With the wave of a pen by Gov. Nathan Deal, a number of measures that were passed during the 2016 session of the Georgia General Assembly became law Tuesday.
Under a new law designed to help some rural hospitals struggling financial to stay afloat, donors to a certain number of rural hospitals across the state can receive a tax break. According to officials, four hospitals in rural Georgia have closed since 2013, and another 15 are struggling.
With Tuesday’s signing by the Governor, individuals can receive a tax credit of up to $2,500 a year. The number increases to $5,000 for a married couple. Hospitals must report the money to the state, and detail how it was used for “health care-related services.”
Deal also signed into law Tuesday legislation that will address a backlog of rape kits. Under the new law, rape kits must be picked up by law enforcement officers from hospitals within 96 hours and be submitted for testing within 30 days.
The legislation had a rough time getting through the General Assembly. State Sen. Renee Unterman had refused to allow a hearing, stating over and over that a forthcoming federal grant would address the issues of the backlog. However, in the final hours of the session, she allowed the hearing and the legislation won approval.
Also on Tuesday, the Governor set the MARTA expansion into motion. The new law will allow the city of Atlanta to pursue a $2.5 billion expansion of MARTA, if approved by a referendum. The increase would bump the sales tax rate in the city to 8.5 percent from 8 percent.
An earlier version of the bill had included both Fulton and DeKalb counties, but was stalled.
