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Found 87 matching documents.
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee · March 5, 2026
House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee, March 5, 2026 (part 2)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee approved HB 1255 by substitute, with an amendment assigning responsibility for sending charging documents to the state rather than court clerks. Discussion focused on evidence-sharing deadlines, delays in criminal cases, and whether prosecutors have enough staff and technology to meet the requirements. The committee also heard HB 1322, which the presenter said would make rioting a felony. Three organizations opposed that bill, raising concerns about unclear language, penalties, protest rights, and bail restrictions. The chair postponed further consideration until the next morning without a vote.
Ben Sessions. Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman. Good afternoon, y'all. I, I sit before you today as a hypocrite. Um, about 10 years ago I sat in a different room across the street, and I talked about why it is that you should, uh, you should vote against a reciprocal discovery bill Um, today I sit before you and tell you that you should vote in favor of...
I think a lot of times we lose sight of what happens just down the street, for example, in the busiest court in the State of Georgia, which is Fulton County State Court. In Fulton County State Court, you routinely have cases that will be accused in 18 months to 24 months after the date of arrest. Roughly two years. A defendant's case is accused, and then it...
Bill or resolution · Georgia House of Representatives · January 27, 2025 · Passed
Criminal procedure; pretrial proceedings in capital offense cases where the death penalty is sought when the accused has an intellectual disability; provide
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): House Bill 123 creates a pretrial process for Georgia courts to decide whether a defendant facing the death penalty has an intellectual disability, and bars execution for anyone found to have one.
SECTION 3. Said title is further amended by revising subsection (d) of Code Section 17-7-171, relating to time for a demand for speedy trial in capital cases, discharge and acquittal when no trial held before end of two court terms of demand, counting of terms in cases in which death penalty is sought, and special pleas of incompetency, as follows: "(d) If...
SECTION 4. Said title is further amended by revising subsection (b) of Code Section 17-10-35.1, relating to the review of pretrial proceedings when death penalty is sought, reports investigating reversible error, transmittal of reports to Supreme Court, orders regarding review, Attorney General assistance, res judicata, applicability, and waiver of rights,...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee · March 17, 2026
House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee, March 17, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee heard testimony on changes to self-defense immunity under SB 572, increased penalties for blocking transportation routes under SB 443, an animal-cruelty database under SB 587, sex-offender reporting and risk classifications under SB 468, and AI-generated obscene images under SB 398. Witnesses raised questions about arrest powers, protest rights, supervision resources, protections for teenagers, and liability for AI companies. The chair repeatedly reported that the committee lacked a quorum, and no votes were taken before adjournment. The chair also announced that SB 499 had been removed at the sponsor’s request and would return the next day.
And when you look at how a case progresses through our judicial system, it goes from arrest to warrant, your probable cause hearings are established, you have your arraignment just mentioned. The thing that is not mentioned, that I have not heard people talk about, is how Fulton County cases can take, oh, I don't know, eight years to get to trial. Would you...
$50,000 difference in trial and pretrial fees. Modern law firms, they charge a pretrial fee and a trial fee. So when someone is facing aggravated assault and they have that immunity defense, and if they exercise that in front of the beginning stages, they can save $50,000 in lawyer fees. So quite literally, this saves the taxpayers too, because the public...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Rules Committee · April 2, 2026
House Rules Committee, April 2, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee heard requests to advance several study committee resolutions, a road-naming resolution and a resolution urging a pause in adopting updated residential energy standards. No calendar decisions on those requests were shown. Members approved substitutes for six bills and placed eight bills on the day's floor calendar. The substitutes addressed military license plates, community health workers and rural hospitals, public health programs and pharmacy access, charter school reimbursements, and higher education. Members objected to approving and scheduling SB 440 and to scheduling SB 513, but those motions carried by voice vote. The chair said the committee would likely meet again to consider additional requests.
Yes, sir. Um, members of the committee, I have two... Let's see. Let me find them again. Ha- uh, House Resolution 1703, which is a c- study committee on the post-conviction litigation, uh, in Georgia. Right now it's, uh, it's a mess, and, um, about a month or ago, uh, our chief justice had a, a case come before him, and he had a, a, a opinion in that that...
Bill or resolution · Georgia House of Representatives · February 20, 2026 · Introduced
Civil Practice Act; scheduling of civil trials; provide
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): House Bill 1407 would set detailed new rules for how Georgia courts schedule and call civil jury trials, including calendar deadlines, notice periods, and priority rules for attorneys with multiple cases.
SECTION 1. Article 6 of Chapter 11 of Title 9 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to trials under the "Civil Practice Act," is amended by revising Code Section 9-11-40, relating to time and place of trials, as follows: "9-11-40. (a) Time of trial. All civil cases, including divorce and other domestic relations cases, shall be triable any...
(2) A trial calendar shall be filed and served through the court's electronic filing service no less than 120 days prior to the session of court at which the actions thereon are to be tried. At the same time a trial calendar is filed and served through the court's electronic filing service, it shall also be served on each pro se party via email if said...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Judiciary Juvenile Committee · March 4, 2026
House Judiciary Juvenile Committee, March 4, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee reconsidered HB 1445 after the sponsor requested changes to language in a version previously approved. The discussion focused on notifying schools and law enforcement when a young person’s electronic monitoring stops working, improving communication between agencies, and clarifying the role of monitoring companies. The committee approved the new substitute by voice vote, with no opposition heard, and adjourned.
Never moved so fast this morning. Good afternoon. Use the chair lady.
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Governmental Affairs Committee · June 22, 2026
House Governmental Affairs Committee, June 22, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee held a hearing only on SB 3, which addresses future voting equipment, election audits and the deadline for removing QR codes from vote counting. Discussion centered on a Senate-added requirement to hand-count the top two races before certification. Committee members and witnesses raised questions about accuracy, staffing, costs, deadlines and whether parts of the bill fit the special session’s scope. Supporters said hand counts could uncover machine errors and increase confidence. Many witnesses asked the committee to remove the hand-count requirement. The chair said discussions about a possible substitute were underway and another meeting might occur the next morning. No amendment or vote occurred before adjournment.
Um, so there does appear to be some language in that, uh, you know, provision where the General Assembly could consider multiple issues related to, um, issues relating to, uh, Senate Bill 289's effective date on the, the QR code ban. Um, there are two cases from the Georgia Supreme Court which provide some insight into this con- constitutional provision,...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Motor Vehicles Committee · February 20, 2026
House Motor Vehicles Committee, February 20, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee discussed planned changes to HB 1267, including vehicle-related penalties and dealer oversight, but took no vote because revised language was not ready. Members also considered moving dealer oversight into one agency. The committee approved a substitute for HB 809 that would set a 50 mph minimum speed on interstates and Georgia 400 beginning July 1, 2027. It also approved HB 1191 after adding a January 1, 2027 effective date to allow time to prepare for the license-plate changes.
Less than the minimum speed limit ... it was less than the minimum speed, which was 40. And it just, you know, it just shook the, the, the elderly person. So I j- I say that to say that, you know, as, as I get a little older, I, I wanna make sure that we are aware, to make sure that we take care of the, the senior population. I, Representative McClain, I...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee · March 2, 2026
House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee, March 2, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee approved HB 237, HB 1432 as amended, and HB 997 by substitute with amendments. Members heard presentations and testimony on HB 984 and HB 1395, but the transcript shows no votes on either. Discussion of HB 968, concerning a kratom ban, ended with the chair postponing action until Thursday over concerns about incorporating federal drug classifications into Georgia law. The committee also began reviewing a substitute for HB 1255, concerning the exchange of evidence in criminal cases, and continued that discussion until Thursday without a vote. The chair announced that HB 1142 had been removed from the day's agenda at the sponsor's request and would return Thursday.
This was previously within 10 days. A court can still order a different timeline. Lines 373 through 382 changes the timeline to within 30 days of arraignment, but no later than 30 days prior to trial for when the prosecution must provide witness statements. Lines 383 through 391 changes the timeline for when the state must furnish their witness information...
And this would, uh, also attempt to update our subpoena service rules. Um, I'll go through section by section as quickly as possible. Section 1, and this is LC481803S that we're presenting here. Uh, Section 1 covers that a copy of an indictment from a grand jury must be either mailed or electronically transmitted to the defendant and attorney if none within...
Bill or resolution · Georgia House of Representatives · February 9, 2026 · Introduced
Criminal procedure; motions and discovery; modify provisions
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): A House Judiciary substitute would overhaul Georgia's criminal discovery rules, setting new deadlines for prosecutors and defendants to exchange evidence and adding detailed disclosure requirements for expert witnesses.
SECTION 1. Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to criminal procedure is amended by revising Code Section 17-7-54, relating to form of indictment by grand jury, by adding a new subsection to read as follows: "(c) An indictment substantially complying with the forms provided in this Code section shall in all cases be sufficient and...
SECTION 2. Said title is further amended by revising subsection (c) of Code Section 17-7-70.1, relating to trial upon accusations in certain felony and misdemeanor cases and trial upon plea of guilty or nolo contendere, as follows: "(c) An accusation substantially complying with the form forms provided in subsections (d) and (e) of Code Section 17-7-71...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Governmental Affairs Committee · January 28, 2026
House Governmental Affairs Committee, January 28, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee approved HB 903, which the sponsor described as expanding oversight of state agency rules, and HB 140, which would limit cities’ reliance on fines and forfeitures. For HB 140, members adopted an amendment phasing in the limits through 2030 before sending the amended bill to Rules. Both bills passed by voice vote, with no vote counts stated. The chair announced that HB 613 had been withdrawn from the agenda at the sponsor’s request. The committee also heard from DeKalb County’s chief executive about housing affordability, rental registries and rent increases, and from a citizen urging protection of voting access and opposition to federal executive involvement in elections.
But, and, uh, I've been gone now for 15 years, but I believe it was 50, uh, 50, it was 40% to begin with, and in the legislature, we reduced it, uh, about seven or eight years ago to 35% of the overall budget of the city. Uh, but it delineated the different speeds. And, uh, what happened is, and, uh, and I've had a lot of police chiefs talk to me about what...
They don't have any, uh, they don't have any competence or licenses to, to do that. So it's at post-council right now to make a determination about what they're gonna do. But, uh, I, I think certainly, uh, the, the least amount is they're gonna- They're gonna stop them from speed enforcement, but there's probably some law enforcement officers that are gonna...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Rules Committee · February 23, 2026
House Rules Committee, February 23, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee heard requests to advance bills on education, insurance, courts, public safety, taxes and other subjects. Members questioned proposed SNAP eligibility checks, mandatory jail time for fleeing state officers, environmental review thresholds and scholarship rules for students with disabilities. The committee placed eight bills on the next day's House calendar: HB 310, HB 372, HB 385, HB 971, HB 1009, HB 1023, HB 1123 and HB 1193. No opposition was heard to those calendar decisions. The committee also sent HB 376 back to Ways and Means and HB 1112 back to Banks and Banking without opposition. The other requests did not receive calendar votes in this meeting. The chair announced another Rules meeting for the following morning at 9:00.
Okay. I don't see any questions. Uh, Chairman Carson, is that you? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, yes, uh, um, bottom of page two, the very last bill, HB809. Um, this bill would increase the minimum speed limit in Georgia, uh, on Georgia interstates from 40 to 50 miles per hour. Our minimum speed limit has not, uh, increased since the early '70s when we had...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Motor Vehicles Committee · February 10, 2026
House Motor Vehicles Committee, February 10, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee considered five bills. Members discussed a revised version of HB 585 requiring information about drivers excluded from insurance policies to be available to law enforcement. A voice vote followed, but the chair did not explicitly announce the result. The committee held a hearing only on HB 809, which would raise the minimum speed on certain highways to 50 mph, while awaiting information about costs and implementation. The committee approved HB 1073, creating a Jackson State University specialty license plate, HB 1181, simplifying title transfers for certain inherited vehicles, and HB 1202, correcting a reference related to motor vehicle crime prevention grants.
What they have said is that, uh, that it, it is possible for them to do this administratively rather than do so with legislation. Uh, Mr. Chairman, this is a, a late addition. I apologize for this. But I have a copy of 40.6.184. Um, should I... H- okay. Thanks, Brian. And what this does, this particular section, 40.6.184, uh, I don't know why it's on legal...
I, based on the current speeds, I don't think there's... In order for a student... Okay, if I can just answer it in two parts. One regard to student drivers and el- elderly, or senior drivers. Senior drivers. I would say in regard to senior drivers, there's var- including on 40 s- dot six dot 184, um, the first, uh, item here on this, uh, handout, uh,...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee · February 17, 2026
House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee, February 17, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee advanced HB 1226, HB 675, HB 35, HB 1131 and HB 1075 after presentations and voice votes. Those measures address self-defense procedures, support for foreign terrorist organizations, special-prosecutor pay, notice of warrant application hearings and penalties for pimping after a trafficking conviction. The committee also heard HB 984, which would help investigators locate possible abuse victims who have moved, and planned to bring it back the following week. Members raised concerns about the scope and privacy rules of a proposed domestic violence registry in HB 1142, and the chair requested a revised version without taking a vote. After testimony raised concerns about the substitute for HB 421, concerning child enticement, the chair adjourned and said it would return Thursday.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, yeah, obviously, this is my community as well. Sheriff Long is our sheriff in, in Butts County, and, um, he and I have known each other a long, long time. Um, but to your point, I think that, yes, this is-- he's using that case as an illustration, but I think it's highlighted an issue that we have. This is, this has shown us a...
Um, so shifting back. So I guess my first question for the body would be, um, we're-- if we're looking at lines twenty-two through twenty-five, um... Shifting over, I wanna go to twenty-eight. Shift down. Uh, from twenty-eight through thirty-three, um, if, if I-- if we can contemplate, you know, what that means for law enforcement. 'Cause in my experience,...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Rules Committee · February 25, 2026
House Rules Committee, February 25, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee heard requests to advance bills on public safety, healthcare, education, taxes, licensing, property and other topics. It set floor calendars for the current day and Thursday. The current day's calendar included HB 1024, HB 1329, HB 519 and HB 1001, among others. Members objected to adding HB 1001, but the chair declared that the voice vote favored adding it. Thursday's calendar included HB 1262, HB 1263, HB 1274 and HB 1344. The committee returned HB 1275 to the Health Committee after questions about restrictions on stem cell materials. It also returned HB 1073, HB 1028 and HB 1224 to their respective committees. Most other presentations ended without questions or a scheduling decision shown in the transcript.
Mr. Chairman, I'm back. I missed one of my bills on the blue sheet. Okay, go ahead. On page eight, Senate Bill 160, and this has to do with the very dangerous activity of reckless stunt driving. And what it allows is the use of a new technology called, well, it's not that new, ISAs, which are intelligence speed assistance devices, which are like a governor...
Bill or resolution · Georgia House of Representatives · January 29, 2025 · Passed
Appeal and error; judgments deemed directly appealable; change a provision
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): House Bill 176 changes Georgia's rules for criminal appeals, creating a new process for defendants to seek late permission to appeal or request a new trial, and setting clearer deadlines for withdrawing guilty pleas.
If the judge grants such motion, the defendant shall have 30 days to file an out-of-time motion for new trial or notice of appeal and the judge shall have the discretion to allow an extension of time for filing such motion or notice as set forth in Code Section 5-6-39. (3) An indigent defendant shall have the right to the assistance of counsel to seek any...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee · February 23, 2026
House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee, February 23, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee approved nine bills covering vehicle obstruction of law enforcement, firearm suppressors, sexual exploitation of vulnerable adults, interstate travel for child molestation, reckless stunt-driving vehicle forfeiture, sexual-assault evidence retention, zoo animal protections, controlled-substance scheduling and drug possession around children. Members debated whether existing laws already covered vehicle obstruction and whether removing state suppressor restrictions would hinder police responses to gunfire. The committee amended the stunt-driving proposal to require conviction before forfeiture and amended the child-endangerment proposal to address lawful medications and medical cannabis. Four other bills were postponed until Wednesday. All nine approved bills were sent to Rules, with no numerical vote totals announced.
And to your point, it is not the person who's convicted who would have a right to re- to keep that car. In fact, the title has to be transferred to such other family member who is a duly licensed operator, et cetera, et cetera. So it, it does not contemplate giving, keeping that title with the person who's causing the harm. It contemplates keeping the title...
Yes, I believe so. Okay. Robert Lopekh, Robert Smith, can you come up? Thank you. And I'm gonna lead off with a question from right here at the chair real quick. If one of y'all ... If y'all just scoot over. And Robert, I'll just kind of line up a little bit of a straight fairway shot for you. You've heard the handed amendment coming to this legislation. My...
Bill or resolution · Georgia House of Representatives · February 3, 2025 · Engrossed
Motor vehicles; enforcement of speeding violations in school zones through automated traffic enforcement safety devices; repeal all laws
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): A Georgia Senate substitute for HB 225 would repeal the state law allowing school zone speed cameras and ban local governments from signing new or renewed camera enforcement contracts starting July 1, 2027.
SECTION 2. Said article is further amended by repealing Code Section 40-14-1.2, relating to agent not private investigator or subject to certain laws.
SECTION 3. Said article is further amended in Code Section 40-14-2, relating to permit required for use, use not authorized where officers paid on fee system, and operation by registered or certified peace officers, by repealing subsection (c).
Bill or resolution · Georgia House of Representatives · February 26, 2025 · Passed
Motor vehicles; use of automated traffic enforcement safety devices in school zones; revise provisions
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): House Bill 651 rewrites Georgia's rules for school zone speed cameras, adding new penalties for misuse, requiring flashing warning lights, and requiring local voters to approve camera enforcement through a referendum starting in 2027.
SECTION 10. Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to courts, is amended in Code Section 15-9-155, relating to prosecuting attorney's duties and authority in probate courts in counties in which there are no state courts, by revising subparagraph (a)(1)(A) as follows: "(A) In the prosecution of any violation of the laws or ordinances of...
SECTION 11. Said title is further amended in Code Section 15-18-6, relating to duties of district attorney, by revising paragraph (6) as follows: "(6) To prosecute civil actions to enforce any civil penalty set forth in Code Section 40-6-163 or 40-14-18 and to prosecute or defend any other civil action in the prosecution or defense of which the state is...
Bill or resolution · Georgia House of Representatives · March 16, 2026 · Introduced
House Study Committee on Criminal Post-Conviction Litigation; create
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): A Georgia House resolution would create a 12-member study committee to examine long delays in resolving ineffective assistance of counsel claims after criminal convictions, with a report due by December 1, 2026.
House Resolution 1703 By: Representatives Gunter of the 8th, Smith of the 18th, Leverett of the 123rd, Panitch of the 51st, Holcomb of the 101st, and others A RESOLUTION Creating the House Study Committee on Criminal Post-Conviction Litigation; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, pursuant to the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article I,...
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