Georgia Lottery for Education Act; correct a reference; provisions
Summary
HB74 makes targeted amendments to the Georgia Lottery for Education Act and related provisions governing bona fide coin operated amusement machines. The bill first corrects a statutory reference in the Georgia Lottery Corporation’s general powers section and then clarifies when the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act (APA) applies to lottery-related rulemaking and hearings.
Under the bill, most regulations, policies, and procedures adopted by the Georgia Lottery Corporation for lottery operations remain exempt from the APA, but certain matters tied to Article 3—such as licensure rules and disputes between licensees—are expressly brought under the APA unless another law says otherwise. The bill also specifies that hearings under Code Section 50-27-102 are to follow the Georgia Arbitration Code, while other hearings and rules related to administration, enforcement, or violations of the article are subject to the APA. The act takes effect immediately upon gubernatorial approval or becoming law without approval.
Impact
HB74 primarily affects the Georgia Lottery Corporation, lottery licensees, and the administrative process for regulating bona fide coin operated amusement machines. It amends Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated to align rulemaking and hearing procedures with the APA in specified areas, while preserving exemptions for general lottery operations and certain other matters. The bill also updates cross-references within the Georgia Lottery for Education Act and repeals conflicting laws.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been noncontroversial and broadly supported. It passed the House unanimously, 169-0, and the Senate unanimously, 51-0, indicating strong bipartisan agreement or at least no recorded opposition. The lack of committee transcript discussion suggests the measure was viewed as a technical or clarifying bill rather than a major policy change.
Contention
No notable contention is reflected in the available record. The main legal distinction in the bill is between lottery matters that remain exempt from the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act and those Article 3 licensing and dispute matters that must follow APA procedures. Any potential concern would likely come from stakeholders affected by administrative hearing procedures or licensing oversight, but no opposition is documented in the votes or transcripts provided.
Miscellaneous technical corrections made to laws and statutes; erroneous, obsolete, and omitted text and references corrected; redundant, conflicting, and superseded provisions removed; and style and form changes made.
Miscellaneous technical corrections to laws and statutes made; erroneous, obsolete, and omitted text and references corrected; and redundant, conflicting, and superseded provisions removed.