ATLANTA – State Representative Jeff Jones (R-Brunswick) was recently recognized by the Golden Isles Association of Realtors (GIAR) for his work and support of realtor-related issues during the 2015 legislative session.
“I am honored to be recognized by this group of professionals who are so important to our Glynn County economy,” said Rep. Jones.
During the 2015 legislative session, Rep. Jones sponsored the “Pool Bill,” House Bill 219, which sought to add “condominiums” to the existing list of private pools for which the county and state health departments currently have no jurisdiction, thus exempting those pools from inspection and licensing requirements.
“HB 219 was ultimately opposed by the Georgia Department of Health based in large part on the two million dollars in lost inspection fee revenue to the DPH if condos were added to the current list of private pools,” continued Rep. Jones. “It is important to note that condos are not considered public pools under state law, but the Department included them in their regulations. But, we’re not done with the pool legislation. It’s clear that condominiums are private property, and, as such, so are their pools. Private property pool owners should not be targeted or burdened with unnecessary regulations and expenses that are applicable only to public pools, and I plan to continue working on this legislation in 2016.”
“Furthermore, as a result of our work on the “Pool Bill,” we learned that Georgia’s entire code section dealing with swimming pools needs a major legislative overhaul,” added Rep. Jones. “I will work on updating this code with Georgia realtors, pool professionals, the Georgia State Health Department and other members of the Georgia State House of Representatives before the legislative session of the General Assembly begins in January 2016.”
HB 219 did not receive final passage during the 2015 legislative session. For more information about HB 219, please click here.
Representative Jeff Jones represents the citizens of District 167, which includes a portion of Glynn County, and all of Long and McIntosh counties. He was first elected into the House of Representatives in 2014, and currently serves on the Interstate Cooperation, Motor Vehicles, and Natural Resources and Environment committees.
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