The GAA has formed a Political Action Committee (PAC) to monitor bills or policy that may be introduced at both the state and federal level that may affect the auction profession.

A recent bill was introduced in the GA Senate. Click here to read the bill SB500

The GAA PAC was successful in delaying the passing of this bill for this session but we will continue to work against this bill when the next session begins in the fall. Below is  the letter sent to the GA Auctioneers Commission by the GAA PAC.

April 2, 2010

Mr. Charles F. Gay, Chairman
Georgia Auctioneers Commission
237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, Georgia 31217

RE: Recommendation for use of Education, Research and Recovery Fund

Dear Mr. Gay:

I am writing on behalf of the Georgia Auctioneers Association Board of Directors and its general membership in regards to the Commission’s Education, Research and Recovery Fund.

I am sure you and your fellow Commission members are aware of recent legislation that was introduced in the State Senate that would have changed the Fund’s current minimum balance of $100,000 to its new maximum. More troubling though, was the requirement that any amount exceeding that threshold would be transferred to the General Fund.

Georgia Auctioneers are as aware as anyone of the current economic conditions. We have seen whole companies who have been forced to shut their doors and colleagues who have moved on in search of more stable careers during this downturn. We understand the State’s budget woes and their desperate battle to locate the necessary funds; however, we are fiercely opposed to the attempts by some Legislators to make a grab at these funds. To do so would virtually wipe out the Auctioneers’ Fund while making little difference to the current deficit in the budget.

We were pleased to see the bill voted down in the Senate Appropriations Committee, but have been assured by those who sought the monies in this fund, that they will continue to do so.

It is because of this fact, that we ask and urge the Auctioneers Commission to move forward in finding useful and legitimate ways to use a portion of those funds for their specified purposes to promote and advance the Auction profession, and the Auction industry as a whole, in Georgia.

We believe one valuable way to do this is through a public awareness campaign aimed at educating the public on the value of Auction services. We believe this campaign should promote the fact that Auctioneers are a licensed profession in Georgia, requiring 80 initial hours of education, the passage of a State exam, and necessary subsequent continuing education. The campaign should help to protect the public by making them aware of standards of professionalism and ethics that they should expect when dealing with a Georgia-licensed Auctioneer.

We feel, given the current economic position of so many consumers who may be looking at Auctions as a viable tool for their situation, that there is no better time than now to move forward with such a campaign. In doing so, the GAA Board of Directors would like to offer our assistance and support in this endeavor in any way the Auctioneers Commission should find useful.

We appreciate your service and support of Auctioneers throughout Georgia and beyond.

Sincerely,

Ben Roberts
Georgia Auctioneers Association Board of Directors
Chairman, GAA-PAC