HR449: HR449 House Study Committee on Modernization of the Traffic Violations Bureau; create

Georgia's traffic violations bureau (TVB) system lets drivers accused of certain traffic offenses pay fines by mail or online instead of appearing in court. This resolution says that system, created in 1966, may let dangerous drivers avoid prosecutorial and judicial oversight, can deny crime victims the chance to make impact statements, and may be unconstitutional because it does not require drivers to be told of their legal rights, similar to Miranda warnings. The resolution creates the House Study Committee on Modernization of the Traffic Violations Bureau, made up of legislators, prosecutors, defense lawyers, police and sheriffs' representatives, and several categories of judges. The committee would study the TVB system's problems and recommend legislation. It would hold meetings as needed, receive limited funding from House appropriations, and would have to file any findings or recommended legislation before it is abolished on December 1, 2025.

• Creates the House Study Committee on Modernization of the Traffic Violations Bureau, made up of 11 members from the legislature, law enforcement, courts, and legal associations.
• Directs the committee to study problems with the TVB system, including lack of court oversight and missing victim impact statement rights.
• Authorizes legislative members to receive standard travel and expense allowances under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, and sets expense rules for other members.
• Requires the committee to file a report with any recommended legislation before it is abolished, or file meeting minutes if no report is approved.
• Abolishes the committee automatically on December 1, 2025, ending its work and funding.

Georgia drivers who use the traffic violations bureau to pay fines by mail or online, crime victims of traffic accidents, and the legislators, prosecutors, defense attorneys, police chiefs, sheriffs, and judges named to serve on the new study committee.

If the study leads to future legislation, it could change how routine traffic tickets are handled in Georgia, potentially requiring more court involvement, informing drivers of their rights, or giving accident victims a say before fines are resolved. For now, the resolution only sets up a committee to study the issue.

• Paragraph (1) creates the House Study Committee on the Modernization of the Traffic Violations Bureau.
• Paragraph (2) sets the committee's membership at 11, including House members, the Judiciary Non-Civil Committee chair, and representatives of prosecutors, defense lawyers, police chiefs, sheriffs, and several judicial councils.
• Paragraph (3) directs the committee to study the TVB system's problems and recommend action or legislation.
• Paragraph (5) sets allowance and expense rules, capping paid days at five unless additional days are authorized, with funding from House appropriations.
• Paragraph (6) requires the committee to file a report with any legislative recommendations, approved by majority vote, before the abolishment date.
• Paragraph (7) abolishes the committee on December 1, 2025.

1. 2025-04-04House Withdrawn, Recommitted (House)
2. 2025-03-11House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
3. 2025-03-04House Second Readers (House)
4. 2025-03-03House First Readers (House)
5. 2025-02-28House Hopper (House)

• Tyler Smith (R, HD-018)Primary sponsor
• Stan Gunter (R, HD-008)
• Trey Kelley (R, HD-016)
• Matt Reeves (R, HD-099)
• Shea Roberts (D, HD-052)

• traffic violations
• traffic courts
• legislative study committees
• driver rights
• victim rights