Gov. Brian Kemp closed out the week signing several bills into law that he says will streamline government and help safeguard the state from interference from foreign adversaries. Among them were SB 96 – which was a priority of Kemp and decreases the administrative burden on state agencies by reducing the number of boards that have grown inactive or perform duplicative roles. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Drew Echols, R-Gainesville, and carried in the House by Rep. Matthew Gambill, R-Cartersville.
The Governor signed another priority bill into law Friday – HB 113 – which directs the Georgia Technology Authority to establish and keep updated a list of companies and products that are produced and/or sold by citizens or governments of countries designated as “foreign adversaries” by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. This list will be utilized by the Department of Administrative Services (“DOAS”) and other state agencies in state purchasing decisions to bring greater security to our state agencies.
Rep. Lauren McDonald, R-Cumming, sponsored the bill and it was carried in the Senate by Bo Hatchett, R-Cornelia.
“Every day we serve the people of Georgia, it’s important for us to remember that we work for them,” said Kemp. “It’s our job to help streamline their experiences with the government, make it easier for them to access opportunity, and limit, as best we can, the challenges they may face in accessing new skills and good careers. Thanks to the diligent work of our partners in the General Assembly, I’m proud to say that the bills I’ve signed today will help us accomplish that.”
Kemp signed several bills designed to streamline professional licensing in Georgia and build the state’s workforce quicker. Two of the bills were sponsored by Rep. Marcus Wiedower, R-Watkinsville, and carried in the Senate by Sen. Larry Walker, R-Perry. HB 635 makes licensing requirements more objective by reducing individual discretion, promoting fairness, and streamlining the three pathways to licensure for Residential Basic, Residential Light Commercial, and Commercial General Contractors. And HB 630 streamlines the administration of the State Board of Registration of Used Motor Vehicle Dealers and Used Motor Vehicle Parts Dealers and clarifies the requirements applicants for licensure must satisfy, while preserving the protections against bad actors within the industry.
Another licensing bill, HB 579, sponsored by Rep. Matt Reeves, R-Duluth, and carried in the Senate Walker, grants the Professional Licensing Board Division Director administrative approval for licenses – streamlining the licensure process and removing barriers of entry for individuals to get to work in Georgia.
HB 148, sponsored by Rep. John Carson, R, Marietta, and carried in the Senate by Sen. Billy Hickman, R-Statesboro, authorizes two additional pathways towards obtaining a CPA, while maintaining the current CPA pathway – 150 Credit Hours, one year of experience, CPA Exam. The first requires a bachelor’s degree in accounting, two years of experience, and the CPA exam; while the second allows for a master’s degree in accounting, one year of experience, and the CPA exam. The other change clarifies that out-of-state CPAs in good standing in their home state and a passing grade on the national CPA exam can practice in Georgia without the need for a second state certification.
