---
title: O.C.G.A. § 45-12-31. Powers to prevent violence and maintain order — Filing of proclamation; powers of Governor over civil and military officials generally.
collection: code
id: 45-12-31
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 45-12-31 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/45-12-31
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/45-12-31.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/45-12-31/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t45-(v33)-2016-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=cde47f8a_0#page=303
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/45-12.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/45-12-30.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/code/45-12-32.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES / GOVERNOR / POWERS AND DUTIES GENERALLY
extraction_warnings:
  - dehyphenation_unverified:assem-blies
---

# O.C.G.A. § 45-12-31. Powers to prevent violence and maintain order — Filing of proclamation; powers of Governor over civil and military officials generally.

Upon the issuance of a proclamation as provided for in Code Section 45-12-30, the Governor shall immediately file the same in the office of the Secretary of State for recording. The proclamation shall be effective upon issuance and shall remain in full force and effect until revoked by the Governor; and he is authorized to take and exercise any or all of the following actions, powers, and prerogatives:

(1) Call out the military forces of the state (state militia) and order and direct said forces to take such action as in his judgment may be necessary to avert the threatened danger and to maintain peace and good order in the particular circumstances;

(2) Order any sheriff or sheriffs of this state to exercise fully the powers granted them (suppress tumults, riots, and unlawful assemblies in their counties with force and strength when necessary) and to do all things necessary to maintain peace and good order;

(3) Order and direct the Department of Public Safety and each and every officer thereof to do and perform such acts and services as he may direct and as in his judgment may be necessary to maintain peace and good order in the circumstances;

(4) Authorize, order, or direct any state, county, or city official to enforce such proclamation by injunction, mandamus, or other appropriate legal action in any and all courts of the state.

## History

Ga. L. 1957, p. 44, § 6.

## Cross References

Further provisions regarding authority of Governor to call out militia, § 38-2-6.