This week we completed day 22 of the current session, and our work is now more than halfway completed for the 2013 session. We considered several bills this week and passed them on to the Senate.

House Bill 234 will protect Georgia consumers from getting trapped in contracts with automatic renewal provisions. Businesses now frequently include provisions in service contracts that automatically renew the contract on the cancellation date without notice. HB 234 requires sellers to give consumers notice of any automatic renewal provisions before the consumer signs the contract.

Additionally, the bill requires sellers to notify consumers one to two months before their contract’s cancellation date. If this bill is approved by the senate and then signed into law by the Governor, this legislation would give the state another tool to help protect consumers.

House Bill 254 would make it easier for Georgia drivers to prove that they have state required auto insurance. Although most insurance companies now provide smart phone applications or other ways to electronically access policy information, current state law only recognizes printed policy information cards as valid proof of insurance. If a driver does not have a policy card, state law allows law enforcement to access state records to verify the driver’s insurance coverage.

However, these records only confirm insurance coverage, and do not provide policy numbers and other information needed for accident reports. HB 254 would simplify this process for both drivers and law enforcement by allowing drivers the option of using an electronic proof of insurance.

House Bill 178 would protect Georgians from the practices of “pill mills” that can lead to prescription drug addiction problems. Pill mills are set up as walk-in pain management clinics that accept cash only in exchange for prescription drugs. They often operate without a physician, and conduct fraudulent medical exams to “justify” unnecessary prescriptions.

While pill mills may initially help Georgians with chronic pain, the types of drugs and dosages they prescribe have led many well-intentioned patients to become addicts and has even resulted in death. HB 178 would combat this problem by allowing the Georgia Medical Composite Board to regulate the licensing of pain management clinics.

You can access this legislation by visiting our Web site at www.house.ga.gov.

As we continue to pass legislation each week in the House, I look forward to hearing any questions or concerns you may have about the issues facing our state. Please stop by and visit if you are in Atlanta during the legislative session, or call my office at the state capitol and let me know what I can do for you.

The phone number is (404) 656-5099; my email is jon.burns@house.ga.gov. Thank you for your time.