Tuesday, April 12, 2011
The General Assembly is scheduled to be in recess tomorrow and reconvene on Thursday, April 14, for the final legislative day. For information about all of the bills being tracked by the Chamber this year, visit www.gachamber.com.
Items of interest
Sunday Sales
SB 10, which would give local communities the option of allowing Sunday sales of beer, wine and spirits, has passed the Senate and is expected to be voted on by the House today. Governor Deal has indicated that he would sign the bill into law.
Immigration
Immigration reform continues to be a hotly debated topic. The Senate passed a version of HB 87 last night that among other changes removed the requirement for businesses to use E-Verify, which has been one of the Georgia Chamber’s main concerns. The bill was sent to the House, where it passed in a significantly different format earlier today – including the reinstitution of an E-Verify requirement. It now goes back to the Senate where it will either be agreed upon or sent to conference committee.
Health Care
HB 167, which is opposed by the Georgia Chamber as it would erode current employer protections under the federal Employee Retirement Security Income Act (ERISA) by changing the state’s prompt payment law, is on the calendar for a vote in the Senate today.
HB 47, which would expand health insurance options for Georgians by allowing the purchase of policies approved for sale in other states, passed the Senate today. It will now go back to the House in amended form.
Economic Development
HB 30, which would clarify Georgia’s employment covenant laws, completing the changes implemented with the passage of Amendment One last November, has passed the Senate in amended form and now goes back to the House for agreement.
