Senator John Albers sponsored Senate Bill 331 protecting Georgia businesses and workers, which recently passed the Senate.
According to Albers, the bill is a key piece of legislation that will prevent local governments from issuing onerous mandates related to regulating work hours, scheduling or employee performance. However, SB 331 allows local governments to dictate working hours and schedules for all businesses that contract with local governments.
SB 331 will ensure Georgia does not follow the example of local governments in California, Illinois, New York and other states that have enacted ordinances handcuffing both employers and their hard-working employees, who are the lifeblood of any business.
“Since the 2020 pandemic, businesses across Georgia have struggled to stay open, manage the health and safety of their employees and customers, and handle payroll. Enabling private companies to schedule their employees as needed and pay them a competitive wage without government contracts will continue to help small businesses across Georgia emerge from the uncertainty and struggles of the pandemic,” Senator Albers said.
Georgia is currently at an all-time low unemployment rate (2.6%) and has the lowest unemployment rate among the country’s 10 most populous states. This remarkable achievement is made possible by policies like the Protecting Georgia Business and Workers Act, which keep the business community and its workforce alive and thriving.
“I’m proud to stand with the Georgia Chamber, Metro Atlanta Chamber, American Hotel & Lodging Association, Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association, Georgia Restaurant Association, National Federal of Independent Business and others to enact this important piece of legislation support,” said Albers.
SB 331 is currently on the House Industry and Labor Committee.
First Reader Summary for SB 331: A bill to be titled an Act amending Chapter 4 of Title 34 of the Georgia Official Code with Notes Relating to the Minimum Wage Act to prohibit regulation of worker hours, scheduling and performance by local government agencies; to provide for exceptions; keep the title short; to take care of related matters; to set an effective date; repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
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See more about SB 331 HERE.
