Public Safety and Courts (273)
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Date of Last Recorded Action: 3/29/2024

HB 0005 SupportChange in Grants to Counties Formula for Juvenile Judge Salaries Johnnie Caldwell
7/1/2017 Effective Date Juvenile Justice Judiciary -
2017/01/27-Report 2017/02/17-Report 2017/03/06 - Report 2017/03/24 - Report Compensation
Debra Nesbit General County Government Juveniles Public Safety and Courts
This legislation changes the current amount for juvenile court judgeship grants-to-counties funding.  The grant increases from $85,000 to $100,000 per circuit, with an additional funding for circuits with four or more superior court judgeships, the grant will include $25,000 per superior court judgeship over four. For example a circuit with nine superior court judgeships would receive $225,000 per year for that circuit.
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 0034 WatchOpen Proceedings for Board of Pardons and Parole Jesse Petrea
1/12/2017 House Second Readers Public Safety and Homeland Security --
Debra Nesbit District Attorneys General County Government Open Records/Meetings Act Parole
Probation Public Safety and Courts Superior Court
This legislation makes the records relating to the supervision of probationers and parolees open records, as well as makes other changes to the probation and parole system.
HB 0043 InactiveAmended FY 17 Supplemental Budget David Ralston
2/15/2017 Effective Date Appropriations Appropriations -
Appropriations Debra Nesbit Econ. Dev. & Transportation General County Government Health and Human Services
Nat. Res. & the Environment Public Safety and Courts Revenue & Finance
This legislation contains amendments to the State's current budget for fiscal year 2016-2017.  It is generally referred to as the "supplemental budget."  For a summary of this bill click here.
HB 0044 InactiveFY 18 Big Budget David Ralston
5/1/2017 Effective Date Appropriations Appropriations -
Appropriations Debra Nesbit Econ. Dev. & Transportation General County Government Health and Human Services
Nat. Res. & the Environment Public Safety and Courts Revenue & Finance
This legislation contains the State's budget for fiscal year 2017-2018.  For a summary of the budget, click here.
HB 0053 WatchJuvenile Code Jurisdiction for Children Under the Age of 18 Mary Oliver
1/23/2017 House Second Readers Juvenile Justice --
2017/01/13-Report Correctional Institutions/Jail Criminal Procedure Debra Nesbit Health and Human Services
Juveniles Public Safety and Courts
This legislation increases the age of children who are subject to the jurisdiction of the juvenile court and juvenile facilities from 17 to 18 years, thereby increasing the case loads of the juvenile court and juvenile probation.
HB 0060 SupportLiquor - Distiller May Sell Directly to Public Ron Stephens
1/24/2017 House Second Readers Regulated Industries --
Alcohol/Tobacco Business and Occupation Tax General County Government Public Safety and Courts Todd Edwards
This legislation authorizes licensed distillers to obtain a retail package liquor store license and sale up to 10 percent of the total liquor it produces each year, or 1,000 barrels, whichever is greater, directly to the public from the distillery.  Excise taxes will be collected and paid by the distiller.  It also authorizes distilleries to have a food service establishment on the premises.    
HB 0079 NeutralRequire Law Enforcement to Purge Tag Reader Information John Pezold
7/1/2018 Effective Date Public Safety and Homeland Security Public Safety -
2018/02/16 Report 2018/03/09 Report Debra Nesbit Econ. Dev. & Transportation General County Government
Law Enforcement Open Records/Meetings Act Public Safety and Courts Traffic Enforcement
This legislation allows law enforcement to use high speed cameras to capture images of license plates.  However, the data captured from the images may not be used for anything other than law enforcement purposes.  The data must be destroyed no later than 30 months after it is collected unless the data is needed for law enforcement purposes.  The collected data is exempt from the open records law.
HB 0081 SupportHospital Authorities and Contractors Intercept Income Tax Returns to Pay Medical Bills Tom McCall
3/1/2018 Senate Read and Referred Ways and Means Finance -
2017/01/27-Report 2018/02/23 Report 2018/03/2 Report Clerk of Court Debra Nesbit
Forfeitures, Fees, and Fine Add Ons Health and Human Services Hospital Authority Indigent Health Care Juveniles
Magistrate Court Probate Court Public Safety and Courts Revenue & Finance State Court
Superior Court
This legislation allows health care facilties created, formed or operated on behalf of a hospital authority to intercept tax refunds to pay outstanding medical bills. 
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 0090 NegotiatingLand Purchase - Illegal for Board Member to Discuss if Conflict of Interest Robert Gasaway
3/30/2017 House Withdrawn, Recommitted Judiciary Non-Civil --
2017/01/27-Report Criminal Procedure Econ. Dev. & Transportation Economic Development Eminent Domain/Condemnation
Ethics General County Government Procurement Public Safety and Courts Todd Edwards
This legislation makes it a misdemeanor for members of the board of commissioners, city council, school board or local board or authority to knowingly and intentionally vote, attempt to influence a vote, or be present in executive or closed session when their respective body is considering or discussion the acquisition of property if the member has direct or indirect ownership interest in the property, or any business in which the member serves in a fiduciary capacity has an ownership interest in the property.      
HB 0116 NeutralSuperior Court Exclusive Jurisdiction of Juvenile Cases Involving Aggravated Assault Albert Reeves
1/8/2018 Senate Recommitted Judiciary Non-Civil Public Safety -
Correctional Institutions/Jail Criminal Procedure Debra Nesbit Firearms/Carry Laws Health and Human Services
Juveniles Law Enforcement Public Safety and Courts Superior Court
This legislation gives the superior court exclusive jurisdiction over juveniles charged with aggravated assault with a firearm.  The language of this legislation was added to SB 160 "Back the Badge".
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 0144 NegotiatingRetail Pet Stores - Preempt Local Ordinances Earl Ehrhart
3/30/2017 House Withdrawn, Recommitted Agriculture & Consumer Affairs --
2017/01/27-Report 2017/02/03-Report Animal Control General County Government Preemption
Public Safety and Courts Todd Edwards
This legislation preempts counties and cities from adopting or enforcing ordinances that directly or indirectly prohibit the sale, delivery or transfer of a dog or cat from a properly licensed retail pet store or from imposing restrictions in addition to the requirements of state law. Many attempts were made to add this preemptive language to other bills late in the session.  All attempts failed. 
HB 0146 NeutralRequirement for Local Governments to Provide Cancer Benefit to All Firefighters Micah Gravley
1/1/2018 Effective Date Insurance State and Local Governmental Operations -
2017/01/27-Report 2017/02/03-Report 2017/02/10 - Report 2017/02/17-Report 2017/03/06 - Report
2017/03/10 - Report 2017/03/17 - Report Debra Nesbit Fire Services General County Government
Insurance Insurance Public Safety and Courts Revenue & Finance
This legislation requires fire departments to purchase insurance coverage on each firefighter to pay claims for cancer diagnosed after serving at least 12 consecutive months as a firefighter in the department if the cancer or treatment makes them unable to perform their firefighter duties.
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 0150 NeutralState Road and Tollway Authority: Failure to Pay Alan Powell
7/1/2018 Effective Date Transportation Transportation -
Econ. Dev. & Transportation Forfeitures, Fees, and Fine Add Ons Kathleen Bowen Public Safety and Courts Revenue & Finance
Traffic Enforcement Transportation
This legislation allows the State Road and Tollway Authority to place a hold on the motor vehicle registration of a vehicle upon which a toll was not paid.  It also allows for setoff of the amount owed on income tax refunds.
HB 0152 NegotiatingWorker's Compensation For Firefighters Diagnosed with Cancer Micah Gravley
3/30/2017 House Withdrawn, Recommitted Industry and Labor --
2017/01/27-Report 2017/02/03-Report Debra Nesbit Fire Services Insurance
Insurance Mandate Personnel/Employment Public Safety and Courts
 This legislation allows worker's compensation benefits for firefighters who are diagnosed with cancer that, upon a preponderance of competent and credible evidence, can prove the cancer was directly related to their duties as a firefighter.
HB 0156 NeutralGuns - No License Required Matt Gurtler
1/31/2017 House Second Readers Public Safety and Homeland Security --
Firearms/Carry Laws General County Government Public Safety and Courts Todd Edwards
This legislation enacts the Georgia Constitutional Carry Act of 2017.  It does away with Georgia's weapons license and allows anyone to carry a firearm unless they are prohibited by law from possessing a weapon or long gun.   
HB 0158 NeutralGambling - Georgia Destination Resort Act Ron Stephens
1/31/2017 House Second Readers Regulated Industries --
2017/02/03-Report Alcohol/Tobacco Business and Occupation Tax District Attorneys Econ. Dev. & Transportation
Economic Development General County Government Georgia Bureau of Investigation Immigration Land Use/Zoning
Public Safety and Courts Retirement Revenue & Finance Todd Edwards Tourism
This legislation, mirroring SB 79, legalizes gambling in Georgia. Two casino licenses will be granted.  One license will be granted within a county having a population of at least 900,000, will be at least a $2 billion investment, located in a convention district and have a hotel with at least 1,000 rooms.  The other license will be granted within a county with at least 450,000 people, be at least a $450 million investment, and located near a convention district.  These casinos can be open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and will pay a 20-percent tax on gross receipts (70 percent of proceeds go to the HOPE Scholarship and 30 percent will go to a needs-based college scholarship.   
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. 
Green background on status indicates a bill has been acted on the last recorded legislative day.








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