Action Alert: Contact the House Banking Committee Today

Action Alert!

March 13, 2023

Earned Wage Access (EWA), also known as Early Wage Access, products allow consumers to obtain a portion of their already-earned wages, often with a fee. While EWA products can be beneficial when properly implemented and regulated by the employer, non-employer EWA models allow third-party companies to issue funds and charge exorbitant fees to be repaid later through the employee's bank account.

URGENT — OPPOSE SB 254 ALLOWING EARNED WAGE ACCESS PRODUCTS TO EVADE CONSUMER PROTECTION

Senate Bill 254 would allow EWA providers to operate in the state without regulation by the Department of Banking and Finance and not subject to the state’s usury cap. This type of EWA is nothing more than a payday loan.

Please contact members of the House listed below and ask them to vote against SB 254 unless it is amended to explicitly ban attempts to circumvent Georgia’s consumer protections that could allow EWA companies to charge fees that cost the equivalent of over 300% APR. All EWA products should be regulated as credit and comply with statewide consumer protections that prevent predatory lending debt traps. Also, the legislation should explicitly prevent debiting the user’s bank account to recoup advanced funds, which can lead to users incurring overdraft fees on top of those charged by the EWA servicer.

House Committee on Banks & Banking

Rep. Noel Williams, Jr. (R-148), Chairman

Capitol Phone: (404) 656-5146
noel.williams@house.ga.gov

Rep. Will Wade (R-9), Vice Chairman

Capitol Phone: (404) 651-7737
will.wade@house.ga.gov

Rep. Joseph Gullett (R-19), Secretary

Capitol Phone: (404) 656-0178
joseph.gullett@house.ga.gov

Rep. Kimberly Alexander (D-66)

Capitol Phone: (404) 656-7859
kimberly.alexander@house.ga.gov

Rep. Carter Barrett (R-24)

Capitol Phone: (404) 656-0152
carter.barrett@house.ga.gov

Rep. Johnny Chastain (R-7)

Capitol Phone: (404) 656-0325
johnny.chastain@house.ga.gov

Rep. Jasmine Clark (D-108)

Capitol Phone: (404) 656-0287
jasmine.clark@house.ga.gov

Rep. Clint Crowe (R-118)

Capitol Phone: (404) 656-0325
clint.crowe@house.ga.gov

Rep. Robert Dickey (R-145)

Capitol Phone: (404) 656-5099
robert.dickey@house.ga.gov

Rep. Demetrius Douglas (D-78)

Capitol Phone: (404) 656-7859
demetrius.douglas@house.ga.gov

Rep. Emory Dunahoo (R-31)

Capitol Phone: (404) 656-7857
emory.dunahoo@house.ga.gov

Rep. Gloria Frazier (D-126)

Capitol Phone: (404) 656-0265
gloria.frazier@house.ga.gov

Rep. Lee Hawkins (R-27)

Capitol Phone: (404) 656-7855
lee.hawkins@house.ga.gov

Rep. Penny Houston (R-170)

Capitol Phone: (404) 463-2248
penny.houston@house.ga.gov

Rep. Carolyn Hugley (D-141)

Capitol Phone: (404) 656-0109
carolyn.hugley@house.ga.gov

Rep. David Knight (R-134)

Capitol Phone: (404) 463-2246
david.knight@house.ga.gov

Rep. Regina Lewis-Ward (D-115)

Capitol Phone: (404) 656-0287
regina.lewis-ward@house.ga.gov

Rep. Pedro "Pete" Marin (D-96)

Capitol Phone: (404) 656-0314
pedro.marin@house.ga.gov

Rep. Billy Mitchell (D-88)

Capitol Phone: (404) 656-0298
billy.mitchell@house.ga.gov

Rep. Butch Parrish (R-158)

Capitol Phone: (404) 463-2246
butch.parrish@house.ga.gov

Rep. Clay Pirkle (R-169)

Capitol Phone: (404) 656-5912
clay.pirkle@house.ga.gov

Rep. Trey Rhodes (R-124)

Capitol Phone: (404) 656-5099
trey.rhodes@house.ga.gov

Rep. Jason Ridley (R-6)

Capitol Phone: (404) 656-3947
jason.ridley@house.ga.gov

Rep. Sandra Scott (D-76)

Capitol Phone: (404) 656-0314
sandra.scott@house.ga.gov

Rep. Dexter Sharper (D-177)

Capitol Phone: (404) 656-0126
dexter.sharper@house.ga.gov

Rep. Dale Washburn (R-144)

Capitol Phone: (404) 656-0152
dale.washburn@house.ga.gov

Rep. Bruce Williamson (R-112)

Capitol Phone: (404) 656-5025
bruce.williamson@house.ga.gov

Rep. Bill Yearta (R-152)

Capitol Phone: (404) 656-0254
bill.yearta@house.ga.gov

Throughout the session, we are continuing to advocate for the passage of legislation that ensures equity and justice for all Georgia consumers. To keep up-to-date on other issues we're following, visit our Take Action page.

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