Legislation Assigned to the House Judiciary Committee (63)
Use the drop down to the left to select the next 25 bills to display.

Date of Last Recorded Action: 3/29/2024

HB 0001 NeutralSpace Flight: Activities, Definitions & Liability Jason Spencer
7/1/2017 Effective Date Judiciary Science and Technology -
2017/03/17 - Report Code Enforcement General County Government Kathleen Bowen Land Use/Zoning
This legislation was introduced for Camden County who has an interest in creating a spaceport; however, the bill applies statewide by allowing the commercial space industry to operate in Georgia. More information on the Spaceport Camden project can be found here.
HB 0014 InactiveClarification - All Fees Collected By the Sheriff Go To General Fund Jeff Jones
5/1/2017 Effective Date Judiciary Judiciary -
2017/01/13-Report 2017/03/10 - Report Debra Nesbit Forfeitures, Fees, and Fine Add Ons Public Safety and Courts
Revenue & Finance Sheriff
During the 2010 legislative session, a bill was passed and enacted dealing with juries.  Inadvertently, language requiring sheriffs to remit fees collected to the county within 30 days of receipt was deleted from this particular code section.  This legislation simply adds the language back. 
HB 0015 NegotiatingMandatory Electronic Filing for Civil Cases in Superior and State Courts Wendell Willard
3/30/2017 Senate Conference Committee Appointed 46th, 30th, 19th Judiciary Judiciary -
2017/01/27-Report 2017/03/06 - Report 2017/03/17 - Report Civil Procedure Clerk of Court
Debra Nesbit Public Safety and Courts
This legislation mandates all clerks of superior court accept electronically filed cases by January 1, 2018.  The cost of such filing shall not exceed $7.00.  The bill includes a hardship clause that extends that deadline for six months for counties who need additional time.  An amendment was added to the bill that prohibits the Council of the Superior Court Clerks, any state entity, or governing authority of any local government from keeping any portion of the fee.  NOTE:  This bill has been added to SB 407, the Governor's Criminal Justice Reform Bill.
HB 0033 NeutralNo Illegal Immigants or non-Georgians on certain Local Boards or Authorities Brad Raffensperger
1/12/2017 House Second Readers Judiciary --
2017/01/12_TEST 2017/01/12_TEST 2 2017/01/13-Report Econ. Dev. & Transportation Economic Development
General County Government Health and Human Services Hospital Authority Immigration Preemption
Revenue & Finance Todd Edwards

This preemption legislation establishes additional requirements on individuals (other than ex officio or nonvoting members) appointed to county or city boards, commissions or authorities that establish policy, spend public funds, levy taxes or impose or collect fees or charges.  In order to be eligible for such an appointment, the individual must be a U.S. citizen or national, a lawful permanent resident or an alien having lawful status in the U.S.  The individual must also be a legal resident of Georgia, unless he or she resides in another state but owns an interest in business in Georgia or is employed in Georgia.  These qualifications do not apply to active duty members of the armed forces or an immediate family member of an active duty member of the armed forces.  The body making the appointment (i.e., the board of commissioners) is responsible for determining whether an individual meets these qualifications.

HB 0076 InactiveClerks of Court - Revisions to Recording Maps, Plats and Plans Rick Jasperse
5/8/2017 Effective Date Judiciary Judiciary -
2017/01/27-Report 2017/02/03-Report 2017/02/10 - Report 2017/03/06 - Report 2017/03/17 - Report
Clerk of Court General County Government Land Use/Zoning Todd Edwards

This is clean up legislation for HB 1004 from the 2016 legislative session.  All maps, plats, plans and condominium plans must now be submitted electronically to the clerk of superior court.  The remainder of the bill was worked out over the interim between counties, cities, surveyors, engineers, architects and the clerks, specifying the format for the submittal of plats and plans, required data for plats, which plats must be certified by land surveyors, and other certification required for plats.  Attempts to add language stating that maps not creating new roads or utilities do not need local approval prior to submittal to the clerk were unsuccessful. 

For the guidance document, click here

HB 0082 NeutralPersonal Information - Notification of Unauthorized Release Sheri Gilligan
1/25/2017 House Second Readers Judiciary --
2017/01/27-Report General County Government Mandate Todd Edwards
This legislation expands the notification requirements when personal information (i.e., name plus social security number, driver's license number, state identification card number, account number, credit card number, debit card number, account password, personal identification number, or access code) is released to unauthorized persons.  Under current law, counties must notify individuals if the security of the system containing the information is breached.  Now they must also do so if the information is released to an unauthorized person intentionally, inadvertently or accidentally.
HB 0088 NeutralQualifications of Superior Court Judges Barry Fleming
7/1/2017 Effective Date Judiciary Rules -
Debra Nesbit Public Safety and Courts Superior Court
This legislation requires superior court judges to be a member in good standing with the State Bar of Georgia.
HB 0120 WatchRevision of Notary Law Andrew Welch
1/26/2017 House Second Readers Judiciary --
Clerk of Court Debra Nesbit Forfeitures, Fees, and Fine Add Ons Public Safety and Courts Sheriff
This law revises the requirements for becoming and performing as a public notary.  
HB 0126 NeutralRestructure of Judicial Qualifications Commission Wendell Willard
7/1/2017 Effective Date Judiciary Judiciary -
Debra Nesbit Magistrate Court Probate Court Public Safety and Courts State Court
Superior Court
This legislation changes the provisions governing the Judicial Qualifications Commission.
HB 0137 NeutralRestriction of Contingency Fees for Appointed Assistant District Attorneys in Forfeiture Action Scot Turner
3/7/2018 Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute Judiciary Judiciary -
Clerk of Court Criminal Procedure Debra Nesbit District Attorneys Forfeitures, Fees, and Fine Add Ons
Public Safety and Courts Revenue & Finance
This legislation prohibits district attorneys from compensating appointed assistant district attorneys on a contingent basis by percentage of assets realized from a forfeiture.
HB 0138 NeutralSuperior courts; fifth judge of the Northeastern Judicial Circuit; provide Lee Hawkins
1/1/2018 Effective Date Judiciary Judiciary -
Local Legislation Public Safety and Courts Superior Court
HB 0159 NeutralAdoption Code Rewrite Albert Reeves
9/1/2018 Effective Date Judiciary Judiciary -
Clerk of Court Debra Nesbit Forfeitures, Fees, and Fine Add Ons Health and Human Services Open Records/Meetings Act
Probate Court Public Safety and Courts Sex Offender
This legislation substantially revises and modernizes the adoption laws in Georgia. 
HB 0162 SupportSetoff of Court Fees from Income Tax Refunds Betty Price
3/5/2018 Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute Judiciary Judiciary -
2017/02/17-Report Debra Nesbit Revenue & Finance
This bill changes setoff debt collection procedures regarding the transfer of setoff amounts by the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). As allowed by existing law, the AOC may recoup fees owed to local courts from a taxpayer's income tax refund. This bill would allow the AOC to transfer those setoff funds to the local courts prior to final resolution of a taxpayer's challenge to whether such court fees are owed.
HB 0185 WatchAllow Associate Probate Judges to Also Serve as a Judge Advocate in the Military Christian Coomer
3/27/2018 Senate Tabled Judiciary Judiciary -
Debra Nesbit General County Government Personnel/Employment Probate Court Public Safety and Courts
This legislation allows fulltime associate probate court judges to serve as a judge advocate general or other military role in a military reserve.  Under current law, full time associate probate judges are not allowed to practice law outside of his or her role as judge.  
HB 0197 SupportRequirements for Solicitation Regarding Conveying Real Estate Sam Teasley
7/1/2017 Effective Date Judiciary Judiciary -
Clerk of Court Debra Nesbit Public Safety and Courts
This legislation requires advertisements for services to obtain copies of deeds, mortgages and liens to include a notification that the advertisement is not a bill or official government document.
HB 0203 NeutralBreach of Restrictive Covenants - Statute of Limitation Brian Strickland
1/8/2018 Senate Recommitted Judiciary Judiciary -
Larry Ramsey Property Tax Revenue & Finance

This legislation alters various provisions regarding private restrictive covenants on land, including dictating circumstances under which control of such development may transfer to the unit/lot owners for failures on the part of the developer (for example, failure to pay property taxes for two or more years). 

The text of this bill was added to SB 46. 

HB 0256 SupportDirect Appeals of Immunity Rulings Barry Fleming
2/9/2017 House Second Readers Judiciary --
2017/02/10 - Report Civil Procedure General County Government Government Immunity Larry Ramsey
This bill allows counties to immediately appeal the denial of sovereign immunity and other immunities. This bill would reverse a recent court decision holding that trial-court permission is necessary for such appeals, which in turn could mean that counties would have to spend taxpayer funds to cover the cost of an entire trial, only to find out in a subsequent appeal that the lawsuit was barred by sovereign or other immunities. Thte language of this bill has been added to HB 791.
HB 0281 NeutralGeorgia Tenant Victim Protection Act for Victims of Domestic Violence Scott Holcomb
2/9/2017 House Second Readers Judiciary --
Clerk of Court Constables/Marshals Debra Nesbit District Attorneys General County Government
Health and Human Services Juveniles Law Enforcement Magistrate Court Open Records/Meetings Act
Probate Court Public Safety and Courts Sheriff Solicitors State Court
Superior Court
This legislation allows victims of family violence, stalking, harrassment, and sexual assault to terminate their lease with limited penalties. 
HB 0319 SupportIncrease Reimbursement to Counties for Habeas Corpus Proceedings William Werkheiser
7/1/2017 Effective Date Judiciary Judiciary -
2017/02/10 - Report 2017/03/06 - Report 2017/03/17 - Report Correctional Institutions/Jail Debra Nesbit
Public Safety and Courts
This legislation increases the maximum amount that may be reimbursed by the state to the counties for court costs for habeas corpus proceedings at both the trial and appellate levels from $10,000 to $30,000 annually.
HB 0367 NegotiatingPublic Employees Privacy Protection Brian Strickland
2/16/2017 House Second Readers Judiciary --
2017/02/17-Report Correctional Institutions/Jail Debra Nesbit District Attorneys Econ. Dev. & Transportation
Georgia Bureau of Investigation Juveniles Law Enforcement Magistrate Court Mandate
Nat. Res. & the Environment Open Records/Meetings Act Probate Court Public Safety and Courts Sheriff
Solicitors State Court Superior Court
This legislation allows certain public safety and judicial officials to execute a certificate of redacted information that requires counties to redact the home address and telephone number of the public safety or judicial official and their relatives from the county's website or other Internet access point within the county's control.
HB 0368 OpposeMandated Salary Supplement for Superior Court Clerks Barry Fleming
2/16/2017 House Second Readers Judiciary --
2017/02/17-Report Clerk of Court Compensation Debra Nesbit General County Government
Mandate Public Safety and Courts Training

This legislation provides an additional $200 per month supplement to be paid by the county for superior court clerks who complete voluntary training with the Carl Vinson Institute of Government and become a "certified superior court clerk".  Clerk's are mandated to complete this training to become a "certified superior court clerk" upon election under current law that has been in effect since 1998.  All training and reasonable travel expenses are currently the responsibility of the county.  Essentially this is a $200 per month salary increase for superior court clerks.

HB 0371 NeutralExpansion of Municipal Immunity Barry Fleming
2/16/2017 House Second Readers Judiciary --
General County Government Government Immunity Larry Ramsey
This legislation amends and expands the immunity provided to cities, to more closely correspond to state and county immunities.
HB 0381 SupportAbandoned Mobile Homes - Method for Removal John Corbett
5/1/2019 Effective Date Judiciary Judiciary -
2017/02/17-Report 2018/02/09 Report 2018/02/16 Report 2018/03/16 Report 2018/03/23 Report
Code Enforcement General County Government Magistrate Court Progressing Legislation Property Tax
Public Safety and Courts Revenue & Finance Tags/Titles Tax Commissioner Todd Edwards
This legislation establishes a process whereby private property owners can have abandoned mobile homes removed from their land.  Local governments may elect to provide a qualified "local agent" to make a determination, at the request of a property owner, whether a mobile home is abandoned, derelict or intact.  If deemed abandoned, the local government posts a notice, then the property owner notifies the last known mobile home owner (or posts a legal notice if no responsible party can be ascertained), which begins a process whereby the property owner can pay for the removal of the mobile home.  A hearing procedure is provided in magistrate court for aggrieved mobile home owners in this process.  Neither the local government nor the local agent shall bear any liability with respect to any lawful actions taken under this law.  Action: counties wishing to participate must first appoint a qualified local agent.    
HB 0399 NegotiatingEthics - No Longer Filing Campaign Disclosure Reports at Local Level Wendell Willard
2/21/2017 House Second Readers Judiciary --
2017/02/24 - Report Elections Ethics General County Government Todd Edwards
This legislation amends the Ethics in Government Act in many areas, particularly to charges, hearings and evidence before the ethics commission, and penalties for violations.  Of possible concern to county commissioners is that campaign contribution disclosure reports can only be filed on paper (for a $40 fee) or directly on the ethics commission's Web site.  Candidates may no longer file with their local election superintendent.  ACCG would like to have all the aforementioned methods available to candidates.        
HB 0434 SupportEminent Domain - Condemnation of Blighted Property Wendell Willard
7/1/2017 Effective Date Judiciary Judiciary -
2017/02/24 - Report 2017/03/06 - Report 2017/03/24 - Report Econ. Dev. & Transportation Economic Development
Eminent Domain/Condemnation Financing General County Government Larry Ramsey
This bill establishes a process whereunder a local government can seek initial court determination of whether a property is blighted, and remedy of blight is deemed to be a "public use." If property is determined to be blighted, it can be the subject of condemnation proceedings. Additionally, such blighted property would not be subject to the normal limitations that a government must 1) hold condemned property for at least 20 years and 2) offer the property back to the prior owner if not put to public use within five years.
Green background on status indicates a bill has been acted on the last recorded legislative day.








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