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Elbert County to study workplace-transition protections bill amid fiscal questions
Summary
County lobbyists briefed commissioners on HB1319, an omnibus employment bill that would require employer transition plans and training; commissioners asked for fiscal notes and more review before taking a position.
Elbert County commissioners agreed March 18 to study House Bill 1319, an omnibus employment measure that would require employers to adopt plans for employees undergoing gender transition and provide related training.
The bill, introduced this legislative session, "would require all employers to have plans" and include training, lobbyist Steve Berovich told the board during a legislative briefing. Berovich said the county is tracking about 35 bills this year and that HB1319 "just got introduced" and carries uncertain costs.
Why it matters: Commissioners said the proposal could impose new costs and operational requirements on county facilities. Commissioners asked whether older county buildings would need restroom renovations; lobbyists said most restroom provisions apply to new construction or major remodels and that compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act would factor into implementation.
"Mandating that the Department of Labor do training manuals and such is going to drive a fiscal note," Berovich said. He and Tim Coleman recommended waiting for fiscal notes and for policy positions from stakeholder groups such as CCI and CML before the county adopts a stance.
The board did not take a formal position. One commissioner asked staff to place HB1319 on the agenda for next week so the board could consider a formal position before upcoming CCI meetings, and lobbyists said they would try to obtain a fiscal note and additional analysis.
The next step: Commissioners asked staff and the county lobbyists to seek a fiscal note and additional information and to return the item for further consideration; no formal county action on the bill was recorded at the meeting.
