Representative Roger Williams

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 3, 2006

GOVERNOR PERDUE SIGNS BILL DEFINING CARPET SAMPLES

ATLANTA- Governor Perdue signed into law House Bill 1040, which unanimously passed both chambers of the Georgia General Assembly during the 2006 Legislative Session.

The bill, which codifies a long-standing agreement between the Department of Revenue and the industry regarding the precise components of carpet samples, was sponsored by Representative  Roger Williams in the House and Senator Don Thomas in the Senate.  “We are very grateful to Rep. Williams and Sen. Thomas for their sponsorship and support of this legislation”, said Roy Bowen, President of GTMA: The Association of Georgia’s Textile, Carpet and Consumer Products Manufacturers.  “Providing certainty to Georgia’s carpet manufacturers as to this important tax issue was a legislative priority of the Association, and resolution will serve both the carpet industry and the Georgia Department of Revenue.”

Representative Williams (R-Fourth House District) agreed.  “The carpet industry is critical to the economic health of our state, and of Northwest Georgia in particular”, he said.  “Carpet manufacturers have always been in the forefront as good corporate citizens in our area, and I’m glad to help with legislation that clarifies the tax treatment of carpet samples and simplifies compliance.  The state and the industry both benefit.”

Bob Shaw, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Shaw Industries Group in Dalton, said, “We appreciate the  Governor’s recognition of the importance of this issue to Georgia’s carpet manufacturers, and we thank him not only for signing this bill but for the many other ways that he has worked to enhance Georgia’s business environment.”

“In passing this legislation, the Governor and the General Assembly have shown their unified support for Georgians working in the carpet industry and their understanding of the competitive pressures faced by Georgia’s carpet manufacturers”, said Tom Lape, president of Mohawk Industries’ Residential Division in Calhoun.  “Bringing clarity and consistency to the way that carpet samples are taxed should eliminate confusion and reduce the cost of ensuring compliance with Georgia’s tax code.”