January 18, 2008
GEORGIA CHAMBER'S LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
MAKES SIGNIFICANT ADVANCES FORWARD
IN FIRST WEEK OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION
NRA's "Bring Your Gun to Work" Bill Gutted; State Chamber-supported
Water Management Plan passes overwhelmingly in both Senate and House
The Georgia General Assembly convened on Monday, January 14, a day that saw the House of Representatives override twelve gubernatorial vetoes from last year.
Tuesday, January 15, a record, sellout crowd of 3,000 – including more than half of the members of the General Assembly, statewide Constitutional officers, judges from the Georgia Supreme Court and the Georgia Court of Appeals, hundreds of local elected officials and local chambers of commerce leaders – attended the annual Georgia Chamber of Commerce Eggs & Issues breakfast and heard from Gov. Sonny Perdue, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle and Speaker of the House Glenn Richardson.
HB 89 – The NRA's "Bring Your Guns to Work" Bill
On Thursday, January 17, the Georgia Senate passed HB 89, gun rights legislation – which as the result of an effective, unified lobbying effort by members of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce – absolutely and clearly reaffirms the rights of private property owners to determine whether or not to permit the introduction of firearms on their premises and provides a lengthy, near comprehensive list of exemptions for employers who would now be unaffected by the bill.
The "parking lot" section of the bill pushed by the National Rifle Association (NRA) – but opposed by many NRA members in Georgia and almost every Georgia-based gun rights organization – was severely neutered and water-downed, "gutted" several media reports stated.
As passed, the Senate addressed virtually every concern the Georgia Chamber of Commerce had with the legislation.
The Georgia Chamber of Commerce appreciates the support of Senators in recognizing the rights of property owners to set workplace policies they believe are in the best interest of their business. And we thank Georgia Chamber members and local chambers of commerce who let their opinions be known to their Senators.
Other key provisions in the bill as passed by the Senate include:
(1) No private right of action exposing businesses to additional liability;
(2) Immunity for employers should a firearm be discharged accidentally or in the commission of a crime on their premises (should any court strike down this immunity language, the entire "parking lot" section would be null and void),
(3) A clear statement of the rights of property owners to ban guns from their parking lots if they so choose,
(4) An affirmative defense for an employer if the business believes the law is in conflict with existing local, state or federal law – and federal courts have already pronounced similar legislation in conflict with federal regulations, rules and laws,
(5) Language that states "This Code section shall not be construed so as to require an employer, property owner, or property owner´s agent to implement any additional security measures for the protection of employees, customers, or other persons. Implementation of remedial security measures to provide protection to employees, customers, or other persons shall not be admissible in evidence to show prior negligence or breach of duty of an employer, property owner, or property owner´s agent in any action against such employer, its officers or shareholders, or property owners."
(6) Strong language reaffirming the rights of an employer and the commitment of the state to Georgia's "right to work" and "employment at will" laws.
Other gun rights language was added to the bill, unrelated to the issue of the parking lots of businesses, offered by the Georgia-based gun rights group Georgiacarry.org and state Rep. Tim Bearden.
HB 89 now goes back to the House of Representatives, which must agree with Senate changes to the bill before it can go to Gov. Sonny Perdue for consideration.
State Water Management Plan
Today, January 18, the Georgia General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted resolutions actively supported by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce approving the Comprehensive Statewide Water Plan. Senate Resolution 701 and House Resolution 1022 were passed by the Senate and House of Representatives respectively, granting their approval for the "water plan" adopted unanimously by the Water Council last week. The Senate passed the Resolution with a 39-12 vote, while the House approved with a 131-37 final vote.
Passage of the Statewide Water Plan was a top priority for the Georgia Chamber of Commerce this session.
The water management plan is a blueprint for how Georgia manages its water supplies to deal with future population growth and development and balance the needs of Georgia businesses and citizens with the need to protect our valuable natural assets.
The plan outlines measures for storing and conserving water and establishes 11 regions in which local water councils will collect data and develop plans to ensure the state has enough water.
The Georgia Chamber commends the work of the Water Council to deliver this comprehensive plan and thanks the General Assembly for their strong support and quick actions to build a strong foundation for the future growth and economic prosperity of Georgia.
LEGISLATORS RETURN MONDAY, JANUARY 28
The General Assembly will be in recess the week of Monday, January 21, and will return for Day 6 of the 40-day legislative session on Monday, January 28, with transportation, health care, education, and tax legislation to be considered.
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Legislative Updates 
