Legislation Assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee (50)
Use the drop down to the left to select the next 25 bills to display.

Date of Last Recorded Action: 3/29/2024

HB 0021 NeutralGwinnett Judicial Circuit; additional judge of the superior court; provide Chuck Efstration
4/2/2019 Effective Date Judiciary Judiciary -
Local Legislation
HB 0028 NeutralGriffin Judicial Circuit; additional judge of the superior court; provide Karen Mathiak
5/6/2019 Effective Date Judiciary Judiciary -
Local Legislation
HB 0234 NeutralAnti-Human Trafficking Protect Response Act Chuck Efstration
3/5/2019 Senate Read and Referred Juvenile Justice Judiciary -
2019/03/22 Report Debra Nesbit Public Safety and Courts
This legislation allows the Department of Family and Children Services to provide emergency care and supervision without a court order for a period of seven days if the child is a victim of sex trafficking.
HB 0288 NeutralSuperior Court Filing Fees Alan Powell
1/1/2020 Effective Date Judiciary Judiciary -
2019/02/15 Report 2019/03/08 Report 2019/03/29 Report Larry Ramsey Revenue & Finance
This bill would eliminate the current per-page fees for filing deeds and other documents with the Superior Court Clerk and instead impose a flat $25 fee per document. It also increases the per-page plat filing fee from $7.50 to $10. The bill would also change the alternative Superior Court Clerk filing fees in counties with unincorporated populations of 350,000 or more.
HB 0296 NeutralHall County; Northeastern Judicial Circuit; revise term of Superior Court Lee Hawkins
7/1/2019 Effective Date Judiciary Judiciary -
Intern 1 Local Legislation
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 0387 NeutralAllows Private, Nonprofit and Volunteer Fire Departments to Levy a Property Lien for Unpaid Services Requested by the Property Owner Eddie Lumsden
7/1/2019 Effective Date Judiciary Judiciary -
2019/02/22 Report 2019/03/01 Report 2019/03/22 Report Debra Nesbit Fire Services
Public Safety and Courts
House Bill 387 establishes a new category of allowable liens to include those in favor of private, non-profit, volunteer fire departments for debts which stem from the performance of their services that are requested by property owners.
HB 0426 NeutralHate Crimes Chuck Efstration
7/1/2020 Effective Date Judiciary - Non-Civil Judiciary -
Debra Nesbit
This legislation creates a new offense when it is determined that the crime was committed against another person involved bias or prejudice.  Increased penalities will attach upon determination that it was a hate crime in felony cases and some misdemeanor cases.
HB 0470 NeutralRequire Collection and Analysis of DNA for Individuals Charged with Felony Offenses Steven Sainz
4/28/2019 Effective Date Judiciary - Non-Civil Judiciary -
2019/03/08 Report 2019/03/29 Report Debra Nesbit Law Enforcement Public Safety and Courts
This legislation requires county correctional institutes to collect DNA evidence from felons.
HB 0472 NeutralRevision of Procedures Concerning Removal of Children from the Home to Meet Requirements of the Federal Families First Act Albert Reeves
4/18/2019 Effective Date Juvenile Justice Judiciary -
2019/03/29 Report Debra Nesbit Public Safety and Courts
This legislation revises the procedures for removal considerations when DFCS is making a determination is custody matters.  This revision will meet the requirements of the Federal Families First Act. 
HB 0538 NeutralGeorgia Tax Tribunal - No Deference to Agency Determinations Todd Jones
2/19/2020 Senate Read and Referred Ways and Means Judiciary -
Larry Ramsey Revenue & Finance
This bill provides that the Georgia Tax Tribunal will make decisions without deference to prior administrative determinations by state agencies.
HB 0786 NeutralSuperior courts; additional judge of the Flint Judicial Circuit; provide Andrew Welch
7/29/2020 Effective Date Judiciary Judiciary -
Local Legislation
HB 0799 NeutralAllow Early Reinstatement of Driver's License and Limited Driving Permits for Persons Convicted of Driving While Under the Influence of Drugs Shaw Blackmon
7/29/2020 Effective Date Judiciary - Non-Civil Judiciary -
2020/01/31 2020/02/28 Report Debra Nesbit Public Safety and Courts Traffic Enforcement
This legislation provides for eligibility of persons convicted of driving while under the influence of prescription drugs (for which they have a prescription) to apply for early license reminstatement and/or a limited driving permit.  Under current law individuals convicted for DUI Drugs are not eligible for a limited driving permit.
HB 0911 NeutralCreates Offense of Improper Sexual Conduct by a Foster Parent Ed Setzler
1/1/2021 Effective Date Judiciary - Non-Civil Judiciary -
2020/02/21 Report 2020/02/28 Report 2020/03/13 Report Debra Nesbit Public Safety and Courts
This legislation creates felony offenses for improper sexual conduct by a foster parent in the first and second degrees and sets penalites for both.
HB 0983 SupportRevise Reporting Requirements for Sexual Offender Registration Ricky Williams
1/1/2021 Effective Date Judiciary - Non-Civil Judiciary -
2020/02/28 Report 2020/03/13 Report Debra Nesbit Public Safety and Courts Sex Offender
Sheriff
This legislation allows the registration of sexual offenders be done anytime during the month of their birth for those residing in a state or privately operating hospice facility, skilled nursing home, or residential health care facility, upon approval of the sheriff of said county.
HB 0984 NeutralCriminal procedure; sentencing; change provisions James Burchett
1/1/2021 Effective Date Judiciary - Non-Civil Judiciary -
Debra Nesbit
HB 1003 NeutralOgeechee Judicial Circuit; provide additional judge of the superior courts Jon Burns
6/23/2020 Senate - Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute Judiciary Judiciary -
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.
SB 0034 NeutralGuns - Prohibit Those with Certain Disabilities from Obtaining License Emanuel Jones
1/30/2019 Senate Read and Referred -Judiciary -
Firearms/Carry Laws General County Government Todd Edwards
This bill prohibits those diagnosed with mental disabilities, within 10 years preceding their applications, from obtaining weapons carry licenses.  An exception is made if the individual submits a sworn statement from a psychologist or psychiatrist that the applicant is mentally competent.  This also applies to the transfer or sale of a firearm.     
SB 0038 OpposeHome Rule Violation: New Process to Abolish County Police Department Bypassing County Commissioners William Ligon
8/5/2020 Effective Date Judiciary Judiciary -
2019/01/31 Report 2019/02/08 Report 2019/02/15 Report 2019/03/29 Report 2020/06/19 Report
Debra Nesbit Public Safety and Courts
This legislation seeks to allow local legislative delegations to bypass county commissioners by general legislation.  This bill is a general bill that will allow a local legislative delegation to pass local legislation calling for a local referendum to abolish a county police department.  Under current law the county must pass a resolution to create a county police department and have a referendum prior to that creation.  The decision to abolish a county police department is at the sole discretion of the County Commission.  Please click here for talking and legal points. 
SB 0040 NeutralAlcohol - Allow Sale of Mixed Drinks to Go Lester Jackson
6/23/2020 House - House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute Judiciary - Non-Civil Judiciary -
Todd Edwards
This bill authorizes a "drinks to go retailer" to sell carry-out mixed drinks as well as beer and wine either from inside, a drive-thru or curbside.  Sales must abide by all local package alcohol laws; drinks cannot exceed 1,500 milliliters nor 20 percent alcohol (wine or distilled spirits) in volume; and this law sunsets on March 1, 2021.  A "drinks to go retailer" is defined as retailers that are authorized to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the licensed premises.        
SB 0058 NegotiatingPrivate Civil Actions Regarding False Claims Zahra Karinshak
3/11/2019 House Second Readers Judiciary Judiciary -
2019/02/08 Report 2019/03/08 Report Larry Ramsey Revenue & Finance
Under present law, a private citizen may file a civil lawsuit alleging that a party has made false claims for governmental money, but only upon specific approval by the state Attorney General. This bill would remove the requirement to obtain the AG's consent prior to filing such a lawsuit. As amended in House committee, a local government would receive notice of such lawsuits filed in that government's name.
SB 0059 EvaluatingAll Parties Must Consent Prior to Interception of Electronic Communications Jeff Mullis
2/6/2019 Senate Read and Referred -Judiciary -
2019/02/08 Report Debra Nesbit Public Safety and Courts
The legislation requires that all parties to an electronic communication give prior consent to interception of communication.
SB 0104 SupportSales Tax Exemptions - Extend Sunsets Chuck Payne
8/5/2020 Effective Date Judiciary Judiciary -
Larry Ramsey
This bill will extend the current sales tax exemptions for purchases by various nonprofit organizations: blood banks, organ procurement organizations, food purchases by food banks and disaster relief organizations, and health centers/clinics.
SB 0110 NeutralCreation of State-wide Business Court Jesse Stone
3/5/2020 Senate Tabled Judiciary Judiciary -
2019/03/08 Report 2019/03/15 Report 2019/03/22 Report 2019/03/29 Report Debra Nesbit
Public Safety and Courts
This legislation sets forth the framework for the state-wide business court passed as a constitutional amendment by referendum in the 2018 election.  The bill provides that the court will be located in Macon-Bibb County and will commence operation January 1, 2020 and will begin accepting cases August 1, 2020.  The court may accept cases in controversy of at least $250,000 and the filing fee for cases shall be $1,000 to be remitted to the state general fund.
Green background on status indicates a bill has been acted on the last recorded legislative day.








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