The Georgia Senate Committee on Government Oversight just passed two new bills promising to address the growing issue of homelessness and streamline the business registration process.
HB 158
The committee first considered House Bill 158, sponsored by Representative Lehman Franklin (R-160). This bill modernizes the registration of businesses using trade names by creating a statewide electronic registry.
Under current law, business registration is completed with the Secretary of State. However, registering a trade name is done at the county level, requiring an extra step for businesses and the state.
Under HB 158, the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority will be tasked with developing and implementing a uniform information system by January 1 of next year. This system will then provide electronic public access to all trade, partnership, and other registrations filed on or after the enactment date.
When discussing this bill with the committee, Rep. Franklin assured that this bill would not create a new database, just consolidate the existing ones. He then assured the bill’s support among various parties and it passed the committee unanimously.
HB 689
The committee also considered House Bill 689, sponsored by Representative Kasey Carpenter (R-04). This bill establishes a specialized program within the housing trust fund for the homeless aimed at proactive intervention.
The bill stands out for its focus on prevention and for assisting those who may not otherwise be eligible for existing residential housing projects or stable accountability programs.
When discussing the bill, Rep. Carpenter clarified that this program would be implemented and maintained by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA). He advocated for the DCA after its funding dried up following the failure of an appropriations initiative in the previous legislative session.
This issue is especially crucial in Georgia, and while Atlanta has relatively low levels of homelessness, it has sharply risen in the last three years. Rep. Carpenter pointed out that preventing homelessness is three times easier than getting people off the streets.
House Bill 689 passed the committee unanimously.
