Important Legislation to Help Georgia’s Workforce

Friends,

The Governor is continuing to prioritize signing important legislation we passed in the General Assembly over the last session.  Bills to address Georgia’s healthcare needs, protect small businesses, and prevent the trafficking of stolen goods on the internet were all part of a busy week enacting laws that benefit the District 159. 

Healthcare

Healthcare can be complicated and expensive for Georgians, which is one of the reasons I supported several healthcare reforms this year signed into law by Governor Kemp to ease access to care and simplify the bureaucracy. 

HB 733 and HB 937 both address the importance of breast cancer screenings for women in Georgia, requiring that diagnostic examinations be covered in the same way as mammograms, while requiring notification to eligible recipients of mammogram coverage for women over 40. 

SB 341 recognizes that compliance with insurance regulations can be a burden on Georgians by allowing a patient to receive prior authorization for up to a year, cutting red tape for those seeking treatment for chronic conditions. 

Legislation like this is only helpful if care is available in our Georgia communities, which is why I also supported SB 340 to increase access to healthcare training, HB 1041 to encourage Georgians to financially support rural hospitals, and HB 1069 to create new licensing categories to make mental health treatment more readily available.

Small Business Week in Georgia 

As part of Small Business Week, occurring this year from May 3 - 8, the Governor signed legislation to cut red tape and allow Georgia’s small businesses to thrive.  

SB 331, the Protecting Georgia Businesses and Workers Act, prevents local governments from overregulating the relationship between Georgia’s workers and their employers.  

HB 1058 simplifies the tax filing process for affiliated businesses, allowing a business owner to file a consolidated return rather than multiple separate returns. Complying with the tax code is hard enough - ensuring a fair process is better for everyone.  

HB 1443 protects the safety of Georgia diners while simplifying the permitting process for mobile food service establishments such as food trucks and caterers. 

With this legislation, a food truck can operate in additional Georgia counties so long as it has appropriate permitting and inspections in its home county. 

Enforcing Georgia’s Laws

Platforms like eBay and Amazon provide great tools for Georgians in all corners of our state to make extra money. Unfortunately, criminal gangs have reportedly begun taking advantage of these tools to sell stolen loot. 

SB 332, the Inform Consumers Act, requires that high-volume sellers making over $20,000 a year on a platform provide financial and contact information, while platforms are required to create a reporting mechanism. 

With this law in effect, criminals won’t be able to take advantage of Georgians by selling them contraband and leaving them with no recourse. At the same time, law abiding businesses won’t have to deal with unfair competition from those selling stolen property. 

Conclusion

I will continue to advocate for Georgians in District 159, protecting access to healthcare while supporting small businesses and defending you against criminals.  

Legislation like that signed this week addresses many needs in these areas, but I know there’s always more work to do.  

Should you have ideas about legislation that could address issues faced by you or your neighbors, remember you can always reach out to me  at 404.656.5052, Jon.Burns@house.ga.gov, or on Facebook at www.FB.com/JonBurnsGA.