(The Center Square) — The Georgia Senate Study Committee on Occupational Licensing has signed off on a series of recommendations, including adequately funding the state’s Composite Medical Board.
The move follows a Center Square analysis last year that found the agency routinely dismisses many of the complaints it receives, but unreliable data makes it difficult to say precisely how many. In response, the head of the Medical Association of Georgia told The Center Square lawmakers should properly fund the board, saying the underfunding of the agency doesn’t benefit anyone in the state.
In the fiscal 2024 budget, state lawmakers included an additional $431,836 “for personnel to support increased licensure application volume.” GCMB officials said the funding could help address the findings of an audit earlier this year, which found the agency had addressed some shortcomings uncovered in a November 2020 audit but had not progressed on others.
The committee’s 10 recommendations include sunsetting licensing requirements in line with a state Supreme Court ruling in a case striking down the state’s licensing mandate for lactation care providers. Additionally, the committee recommends sunsetting licensing requirements for occupations that have not proven necessary for public health or safety, including librarians, low-voltage contractors, makeup artists and manicurists.
The committee also wants the state to advance universal Recognition of out-of-state licenses “where reasonable.”
Senate Study Committee on Occupational Licensing Recommendations
| Recommendation | Details |
|---|---|
| Pass Senate Bill 157 | The Committee advocates for the passage of SB 157, reflecting a commitment to legislative measures that address evolving workforce needs and industry dynamics. |
| Implement Changes Requested by The Surveying and Mapping Society of Georgia | Endorsed by the Georgia State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, the committee supports implementing changes proposed by The Surveying and Mapping Society of Georgia to streamline processes and uphold professional standards. |
| Transfer Georgia Board of Registration for Foresters Operations to Georgia Forestry Commission | Recognizing the need for efficiency, the committee recommends moving the operational function and revenue generation responsibilities of the Georgia Board of Registration for Foresters from the Georgia Secretary of State to the Georgia Forestry Commission. |
| Sunset Licensing Requirements | In alignment with legal considerations (Jackson vs. Raffensperger), the committee recommends sunset provisions for licensing requirements for occupations, such as makeup artists, librarians, low-voltage contractors, and manicurists, where licensing has not proven necessary for public health, safety, or welfare. |
| Fully Support SOS Modernization Initiative | The Committee wholeheartedly endorses the Secretary of State’s Modernization Initiative, recognizing the importance of staying at the forefront of technological advancements. |
| Adequately Fund the Board of Nursing | To ensure the effective regulation of nursing practices, the committee recommends adequate funding for the Board of Nursing. |
| Adequately Fund Composite Medical Board | Recognizing the critical role of the Composite Medical Board, the committee advocates for sufficient funding to fulfill its regulatory responsibilities. |
| Advanced Nursing Protocol Agreements Approval | The Committee recommends approving advanced nursing protocol agreements within 30 days from the date of submission of a fully complete application, streamlining the approval process. |
| Move to Universal Recognition of Out-of-State Licenses | Emphasizing reciprocity, the committee recommends moving towards universal recognition of out-of-state licenses where reasonable. |
| Shorten 90-Day Deadline for License Issuance | In line with HB 155 signed into law on April 27, 2023, the committee proposes shortening the 90-day deadline for issuing an expedited license or a license by endorsement to 30 days, promoting a more expeditious licensing process. |
Table:Â T.A. DeFeo | The Center Square contributor
“By embracing innovation and efficiency, we are shaping a regulatory landscape that safeguards public interests and fosters economic growth,” Georgia Senate Majority Caucus Chairman Sen. Jason Anavitarte, R–Dallas, said in a statement.
The committee’s recommendation of reforming licensing requirements drew praise from the state director of Americans for Prosperity-Georgia.
“Eliminating unnecessary licenses, universal reciprocity, and removing barriers for people with past criminal records are substantive reforms that will lower the regulatory burden in a real way for real people,” AFP-GA State Director Tony West told The Center Square via email. “If legislation passes along the lines of the committee’s recommendations, Georgia will be on track to become the #1 state to work, as well as #1 for business.”
By T.A. DeFeo | The Center Square contributor
