[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6349892,"mediaKeyId","2235482-58914fe5bc2983a5d032ee7213062223","parentId",2235482,"title","Panel advances bill to give military spouses digital, verifiable occupational licenses","audioSeconds",589,"startMs",1884000,"endMs",2473000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2235482-58914fe5bc2983a5d032ee7213062223&start=1884&end=2473","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2235482-58914fe5bc2983a5d032ee7213062223/thumbnail_1884000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6349892/Georgia/Panel-advances-bill-to-give-military-spouses-digital-verifiable-occupational-licenses","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6349892-c53b9c19589d212187e775120e7f9269/orig.mp4?Expires=1771013441&Signature=fhcOFvGtqDGxWpxZISL5RSAiwNtjL4GteIU~6RjljA7iuxukJ3jm4PkkYVhrOHZU3N2ntOraB2YKnlpQc8qmVTTWQrTtUGPasoBAfukuT1UaGrbYqeGvOeZRNmmTmh1Xg7kJcO0Q7JkrxD5YDFh8tDyaSL6XJM2VZXMv9SqOVO8MXC-yN9LgaL4K05IX7hGQhHw1ubCN2UO8xuIxnr8FhjbRWhiazplRMwt6SvXIuslnuiWWKCGI9mHfW9n9Fq8xnDptEMPEp~UHOOu0tArEEn6kKYISoUAVp2syQ4TG-yp0zCGcy4atHTdtVoW80z6sASs3CR2iaqYQm0PqFAmb7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Georgia State Legislature ","date","2025-02-04T00:00:00Z","article","The Georgia House Defense and Veteran Affairs Committee voted to advance House Bill 107, which would require state licensing boards to issue digital, verifiable occupational licenses intended to expedite licensure verification for military spouses.

Representative Ballard introduced the measure, saying, “what this bill does, it will require our licensing boards to issue digital verifiable occupational licenses, much like our realtors in Georgia here use, to expedite, verification of licenses, eliminate delays, and provide a single uniform process for our military spouses.” Ballard framed the measure as a follow-up to last year’s House Bill 880, which addressed military spouse licensure and was signed by the governor.

Committee members questioned implementation details. Chairman Brian Prince asked whether the Secretary of State’s office had been consulted and whether the technology could be extended to all licensees. Ballard responded that he had not yet reached the Secretary of State but noted Jeff Ledford of the Georgia realtors was present to describe how the real estate license system operates.

Jeff Ledford said the Georgia Real Estate Commission implemented a digital licensing system roughly two decades ago and cited administrative and cost savings: “it saved a lot of time on having to have people answer the phone to verify a license, and it also saved on paper.” Ledford said the verification system lets employers and others check license status online in seconds.

Members also asked whether the proposal would create special treatment for military spouses. Ballard and others explained House Bill 880’s mechanism: when a military spouse moves to Georgia, if no adverse information is presented within the statutory review period, the spouse can begin working within 90 days; HB107 would make the verified license readily accessible digitally to employers and regulators.

Several representatives asked why the same technology could not be extended to all Georgians; Ballard said the bill was brought specifically to address barriers for military spouses but acknowledged extending digital licenses more broadly would be desirable.

After testimony and questions, the committee approved a motion to advance House Bill 107 to the Rules Committee by voice vote. The bill will now proceed to further committee consideration and potential amendment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2.4.25 Defense & Veterans Affairs","oneSentenceSummary","The committee approved House Bill 107 to require licensing boards to issue digital, verifiable occupational licenses, intended to speed licensure verification for military spouses and mirror systems used by the Georgia Real Estate Commission.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature Georgia , Georgia","taxId",77688,"location","Georgia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6349897,"Committee advances state penalty for title-pawn transactions with service members",438,1379000,1817000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2235482-58914fe5bc2983a5d032ee7213062223&start=1379&end=1817","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2235482-58914fe5bc2983a5d032ee7213062223/thumbnail_1379000.jpg","/articles/6349897/Georgia/Committee-advances-state-penalty-for-title-pawn-transactions-with-service-members","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6349897-cbcaba45d5e70e4356222114c0498ecf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771013441&Signature=gr20uGaS7~wng~F6ESEzE~ANOXhM512RoedCCCzhrHpdI3~QXe8tn9-LOX87XKfBu2v4ipvueaUXfPIE9LFsD10nFb7m9O~yJAkFlJJCC7VWv35eM9I5zCJcEnaoDkOX9GCKPEi1O5yFhyrxhz~8xkQJt0NhI5YQBwO53PexeafkA3M3SEQiCe2BUypSO6J-Q0-baSOwLlZxu5l3Z1LmSHb74ZrKcoH1~RZa3bF9Rq1i0U9Q4qEMdOgNEAlFEY5SOiJwoYe9MkwAa3yaxhCpOyo7bvX2yStTQeUnzeb0V8G4THtFVwS5e6Fh~Oc5TvW6h6HKKw8qiyAuVpF6KUlRDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Georgia House Defense and Veteran Affairs Committee voted to advance House Bill 110, a measure that would create a state-level penalty for title-pawn lenders who do business with service members.

John Bonner, the bill presenter, told the committee the proposal “creates a state level penalty, for any, members of the title pawn industry in Georgia that do business with service members.” He said the language mirrors a substitute used last year for Senate Bill 451.

The bill aims to backstop the federal Military Lending Act, which Bonner described as already making such conduct illegal under federal law. “Currently, according to federal law, the Military Lending Act, it is illegal for, that industry to do business with, members of the military. And so what we're doing is just bringing that, and and instituting a state penalty, in the event that occurs,” Bonner said.

Under the draft bill, a civil penalty would be calculated as four times the principal amount advanced in the title-pawn transaction. Bonner noted prior federal enforcement actions, saying “one of the larger fines a couple years ago against one of these companies was in excess of $10,000,000.” The legislation names state authorities — the attorney general or a district attorney — as enforcement agents rather than leaving enforcement solely to federal authorities.

Committee members asked about possible duplication of penalties between federal and state enforcement. Representative Brian Prince asked whether the bill would result in “double dipping.” Bonner replied, “Well, we're not, we're not double dipping, but what we are doing is we are allowing, state authorities to, enforce this law. And then, you know, in the event there is a penalty, it goes to the state versus the federal government.”

Representatives pressed for the bill’s scope. Representative Holcomb confirmed the measure targets title pawns for motor vehicles only: “It's the title pawn. Yes. That's correct.” Bonner clarified the bill does not alter ordinary pawnshop transactions for consumer goods such as tools or jewelry.

Representative Davis asked whether enforcement by the attorney general or district attorneys would impose additional costs on those offices; Bonner said the bill does not include a specific fiscal note requiring a physical appropriation and that it would fit within existing civil enforcement frameworks.

Supporters framed the measure as consumer protection for service members. Representative Floyd Griffin, speaking from his military experience, said he “totally support[s] this.” After brief discussion the committee approved a motion to advance House Bill 110 to the Rules Committee by voice vote; the committee record states “motion carries” and the bill will move forward for further consideration.

House Bill 110 will next be considered by the Rules Committee; the draft bill text specifies a civil penalty equal to four times the principal advanced on a motor vehicle title pawn and names the attorney general and district attorneys as enforcement authorities.","The Georgia House Defense and Veteran Affairs Committee voted to send House Bill 110 to the Rules Committee. The bill would create a state-level civil penalty for title-pawn lenders who do business with service members, aligning enforcement with the federal Military Lending Act and allowing state prosecutors to pursue fines.","actionData","errors"]

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Panel advances bill to give military spouses digital, verifiable occupational licenses

Committee advances state penalty for title-pawn transactions with service members