Legislation Assigned to the Senate Public Safety Committee (35)
Use the drop down to the left to select the next 25 bills to display.

Date of Last Recorded Action: 5/7/2024

HB 0216 SupportCOVID-19 Liability Protections Teri Anulewicz
6/17/2020 Senate - Senate Read Second Time Motor Vehicles Public Safety -
2020/06/19 Report General County Government Kathleen Bowen
This legislation, titled the "Georgia Pandemic Business Immunity Act", seeks to provide liability protection from COVID-19 related lawsuits. County government employees and county government facilities are included as being afforded liability protection as long as those parties are acting in good faith to comply with guidelines issued by the Governor, the Georgia Department of Public Health, or the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Immunity would not apply where the government has acted recklessly or intentionally to cause harm.
 
Immunity protection is only in effect upon the Governor issuing an executive order declaring that a state of emergency or disaster exists due to COVID-19. Such immunity shall apply to causes of action that occur between the date of the declaration of a state of emergency or disaster and two years after the date of the last executive order issued by the Governor.
HB 0279 WatchDepartment of Revenue Agents Approved Use of Department Vehicles for Off-Duty Jobs Eddie Lumsden
5/10/2019 Veto V4 Public Safety and Homeland Security Public Safety -
Debra Nesbit Law Enforcement Public Safety and Courts
This legislation allows Department of Revenue Agents to use department vehicles for approved off duty jobs.
HB 0342 SupportStatewide Regulations for Booting Vehicles Matt Dollar
1/13/2020 Senate Recommitted Motor Vehicles Public Safety -
2019/03/29 Report Kathleen Bowen
This legislation includes similar language from HB 469 as it defines and sets statewide standards for vehicle immobilization devices and services - commonly known as "booting". This bill states that booting would be prohibited in a jurisdiction unless the local government passes an ordinance allowing booting. 
HB 0454 SupportRules of the Road for Electric Assisted Bicycles (E-Bikes) Kevin Tanner
7/1/2019 Effective Date Transportation Public Safety -
2019/03/01 Report 2019/03/29 Report Econ. Dev. & Transportation Kathleen Bowen Transportation
This legislation started out as providing the legal framework for e-scooters to operate in Georgia. The as passed version just includes language from HB 215, which establishes regulations for electric assisted bicycle, "e-bikes" and defines three classes of e-bikes. E-bikes would follow the same rules of the road as human powered bikes and local governments would have the authority to allow or restrict the use of e-bikes on bicycle paths or shared paths where bicycles are permitted.
HB 0471 NeutralRevision to Implied Consent Law for Driving Under the Influence Steven Sainz
4/28/2019 Effective Date Judiciary - Non-Civil Public Safety -
2019/03/01 Report Debra Nesbit Law Enforcement Public Safety and Courts
This legislation revises the implied consent notice to advise suspects that refusal to submit to blood or urine testing may be used as evidence against them in trial.
HB 0487 SupportDisaster Relief Act Josh Bonner
1/1/2021 Effective Date Public Safety and Homeland Security Public Safety -
Debra Nesbit Emergency Management/Preparedness Public Safety and Courts
This legislation provides for leave with pay for certain employees of state agencies in order to participate in specialized disaster relief.
HB 0576 SupportFines, Bond Forfeitures and Court Costs Owed to Counties Moves up in Priority on Partial Payments Ricky Williams
8/3/2020 Effective Date Judiciary - Non-Civil Public Safety -
2019/03/08 Report 2020/03/06 Report 2020/06/19 Report Debra Nesbit Public Safety and Courts
This legislation would move the county governing authority to #5 in the priority list when a partial payment is made on a fine owed to the county as a result of a criminal conviction.  Under current law, the county governing authority is #10 on the priority list.
HB 0838 NeutralPeace Officer and First Responder Bill of Rights Bill Hitchens
1/1/2021 Effective Date Public Safety and Homeland Security Public Safety -
Debra Nesbit Law Enforcement Public Safety and Courts

This legislation changes the name of the Office of Public Safety Officer Support to the Office of Public Safety Support to allow access for all responders for services.  This bill also sets for civil penalties for those who harass, intimidate or terrorize another person because of that person's employment as a first responder, give law enforcement officers the right to bring a civil action in situations where bias is involved.
HB 1017 NeutralRevise when Dependents of Public Officers/Employees Qualify for Payment from Georgia State Indemnification Fund Dominic Lariccia
7/1/2020 Effective Date Public Safety and Homeland Security Public Safety -
Correctional Institutions/Jail Debra Nesbit Emergency Management/Preparedness EMS/Ambulance Fire Services
Law Enforcement Public Safety and Courts
This legislation provides for benefits to be payable to the guardian of those public officers/employees who suffer organic brain injury.
HB 1082 NeutralMandatory Notification for Retrieving Motor Vehicle Held by Towing and Storage Firm Alan Powell
3/12/2020 Senate Read and Referred Motor Vehicles Public Safety -
2020/03/06 Report 2020/03/13 Report Debra Nesbit Econ. Dev. & Transportation Magistrate Court
Public Safety and Courts
This legislation sets for notification time frames for which magistrate courts must notify owners of how to retrieve their motor vehicles that are held by a towing/storage firm, repair facility or salvage dealer.
SB 0006 SupportFelony Offense for Use of Drone to Deliver Contraband to or Photograph Any Correctional Facility Kay Kirkpatrick
7/1/2019 Effective Date Public Safety and Homeland Security Public Safety -
2019/03/22 Report 2019/03/29 Report Correctional Institutions/Jail Debra Nesbit Public Safety and Courts
Senate Bill 6 makes it unlawful for any person to intentionally use an unmanned aircraft system to deliver to an inmate weapons, liquor, drugs, telecommunications devices, or tobacco products without the authorization of the warden or superintendent or his or her designee. The bill also prohibits the intentional photographing or otherwise recorded images of a place of incarceration through the use of the unmanned aircraft system. There is a provision that allows a person to obtain the warden's or superintendent's authorization for photographing or recording as evidence of a noncriminal intent; however, the failure to receive the prior authorization does not suffice as evidence of a criminal intent. Persons who commit or attempt to commit a violation of this provision are guilty of a felony. Upon a conviction for attempting to deliver or for delivering contraband, the person is sentenced to imprisonment for not less than one nor more than 10 years. A conviction of a violation of the photography provision results in a sentence of imprisonment for not less than one but no more than five years. 
SB 0015 NeutralKeeping Georgia Schools Safe Act John Albers
5/10/2019 Veto V7 Education Public Safety -
2019/01/18 Report Debra Nesbit Public Safety and Courts Tax Commissioner
Senate Bill 15 creates the 'Keeping Georgia's Schools Safe Act'. The act requires public schools to conduct site threat assessments by a certified private individual or company or by a government agency. Every public school must conduct a site threat assessment before January 1, 2021 and every five years thereafter. Every public school must submit a school safety plan to the Department of Education after the local law enforcement agency has approved the plan. The Department of Education will post a list of which schools have submitted a school safety plan and which schools have yet to meet this requirement. Additionally, SB 15 streamlines communication efforts between schools and the relevant state intelligence agencies by designating a single individual at each school as the school safety coordinator. The bill requires schools to use and promote a statewide mobile application, the 'See Something Send Something' anonymous app, to report suspicious activity or potential threats. 
SB 0023 EvaluatingTrailers and Semitrailers Restricted Highway Use Donzella James
1/28/2019 Senate Withdrawn Bill/Res Consideration -Public Safety -
Econ. Dev. & Transportation Kathleen Bowen Roads Transportation
This legislation prohibits the use of trailers or semitrailers on highways unless they are engaged in the pickup or delivery of persons or property or traveling to or from such pickup or delivery.

1/28/2019 Withdrawn from consideration in Senate.
SB 0025 SupportPassing Stopped School Bus Bill Heath
2/15/2019 Effective Date Public Safety and Homeland Security Public Safety -
2019/01/31 Report 2019/02/08 Report 2019/02/15 Report Budget Debra Nesbit
Law Enforcement Public Safety and Courts Roads
Senate Bill 25 allows drivers to continue driving past a stopped school bus on a highway with separate roadways only when the roadways are separated by a grass median, unpaved area, or physical barrier when the bus is on the separate roadway.
SB 0031 SupportNo Liability for Law Enforcement Officers Performing Duty at the Scene of an Emergency Michael Rhett
7/1/2019 Effective Date Judiciary Public Safety -
2019/01/25 Report 2019/03/01 Report 2019/03/15 Report 2019/03/29 Report Debra Nesbit
Senate Bill 31 states law enforcement officers employed by state or local government are immune from liability for actions taken while performing duties at the scene of an emergency, unless the law enforcement officer's actions constitute gross negligence, willful or wanton misconduct, or malfeasance. Emergencies include imminent danger to life or health of a person or pet, such as the rescuing a person or pet from inside a locked motor vehicle.  
SB 0033 SupportGuns - Prohibit in Government Buildings Emanuel Jones
1/30/2019 Senate Read and Referred -Public Safety -
Firearms/Carry Laws General County Government Todd Edwards
This legislation prohibits the carrying guns/weapons in government buildings. 
SB 0039 EvaluatingDisposition of Seized Firearms Lester Jackson
1/30/2019 Senate Read and Referred -Public Safety -
2019/01/31 Report Debra Nesbit Firearms/Carry Laws Law Enforcement Public Safety and Courts
This legislation amends the process for disposition of seized firearms, and clarifies the requirements for municipal corporations.  The bill also prohibits the sale of any seized firearm that law enforcement deems unsafe, and sets forth method for the firearm to be destroyed by the GBI.
SB 0063 EvaluatingStandard for Law Enforcement Engagement Vehicular Pursuits Gail Davenport
2/7/2019 Senate Read and Referred -Public Safety -
2019/02/08 Report Debra Nesbit Public Safety and Courts Traffic Enforcement
This legislation requires that law enforcement must have probably cause to believe that the person being pursued committed or are committing, murder; aggravated battery; kidnapping; false imprisonment; armed robbery; or any offense that creates an immediate threat of death or serious bodily injury to another person.
SB 0078 NeutralGuns - Training Required Prior to Obtaining a Weapons Carry License Emanuel Jones
2/8/2019 Senate Read and Referred -Public Safety -
Firearms/Carry Laws Todd Edwards
This legislation requires an individual to complete training before obtaining a Georgia weapons carry license.  Effective December 31, 2019, the training must have been completed at least three years prior to applying for the license.  The "handgun education program" is to be conducted by the Georgia Department of Public Safety.  Those having obtained a license prior to Dec. 31, 2019, are not required to undergo the training.      
SB 0084 NegotiatingGuns - Counties Must Provide Free Renewal Licenses Gregory Kirk
2/11/2019 Senate Read and Referred -Public Safety -
2019/02/15 Report Firearms/Carry Laws General County Government Todd Edwards
This bill provides that counties cannot charge the $30 fee from applicants renewing their Georgia Weapons Carry Permit.  The county still has to produce the renewal license to meet state-mandated specifications; however, other taxpayers must bear the cost of its production.  ACCG has no issues if the state wishes to take over and fund this service from counties, and then charge however much or little as the state deems appropriate.               
SB 0105 Evaluating'Georgia Firearms and Weapons Act'; enact Jennifer Jordan
2/14/2019 Senate Read and Referred -Public Safety -
2019/02/15 Report Debra Nesbit Firearms/Carry Laws Public Safety and Courts
This legislation outlaws bump fire stocks on guns, and provides for criminal penalities.
SB 0149 NeutralMotor Vehicle Omnibus Bill Randy Robertson
3/26/2019 House Passed/Adopted By Substitute Motor Vehicles Public Safety -
Econ. Dev. & Transportation Kathleen Bowen
This legislation combines several bills related to motor vehicles that includes fine details for the operation of a vehicle without a valid decal on license plate and establishes that three-wheeled motorcycles would be treated like two-wheeled motorcycles.
 
In addition, the bill sets standards and procedures for issuing and displaying digital license plates. Individuals would be allowed to submit an application to the county tag office indicating a preference for a digital license plate. A digital license plate provider can collect fees for the license plate hardware and services. Digital license plates would renewed annually and the Department of Revenue would be authorized to develop rules and regulations relating to the digital displays, messaging and personalization of digital license plates.  
SB 0193 EvaluatingGeorgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council; power and duty to establish basic and in-service training courses; post-traumatic stress disorder; provide Zahra Karinshak
2/27/2019 Senate Read and Referred -Public Safety -
Debra Nesbit Law Enforcement Public Safety and Courts
SB 0208 NeutralRevision to Implied Consent Law for Driving Under the Influence Randy Robertson
6/25/2020 House - House Withdrawn, Recommitted Judiciary - Non-Civil Public Safety -
2019/03/01 Report 2019/03/22 Report 2019/03/29 Report Debra Nesbit Public Safety and Courts
Traffic Enforcement
This legislation revises the implied consent notice to advise suspects that refusal to submit to blood or urine testing may be used as evidence against them in trial.
SB 0308 NeutralUpdated Process for Removing and Storing Abandoned Vessels Kay Kirkpatrick
1/1/2021 Effective Date Public Safety and Homeland Security Public Safety -
Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment
This legislation removes redundant processes regarding the removal and storage of abandoned vessels in public waters. 
Green background on status indicates a bill has been acted on the last recorded legislative day.



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