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Meeting transcript · Georgia House Judiciary Committee · March 4, 2026
House Judiciary Committee, March 4, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee approved four bills: HB 1475, concerning representatives continuing public-benefit matters after an applicant dies; HB 1433, increasing penalties for unauthorized practice of law; HB 1470, addressing allegedly abusive website-accessibility lawsuits; and HB 899, revising transfer-on-death deed procedures. Members amended HB 1475 before approval and approved substitutes for HB 1470 and HB 899. The committee also discussed HB 1360, which would prohibit class-action tax-refund lawsuits against counties and cities. Supporters described costs to taxpayers, while members raised concerns about affordable access to legal relief. The committee tabled that bill, with the chair indicating it could return the next day.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Members of the committee, uh, at this late hour, I bring you House Bill 1360, and I'm gonna turn it over to Aaron Kapler to explain what's going on. Thank you. Mr. Chairman, members of the committee, thank you very much. My name is Aaron Kapler. I represent Sumter County. I'm the county attorney for Bryan County, and I also...
There are essentially two tax refund statutes. There's 48-2-35, which is the state, and again, it already precludes class actions for tax refunds against the state. And there's 48-5-380, which is the tax refund statute for counties and cities. What was the first statute? I'm sorry. Yes, ma'am. The first statute is 48-2-35. The language in the amendment of...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Judiciary Committee · March 5, 2026
House Judiciary Committee, March 5, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee approved HB 289 after changing implementation dates to 2027, and separately approved HB 1016 and HR 1046. HB 1360, concerning local tax and fee refunds, did not advance because no member made a motion. During the remote-notarization hearing, witnesses also debated the stronger unauthorized-practice-of-law penalties in HB 1433, without taking action on that bill. The committee continued a lengthy hearing on HB 1343, concerning how unmarried fathers establish legal fatherhood. Speakers discussed education, standardized forms, DNA testing, parental rights and possible drafting changes. After a recess, the chair announced that too few members remained to take action, leaving that bill in committee.
Thank you. Chairman Cheokas, uh, House Bill 1360. You need a motion to lift it off the table. Well, first, do we have a motion to take that bill off of the table? So moved. All right. We have a motion and a second. All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed. No. All right. All right. Chairman Cheokas, uh, give us an update of any changes since we were here...
Okay. All right. Any further, any further presentation? Um, any questions for the author or Mr. Kappler? Representative Cheokas. Oh, I'm sorry. Representative Silcox. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, does, does this replace or come in lieu of, um, a freeze if someone wants to freeze their as- So- ... assessment? That's a great question. This has...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Judiciary Committee · February 23, 2026
House Judiciary Committee, February 23, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee approved HB 1365, HB 1364 and HB 688, along with amended versions of HB 1221 and HB 1348. These measures concerned an additional superior court judge, timeshare foreclosures, delivery of court documents, homeowners’ association collection practices and court-appointed receivers’ pay. Much of the meeting focused on HB 1223, which would restrict public access to recordings depicting death. Members heard arguments about family privacy, commercial use of footage, news reporting and public oversight. The committee adopted several amendments but rejected a proposed news-media exception. With another amendment still unresolved, the chair postponed further work until Wednesday at 1 p.m. No final vote on that bill occurred.
Is 1365. Okay. Chairman? Judge- You ready? I am ready, yeah. Okay, let me turn you on there. Now I got both mics are lit up now. Go ahead. All right, well first of all, thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, members of the committee. Uh, first I'd like to in- introduce, I'll say, my colleagues for this particular bill. To my very right is Judge Eaton, and to my...
Okay. I see none right now, but I'll give y'all a chance to talk. Well, I don't know that we have much to say. I'm Judge Rachel Krause on the Fulton County bench. I don't know that we have much to add to what, uh, our co-sponsor and, uh, host here today has already said. Uh, he has hit many of the high notes. I think the important part is, um, that we are...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Judiciary Committee · March 2, 2026
House Judiciary Committee, March 2, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee heard seven bills. It tabled HB 899 after supporters and opponents disagreed over changes to transfer-on-death deeds. It approved HB 1403, concerning judges’ military legal service, and a substitute to HB 1223, restricting access to government recordings depicting a person’s death. It also approved HB 1028 after extending its compensation-system opt-in deadline to 2034, and HB 1397 after broadening protections against prosecution based on evidence from sexual assault examinations. The committee approved HB 1414, concerning related limited liability companies. It began discussing HB 1343, which would offer a streamlined process for establishing unmarried fathers’ legal status, but took no vote. The chair said that discussion would continue the next morning.
And then, uh, the next committee meeting we have is on Thursday, right before crossover. That's my best chance to get the rest of these bills heard. So if, if your bill doesn't get heard today, that's kind of the schedule this week, just so you know. All right? All right. Uh, you ready to start yours? Yeah. All right. This is House Bill 899. Uh, let's see....
And, uh, so it's, it's just important that we, that we get these revisions done and we, we make the improvements we're gonna make today. Um, so how this all began, this, this primarily came from the real estate side of this matter. Um, uh, title, uh, uh, title companies were, were having some, uh, concerns. They brought these to the Georgia Realtors, and,...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Judiciary Committee · January 27, 2026
House Judiciary Committee, January 27, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The House Judiciary Committee approved five measures: HB 999, allowing additional magistrate court fees through local legislation and correcting an election-law provision; HR 251, proposing a constitutional amendment for nonpartisan probate judge elections; HB 557, adding a sixth superior court judge in the Northeastern Judicial Circuit; HB 960, adding a twelfth superior court judge in Gwinnett; and HB 676, imposing a penalty for knowingly filing an unauthorized mechanic’s lien. The committee considered a substitute for HB 557 that moved dates back one year. All five measures passed by voice vote, with no opposition heard.
Thank you. All right. Last but not least, we've got, um, House Bill 676, Representative Clifton. Thank you, sir, members of the committee. Um, I'll be brief, as this bill ha- was passed through the committee last year. Um, I was a little late dropping it and did not have enough time to get it, uh, all the way through, but, uh, excited for this bill. This is...
Thank you. Any further questions? All right. No further questions. Do we have a motion? Move to pass. We have a, a motion by the majority leader to pass. Uh, we have a second by, uh, Representative Scoggins. Uh, all in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed, nay. All right, the bill does pass. Thank you, sir. Thank y'all.
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Judiciary Committee · February 9, 2026
House Judiciary Committee, February 9, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee approved four bills. HB 1024 would raise the amount of home equity protected in bankruptcy, following discussion about homeowners’ needs and repayment to creditors. The committee approved a substitute to HB 211 setting a gross negligence standard for PFAS receivers, despite objections about public notice and questions about its wording. Survivors, whistleblowers and advocates supported HB 1187, which addresses confidentiality agreements involving sexual abuse and human trafficking. The committee amended that bill to address existing agreements before approving it. The committee also approved HB 1042 after reviewing a substitute and adopting an amendment clarifying payment language for property sales. All four bills passed by voice vote, with no numerical totals stated.
Okay. All right. Ms. Hong, you're back up. Oh, thank you. Okay. May I proceed, Chairman? Go ahead. Ready. Thank you, Chairman and members of committee. Um, I am proud to sponsor what we call Trey's, uh, Law today. That is, um, LC49-2538-EC. I'm carrying this on behalf of the governor, the first lady, and the Grace Commission. Um, been very grateful that I...
Amen. All right. Ms. Hong, you've got, which one? 1187 you wanna do, or 1024? Um, I'll start with 1024. Okay. Which one? I'm sorry. 1024. 1024. Okay. House Bill 1024. Thank you, Chairman and members of the committee. Um, 1024, I have LC 44-3365. This deals with bankruptcy homestead exemption. So bankruptcy law is governed by federal law, but with, um,...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Judiciary Committee · February 18, 2026
House Judiciary Committee, February 18, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee approved six bills: HB 1208 on certified court reporters at depositions, HB 1185 on business court and shareholder claims, HB 664 on older homeowners associations joining state law, HB 792 on magistrate court claim limits, HB 1160 on wrongful death filing deadlines, and HB 1024 on bankruptcy homestead exemptions. Members amended the magistrate court bill to set a $25,000 limit and clarified a legal reference in the wrongful death bill. Two proposed changes to the shareholder bill failed. The committee held HB 1243, which would expand researchers’ access to criminal justice data, after witnesses raised privacy concerns and possible conflicts with state and federal law.
All right. So that one. All right. If I get home. Oh, you want to get that one? I don't know. Let me... How long is this gonna take? Five hours. To hold? I know. Maybe three minutes. You think? Okay. All right. We'll call that one. House Bill 1160, Representative Crawford. Now let's, let's try to move quick, please. Thank you, Chairman. Is it okay if I sit...
And so I would, if there is an amendment, I can change that section, as opposed to the general statute reference 19-7-1 Section C. Thank you. Okay. All right. I don't see any other questions for the author. What's the will of the committee? Move, do you pass. Second. All right. Got a motion and a second. I have an amendment. Amendment. All right. Go ahead....
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Judiciary Committee · February 19, 2026
House Judiciary Committee, February 19, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee approved HB 1028, which would restructure district attorney pay, by a 6-5 vote after adopting an amendment to also cap local supplements for circuit public defenders. Members rejected a separate amendment that would have delayed the changes until state-funded district attorney salaries rose at least 50%. The committee also approved HB 1042, addressing access to judges’ protected information for real estate transactions, and HB 1021, increasing the amount the court clerks’ authority may retain for administrative expenses. Members discussed HR 1023, a proposed constitutional amendment on parental rights, but took no vote. The sponsor requested help revising its child-protection language, and the chair discussed returning to it Monday.
My name is Omotayo Ali. I am not a prosecutor. I am the public defender, but, uh, it is precisely in my role that I am in support of this legislation. Uh, and that's because a strong justice system requires... I have a lot to say about retention, recruitment, but everything has been said, so I'll just go to, briefly, to, um, other things that I could just...
Okay. Any questions? I see none. Thank you. Uh, oh. Okay. Well, you all have a good evening. Nice to meet you. Pleasure. Joshua Marky I think he's still- He's gone? All right. Larkin. Oh. He's where? There's a Larkey and a Markey. Larkey and a Markey. Okay, gotcha. Um, Gina Bernard. What? Who's got 18 flashing over there? Chairman Hitchens. Chairman...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Judiciary Committee · March 26, 2026
House Judiciary Committee, March 26, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee reviewed the Senate changes to HB 61, focusing on removing unauthorized occupants from property, hotel guests’ rights and clearing certain eviction records. Members disagreed over protections for families living in extended-stay hotels. The chair then proposed replacing the contents of SB 463 with the language under discussion, and a motion to approve that bill was seconded. Members requested clearer protections and testimony from housing advocates after hearing from the hotel industry. No amendment vote or final vote appears in the transcript. The chair recessed the meeting until 1 p.m. to prepare a substitute and allowed written testimony before then.
Yeah. Y- y- you did. So, uh, um, I don't think we're going that route today. And, uh, the reason we're doing all of this is this is a House bill that was tabled here and never got vetted by a House committee, and it has now come over from the Senate in House Bill 61, and so we've got to vet this, and that's why we're here. That's what we're doing today. So...
Uh, a couple of you brought to my attention regarding long-term housing, people that stay in extended-stay hotels for more than 90 days. We added an amendment, uh, Senator Halpern, uh, drafted an amendment that allows a 10-day grace period before, uh, anybody can be removed. Um, that was a big, uh, plus. Uh, also added to 61 was, um, an amendment that will...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Judiciary Committee · February 5, 2026
House Judiciary Committee, February 5, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee approved five bills: HB 1121 on court-term dates in the Cordele Judicial Circuit, HB 948 on notices about surplus foreclosure proceeds, HB 979 on state jurisdiction over juvenile offenses at military installations, HB 545 on ordering appeal transcripts, and HB 1215 on adding a judge to the Middle Judicial Circuit. The committee also discussed a substitute for HB 1042, covering judicial privacy, special-master eligibility and foreclosure payments. Members questioned whether its payment changes would limit cash buyers or disadvantage smaller bidders. The chair deferred that bill until Monday to allow further work on the language. The five approvals were by voice vote, with no opposition heard.
Good, good afternoon, uh, Mr. Chairman, members of the committee. I'm, uh, presenting House Bill 979, that's LC48-1653. Um, and just by way of, of set up for the bill, as a, um, some of the groups that I work with includes the Department of Defense, uh, the Office of Military Community and Family Policy. And what that office does is to, uh, look across the,...
Okay. Would you like to say anything, ma'am? Um, we're unfortunate that, um, Commissioner Ross wasn't able to join us this afternoon. Um, but we do have the agency's full support, and if there are any questions, I'd be happy to answer them. Okay. The, the, and as it, as it mentions in the letter, I don't know if you, you probably didn't get a chance to read...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Judiciary Committee · March 19, 2026
House Judiciary Committee, March 19, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee approved SB 406 with changes to owners’ association rules, including notice requirements drawn from HB 1221, longer foreclosure notice and clearer financial-record requirements. The committee also approved SB 542, which the sponsor said would address sexual exploitation by clergy. After hearing from survivors, advocates and other witnesses, members revised the clergy definition and extended the time allowed to bring charges. Both measures passed by voice vote with no opposition heard. The committee discussed a revised SB 403 concerning unclaimed property, cryptocurrency and returning money to owners. Members questioned its implementation and provisions ending some owners’ claims. No member moved to advance it, and the chair declared that it failed.
All right, ladies and gentlemen, I need to call us to order. Uh, this is what I get for putting so many bills on the calendar. So we're going to be full in here. Uh, you know, if you can find a seat, good luck. I hope it works out for you. But, uh, let me call on, uh, Vice Chair Reeves, if you would open us up. Let us pray. Dear Lord, we thank you so much...
Chairman Brazz, was there one more amendment that came late in the process, uh, about corporate records that's a friendly amendment? There was, and I, um, I think I understand. I'll let you explain it. Sure. And I, I'm, I think I agree with it, so. Appreciate you working, uh, with us on that. It's AM 49-0315, uh, in your packet. It provides on line 307, uh,...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Judiciary Committee · March 17, 2026
House Judiciary Committee, March 17, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee held hearings on SB 406, concerning homeowners and condominium associations, and SB 463, concerning large investors’ ownership of single-family homes. On SB 406, members and witnesses discussed state registration, access to records, a lower-cost complaint process and foreclosure protections. The chair requested a revised version rather than voting on individual amendments. On SB 463, supporters described competition between investors and homebuyers, while opponents raised concerns about rental supply, construction financing and legal challenges. Members requested proposed changes and clarification of exceptions. Neither bill received a vote. The chair expected both to return Thursday, with additional testimony planned for SB 463.
And you've got Senate Bill 406, and let me get the LC on it. 443527S, is that correct? Yes, sir. That's the committee sub I submitted yesterday. All right. Okay. Tell us about your bill. All right. So the HOA, uh, bill, um, many of y'all may or may not have heard from people that have had issues. Uh, I've heard from many. Um, and so as I heard from them,...
That is your registration process, and the crux of it is we want them to, number one, register who the association is, the address of that association, the officers of that association, and then we also want them to v- um, file their, their, um, their financials every year and their bylaws. Okay? And these are, these are all documents that are already,...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Judiciary Committee · March 25, 2026
House Judiciary Committee, March 25, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee considered a motion to take HB 183 off the table. A member asked what procedural options remained for the bill at this point in the session. The chair said the committee first needed to take it off the table before discussing it. After an initial voice vote, the chair called for a show of hands. The transcript does not state the result, and the meeting adjourned without substantive discussion of the bill.
All right, I'm gonna call the meeting to order. Um, do I hear a motion to pull from the table House Bill 183? Moved. Second. All right, motion and a second. All those in favor say, "Aye." Aye. Aye. Parliamentary inquiry, Mr. Chair. If I may? Go ahead. Parliamentary inquiry. Um, we're all... Procedurally, I'm trying to understand where 183 could go at this...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Judiciary Committee · March 25, 2026
House Judiciary Committee, March 25, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee brought SB 111 off the table and considered a substitute concerning eligibility for the Rural Hospital Tax Credit. The presenter said the changes would add seven rural hospitals to the program and prevent federal funding from affecting eligibility. After brief supportive comments and no substantive questions, the committee approved the bill by voice vote, with no opposition heard, and adjourned.
Amen. All right, thank you. All right, uh, yeah. I need a motion to, uh, bring off the table Senate Bill 111. Motion to move Senate Bill 111 off the table. Got a motion and a second. Uh, all those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? All right, thank you. It's off the table. Uh, what you have before you is a, uh, substitute LC492866, uh, to Senate Bill 111,...
The reason this is struck is because we do have Rural Health Transformation funds coming down from the federal government, and the way that those are calculated in a hospital's financial sheet, we are concerned that those dollars might kick hospitals out of the program because of that. And so this just puts everyone on a level playing field. This bill adds...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Judiciary Committee · March 26, 2026
House Judiciary Committee, March 26, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee resumed consideration of SB 463 and approved a substitute dealing with hotel guests and long-term stays. Members rejected five amendments addressing eviction records, notice and opportunities to resolve contract violations, law enforcement involvement, restoration of the Senate-passed text, and tenant status for long-term hotel residents. The chair confirmed that written testimony had been received. A member noted that people who returned to the meeting had no opportunity to testify. The substitute passed by a show of hands, with no vote count announced, and the committee adjourned.
Aye. Any opposed? No. Okay. Let's raise of hands. All those in favor raise your hand. All those opposed. It, it fails. All right. Um, next one. Yeah. And the next one would be a collective amendment 'cause it's all in the same section. Um, and that would be starting on line 108, to insert between, between s- stays and for more than, insert the words on the...
Oh, wait. I'm sorry. That's actually not true. Hold that thought. Delete lines 148 to 150, because that would, if we left that in, it would undermine what we're, what I'm proposing that we add in on the ability to cure. So basically, everything on your sheet except for the delete lines 133 to 139, and I would move that as an amendment. Second. All right. I...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Judiciary Committee · March 23, 2026
House Judiciary Committee, March 23, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee approved three bills. A substitute for SB 403 would let the Department of Revenue return unclaimed money without requiring a claim and simplify claims by heirs. The committee approved SB 532 after the chair said its original contents had been replaced with a Gwinnett judgeship proposal. After a recess, members debated a substitute for SB 552 concerning equal access for student political activities at public schools. Questions focused on after-hours access, supervision, school discipline and whether a specific Georgia incident justified the bill. The committee approved that substitute by voice vote, with opposition heard.
All right. Where's... Okay, we go to 532. Okay. All right. Uh, next bill is, uh, Senate Bill 532. And this bill has been gutted, and the, uh, Gwinnett Judgeship Bill has been inserted in its place. Move to pass. Second. All right, motion and a second. Um, Representative Evans? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just had a question. The other, all the other judges...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Judiciary Committee · March 16, 2026
House Judiciary Committee, March 16, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee advanced SB 552, concerning students’ political expression and access to school facilities, after rejecting an amendment allowing excused absences for civic or political events. It held a hearing on SB 403, which would simplify unclaimed-property payments and allow the state to permanently take ownership of some unclaimed funds. Members questioned cryptocurrency provisions, protections for creditors and property owners, and the proposed deadlines for claims. The chair held that bill for further consideration and said it would return Thursday. The committee also approved a substitute for SB 570, requiring human-trafficking awareness training for frontline workers in hotels, motels and short-term rentals. Both approved bills were sent to Rules.
What if there's a language barrier or they're illiterate? I, I'm, I'm not sure. Are, are you saying that it's a, someone who, who is not- I mean, it could be somebody that moved here that they were living in China and they don't, they only speak Chinese, and they come back and they have a relative that left them property, but the property's been taken and...
One more time. So yes, I'll use the example of Florida primarily. So where Georgia's Unclaimed Property Fund is over $3 billion, Florida's lives at 1.2. They have higher, you know, levels of residency as well as higher travel through, through their state. And so the fact that we are more than double what they are holding in Florida just goes to show that,...
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