Several influential business groups have expressed support for a 2024 legislative priority from Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones that aims to reduce hurdles for small business owners and workers who need professional licenses to work in several dozen types of jobs in Georgia.
Jones introduced the initiative last week with support from the business community and the GOP Senate Caucus. He said it will streamline the licensing process for jobs from general contracting to truck driving and give lawmakers more control over state and local business regulations.
Jones’ small business plan is supported by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the Food Truck Association of Georgia and the National Federation of Independent Business, a small business association.
Under Jones’ legislative plan to ease regulatory restrictions, Georgia’s small business threshold would be raised from 100 to 300 employees, increasing the possibility for hundreds more companies to receive incentives such as tax breaks and loan guarantees while relaxing reporting requirements.
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During next year’s session, the Butts County Republican said he would also push the General Assembly to request an economic analysis of how proposed laws and state regulations affect small businesses.
Jones
