By Bruce Widener, CAAG, Executive Director/Lobbyist

The Georgia Legislature is now at work for the people in this short 40 day session. Your CAAG team has been working close on HVAC issues with Georgia legislators on the following issues. These House Bills can be also found at www.caag.org.

Support HB 715 Business License/Permit cost. There is a lot of conversation about this bill, but cities and counties and the $400 Club are opposed to it and they are very strong at the Capitol. CAAG, AGC and the Electrical Contractors are the only construction associations who are actively supporting this bill. The other trades are simply saying they are “watching it” or “have no reason to object to it.” Authored by Rep. Shaw Blackmon (R-Warner Robins), Brett Harrell (R-Snellville). Currently in House Ways & Means Committee subcommittee on Public Finance.

News Flash – HB715 passes Key Committee! No Amendments. Your lobbying is working – keep it up!

SB 315 Lien Law by Sen. Lindsey Tippins (R-Marietta). Officially this bill is in the Senate Judiciary Committee but it was passed out of Committee last week and is set to go to the full Senate for a vote.

Licensing Increase in Fees for Administration and Enforcement  – I have learned that there will be an effort to amend the licensing law to allow the boards to increase their licensing fees voluntarily so that more funds can be used for administration and enforcement. The fees would still have to go to the state treasury and be allocated back to the boards but language would be added to ensure that this is done.

SB 285 Military Licenses by Sen. Bruce Thompson (R-White, GA), not yet assigned to committee. This amends the Veterans’ bill we fought several years ago. Remember that because of our CAAG amendment, the licensing board required them to take the exam. It adds National Guard and provides that the spouse of a service member doesn’t have to have a state license of any kind.

Boiler Licensing by Rep. Bruce Williamson (R-Monroe). Rep. Williamson said he would like to review the licensing of boiler contractors but his immediate problem has been resolved and there probably will not be legislation this year.

HB 508 License Fees Go To Boards by Rep. Brett Harrell (R-Snellville), H. Regulated Industries Comm. This bill provides that the cost of administrating and enforcing the state professional licensing boards shall be paid from the funds collected and the expenses shall not exceed the funds generated. No other funds shall be used to support the licensing boards.

HB 474 Work Comp Board by Rep. Tom Kirby (R-Loganville), in H. Industry and Labor Comm. The purpose of this bill is to establish basic minimum procedural requirements for the adoption, amendment, or repeal of administrative rules.

HB 773 Reciprocal Licensing by Scot Turner (R-Holly Springs) in H. Reg. Industries Committee. This bill would provide for reciprocal licensing of the state licensing boards. In all likelihood this bill will not pass.

HB 777 DCA Codes – Timber Construction by John Corbett (R-Lake Park), in H. Ag & Consumer Affairs Committee. This would direct the Department of Community Affairs to undertake a review of the 2021 edition of the International Building Code so as to consider amending the state minimum standard codes to allow tall mass timber construction types.

HB 302 Local Building Ordinances by Rep. Vance Smith ( R-Pine Mtn.), in the H. Ag & Consumer Affairs Comm. This bill would prohibit local governments from adopting or enforcing ordinances relating to building design elements as applied to one or two-family dwellings. This bill was introduced last year and did not pass. Most construction trades are supporting it and BOAG is opposed to it. CAAG has not taken a position as yet.

HB 486 Electrical and Plumbing Contractors by Dale Washburn (R-Macon), in H. Reg. Industries Committee. This bill would provide that persons who do not have a state electrical or plumbing license cannot advertise that they perform these services. CAAG got this accomplished for Conditioned Air licenses years ago. It was introduced last year but did not pass.

HB 286 Right To Repair by Scot Turner (R-Holly Springs) in H. Ag & Consumer Affairs Comm. This bill would require manufacturers to provide items necessary for diagnostic, maintenance, or repair services on digital products. It was introduced last year and is not expected to pass.

Who are your Legislators? To find your state representative and senator go to www.openstates.org. I would also like to invite you to join CAAG and help us help you by representing you at the Capitol with other Professional HVACR Contractors from all over the state. For more information, contact Bruce Widener, CAAG, email: bruce@caag.org web: www.caag.org.