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Economic development ‘secrecy’ bill tabled by Senate
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A controversial bill to shield government negotiations on economic development projects from public disclosure stalled in the Senate Thursday afternoon after more than an hour of discussion.
“This bill levels the playing field in the entire state so Georgia can compete better for jobs,” said Sen. Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga), chairman of the Senate economic development committee.
House Bill 218 was tabled, a parliamentary move that sets the measure aside for later consideration, apparently because its passage was in doubt. The bill, introduced by Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Garden City), had overwhelmingly passed the House by a vote of 118-52. Mullis said the bill probably will not return to the Senate floor for debate and a vote this week.
Critics of the bill have expressed concern that the bill could lead to widespread secrecy in industrial recruitment.
Senate President Pro Tem Eric Johnson (R-Savannah) offered an amendment to the bill that exempts only projects handled by the state’s official economic development arm from the confidentiality shield. Local economic development groups would not have the same privilege.
“We constantly walk a fine line between trusting our elected officials to perform their public duties with integrity and protecting the citizens they serve from the potential of abuse,” Johnson said. He said that HB 218, if amended, would be a “first step” in seeing if the bill helps the state lure businesses.
Another proposed amendment to the bill states that economic development projects that require zoning changes or environmental permits will not be exempt from public disclosure.
The bill’s supporters argued that other states had an unfair advantage over Georgia because they could negotiate with businesses in confidence.
“Why does this state allow itself to be abused by neighboring states so they can come and see what we’re doing, but in response they can run home in secrecy?” said Sen. John Douglas (R-Covington). “We know the state of Virginia is in town looking for records on economic development in Georgia. How can we in good faith put our state in a position to be the victim of other states doing that?”
Mullis had strong words about press coverage of the bill.
“This bill has been hijacked by the Atlanta media,” Mullis said. “It has been unfairly spun out of control like a top on a table.”
The Georgia Press Association released a statement saying that the proposed Senate amendments improved the bill substantially.
“While the Georgia Press Association does not support the concept of closing records to public disclosure, the proposed amendment offered by Senator Johnson on HB 218 does address the primary concern with the legislation, which is that of local documents being concealed from local citizens and the media.”
But the amendments were never voted on. Mullis interrupted the debate to ask to table the bill.
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