| GFIA Legislative Link
3/1/06 14 Days to go at the Georgia capitol!
Changes in WIC Notification to Assist Grocers
The GFIA has been working with Senator John Bulloch (R-Ochlocknee) on changes to the WIC rules regarding notification of violations found during compliance visits. Currently, no notification is sent until after the third compliance visit. In some cases, a cashier could be doing something wrong that would result in the loss of a retailer's WIC license before the retailer ever knew they had a problem. Even more serious, is that the loss of the WIC license can result in the loss of the food stamp license. In many areas, that would be enough to close a retailer's store. Sen. Bulloch has introduced Senate Bill 614 which would require the WIC department to notify a vendor if a violation is found after the first compliance visit. (We are drafting substitute language which will be introduced in committee, and will report on the new language next week) SB 614 has been assigned to the Senate Health and Human Services committee. Look for a hearing on this bill sometime early next week.
In-Store Clinics Banned from Pharmacies?
As you may or may not know, some stores in Georgia are starting to open in-store clinics that are staffed by an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse and offer reasonable prices for health care. These clinics can treat minor illnesses (ex. colds and strep throat) and certain medications can be called into a pharmacy. Sen. Preston Smith (R-Rome) has introduced Senate Bill 607 which seeks to ban any store that has a pharmacy from having an in-store clinic. SB 607 passed the Senate Health and Human Services committee 4-2 on Thursday evening and now goes to the Senate Rules committee. One of the dissenting votes came from Sen. Don Balfour , chairman of the powerful Senate Rules committee . SB 607 cannot get a vote on the floor without passing out of Chairman Balfour's committee, so this could get interesting.
Seeing Eye Monkeys?
Rep. Doug Holt ( R-Social Circle ) has introduced House Bill 695 which seeks to make it legal in Georgia to use a monkey as an aid for a disabled person, similar to that of a seeing-eye dog. The Department of Agriculture had some issues with monkeys being allowed in places that sell food and offered a substitute version of the bill which barred seeing-eye monkeys from places of business that sell food. The substitute version of HB 695 passed out of the House Game, Fish and Parks committee unanimously on Thursday afternoon.
Changes In "Time For Schools Act"
A hearing was held on Tuesday in the House Ways and Means subcommittee on Rep. Roger Bruce's (D-Atlanta) House Bill 230 which seeks to require businesses to give an employee 8 hours off per year in order to attend school related activities. Originally the bill had penalties for business that did not give time off; however, a new version of the bill offered by Rep. Bruce takes out the penalty and makes it voluntary compliance. No action was taken on the bill however expect another hearing sometime next week.
Strict Licensing Penalties Proposed
Rep. Penny Houston (R-Nashville) has introduced House Bill 1506 which makes would give the Department of Revenue the power to revoke a license for five years on the property, if a business owner does not collect and remit the correct amount of state sales tax on alcohol or lottery sales.
HB 1506 was assigned to the House Ways and Means committee. The GFIA is currently working with Rep. Houston and other retail trade associations to come up with a solution that is fair for retailers.
Questions? Comments? Concerns?
Kathy Kuzava - (404) 819-7744 kkuzvava@gfia.org
or
Jason Bragg (478)-719-9167 jbragg@gfia.org
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