1/2012. Amended by 2011 Ga. Laws 74,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2011. Amended by 2011 Ga. Laws 47,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2011. Amended by 2011 Ga. Laws 46,§ 4, eff. 4/27/2011. Amended by 2010 Ga. Laws 507,§ 2, eff. 7/1/2011. Amended by 2009 Ga. Laws 169,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2009. Amended by 2009 Ga. Laws 168,§ 1, eff. 5/5/2009. Amended by 2009 Ga. Laws 161,§ 1, eff. 5/5/2009. Amended by 2009 Ga. Laws 127,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2009. Amended by 2009 Ga. Laws 126,§ 1, eff. 5/4/2009. Amended by 2009 Ga. Laws 120,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2009. Amended by 2009 Ga. Laws 117,§ 1, eff. 5/4/2009. Amended by 2009 Ga. Laws 116,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2009. Amended by 2009 Ga. Laws 28,§ 2, eff. 4/21/2009. Amended by 2009 Ga. Laws 8,§ 48, eff. 4/14/2009. Amended by 2008 Ga. Laws 791,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2008. Amended by 2008 Ga. Laws 790,§ 1, eff. 1/1/2009. Amended by 2008 Ga. Laws 785,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2008. Amended by 2008 Ga. Laws 783,§ 1, eff. 5/14/2008. Amended by 2008 Ga. Laws 698,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2008. Amended by 2008 Ga. Laws 692,§ 1 to § 3, eff. 7/1/2008. Amended by 2008 Ga. Laws 578,§ 3-1, eff. 5/13/2008. Amended by 2008 Ga. Laws 473,§ 1and § 2, eff. 5/12/2008. Amended by 2008 Ga. Laws 468,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2008. Amended by 2007 Ga. Laws 366,§ 1, eff. 5/30/2007. Amended by 2007 Ga. Laws 330,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2007. Amended by 2007 Ga. Laws 326,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2007. Amended by 2007 Ga. Laws 234,§ 1, eff. 5/24/2007. Amended by 2007 Ga. Laws 120,§ 1, eff. 5/18/2007. Amended by 2007 Ga. Laws 18,§ 48, eff. 5/11/2007. Amended by 2006 Ga. Laws 629,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2006. Amended by 2006 Ga. Laws 620,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2006. Amended by 2006 Ga. Laws 618,§ 1and § 2, eff. 4/28/2006. Amended by 2006 Ga. Laws 595,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2006. Amended by 2006 Ga. Laws 574,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2006. Amended by 2006 Ga. Laws 533,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2006. Amended by 2006 Ga. Laws 518,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2006. Amended by 2005 Ga. Laws 324,§ 1, eff. 5/9/2005. Added by 2005 Ga. Laws 152,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2005. Amended by 2005 Ga. Laws 145,§ 3and § 4, eff. 7/1/2005. Amended by 2005 Ga. Laws 145,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2005. Amended by 2005 Ga. Laws 68,§ 29-6, eff. 7/1/2005. Amended by 2005 Ga. Laws 27,§ 1and § 2, eff. 7/1/2005. Amended by 2005 Ga. Laws 19,§ 48, eff. 4/7/2005. Amended by 2004 Ga. Laws 456, § 1, eff. 5/5/2004. Amended by 2004 Ga. Laws 462, § 1, eff. 5/6/2004. Amended by 2004 Ga. Laws 492, § 1, eff. 7/1/2004. Amended by 2004 Ga. Laws 562, § 1, eff. 7/1/2004. Amended by 2004 Ga. Laws 569, § 22, eff. 7/1/2004. Amended by 2004 Ga. Laws 727, § 1, eff. 7/1/2004. Amended by 2004 Ga. Laws 794, § 1, eff. 5/17/2004. Amended by 2003 Ga. Laws 75, eff. 7/1/2003. Amended by 2003 Ga. Laws 343, § 12, eff. 7/1/2003. Amended by 2002 Ga. Laws 867, § 1, eff. 7/1/2002. Amended by 2002 Ga. Laws 858, § 3, eff. 10/1/2002. Amended by 2002 Ga. Laws 846,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2002. Amended by 2002 Ga. Laws 823, § 1, eff. 5/13/2002. Amended by 2002 Ga. Laws 462, § 48, eff. 4/18/2002. Amended by 2002 Ga. Laws 402,§ 1, eff. 3/5/2002. Amended by 2001 Ga. Laws 330, § 1, eff. 1/1/2002. Amended by 2001 Ga. Laws 322, § 1, eff. 7/1/2001. Amended by 2001 Ga. Laws 302, § 16, eff. 4/27/2001. Amended by 2001 Ga. Laws 302, § 15, eff. 4/27/2001. Amended by 2001 Ga. Laws 302, § 14, eff. 4/27/2001. Amended by 2001 Ga. Laws 302, § 13, eff. 4/27/2001. Amended by 2001 Ga. Laws 35, § 1, eff. 1/1/2002. Amended by 2001 Ga. Laws 35, § 2, eff. 7/1/2001. Amended by 2001 Ga. Laws 2, § 48, eff. 2/12/2001.