ATLANTA (AP) - Secretary of State Brian Kemp is defending his
plan to overhaul the state's procedure for professional licensing
after representatives from several licensing boards voiced their
opposition to the proposal in a Senate committee hearing.
      The Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee stopped short
of voting on the 831-page legislation, filed less than a week ago.
Kemp says the changes are needed to streamline an overburdened
system and would not change current standards. He vowed to work
with the groups to address their concerns.
      During the two-hour hearing, pharmacists, landscapers and
architects said the existing process has improved under changes
implemented in recent years, adding that the new proposal doesn't
address inefficiency and could make it harder for people in some
professions to find work in other states with different licensing
guidelines.

     
      (Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)