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State legislative proceedings are often difficult to understand and can be even more challenging to track. Georgia Watch provides details on legislation affecting consumers so the general public can stay informed as bills move through the halls of the Capitol. Our aim is to keep you informed and involved so that you can become engaged in the legislative process.

ISSUES & ACTIVITIES WE ARE CURRENTLY WATCHING:

Support legislation for a state certification process for Community Health Workers in Georgia

A state certification for Community Health Workers (CHWs) would standardize training on core competencies and address assessment and continuing education needs to strengthen and sustain the CHW workforce connecting communities to care. CHWs...

Support legislation to ensure adequate hospital presence in communities across the state

Hospital closures are a growing concern statewide, having a devastating impact on communities, leaving residents without access to vital medical care and emergency services, and causing strain on the surrounding health system. We are exploring a...

Support Senate Bill 20 to address insurance plan network adequacy and ensure mental health parity and access to services

Senator Kay Kirkpatrick (R-Marietta) introduced Senate Bill 20, the Consumer Access to Contracted Healthcare (CATCH) Act, to ensure consumer access to quality healthcare by setting adequacy standards for network plans offered by an insurer and to...

Support House Bill 342 to require regulation of car title lenders and make them subject to small-dollar lending protections

Representative Josh Bonner (R-Fayetteville) introduced HB 342, the Motor Vehicle Title Loan Act, to require statewide regulation of car title lenders who prey on cash-strapped Georgia families, often trapping them in a cycle of debt. Many...

Support securitization in utility financing to help reduce the impact of pending rate increases on Georgians

In 2022, the Georgia Public Service Commission approved a rate increase for Georgia Power Company that will cause customers’ bills to go up nearly 12% over the next three years to pay for spending on grid infrastructure, coal ash cleanup...

Support enhanced protections from garnishment of wages and bank accounts by debt collectors

Wage garnishment by debt collectors may occur after a creditor goes to court and wins a judgment against a consumer, allowing the creditor to seize a portion of the consumer’s wages or bank account savings to pay the debt. Currently, only $217.50...

Support adoption of an “equity impact tool” to measure proposed legislation or regulation

The public health and economic crises tied to the COVID-19 pandemic shone a light on existing disparities affecting communities of color, economically distressed communities, and other demographic groups who have historically experienced...

Support Senate Bill 84 to provide guidelines for protecting disabled or elderly adults when potential fraud is suspected

Financial exploitation of vulnerable adults is a serious issue that affects individuals who may be more susceptible to fraud. Perpetrators often use manipulative tactics to gain access to the individual’s financial assets. SB 84, introduced by...

Oppose legislation to permit for-profit credit repair, debt settlement and earned wage advance services in Georgia

Georgia’s current laws protect consumers from abusive fees often charged by these services. Current Georgia Legislation

Oppose attempts at the State or Federal level to limit consumers’ access to the civil justice system

This includes tort reform legislation seeking to cap damages, expand the use of mandatory arbitration, and limiting consumers’ right to join in class action lawsuits against powerful special interests. We oppose any efforts to limit access to...

Support programs to reduce the energy burden for Georgia utility customers

Creating a more equitable Georgia means bringing comprehensive, accessible programs, like energy efficiency and solar, to utilities and EMCs throughout the state. With skyrocketing energy bills and the interests of utilities as firmly entrenched...

Oppose work requirements and any efforts to limit Medicaid eligibility or reduce access to healthcare

Georgia legislators should not impose any work requirements that would lock Georgians out of healthcare coverage. Instead, Georgia should streamline enrollment to expedite coverage for eligible families and minimize administrative burden for...

Support state-level earned income tax credit (Georgia Work Credit) legislation to give an economic boost to low-income working families in Georgia

Georgia Watch supports a state-level earned income tax credit (Georgia Work Credit) legislation to give an economic boost to low-income working families in Georgia. Georgia is one of the few states that continue to levy an income tax on...

Support measures to increase rural access and equity

Measures that would stimulate and incentivize rural access to healthcare, include but are not limited to increasing the Medicaid provider reimbursement rate, physician student loan forgiveness, expanding rural broadband access for purposes of...