Safe Carry Protection Act Passes Through Georgia House
House Bill 512, the Safe Carry Protection Act, would allow guns in many public places such as bars, churches, parts of college campuses and into unsecured government buildings including courthouses. All 18 members of the Georgia University Board of Regents signed a statement Tuesday, declaring that the current gun laws best serve the interests and safety of students, faculty and staff. The statement was also supported by the system’s 31 college and university presidents. The Chancellor of the University System of Georgia opposed the bill explaining “that adding loaded weapons to an already potentially volatile mix of youthful exuberance, stress, and yes, at times alcohol and other factors, could lead to a tragedy of our own making.”
Georgia House of Representatives Passes House Bill 545
The legislation would create the Metropolitan Atlanta Aerotropolis Development Authority, as part of the Local Calendar. The authority is intended to foster economic development in the northwest area of Clayton County around Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The Senate held a debate on Thursday but did not vote on the legislation.
House Banks and Banking Committee Hears Senate Bill 139
On Wednesday, Senator Butch Miller’s bill that allows the collection of closing fees had a hearing in the Georgia House. The bill allows closing fees of up to 4% or $50 for credit extensions. The current statutes do not allow the lenders to recoup the costs of underwriting. SB 139 would allow the lender or seller to charge the customer a fee every time the customer does not pay off the loan within 90 days or every time a loan is renewed.
Georgia Senate Approves Senate Bill 487
The Georgia Senate voted to approve a bill to centralize control and enforcement of video poker machines in the state. House Bill 487 would transfer oversight and enforcement of video poker machines to the Georgia Lottery Corp. Under the proposal, a share of the proceeds would be used to fund the state’s HOPE scholarship program starting at 1 percent and increasing to 10 percent over time.
Further Reading
Legislators Working on State Budget
http://www.ledgernews.com/news/top_stories/legislators-working-on-state-budget/article_0ea3651e-8b1f-11e2-a687-0019bb30f31a.html
Georgia Lawmakers Expect End of Session
http://www.wtvy.com/home/headlines/Georgia-Lawmakers-Expect-End-of-Session-March-28th-198190531.html
Georgia Lawmakers Hash Out Different Gun Law Proposals
http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/story/21633288/ga-lawmakers-hash-out-different-gun-law-proposals
Gun Bill Draws Fire from College Leaders
http://www.times-georgian.com/view/full_story/21967801/article-Gun-bill-draws-fire-from-college-leaders?instance=TG_home_story
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