ATLANTA—The Georgia House of Representatives’ Small Business Development Committee will continue its Red Tape Watch Initiative by holding meetings throughout the state to hear directly from Georgians about the regulatory challenges they face while evaluating the state’s overall regulatory environment. The committee will hold its third meeting in Augusta on October 29 at the Snelling Center from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Area business owners are encouraged to attend.
Meeting Location (AUGUSTA)
The Snelling Center
3165 Washington Road
Augusta, GA 30917
“Regulatory challenges continue to be some of the leading issues that small businesses must contend with in their day to day operations as they seek to keep their doors open and grow,” said House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge). “I hope Georgians will use this opportunity to appear before this committee and share with its members their experiences in dealing with the regulatory environment in this state.”
In January 2012, House Speaker David Ralston charged the Small Business Development Committee with the Red Tape Watch Initiative. This effort initially called for the committee to hold a series of hearings at the state capitol to hear from Georgians about their experiences in dealing with the regulatory environment in the state of Georgia. The initiative led to the passage of legislation that eased the way for land reuse and development that would otherwise not have been possible due to a lack of options to address environmental concerns. Another measure provided an exemption for licensed real estate brokers assisting in short sale transactions from broker licensing requirements – helping ease the process of turning around the housing market.
“The committee’s goal now is to get out of the state capitol and hear directly from people and small businesses about the regulations they are confronted with and determine whether any of those that are on the books today are outdated or unnecessary,” said Rep. David Knight (R-Griffin), Chairman of the Small Business Development Committee. “As I have said before, I believe this process will help identify opportunities for the General Assembly to help create an economic environment that fosters job creation and is conducive to the growth of strong small businesses throughout the state.”
This committee will meet periodically throughout the remainder of the summer and fall in a public hearing type format in cities throughout the state. Georgians who would like to participate in this process but who cannot attend a hearing can fill out a form to voice their concerns at www.house.ga.gov/redtapewatch.
As meetings are planned, notices will be provided; information will also be available on the House website.
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