Georgia Chamber Legislative Update: January 28
Friday, January 28, 2011
January 28, 2011
Legislative Calendar
The General Assembly met Monday through Thursday this week. They will reconvene on Monday, January 31, for day seven and be in session through Thursday, February 3.
Governor Deal Asks Chamber to Participate in Competitiveness Initiative
At the Eggs & Issues Breakfast held earlier this week, Governor Deal unveiled some of his plans for Georgia’s long-term economic development and job growth, including a competitiveness initiative that will focus on job retention and growing Georgia’s economy. The initiative will be a partnership between the Governor’s Office, the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Georgia Chamber.
Bills of Interest
- Immigration: HB87, introduced by Rep. Matt Ramsey (Peachtree City) is an “Arizona-style” immigration bill that would allow law enforcement officers to arrest suspects who they have reason to believe are in the country illegally, require businesses with more than five employees to use e-verify and deny business licenses to those who don’t. A similar bill is expected to be introduced by Sen. Jack Murphy (Cumming). The Georgia Chamber is working to make sure that whatever bill is passed does not place undue burdens on business and ensures that businesses that make a good faith effort to follow the law are indemnified.
SB7, introduced by Sen. Bill Heath (Bremen) would prohibit illegal immigrants from receiving workers compensation benefits in the event of a work-related injury. Concerns have been raised that denial of benefits could potentially expose employers to increased litigation. The Georgia Chamber has not yet taken a position on this bill.
- Sunday Sales: SB10, by Sen. John Bulloch (Ochlocknee), and HB69, by Rep. Roger Williams (Dalton), would allow local communities to choose whether or not to allow Sunday sales of alcohol. Governor Deal has indicated that he would sign such legislation if passed. While the Georgia Chamber has not yet taken a formal position on either of these bills, we have supported similar legislation in the past.
- Health Insurance Mandates: Sen. Tim Golden (Valdosta) introduced SB 17, which would create a state commission to review proposed and existing health insurance mandates, which typically drive up the cost of providing health insurance. The commission would make recommendations on existing mandates by the end of 2012. Controlling the number of mandates is a standing priority of the Georgia Chamber.
- Exempting Sales Tax for Energy Used in Manufacturing: Rep. Roger Williams (Dalton) has introduced HB 86, which would create a sales tax exemption for energy used in the manufacturing process. The Georgia Chamber has long supported this concept and has included this exemption as a priority for 2011. Georgia is currently the only state in the southeast that taxes energy used in the manufacturing process, placing us at a competitive disadvantage and threatening both current and future jobs.
Ethics Compliance Update
Changes in Ethics Act Impact Business
Businesses that sell goods or services to state and/or local governments may be subject to new regulations as a result of recent changes to the Ethics in Government Act. The Georgia Chamber is seeking clarification from the Ethics Commission and will provide guidance once that is received. In the meantime, any company that sells goods or services to state or local governments should consult with their attorney to determine whether or not their sales force is now required to register as lobbyists, disclose “lobbying activities” resulting from sales calls, and operate under the same restrictions with regard to contingent compensation (commissions)
