08 LC 34
1531
Senate
Bill 393
By:
Senators Chance of the 16th, Thompson of the 33rd, Tarver of the 22nd and Staton
of the 18th
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Code Sections 44-12-135 and 44-12-136 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to the effect of pawnbroker general laws on local laws and
the supervision of pawnbrokers by municipalities, respectively, so as to
restrict local governments´ power to require the payment of any fee for
pawnbroker transactions or restrict the hours of operation of pawnbrokers; to
provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal
conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Code
Section 44-12-135 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the
effect of pawnbroker general laws on local laws, is revised as
follows:
"44-12-135.
Nothing
in this part shall supersede existing local laws nor relieve a pawnbroker from
the necessity of complying with them. The requirements of local laws shall be
construed as cumulative to this part.
However, no
municipality, county, or local government may enact local laws or ordinances
that require the payment of any fee or tax related to a pawn transaction or
purchase or restrict the hours of operations of a pawnshop other than between
the hours of 12:00 A.M. and 6
A.M."
SECTION
2.
Code
Section 44-12-136 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the
supervision of pawnbrokers by municipalities, is revised as
follows:
"44-12-136.
Municipal
authorities may license pawnbrokers, define their powers and privileges by
ordinance, impose taxes upon them, revoke their licenses, and exercise such
general supervision as will ensure fair dealing between the pawnbroker and his
or
her
customers,
except as expressly prohibited in this
part."
SECTION
3.
This
Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its
becoming law without such approval.
SECTION
4.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.