Legislative Update

January 16, 2004          A review of current developments from the Georgia Bankers Association

www.gabankers.com
General Assembly Underway The 2004 session of the Georgia General Assembly got underway Monday of this week following a week of budget hearings.  The leadership of both houses pledged to work more cooperatively in a spirit of bipartisanship.  The Governor reduced the revenue estimates for the remainder of this fiscal year and the legislature quickly set about making the necessary adjustments.  Other than the budget, the legislature is expected to address other high profile issues such as civil justice reform, child endangerment and perhaps even redistricting.

GFLA Redux H.B. 1171 was introduced this week and if passed, the Georgia Fair Lending Act would be returned to the version pushed by former Governor Roy Barnes.  Back would be covered loans, the old definition of flipping, the assignee liability language that caused the rating agencies to shut down the mortgage market in Georgia; and gone would be the parity language which allowed state-chartered banks to be exempted from the Act.  Our members are urged to immediately contact your House members and let them know you are opposed to this legislation.  Links to their addresses and phone numbers are on GBA’s website.

Housekeeping Bill Introduced The Banking Department’s annual housekeeping bill was introduced by Senate Banking Committee Chairman Don Cheeks (R-Augusta).  The most significant issue for banks is the elimination of the requirement to get advance approval from the Department for third party contracts.

Legislative Reception a Hit Almost a thousand bankers, legislators and other state dignitaries gathered this week at the annual GBA Legislative Reception.  Our thanks to the tremendous support from our members who came out in huge numbers.

Chandler, Brannen Honored Each January, dozens of members of the Capitol lobbying corps meet at the Pigeon Awards Dinner to dole out mostly tongue-in-cheek awards for legislative accomplishments the prior session.  A few serious awards are given, and this year, retiring Wachovia lobbyist Mack Chandler was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award, and GBA President Joe Brannen was given the highest award, the Golden Pigeon.  Congratulations Mack and Joe.

GBA Keeps You Informed

GBA’s Legislative Update is intended to keep you apprised of the bills that the GBA is tracking on the industry’s behalf.  Subsequent issues will be sent on alternate Fridays except when the legislature is in recess.  On Fridays that the Update is not sent, GBA’s LegisFAX will be sent via fax to all CEO’s and those interested in tracking issues on a weekly basis. The electronic version of both the Legislative Update and the LegisFAX will be sent by e-mail to those on our e-mail list.  The ‘State Issues’ section of GBA Online, GBA’s home page, is linked to the website maintained by the General Assembly and assures that you will have the latest version of any bill being tracked by the GBA.

GBA Lobbyists

GBA will again be represented this year every day at the Capitol by our three lobbyists:  Joe Brannen, Elizabeth Chandler and Don Browne.  Give them a call if you have questions about any legislation.  Don’t forget to check the 2004 State Issues link on GBA’s website for up-to-the-minute news from the session.

Joe Brannen, Direct phone, (404) 420-2026
 Elizabeth Chandler, Direct phone, (404) 420-2027
 Don Browne, Direct phone, (404) 522-1501

The electronic version of GBA's Legislative Update will be published regularly during the 2004 session of the Georgia General Assembly.  Let GBA's Lydia Thomas know of others you would like to add to our distribution list.

State Legislative Issues l Georgia House of Representatives l Georgia Senate