GBAN Legislative Update - January 27, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
Legislative Calendar
The General Assembly adjourned Thursday and will reconvene Monday, January 30 for Legislative Day 10. They are scheduled to be in session next week through Friday, February 3.
2012 Scorecard Taking Shape
The Georgia Chamber has identified the following measures facing this year’s General Assembly to be included in the 2012 Georgia Chamber Legislative Scorecard, which grades lawmakers on their commitment to strengthening Georgia’s business community:
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
• The Invest Georgia Act would channel up to $200 million into a state venture capital fund by offering insurance companies credits on premium taxes to provide additional financial resources for Georgia-based companies. (HB 718; SUPPORT)
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
• Providing cities and counties with the option to exempt business inventories from local property taxes (HB 48; SUPPORT)
• The Broadband Investment Equity Act seeks to level the playing field between private sector and local government broadband providers, creating a competitive, market-driven system in all areas of the state (SB 313; SUPPORT)
EDUCATION
• Approving a proposed Constitutional Amendment to reverse a problematic 2011 court decision that threatens the existence of highly successful public charter schools in Georgia (HR 1162; SUPPORT)
JUDICIARY
• Clarifying Georgia law regarding garnishment proceedings, stating that executing and filing of an answer to a garnishment order does not constitute the unauthorized practice of law, allowing businesses needed flexibility and cost savings (HB 683; SUPPORT)
Speaker Introduces “Red Tape Watch” Initiative to Aid Small Business Growth
House Speaker David Ralston has tasked the House Special Committee on Small Business Development and Job Creation with a new initiative-"Red Tape Watch"- aimed at helping Georgia’s small businesses grow through a comprehensive review of the state’s regulatory environment.
This Committee will meet periodically throughout the legislative session to hear testimony from Georgia business owners from all industry sectors and regions on what current laws and regulations are burdensome and costly to small businesses.
The Georgia Chamber strongly encourages its members and GBAN readers to become involved in this important effort to help our small business community eliminate outdated and unnecessary regulations.
Anyone who would like to participate in this process can visit
www.house.ga.gov/redtapewatch to learn how you can testify before an upcoming committee meeting or submit comments online if unable to attend in person. The committee’s first meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 2 at the State Capitol.
