Weekly Update

This week, we completed days 12 through 16 of the legislative session.  It has been a very busy week with lots of committee hearings.  Crossover day is Day 28 of the session so time is ticking to get bills moving.      
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Other bills that CBA is tracking:  

SB 52 relating to various ‘housekeeping’ changes to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, sponsored by Sen. William T. Ligon (R), Brunswick and Sen. Jesse Stone (R), Waynesboro, received a do pass motion from the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, February 11th.  Now, the bill goes to Senate Rules.  CBA will continue to monitor this bill. 
 
SB 92--Professional Licensing Board by Sen. Brandon Beach (R), Alpharetta, was introduced in the Senate.  The bill prohibits professional licensing boards from refusing to issue a license or suspending or revoking the license of a person who is a borrower in default under an educational loan issued through the Georgia Higher Education Assistance Corporation or through a federal agency; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.  It appears that this bill mirrors the language in HB 42 by Rep. Scot Turner (R), Holly Springs.  CBA will continue to monitor this bill.

SB 110—Statewide Business Court by Sen. Jesse Stone (R), Waynesboro, was introduced in the Senate.  The bill is the enabling legislation that establishes the State-wide Business Court pursuant to the Constitution of this state; to amend Code Section 45-7-4 of the O.C.G.A., relating to general provisions regarding salaries and fees, so as to designate a salary for the judge of the State-wide Business Court; to amend Title 5 of the O.C.G.A., relating to appeal and error, so as to make conforming changes regarding appeals; to amend Chapter 4 of Title 9, Title 23, and Code Section 33-39-21 of the O.C.G.A., relating to declaratory judgments, equity, and equitable relief relative to insurance, respectively, so as to make conforming changes regarding equity; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.  It appears that this bill mirrors HB 239 by Rep. Chuck Efstration (R), Dacula.  
 
HB 81 related to eliminating restrictive covenants in employment agreements with Information Technology employees, introduced by Rep. Todd Jones (R), South Forsyth, was heard in the House Judiciary Welch Subcommittee meeting on Monday, February 11th.  Members of the committee had numerous questions for the author and expressed several concerns with the language as drafted.  The definition of worker was deemed to be too broad and the author was asked to work with committee members to consider alternatives to the wording.  There were a couple of language issues within the bill that would also need to be corrected.  CBA will continue to monitor this bill.  
 
HB 212–Manufactured Homes by Rep. Clay Pirkle (R), was introduced in the House.  The bill relates to licensing of mortgage lenders and mortgage brokers, so as to exempt retailers, retail brokers of manufactured homes or mobile homes, and residential contractors from the requirement to obtain a license as a mortgage loan originator, mortgage broker, or mortgage lender under certain circumstances; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.  As drafted, CBA has concerns with this bill as it may have a significant, negative impact to the Department of Banking & Finance.  CBA will continue to monitor this bill. 
 
HB 239–Georgia Business Court by Rep. Chuck Efstration (R), Dacula, was introduced in the House.  The bill is the enabling legislation for the establishment of a Georgia Business Court pursuant to the Constitution of this state; to provide for law assistants and other employees; to amend Code Section 45-7-4 of the O.C.G.A., relating to general provisions regarding salaries and fees, so as to designate a salary for the judge of the Georgia Business Court; to amend Title 5 of the O.C.G.A., relating to appeal and error, so as to make conforming changes regarding appeals; to amend Chapter 4 of Title 9, Title 23, and Code Section 33-39-21 of the O.C.G.A., relating to declaratory judgments, equity, and equitable relief relative to insurance, respectively, so as to make conforming changes regarding equity; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.  CBA will continue to monitor this bill.  It appears that this bill mirrors SB 110 by Sen. Jesse Stone (R), Waynesboro.
 
HB 288–Superior Courts by Rep. Alan Powell (R), Hartwell, was introduced in the House.  The bill relates to clerks of superior courts, so as to revise the sums that the clerks of the superior courts are entitled to charge and collect for filing documents and instruments pertaining to real estate or personal property; to provide for a flat sum structure; to repeal certain related alternative fees; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.  CBA will continue to monitor this bill.

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