ATLANTA– Tuesday, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signed House Bill 314 into law in a ceremony in his office that included bill sponsor, State Representative Jan Tankersley (R-Brooklet), Secretary of State Brian Kemp, Cosmetology Board Chair Theresa Kay Kendrick, Barber Board Chair David Jones and Secretary of State staff members.
“I want to thank Gov. Deal, Secretary Kemp, and my colleagues in the House and Senate for helping pass this important legislation through the General Assembly this session,” said Rep. Tankersley. “This bill is an excellent example of the type of government efficiency our constituents elected us to carry out. It streamlines the licensing process, improves the board’s functionality and uses state resources more effectively. Not only are we saving taxpayer dollars, but we are saving their time, which proves to be an even more valuable asset. I am proud of this legislation and the goal it achieves.”
This legislation is the product of two years of discussions between the Cosmetology and Barber Boards to merge, culminating in a vote that was taken last December by both boards to formally request legislative action be pursued on the issue. This merge was also a suggestion of the House Study Committee on Professional Licensing Boards that Representative Tankersley served on in 2013.
HB 314 will save taxpayer dollars by combining the operations of the Cosmetology Board with that of the Barber Board to have one state licensing board for both. This combined board will also expedite the licensing process, not only for individuals seeking licensing, but for active military, veterans, and their spouses, who will get licensed faster after moving to Georgia if they hold a valid license in another state.
“I want to thank Representative Tankersley for her tremendous work and leadership as she successfully guided House Bill 314 through the General Assembly and onto Governor Deal’s desk,” said Kemp. “The merger of the Barber and Cosmetology Boards will save hundreds of staff hours and help these professionals get into the workforce faster. Because of her hard work, the people of Georgia have a new law that provides for a better and more efficient Georgia government.”
Representative Jan Tankersley represents the citizens of District 160, which includes portions of Bryan and Bulloch counties. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 2010, and currently serves as the Chairman of the Intragovernmental Coordination Committee. She also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Economic Development and the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs and Natural Resources & Environment committees.
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