LEGISLATIVE REPORT
By REP. CHARLES JENKINS

Charles Jenkins

The House Banks & Banking Committee, by a divided 17-11 vote Thursday, favorably reported House Bill 163, known as the Deferred Presentment Services Act, which would provide for the licensing of individuals who provide deferred presentment services.

Payday lending, or cash advance, uses a post-dated check or electronic checking account information as collateral for a short-term loan. To qualify, borrowers need only personal identification, a checking account, and an income from a job or government benefits. The legislature virtually outlawed the concept in 2004.

HB 163 would return the practice of payday lending to Georgia, but in a regulated environment. The bill outlines licensing procedures, and stipulates rules, regulations and penalties for not complying with the act. Supporters said the bill provides clear guidelines for a service that many Georgians need. Opponents said payday lenders cost American families billions of dollars each year in predatory fees, and that the business should be prohibited in Georgia.

The legislation is scheduled to be considered by the full House upon our return to session this week.

Legislation that would have put the retirement income of public employees at risk failed to win approval on the House floor, falling four votes short of the necessary 91. HB 318 would increase the percentage of Georgia's retirement funds that can be invested in foreign countries that do not support child labor laws, minimum wage standards and environmental regulations

I voted against this proposal. Instead of putting the billions of dollars in our various public retirement systems at risk in shaky and untested foreign investments, the state should instead be investing in Georgia companies and focused on keeping jobs in the state.

Georgia lawmakers are hearing good reports from Washington, D.C., about the future of the PeachCare for Kids funding problem. Several members of our state's congressional delegation visited the State Capitol this week and reported that the issue has the attention of the federal government and we can expect appropriate action to be forthcoming.

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has committed that the necessary funding to address a $131 million federal shortfall will be provided in a supplemental appropriations bill in mid-March. Georgia lawmakers are being urged to do our part and fund the $57 million that will keep PeachCare operating through the end of this fiscal year on June 30.

PeachCare provides health insurance coverage for 273,000 children of Georgia's working families, who pay premiums to participate in the program. The federal funding issue has severely slowed progress in the House Appropriations Committee to move forward on the fiscal year 2007 supplemental budget and the 2008 annual budget.

Recent polls show the public is increasingly supportive of tax referendum measures that are designed to raise money to address transportation issues. At least two such proposals are now under consideration by the House of Representatives.

HB 434, targeted to address Atlanta's traffic problems, would allow two or more counties to introduce regional sales taxes; taxes on Internet, mail-order and out-of-state purchases; or local motor fuel sales to pay for specific transportation construction projects, subject to a popular referendum. HB 442 provides for a statewide 1 percent sales tax for transportation purposes, limited to a 10-year time period.

Supporters of HB 434 - including the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce - said that the measure would be contingent on voter approval at the polls, as would HB 442. They also said Atlanta's roads can't handle its exploding population, and the state doesn't have the funds to fix the problem. HB 434 would let the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority initiate the planning process in the 13- county Atlanta area. Opponents of HB 434 said that the measure would reduce transportation funding for outlying metro Atlanta counties.

The Georgia Department of Transportation is expected to introduce an alternative proposal soon. Lawmakers, DOT members and transportation groups are also reported to be working on a plan to address the state's broader transpiration needs. Polls show the overall concept of allowing voters to decide on a temporary tax has widespread support among voters.

Rep. Charles Jenkins (DBlairsville) represents the 8th District (Rabun, Towns, Union and White counties) in the Georgia House of Representatives.