Bill that would benefit state automakers clears House
The state House on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved legislation that would allow state agencies to buy cars made in Georgia without going through the competitive bid process.
House Bill 259, sponsored by Rep. Terry Rogers, R-Clarkesville, was designed at the behest of Gov. Nathan Deal.
Kia Motors is Georgia’s only major auto manufacturer, and thousands of employees work at its West Point-based plant and a string of nearby suppliers. But it could soon have company.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has reported that Deal has tried to recruit Jaguar Land Rover and Volvo in recent weeks.
The competitive bidding process is outlined in a series of state regulations that require sealed proposals, public advertising of many contracts and other restrictions.
The bill now goes to the Senate.
— Aaron Gould Sheinin
House backs background checks for Uber, Lyft drivers
The Georgia House signed off on a bill that would require drivers for Uber and Lyft to submit to fingerprinting and state background checks.
The 160-10 vote Wednesday came days after lawmakers passed a separate proposal that would require drivers to maintain insurance coverage of up to $1 million. Both are now pending in the Senate.
The fingerprinting proposal — pitched as a “public safety” plan by state Rep. Alan Powell — is the latest attempt to add a layer of regulation to popular app-based ride-sharing companies. Few issues have generated as much debate — and feedback from voters — as House Bill 225 did.
Uber and Lyft initially pushed back against the proposal, too, but Powell said both firms ultimately wrote letters to support its passage.
“They understand that this will be an awfully good opportunity to move forward on this so they can do business and survive,” said Powell, R-Hartwell.
— Greg Bluestein
Way cleared for bars to open Sunday — in time for St. Patrick’s Day
A bill that would allow local governments to open one Sunday a year received final passage Wednesday — just in time for St. Patrick’s Day.
Senate Bill 103, which is on its way to Gov. Nathan Deal, was a major initiative of lawmakers from Savannah, where St. Patrick’s Day provides huge economic benefits. Thousands of people descend on the coastal city each year for the March celebration.
Current state law doesn’t allow bars — which are different from restaurants — to open on Sunday. SB 103 would allow city and county governments to vote to change that for one single Sunday each year.
Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration, which dates to 1813, begins this Saturday and lasts through Tuesday.
— Aaron Gould Sheinin
Only state could ban pit bulls, other dog breeds in Georgia
Local officials would not be allowed to ban or otherwise restrict pit bulls or any specific type of dog breed under a measure passed Wednesday by the Georgia Senate.
Senate Bill 184 would essentially prevent cities and counties from deciding the issue for themselves. The bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Ellis Black, R-Valdosta, said dogs need to be judged by their individual character. He said local officials could still decide whether an individual dog is a public menace or too dangerous.
Two cities in Georgia — LaGrange and Lawrenceville — have ordinances controlling ownership of pit bulls. Neither would be grandfathered into state law if SB 184 were to become law. DeKalb County decided in 2012 to no longer restrict pit bulls as a household pet, a zoning change that county officials said was meant to help the county focus more on all dangerous dogs and possibly improve the adoption rate from its shelter.
SB 184, supported by the American Kennel Club, passed on a 42-11 vote and now goes to the state House for consideration.
— Kristina Torres
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