Legislation Sponsored by Andrew Welch (11)

Date of Last Recorded Action: 4/24/2024

HB 0311 NegotiatingSovereign Immunity - Waiver for Certain Claims Andrew Welch
5/10/2019 Veto V5 Judiciary Judiciary -
2019/01/25 Report 2019/02/15 Report 2019/03/22 Report
 In response to several Georgia Supreme Court cases in recent years, this bill would waive the sovereign immunity of the state, counties, and cities with respect to certain non-monetary claims. As to local governments, a party could ask a court for an injunction or declaratory judgment based on an allegation that the government is acting in violation of 1) the U.S. or Georgia Constitutions; 2) state statute; 3) a state rule or regulation; or 4) a local ordinance other than a zoning ordinance. Such claims would have to be preceded by 30-days' notice to the government. A losing bidder in a public procurement would also have the power to challenge the award of a contract if that legal challenge is filed within 10 days of the contract's award. Other provisions limit lawsuits against government officers and employees in their individual capacity.
HB 0485 NegotiatingStep Down Sunset of the Judicial Operations Fund Fee Andrew Welch
2/27/2019 House Second Readers Judiciary --
2019/03/01 Report Debra Nesbit Public Safety and Courts
This legislation provides a sunset provision for the Judicial Operations Fund with complete elimination by June 30, 2022.  In state court the $125.00 fee is shared with the county general fund, the state general fund receives $75.00 and the county general fund receives $50.00.  Effective 7/1/20 county general fund receives $35.00; 7/1/21 county general fund receives $18.00; total elimination on 6/30/22.
HB 0786 NeutralSuperior courts; additional judge of the Flint Judicial Circuit; provide Andrew Welch
7/29/2020 Effective Date Judiciary Judiciary -
Local Legislation
HB 0814 EvaluatingState-wide Business Court; remove administrative attachment from the Court of Appeals Andrew Welch
3/4/2020 House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute Judiciary --
Debra Nesbit Public Safety and Courts
HB 0886 NeutralAnimals - Vets Must Scan for Microchip to Verify Proper Owner Andrew Welch
3/13/2020 Senate Read and Referred Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Assignments -
2020/02/07 2020/03/13 Report Animal Control District Attorneys General County Government
Law Enforcement Public Safety and Courts Solicitors Todd Edwards
This bill requires veterinarians and veterinary technicians to scan the animals they are treating for microchips to ensure that the animal's owner is the same person presenting the animal for treatment.  If not, the veterinarian must notify law enforcement.     
HB 1078 SupportAuthorization for Magistrate Court to Collect a Technology Fee Andrew Welch
3/12/2020 House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute Judiciary --
2020/03/06 Report Clerk of Court Debra Nesbit Forfeitures, Fees, and Fine Add Ons General County Government
Magistrate Court Probate Court Public Safety and Courts Revenue & Finance State Court
Superior Court
This legislation authorizes any county to pass a resolution enacting a $10.00 court technology fee in magistrate court cases.  The county must keep in a separate account and use only for specified technology related expenses.  Each county enacting the resolution must have a criminal justice information system committee chaired by the chief superior court judge with members consisting of the chief magistrate, probate, state court judges, sheriff and clerk of court. 
HB 1111 NeutralState Budget Reports - Eliminate Obsolete Language Andrew Welch
3/10/2020 Senate Read and Referred Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight Rules -
Larry Ramsey Property Tax Revenue & Finance

 This bill would eliminate obsolete statutory references to homeowner tax relief grants. 
HB 1127 EvaluatingLocal government; zoning procedures; provide for suits against counties and municipalities Andrew Welch
3/10/2020 House Second Readers Judiciary --
General County Government Land Use/Zoning Todd Edwards
HB 1240 NeutralHenry County; Redevelopment Powers Law; provide for a referendum Andrew Welch
6/20/2020 House - House Second Readers Intragovernmental Coordination --
Local Legislation
HB 1249 NeutralHenry County; Redevelopment Powers Law; provide for a referendum Andrew Welch
6/30/2020 Effective Date Intragovernmental Coordination --
Local Legislation
HR 1023 NeutralSovereign Immunity - Waiver for Certain Non-Monetary Claims Andrew Welch
8/5/2020 Effective Date Judiciary Judiciary -
2020/02/07 2020/02/21 Report 2020/03/06 Report 2020/06/19 Report General County Government
Government Immunity Larry Ramsey
This proposed constitutional amendment would waive governmental sovereign immunity to allow lawsuits against the state, counties, and cities for declaratory judgments for actions allegedly outside the scope of their legal authority or in violation of the Georgia or U.S. Constitutions. As amended in the Senate, courts would be authorized to enforce its rulings via injunction on such declaratory rulings. Damages, attorney's fees, and other monetary costs would not be available under this amendment. Such lawsuits would be against the governmental entity, and could not be brought against individual government officials/employees. Governments would retain all other legal defenses to such lawsuits, such an ante litem notice and time limitations on bringing such actions. If ratified by the voters, the amendment would apply to claims arising on or after January 1, 2021.
Green background on status indicates a bill has been acted on the last recorded legislative day.



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