Section 43-1A-5. Powers and duties of council

   (a) It shall be the duty of the council to:

   (1) Review all bills introduced in the General Assembly to license or certify a profession or business, which is not currently licensed or certified by the state, based on the criteria outlined in Code Section 43-1A-6; and

   (2) Review each existing regulatory entity that is currently regulated pursuant to this title to determine the applicability and necessity of such regulatory entity's authority with relation to the current professional and business conditions of this state. The council shall conduct such review a minimum of once every seven years. All council meetings relating to a review of an existing regulatory entity pursuant to this paragraph shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 13 of Title 50, the "Georgia Administrative Procedure Act."

(b) The chairperson of the legislative committee of reference shall provide written notification to the council of any proposed legislation introduced in that house of the General Assembly of which that committee is a standing committee if that legislation provides for the licensure or certification of a business or profession not currently licensed or certified by the state. That chairperson at the same time shall provide written notification of that legislation to the presiding officer of the house of the General Assembly in which that legislation was not introduced, and that presiding officer shall then appoint the chairperson of a standing committee of that house to serve as a member of the council for the purpose of considering that legislation, except that the chairperson so appointed may instead designate another member of that standing committee to serve as a member of the council for that purpose. Within a period of time not to exceed nine months from the date of such notification to the council, but in no event later than the convening date of the next succeeding regular session of the General Assembly, the council shall provide a formal report evaluating the need to regulate the business or profession based on the factors and information provided under Code Section 43-1A-7 to the chairperson of the legislative committee of reference, the committee chairperson appointed to the council pursuant to paragraph (10) of subsection (b) of Code Section 43-1A-4, the presiding officers of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and the legislative counsel. If, subsequent to a review pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of this Code section, the council concludes changes are needed to the regulations of an existing regulatory entity, or that a regulatory entity's existence is no longer necessary or in the interests of the state, a formal report recommending such changes shall be completed and distributed in the same manner described previously herein. If the council determines a need for regulation, the report shall recommend an appropriate type of regulation and an appropriate state agency to oversee the regulation.

(c) The council shall work with the applicant group, the legislative committee of reference, and other interested parties in formulating its formal report.

(d) The head of a regulatory entity subject to review pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of this Code section shall have the right to testify to the council to contribute its perspective and recommendations regarding potential changes to how such regulatory entity is regulated.

Code 1981, § 43-1A-5, enacted by Ga. L. 1986, p. 803, § 1; Ga. L. 2010, p. 376, § 1/SB 149.