This bill re-writes and modernizes Georgia's nearly 150 year old evidence code.  The new language largely tracks the Federal Rules of Evidence and applies to any motion, hearing or trial in Georgia's state courts on or after January 1, 2013.

The bill rewrites Title 24. It also modifies, in part, Titles 7-10, 14-17, 20, 22, 26, 28, 29, 31, 33-37, 40, 42-46, 48-50, 52, & 53.

Under current law, a peace officer is required to transport mental health patients who need emergency or involuntary treatment. HB 231 would allow a peace officer to request that medical transport provider be used, which could result in savings and redirect some offenders from the local jails.

This legislation changes the method that 9-1-1 fees are assessed on prepaid wireless cellular phones and service, and sets forth a method for distribution of the fees to local governments. The bill provides for a 75 cent fee on each retail purchase of a wireless telephone or purchase of service. The fee will be remitted by the retailer along with sales tax to the Department of Revenue. Fees will be distributed to 9-1-1 centers based on the population of the Public Safety Answering Point. For a full overview and summary of the legislation click here.

This bill makes changes to the law making cruelty to animals a crime.

HB 683 allows the county and other employers to designate someone other than an attorney to file an answer to a garnishment filed against an employee. This bill was introduced in response to a recent court decision that said that using non-lawyers to file an answer constitutes the illegal practice of law. The bill would also allow the designated person to pay into the court the funds required by the garnishment. HB 683 was signed by the Governor and became effective February 7, 2012.