Friends,

This week ended on day 22 of our 2013 legislative session. With us more than halfway through session, more bills will be making their way out of committee to receive a vote from the entire House of Representatives.

We saw an increase in legislation coming to the floor over the past week and passed several bills that would help protect Georgians and make their lives easier.

House Bill 254 would make it easier for Georgia drivers to prove that they have state required auto insurance when pulled over or involved in a car accident. 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, like a picture of their policy

card or application on their phone, if they do not have a printed proof of insurance card.

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 type of drugs and dosages they prescribe has 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. It would also require pain management clinics to be owned and operated by either a licensed physician or hospital, because the risk of losing their medical license gives them a greater incentive to properly manage pain clinics than owners with non-medical backgrounds who have less to lose. Additionally, HB 178 would give law enforcement the tools it needs to shut down pill mills.

Now that this legislation has been approved by the House, it has been sent to the Senate for consideration. Senate Bill 26 also received final approval from the House, so it has been transmitted to the Governor for his review. You can access this legislation by visiting our

website at www.house.ga.gov.

As your representative, it is important for me to consider your views throughout the legislative process. Please feel free to call me on my cell at 770-324-2275 or email me at trey.kelley@house.ga.gov to tell me what you think about the issues facing our state.

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your representative.

May God Bless You and Your Family,

Trey Kelley, Georgia House of Representatives

Coverdell Legislative Office Building, Room 607E 404.656.0287 trey.kelley@house.ga.gov