HB110: HB110 Pawnbrokers; certain protections for current military members and related persons; provide

25 LC 46 1000 House Bill 110 By: Representatives Bonner of the 73rd, Ballard of the 147th, Gullett of the 19th, Clark of the 100th, and Westbrook of the 163rd A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Part 5 of Article 3 of Chapter 12 of Title 44 of the O fficial Code of Georgia1 Annotated, relating to pawnbrokers, so as to provide certain protections for current military2 members and related persons; to prohibit pawnbrokers from making title pawns with covered3 borrowers; to provide a penalty for violations; to provide for a definition; to provide for4 related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. 5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:6 SECTION 1.7 Part 5 of Article 3 of Chapter 12 of Title 44 of the Official C ode of Georgia Annotated,8 relating to pawnbrokers, is amended in Code Section 44-12-137, relating to prohibited acts,9 penalties, presumption as to pledgor, and replacement or damaged goods, by adding a new10 subsection to read as follows:11 "(c)(1) As used in this subsection, the term 'covered borrower' shall have the same12 meaning as provided in 32 C.F.R. Section 232.3.13 (2) No pawnbroker shall conduct a pawn transaction involving a motor vehicle or motor14 vehicle certificate of title with a covered borrower.15 H. B. 110 - 1 - 25 LC 46 1000 (3) Any pawnbroker that knowingly conducts a pawn transaction in violation of16 paragraph (2) of this subsection shall be subject to a civil pe nalty of four times the17 principal amount advanced in such pawn transaction. Such civil penalty shall be18 recoverable in a civil action brought in any court of competent jurisdiction by the19 Attorney General or any district attorney."20 SECTION 2.21 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.22 H. B. 110 - 2 -