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Legislative
Update |
January
28,
2000 A review of current developments from the Georgia
Bankers Association |
| www.gabankers.com |
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Legislature
Completes Busy Week
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The
General Assembly reconvened this week after a week-long budget recess.
The major focus continues to be the Governor’s education
initiatives. Due to the need for hotel rooms related to the Super
Bowl, the General Assembly had to recess for today and Monday. They will reconvene on Tuesday, February 1.
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Insurance
Bill A Priority
Bannister
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The
GBA continues to work on eliminating the “town of 5,000” restriction
which affects the ability of 120 state-chartered banks to sell insurance.
Last session, H.B. 656 was introduced by Rep.
Charles Bannister of Lilburn.
Portions of that bill need to be rewritten due to the passage of the
federal Financial Modernization Bill, and another bill will likely be
introduced in the Senate.
Stay tuned for action on this important issue.
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Payday
Loan Bill Passes Senate
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Senator
Don Cheek’s bill, S.B.
294, that would outlaw the payday loan business in Georgia passed
the Senate by a wide margin in the Senate on Monday.
The bill is now pending in the House
Banks and Banking Committee. Another bill is also in this committee that would regulate
the industry rather than ban the practice of payday lending.
That bill, H.B.
515 by Rep.
Robert Reichert of Macon, requires the Georgia
Department of Banking and Finance to oversee the industry.
The GBA has asked that if the regulatory bill is the one that finally
passes, then sufficient revenue be raised from the payday lenders to support
the regulatory structure. Otherwise,
the Banking Department would have to use funds raised from other sources,
probably bank examination fees. No
action has been set for either bill.
Cheeks |
Reichert |
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Surveillance
Bill Causes Problems for Banks
Meyer von Bremen
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Senator
Michael Meyer von Bremen of Albany has introduced legislation (S.B.
316) amending Georgia’s surveillance statute designed to protect
the privacy of attorneys as they speak with their incarcerated clients.
The bill as drawn unfortunately would require banks and other retail
establishments that routinely videotape their premises to get written
permission from those being videotaped prior to the taping.
Of course, such permission would be impossible in any retail
establishment, and Sen. Meyer von Bremen is drafting additional language so
that the bill will not affect banks and other businesses.
Our thanks to the Senator for his help in clarifying his bill.
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Venue
Shopping
Martin
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The Georgia Bankers Association continues to
work with a number of other associations, primarily the Georgia
Chamber of Commerce, to oppose H.B.
369 which would allow plaintiff’s to “venue shop” in Georgia.
No action was scheduled on the bill this week although the trial
lawyers continue to seek the votes necessary to get the bill out of the House
Judiciary Committee. The
committee chair, Rep.
Jim Martin of Atlanta, is the author of the bill.
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Boat Titling Bill Sunk
Johnson
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Last
year, the association representing the marine dealers requested legislation
be introduced to title boats.
Sen.
Eric Johnson of Savannah introduced their bill, S.B.
114, and it is pending in the Senate
Transportation Committee.
The marine dealers association has now decided they will oppose their
own bill as some of their dealers have decided to work against the bill.
No action is scheduled in committee.
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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 mailed on alternate Fridays except when the legislature is
in recess. On Fridays that
the Update is not mailed, GBA’s LegisFAX
will be sent via fax to all CEO’s, Contact Bankers, Bank Counsel
Section members 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 at www.gabankers.com,
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. |
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GBA’s
Lobbyists at the Capitol
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The
lobbying team for the GBA will be at the Capitol full-time throughout the session. If you need to get in touch with any of them on a
particular issue, several ways are available. Call the main number at the GBA,
(404) 522-1501, or leave a message on their direct voice mail, or send them an
e-mail. They
will get back to you at the earliest opportunity.
Joe
Brannen, Direct phone (404) 420-2026, E-mail: jbrannen@gabankers.com
Elizabeth
Way, Direct phone, (404) 420-2027, E-mail: eway@gabankers.com
Don Browne, Direct phone, (404) E-mail:
dbrowne@gabankers.com
Dan Thomason, Direct phone, (404)
420-2016, E-mail: dthomason@gabankers.com
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| The
electronic version of GBA's Legislative Update will be published regularly
during the 2000 session of the Georgia General Assembly. Let GBA's Lydia
Thomas know of others you would like to add to our distribution list.
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