2011 Legislative Scorecard
HEALTH CARE
HB 47 expands health insurance options for Georgians by allowing the purchase of policies approved for sale in other states.
HB 167 was opposed by the Georgia Chamber as it will erode current employer protections under the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) by changing the state’s prompt payment law.
SB 17 creates a state commission to review proposed and existing health insurance mandates, making recommendations on existing mandates by the end of 2012.
EDUCATION
HB 326 preserves the HOPE scholarship and lottery-funded Pre-K programs, two of Georgia’s most important economic development tools.
BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
HB 292 reduces the pending surcharge increase on unemployment insurance taxes paid by employers, capping the 2012 increase at 50%. In addition, it extends the new employer rate, which was set to expire this year, to 2016.
SB 10 gives local communities the option of allowing Sunday sales of beer, wine and spirits, lifting an unfair restriction on commerce.
JUDICIARY
HB 30 clarifies Georgia’s employment covenant laws, completing the changes implemented with the passage of Amendment One in 2010, and protecting both employers and employees by allowing judges to rule based on the intent of an employment agreement.
HB 24 addresses a long-standing Georgia Chamber priority to modernize Georgia’s current rules of evidence, which have not been updated since 1868, and make them more consistent with federal standards.
COMPLIANCE
HB 232 clarifies provisions regarding bona fide salespersons and their exclusion from the state’s lobbying laws. It also makes clear who must register as a lobbyist.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
HB 48 would have provided cities and counties with the option to exempt business inventories from local property taxes.
ENVIRONMENT
SB 122 allows the formation of public-private partnerships to fund certain water supply and treatment projects, providing a new, optional funding mechanism to address identified priorities.
Scorecard Key
Y = Yes Vote
N = No Vote
/ = Absent or Excused
A+ = 100-95
A = 94-90
B+ = 89-85
B = 84-80
C+ = 79-75
C = 74-70
U = Below 70 (Unsatisfactory)
To receive a grade, the legislator must be present to vote for 50% of the total scorecard votes. If the legislator is not present for 50% of the votes, the legislator will receive a ‘N/A.’
For some legislators, subjective factors were taken into account which can positively or negatively impact scores. Factors include, but are not limited to: bill sponsorship, speaking for or against bills, and committee votes.
To view the Scorecard click
HERE for a printable version, or see the slidable tables below.
