This legislation expands the statewide homestead exemption for 100% disabled veterans by including veterans that may be less than 100% disabled but are compensated by the Veterans Administration at the 100% level due to the individual's unemployability because of their disability.  This change will also apply to the exemption from vehicle ad valorem tax for a disabled veterans and the vehicle exemption is expanded to include an unmarried surviving spouse or minor child in the event of the death of the disabled veteran.  According to the tax commissioner's association, this bill should have little to no fiscal impact on the county governments.

This legislation prohibits counties from assisting the armed forces of the United States in investigating, prosecuting or detaining any person who was part of or supported al-Qaeda, the Taliban or associated foreces engaged in hostilities against the U.S. or its coalition partners or anyone who commits a belligeraent act against the U.S. or its coalition allies under the law of war if the investigation, prosecution or detention would be in violation of the U.S. Constitution, the Georgia Constituion or any Georgia law.

This legislation extends the date for adoption of drug free commercial zones by local ordinance to July of 2015.

This legislation requires law enforcement agencies to destroy all data captured by automatic license plate readers after one year. This bill also makes it clear that license plate reader data is not subject to open records disclosure.

This legislation requires DFCS to acknowledge in writing to the informant within 24 hours of receiving information about suspected child abuse and the completion of investigation. This legislation specifies that in the absence of a DFCS agency, the law enforcement agency or prosecuting attorney shall acknowledge receipt of report, and the results of any investigation.  This legislation should have no impact on the counties with DFCS offices, for those without a DFCS office the responsibility will fall to local law enforcement.

This legislation relocates and rewrites the civil procedure by which law enforcement seize and dispose of property or assets involved with illegal activity by state and local law enforcement. For a general summary click here.  This legislation was amended to include the language from H.B. 418 which changes the qualifications for persons serving on the grand jury.

This legislation will require the sheriff to report on a standardized form, the assets and cash seized and forfeited, and submit to the county commission, as well as the Carl Vinson Institute.  Counties should continue to include this form with the budget submission to the Carl Vinson Institute. If the Sheriff fails to comply with reporting requirements their ability to seize assets and forfeitures will be suspended.

This legislation transfers certain responsibilities for juvenile issues from the Department of Human Services (DHS) to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC). It also creates an advisory board to the CJCC for juvenile justice issues to consist of 33 members appointed by the Governor, that is responsible for creating a three year plan and provide annual reports of progress annually.  This legislation was amended to include the transfer of the licensing of domestic violence shelters from DHS to CJCC. This bill will have no fiscal impact on counties, but could create mandates in the future.

This legislation requires all deeds under power to be recorded within 90 days of a foreclosure sale or the holder is required to pay a late filing penalty of $500 to the superior court clerk. The clerk remits these fees to counties for properties in the unincorporated areas and to cities for properties therein. All monies collected must be used for code enforcement, public safety, and community development purposes. Cities must pay the county a 5 percent administrative fee for the clerk collecting and remitting this money.

 This legislation changes how law enforcement officers obtain search warrants and conduct searches.