The world of legislative affairs is constantly producing new challenges and perils
at either - or both - the national and state levels. As a result, this is why organized
opticianry at all levels can never afford a laissez-faire attitude to the political
world around us.
As an example during the current legislative session in Georgia, the Secretary of State introduced a bill to establish a 7 member consumer (only) super board that would oversee the state’s 43 licensing boards, and relegate the existing boards to advisory status. As many would attest from personal experience, most of us recognize ironing boards as being more useful than most advisory boards!
If enacted - many observers for good reason - surmise this legislation would be the beginning of the deregulation of established licensure laws - in Georgia - under the catch phrase of more efficient government. The legitimate concern is whether this will be more effective government.
The implication of compressing the work of 43 boards - overseeing more than 450,000 licensees - down to 7 individuals, clearly indicates it won’t. As it turned out, this bill Ga. Senate Bill 445, was abruptly pulled from consideration for this legislative cycle. However, in withdrawing the bill, the Ga.
Secretary of State stated in a press release he will be seeking “stakeholders” in the legislature to reintroduce this legislation in the next session. This means we haven’t heard the last of this initiative. Furthermore, it is not unusual for bills of this type to become a bellwether for other licensed states to emulate, particularly if such legislation becomes law.
The OAG (Opticians Assoc. of Georgia) commends the OAA for expressing strong and timely opposition to this overreaching bill. With the promise of this bill being on the agenda for the next legislative session, one thing is for sure; bills of the type described only prevail…….. if nothing is done to stop them.
Thomas Blair, Jr., LDO, ABOM
Chairman, OAA Legislative Cmte.
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