This legislation would prohibit counties from using GPS data in an electronic device to find the location of the device unless they have a search warrant. GPS or other location data could be obtained without a search warrant if a possible life threatening situation exists, if the information is necessary to respond to a call for emergency services, the device is reported stolen or the owner/user of the device consents to the acquisition of information. Failure to comply with this bill would be punishable for a civil fine up to $50.

In traffic cases where a fine is imposed that includes costs, courts may charge an additional $5 fee, known as the electronic citation fee, if the "governing authority of the court" has adopted a resolution imposing the fee. The fee must be placed in the Electronic Citation Fund. Each year, the court clerk must provide an annual report and accounting of the fund to the Georgia Superior Court Clerks Cooperative Authority and to each governing authority that approved the resolution imposing the electronic citation fee. The resolution sunsets at the end of each fiscal year and governing authority must adopt a resolution on an annual basis to impose the fee. The Sunset was changed from 5 years from 2019 to 2023.

This legislation creates the crime of cargo theft, which includes stealing a trailer or other equipment deployed or used by a law enforcement agency.  This bill amends the powers and duties of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to include the indentification and investigation of these crimes in conjunction with local law enforcement.
 

This legislation allows the discharge of a firearm within 50 yards of a public road (provided the discharge is shielded from the view of a traveler) if the discharge occurs at an indoor or outdoor shooting range; a facility used for firearm or hunting safety courses sponsored by a unit of government, nonprofit corporation, or commercial enterprise; or the business location of any person, firm, retail dealer, wholesale dealer, pawnbroker, or corporation licensed as a firearm dealer.  

This legislation requires law enforcement agencies to adopt written policies that set forth the manner in which officers shall negotiate encounters with animals that become aggressive. This legislation was amended in committee to remove unfunded mandate for training and the temporary suspension of law enforcment officers who did not complete training.

This legislation would make it illegal to include questions on a job application about whether the applicant was arrested for, charged with or convicted of a crime except for those applying for law enforcement jobs. If there is a law prohibiting those who have been arrested, charged or convicted of a particular crime from holding a particular job, then questions about that crime may be asked. Additionally, if a standard fidelity bond or equivalent bond is required for the job and conviction of particular crimes would prevent them from obtaining such a bond, then the employer may ask whether the applicant has ever been convicted of those crimes.

This legislation makes it illegal for a law enforcement officer or employee to release or sell information about people involved in a vehicle collision for personal financial gain. Law enforcement agencies would still be required to release motor vehicle accident reports in accordance with the open records law. This bill also requires news media organizations to wait 60 days to access accident reports. The name, street address, telephone number and driver's license numbers of the drivers must be redacted before turning the accident reports over to the news media.