GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
ROOM 505, LOB 30334
404-656-5082     1-800-282-5800

Daily Report Number 14
February 9, 2004

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Because the Georgia General Assembly is a part-time legislature, there are a number of jobs which are only required for a portion of each year. The majority of these workers perform vital functions within the Secretary of the Senate’s Office and the House Clerk’s Office, which experience an extremely high workload when the legislature is in session. Staffing these positions is a dedicated group of men and women, most of which return each year to serve the House and Senate. These employees are considered temporary full-time workers. HB 498 would allow the men and women currently employed as temporary full-time employees to opt into the State Employees Retirement System. Persons wishing to participate must file for enrollment into the system before the end of 2004, and would be responsible for the employee’s contribution share. The legislation is estimated to cost the state roughly $4000 in the first year, and would take effect only if it is sufficiently funded.

HB 498's authors said it will provide an extra incentive to encourage these employees to continue returning each year. Furthermore, they said such men and women provide indispensable services and their familiarity with the General Assembly contribute greatly to the efficiency of each session’s operation. The measure passed by a vote of 167-0.
Next up was HB 585, dealing with used car salesmen. The General Assembly has previously passed consumer protection legislation requiring the owner of a used car business to purchase surety bonds. These bonds could then be used to recover any losses should the dealer fail to meet his or her contractual obligations to an automobile buyer or seller. Currently, used car dealers are required to carry a $20,000 surety bond. HB 585 would increase this requirement for dealers which sell more than ten cars per month. Dealers averaging more than ten cars sold per month would be required to carry a $30,000 bond. Those who sell more than 25 cars monthly would need to secure a bond in the amount of $50,000.

Members supporting HB 585 pointed out that such bonds are relatively inexpensive, when compared to the sales volume a dealer would have to meet to trigger the higher bond requirements. House lawmakers voted 155-12 to pass HB 585 and send it to the Senate.

Finally, HB 1266, which passed by a vote of 172-1, merely removes the sunset provision on legislation which created the Renal Dialysis Advisory Council. The council was created to advise the Department of Community Health on matters of licensing, inspection, operation and regulation of kidney dialysis providers and machines. The sunset provision was included in the original legislation to give lawmakers a chance to examine and evaluate the Renal Dialysis Advisory Council’s performance prior to making it a permanent state fixture.

Georgia House of Representatives
Public Information Office

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