Emergency Management/Preparedness (13)

Date of Last Recorded Action: 3/29/2024

HB 0149 NeutralRequirement for Counties to Use Only GBI Approved Trauma Scene Cleanup Services and Consolidation of Fire Services Alan Powell
3/29/2018 Senate Disagreed House Amend or Sub Public Safety and Homeland Security Public Safety -
2017/03/06 - Report 2018/03/16 Report 2018/03/23 Report Business and Occupation Tax Code Enforcement
Coroners/Medical Examiners Debra Nesbit Emergency Management/Preparedness EMS/Ambulance Fire Services
Forfeitures, Fees, and Fine Add Ons Georgia Bureau of Investigation Health and Human Services Law Enforcement Nat. Res. & the Environment
Public Safety and Courts Sheriff Solid Waste
This legislation preempts county and city governments from requiring licenses or permits for trauma scene waste management practitioners or regulated waste transporters.  When hiring a company to cleanup or remove trauma scene waste, counties and cities must hire a company approved by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.  This bill was amended to include S.B. 319 which provides for the Consolidation of all Fire Services into a separate state agency.
HB 0251 SupportAllow EMS Personnel Access to Private Property During Declared State Emergency Darrel Ealum
7/1/2017 Effective Date Public Safety and Homeland Security Public Safety -
2017/02/03-Report 2017/03/06 - Report 2017/03/17 - Report Debra Nesbit Emergency Management/Preparedness
EMS/Ambulance Fire Services Law Enforcement Public Safety and Courts
This legislation gives EMS and all first responders the right to enter private property during a disaster declared by the governor, for search and rescue, debris removal and providing aid.
HB 0297 EvaluatingChild Safety and Emergency Preparedness Act Debra Bazemore
2/10/2017 House Second Readers Education --
2017/02/10 - Report Debra Nesbit Emergency Management/Preparedness Fire Services Law Enforcement
Public Safety and Courts
This legislation enacts the Child Safety and Emergency Preparedness Act which requires community leaders and public safety officials to assist in development of Emergency Plans for all licensed early care and education centers. 
HB 0405 NeutralGEMHSA to Establish State-wide System for Transport and Distribution During State of Emergency Bill Hitchens
7/1/2017 Effective Date Public Safety and Homeland Security Public Safety -
2017/02/17-Report Debra Nesbit Econ. Dev. & Transportation Emergency Management/Preparedness Law Enforcement
Public Safety and Courts
This legislation requires Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMHSA) to implement a state-wide system for transport and distribution for essentials during a declared start of emergency.  GEMHSA will develop a certification process for businesses and entities that can facilitate transport and distribution of essentials.
HB 0487 SupportLeave with Pay for Certain State Employees to Participate in Disaster Relief Services Josh Bonner
3/15/2018 Senate Read Second Time Public Safety and Homeland Security Public Safety -
Compensation Debra Nesbit Emergency Management/Preparedness General County Government Public Safety and Courts

This legislation allows state employees who are certified disaster service volunteers with the Civil Air Patrol United States Air Force Auxiliary to be given p to 15 days of leave per year to assist county emergency management agencies. 

HB 0703 SupportCreation of the Governor's Office of Public Safety Support Bill Hitchens
5/7/2018 Act 439 Public Safety and Homeland Security Public Safety -
2018/01/26 Report 2018/02/09 Report 2018/03/16 Report Debra Nesbit Emergency Management/Preparedness
EMS/Ambulance Fire Services Health and Human Services Law Enforcement Public Safety and Courts
This legislation creates the Governor's Office of Public Safety Support which will provide peer to peer counseling for public safety officers who experience traumatic events.  This office will be housed within the Department of Public Safety and will be staffed by employees of the department.  The legislation is contingent on funding.
HB 0752 EvaluatingInvestigative and Arrest Powers Granted to GEMA for Homeland Security Purposes Alan Powell
1/30/2018 House Second Readers Public Safety and Homeland Security --
2018/02/02 Report Debra Nesbit Econ. Dev. & Transportation Emergency Management/Preparedness General County Government
Georgia Bureau of Investigation Government Immunity Health and Human Services Law Enforcement Nat. Res. & the Environment
Public Safety and Courts
This legislation expands the scope of GEMA and grants them arrest and investigative powers and statewide jurisdiction in homeland security matters.
HB 0779 NeutralCreation of the Homeland Security Division of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency Alan Powell
7/1/2018 Effective Date Public Safety and Homeland Security Public Safety -
2018/02/02 Report 2018/03/16 Report Debra Nesbit Emergency Management/Preparedness Firearms/Carry Laws
Georgia Bureau of Investigation Government Immunity Health and Human Services Law Enforcement Public Safety and Courts
This legislation creates the Board of Homeland Security to be administratively attached to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency. The purpose of the Board is to coordinate all homeland security activities.
HB 0887 OpposeWireless Industry Preemption of Local Management of Public Right of Way Jay Powell
3/27/2018 Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute Ways and Means Regulated Industries and Utilities -
2018/02/09 Report 2018/03/16 Report 2018/03/2 Report 2018/03/23 Report Broadband
Business and Occupation Tax Econ. Dev. & Transportation Economic Development Emergency Management/Preparedness Eminent Domain/Condemnation
Franchise Fees General County Government Larry Ramsey Public Safety and Courts Revenue & Finance
Roads Sales Tax-Local Todd Edwards

While this bill began, constructively, as a rural broadband bill, the Senate Regulated Industries Committee stripped and replaced it with the language of SB 426.  This wireless industry legislation guarantees authorization for wireless providers to construct and place poles (50' high), antennas (up to 6 cubic feet in volume and 10' higher than poles), equipment boxes (up to 25 cubic feet in volume), plus up to 4 cabinets (undefined size) and other infrastructure in county and city right of way (ROW).  Local government management of the above is all but entirely usurped; the grounds by which applications can be denied are few; denials are primed to result in litigation; and then locals are set up to lose.  

ACCG has attempted to work with the wireless providers, legislators and other stakeholders since last year to try to incorporate safeguards into the legislation.  While some of our recommendations were made, most of these "concessions" are so wrought with legal loopholes that their purported purpose has been nullified. 

For ACCG's concerns with (and suggestions for) this bill and SB 426, please click here.  

SB 0001 EvaluatingThe Protecting Georgian Against Terrorism Act Bill Cowsert
3/28/2017 House Lost Reconsidered Bill/Resolution Judiciary Non-Civil --
Debra Nesbit Emergency Management/Preparedness Law Enforcement Public Safety and Courts
This legislation expands the definition and response to domestic terrorism. 
SB 0109 SupportAuthorize the Recognition of Emergency Medical Services Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact and Nurse Licensure Compact Michael Williams
7/1/2017 Effective Date Health & Human Services Public Safety -
Debra Nesbit Emergency Management/Preparedness EMS/Ambulance Health and Human Services Public Safety and Courts
This legislation enacts the Recognition of Emergency Medical Services Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact, and the Nurses Licensure Compact which allows reciprocity with other states licensure requirements for these two disciplines.
SB 0367 SupportAllows Payment Indemnification Death or Disability Payment to be Awarded to the Estate of Deceased Public Safety/First Responder Gregory Kirk
3/29/2018 Senate Disagreed House Amend or Sub Public Safety and Homeland Security Public Safety -
2018/02/02 Report 2018/02/09 Report 2018/02/16 Report Correctional Institutions/Jail Debra Nesbit
Econ. Dev. & Transportation Emergency Management/Preparedness EMS/Ambulance General County Government Health and Human Services
Insurance Insurance Law Enforcement Personnel/Employment Public Safety and Courts
This legislation allows the payment of death benefits to the estate of a law enforcement officer; firefighter; emergency medical technician, emergency management specialist, state highway employee or prison guard.
SB 0457 NeutralGeorgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Provide Guidance and Require School Safety Plan Drills Horacena Tate
3/21/2018 House Withdrawn, Recommitted Public Safety and Homeland Security Education and Youth -
2018/03/2 Report Debra Nesbit Emergency Management/Preparedness Public Safety and Courts
This bill requires schools to conduct school safety plan drills as directed by the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency.
Green background on status indicates a bill has been acted on the last recorded legislative day.








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