HB967: HB967 Criminal Justice Coordinating Council; provide financial assistance to law enforcement agencies to equip certain motor vehicles with bullet-resistant features; establish grant program

26 LC 63 0001 House Bill 967 By: Representatives Ridley of the 22nd, Ridley of the 6th, Horner of the 3rd, Fleming of the 114th, Chastain of the 7th, and others A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Chapter 6A of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the1 Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, so as to establish a grant program to provide financial2 assistance to law enforcement agencies to equip certain motor vehicles with bullet-resistant3 features; to provide a definition; to establish criteria and pr ocedures for such grants; to4 require reporting from grant recipients; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting5 laws; and for other purposes.6 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:7 SECTION 1.8 Chapter 6A of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Criminal9 Justice Coordinating Council, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:10 "35-6A-18.11 (a) As used in this Code section, the term 'peace officer' shall have the same meaning as12 set forth in Code Section 35-8-2.13 (b) The council shall be authorized to establish a grant progr am to provide financial14 assistance to law enforcement agencies to equip motor vehicles used by peace officers with15 certain bullet-resistant components. The grant program shall include funding, subject to16 H. B. 967 - 1 - 26 LC 63 0001 appropriations by the General Assembly, for grants to law enfor cement agencies to17 purchase and install bullet-resistant windshields, side windows , rear windows, and door18 panels on such law enforcement agencies' motor vehicles used by peace officers in the19 discharge of official duties.20 (c) The council shall establish and administer:21 (1) Eligibility and selection criteria for grant applicants;22 (2) Grant application procedures;23 (3) Guidelines relating to grant amounts;24 (4) Procedures for evaluating grant applications; and25 (5) Procedures for monitoring the use of a grant awarded under the program and ensuring26 compliance with any conditions of a grant.27 (d) A law enforcement agency receiving a grant under this Code section shall, as soon as28 practicable after spending the grant money, provide to the council proof of purchase and29 installation, as applicable, of bullet-resistant windshields, side windows, rear windows, or30 door panels paid for in whole or in part using grant funds."31 SECTION 2.32 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.33 H. B. 967 - 2 -