HB283: HB283 Motor vehicles; issuance of a refusal to sign citation; provide

26 LC 63 0157S The Senate Committee on Public Safety offered the following substitute to HB 283: A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and1 traffic, so as to revise the date by which law enforcement offi cers shall acquire equipment2 capable of verifying a driver's license issued in an electronic format; to provide for the3 issuance of a refusal to sign citation; to provide for a penalty; to provide for related matters;4 to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:6 SECTION 1.7 Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and traffic, is8 amended in Code Section 40-5-29, relating to license to be carried and exhibited on demand,9 by revising paragraph (4) of subsection (b) as follows:10 "(4) By July 1, 2027 2032, all law enforcement officers shall acquire equipment capable11 of verifying a license issued in an electronic format."12 - 1 - 26 LC 63 0157S SECTION 2.13 Said title is further amended in Code Section 40-13-2.1, relati ng to signature on citations14 required, effect of failure to sign, exemption for out-of-state drivers, and electronic capture15 of signature, by revising subsection (a) as follows:16 "(a) A person who is issued a citation as provided in this chapter or Code Section 17-6-11,17 relating to display of driver's license in lieu of bail, shall m a y sign the citation to18 acknowledge receipt of the citation and of his or her obligatio n to appear for trial. The19 officer shall advise the person that signing the citation is not an admission of guilt and that20 failure to sign will result in the person having to post a cash bond appear for trial. If the21 person refuses to sign the citation, it shall constitute reason able cause to believe that the22 person will not appear at trial and the officer shall write 'Refusal to Sign' on such citation23 and shall give the citation to such person. The officer may bring the person before a24 judicial officer or traffic violations bureau to post a bond as is otherwise provided by law."25 SECTION 3.26 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.27 - 2 -