The Senate, meanwhile, adopted a closely watched measure that would restrict embryonic stem cell research in Georgia that was rushed through the chamber after President Barack Obama lifted restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.
The measures were among dozens on the docket during Georgia's do-or-die crossover day, the 30th day in the 40-day session when bills must pass at least one chamber or be shelved until next year. While there are rare exceptions, a measure's failure on this key day usually means the proposal is doomed.
With that in mind, House lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to approve the latest bid to erase the so-called birthday tax on cars, an annual property tax due the month of a resident's birthday. Instead, residents would pay a one-time fee of up to $2,000 or 7 percent of the car's value whichever is less when they buy a vehicle.
The proposal to wipe out the tax, long a target of powerful House leaders, was expected to be at the center of an exhausting legislative debate. But few critics ventured to speak against the measure, which is expected to raise more than $100 million for Georgia's fragile trauma care network.
While supporters called it a tax break, the proposal could raise more than $450 million in new revenue next year. That figure drops to about $180 million by 2014, according to a fiscal note. Supporters say much of it would come from secondhand car sales that often go undetected by tax collectors.
``Is it a tax increase?'' asked House Majority Leader Jerry Keen. ``Yeah, it's a tax increase for those who are doing their transactions under the table.''
The House also quickly and overwhelmingly approved a package of tax breaks that Republican sponsors considered Georgia's response to the $787 billion federal stimulus package.
The measures give companies a $500 credit toward the unemployment insurance tax and a $2,400 income tax credit for each new employee they hire and retain for at least two years. They also launch a one-year ``new business tax holiday'' that waives a $100 state filing fee for new registrations, and call for a referendum to eliminate the $2.5 million ad valorem tax on inventory.
``A vote against this is a vote against one of the best economic development opportunities for this community,'' said state Rep. Martin Scott, R-Rossville.
Not all the measures debated during the marathon day revolve around taxes.
At the top of that list was a Senate plan that would ban the creation of embryonic stem cell lines in the state. The plan, which passed 34-22 after an impassioned debate, was hastily rewritten after some worried it could hinder the fertility industry. Supporters used stark language to warn the stem cell research is an assault on life in its earliest form.
``Some things, unchallenged, unfettered, can ultimately lead to evil,'' said state Sen. Preston Smith, a Rome Republican.
The House, which stayed deep into the night to debate more than 60 measures, tackled its own embryo bill early in the day. Lawmakers passed a proposal 96-66 to create a legal mechanism for the adoption of embryos, which sponsors said could help save some of the 20,000 or so frozen embryos in Georgia each year that are discarded.
Senate lawmakers sought to crack down on lawmakers who fail to pay taxes by adopting a measure that would refer them to a joint legislative ethics committee. The measure comes after a state report revealed that 22 state lawmakers about 10 percent of the General Assembly are delinquent on their taxes.
The House urged teenage drivers to hang up and drive by banning them from talking on their cell phones and text messaging while driving. And the chamber voted to adopt a constitutional amendment that would guarantee residents the right to a secret ballot, a pre-emptive strike at federal legislation pushed by union groups.
Late into the night, the House got hung up over a measure that would expand bingo jackpots from $1,500 to $15,000. But supporters prevailed, pushing through the measure by a 107-54 vote by arguing that veterans groups and other nonprofits badly need the new revenue. Backers screamed ``BINGO'' on the floor when it passed.
Plenty of other high-profile measures were buried, including a late push to revive the 4 percent sales tax on groceries, a plan to phase out the corporate income tax and a measure that would have made Georgia the first state in the nation to offer taxpayer-funded vouchers to let children attend any public or private K-12 school.
The Senate also tabled a bill that would have expanded insurance coverage for autism, while the House swiftly rejected a constitutional amendment that would guarantee a workers' right to vote by a secret ballot in union organizing elections.
For lawmakers, though, getting their proposals through their chambers during the frenzied day is only half the battle.
Next, they must push it through the other chamber and have 10 hectic legislative days left to do so.
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On the Net:
Georgia Legislature: http://www.legis.state.ga.us/
Georgia State Capitol
http://accesswdun.com/article/2009/3/218603