Feb. 3, 2006

This is a legislative alert for the state of Georgia. If you do business in that state, you may want to read the state bills that are now pending. Copies of the bills are located under Government Relations in the Information Center of www.alarm.org. NBFAA is monitoring these bills and will report on them in the February State Legislative Report. Below is a synopsis of the pending legislation:

GA HB 1105 – licensing

Introduced by Rep. Ron Dodson (D-75) on January 25, 2006, HB 1105 relates to electrical contractors, plumbers, conditioned air contractors, low-voltage contractors, and utility contractors, so as to provide for the documentation of full-time engagement in the performance of a contracting business; the bill also provides a fine and penalties for the unauthorized use of a license number of a conditioned air contractor and provides for the issuance of certificates of authorization.

GA SB 120 – broadband

Introduced back in February 2005 by Sen. Mitch Seabaugh (R-28), SB 120 was amended on January 26, 2006 and then passed by the Senate and sent to the House. This bill relates to telephone and telegraph service, so as to provide legislative findings and intent; provides definitions; provides that no state agency shall impose any requirement on broadband service, voice over Internet protocol, or wireless service; provides that existing requirements are void; provides for exceptions and construction; provides an effective date; repeals conflicting laws.

GA HB 620 – employment

Introduced in February 2005 by Rep. Cecily Hill (R-180), this bill was moved immediately to the House Committee on Judiciary. HB 620 relates to rights and liabilities of principals to third persons, so as to provide for criminal record background checks for employees, agents, subcontractors, and independent subcontractors of in-home service companies and residential delivery companies whose job duties require or will require entry into another person's residential dwelling; and to provide for civil immunity for employers which perform such criminal record background checks under certain circumstances and other purposes.

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