House subcommittee advances bill to streamline professional licensing in Georgia

Representative Reeves, a member of the Georgia House, presented House Bill 579 to the General Government Subcommittee on Appropriations, saying the measure packages recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Professional Licensing Study Committee and aims to make licensing more efficient for businesses and workers.

"I am proud to present to you house bill 5 79," Representative Reeves said. He told the subcommittee the bill reflects four public meetings in Macon, Statesboro and other locations where the panel heard from dozens of small-business owners, licensing boards and subject-matter experts.

The bill would: allow applicants to sit for required examinations during or before the formal application process in some cases; permit professional licensing boards to meet outside the state capitol; require the Secretary of State's professional licensing division director to maintain and publish a roster of individuals who have received cease-and-desist orders; and give the…